Dar Al-Halal’s engagement with Katsina and a new phase for Islamic finance @Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed

A journalist identified as Habeeb Adejobi has said he was attacked and assaulted by individuals alleged to be loyalists of Moyosore Ogunlewe, the chairman of Kosofe Local Government in Lagos State.

Adejobi, who works with MITV, said the incident occurred on Wednesday when he visited the council secretariat to cover the screening of supervisors and special advisers appointed by the council.

He explained that he arrived at the secretariat around 4 p.m. and attempted to reach the council chairman and the information officer to formally notify them of his presence, but both were unreachable.

According to him, he also contacted a councillor, who informed him that the council was still in session conducting the screening exercise. He waited for a while before setting up his camera within the premises.

“A man approached me and asked if I was the journalist, and on confirming my identity, he told me that the chairman had directed that I should leave the premises.

“I explained that I had already sent a message to the chairman informing him of my presence, but the chairman, on coming out, asked for my identification card. I wasn’t with it at the moment; next, he ordered that my cameras should be seized.”

He further alleged that after the equipment was taken from him, officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and members of a special task force attached to the chairman descended on him, punching and beating him.

The journalist said he was subsequently taken to the Area H Police Command, where his phone was also seized.

Responding to the allegation, the management of Kosofe Local Government, in a statement signed by the Head of Public Affairs, Hamzat Olaide, denied the allegations, stating that the Ogunlewe-led administration did not authorize any form of attack on the journalist or any other individual.

The council underlined that the administration continues to place a high importance on journalists’ safety, dignity, and professional freedom.

“The Executive Chairman is a law-abiding public servant who holds the media in high regard. He has taken the allegation with utmost concern, particularly considering his longstanding cordial relationship with members of the press,” the statement reads.

The council promised the public that appropriate measures will be taken to ascertain the truth and ensure justice if necessary while the circumstances surrounding the alleged occurrence are being reviewed.

Lagos: Journalist accuses Kosofe Council chairman of assault

President Bola Tinubu has called on Muslims in Nigeria to use the Eid-el-Fitr and offer prayers for peace and prosperity to prevail in the country.

Tinubu’s message was contained in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday.

He charged Nigerian Muslims to rededicate themselves to the noble teachings of the holy month, which emphasise piety, empathy, and unity among humanity.

“As Muslims worldwide celebrate Eid-el-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated the Muslim faithful in Nigeria, urging renewed commitment to the nation and humanity.

“We have a lot to draw from the noble lessons of Ramadan, especially at a time like this. We must continue to abide by the virtues of piety, selflessness, perseverance, kindness and compassion beyond this period,” he said.

President Tinubu urged all Muslim faithful to extend a hand of kindness to the needy of all faiths, to further show unity and camaraderie.

Eid-el-Fitr: Tinubu sends message to Nigeria’s Muslims

The Lagos State Government has closed a branch of Access Bank Plc in Victoria Island after discovering the discharge of untreated sewage into the public drainage system.

According to statement released by the Lagos state government, the action was carried out following findings by the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office (LSWMO), working with the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (KAI), over environmental violations at the facility located in Oniru.

The enforcement followed a directive from the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, who said the move was necessary to protect the environment and ensure compliance with state laws.

“Following a whistleblower complaint, I directed the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office to visit the Access Bank Plc @myaccessbank building at Oniru, Victoria Island, where it was discovered that the wastewater treatment plant at the facility was non-functional, resulting in the discharge of untreated faecal matter into the public drainage system and causing severe damage to the environment,” Wahab said.

It was gathered that officials of the wastewater agency were initially prevented from carrying out their duties during the first visit, as security personnel and representatives of the bank resisted attempts to seal the premises.

However, samples taken from the discharged waste were later analysed and confirmed to contain untreated sewage, prompting the government to deploy additional enforcement officers to shut down the facility in line with Lagos State environmental regulations.

The commissioner warned that the state would not hesitate to take legal action against individuals or organisations that obstruct government officials in the course of their duties, stressing that strict enforcement would be maintained.

“There are no sacred cows in the enforcement of environmental regulations. Any individual or organisation found violating environmental laws, regardless of status, will be held accountable”, he stated.

Also reacting, the General Manager of the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office, Engr. Adefemi Afolabi, said the agency remains committed to protecting public health and ensuring that environmental laws are fully observed across the state.

He noted that there would be no compromise in enforcing compliance, as the agency continues to monitor activities and address violations.

Lagos govt shuts Access Bank branch over untreated sewage discharge