Police Intelligence Response Team of the Force headquarters, Abuja, has foiled attempts by suspected armed robbers and kidnappers to assassinate the former Lagos NURTW boss, Alhaji Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya a.k.a MC.Oluomo, in Lagos State.
One of the suspects behind the plans, Toheeb Ishola Adekunle, has been arrested while others are still at large and now on the run over their alleged conduct.
The 35-year old Adekunle was tracked and arrested by the Police following a petition by MC Oluomo after the suspect brought out a Berretta pistol, which he later displayed on the social media and claimed that he will use it to kill MC Oluomo and one Adegboyega Adekunle, whom they later robbed of his property with the force of arms during an operation.
The incident happened between 26th November, 2023 and 31st July, 2024.
Their nefarious activities were said to have thrown the entire Mafoluku, Oshodi area of the Lagos state into panic over sporadic shooting, which prompted MC Oluomo to contact the police over threats to his life, conspiracy, kidnapping and armed robbery.
Thus, the police moved into action, eventually arresting Adekunle and moved him to Abuja for interrogation. After rounds of interrogation, he was found culpable to have actually conspired and planned to kill Oluomo and others.
The suspect, Adekunle, was consequently charged before the Ogba Magistrate’s Court for the alleged offence under the Criminal Laws of the State.
According to the police, Adekunle and others now at large did conspire among themselves to commit felony to wit unlawful possession of firearms, threatening violence, provoking breach of peace by offensive publication, armed robbery and kidnapping and thereby committed an offerice punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.
Part of the charges read:
That you, Toheeb Ishola Adekunle ‘m’ and others now at large on the same date, time and place in the aforesaid magisterial district, did unlawfully possess a barretta pistol which you displayed publicly without lawful authority, which you later posted on social media space and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 51 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”
“That you, Toheeb Ishola Adekunle ‘m’ and others now at large on the same date, time and place in the aforesaid magisterial district, did threaten to kill Alhaji Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya ‘M’ a.k.a MC Oluomo with a barretta pistol and posted yourself with the said barretta pistol on social media space and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 232 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”
Count 4: That you Toheeb Ishola Adekunle ‘m’ and others now at large on the same date, time and place in the aforesaid magisterial district, did rob the following property (1) wristwatch valued at N350,000.00, (2) Cash of N100,000.00, laptop valued N850,000.00, hand and neck chain worth N350,000.00, 385 Euros and cash of N480,000.00, Total N4,880,000.00 property of Adegboyega Adekunle ‘M’ and thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 297 (1), (a) & (b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”
Count 5: That you, Toheeb Ishola Adekunle ‘m’ and others now at large on the same date, time and place in the aforesaid magisterial district, did forcefully take, held, abducted, instilled fear for the purpose of kidnapping and armed robbery by kidnapping one Adegboyega Adekunle ‘ and demanded N5,000,000.00 ransom but later agreed to collect N500,000.00 through transfer to Account Number: 2223784646 UBA belonging to Ahmed Fliasu M’ from the victim relatives before he gained his freedom on the 27th November, 2023 at about 05:00 hrs and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 2005) of the kidnapping prohibition law 2017.”
Count 6: That you, Toheeb Ishola Adekunle ‘M’ and others now at large on the same date, time and place in the aforesaid magisterial district, did conduct yourselves in a manner likely to cause breach of public peace by displaying a barretta pistol and other dangerous weapons, causing fear, apprehension, pandemonium to residents of Mafoluku, Oshodi, Lagos and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 167 (1)(d) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”
However, the Court did not take his plea when he was arraigned following a motion moved by the prosecutor, Supol Akeem Raji, asking the Court to refer the matter to the DPP for legal advice.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. B.O. Osunsanmi, ordered his remand in custody at the correctional center at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending the outcome of the DPP’s advice and directed the prosecutor to duplicate the file and send it to the DPP.
The matter was adjourned till 7th October, 2024, for mention for the report of DPP’s advice to be ready, which will determine if the matter will be transferred to the High Court or not over jurisdiction.
“This is just as the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, today unveiled two major fiscal incentives aimed at revitalising Nigeria’s oil and gas sector: Value Added Tax Modification Order 2024 and Notice of Tax Incentives for Deep Offshore Oil & Gas Production, in accordance with the Oil & Gas Companies (Tax Incentives, Exemption, Remission, etc.) Order 2024.”
Explaining further, Manga said, “The VAT Modification Order 2024 introduces exemptions on a range of key energy products and infrastructure, including diesel, feed gas, Liquefied Petroleum Gas, Compressed Natural Gas, electric vehicles, Liquefied Natural Gas infrastructure, and clean cooking equipment.
“These measures are designed to lower the cost of living, bolster energy security, and accelerate Nigeria’s transition to cleaner energy sources.”
It explained that the notice of tax incentives for deep offshore oil & gas production provides new tax reliefs for deep offshore projects, stressing that, “This initiative is aimed at positioning Nigeria’s deep offshore basin as a premier destination for global oil and gas investments.”
The ministry said these fiscal incentives reflect the administration’s steadfast commitment to promoting sustainable growth, enhancing energy security, and driving economic prosperity for all Nigerians.
The statement added, “These reforms are part of a broader series of investment-driven policy initiatives championed by President Bola Tinubu, in line with Policy Directives 40-42.
“They reflect the administration’s strong commitment to fostering sustainable growth in the energy sector and enhancing Nigeria’s global competitiveness in oil and gas production.
“With these bold initiatives, Nigeria is firmly on track to reclaim its position as a leader in the global oil and gas market.
“These fiscal incentives demonstrate the administration’s unwavering commitment to fostering sustainable growth, enhancing energy security, and driving economic prosperity for all Nigerians,” the statement concluded.
