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F.G to #ENDSARS, #OccupyLekkiTollGate Protesters; ‘No form of protest would be allowed In Lagos or any part of Nigeria’

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Lai Mohammed

 

The Nigerian Government today Thursday 11th of February 2021, has throw caution into the air over the attitude of some Nigerian youth, saying they are “gullible people” being pushed by Nigerians in the diaspora to unleash mayhem and create unrest in Lagos and Nigeria as a whole. Minister for Culture and Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed disclosed at a press briefing in Abuja; “We know that many of those who have been loudest on social media in advertising the plan to reconvene in Lagos on Saturday are not even in Nigeria, they are elsewhere around the world fanning the embers of violence and inciting gullible people back home (Nigeria).”

Lai’s comment adds to previous comments President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration has made criticising Nigerian youths. The information minister’s comment is coming days after some youths took to social media to speak against the voting and handover of Lekki toll gate a site where Nigerian Military forces opened fire on unarmed #EndSARS protesters on the 20th of October 2020, to its owners Lekki Concession Company (LCC).

Members of the judicial panel set up by the Lagos State Government to investigate the October 2020 Lekki shooting voted 5-4 in favor of the handover on Saturday.

Young people mobilizing through social media have called out the panel for approving the release of the toll gate while an investigation is ongoing.

 

Many are angry that the government has not owned up to the killing of unarmed protesters, who marched against police brutality on the night of October 20.

The events of the night of October 20 at Lekki culminated in large-scale violence that grounded the state.

Mohammed said, “never again will the Federal Government allow the kind of violence that was perpetrated across the country under the guise of the #EndSars last October.”

Although many critics said it was bottled anger of many of the country’s youth over unfair profiling and harassment by the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) unit of the police, in particular, it has found an outlet in the protest.

 

The protests, which started with no defined or any central leadership, were largely peaceful at the beginning. It, however, spiraled into chaos after it was hijacked by hoodlums who looted and destroyed properties worth billions of Naira across Lagos state.

The protest reached its crescendo in late October when military forces claimed they fired blank bullets and live rounds on October 20 in a bid to disperse unarmed protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate. A CNN investigation, found that the army fired directly at the #Endsars protesters and used live ammunition and not in the air with blank rounds as was initially claimed.

Amnesty International said that the Nigerian forces killed at least 12 protesters and accused the Nigerian government of shielding those responsible.

In fact, Mohammed still reignites authorities how it describes allegations of the Lekki shooting as fake news.

“Anyone who has any information on the alleged shooting or purported massacre at the Lekki Toll Gate, including the names and addresses of those who were purportedly killed, should head to the Panel to give it such information,” he said.

But Nigerians await the findings of a judicial panel of inquiry set up to investigate the shooting.

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Kindness Defeats Witchcraft: Apostle Suleman’s Cross-Over Lecture at ‘Mercy Night’

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Evil is very much alive and well in this world. We are reminded of this fact as we see it play out almost often. Although evil occurs and serves as a stark reminder of the cruelty that exists within humankind, showing kindness can easily defeat evil acts, which is witchcraft, lectures popular servant of God and General Overseer of the Omega Fire Ministries (OFM) worldwide, Apostle Johnson Suleman.

 

At the ministry’s Cross-Over service on Tuesday 31st of December, 2024 tagged ‘Mercy Night’, the Restoration Apostle, ably present with his wife, Reverend Lizzy Suleman, warned us to “never avenge ourselves”. To the contrary, Apostle Suleman cautions; “do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good”.

 

Usually, the natural response of man when he is hurt is to hurt back. But, Suleman says “God tells us something different”, quoting Romans 12:19–21: “Vengeance is mine, I will repay. If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

 

According to the servant of God, not only should you refuse to take revenge, but you should intentionally do good to those who you would consider your enemies. Showing them love and kindness would so confuse and frustrate your enemy that the result would be them turning to God.

“If you want to see witchcraft being rubbished in your life, engage In kindness. To recover means to regaining possession. To recover means a comeback, the return of control. To recover means to improve and to become better. To recover is renewal,” Suleman teaches, suggesting that hate must not define us.

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Agbado Youths Celebrate Historic Succession, Rally Support for Prince Akintoye as King

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Agbado Community in Ogun State erupted in jubilation on December 27, 2024, as the youths led the town in a grand end-of-year celebration to honor the historic succession of the late patriarch, High Chief Anthony Kayode Akinrinade, by his son, Prince Akintoye Olusola Akinrinade.

The event marked a significant milestone in Agbado’s journey toward justice and stability following a prolonged Obaship crisis that stifled the community’s development for over three decades. The crisis, marked by legal battles and defiance of court orders with suit number CA/IB/75/2020, was recently resolved by the steadfast judgment of the Court of Appeal, Ibadan Division. The court ruled in favor of Prince Akintoye Olusola as the rightful successor, allowing him to continue the legal fight to restore order and dignity to Agbado.

 

For 35 years, Agbado thrived as a hub of agricultural trade and economic prosperity, with 147 villages under its jurisdiction. However, internal strife caused by selfish ambitions led to stagnation and disunity. The High Court delivered a landmark judgment five years ago, but resistance by a self-proclaimed monarch delayed the community’s progress.

On the 30th of October, 2024, the Court of Appeal officially recognized Prince Akintoye Olusola Akinrinade as the ‘Stand-In’ Plaintiff, a move that has rekindled hope for the community. This recognition also symbolizes a continuation of the legacy of the late High Chief Anthony Akinrinade, whose leadership was revered by all.

The festive event, organized by the Agbado Youth Forum, drew dignitaries, elders, chiefs, and community leaders. Baale Patoko, a key figure in the community, expressed optimism about the succession, stating, “The whole of Agbado strongly believes that by 2025, Prince Akintoye will be crowned king, bringing renewed peace and progress to our land.”

Pa Theophilus Amodu, a respected elder, praised Prince Akintoye’s exemplary character, noting, “He has taken after his father in good deeds and enjoys the trust and respect of the people.”

Mr. Amodu, President of the Agbado Youth Forum, echoed this sentiment, affirming the unwavering support of the youth for Prince Akintoye’s emergence as king. “His leadership will undoubtedly usher in peace, harmony, and development in Agbado,” he said.

The event concluded with renewed hope and determination among the people of Agbado, who are confident that Prince Akintoye’s ascension to the throne will mark the beginning of a new era for the community.

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Ex banker, Femi Olushakin, others arraigned for alleged armed robbery

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A former banker turned businessman, Olufemi Olalekan Olushakin alongside two others on Thursday were arraigned before the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Ibadan, Oyo State for alleged robbery.

Olushakin —now at large— and the two suspects — Ayomide Akanbi and David Adewale— were alleged to have conspired to commit felony to-wit armed robbery and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 6 (B) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision) Act Cap RII Vol. 14 Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 2004.

In the case with Charge number: MI/1672C (Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Vs. Ayomide Akanbi, M, 32 and David Adewole, M, 47): “Count 1: That you (1) Ayomide Akanbi ‘M’ (2) David Adewole ‘M’ and one Olusakin Olufemi Olalekan ‘M’ now at large on 13th December, 2024 at about 5:00pm at Global Signature Hotel, New Gbagi Road, Ibadan in the Ibadan Magisterial District did conspire together to commit felony to-wit Armed Robbery and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 6 (B) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision) Act Cap R II Vol. 14 Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 2004.

“Count 11: That you (1) Ayomide Akanbi ‘M’ (2) David Adewole ‘M’ and one Olusakin Olufemi Olalekan ‘M’ now at large on the same date, time and place in the above Magisterial District while armed yourselves with guns and some other dangerous weapons did attack one Akinola Dare ‘M’ and also dispossessed him of cash sum of Two Million, One Hundred and Forty Thousand Naira (N2,140,000.00) only, property of Global Signature Hotel Limited and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 1 (2) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision) Act Cap R II Vol. 14 laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 2004.”

The Police Prosecutor, Inspector Kefas Usman told court that Olushakin —a former branch manager with a second generation bank and now Chairman of LAC Autos & Spare Ltd.— alongside Akanbi, Adewale and others on the night of Friday, December 13, allegedly forcefully gained entrance into Global Signature Hotel in Ibadan by disarming the security men at the gate.

Usman stated that the suspects made forceful and unlawful entry into the hotel, went straight to the control room, destroyed the CCTV memory and cut off the CCTV machine.

“After vandalizing it, they went to the POS machine, took the machines of the company, went to the manager of the hotel, one Dare Akinola, at gunpoint took him to the cash registry to collect all the sales of the week including room sales, lodgment, bar & hall payment totalling over N2,140,000 (Two million, One hundred and forty thousand Naira).

“They went to all the rooms, rounded up all the customers, and forcefully asked them to transfer money into Olushakin’s personal account during the robbery.

“At gunpoint, they gathered everybody to the reception, laid them down at gunpoint and in fear of their lives, the customers made cash transfers to Olushakin’s accounts, they vandalized some other things, took the lodgment book, computers, and other equipment.”

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs. Giwa Babalola, ordered that the suspects should be remanded at the Agodi Correctional Center in Ibadan.

She adjourned the case till January 29, 2025 for further mention.

However, with Olushakin’s absence during the arraignment, the Oyo State Police Command has launched a manhunt for him with a bounty of N5 million placed on him to the public for anybody with useful information leading to arrest.

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