How the company laptop saved my life – harputburgerwiesbaden

Ogun State businessman and real estate entrepreneur, Babatunde Adeyemo, has narrated how his company’s laptop saved his life after he was shot by an officer of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) with a gun while traveling along the Orile Expressway- Ibara

Adeyemo who was in the company of three assistants was returning to Abeokuta, the state capital attending the Ibese Asakanran Day Festival where he was the chairman of the event when the near fatal incident occurred.

The businessman and chief executive officer of Pelican Valley Nigeria Limited claimed that he was shot and probably left for dead except for the laptop placed in the compartment behind his seat which was hit by the bullet.

Narrating his ordeal at a function he organized to provide relief materials for widows in the state on Thursday, he called on the Federal Government, the National Assembly and other relevant authorities to look into the many allegations of incessant vicious attacks by customs officials in various Ogun . communities.

Elaborating on the meeting, he said: “I want you to join me for a moment and join me in expressing my gratitude to Almighty God for sparing my life after a near fatal shooting incident by an Agent of the Service Nigerian Customs. It was a traumatic experience, but God’s mercy and protection helped me.

“Perhaps we might not be here today to mark this event if the shooting incident had taken a different turn. An overzealous law enforcement officer with a gun could have robbed the widows of their source of joy in December, but God did not allow evil to happen. Let’s praise God!

“On Sunday, December 8, this year, I attended the grand finale of the Ibese Asakanran Day Festival, where I had the privilege of chairing the event. While returning from the trip, my vehicle passed a checkpoint set up by Customs personnel along the Ibara-Orile area. I was inside the vehicle with some of my helpers.

“Just five seconds after we passed the checkpoint, we all heard the sound of gunshots. We immediately parked and found that our vehicle had been shot by one of the customs officials. The bullet pierced the back of my vehicle, damaged the back seat and was finally stopped by the laptop held directly behind me. But for the mercy of God, I could have been hit as I was sitting right where the bullet traveled.

“However, I am committed to combating this anomaly, not only for myself, but also for the benefit of the widows, some of whom have tragically lost their husbands in similar situations.”

Adeyemo also disclosed to the Sunday Tribune that he has filed a formal complaint with the NCS through his legal counsel, CJP Ogugbara & Co., seeking investigation, justice and N50 million compensation for the loss of data after the laptop containing data relating to local and diaspora investments. billions of naira took the hit.

In the letter signed by Pascal Ogugbara and dated December 16, 2024, which was obtained by the Sunday Tribune, Adeyemo also demanded that the officer be prosecuted for attempted murder and the replacement of the damaged Mercedes Benz.

The prayers contained in the letter with reference no. CJPO/D.CNCS/D.BA/2024/12/01 include “the immediate replacement of our client’s Mercedes-Benz GL 450, either in cash based on the prevailing market value of the car or to provide the client with a suitable replacement . We are not talking about fixing or repairing the car. Please note that our client is willing to hand over the car any day, any time.

“Payment of N50 million compensation for data loss, data reconstruction and replacement of the totally destroyed laptop. This is only to mitigate and ameliorate the untold hardship our customer is now facing due to data loss as a result of the incident;

“A letter of apology to our client and published in two national dailies and the commencement of an investigation into our complaints and the identification of the trigger-happy officer for sanctions and, where appropriate, prosecution for attempted murder.”

The lawyer described the incident as “attempted assassination and endangerment of life using firearms by men in uniform”, adding that it was contrary to the provisions of the Penal Code of the Federation of Nigeria, the Customs and Excise Management Act and the constitution.

Customs reacts

Meanwhile, the FOU Zone A of the service disclosed that it has opened an investigation into the incident while the officer who shot at Adeyemo’s vehicle has been apprehended.

According to a statement issued by the unit’s Public Relations Officer, Theophilus Duniya, the Controller of FOU Zone A, Kola Oladeji, has launched a disciplinary committee to investigate the matter while the staff involved await further disciplinary action.

“The Nigeria Customs Service takes incidents of misconduct very seriously and the December 8, 2024 shooting incident by an agent of the Federal Operations Unit Area A is no exception.

“Comptroller Kola Oladeji took swift action by launching a disciplinary committee to investigate the matter. The staff involved in the incident have been identified and are currently in custody pending further disciplinary action.

“In line with the service’s commitment to professionalism and discipline, Comptroller Oladeji also ordered the immediate replacement of the damaged laptop and repair of the damaged vehicle. This prompt response demonstrates the service’s commitment to remediating and ensuring that such incidents are dealt with thoroughly.

“It is noteworthy that the Nigeria Customs Service has a clear framework for dealing with cases of misconduct,” the brief statement said.