News

Panic as Lagos Transport Union Members Clash over Park Control

Published

7 years ago

December 29, 2018

Eric

There was palpable fear at Ojota Motor Park, Lagos State, on Friday following a clash between two factional members of a transport union in the area.

Armed policemen and Armoured Personnel Carrier were stationed around the park as commuters scurried from the scene for fear that the violence might break out again.

City Round learnt that trouble started on Thursday evening when a suspended factional chairman of the union allegedly stormed the park with hoodlums to reclaim the facility.

It was gathered that members loyal to the leadership of the park resisted the attack, which led to a clash.

They were said to have fought one another with machetes and bottles, among other weapons.

“The clash started Thursday evening at about 6.30pm, many vehicles were leaving the park hurriedly and gunshots were fired into the air and everyone scampered for safety.

“That resulted in the deployment of police personnel from different divisions under Area H, including anti-riot police officers by the Area Commander, ACP Miller Dantawaye,” a source told News Agency of Nigeria.

About nine patrol vehicles and one Armoured Personnel Carrier were stationed at Ogudu junction, near the park.

The leadership of the park had reportedly been invited for a peace meeting with the Lagos chapter of the union.

The Area Commander, Area H, Ogudu, ACP Miller Dantawaye, told NAN that the park was partially closed until normalcy returned fully to the area, adding that no death was recorded.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, CSP Chike Oti, said the suspended chairman, identified as Azeez, was being interrogated by the police.

He said, “A preliminary investigation conducted into the incident revealed that the fight was engineered by one Azeez aka Stainless. He was a suspended chairman of the motor park. He has been suspended for about one year now.

“He wanted to force a comeback, taking advantage of the fact that some of the executives of the park were not around. Members on the ground resisted him and there was a fight. The police received a distress call and Divisional Police Officer, Ogudu division, led his team and brought the situation under control. They also apprehended Stainless for investigation.”

The Punch

News

Appeal Court Affirms Ruling Barring VIO from Impounding Vehicles, Fining Motorists

Published

3 days ago

December 4, 2025

Eric

The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Thursday upheld the judgment that stopped the Directorate of Road Traffic Services and Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) from seizing vehicles or imposing fines on motorists.

In a unanimous decision by a three-member panel, the appellate court found no basis to set aside the Federal High Court’s ruling of October 16, 2024, which restrained the VIO from harassing motorists.

The appeal filed by the VIO was dismissed for lacking merit. Justice Oyejoju Oyewumi delivered in the lead judgment.

The high court had earlier ruled, in a judgment by Justice Nkeonye Maha, that no law authorizes the VIO to stop motorists, impound vehicles, or impose penalties for alleged traffic offences.

The case arose from a fundamental rights suit (FHC/ABJ/CS/1695/2023) filed by lawyer Abubakar Marshal.

Marshal informed the court that VIO officials stopped him at Jabi in Abuja on December 12, 2023, and seized his vehicle without lawful reason. He asked the court to determine whether their actions violated his rights.

Justice Maha agreed and ordered the VIO and its agents not to impound vehicles or impose fines on motorists, describing the actions as unlawful. She held that only a court can impose fines or sanctions.

She ruled that the VIO’s conduct breached the applicant’s constitutional right to property under Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 14 of the African Charter. She further held that the VIO has no legal authority to seize vehicles or penalize motorists, as doing so infringes on rights to fair hearing, movement and presumption of innocence.

Although Marshal, represented by Femi Falana, SAN, requested ₦500 million in damages and a public apology, the court awarded ₦2.5 million.

The Directorate of Road Traffic Services, its Director, its Abuja Area Commander at the time (identified as Mr. Leo), team leader Solomon Onoja, and the FCT Minister were listed as respondents.

They appealed the decision, but the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal.

News

Tinubu Nominates Ibas, Dambazau, Enang, Ohakim As Ambassadors

Published

3 days ago

December 4, 2025

Eric

President Bola Tinubu has nominated Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, the immediate past sole administrator of Rivers State and a former Chief of Naval Staff, as a non-career ambassador.

Tinubu also nominated Ita Enang, a former senator; Chioma Ohakim, former First Lady of Imo State; and Abdulrahman Dambazau, former Minister of Interior and ex-Chief of Army Staff, as non-career ambassadors.

News

Senate Confirms Chris Musa As New Defence Minister

Published

4 days ago

December 3, 2025

Eric

The Nigerian Senate has confirmed General Christopher Musa, the former Chief of Defence Staff, as the country’s new Minister of Defence.

The announcement was contained in a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu.

Musa, who retired from the military just 40 days ago, was nominated by President Tinubu on Tuesday to succeed former Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, who stepped down on health grounds.

According to Onanuga’s statement, the Senate approved Musa’s appointment on Wednesday through a voice vote, following a thorough screening session during which lawmakers posed numerous questions.

“Senate confirms Gen. Christopher Musa as Minister of Defence The Senate has confirmed the former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, as the Minister of Defence. The Senate confirmed Musa on Wednesday via a voice vote after a rigorous screening session in which lawmakers asked him many questions,” the statement read in part.