Business
#EndSARS: Sanwo-Olu says trial of Surulere police officers has started, victims to testify next week
The Governor has announced that the trial of the police officers who were involved in the attack on #EndSARS protesters.
The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu announced that the trial of the erring police officers who were allegedly involved in the attack on #EndSARS protesters in Surulere and the death of one of them earlier in the week started on Friday, October 16, 2020.
The disclosure was made by the governor through a series of tweets via his official Twitter handle on Saturday, October 17, 2020.
While revealing that some of the victims in the attack attended the trial and are expected to testify before the panel next week, Sanwo-Olu assured that justice will be served.
The governor tweeted, ”I have seen powerful images and videos of the candle for SARS victims, with vigils held across the country. It calls for very sober reflections. Yesterday, the orderly room trial of the police officers involved in the Surulere incident began.
“Some of the victims attended and will testify before the panel next week. Justice will be served. Thank you to the team actively following up and helping victims.”
The Governor acknowledged that there is so much more to be done and will keep sharing the actions that the government is taking in line with his announcements.
Backstory
Nairametrics had earlier reported the arrest and probe of the police officers involved in the attack on protesters in Surulere protests ground.
While making the announcement, the governor listed the 4 police officers involved to include Inspector Bagou Michael, Inspector Ekpoudom Etop, Sgt Nnamdi Majura, and Sgt Akinyemi Benson. He also announced the setting up of a Panel of Enquiry and Restitution for Victims of SARS in Lagos state.
I have seen powerful images and videos of the #CandleForSARSVictims vigils held across the country. It calls for very sober reflections.
Yesterday, the orderly room trial of the police officers involved in the surulere incident began.
— Babajide Sanwo-Olu (@jidesanwoolu) October 17, 2020
What to expect
One of the conditions given by EndSARS protesters in Lagos for suspension of the protests is the arrest and prosecution of the police officers who were actively involved in the attack of peaceful protesters in the Surulere area of Lagos state, as well as around the country.
The protesters have recorded some wins recently but will stop at nothing to see all their demands met.
Business
Ellah Lakes partners with Ondo Govt to develop Oil Palm and Cassava Plantation
Ellah Lakes Plc has signed an agreement with the Ondo State Government for the joint development and the cultivation of Oil Palm & Cassava.
A Nigerian agribusiness company, Ellah Lakes Plc has announced that it has executed an agreement with Ondo State Government for the joint development and management of 5000 hectares of land, for the cultivation of Oil Palm & Cassava in the State.
This disclosure was made by the company’s management, in a statement issued and signed by the Company’s Secretary, Mr Kenechi Ezezika.
The agreement between Ellah Lakes and the Ondo State Government is expected to increase the landbank and the production base of the company, especially in its Cassava and Oil Palm segments.
What they are saying
Speaking on the development, the Chief Executive Officer, Chuka Mordi said:
“This is a significant landmark for the Company in the development of our land bank, & we are very excited to be working with the Ondo State Government. I am delighted that we are fulfilling our strategic objective of progressively expanding our land bank & diversifying our portfolio and production base.”
“I am also glad to say that the intercropping programme in Edo State is progressing steadily & we have achieved our first milestone of 100Hectares of Cassava with the participation of personnel of the Agricultural Development Program (ADP), in Edo State.”
Also speaking on the development, the Special Adviser on Development & Investment to the Ondo State Governor/ Chief Executive Officer of Ondo State Development and Investment Promotion Agency (ONDIPA), Mr. Akinboye Oyewumi said, “We are pleased with this collaboration with Ellah Lakes Plc., and we look forward to a mutually beneficial, valuable and fruitful venture.”
Business
FG says Apapa traffic will end by first quarter 2021
The FG has assured Nigerians that the gridlock in Apapa will soon be a thing of the past by the first quarter of 2021.
The Federal Government has revealed that the perennial traffic in Apapa and its environs is expected to end come to an end within the first quarter of 2021.
This disclosure was made by the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Hassan Bello, on Friday, November 27, 2020, when he received the National Advisory Committee set up by the presidency on African Continental Free Trade Area at the council’s head office in Lagos.
According to a report from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Bello said that the council has put in motion, machinery to put an end to the perennial gridlock that has brought to a halt, business and socio-economic activities in that axis.
READ: Abuja, Ikeja Discos top list in collection efficiency in Q1 2020- NERC
He also said that the sorting out of the gridlock and other issues in the ports and along that corridor would ensure the utilization of the benefits in the AfCFTA to the country.
The NSC boss said, “We have a deficit on infrastructure, issues in rail, road, connectivity between our ports and the hinterland and elsewhere in Africa. I am an optimistic person and that is why I want to say that by March, the first quarter of 2021, the gridlock in Apapa will disappear.’’
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“This is because we are approaching it in a scientific angle, first we have to make the ports digital and contactless, no need to go to the port to make the payment or other transaction, all these will be online,’’ he said.
Bello promised the Nigerian Ports Authority would deploy electronic call-up system to manage traffic, customs on e-customs, provisions of scanners.
READ: FG approves N3.9 billion variation in housing contracts, Abuja’s dam rehabilitation
What you should know
Apapa which is a commercial/industrial hub in Lagos and most importantly has the largest seaports in the country, has been under intense gridlock as all entry/exit points leading into and out of the area are under lockdown due to construction work, which is at different levels of completion, around that corridor.
In order to restore sanity on the Apapa axis, following the total collapse of law and order due to indiscriminate parking of heavy articulated vehicles, President Muhammadu Buhari inaugurated a Presidential Taskforce headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Comrade Kayode Opeifa as Vice Chairman.
READ: Nigeria needs N1.5 trillion within the next 3 years to fix roads – Fashola
The Presidential Taskforce restored some level of normalcy on the axis with the disappearance of trucks and tankers on the bridges and roads on Ikorodu road, Iganmu road, Eko Bridge and other axis leading to Apapa.
However, there have been serious concerns among stakeholders and residents in the area over the ability of Lagos state government to sustain normalcy following the withdrawal of the presidential task force.
Business
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Shadrack Fadebi Olaloko
October 20, 2020 at 8:41 am
Please what is the e-mail address of the 8man Lagos state end sars panel to lodge a complaint