…As police issue warning to drivers using navigation apps

By Sodiq Adelakun

A driver in Lagos, Oyiga Michael, was arrested by the police on Saturday night for violating traffic rules while using Google Maps as a guide.

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, stated that Michael should face the law for his actions. Michael had taken to social media to express his frustration at being arrested while trying to find his way home using the app.

“Immediately we got to the turn to Ijesha, they (police) said we were following one way and were threatening to deflate our tyre.

“We have explained and explained and they don’t even want to hear as it was the map that was misleading and they’ve been threatening to beat us as well. We don’t have any money extra as we are coming from a wedding,” he said.

Michael disclosed that he was released, but his car was impounded by the police at the Cele Police Station, adding that the police said, “We should bring N30,000.

“We don’t have any money to go home and we also don’t have any money to bribe and can’t leave the car here as well.”

As the driver was seeking help on X, the Lagos PPRO, Hundeyin reacted, saying, “Ignorance is not an excuse under the law. Google Maps is equally not an excuse. Stay calm and let the law take its course.”

Hundeyin maintained that police are not the ones to erect road signs, stressing that, “We are law enforcement officers, not lawmakers. We enforce the law made by the people.”

Hundeyin responded to the allegation that the policemen demanded N30,000 to release Michael by stating that it is illegal to give a bribe.

Instead, he advised that it is acceptable to pay a fine, but this should be done in court, not at a police station. Michael acknowledged his mistake and expressed remorse, assuring that he and his companions have learned their lesson.

He also pleaded for leniency, hoping that justice will be tempered with mercy.

On Sunday morning, Michael provided an update, expressing gratitude to everyone who reached out to him. He confirmed that he was not detained or harmed, although their car is still at the police station.

They have been instructed to return on Monday, with the hope that they will be forgiven and able to retrieve their vehicle.

The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has assured investors of land allocation in the state as long as their investments and intentions are genuine.

The Governor made this known last week at the distribution of Certificates of Occupancy (CofO) to 5,000 beneficiaries at the Oba’s Complex, Oke-Mosan Abeokuta.

Governor Abiodun represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, said in keeping with the plans of the present administration to make the state the investors hub not only in Nigeria, but the West African sub-region, the process of acquiring land in the state has been automated to speed up the process.

He noted that it is no longer business as usual, as the Lands Department has been transformed to perform optimally, saying the distribution of 5,000 CofO was a signpost that transparency is now the order of the day in the administration of land in the state.

The Governor, who attributed the non performance of the Lands Department in the past to ‘cabals’ said the office is now operating on a clean slate as the former staff have been moved to make room for higher performance.

He sympathised with those who went through severe ordeal in accessing their land documents, saying with the documents, it would bring peace of mind and signifies that the land has been allocated to them.

In their goodwill messages, Commissioner for Physical Planning, Hon. Tunji Odulami, said though the process started about six years ago through the Homeowner Charter put in place by the past administration, many people would not complete and access their land title documents.

He said the distribution of CofO to 5,000 people was an indication that the present administration, apart from taking the bull by the horns, was a promise keeping government, urging the beneficiaries to complete the process by obtaining their building plans as well.

Commissioner for Housing, Jagunmolu Jamiu Omoniyi, while congratulating the recipients, noted that the land documents given by the government would legitimise and prop up the value of their properties, calling on those yet to apply for theirs to do so without delay.

In his welcome address, Director General, Bureau of Lands and Survey, Arch. Segun Fowora, noted that land plays an important part in human activities as no activity could take place with land.

He said the introduction of the Ogun State Land Administration and Revenue Management System (OLAMS), by the Governor Abiodun-led administration was to speed the process of land administration and make it seamless, maintaining that the Bureau of Lands would continue to implement the governor’s vision on land matters.

One of the recipients and former Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ayilara Adedoyin, lauded the state government for the initiative, noting that it would help in legitimising their properties and give them peace of mind.

The Ogun State Governor; Prince Dapo Abiodun has expressed optimism towards the exploration of oil in Tongeji Island and Olokola in Ipokia and Ogun Waterside local government areas of the state respectively.

The Governor noted that the state would soon be given frontier status and join the league of oil-producing states in the country.

Prince Abiodun stated this during the presentation of the year 2024 Appropriation Bill christiened “Budget of Sustained Growth and Development” at the Ogun State House of Assembly.

The Governor said, “Discussions are ongoing regarding the exploration of oil in Tongeji Island, Ipokia Local Government Area, and Olokola, in Ogun Water-Side Local Government Area, respectively. We are confident that very soon, we will be given frontier status and will soon join the league of oil-producing states.”

Abiodun also disclosed that his administration in preparation for its new status as an oil producing state has established the Ministry of Mineral Resources saddled with the responsibility of overseeing the general administration and operation of the natural resources that abound in the state.

He also disclosed that his administration has established the Ministry of Energy to take advantage of the constitutional amendment that allows sub-national governments to participate in the energy sector.

The Governor, who also disclosed that an Education Summit would be held in the first quarter of  2024, said that numerous challenges facing the sector would be considered with a view to repositioning education in the state.