The LNSC is a uniformed security agency established by a law of the Lagos State House of Assembly in 2016 to assist the Police and other security agencies to maintain law and order in the state.
Truetells Nigeria in the course of our investigation, gathered that Mr Onipede, on many occasions, placed his personal ambition ahead of the outfit, thereby limiting the effectiveness of the agency.
The Many Sins Of Babatunde Onipede
As gathered by IfakoIjaiyeNews, during the last primary election in the Local Government, Mr Onipede denied receiving security mobilisation fees which other agencies did.
Findings, however, showed that was a lie. Mr Onipede allegedly diverted the security mobilization fee to the naming ceremony of his baby.
Largesse also meant for the office during festive periods is also pocketed by him.
This, according to sources who spoke with our reporter under the guise of anonymity for fear of victimisation, was not the first.
Some of these highly placed sources also mentioned the sorry state of the office of the LNSC close to the NRC building.
A discreet visit to the LNSC office by our reporter confirmed the sad state of the premises, despite the interventions by the member, Lagos State House of Assembly representing Ifako-Ijaiye Constituency 01, Hon Adewale Temitope Adedeji.
In addition to this, the agency was recently given a prepaid meter but at the time of filing this report, the meter hasn’t been connected to the main pole because of N3,000 (Three thousand naira).
Our findings further revealed that PHCN disconnected the light three years ago over N5,000 (Five thousand naira) debt. However, failure to resolve the issue with the electricity company has left the office in darkness and accumulated debt.
The prepaid meter, as reliably gathered, has humongous debt on it.
LNSC Boss Turns Official Vehicle To Personal Use
Out of the three official vehicles given to the outfit, only one van is functioning.
One of the vehicles has been abandoned at Obawole for over a year and some parts missing at the mechanic workshop.
IfakoIjaiyeNews tracked the abandoned vehicle to Anuoluwapo Street, Obawole where the vehicle with number plate APP 133 EQ has turned into a ‘home’ for some mechanics who have the clothes littered inside.
IfakoIjaiyeNews also gathered that Mr Onipede has turned the issue of the abandoned car into a means for revenue generation as he has met with several community leaders within Ifako-Ijaiye for financial assistance.
Many of these unsuspecting leaders gave his cash to repair the vehicle, which to date, he hasn’t done.
This is in contrast to his counterpart in Ojokoro, Mr Arowo Yekini, whose outfit still operates the three official vehicles.
According to verifiable fact, Mr Onipede, on many occasions, drives to Ogun State with the only functioning official vehicle to inspect his farm.
This gross abuse of power has left the vehicle in a bad condition despite the fact that in 2019, Hon Adewale Temitope replaced the engine of the car.
In addition, due to Mr Onipede’s one-man show, some officers of the LNSC have also gone against his instructions many times.
IfakoIjaiyeNews gathered that despite the directive that officers should man the ‘U-turn’ opposite the Iju Primary Health Centre at Lonlo Bus stop to help with the free flow of traffic, they have stationed themselves at Fagba Traffic light where, in conjunction with LASTMA officers and Policemen from Red House Police Station, they extort motorists.
In the principle of balance and fairness, our reporter reached out to Mr Onipede on Friday around 1pm to hear his side of the story via phone calls, a text message and WhatsApp message but at the time of going to press (24 hours later), he didn’t respond to any.