Category: News

A Lagos based lawyer, Olajide Ajana has lauded the Supreme Court’s judgment on reaffirming the authority of the Federal Government (FG) through the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to control activities in NIWA.

Ajana in a press conference said the interpretation of the judgment simply means that lands in the waterways does not belong to Oba Elegushi as he doesn’t have the title and that the State government cannot issue any titled document as the rightful person to issue title in the waterways  areas is the Federal government through its agency NIWA. 

Recall that the Federal Government and Lagos State government have been in a legal battle on who has regulatory rights over the nation’s waterways. But recently, the Supreme court ruled in favour of FG and its Inland Waterways regulatory agency, NIWA.

Justice Okoro, in a judgment delivered in Abuja, validated an earlier ruling by the Federal High Court in suit number FHC/CS/543/2012, which pronounced NIWA as the authentic authority over Nigerian inland waterways and advised Lagos State Government  and its agencies and any other state in the country to stay away from regulatory activities on Nigeria Inland Waterways.

Reacting in the press briefing, the lawyer explained that the Supreme court has transferred the control of activities on the nation’s inland waterways including levying, licensing operators in the sector that it belongs exclusively to the Federal government and its agencies.

“The existing law gives exclusive control of activities in the nation’s inland waterways to the Federal government through its agencies. NIWA is the only agency of the federal government with power to exclusively manage, direct and control all activities of the navigable waterways, according to Sections 8 and 9 of NIWA Act,” he explained.

The lawyer recalled that the appeal was filed by the agency of the government and it was prosecuted by the present Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).

“The supreme court agrees with Fagbemi’s argument that NIWA is the only agency that is saddled with the responsibility to levy, impose, and share the rate of utilitilisation of inland waterways authority,” he recalled.

Ajana noted that the implication of the Supreme court judgment is that all those titles that were issued by Lagos State government to a Nigerian monarch, Oba Saheed Elegushi and other people are null and void.

“The supreme court’s decision in this case has rendered null and void all the Lagos state titles issued to Oba Elegushi over inland waterways.”

The lawyer also accused Oba Elegushi of using his political might to acquire lands with fake titles through his dredging companies;  Elcathay Dredging Company Nigeria Limited and Blue Bay Estate and Marina. 

Alleging illegal acquisition of land by Oba Elegushi, Ajana made available to our correspondent, Police Investigation report from the office of the Deputy Inspector General of Police FCID, Abuja which complaints were initiated by Prince Toluwaleke Megba and Lucky Megba Ojonla Ltd and stated in Paragraph 4, 27 that the document and letter from Lagos State Government tasked on Environment, absolving themselves from the demolition indicates that Oba Saheed Ademola Elegunshi Royal Family are responsible  for the demolition of the properties of the complainants.

Over the illegal land acquisition accusations, Ajana recalled that investigation was ongoing by the police where Oba Elegushi along with five other suspects; Mr Wael Almansour, Mr Karim Almansour, Al-Mansour Contracting and Dev. Ltd, Chiedu Nweke, Oba Saheed Elegushi and Chief Kehinde Hassan Elegushi all accused of malicious damage, violation of court order, threat to life and conduct likely to cause breach of peace.

The report confirmed and concluded that a prima-facle case of conspiracy, malicious damage and conduct likely to cause breach of peace has been established against the suspects.

Ajana said that Oba Elegushi Also that Oba Elegunshi approached the court to have his name removed but the complainants have approached the Court of Appeal to restore his name so that he can be prosecuted.

“We want to enlighten the general public and investors that Oba Saheed Elegushi does not have Title to the lands he is selling along the Nigerian Inland Waterways. Lagos State government also cannot issue title, as the rightful person to issue title as the rightful person to issue title in the waterways areas is the Federal government through its agency NIWA. 

“So Lagos State government has been excluded completely from issuing Certificate of Occupancy ( C of O) or any titled document in respect of lands that are in the waterways,” he said.

The Orangun of Ila Kingdom in Osun, Oba Oyedotun Olukayode, visited the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Mr Adegoke Fayoade, on Thursday, urging him to excel in his new role.

During the visit at the command headquarters in Ikeja, Oba Oyedotun congratulated Commissioner Fayoade on his recent promotion and offered prayers for his success in leading the Lagos Command.

Expressing the community’s joy, Oba Oyedotun stated, “We were very happy when he was promoted to the rank of Commissioner of Police. There was jubilation in Ila-orangun. He should not disappoint us. We are expecting him to perform well and bring honor to our people.”

Mrs Funmilayo Akande, Chairman of Apapa/Iganmu Local Council Development Area in Lagos and a daughter of Ila-Orangun, also shared her delight, affirming that the citizens of Ila-Orangun would unite to ensure the commissioner’s success.

In response, CP Adegoke Fayoade expressed his gratitude for the visit from his Royal Father and the people of Ila-Orangun. He acknowledged the challenge to perform well, emphasizing the high expectations of his hometown.

Fayoade assured the traditional ruler and the people of Ila-Orangun that he would strive to bring honor to his community. He paid tribute to late I-G Tafa Balogun for assistance into the Force and former Governor of Osun, Chief Bisi Akande, for their positive impact on his life.

The event was attended by chiefs, sons, and daughters of Ila-Orangun in Lagos, along with representatives from Osun. Prayers were offered in both Christianity and Islam, reflecting the diverse religious backgrounds of the community.

…Commissioner Fayoade Emphasizes Crackdown on Cultism, Traffic Robbery, and Kidnapping

In a significant operation, the Commissioner of Police for the Lagos State Command, Mr. Adegoke Fayoade, announced the successful arrest of seven high-ranking cultists in the Ikorodu area over the past five days. The disclosure came during Commissioner Fayoade’s interaction with members of the Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria (CRAN) at the State Command Headquarters on Thursday.

CP Fayoade revealed that three individuals were apprehended on Tuesday, with an additional four arrested on Thursday at different locations within Ikorodu, Lagos. He underscored his commitment to tackling major crimes such as cultism, traffic robbery, and kidnapping in the state.

During the session, the CP sought the support of CRAN members, emphasizing their role as essential eyes and ears in providing feedback and valuable information. He expressed a determination to partner with the judiciary to ensure that arrested criminals face extended periods of incarceration.

The Lagos State police boss pledged transparency in his operations, assuring that no officer would be shielded from accountability for wrongdoing. CP Fayoade emphasized the need for his officers and men to carry out their duties professionally and urged the public to report any instances of unprofessional conduct.

In addressing concerns related to commercial motorcyclists, he announced stricter enforcement measures, highlighting the role some of them play in the security challenges faced by the state. He cautioned against land issues, categorizing them as civil matters but warned that those attempting to cause trouble through land disputes would face consequences.

President of CRAN, Mr. Olalekan Olabulor, expressed the association’s support for Commissioner Fayoade, ensuring that information would be readily available for members to work with in partnership with law enforcement. The CP called on Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) to create conducive environments in their stations, encouraging the public to report any issues or complaints when necessary.

In a press release issued today, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), in partnership with Transparency International in Nigeria, expressed profound disappointment in the recent appointment of Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan as the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

CISLAC stated that it finds it unacceptable for Mr. Enitan, the accounting officer of the ministry involved in a scandal, to be entrusted with the supervision of the same ministry. The organization argues that such an appointment compromises ongoing investigations and is perceived as an affront to the intelligence of the public.

The group emphasized that, according to existing regulations and laws, the Permanent Secretary, as the accounting officer, should have been suspended alongside the Minister during investigations. CISLAC raised concerns about the lack of evidence indicating the Permanent Secretary’s non-participation in the matters under investigation. Additionally, the organization stressed that the Permanent Secretary did not object to the events in question and should, therefore, be subjected to thorough investigation.

CISLAC expressed serious perturbation over the promotion of top officers connected to financial and procurement processes within the Ministry, including the Permanent Secretary, without a suspension or thorough investigation. The group fears that such promotions may hamper or sabotage the ongoing investigation.

The appointment of Enitan to head the Ministry is deemed by CISLAC as a potential undermining of the credibility and respect accorded to the current administration. The civil society organization called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently reconsider the decision to appoint the Permanent Secretary and other individuals under investigation to sensitive positions, pending the conclusion of ongoing scrutiny by anti-corruption agencies.

In a final plea, CISLAC called on President Tinubu to prioritize individuals with integrity, a proven track record, and a background free of corruption in future appointments. The group also urged civil society, the media, and other well-meaning Nigerians to remain vigilant, rejecting unjustified or secluded appointments to ensure inclusive reforms that enhance transparency and accountability in governance.