3rd September, 2013
The Lagos State Government says it is considering seeking redress in court to compel the National Population Commission, NPC, to hold fresh census in 14 local government councils in Lagos, southwest Nigeria, if NPC is foot-dragging on the matter.
The National Census Tribunal had nullified the census figures released by NPC for 14 local government councils in Lagos in the 2006 national population census, saying that the figures did not reflect the true population in the councils and ordered NPC to conduct fresh census in the affected places.
The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ade Ipaye said on Monday that the state government expected the NPC to immediately put machinery in motion to conduct fresh head count in the affected councils as directed by the tribunal.
“Though no deadlines were set by the tribunal, we expect that the commission will act within a reasonable time having regard to the fact that it currently does not have any valid figure for Lagos State.
“This means that even the current total for Nigeria is no longer valid. As far as Lagos and the Federation are concerned, the NPC figures can at best be used now as doubtful assumptions,” he said.
Ipaye stated that what is at stake is a National Population Census and that Lagos State could not conduct it, either in whole or in part as the state did not have the power to do such a thing, saying that the state is appealing to NPC to immediately conduct fresh census in the affected areas.
He said if NPC failed to conduct fresh census in the affected areas, the government would seek legal action to compel the commission to do so.
The commissioner also said government was weighing the option of appealing the tribunal’s decision which upheld the NPC’s figures in five LGs in the state.
“We are weighing our option to appeal the decisions which upheld the NPC figures for five of our councils. One important thing to note is the adequacy of the evidence we were able to present to the tribunal and the length of time the appeal process is likely to take between now and the next census exercise,” he said.
In the judgment, the tribunal ordered the NPC to conduct fresh count in some areas in Amuwo Odofin, such as Festac Town, Agustin Ajagun Street, Amuwo Odofin GRA, Jakande Estate, Aguda, Raji Estate and Rasak Street and in Eti-Osa, areas such as Ribadu Road by Prison Barracks, Residents of Obalende, residents of all houses in Idunmojokun Street, Ajeniya Street, Jakande Estate, Olaiya Street, Odo Street, all residents in office depot Majek First Gate Ajah, Badore, Ajah, Alagaso road and Awoyaya will be counted afresh.
In Alimosho, the tribunal ordered a recount in Ayobo, Egan, Baruwa, IkotunEgbe, Idimu, IyanaIpaja, Akinugun Bus Stop and Omotosho Areas and in Lagos Island, recount will also be done in Okesuna Street, Lagos Island, Ita Akanni Sreet, Idumagbo Adenike Street, Lagos Island, Obadina Street, Bamgbose, Lewis Street, Bamgbose and Campbell Street.
In Lagos Mainland, recount will be conducted in Abule Ijesha, Adekunle, Akoka, Alagomeji, EbuteMetta, Iwaya, Oko Oba, Otto and Yaba, while in Surulere, fresh count was ordered in Ibidun Street, all Residents of Surulere area, Tejuosho, Lawanson, Ikate and Ijesha Orile.
Also, in Epe, areas, such as Oniyanrin Village, Offirun Village, Orepele Village, Ilape, Oyetomi and Oluwakemi Village and in Ifako-Ijaiye, fresh census is ordered in Abule Egba, Alagbado, Iju-Ifako, Iju-Ishaga, Iju-Station, Oke Koto, Oko Oba, the houses in Osola Street, Balogun Bus Stop, Lamina Street and Alakuko.
In Badagry, areas, such as Atande Street, Tozukame Street, Sowja, Okoroafor and Tako Streets in Badagry, Siagbon Compound Badagry and Ajaoba Street will be recounted while in Apapa, areas such as Itugbon Community opposite Liverpool, Oyedeji Street, Apapa Wharf, Lisabi Street, Kareen Street, Riverine areas, Esugbayi Street, Marine Beach, Lawani Close off Qaskiya, Ijora Badia, Okoya Street, Agbabe Street, Marine Beach and Apapa will be recounted.
Cencus will be conducted in Ajeromi-Ifelodun in areas such as Ajegunle, Amukoko, Kirikiri, Olodi-Apapa, Tolu and Ijora areas and in Ikeja in areas like Agindinbi, Airport Area, Alausa, Anifowose, Ikeja G.R.A., Ojodu, Oke Ira, Omole, Onilekere, Onipetesi, Opebi, Agbede, Oloti Agbakoba Street and Air Force Base.
Furthermore, in Agege, areas such as Agege Coker Village, Dopemu, Iju, Ishaga, Mangoro, Ogba, Oke Koto, Oke Oba, Orile, Agege, Papa Ashafa, and Oguntade Street Oba will be recounted while recount was also ordered in Ojo, in areas such as Ijusu Street, Mavbokoro Street, Maibun Street, Agboroko Street and Isahu Street.
—Kazeem Ugbodaga