News
Peter Obi Reacts to Recent demolition on Alaba market demolition by Lagos govt
Mr Peter Obi of the Labour Party, LP, has reacted to the recent demolition of some buildings at the Alaba International Market by the Lagos State Government.
Obi said although some of the demolitions might be excusable, they had left many victims, mostly ordinary people who he believed were either innocently ill-informed or misguided.
He said the primary duty of any government is to care for and protect its citizens.
In a statement issued via his verified Twitter handle on Tuesday, the former Anambra State governor advised that “necessary corrective measures to planning or zoning violations by governments, need not be punitive or unduly insensitive.”
Recall that the Lagos Government had on June 16 begun the removal of what it described as distressed buildings in the Alaba International Market located in the Ojo Local Government Area of the state.
DAILY POST reports that the enforcement team of the Lagos State Building Control Agency, LASBCA and the Lagos State Task Force embarked on the joint exercise.
Following the controversy that trailed the exercise, the government insisted that the exercise was a measure to prevent disaster.
However, Obi maintained that Nigerian citizens should not be subjected to the additional stress of unexpected hardship.
The statement read: “Recently, there have been reports of widespread government demolition of so-called ‘illegal’ structures erected by some innocent Nigerian citizens in error. We face a paradox: with a 70 million housing deficit and vast unmet housing needs nationwide, some resort to self-help by building structures that serve as homes, businesses, SMEs offices and stores. Invariably, some of these structures were either not approved or were built with the tacit collusion or approval of the local authorities.
“While some of these ongoing demolitions may be excusable, they have nonetheless, left many victims, mostly ordinary people who erred innocently or were ill-informed or misguided. Necessary corrective measures to planning or zoning violations by governments need not be punitive or unduly insensitive.
“There should always be room for compassion and humane correction in taking any remedial action. I respectfully appeal to various governmental authorities to marry the need to enforce compliance with extant regulatory regimes, with consideration for human feelings and necessary compassion.
“In Nigeria, we live in a time of extreme difficulties for citizens because of stagnated income, spiralling inflation, huge unemployment escalating socio-economic costs and high costs of living.
“Nigerian citizens should therefore, not be subjected to the additional stress of unexpected hardship. Moreover, the various concerned governments should consider paying compensation to those who have lost properties and livelihoods in these unfortunate demolitions to ameliorate their suffering. Such compensation should fall under the rubric of eminent domain that is applicable for properties and assets acquired or demolished in the public interest.
“It cannot ever be overemphasized that the primary duty of any government is the responsibility to care for and protect her citizens.”
News
Court Adjourns Immigration Litigation Over Promotion Disputes till March 31
Nandap and the Secretary of the Civil Defense, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board, retired Major General Abdulmalik Jibrin, face two criminal counts in a case filed by Immigration officer Badiru Oluwafemi.
The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Kemi Nandap, who was scheduled for arraignment at the National Industrial Court on charges of conspiracy and perversion of justice, failed to appear in court on Monday.
Nandap and the Secretary of the Civil Defense, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board, retired Major General Abdulmalik Jibrin, face two criminal counts in a case filed by Immigration officer Badiru Oluwafemi.
Oluwafemi alleges that senior officials obstructed a court-ordered promotion and falsely claimed an out-of-court settlement, effectively stalling his career advancement.
In 2023, the Industrial Court ruled in his favor, ordering his promotion.
However, after he passed the 2024 exams, his promotion was withheld when the Comptroller General reportedly urged the Board to tie it to the withdrawal of his lawsuits.
During proceedings held in chambers Monday, Justice Sinmisola Adeniyi admitted she had skipped a procedural step before issuing the criminal summons.
She explained that the proper process would have been to first direct the police to investigate and report back before arraignment.
The matter was adjourned to 31 March 2026 for the police report and possible arraignment of the defendants.
In a related contempt case, Justice Rakiya Haastrup fixed 17 December for hearing.
The claimant seeks the committal of the Comptroller General to prison for failing to comply with a December 2023 order directing his promotion.
The Contempt case is seeking to commit five principals of the Nigeria Immigration Service and the Board for wilfully disobeying the judgment of the court.
Counsel for the Immigration boss, Uduojie Kennedy, told the court his client had complied with the order, promoted the claimant, and placed him on a new salary scale. However, under questioning, he admitted he had no evidence of salary payment.
Similarly, Jummai Adaramola, counsel for the Secretary of the Board, argued that the order had been complied with but added that her client is protected under the Public Officers Protection Act.In sharp contrast, Armiyal Aduku, counsel for Oluwafemi insisted his client had not been promoted, undermining the respondents’ claims.
Justice Haastrup adjourned the matter, urging all parties to resolve the issue of evidence regarding payment of the judgment sum and report back at the next hearing on 17 December.
News
Ribadu Promises Quick Return of Abducted Students
The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu said efforts are in top gear to ensure a swift recovery of the abducted students
Picture: The Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese and Proprietor of the school, Rev. Bulus Yohanna and parents of the children in Kontagora with the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
The Federal Government has raised the hopes of parents and the authorities of St. Mary’s Private Catholic primary and secondary school, Papiri in Agwara local government area of Niger state.
Ribadu expressed the optimism when he visited the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese and Proprietor of the school, Rev. Bulus Yohanna and parents of the children in Kontagora, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu said efforts are in top gear to ensure a swift recovery of the abducted students.
While delivering President Bola Tinubu’s message of hope and assurance, Ribadu asked Nigerians to join hands and defeat the common enemy causing havoc in the country.
The Principal of the school Rev. Sister Felicia Gyang and a representative of the Parents Mr. Luka Iliya narrated how the incident happened including the ongoing trauma they face while urging the government to do all it can to secure the safe return of the abducted students.
• Image : Governor Ododo
A truck carrying building materials this morning crushed four schoolchildren and injured several others at Egbolo, Igalamela-Odolu Local Government Area.
The accident occurred at about 8:30 a.m. Villagers wailed uncontrollably as the bodies of the victims were pulled from under the truck.
The pupils were reportedly on their way from Egbolo to Ofuloko when the truck lost control while struggling to climb a hill on the Idah route.
Residents who barricaded the road expressed anger and frustration, lamenting that the community lacks a functional school forcing their children to trek long distances through dangerous routes just to attend classes in neighbouring villages.
One grieving parent who lost his son accused the government of abandoning Egbolo for years.
He appealed for urgent intervention to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
At the scene, the Federal Road Safety Corps had yet to arrive as some pupils remained trapped under the overturned vehicle at the time of filing this report.
Some of the injured children have been rushed to a nearby hospital, while the bodies of the deceased have been taken home by the community for burial.
Court Adjourns Immigration Litigation Over Promotion Disputes till March 31
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