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Sowore Declared Wanted By Lagos Police For Alleged Public Disturbance Plot
The Lagos State Police Command has declared activist and politician Omoyele Sowore wanted over alleged plans to incite public disorder and obstruct major roads across the state.
Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, announced this on Monday while addressing journalists at the Iyana-Oworo end of the Third Mainland Bridge.
Jimoh said that Sowore, who leads the “Take It Back Movement,” ignored earlier warnings from the police not to mobilise protests over the recent demolition of houses in the Oworonshoki area.
“We are closing in on Sowore and others involved in coordinating activities intended to disrupt public peace.
“Sowore should surrender at the nearest police station or face arrest wherever he is found,” he said.
He cautioned that anyone attempting to cause disturbances or block public roads would “face the full weight of the law.”
According to the commissioner, intelligence reports indicated that Sowore and his associates were planning simultaneous demonstrations at strategic locations such as the Third Mainland Bridge, Lekki Tollgate, and Freedom Park.
Describing the alleged plan as “criminal,” Jimoh warned that it could cause severe traffic disruptions and endanger lives.
“It is only someone who needs examination that would attempt to block such a vital route used by thousands daily,” he added.
The police chief revealed that 13 suspects connected to the planned protest had already been arrested, while Sowore allegedly fled.
He said investigations were ongoing to uncover the sponsors and collaborators behind the plan.
Jimoh disclosed that police officers had been deployed across major highways and bridges, where temporary roadblocks and diversions had been mounted.
“The Third Mainland Bridge was not designed to hold stationary weight. Any gathering on it could pose structural risks,” he stated.
Addressing concerns over the recent demolitions in parts of Lagos, particularly Oworonshoki, Jimoh maintained that affected residents had been compensated.
“The government compensated those affected, and the media witnessed it. There is no justification to provoke a crisis under the guise of protest,” he said.
He urged residents to go about their normal activities without fear, assuring that the police and other security agencies were on top of the situation.
“We are not sleeping. We will apprehend, investigate, and prosecute anyone attempting to undermine public safety in Lagos,” Jimoh declared.
The commissioner reaffirmed the command’s commitment to enforcing the law without fear or favour, emphasising that “freedom of expression must not turn into public nuisance or risk lives.”
Aliko Dangote, Chairman of Dangote Industries, through his legal representative, has formally submitted a corruption petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against Farouk Ahmed, the former Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
This was disclosed in a statement made available to our correspondent by the Dangote Group media team on Friday.
Recall that Dangote had earlier petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to investigate Ahmed for allegedly spending $5 million on his children’s secondary education in Switzerland. He withdrew the petition a few days ago, even as the ICPC vowed to continue with its investigation.
The statement on Friday said Dangote’s petition to the EFCC followed “The withdrawal of the same petition from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, a strategic decision aimed at accelerating the prosecution process.”
In the petition, signed by Lead Counsel Dr O.J. Onoja, Dangote urged the EFCC to investigate allegations of abuse of office and corrupt enrichment against Ahmed, and to prosecute him if found culpable.
The petition further stated that Dangote would provide evidence to substantiate claims of financial misconduct and impunity.
“We make bold to state that the commission is strategically positioned, along with sister agencies, to prosecute financial crimes and corruption-related offences, and upon establishing a prima facie case, the courts do not hesitate to punish offenders. See Lawan v. F.R.N (2024) 12 NWLR (Pt. 1953) 501 and Shema v. F.R.N. (2018) 9 NWLR (Pt.1624) 337,” the petition read.
Onoja further urged the commission, under the leadership of Mr Olanipekun Olukoyede, “To investigate the complaint of abuse of office and corruption against Engr. Farouk Ahmed and to accordingly prosecute him if found wanting.”
The Rivers State House of Assembly formally recommenced impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu.
This marks the second time within ten months that the state legislature has initiated such a move.
At a plenary session presided over by the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, the Majority Leader of the House, Major Jack, formally read the notice detailing allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Fubara.
The notice, which was endorsed by 26 lawmakers, accused the governor of actions allegedly in violation of the Nigerian Constitution.
Amaewhule announced that the notice would be served on the governor within the next seven days.
During the same sitting, the Deputy Majority Leader, Linda Stewart, read the notice of allegations and gross misconduct leveled against Deputy Governor Ngozi Oduh.
Breaking News
Supreme Court: President Has Power To Declare Emergency Rule, Remove Elected Officials
The Supreme Court has reaffirmed that the President holds the constitutional power to declare a state of emergency in any state where circumstances threaten public safety or governance.
According to the ruling, this authority may be exercised to prevent a serious breakdown of law and order or to stop conditions from deteriorating into chaos or anarchy.
The court emphasized that such powers are intended to safeguard national stability and ensure the continued functioning of democratic institutions when extraordinary situations arise.
It noted that emergency measures are justified only in exceptional cases where normal governance mechanisms are unable to effectively address escalating crises.
More details later…
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