A two-storey building under construction has collapsed at the Northern Vulture Estate on Chevron Drive, Lekki, Lagos.

The incident happened in the evening of Tuesday.

Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed that one adult male lost his life in the building collapse, while four others sustained serious injuries.

The injured victims, all adult male, were promptly rescued by emergency responders and transported to the hospital for medical attention by LASAMBUS officials.

Eyewitnesses said that most of the victims were construction workers.

Oke-Osanyintolu added that the agency, in collaboration with other emergency stakeholders, successfully managed the initial rescue operations.

He said heavy-duty equipment had been deployed to the site to aid ongoing search and rescue efforts.

“Operation is continuing as emergency teams work tirelessly to ensure no victims were left under the rubble,” he said.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has shut down the infamous Cemetery Market in Aba, Abia State, for the second time in two years.

The agency said it uncovered and confiscated fake and substandard food and beverages worth over ₦5 billion in its latest operation tagged Operation Clean Up Aba.

Described as a hub for Africa’s largest counterfeit wine and beverage cartel, Cemetery Market has been notorious for producing fake alcoholic drinks, carbonated beverages, and food products.

NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, in a statement she signed on Tuesday, described the raid as “the most decisive action in the history of the market.”

“This is a major step toward safeguarding public health and curbing the circulation of fake products in Nigeria,” Adeyeye said.

During the operation, over 240 makeshift factories were said to have been discovered, producing counterfeit products under unsanitary conditions.

Adeyeye revealed that these factories used harmful chemicals, contaminated water and recycled bottles to manufacture fake versions of popular brands, including Hennessy, Seaman Schnapps, Coca-Cola, Sprite, Peak Milk and Hollandia Yoghurt.

“These criminal elements use unhygienic sources of water, saccharin, colouring agents, and harmful chemicals unsuitable for human consumption. The adulteration of alcoholic beverages involves cheaper sugars and starches instead of fruits or grapes,” Adeyeye explained.

She added that over 1,500 cartons of fake products were destroyed on-site, with the total street value of the seized and destroyed goods estimated at ₦5 billion.

She said the operation also led to the discovery of three warehouses stockpiling expired Hollandia Yoghurt for revalidation on January 22.

NAFDAC commended the Abia State Government, led by Governor Alex Otti, for supporting the raid.

“The unwavering support of Governor Alex Otti, the Mayor of Aba South, and the interim market management committee has been critical to the success of Operation Clean Up Aba,” the Director-General said.

The agency urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and report any suspicious products to the nearest NAFDAC office.

“We are determined to safeguard the health of the nation and rid markets of fake and substandard products,” Adeyeye assured all.

The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the last Edo State governorship election, Dr Asue Ighodalo, has filed a N500m defamation suit against the acting Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Edo State, Jarret Tenebe.

The suit, marked LD/ADR/5731/2025, was filed before the Lagos State High Court at the Tafawa Balewa Square.

Ighodalo demanded a retraction of Tenebe’s alleged defamatory statement against him, an apology as well as damages in the sum of N500m.

Ighodalo had last year, through Banwo and Ighodalo law firm in Lagos, written Tenebe a December 11, 2024, pre-action notice demanding an apology and immediate retraction of the alleged defamatory statement within seven days.

The Edo APC chair had, in a viral video on 10th December, accused Ighodalo of corruption and misappropriation of state funds in the wake of the gaffe made by Governor Monday Okpebholo during the presentation of his N605bn budget estimates to the Edo House of Assembly.

“I don’t know figures. You see, that is how to know original and innocent people. Obaseki will not make such a mistake because he has stolen billions before.

Asue Ighodalo will not make such a mistake because he has stolen billions before,” Tenebe claimed in the video.

Tenebe, in a letter by his lawyer, Dr. Blessing Agbomhere, rebuffed Ighodalo’s demand for a retraction, insisting that he did not defame him.

Agbomhere, in the letter, said, “We further want to state unequivocally that our client did not defame your client in any way, and as such, there is no need for a public apology or retraction of comments made in the alleged video.

“But if your client decides to stretch this issue further by going to court, we will rely on the defence of justification in accordance with the report of the Edo State Vehicle Recovery Committee, whose report indicted your client and the preliminary report of the Edo State Asset Verification Committee.”

In his suit, Ighodalo is praying the court to order Tenebe to issue a letter of apology to him within seven days of the delivery of judgment.

Ighodalo, through his lawyers, said, “The primary objective of procuring the publication of the defamatory video was to tarnish our client’s reputation.

“Since the publication of the defamatory video, our client has received numerous calls from professional colleagues, business partners and other well-meaning Nigerians, locally and in the Diaspora, inquiring as to the propriety of the allegations. Undoubtedly, this development has exposed our Client to great distress, hurt, and humiliation.”

Justice A.O. Opesanwo has fixed March 5, 2025, for a hearing.