A three-storey building has collapsed in Alakija, Lagos State, trapping many.

An eyewitness said the incident happened at about 11:40am.

As of the time of filing this report, rescue operators were yet to arrive at the scene.

Details later…

Female lawyers under the aegis of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), on Wednesday, protested continuous abduction and killing of women and children across the country.

The female legal practitioners, while demanding urgent action, said the development was unacceptable, stressing that abuse, kidnappings and exploitation have become a national emergency.

They spoke in Abuja through their Country Vice President, Eliana Martins, during the opening of FIDA Nigeria’s Second Quarter National Executive Council (NEC) Meeting.

According to them, the country is witnessing a dangerous pattern of abuse that can no longer be dismissed as isolated criminal incidents, adding that they would do everything possible to resist the menace.

Martins maintained that the increasing prevalence of gender-based violence, child abuse, trafficking, exploitation and insecurity reflects deeper institutional failures that require immediate and coordinated intervention.

FIDA boss lamented that behind every reported case lies a human tragedy, with countless women stripped of their dignity and children robbed of safety and opportunity.

“The frequency and severity of violations against women and children in Nigeria can no longer be treated as isolated incidents. They reflect a troubling national pattern that demands urgent and sustained action,” he said.

FIDA expressed concern over the growing number of reports involving rape, domestic violence, harmful traditional practices, child labour and neglect, warning that the physical, psychological and economic consequences continue to devastate families and communities across the country.

The association called on governments, security agencies and judicial institutions to strengthen enforcement of laws protecting women and children, expand access to legal aid and survivor support services, and ensure perpetrators are investigated and prosecuted without delay.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), says all arrangements have been concluded to arraign Bello Abdullahi Bodejo, leader of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, a socio-cultural association, before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

Bodejo, who was arrested a few months ago by security operatives, would be arraigned over allegations bordering on money laundering to the tune of $2.530 million.

Bodejo is expected to take his plea before the court in the coming days as the Commission commences formal proceedings.

The EFCC had on Monday filed a 12-count charge before the Federal High Court against Bodejo, alleging that he received large sums of cash in foreign currency linked to proceeds of unlawful activities in contravention of the Money Laundering( Prevention & Prohibition) Act, 2011.

Count one of the charges read: “That you, BELLO ABDULLAHI BODEJO (mele adult), on or about the 11th day of January 2022, at Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did knowingly and willfully, without lawful authority or excuse, accept a payment of the sum of One Hundred Thousand United States Dollars (USD $100,000) in physical currency from one SA’IDU ABUBAKAR, a former Accountant-General Bauchi State who is currently in the lawful custody of the Nigerian Police Force, which exceeded the statutory cash transaction threshold of Five Million Naira GN5,000,000.00) prescribed under Section 1(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) without routing the said transaction through a financial institution as required by law, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 16(1)(d) of the Money Laundering Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 16(2)(b) of the same Act.”

Count two reads: “That you, BELLO ABDULLAHI BODEIO (male adult), on or about the 21st day of January 2022, at Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did knowingly and willfully, without lawful authority or excuse, accept a payment of the sum of Two Hundred Thousand United States Dollars (USD $200,00) in physical currency from one SA’IDU ABUBAKAR, a former Accountant-General of Bauchi State who is currently in the lawful custody of the Nigerian Police Force, which exceeded the statutory cash transaction threshold of Five Million Naira GN5,000,000.00) prescribed under Section 1(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended), without routing the said transaction through a financial institution as required by law, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 16(1)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 16(2)(b) of the same Act.”

Another count alleged that on March 20, 2024, Bodejo received $500,000 in physical cash from the same source, an amount said to have exceeded the legal cash transaction threshold prescribed under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Count four reads, “That you, BELLO ABDULLAHI BODEJO (male adult), on or about the 7th day of February 2024, at Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did knowingly and willfully, without lawful authority or excuse, accept a cash payment of the sum of Nine Hundred and Eighty Thousand United States Dollars (USD $980,000.00) in physical currency from one SA’IDU ABUBAKAR, a former Accountant-General of Bauchi State who is currently in the lawful custody of the Nigerian Police Force which sum exceeded the statutory cash transaction threshold of Five Million Naira (5,000,000.00) prescribed under Section 2(1)(a) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, without routing the said transaction through a financial institution as required by law, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 19(1)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and punishable under Section 19(2 )(b) of the same Act.”

According to count ten, Bello Abdullahi Bodejo allegedly took possession of $980,000 in Abuja on or about February 7, 2024, under circumstances in which he either knew, or reasonably ought to have known, that the funds were proceeds of unlawful activity, specifically money laundering. The conduct allegedly constitutes an offence under Section 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and is punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act.

Reacting, the spokesman of the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, said the offences were punishable under various provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended), and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Oyewale noted that further proceedings are expected to follow as the Commission awaits the arraignment date.