Metro

PHOTOS: Lagos Muslims Protest, Petition Lawmakers Over

Published

1 year ago

August 17, 2023

Muslims, under the umbrella of the Lagos Muslim Community, have staged a protest over what they described as official marginalization in the list of commissioner-designates forwarded to the state House of Assembly by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

The commissioners list released by Governor Sanwo-Olu allegedly has eight Muslims, and 31 Christians.

Muslims in their hundreds converged on the state’s house of assembly complex in the early hours of Wednesday.

The protest had in attendance heads of various Islamic organisations and scholars among other Muslims faithful, displaying placards, which reads the inscription, “MUSLIMS SAY NO OFFICIAL DISCRIMINATION.”

Addressing a large crowd of Muslim protesters at the venue, President, Muslim Community of Lagos State, Prof. Tajudeen .G.O. Gbadamosi, read a petition, which was submitted to the lawmakers.

President, Muslim Community of Lagos State (MCLS), Prof Tajudeen Gbadamosi reading the protesters speech to the Lagos State House of Assembly members, representing Speaker Mudasiru Obasa
Other prominent Muslim leaders at the event included the Convener, Joint Muslim Forum (JMF) Sheikh AbdurRahman Ahmad, Lagos State House of Assembly (LAHA) Member Lukmon Olumo; Chief Whip/Chairman Commissioners-Nominee Screening Committee Mojeed Fatai Adebola, LAHA Member Jubreel AbdulKareem and MURIC Director Prof Lakin Akintola, among others.

The petition, titled, “Petition on the Discrimination against Muslims in the Nomination of Commissioners,” reads, “We are here today to express our grievance and dissatisfaction against the blatant disregard for justice, equity and fairness in the proposed Lagos State’ Executive cabinet as contained in the list of commissioners nominees submitted by Governor Sanwo-Olu to this honorable House for your screening and confirmation.

“As you are aware, the list is a classic case of discrimination and religious bigotry, as it has 31 nominees who are of the Christian faith and only eight (8) nominees who are Muslims. This is not a new development, especially since Governor Sanwo-Olu assumed leadership of this State, as a matter of fact, it is has been elevated to a level of official state policy to deny Muslims their deserved positions under the Sanwo-Olu adminustration.

“For instance, in 2019, when Mr. Sanwo-Olu became governor, he appointed 14 Special Advisers, and only one (1) among them was a Muslim. Again, his State Executive Council, which had 43 members, only 14 were Muslims, and the remaining 29 were Christians.

“Also, of the 23 commissioners, 10 were Muslims and 13 of them Christians. Only 15 Muslims, with 35 Christians, made up the body of 50 Permanent Secretaries in his first term. These are just a few among numerous ways in which the Sanwo-Olu administration deny Muslims in this state their rightful place and number in leadership.”

The petition further reads, “The Rt. Hon. Speaker and honorable members, we want you to note that this list from Governor Sanwo-Olu violates the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria particularly Section 14(4) and is further strengthened by section 192(2) both stating as follows.

“The composition of the Government of a State, a local government council, or any of the agencies of such Government or council, and the conduct of the affairs of the Government or council or such agencies shall be carried out in such manner as to recognise the diversity of the people within its area of authority and the need to promote a sense of belonging and loyalty among all the peoples of the Federation.”

“192(2) Any appointment to the office of Commissioner of the Government of a State shall, if the nomination of any person to such office is confirmed by the House of Assembly of the State, be made by the Governor of that State and in making any such appointment the Governor shall conform with the provisions of section 14(4) of this Constitution.”

It reads, “With due respect Governor Sanwo-Olu’s list clearly violates these provisions of the Constitution and we accordingly call upon this honorable House not to endorse any action that violates our national grundnorm, especially one which equally violates good conscience and natural justice.

“The argument that Muslims have more elected officials in Lagos State in preposterous. This is even more so at a time when all the Six (6) Governors of the southwest are Christians and we the Muslims do not complain about this, because we recognise that they contested for offices and won.

“Why must Muslims in Lagos State always beg and fight for their constitutional rights especially since Mr Sanwo-olu became Governor? We recall with utmost sadness really, that until the Supreme Court ruled in favour of hijab for our school girls, successive Lagos Governments, never felt it should endeavor to align with the global best practice of accepting hijab in addition to abiding with the rule of law.

“The historic pro-hijab judgement was delivered in March 2022 and globally acknowledged. However, Governor Sanwo-Olu’s government in its peculiar idiosyncrasy chose to ignore this until a year later, after ceaseless pressure was mounted by well-meaning individuals.”

“We the Muslims of, and in Lagos State wish to categorically state that the entire leadership of the Muslim Community of Lagos State representing various Muslim organizations, unequivocally and unanimously reject the list of commissioner-designates of Governor Sanwo-Olu and we demand a reversal and review to reflect 60% in favour of Muslims in a fresh list.

“We call on the Lagos State House of Assembly to reject the list as similarly done in the Niger State House of Assembly, where a noticeably minority Christian population demanded a reversal of the list of commissioners to reflect fairness and equity to them.

“We also call on you and the House of Assembly to impress on the government the need to respect the diversity of the state’s population and to appoint a more representative cabinet. We believe that this is essential for the future stability and prosperity of Lagos State.”

Metro

Gunshots As EFCC Storms Kogi Lodge At Night; Yahaya Bello Resists Arrest

Published

20 hours ago

September 19, 2024

Editor

Gunshots were fired on Wednesday night as operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) stormed the Kogi State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja, in an attempt to arrest former Governor Yahaya Bello.

The EFCC had declared Bello wanted for allegedly laundering N80.2 billion. The commission’s move followed a 19-count charge filed against him.

The attempted arrest was, however, met with resistance from security operatives at the lodge, leading to a standoff. Normalcy was later restored, with movements restricted around the area.

Sources indicate that Bello subsequently left the lodge in Ododo’s company, amidst uncertainty over his current whereabouts.

Bello’s media office, in a statement by Director, Ohiare Michael, condemned the attempted arrest as needless and ‘Gestapo-like,’ arguing that Bello had cooperated with the commission by reporting voluntarily.

Michael’s statement emphasized that the EFCC should be held accountable if anything untoward happens to Bello.

The statement reads, “It has come to our notice that people suspected to be operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission are currently around the Kogi Government Lodge, Asokoro in an attempt to forcefully arrest former Governor Yahaya Bello. They were shooting sporadically.

“(They) are currently around the Kogi Government Lodge, Asokoro in an attempt to forcefully arrest former Governor Yahaya Bello.

“It was reported earlier that the former Governor went to the EFCC Office voluntarily earlier today, but the Commission told him to leave and come at a later date, only to mount a Gestapo-like attack on the Kogi State Government facility in Asokoro.

“Tonight’s (Wednesday night) attack was needless as the former Governor made himself available to the EFCC in their office for interrogation. The EFCC had no questions to ask Alh. Yahaya Bello in the morning, but suddenly, they are out to arrest him.

“This action is condemnable. They have displayed the very reason many Nigerians believe they were fighting political battles instead of the mandate to fight corruption. This action reflects much more than the fight against corruption.

“We want to place it on record that the EFCC should be held accountable if anything untoward happens to him.”

Recall that earlier, Bello had voluntarily reported to the EFCC headquarters, accompanied by his successor, Governor Usman Ododo. However, he was asked to leave and return later.

The EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, could not be reached for comments at the time of filing this report.

VANGUARD

Metro

JUST IN: Lagos Orders Evacuation Of Police Barracks Over Imminent Collapse

Published

1 day ago

September 18, 2024

Editor

The Lagos State Government has raised the alarm over an imminent building collapse at Mopol 20 Barracks, Onigbongbo in the Ikeja area of the state.

This is as the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency is set to begin an emergency evacuation at the old block 3 section of the barracks.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, said its response team had assessed some parts of the structure and found them to be in a precarious condition.

Oke-Osanyintolu stated the building and adjacent structures would also be evacuated immediately to prevent any loss of life or property.

“The Agency dispatched a response team to the location and the findings indicate that the building and those adjacent must be evacuated with immediate effect. We are conducting a response plan which comprises an assessment, safe and orderly evacuation and controlled demolition

“Under the watchful eye of the Babajide Olusola Sanwoolu administration, we will be carrying out this preemptive demolition action due to the precarious conditions of the building and possible secondary incidents that could occur if left unmanaged,” the statement partly read.

He, however, urged members of the public within the vicinity to remain calm and refrain from spreading misinformation on social media.

He also assured that the situation was being closely monitored and managed.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement in July, disclosed that the police were carrying out a comprehensive renovation of some police barracks in the state.

He noted that the renovation would be carried out in partnership with the state government.

Metro

Police Arrest Kidnappers, Armed Robbers In Delta

Published

3 days ago

September 17, 2024

Editor

The Delta State Police Command led by CP Olufemi Abaniwonda has arrested several kidnappers, armed robbers, and car snatchers and recovered over 1,000 ammunition in a coordinated attack.

This was contained in a statement yesterday by Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe.

According to him, “On 05/09/24 at 1330hrs Anti-crime patrol team of Aboh division, while on stop and search duty in Aboh town intercepted one motorcycle conveying two occupants carrying a bag, the occupants were subjected to a routine search, while the search was going on, one of them took to his heels and escaped.

“Nine Hundred and Thirty Rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition were recovered in the bag. The other suspect Anthony Godday was immediately arrested, and the investigation is ongoing.

“On 12/09/2024 at about 0130hrs Crack Squad attached to Area Command Ughelli acting on a tip off, stormed a brothel cum criminal hideout in Ewu town Ughelli South LGA and arrested five suspects namely; Dominic Uweru “m” Alias Ovwolo 48YRS, Isaac Oghenerukevwe ‘m’ Alias Plug 34yrs, Oviri Godstime “m” 25yrs, Junior Sunday ‘m’ and Efedeki Adjovo ‘m’, one single barrel gun, three locally made cut-to-size gun, cash sum of Four hundred and fifty thousand naira (#450,000.00) ransom one Moniepoint POS machine, one OPAY POS machine, wraps of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp.

“They confessed to various armed robbery/kidnapping operations in Ughelli and environs, including the kidnap of a 70-year-old woman (name withheld) who they kidnapped on 08/09/2024 and collected the sum of Seven million, Nine hundred thousand naira ransom (#7,900,000) on 10/9/2024 before her release. The suspects are in custody and investigation is ongoing.

“Acting on credible information, operatives of Agbarho police station stormed the house of one Ovoke Enaike m’ age 43yrs an indigene of Ovierie Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State but resides in Ehwerhe Village Agbarho, during the search of his daylong motorcycle with Reg. NO: DTS XLEH 13 WL, a nylon bag containing the following one Locally Fabricated Gun, one live cartridge, and thirty-eight rounds of AK 47 Rifle Ammunition hidden under the motorcycle seat was recovered.

“Suspect in Agbarho Police Custody, efforts are on top gear to arrest the remaining gang members and recover more arms case will be transferred to State Headquarters Asaba, a preliminary investigation is in progress, and further development will be communicated.

“On 09/09/2024 at about 1745hrs on credible intelligence, the commander CP Monitoring SP Inyere Elias Chinedu unit led operatives to KM 9 Asaba/Benin Express Way where two male suspects namely, Olisa Emenoha ‘m’ aged 26yrs of Ifete Awka, Iteke Uchenna Wilson ‘m’ aged 26yrs of road 21 Ngozika Estate Awka both from Anambra State were arrested in possession of Toyota Corolla with REG NO: AWK 597 ND Toyota Camry with REG NO: GDD 149 MA suspected to be stolen and they were about to dispose of the vehicles.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that they are serial car snatchers and one of the vehicles was snatched at a gunpoint in Akwa Ibom State.”
VANGUARD