metro
Eight die in Lagos crashes, police await call to victim’s locked phone
Eight people have lost their lives in separate accidents on Eko Bridge, Lagos Island, and Eleko Bus Stop, Lekki Epe Expressway, Lagos State.
Our correspondent learnt that the first accident, which happened on Saturday, claimed the lives of an Uber driver and his three passengers.
PUNCH Metro gathered that the victims, who were in a Toyota Camry, were plying the Eko Bridge to navigate to their destination when the driver of a Lexus 300, Yusuf Ambali, lost control of his vehicle and rammed into the Camry.
The impact of the collision, which damaged both vehicles, killed all four occupants of the Camry.
However, Ambali was said to have escaped death by a whisker.
Our correspondent was told that the mangled remains of the victims, consisting of three men and one woman, were trapped in the e-hailing car.
Emergency responders, who stormed the scene of the tragedy, were seen using equipment to pierce through the vehicle to recover the bodies.
The accident affected vehicular movement on the bridge, as traffic officials had a tough time managing the situation.
The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said the crash was caused by reckless driving.
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He said, “Upon arrival at the scene of the incident, it was observed that a Toyota Camry with number plate EPE- 583 GT, was involved in an accident with a Lexus car.
“The accident occurred as a result of reckless driving. Unfortunately, four occupants of the Toyota Camry died as a result of the impact of the collision.
“Extrication of the commodities was done by the Cobra team with the aid of the agency’s light rescue equipment, while Lagos State Traffic Management Authority officials and police officers controlled the traffic as well as the crowd.
“The dead people were bagged and handed over to the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit officials, while the affected vehicles were taken off the road with the aid of the agency’s light tow truck and handed over to Iporin Divisional Traffic Officer, thereby restoring normalcy on the road.”
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, said the driver responsible for the accident had been arrested, adding that efforts were on to identify the victims.
He said, “The accident involved a Lexus 300 with number plate SMK 478 AV, driven by one Yusuf Ambali and a Toyota Camry, with number plate, EPE- 583 GT.
“The Lexus was coming from Costain and heading towards Lagos, but lost control, went over the culvert and rammed into the Toyota Camry that was heading towards Costain. All occupants of the Toyota Camry died on the spot.
“The Toyota Camry has been confirmed to be a Uber vehicle, so the driver was a Uber driver. But the identities of the occupants are yet to be confirmed because they had no identity cards and their phones were smashed.
“The only phone that wasn’t smashed is with the police and we have been waiting for a call to come in because the phone is an iPhone and was locked. But if nobody calls, we will do a forensic analysis on the phone to get a lead to ascertain the identity of the owner of the phone. The driver is in our custody and the two vehicles are also at the Iponri Police Station.”
In the second accident, four men lost their lives after a petrol-laden tanker collided with a Dangote truck around Eleko Bus-Stop, along the Lekki Epe Expressway, Lagos State.
The LASEMA boss, Oke-Osanyintolu, said the collision resulted in an inferno which burnt the four victims, who were trapped underneath the tanker.
He said, “Upon arrival at the scene of the tanker accident at Eleko Bus-Stop inward Epe, it was discovered that a tanker loaded with 33,000 litres of PMS collided with a Dangote Plc branded truck. The impact of the collision resulted in an inferno.
“Unfortunately, four adult males lost their lives as a result of the fire and their bodies were trapped underneath the upturned tanker.”
PUNCH
metro
No Sallah durbar festival in Kano this year – Police warn
No Sallah durbar festival in Kano this year – Police warn
There will be no Sallah Durbar celebrations in Kano during this year’s Eid-el-Fitr festivities, the state police command has said.
It cited security concerns and the need to prevent potential unrest as reasons for the ban announced on Friday ahead of the end of Ramadan fast festival holding on Sunday or Monday.
The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, announced the decision while addressing journalists at the Bompai Police Headquarters in Kano.
He said intelligence reports revealed plans by certain groups to use the Durbar to create instability.
“In pursuit of a safe and secure celebration, and to maintain peace and public order, the command, in collaboration with other security agencies, has assessed the rising tensions and uncertainties surrounding the Durbar activities,” Bakori said.
“Following credible intelligence reports about plans to use the Durbar as a proxy for unrest, a ban has been placed on all Durbar activities throughout the state during the 2025 Eid-El-Fitr Sallah celebrations.”
The Police Commissioner emphasized that the decision was taken after extensive consultations with the Kano State Government and other key stakeholders.
The police command has urged worshippers to conduct their Eid prayers only at designated prayer grounds and to adhere to security guidelines.
Some of the restrictions in place outlined by CP Bakori include worshippers should avoiding carrying unnecessary objects that may cause suspicion., no horse riding (Kilisa), car racing, or reckless driving will be allowed, and parents and guardians must caution their children against involvement in disruptive activities.
He further warned that anyone caught violating these directives would face legal consequences.
metro
We won’t stop Sharia panels from operating in Oyo – Gov Makinde
We won’t stop Sharia panels from operating in Oyo – Gov Makinde
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has assured Muslims in the state that he has no objections to the operation of Sharia panels, emphasizing that individuals are free to seek dispute resolution through them if they so wish.
Speaking at the 2025 Iftar event organized by the state government at the Government House, Agodi, Ibadan, Makinde clarified that he has no plans to challenge the legality of Sharia courts in the state. His comments were conveyed in a statement on Thursday by his media aide, Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju.
Earlier in the week, Dr. Rafiu Bello, Chairman of the Sharia Committee of Oyo Land, had confirmed that a Sharia panel had already been established in Oyo town and had begun sittings. This led to renewed discussions regarding the panel’s constitutionality.
In response, Makinde reiterated his stance that the Constitution remains the supreme authority in all legal matters while acknowledging the role of Sharia panels in alternative dispute resolution.
“I read in the newspaper that I would go to court for interpretation on the Sharia panel, which is ongoing in Oyo. That is not my position,” the governor stated. “My position is that we will support anything that is in our Constitution.”
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Makinde explained that alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, including the Sharia panel, could ease the burden on the courts, provided they do not conflict with constitutional provisions.
He further emphasized his administration’s commitment to maintaining religious harmony and unity in the state, cautioning against attempts to use religion for political gains.
“As we move towards the next election, there will be elements that only think about the next election. But what we have done in this administration is to think about the next generation,” he said.
The governor also used the occasion to appreciate the Muslim community for their support and prayers, acknowledging the contributions of religious leaders, lawmakers, and security agencies in fostering peace and development in Oyo State.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including former Governor Rashidi Ladoja, Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal, Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin (represented by Deputy Speaker Mohammed Fadeyi), and other key figures from the judiciary and legislative arms of government.
We won’t stop Sharia panels from operating in Oyo – Gov Makinde
metro
EFCC re-arraigns son of ex-PDP chairman for alleged N2.2bn oil subsidy fraud
EFCC re-arraigns son of ex-PDP chairman for alleged N2.2bn oil subsidy fraud
Mamman Nasir Ali, the son of former chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and one Christian Taylor were on Thursday rearraigned for an alleged N2.2 billion oil subsidy fraud before Justice Mojisola Dadap of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
They were re-arraigned alongside Nasaman Oil Services Limited on an amended 57-count charge, following new findings in the case.
The defendants had initially been arraigned on a 49-count charge bordering on conspiracy to obtain money by false pretence, obtaining money by false pretence, forgery and the use of false documents.
At the scheduled trial for the adoption of final written addresses on Wednesday, the prosecution counsel, Seiduh Atteh, informed the court of the amended charges and requested that the defendants take a fresh plea.
There was no objection from the defence counsel, Obafemi Kolade, SAN.
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Consequently, the court granted the request.
The defendants, thereafter, pleaded “not guilty” to the amended charges preferred against them.
In the amended charge, the defendants, as well as Oluwaseun Ogunbambo and Olabisi Abdul Afeez, who are both at large, allegedly “fraudulently obtained money from the Federal Government on or about September 9, 2011.”
The defendants also allegedly forged a document titled: “ GASOLINE ANALYSIS” on board MT Overseas Limar, purportedly issued by Saybolt Concremat on the said date.
Following the re-arraignment, Kolade requested time for the defence to amend its written address in response to the new charges.
Justice Dada directed the prosecution to file a response before the next hearing.
The case was adjourned till April 15, 2025 for the adoption of final written addresses.
EFCC re-arraigns son of ex-PDP chairman for alleged N2.2bn oil subsidy fraud
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