Stories by Adetutu Folasade-Koyi

Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, has deposed suspended Baale of Shangisha, Yusuf Ogundare, for faking his own abduction, two weeks ago.

The traditional ruler’s deposition was announced yesterday.

Ogundare’s staged abduction reportedly took place on July 5, along Centre for Management Development (CMD) Road, in Ikosi-Isheri Local Council Development Area of the state.

Governor Ambode had, last Thursday, directed Ogundare be suspended, in a memo from Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Teslim Folami, to the sole administrator of Ikosi-Isheri.

“I am directed to convey the approval of Governor Ambode of the suspension of Chief Ogundare, baale of Shangisha, with immediate effect, in accordance with Section 38, subsection 1 of the Obas and Chiefs laws of Lagos State; which states that ‘the governor may suspend or depose any oba or chief whether appointed or after commencement of this law, if he is satisfied that such suspension of disposition is required according to customary law or is necessary in the interest of peace and good government’,” the memo said.

Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, had said Ogundare was seen frolicking around when he was supposedly abducted. He was paraded alongside his suspected accomplice and brother, Mohammed Adams, during a press briefing at Lagos House in Ikeja.

Investigation into the matter by the police and Department of State Services (DSS), was said to have revealed that the traditional ruler visited Ibadan (Oyo State), Ilorin (Kwara State), and Iwo, in Osun State on the day of his alleged abduction.

 

… Restricts movement for LG poll

Lagos State Government has announced restriction of vehicular movement on Saturday, July 22, 2017 due to council elections that will hold across the 20 local covernment and 37 local council development areas (LCDAs).

In a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Steve Ayorinde, yesterday, the restriction of movement will be enforced between 8:00am and 2:00pm on July 22, to allow smooth conduct of the polls and unhindered participation.

The commissioner said the state is known for peaceful conduct of elections and urged residents to be peaceful and orderly on Saturday to cast their votes in their respective wards for chairmen and councillors.

He explained that the restriction will allow the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) and the security agencies to distribute electoral materials in good time and ensure sanctity of free and fair electoral process.

“The police and other security agencies are ready to ensure electioneering and the voting on Saturday are conducted smoothly without public disturbance. Every political party, candidates and their supporters and the public are hereby assured of safety throughout the period of voting and collation.

“However, the government solicits cooperation of voters and the public by obeying the restriction order and the general electoral rules to ensure a peaceful conduct before, during and after the elections,” Ayorinde said.

The statement also quoted Governor Akinwunmi Ambode as urging Lagosians to perform their civic obligations by trooping out with their permanent voters’ card (PVC) “to once again demonstrate their belief in the tenets of participatory democracy and the importance of development at the local government level.”