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BROTHERS AT WAR: Children of founder of Lekki British International Schools battle for control of school two years after mother’s death

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LEKKI BRITISH SCHOOLS,

 

The children of Dr. Abiodun Laja, the founder of Lekki British International Schools, Francis and Christian, have dragged each other to court over the control of the school, two years after their mum died.

Francis Idehen filed a petition at the Federal High Court in Lagos against Christian Idehen, his brother.

Francis wants the court to determine how the school should be managed.

Joined as respondents in the suit are Christian Idehen’s wife, Olufunke, Lekki British International High School Limited, Lekki British Junior School Limited and Lekki Educational Limited.

The affidavit in support of the petition was filed by a Lagos lawyer, Dapo Oduwole.

Dr Abiodun Laja, who founded the schools died intestate on 26 May, 2019.

Before her death, she was the Chief Executive Officer of the Schools.

Under her, the management, organisational structure of the schools were not in dispute as the schools ran smoothly.

Upon her death, Francis and Christian became the only shareholders and directors of the schools and both were abroad at the time of her death.

Lawyer Abolanle Abdul-Salam, who deposed to the affidavit, on behalf of Francis, to avers that after the death of Dr. Laja, Christian Idehen unilaterally made the decision to relocate his family to Nigeria and immediately took over the running of the schools.

He equally appointed himself as the defacto Chief Executive Officer without informing or conferring with his brother and against the brother’s express objection.

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According to the deponent, prior to her death, Dr Laja mandated Francis as a lawyer to look for international investors who will run the school after her retirement, as her two children have no requisite experience or qualifications to run an educational institutions or a business the size of the schools without proper structures and process constituted.

When the mother died, the petitioner, Francis requested for a meeting of Board of Directors of the schools to discuss the implementation of appropriate legal framework to regulate the governance and the affairs of the schools.

He also requested, that he and Christian apply for letter of administration at the Lagos high court to legally administer the estate of their mother particularly as it relates to her majority shares in the schools.

However, Christian refused to accede to any of his requests despite his several visits to Nigeria.

Rather Christian has continued to run the companies without regard to him and the board of Governors.

To further complicate matters, Christian carved a role for his wife, Olufunke, who is neither a director, nor shareholder or employee or agent of the schools.

In the affidavit filed, Francis says Christian has continued to utilize Olufunke as an officer of the schools against his objection.

Christian Idehen also refuses to work with his appointed Attorney who represents his interest, and has since been running the schools in an autocratic and dictatorial manner with his wife.

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The petitioner alleges further that Christian has refused to render accounts of all expenditure made by him without his knowledge or consent despite repeated demands to do so.

“Consequently, the aggressive, autocratic and authoritarian managerial style of Christian and his wife have led to a toxic and hostile work environment that if left unrestrained, could constitute an existential threat to the on going concern of the Schools,” the affidavit reads.

Francis urges the court to restrain Christian Idehen from parading himself as the Chief Executive Officer of the schools.

He also wants the court appoint Board of Governors as interim administrators of the Schools with exclusive control over their affairs, including the bank accounts, cash and any other assets pending the hearing and final determination of the substantive suit.

Based on an affidavit sworn to by a legal practitioner, Mr Dapo Oduwole filed and argued before the court by Barrister Mobolaji Kuti, the presiding Judge Nicholas Oweibo restrained the petitioner Francis Idehen and his brother Christian Idehen from dealing with the bank accounts, cash and any other assets of the Schools without the express written consent or authorization of the other party pending the final determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.

However, in a counter affidavit sworn to by Christian Idehen and filed before the court by a Lagos lawyer Mr. Akinwale Irokosu, Christian confirms that his brother, Francis is one of the shareholders in the schools.

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He says the petition, motion on notice and other originating processes in the suit were never served on him.

He says he was informed by his wife that she too was never served with any court processes in the suit.

He says the affidavit of services deposed to by the bailiff of the court shows that the court paper was served on one Adekunle Oke who is an agent, crony and ally procured by the petitioner to distort the running of the schools.

Christian claims Oke runs a parallel administration within the School in direct opposition to him.

The only court process pasted at his address were hearing notices informing him of the next adjourned date, Christian claims.

He says the petitioner misled the court in granting the interlocutory application by suppressing some material facts that would have properly guided the Court in deciding the motion on notice.

Christian alleges further that the petitioner has been making unilateral withdrawal from the bank accounts of the schools and making payment to third parties from the funds of the school without his consent and approval,

He is therefore urging the court to vacate or set aside the order made by the court so that the activities of the schools will not be grounded.

The presiding Judge Nicholas Oweibo has adjourned till 5 October, for hearing to commence.

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Okada rider stabbed to death over N100 ticket in Ogun

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A commercial motorcyclist has reportedly been stabbed to death by a transport union tax collection group, popularly known as agberos, following an argument over a N100 ticket in the Ijoko area of Ogun State.

According to reports, the incident occurred on Tuesday night after a disagreement between the deceased and some levy collectors escalated into a violent confrontation.

While it was unclear if the suspect had been arrested, the killing reportedly sparked protests by commercial motorcyclists across Lambe, Agbado and Akute communities.

Some riders were seen confronting levy collectors in parts of the affected areas, disrupting transport activities and forcing many commuters to trek to their destinations.

A motorcyclist said that two persons were stabbed during the altercation, but only one survived.

“They were fighting over a N100 ticket. It started as a small argument before it escalated on Tuesday night. The person who was killed is one of the motorcyclists from Nasarawa,” he said.

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“His colleagues are the ones now confronting agberos in Lambe, Ijoko and parts of Akute.”

Another rider in Akute confirmed the incident, saying tensions had remained high since the killing.

“The man was stabbed to death by one of the agberos during an argument over the ticket. The agbero suddenly brought out a knife and stabbed him,” he said.

“Some riders have refused to work since then, which is why there are fewer commercial motorcyclists around today. The police are aware and arrested some people during another confrontation.”

Violent clashes between commercial motorcyclists and levy collectors are not new in the state. In recent years, riders have repeatedly protested what they describe as extortion and harassment.

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VIDEO: Police bust illegal baby factory in Ekiti

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The Ekiti State Police Command says its operatives have uncovered an illegal baby factory located in Ikere Local Government Area of the state.

The state commissioner of police, Joe Eribo, who disclosed this to journalists, said the command received a tip-off and arrested one Onyechi Oluwadare, alongside four other suspects behind a popular hotel along Ise-Ekiti Road, Ikere-Ekiti.

Other people arrested were, Onuoha Gloria, Victoria Linus, Ihegbogu Mercy, and a pregnant woman, Emmanuel Esther.

 

The statement read in part, “On the 24/01/2026 at about 08:30hrs, the Command received a credible tip-off that the prime suspect, Oluwadare Onyechi, a 43-year old woman, runs an illegal baby gactory alongside four other suspects somewhere behind Inisa Hotel and Suit, along Ise-Ekiti Road, Ikere-Ekiti.

“Upon the receipt of the information, the Command Operatives swung into action, cordon off the premises used for the illegal business, and arrested Oluwadare Onyechi and four other accomplices namely, Onuoha Gloria ‘28 yrs’, Victoria Linus ‘25 yrs’, Ihegbogu Mercy ‘21 yrs’ and a heavily pregnant Emmanuel Esther ’23yrs’.

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“Search was conducted in the premises and six children within the age of 2 and 9 reasonably suspected to be under bondage and exploitation were rescued. Items such as baby delivery materials, some rolls of dexamethasone tablet, and some bottles of Goya oil were recovered from the scene”.

The prime suspect in the alleged baby factory, Onyechi, denied the allegations, saying she only prays in the building for those seeking God’s favour.

The Command’s operatives also arrested one Ibrahim Abubakar, a notorious cattle rustler.

Investigation revealed that Ibrahim Abubakar has over the years, rustled numerous cattle in Ekiti, Kwara and Kogi States and has been on the wanted list of the three States.

During investigation, Ibrahim Abubakar confessed that he is into cattle rustling business and equally mentioned different occasions in the past where he attacked Cattle owners and made away with their cattle.

A large number of rustled cattle numbering two hundred and fifty-five(255) were recovered from him, alongside other 303 cattles recovered from prime suspect, making 558 cattles.

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NAFDAC uncovers fake Goya oil factory, counterfeit alcoholic drinks syndicate in Lagos

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Operatives of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) have uncovered an illegal factory producing fake Goya oil in Lagos.

The agency also dismantled a major syndicate involved in the counterfeiting of alcoholic drinks in Lagos, warning that the activities pose grave dangers to public health.

Martins Iluyomade, Director of Investigation and Enforcement at NAFDAC and Chairman of the Federal Task Force on Fake and Substandard Products, said the discoveries were made during surveillance and enforcement operations carried out over the past few weeks.

“We have carried out a couple of activities in recent weeks, and what we discovered was very surprising to us. We felt it was important to speak with Nigerians so they can know what has been going on,” Iluyomade said.

He disclosed that NAFDAC operatives uncovered an illegal operation inside Oke-Arin market, Lagos, where counterfeit Goya oil was being produced locally.

“The original Goya oil is imported into this country through a reputable company, and there are still original products in circulation. But we discovered that some people were faking this product and manufacturing it inside the market,” he said.

According to Iluyomade, the fake oil was produced by burning palm oil and adding chlorine, using crude equipment like stove.

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“They were using a stove. We saw the stove and everything they were using. We also saw a large number of empty bottles they were refilling and repackaging,” he added.

Iluyomade warned Nigerians, particularly, churches and prayer houses, stressing that original Goya oil is never packaged in plastic (PET) bottles.

“Let me say this clearly to everybody—churches, prayer houses, and anywhere this oil is used: there is no original Goya oil packed in plastic bottles. Original Goya oil comes in glass bottles,” he said.

He urged Nigerians to report anyone selling the product in plastic bottles to the nearest NAFDAC office.

“Anywhere you see Goya oil being sold in PET bottles, report it. People should beware, noting that the use of fake anointing oils in religious settings had become widespread and dangerous.

“Some people even drink anointing oil. You are not drinking anointing oil—you are drinking poison,” Iluyomade said.

The enforcement director explained that NAFDAC’s strategy is to halt production at the source rather than punish unsuspecting traders.

“We are stopping the production. Once there is no new supply, whatever is in the market will dry up,” he said.

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“We do not want to compound the problem of market women and others who may not know. But for the producers, it is the end of the road.”

He appealed to religious bodies to cooperate with the agency.

“We are not issuing threats, but it will not be nice for us to arrest people within your premises. Please partner with us and do not allow the sale or use of this product,” he said.

Iluyomade also revealed that NAFDAC had busted a major operation involved in the production of fake alcoholic drinks in Lagos.

“The faking of alcoholic drinks has become seriously endemic in Nigeria because it is one of the easiest products to counterfeit,” he said.

He said a suspect, Mr. Moses Nelson, was arrested in the Badagry area of Lagos and has been charged to court.

“In his house, we found all manner of fake products—virtually every major brand. There was none we did not see,” Iluyomade said.

According to him, the syndicate operated a distribution chain, producing the drinks in Badagry and supplying them to major markets across Lagos.

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NAFDAC also warned distributors against patronising unauthorised suppliers.

“You know the original owners of these brands. Why buy from people you know are not the owners just to make more money? In the process, you are killing people,” he cautioned.

He also advised Nigerians to be wary of unusually cheap products.

“If the normal price is five naira and someone offers it at three naira, you should be suspicious. The little money you want to save, I hope you will not spend it in the hospital,” he said.

Stating that no one has the right to endanger the lives of others, Iluyomade appealed to Nigerians engaged in such illegal businesses to desist.

“We are all Nigerians and everyone wants to make ends meet, but no Nigerian has the right to make ends meet at the expense of the health of another Nigerian,” he said.

“No one has the right to make huge profits while increasing the health burden of this country.”

He assured Nigerians that NAFDAC would sustain enforcement actions nationwide and urged the public to stop patronising counterfeit products and report suspicious activities to the agency.

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