KINGSLEY EBERE
A 79-year old man, Mr. Akojede Rasaq, is lying critically ill at an undisclosed hospital in Lagos State after he was allegedly battered by an aspirant of the Peoples Democractic Party (PDP) for Ipaja Ayobo LCDA chairmanship position, Mr. Nurudeen Abolaji, over sanitation compliance.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that one of the daughters of the family, Ayike Akojede, alleged that the suspect, who is also the CDA Chairman of Ifekowajo Community in Ayobo area of the state and his accomplice, Azeez Jinadu of AZ Clothing (a.k.a Jegbedu), beat their father to stupor and he narrowly escaped death before he was rescued by the members of the community.
The incident happened on 20th April, 2025, at 28, Ifelodun Street, Ayobo area of Lagos, where they live.
It was said to be due to the compliance of a notice issued by the Ayobo Council since 2019 by the Department of Environmental Health to the owner and occupiers.
The family is calling on the Police Authorities and well meaning Nigerians in Lagos to come to their aid in what they described as a barbaric act by Mr. Nurudeen Abolaji against the nonagenarian.
Meanwhile, the suspect has been arrested and detained by the Police but was given an administrative bail while investigation is ongoing over the alleged assault on the victim.
The victim’s daughter, Ayinke stated that their father sustained a high degree level of injury on his face to the extent that he cannot see well with one of his eyes as a result of the injury he sustained.
She explained that the cause of the assault was the compliance of the directives of the Environmental Sanitation to the residents of his father’s house which stated:
“FINAL NOTICE TO REMOVE OR ABATE NUISANCE”
“I wish to draw your attention to the fact that you have failed to comply with the demand abatement notice(s) dated and served on the 8th day of 2019 on:
“Illegal or deliberate act of dumping of sand within the set-back of the premises, impeding the flow of waste water centrum to the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation laws”
“Absence of soak away pit, leading to indiscriminate discharging of waste water into the public road and as well damaging the spot”
“You are hereby required to abate the stated nuisance mentioned above within the time given below”
“You therefore, contravened the provision(s) of the above law(s)”
“However, it is the opinion of this office to grant you more time for further compliance with the requirement of the said Notice(s)”
“In default this office shall institute legal proceeding against your premises to enforce the provisions as provided for under the above quoted law on or after the 8th day of April, 2019 Without any further notification.” Final verification notice served on the 8th day of April, 2019″
It was said that in compliance with the directives, the old man began to construct the drainage in front of his house onward to the PDP Chairmanship aspirant’s house, which led to the fracas between the two community leaders.
Meanwhile, the matter was reported to Alagolo Police Station at Ipaja, where the suspects were detained but released on bail the next day, while the old man was hospitalised.
The Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed that the incident was reported to Alagolo Police station in Ayobo area of the state, which is investigating the matter.
However, the family has expressed dissatisfaction over the manner in which the Alagolo Division is handling the matter alleging bias.
The family is calling for the intervention of the Commissioner of Police, CP, Olorundare Moshood, for redress so that justice can be served on the matter.
Efforts to reach the suspect for comments proved abortive as at the time of filing this report.