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Criminals lay siege to Ikoyi, Victoria Island
By Alex Oni,
Head, Crime Desk
It was fashionable in the days of yore to casually mention at social gatherings that one resides at highbrow Ikoyi or Victoria Island.
But all these are fast changing. Organised crime is gradually taking over the once serene atmosphere of the privileged area, ranging from house-breaking, armed robbery, stealing, rape to even murder.
Mustapha Thanni, Kareem Jamiu and Omojuwa Babatunde were arrested by the police at Ikoyi Police Station on March 8, 2004, at Osborne Road, Ikoyi. They were found with arms.
Kalu Agwu, Augustine Dunkwu, Blessing Iheanacho, Oliver Onumegbu and Humphery Nwachukwu were arraigned before a Lagos court accused of conspiracy and stealing 41 copies of American visa at the American Embassy on Walter Carrington Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Gabriel Aaron Ovia and Gloria Ossor were arraigned before an Igbosere Chief Magistrate's Court, Lagos, accused of stealing N4 million from Okey Ezeh at his Victoria Island, Lagos residence.
Alero Odemwingie was arraigned in court for allegedly killing Kemi Ajayi on May 22, about 4 p.m. at No. 6B, Oladipo Diya Street, Abacha Estate, Ikoyi.
Paul Izuka was accused of conspiring with some suspects, now at large, between January and February this year to break into the Adeyemo Alakija office of Albert International Limited and stealing Econet recharge cards worth N.7 million including Nokia handsets, Nokia handset batteries and cash. The police estimated the cost of the goods and cash carted away by Izuka at N6 million.
Indeed, two policemen, Adewale Fashikun with Force No. 2042176 and Muniru Ashafa with Force No. 204298, who were detailed to arrest Izuka at his Bambo Estate, Ikota, Victoria Island, were thoroughly manhandled by area boys at Izuka's behest and at a stage the policemen fled.
Prostitution, on day and night basis, is also a common feature in Victoria Island despite occasional police crack down.
Sisi Juda, Vivian Kenne, Muni Aneke and Sunny Muweke were arraigned before a Lagos court by the police for allegedly "parading and presenting themselves" in an indecent manner and as commercial sex workers about 1.30 p.m. on July 8, 2004.
Corporate crime is also on the increase. Suleiman Kere, a manager with FSB International Bank Plc, Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, was accused of conspiring with some other suspects at large to fraudulently steal N7,221,857 from the bank.
Olusegun Adegbola (27) and Bukola Ogidan (26) both employees of FSB International Bank Plc, were accused of conspiring with other persons also at large to steal N1,300,000 from their employer.
Olasunkanmi Olawoyin (53) a top manager with Afribank Plc, was accused of conspiring with Isiaka Yakubu to steal N40.1 million from the bank.
Gbadebo Oshikoya (58), Femi Oyekan (44) and Aliu Wahaab (28) were accused of conspiring with four others (now at large) at Eco Bank Nigeria Plc head office at No. 2, Ajose Adeogun Street, Victoria Island, to forge a Union Bank Plc cheques No. 0095278, 0095283 dated March 13, 2004, March 18, 2004 and April 19, 2004 respectively, purportedly issued by Union Bank Plc, Area 3, Garki, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, to Ecobank Nigeria Plc, Ikoyi branch, No. 67, Awolowo Road, South West Ikoyi and attempted to withdraw N7,221,332 with the forged cheque, property of Union Bank Plc.
Bright Orji (28), a staff of Universal Trust Bank Plc, Victoria Island branch, was arraigned in court for allegedly colluding with other suspects (on the run) to steal N2 million from the bank.
Al-Sadiq Abubakar (26) was arraigned in court for falsely presenting himself to the branch manager of Victoria Island branch of Inter-City Bank Plc, Alhaji Muktar Ahmed, as son to Vice President Atiku Abubakar with intent to defraud the bank.
Mohammed Babatunde (23), Isah Usman (23), Morufu Adesoye (22), Oluwa Samson (19) and Morenike Alao (23), were accused of conspiring with some other suspects (on the run) at No. 192, Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos to acquire 14 pieces of fake United States of America dollars. They were also accused of operating a 419' gang there and that they actually duped one Alhaji Yusuf Ahmed of N538,200.
Patience Okobor, a house-help, was accused of conspiring with others at large at No. 7, Cooper Road, Ikoyi, to steal $2,000 from Pastor Ayo Adebola.
Dominic Ibhagbe (30), Godwin Idoko (25), Olumide Emmanuel (37), Amaobi Anthony (24) Adeyemi Adetunji (28), Simeon Agbo (32), Uzoma Elukwu (28) and Samuel Effiong (24) were also accused of conspiring on May 10, 2004 to carry out a robbery operation at American Embassy, Eleke Crescent, where they robbed an American diplomat, Mr. Duncan Richard, of $5,000.
Adolphus Ibe (35) and Emmanuel Nnamezie Okolie (26) were accused of conspiring with other suspects at large on May 15, 2004 at No. 20, Elias Close, Victoria Island, Lagos, to forge a Union Bank draft worth N3.3 million and used the forged instrument to obtain 75 air-conditioners of 1.5 horse power (window unit) valued at N3,355,000 from Dajcom Nigeria Limited, 41, Creek Road, Apapa.
Two Lebanese, Nahel Mansour (45) and Nobert Mafeni (42) and their Nigerian counterpart, Oladele Olagbaju, were accused of conspiring at Victoria Island, Lagos to fraudulently obtain N63,650,000 from Ms Yemisi Stella Abiola on the pretext that they would exchange the money for the United States of America dollars equivalent.
Thirty-two-year-old Ghanaian, Utefe Koffi, was accused of attempting to rape nine-year-old Iyabo Momodu on July 2, 2004 at Park View Estate, Ikoyi.
Semi Orelope was accused of bolting with N100,000 in February this year, from the posh apartment of Ismaila Busuari at No. 32, Keffi Street, Ikoyi.
Handset thieves have also registered their presence in Ikoyi. Dandy Ogunsunmi was arraigned in court for snatching handsets from worshippers, who came out of the Church of Assumption, Falomo, Ikoyi on Sunday, June 30, 2004.
Sodiq Amao, Abiodun Ashiru, Tolulope Adebayo and Augustine Orisakwe were accused of beating up Edward Etim before snatching his NBC handset valued at N25,000.
Bernard Awoteka was accused of stealing hot drinks worth N77,000 from Baccus Restaurant and Night Club, 57, Awolowo Road, Ikoyi.
Joseph Ochim was accused of stealing N120,000 property of Rev. (Mrs.) M. Douglas at her No. 23, Ademola Street, South West, Ikoyi residence.
Same Joseph Ochim was also accused of breaking into the home of Olulola Olusegun on June 26, 2004 and stealing one Nokia handset and one Samsung handset valued at N38,000.
Bamidele Jinadu (56) and Muyideen Banire (59), were accused of conspiring with others, now at large, at Victoria Island, Lagos, to forge a "Letter of Authority" to collect cheque No. 0001159 for N4.7 million, from the account of KOTCO Group with Equatorial Trust Bank Limited, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Indeed, it is still trendy to reside at Ikoyi, or even Victoria Island with all its shortcomings, as it confers a sort of class on residents.
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