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Protest rocks Lagos over Trade Fair demolition by state govt

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Hundreds of traders, predominantly of Igbo origin, under the umbrella of the Trade Fair Stakeholders Association, staged a protest on yesterday over the demolition of their business premises at the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex, which they described as “willful, malicious, and illegal.”

Carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Stop destroying our properties,” “Our buildings are FG approved,” and “This complex is regulated by the Federal Government,” the aggrieved traders accused the Lagos State Government of flouting due process and acting beyond its powers.

Ekwutosblog had earlier reported that more than 19 buildings at the New Mandela Plaza within the complex were pulled down in a large-scale demolition exercise executed under heavy security.

 

The operation, supervised by officials of the state government, was backed by task force operatives, Rapid Response Squad personnel, and tactical teams who cordoned off the plaza and prevented traders from documenting the incident.

Speaking to journalists, Chief Eric Ilechukwu, Chairman of the Stakeholders’ Forum, alleged that state officials stormed the complex on September 25 “in commando style” and destroyed several structures without issuing any contravention notices.

He insisted that the demolished buildings were lawfully approved by the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex Management Board, the statutory authority empowered by federal law to regulate activities within the complex.

“The lease agreements we signed clearly state that the Board is the approving and supervising authority for all constructions here. At no time were we served contravention notices,” Ilechukwu said.

The traders condemned the demolitions as a “grave injustice” that had displaced hundreds of business owners, causing enormous financial losses in an already difficult economy. They also dismissed comments by the Lagos State Commissioner for Information, Gbenga Omotoso, who claimed on national television that the affected traders had long been directed to obtain state approvals.

According to them, “the Trade Fair Complex is a federal property established by law and governed under the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex Management Board Act. Its ownership cannot be usurped by the state.”

Appealing for urgent intervention, the traders urged President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment to step in, stressing that they remain committed to peace and lawful business operations.

One of the affected businessmen, Mr Ike Magnus, CEO of Magnum Merchandise Limited, said his flagship “white building” was demolished despite valid federal approvals.

“In all honesty, we are victims of when two elephants fight. I have lost millions. Even if we are part of the problem, due process should have been followed,” he said tearfully.

The Executive Director of the Lagos International Trade Fair Management Board, Vera Safiya Ndanusa, who later addressed the protesting traders, sympathized with their plight and reaffirmed that the complex remains under federal control.

“It is unfortunate that we were not carried along before this incident. But I assure you that all relevant ministries and agencies have been notified. The property belongs to the Federal Government, and we intend to resolve this matter amicably,” Ndanusa stated.

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Police bust syndicate behind nude photo blackmail in Lagos

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Men of the Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU), Lagos, have apprehended three suspects who allegedly run a cyber blackmail and extortion scheme in the state.

According to the spokesperson of the unit, DSP Ovie Ewhubare, the suspects get a hold of their victims explicit photos and then threaten to release them if a ransom is not paid.

He said that the suspects, two males and a female, were apprehended after a petition was filed by a complainant who reported being repeatedly threatened by unknown individuals demanding money.

“The complainant received several phone calls in which the callers threatened to release her nude photographs to the public if she failed to pay them. Acting out of fear and emotional distress, she transferred money to the suspects.

The situation escalated when the suspects demanded an additional N10 million, prompting her to formally petition the police,” he said

The police imagemaker state dthat upon receipt of the complaint, the Commissioner of Police, PSFU, Mr Kayode Ojapinwa, ordered the immediate deployment of operatives to investigate the matter.

“The investigation led to the arrest of the three suspects. Investigations revealed that one of the suspects gained unlawful access to the complainant’s mobile device and fraudulently transferred her nude photographs to his own device. Further findings indicated that he conspired with the other suspects and other accomplices currently at large to demand and receive money from the complainant in several tranches,” he said

According to him, the suspects are currently in police custody and are expected to be arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction.

The image maker said that investigations were ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate and to recover all proceeds of the alleged crime.

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Catholic Priest Collapses And D!es In Front Of Congregation While Walking To Tabernacle To Return Holy Communion

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A Catholic priest has tragically passed away after suddenly collapsing in front of the congregation during Sunday mass.

The tragic incident took place last Sunday, February 1 in Wiesmath in the district of Wiener Neustadt, Austria.

Shortly after administering Holy Communion, 59-year-old priest Raimund Beisteiner was about to return the host to the tabernacle when he “suddenly” collapsed, according to a statement from the Archdiocese of Vienna.

“Despite immediate professional assistance, he di£d in the church,” the statement said.

The mayor of Wiesmath, Erich Rasner, had also attended the Mass with many other believers and witnessed the dramatic scenes.

The shock in Wiesmath at the loss of the popular priest is great. Beisteiner had shaped the spiritual life of the parish for almost two decades and was highly regarded far beyond the community.

Rasner praised him as an “extremely conscientious, sensitive priest” and also emphasized the personal loss of a friendship that had grown over many years.

A prayer service was organized at short notice for the late priest. It was attended by numerous priests from the deanery as well as Archbishop Josef Grünwidl.

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Nollywood Actress, Angela Okorie Allegedly Re-Arrested Over Alleged Refusal To Pay Lawyer Who Secured Her Bail (Video)

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Angela Okorie, the Nigerian actress, has reportedly been re-arrested over allegations that she refused to pay the lawyer who secured her bail from Suleja Prison.

Angela was re-arrested at the Suleja prison on Tuesday, immediately she was released on bail.

This came less than an hour after actor Stanley Ontop raised the alarm over an alleged plan to re-arrest the actress after release on Tuesday.

Speaking in a video on Instagram, actress Doris Ogala who said she is already on her way to the police station, stated that the actress was re-arrested by an unnamed Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, for refusing to pay the N5 million agreed fee to secure her bail.

Doris said; “You see, one thing is for someone to cut their clothes according to their size. Angela has been arrested again. As a matter of fact, I’m going to the police station now. You see, when Angela was arrested by Mercy, she called a friend of her or village person. I don’t know how they relate. To help her get a SAN.

“And the SAN charged them N5 million. I think the SAN was the one who even facilitated the bail and all that. Now when Angela knew that they have granted her bail according to the lady, Angela started saying that she didn’t ask her to get a SAN and she wasn’t going to pay the money, and meanwhile this lady has deposited.”

Recall that Angela, who was granted bail on Friday after her arrest by Mercy Johnson over alleged defamation, regained her freedom few minutes ago after perfecting her bail conditions.

Watch Doris Ogala speak

 

Nigerian Man Seeks Wife Who Knows How To Cook Well With Firewood, Says His Mother Eats Only “Firewood Food”

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