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Tag: Lagos govt

  • Whitney: Lagos Govt Arraigns 4 Chrisland Staffs Over Alleged manslaughter

    Whitney: Lagos Govt Arraigns 4 Chrisland Staffs Over Alleged manslaughter

    The Lagos State Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) on Thursday arraigned Chrisland School Ltd and four staff members for the alleged manslaughter of a 12-year-old student Whitney Adeniran.

    They were arraigned before Justice Oyindamola Ogala of the Ikeja High Court.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ademoye Adewale, Kuku Fatai, Belinda Amao, Nwatu Ugochi Victoria were arraigned on a two-count charge of manslaughter and negligent acts.

    The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge after it was read to them.

    Details later…

  • Lagos Govt Takes Delivery Of Firefighting Equipment

    Lagos Govt Takes Delivery Of Firefighting Equipment

    The Lagos State Government has taken delivery of firefighting equipment.

    Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State disclosed this on Sunday and also gave a breakdown of the equipment.

    “In order to empower the Lagos State Fire Department, we took delivery of 62 brand new fire apparatuses, consisting of fire trucks and support vehicles,” he tweeted.

  • Lagos Govt takes delivery of trains for Red Line Rail System

    Lagos Govt takes delivery of trains for Red Line Rail System

    The Lagos State Government has taken delivery of new trains from Milwaukee, United States, for its Redline rail project, a 37-kilometre intracity railway system.

    The state’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, disclosed this on Tuesday, September 27.

    Omotosho said the delivery was in line with the government’s determination to deliver the operation of the Red Line Rail System by the first quarter of 2023.

    Omotoso said: “Talgo Series 8 Trains, the 2 Nos. Ten and Eleven Car trains which were bought from Milwaukee are here.”

    Lagos takes delivery of trains for Red Line rail system

    He explained that it was necessary to decouple the train into 21 individual cars for effective transportation to Lagos, adding that the trains will be recoupled with the help of rolling stock Engineers from Talgo, the company that manufactured the trains in the United State of America.

    Lagos takes delivery of trains for Red Line rail system

    He added: “The Engineers will also take the opportunity to train our local Engineers whilst they are here to equip our young people with the requisite skills. Once the recoupling is complete, the testing and commissioning will commence followed by full passenger operations in the first quarter of 2023.

    Lagos takes delivery of trains for Red Line rail system

    “Each train can carry 1500 passengers and is expected to run on the Red Line Rail from Agbado to Oyingbo, with the journey taking less than 30 minutes.”

  • Lagos Govt Shuts School As Pupil Reportedly Drowns During Swimming Lesson

    Lagos Govt Shuts School As Pupil Reportedly Drowns During Swimming Lesson

    The Lagos State Ministry of Education has shut the Redeemers Nursery and Primary School in the Ogba of the state over the death of a five-year-old boy.

    Mrs Folashade Adefisayo, who is the Commissioner for Education in the state, announced this in a statement on Monday.

    She stated that the school would remain closed, pending an administrative investigation of its operations and procedures, as well as the conduct of its officials – in line with schools’ safety standards and guidelines.

    “The investigation is sequel to the death of a five-year-old pupil who is suspected to have drowned during a swimming lesson while in the custody of the school,” Adefisayo said.

    “The police are investigating the matter. A preliminary probe by the Office of Education Quality Assurance of the Ministry has shown that the Redeemers Nursery and Primary School, Ogba, is yet to conclude its registration and is, therefore, not yet an approved school.”

    According to the commissioner, the ministry is concerned about the safety of the pupils, hence the need for its intervention.

    She insisted that the school would remain closed until all the required approval processes were concluded.

    Adefisayo advised parents whose children are pupils of the school to note the closure and await the conclusion of the administrative investigation.

  • Lagos Govt orders Reopening of Chrisland Schools in Lagos

    Lagos Govt orders Reopening of Chrisland Schools in Lagos

    The Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led Lagos State Government has directed the reopening of all Chrisland Schools in the State.

    Recall that Chrisland schools were shut down on April 18, 2022, by the State Government over the controversies and outrage that followed the viral sex tape of minors who are pupils of the school.

    Some pupils from the school, during a recent trip to Dubai to participate in the World School Games between March 10 and 13, 2022, engaged in a sexual act.

    The controversies led to the suspension of the school by the state government.

    However, the Lagos State Commissioner of Education, Mrs Folasade Adefisayo, explained that the reopening of the school was to ensure that other students were not denied access to learning while an investigation into the issue continued.

    In a statement she signed, the Commissioner said the school’s Parent Teachers’ Association would be working on scheduled psychosocial support for the students involved in the immoral act.

    The statement read, “The Lagos State Ministry of Education has directed that all Chrisland Schools shut for alleged misconduct of some students in Dubai be reopened from Monday, April 25, 2022.

    “The directive follows a review of the ongoing administrative investigation into the incident. Besides, it is to ensure that students are not denied access to learning when the new term begins on Monday April 25 2022.

    “The State Government shut the schools for the safety of students and the staff and to ensure unhindered investigation of the incident.

    “The Ministry of Education and other relevant agencies of the State, in conjunction with the school’s Parent Teachers Association, will be working on scheduled psychosocial support for the students.

    “An extensive assessment of the school’s procedure, especially on external trips and excursions, is being made to identify safety gaps and prevent such incidents.”

    The Ministry disclosed that it would commence a review of guidelines/protocols governing private and public schools across the State within the next one month.

  • Chrisland Scandal: Lagos Govt Grills School Management, Teachers, Parents

    Chrisland Scandal: Lagos Govt Grills School Management, Teachers, Parents

    All parties involved in the alleged Chrisland school scandal are presently undergoing scrutiny at the Lagos State Ministry of Education, Education Quality Assurance Conference Hall, Alausa in Ikeja.

    A reliable source revealed that those present at the meeting are police officers, officials of the Education Quality Assurance and that of the Directorate of Public Prosecution, Chrisland school authorities including the affected teachers, parents of the affected students.

    The source further said that no student was sighted as against the earlier scheduled invitation by the police for all parties involved to report to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Panti, for detailed investigations.

    Wednesday’s meeting is the latest development since reports that some students of Chrisland schools were involved in a case of alleged sexual violence in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

    While the Lagos State Government had shut all Chrisland schools in the state following the incident, it has also vowed to ensure justice is done.

    It equally warned “that any person who engages in any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a child commits an offence and is liable to custodial sentence of fourteen (14) years. This includes ‘producing, distributing, receiving, or possessing an image of child pornography’.

    The incident has sparked heated debates on social media. While many accused Chrisland of trying to cover up the matter, others claimed the student was raped.

    But in a statement released shortly after, Chrisland denied claims of sexual abuse.

    “We are proud to reassure our stakeholders that no rape of anyone or the administration of a pregnancy test on any child took place on our watch,” a statement signed by a member of the Chrisland advisory board, Akin Fadeyi, read.

    “For emphasis, only a COVID post-travel test was conducted on the returning delegation of our students, in compliance with COVID-19 travel protocols, at the Life Centre Medical Services on March 21, 2022, at School Hall, Opebi.”

  • Bamise: Lagos Govt arraigns BRT driver Ominnikoron over alleged rape, murder

    Bamise: Lagos Govt arraigns BRT driver Ominnikoron over alleged rape, murder

    The Lagos State Government on Tuesday, arraigned the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) driver, Andrew Nice Ominnikoron, before a Lagos High Court sitting at Tafawa Balewa TBS over the alleged rape and murder of his passenger, Oluwabamise Ayanwole.

    Ominnikoron is facing a four-count charge bordering on rape, conspiracy and murder preferred against him by the Lagos state government.

    When the matter came up before Justice Sherifat Sonaike, the Director of Public Prosecution DPP, Dr Jide Martins, informed the court that the matter was for the arraignment of the defendant.

    The defendant’s counsel Mr Isaac Ezeawem did not object to the arraignment of the Ominnikoron.

    Martins told the court that the defendant on November 25, 2021, allegedly raped a 29 year -old lady Nneka Maryjane Ozezulu, without her consent.

    He said that the incident took place at about 7 pm, at Lekki- Ajah Conservation centre Lekki Ajah expressway Lagos.

    The Prosecutor also told the court that Ominnikoron conspired with others now at large and forcefully had sexual intercourse with his 22-year-old passenger, Oluwabamise Ayanwole, a fashion designer without her consent and murdered her.

    Martins said the incident happened on February 26, 2022, at about 8 pm, at Lekki – Ajah Conservation expressway and Cater bridge.

    He said that the defendant and others still at large on February 26, 2022, unlawfully killed one Oluwabamise Ayanwole by throwing her out of a moving bus at Cater bridge after having sexual intercourse with her without her consent.

    According to the prosecutor, the offences committed is contrary to and punishable under Sections 411,223,260 and 165 of the criminal law of Lagos State 2015.

    However, the 47-year-old defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge against him.

    Given the defendant’s plea, the DPP urged the court to further remand him at the Ikoyi prison and asked for a trial date.

    Consequently, Justice Sonaike ordered that Ominnikoron should be further remanded at the Ikoyi prison and adjourned the case to May 9, 10 and 11, 2022 for commencement of trial.

    On March 11, 2022, A Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court remanded the defendant in prison custody for 30 days over his alleged involvement in the death of Ayanwole, pending the DPP’s legal advice.
    Magistrate O. A. Salawu made the order following an application by the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Yaba, Lagos.

    Salawu, who stood in for Chief Magistrate Tunbosun Adedayo, ruled that Ominnikoron, should be kept at the Ikoyi prison pending legal advice on the matter from the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP).

    The Magistrate adjourned the case till April 11 for DPP’s advice.
    The police based its remand application with a temporary four-count charge marked A/26/2022 filed by Lagos State Police Command head of legal section, Superintendent Yetunde Cardoso.

  • Lagos Govt Suspends NURTW From Parks, Garages

    Lagos Govt Suspends NURTW From Parks, Garages

    The Lagos State government has suspended the activities of the National Union of Road Transport Workers Union (NURTW) across the state.

    In a statement on Friday by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Lagos, Gbenga Omotoso, the government directed officials of the union to stay away from all parks and garages.

    According to him, the government has been watching closely events in the union amid the claims and counter-claims over the control of NURTW.

    “The government has a duty to ensure the safety of lives and property of all Lagosians and visitors,” Omotoso said. “Therefore, there is an urgent need to douse the unnecessary tension generated by the leadership tussle in the NURTW and protect the citizenry from the likely fallout of the situation.

    “After considering the provisions of the law, the government hereby suspends the activities of NURTW, which must cease to operate in all parks and garages in Lagos State.

    “The government will set up a committee to immediately take control of the parks and garages. Members of the committee will be key stakeholders in the sector.”

    Omotoso explained that the government’s position was premised on its responsibility to ensure that there was no breakdown of law and order in all parks and garages in the state.

    The government’s action is the latest in the series of events trailing the indefinite suspension of the NURTW Chairman in Lagos, Musiliu Akinsanya, aka MC Oluomo.

    MC Oluomo’s suspension by the national body of the union was announced in a letter dated March 9, 2022, and signed by NURTW General Secretary, Kabiru Yau.

    He was accused of acts of insubordination and gross misconduct, as well as plotting to instigate crisis and unleash mayhem on branches of the union in Lagos that refuse to obey his alleged directive not to take orders from NURTW national headquarters.

    The suspension, Yau had explained, was in line with Article 42 section 5, subsection I, II, III, IV, V, and VIII of NURTW’s Constitution.

  • Lagos Govt Suspends NURTW Operations In Idumota

    Lagos Govt Suspends NURTW Operations In Idumota

    The Lagos State Government has suspended the operations of the National Union of Road Transport Workers in the Idumota area of Lagos Island following the deadly clash recorded in the area.

    Lagos State Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotosho, made this known on Tuesday.

    “It is a suspension in the area where there was trouble, not a general suspension in the state,” Omotosho told our correspondent.

    Also, the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Transportation, Oluwatoyin Fayinka, in a statement on Tuesday, said NURTW operations are suspended at Eyin Eyo, Church Street and Idumota Bridge indefinitely due to the recent violence in those areas.

    The statement was titled, ‘LASG Suspends NURTW Activities At Eyin Eyo, Church Street And Idumota Bridge’.

    Fayinka said the decision was taken at a stakeholders’ meeting comprising NURTW, Central Business District and Lagos State Market Women Association (Iya Oloja General and Iya Oloja of Lagos Island) on Tuesday.

    Fayinka further stated that the Rapid Response Squad will station an Armored Personnel Carrier on Idumota Bridge to deter motorists from driving against traffic in compliance with traffic Rules and Regulations and to enforce the suspension of the NURTW within the axis and simultaneously flush out the Oju Opake boys lurking along Plaza around Church Street axis.

    Also suspended are the activities of the transport union at Church Street and John Street particularly Keke Marwa and Mini Buses (Korope).

    “State Security Operatives are hereby put on Red Alert to ensure Safety and Security of lives and property in Lagos Island and environs,” Fayinka stated.

    The Lagos State Rapid Response Squad had on Monday arrested prominent NURTW members in the state, Kunle Poly and Sego.

    The police said Kunle Poly and Sego are principal suspects in the recurring clashes in Idumota and its environs.

    The latest clash which occurred last Thursday had intermittently crippled commercial activities in the area.

    “The arrest was effected today at a meeting where the two NURTW members along with some other stakeholders converged.

    “Kunle Poly and Sego are currently being transferred to Zone II, Onikan, Lagos,” the RRS said in a statement.

    Daybreak had reported that two persons were feared killed during a clash between two factional members of a transport union in the Idumota area of Lagos.

    The two factions – Eyo boys, reportedly loyal to a union leader known as Kunle Poly, and Kosoko boys – have been at loggerheads over control of territory in the bustling commercial centre.

    It was gathered that Eyo boys expected Kosoko boys collecting levies from commercial bus drivers on Idumota Bridge to make returns but the latter declined.

    The growing tension reportedly erupted in a clash around 12pm on Thursday as hoodlums fired gunshots and brandished cutlasses.

    One person was said to have been shot dead while another bled to death from machete cuts inflicted on him.

    The violence forced traders in markets around the area to abruptly shut down their shops and run for dear life.

    Videos of the clash went viral on Friday, with one of the clips showing a bloodied youth being carried away in a wheelbarrow as people ran helter-skelter.

    However, normalcy was restored to the area on Friday as policemen and soldiers were stationed in strategic points around the scene but commercial activities had yet to fully return.

  • Lagos Govt Acquires Two New High-Speed Trains

    Lagos Govt Acquires Two New High-Speed Trains

    The Lagos State government has acquired two new high-speed trains for its Red Line rail project, as part of efforts to improve traffic management and transportation.

    Mr Gboyega Akosile, who is the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.

    He revealed that Governor Sanwo-Olu completed the acquisition deal of the two sets of 10 cars Talgo 330kmph trains on Tuesday at an event held inside the Milwaukee facilities of Spanish train manufacturer, Talgo Incorporated in the United States.

    According to him, the trains will be heading to Lagos for the Red Line – a 37km track rail project which will have 11 stations and will be the first operational metro system in West Africa, when completed.

    “A train is not something you can just go on the shelf and pick up,” the governor was quoted as saying at the event. “We are very lucky to get brand new trains. We have seen our beautiful white and red trains. Coincidentally, the rail line is called Red Line and you can see they have given us the colour. We are just going to brand it and put up our seal there.”

    “We hope that this (purchase of the trains) will be the beginning of a mutually beneficial business relationship. Providing source of livelihood for our citizens is all about providing jobs for our people and that is what we are doing. It is about ensuring that we can build our economy; people can move from one location to another, and businesses can grow.

    “Part of what we have done in the last two and half years is to have what we call Integrated Urban Mass transportation system, where we will be using road infrastructure, waterway infrastructure, and rail infrastructure so that we can move over 20 million Lagosians within and around the city.”

    Governor Sanwo-Olu said his team was in Milwaukee to see things for themselves in respect of the purchase of the trains, adding that they have inspected the trains, seen their configuration, and were satisfied that they fit into the tracks of the Red Line in Lagos.

    He gave an assurance that the first phase of the Red Line would begin by the last quarter of 2022 or the first quarter of 2023, with a capacity of 500,000 passengers daily.

    The acting Milwaukee Mayor, Cavalier Johnson, who received Governor Sanwo-Olu in the city, said “It is a little bittersweet.

    “I am sending my congratulations to the Governor of Lagos State in Nigeria, but also a little disappointed that we missed out on the opportunity to have those train sets operating here in Milwaukee and in Wisconsin.”

    For the CEO and President of Talgo, USA, Antonio Perez, it is important that the trains are utilised and it does not make any good for them to be stored and kept without passengers riding them.

    Governor Sanwo-Olu was accompanied by the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Dr Frederic Oladeinde; his Special Adviser on Works, Aramide Adeyoye, and Managing Director of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Abimbola Akinajo.