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News_Naija

Lagos Hospital Seeks Help Identifying Patients Family

The Lagos State General Hospital, Isolo, has appealed to the public for assistance in identifying a woman known only as Beauty or locating her family. PUNCH Metro gathered that the unidentified woman was brought to the hospital by officials of the Lagos State Ambulance Service after she was found unconscious along the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway. Due to the severity of her condition, she was immediately admitted to the Accident and Emergency Ward for urgent medical attention, according to hospital sources. The hospital’s spokesperson, Patricia Mordi, said the patient, a dark-complexioned, middle-aged woman, could only give her name as Beauty. Mordi added that the woman has been unable to provide any additional personal information or contact details. The statement read, “A dark-complexioned middle-aged woman, who could only identify herself as Beauty, has been brought to the Accident and Emergency Ward of General Hospital Isolo by the LASAMBUS. “According to LASAMBUS officials, Beauty was picked up in an unconscious state from the Five Star Bus Stop on the Oshodi/Apapa Expressway. “The patient is currently receiving medical attention, and the hospital authorities are appealing to the public for assistance in locating her relatives, friends or anyone who may know her.”

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News_Naija

Court Slams Lagos Monarch, Associates N20m Fine Over Land Trespass

A Lagos High Court sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square has awarded N20m in damages against Oba Adetunji Akinloye, Alhaji Yekini Olawale Bakare, and Mr. Olukayode Akinbola for unlawfully trespassing on over 138 hectares of land belonging to the Sule Olusesi family in Olugborogan Town, Eti-Osa Local Government Area. In a judgment delivered by Justice Idowu Alakija, the court also issued a perpetual injunction barring the defendants from ever entering the disputed land. The court declared the Sule Olusesi family the rightful owners of the land, ending nearly a decade of litigation. Justice Alakija ruled that the defendants had no valid legal or traditional claim to the land, describing their actions as “nothing short of illegal encroachment.” She further ordered the defendants to pay an additional N1m in legal costs to the claimants. The court granted all nine reliefs sought by the claimants, including declarations affirming the Sule Olusesi family’s ownership of the land covered by Survey Plan No. SCR/LA78/10 dated February 18, 1978, and another parcel detailed in Survey Plan No. LS/D/LA347 dated May 11, 2000. Represented by their counsel, Dr Yemi Omodele, the family, led by Prince Rasheed Olusesi, had sued Oba Akinloye, Alhaji Bakare, and Mr Akinbola for trespassing, selling portions of the family land, and falsely claiming ownership of Olugborogan Village. “The Sule Olusesi family is the original owner of the land in Olugborogan Town… Any portion of the land that might have been illegally sold, bequeathed, leased, or given out by the defendants is hereby voided, nullified and cancelled,” the judge held. “The court finds the defendants guilty of trespass,” Justice Alakija declared in her judgment. “They had no valid legal or customary claim to the land. Their continued occupation and purported sales are nothing short of unlawful encroachment.” “The defendants have not shown any credible documentary or traditional evidence to support their claim,” she added. The court also reaffirmed that the Sule Olusesi family is the lawful owner of: 138.096 hectares (341.248 acres) of land covered by Survey Plan No. SCR/LA78/10, drawn by licensed surveyor J.O. Ogedegbe on February 18, 1978; and 55.671 and 20.873 hectares, respectively, covered by Survey Plan No. LS/D/LA347 dated May 11, 2000, drawn by M.A.O. Durowoju, the Lagos State Surveyor-General, and referenced in Lagos State Government Gazette No. 24, Vol. 27 of June 23, 1994. Justice Alakija further ordered that the defendants, their agents, servants, or privies be permanently restrained from entering, selling, leasing, or transferring any portion of the land. “It is hereby ordered that the defendants, their servants, agents and/or privies do not have the right to sell, alienate, bequeath, give out, lease out, and/or grant any portion of the land covered by the Survey Plan No.LS/D/LA347dated 11/05/2000 drawn by M.A.O. Durowoju (Surveyor General of Lagos State) measuring Area:55.671 hectares and area 20873 hectares – Olugborogan village excision referred to in Lagos State Government Notice No.33 of Gazette No.24, Vol.27 of 23/06/1994 to anybody whatsoever,” the judge held. The court awarded N20m in damages for trespass and emphasized that the Sule Olusesi family is the rightful and original owner of the land as captured in both referenced survey plans and gazetted documents. “An order of this Court awarding the sum N20,000.00 (twenty million naira) only as damages in favour of the Claimant against the defendants for the act of trespass committed on the land covered by Survey Plan No.LS/D/LA347 dated 11/05/2000 drawn by drawn by M.A.O.Durowoju (Surveyor General of Lagos State) measuring Area A:55.671 hectares and Area 20.873 hectares -Olugborogan village excision referred to in Lagos State Government Notice No.33 of Gazette No.24, Vol.27 of 23/06/1994, The legal battle began with a Writ of Summons and Statement of Claim filed on October 25, 2016. An amended version was submitted on June 29, 2018, along with an additional witness statement dated January 3, 2019. The defendants, represented by lawyer Olagbade Benson, filed their Statement of Defence on January 20, 2017. The claimants responded with a reply dated February 3, 2017. The trial commenced on January 14, 2018, with the claimants’ first witness, Prince Alhaji Abolore Olusesi, testifying on behalf of the family. His sworn statements, admitted as Exhibits A and A1, formed the backbone of the family’s case. He told the court that the Sule Olusesi family is the legitimate owner of the land in Olugborogan Olusesi Town, and that Oba Akinloye, the traditional ruler of Ajiran (Ojomu of Ajiran), alongside the other defendants—described as professional land speculators—used their influence and financial means to intimidate and forcefully remove the rightful owners from the land. Prince Olusesi alleged that the defendants employed the services of a notorious land grabber, Kamorudeen Lamino (alias “Sir K” Oluwo), to forcibly evict the family from the land on October 3, 2016. He testified that the disputed land had been unlawfully sold by the defendants to unsuspecting buyers despite having no legal right to do so. “It is the defendants’ usual practice to indiscriminately and unlawfully take land from rightful owners across Lagos, especially in Eti-Osa LGA,” he said. Under cross-examination, Prince Olusesi confirmed that he is a member of both the Oluge Royal Family and the Ojomu Chieftaincy Family. The defence opened its case on October 21, 2021, with Mr Olukayode Akinbola, the third defendant, testifying that he had worked as a surveyor for the Ojomu Chieftaincy Family and was familiar with the land in question. Justice Alakija’s judgment brings long-awaited relief to the Sule Olusesi family and sets a significant legal precedent against land grabbing in Lagos State.

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Futbol

Fit-again Bradley Could Feature Against Everton

Liverpool right-back Conor Bradley could feature in Wednesday's Premier League derby with Everton after returning to training. The 21-year-old has been sidelined after being forced off with a hamstring injury in Liverpool's 2-2 draw with Aston Villa in February. Liverpool manager Arne Slot said Bradley was back in training after missing six matches but he would have to be "smart" about his involvement at Anfield. "We have to make a decision on whether he is playing, and if playing means coming in or starting," Slot said in Tuesday's press conference. "That's something I keep for myself. He's only had a few sessions after being out for quite a long time with a repetitive injury so we have to make a smart decision." With Trent Alexander-Arnold and Bradley injured, Jarell Quansah started at right-back in Liverpool's Carabao Cup final defeat by Newcastle United. Bradley also missed Northern Ireland's friendlies with Switzerland and Sweden in March with the issue. Liverpool hold a 12-point lead at the top of the Premier League with nine matches remaining. Brazil goalkeeper Alisson and Netherlands midfielder Ryan Gravenberch are expected to be available for the derby despite withdrawing from their international squads. "Ryan is OK. We have to train one more time but he is OK," added Slot. "Ali trained with us as well. The last check has to be made this afternoon, after the session, to see if he is available to play."

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Futbol

Stick Or Twist? How Do Leeds Solve Meslier Muddle?

The boos rang out around Elland Road at full-time on Saturday as Swansea celebrated their late point at Leeds United. Whites goalkeeper Illan Meslier cut a disconsolate figure as he sought to collect his thoughts after another rollercoaster 90 minutes. The much-criticised Frenchman had saved Josh Tymon's penalty in the first half to preserve Leeds' 1-0 advantage at the break but few in the ground were thinking of that come full-time. Instead it was how costly his latest error, dropping a corner under no pressure to allow Harry Darling to make it 1-1, could prove to be for their Premier League promotion hopes and whether the time has come for boss Daniel Farke to make a change in goal for the final seven league matches. Here is a look at the 25-year-old's season to date, what those close to the team think and who could take his place. Meslier initially joined Leeds on loan from Lorient in his home country in 2019, aged 19. Since getting his chance in February the following year he has spent the past five years as their first-choice goalkeeper. He was a big part of Marcelo Bielsa's side who finished a highly creditable ninth in the Premier League in 2020-21 after making a permanent move to West Yorkshire after helping them to promotion in July 2020. Of Bielsa's successors only Sam Allardyce did not pick him during his brief and unsuccessful spell, as Leeds were relegated back to the Championship. Saturday's game against the Swans marked his 200th league appearance for the club. However, despite the penalty save, it proved to be a day to forget rather than celebrate in a season where high-profile mistakes have haunted him. First, he inexplicably misread the bounce of the ball to let in a last-minute equaliser at Sunderland in October and then in January he was at fault as Hull City came back from 3-1 down to draw 3-3. That led many fans to suggest it was time for a change but, with the team well-placed, boss Farke stood by his man, saying it would be "crazy" to change his keeper. Meslier responded to that backing by keeping six successive clean sheets and, although he conceded an unfortunate own goal in the 3-1 win at promotion rivals Sheffield United in February, it looked like his mistakes would just be a footnote to a successful season. Leeds were five points clear at the top at the start of March, and seven ahead of Burnley in third. Every Championship side that has been in that position after 34 games has gone on to win automatic promotion. However, one win from five games last month has allowed the Blades to go top and Meslier's latest faux pas has seen what patience remained seemingly run out. The team at BBC Radio Leeds' Leeds United podcast Don't Go To Bed Just Yet were unanimous that it is time for Meslier to come out of the starting XI. Kaiser Chiefs bassist and Leeds season ticket holder Simon Rix: "It's just disappointing because, on this podcast at least, I think we all kind of want him to do well and backed him even when he's had bad moments and we feel like he's been a decent goalkeeper. "You could make a highlights reel that looks amazing from Saturday's game because there's the penalty save and the save just before their first goal is a great save because he's unsighted. "He looked to be having a great game and then the next thing he does is drop it on a Swansea player's foot. It's just bizarre. I can only think it is concentration. "I think he's just got no credit in the bank now. He doesn't have the crowd on his side." BBC Radio Leeds' Leeds reporter Adam Pope: "I think it's inexplicable. He was under no pressure. You can't defend it anymore. "Maybe Farke sits down with (captain) Ethan Ampadu and asks him if the lads still trust Illan or if they want a change? The way it's going this could ruin Leeds' chances of automatic promotion." Former Leeds player Aidy White on BBC Radio Leeds: "It's one too many now. You can be forgiven for maybe one or two but the amount of games it has happened now… a huge decision has got to be made with seven games left. "I think you've got to drop him now. Farke came out and supported him last time but how long can you keep trusting him for?" Unfortunately for Meslier and his supporters the statistics do not make for brilliant reading in his defence. According to Opta, of the 27 goalkeepers to have played at least 10 games in the Championship this season he ranks 19th for goals prevented. Excluding own goals, he has conceded 24 goals from 23.9 expected goals on target. In comparison, Burnley keeper James Trafford has conceded a measly 11 goals from an expected goals on target of 22.6, while Sheffield United shot-stopper Michael Cooper has allowed 26 goals from 33.5. Meslier also comes out badly in terms of errors leading to goals. Only Sheffield Wednesday's James Beadle, with four, has more than Meslier and Swansea counterpart Lawrence Vigouroux, who both have three. The Owls dropped Beadle for Saturday's trip to Cardiff City. Fan writer Adonis Storr Illan Meslier has flattered to deceive during his time in Yorkshire. But despite threatening a redemption story by keeping out a penalty against Swansea and making a couple of vital saves, he was back to being the pantomime villain by the end. Unfortunately the Frenchman's undeniable potential is surpassed by his tendency to err. Spilling a simple catch from a corner and failing to save a speculative shot from a narrow angle, the Leeds goalkeeper fluffed his lines again when it mattered most. Meslier is not solely responsible for Leeds' remarkable loss of form. The whole team seems to be lacking energy. But the goalkeeper's performances are affecting his team-mates. None more so than a clearly frustrated Joe Rodon. In October I asked "can Leeds afford to keep waiting for him to improve?" In January I wrote "it feels like it is time to try someone else". Daniel Farke has seven, maybe 10, games left to get Leeds promoted, but Meslier's mistakes have left him in an impossible position. If Leeds are to make a change between the sticks then it is likely to be veteran Karl Darlow who is given the gloves. The 34-year-old has made just two league appearances since joining from Newcastle in the summer of 2023, once as a sub after Meslier was sent off at Preston on 26 December that year and then in the 1-0 reverse at West Brom three days later when the number one was suspended. Unlike most number twos, Darlow has seen some action this season as he is first choice for Wales, where he plays alongside club team-mates Rodon, Ampadu and Dan James, so he would not be coming in cold if he were to be given a chance at relegation-threatened Luton on Saturday. He also has experience of winning promotion from this division, having made 34 appearances as the Magpies won the Championship title in 2016-17. Farke refused to blame Meslier for Saturday's result and you feel that whatever decision he makes now, all eyes will be on whoever is between the posts for Leeds at Kenilworth Road this weekend.