Halliburton: US CEO gets 30 months jail for bribing Nigerians
On February 24, 2012 · In News 9:32 am..Email0
NEW YORK (AFP) – The former head of US construction company KBR was sentenced to 30 months in prison over the bribing of Nigerian officials to win contracts, the US Justice Department said Thursday.
Albert Stanley, the former chief executive officer of the engineering giant, also must pay his former company $10.8 million in restitution under the judgment handed down in a Houston federal court.
Stanley, 69, pleaded guilty to violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud.
KBR and its parent company, Halliburton, have also agreed to pay a $579 million fine after pleading guilty to corruption charges in Nigeria.
Stanley was accused of participating in a bribery scheme between 1995 and 2004 to obtain construction contracts worth more than $6 billion, according to a US Justice Department statement.
KBR was part of joint venture TSKJ — which also included French firm Technip SA, Dutch and Italian firm Snamprogetti Netherlands BV and Japanese firm JGC Corporation — to build a liquefied natural gas facility on Bonny Island in the Niger Delta.
The joint venture allegedly paid $183 million in bribes to a variety of Nigerian government officials, according to the Justice Department.
Stanley, who was fired by Halliburton in 2004, cooperated in the investigation in exchange for a lighter sentence.
The case sparked criminal investigations in France, Switzerland, Nigeria and Britain.
Two British men, attorney Jeffrey Tesler and businessman Wojciech Chodan, also were sentenced on criminal charges by a Houston judge. Tesler is getting 21 months in prison while Chodan is sentenced to one year of probation.
Last month, Japanese trading house Marubeni, which the TSKJ joint venture hired to help get the engineering contracts, agreed to pay a $54.6 million fine in the United States, the Justice Department said.
In 2010, Technip and Snamprogetti each agreed to pay $240 million fines while JGC settled for a nearly $219 million fine
Friday, 24 February 2012
N6.5bn fraud: EFCC files 6-count charge against Sylva
On February 24, 2012 · In News 4:01 pm..Email1
By Ikechukwu Nnochiri
ABUJA – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Friday, filed a 6-count criminal charge against the former governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.
The prosecuting counsel, Mr Festus Keyamo, perfected the filing processes at the high court registry around 2pm today.
Specifically, the former governor who was denied a return ticket by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the recently concluded gubernatorial election in the state, was accused of siphoning over N6.5 billion from the Bayelsa State treasury between October 2009 and February 2010.
He will be answering to charges bothering on conspiracy, money laundering and obtaining by false pretence, contrary to sections 1(1)(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2004 and punishable under section 1(3) of the same Act.
Beside accusing the ex-governor of looting public fund under the guise of using the monies to augment salaries of the Bayelsa state government, the anti-graft agency in the charge sheet it entered at the court registry, further identified three persons whose Bank accounts, it said was used as conduits pipes for transfer of the illicit funds.
* Sylva
It gave their names as Habibu Sani Maigidia, a Bureau De Change Operator with Account No. 221433478108, in Fin Bank, Plc, Enson Benmer Limited with Account No. 6152030001946, in First Bank, Plc and one John Daukoru with Account No. 04800250000418, in United Bank for Africa Plc.
The charge reads: “That you, Timipre Sylva, as Governor of Bayelsa State, with others now at large, sometime between October,2009 and February, 2010, at various places in Nigeria, including Abuja,within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court did conspire to commit a crime to wit: conversion of properties and resources amounting to N2,000,000,000.00 (Two Billion Naira) belonging to Bayelsa State Government and derived from an illegal act, with the aim of concealing the illicit origin of the said amount and you therebycommitted an offence contrary to Section17(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition Act), 2004 and punishable under Section 14(1) of the same Act.
“That you, Timipre Sylva, as Governor of Bayelsa State, with others now at large, on or about the 22nd of January, 2010, at Abuja, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, converted the sum of N380,000,000.00(Three Hundred and Eighty Million Naira), property of the Bayelsa State Government, through the account of one Habibu Sani Maigidia, a Bureau De Change Operator with Account No. 221433478108, in FinBank, Plc, which sum you knew represented the proceeds of an illegal act with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceeds of the said illegal act and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition Act)2004 and also punishable under section14(1) of the same Act.
“That you, Timipre Sylva, as Governor of Bayelsa State, with others now at large, on or about the 5th of February, 2010, at Abuja, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, converted the sum of N50,000,000.00(Fifty Million Naira), property of the Bayelsa State Government, through the account of one Enson Benmer Limited with Account No. 6152030001946,in First Bank, Plc, which sum you knew represented the proceeds of an illegal act with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceeds of the said illegal act and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 14(1)of the Money Laundering (ProhibitionAct) 2004 and also punishable under section 14(1) of the same Act.
“That you, Timipre Sylva, as Governor of Bayelsa State, with others now at large, on or about the 5th of February, 2010, at Abuja, within the jurisdiction of the Federal HighCourt, converted the sum of N20,000,000.00(Twenty Million Naira), property of the Bayelsa State Government, through the account of one John Daukoru with Account No. 04800250000418, in United Bank for Africa, Plc, which sumyou knew represented the proceeds of an illegal act with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceeds of the said illegal act and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 14(1)of the Money Laundering (ProhibitionAct) 2004 and also punishable under section 14(1) of the same Act.
“That you, Timipre Sylva, as Governor of Bayelsa State, with others now at large, sometime between October,2009 and February, 2010, at various places in Nigeria, including Abuja,within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court did conspire to commit a crime to wit: inducing Union Bank, Plc, with the intent to defraud, to deliver to Bayelsa State Government the sum of N2,000,000,000.00 (Two Billion Naira), under the false pretence of using the amount to augment salaries of the Bayelsa State Government and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8(a) and punishable under section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2004.
“That you, Timipre Sylva, as Governor of Bayelsa State, with others now at large, sometime between October,2009 and February, 2010, at various places in Nigeria, including Abuja,within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court induced Union Bank, Plc, with the intent to defraud, to grant an overdraft facility of the sum of N2,000,000,000.00 (Two Billion Naira) to the Bayelsa State Government under the false pretence of using the amount to augment salaries of the Bayelsa State Government and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1)(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2004 and punishable under section 1(3) of the same Act.”
\
On February 24, 2012 · In News 4:01 pm..Email1
By Ikechukwu Nnochiri
ABUJA – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Friday, filed a 6-count criminal charge against the former governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.
The prosecuting counsel, Mr Festus Keyamo, perfected the filing processes at the high court registry around 2pm today.
Specifically, the former governor who was denied a return ticket by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the recently concluded gubernatorial election in the state, was accused of siphoning over N6.5 billion from the Bayelsa State treasury between October 2009 and February 2010.
He will be answering to charges bothering on conspiracy, money laundering and obtaining by false pretence, contrary to sections 1(1)(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2004 and punishable under section 1(3) of the same Act.
Beside accusing the ex-governor of looting public fund under the guise of using the monies to augment salaries of the Bayelsa state government, the anti-graft agency in the charge sheet it entered at the court registry, further identified three persons whose Bank accounts, it said was used as conduits pipes for transfer of the illicit funds.
* Sylva
It gave their names as Habibu Sani Maigidia, a Bureau De Change Operator with Account No. 221433478108, in Fin Bank, Plc, Enson Benmer Limited with Account No. 6152030001946, in First Bank, Plc and one John Daukoru with Account No. 04800250000418, in United Bank for Africa Plc.
The charge reads: “That you, Timipre Sylva, as Governor of Bayelsa State, with others now at large, sometime between October,2009 and February, 2010, at various places in Nigeria, including Abuja,within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court did conspire to commit a crime to wit: conversion of properties and resources amounting to N2,000,000,000.00 (Two Billion Naira) belonging to Bayelsa State Government and derived from an illegal act, with the aim of concealing the illicit origin of the said amount and you therebycommitted an offence contrary to Section17(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition Act), 2004 and punishable under Section 14(1) of the same Act.
“That you, Timipre Sylva, as Governor of Bayelsa State, with others now at large, on or about the 22nd of January, 2010, at Abuja, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, converted the sum of N380,000,000.00(Three Hundred and Eighty Million Naira), property of the Bayelsa State Government, through the account of one Habibu Sani Maigidia, a Bureau De Change Operator with Account No. 221433478108, in FinBank, Plc, which sum you knew represented the proceeds of an illegal act with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceeds of the said illegal act and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition Act)2004 and also punishable under section14(1) of the same Act.
“That you, Timipre Sylva, as Governor of Bayelsa State, with others now at large, on or about the 5th of February, 2010, at Abuja, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, converted the sum of N50,000,000.00(Fifty Million Naira), property of the Bayelsa State Government, through the account of one Enson Benmer Limited with Account No. 6152030001946,in First Bank, Plc, which sum you knew represented the proceeds of an illegal act with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceeds of the said illegal act and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 14(1)of the Money Laundering (ProhibitionAct) 2004 and also punishable under section 14(1) of the same Act.
“That you, Timipre Sylva, as Governor of Bayelsa State, with others now at large, on or about the 5th of February, 2010, at Abuja, within the jurisdiction of the Federal HighCourt, converted the sum of N20,000,000.00(Twenty Million Naira), property of the Bayelsa State Government, through the account of one John Daukoru with Account No. 04800250000418, in United Bank for Africa, Plc, which sumyou knew represented the proceeds of an illegal act with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceeds of the said illegal act and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 14(1)of the Money Laundering (ProhibitionAct) 2004 and also punishable under section 14(1) of the same Act.
“That you, Timipre Sylva, as Governor of Bayelsa State, with others now at large, sometime between October,2009 and February, 2010, at various places in Nigeria, including Abuja,within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court did conspire to commit a crime to wit: inducing Union Bank, Plc, with the intent to defraud, to deliver to Bayelsa State Government the sum of N2,000,000,000.00 (Two Billion Naira), under the false pretence of using the amount to augment salaries of the Bayelsa State Government and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8(a) and punishable under section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2004.
“That you, Timipre Sylva, as Governor of Bayelsa State, with others now at large, sometime between October,2009 and February, 2010, at various places in Nigeria, including Abuja,within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court induced Union Bank, Plc, with the intent to defraud, to grant an overdraft facility of the sum of N2,000,000,000.00 (Two Billion Naira) to the Bayelsa State Government under the false pretence of using the amount to augment salaries of the Bayelsa State Government and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1)(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2004 and punishable under section 1(3) of the same Act.”
\
How I discovered my wife’s corpse in freezer – husband
On February 24, 2012 · In News 7:26 pm..Email0
Abuja – Chief Sa’adu Abdullahi, an Auchi-based legal practitioner, on Friday told an Abuja High Court how he and two of his in-laws discovered the corpse of his wife, Afshatu, in her deep freezer.
Mrs Abdullahi, a mother of three and a top NNPC staff, was murdered on Nov. 5, 2011 in her house located off Ladoke Akintola Boulevard, in Garki II.
The office of the Inspector-General of Police on Feb. 16, arraigned Chiwendu Hart-Amanya, 30, Kenneth Chigozie, 21, and Ejike Igbe, 18, before Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf on a six-count charge including felony and murder of Mrs Afshatu Abdullahi.
The prosecution counsel, Sam Lough told the court that Hart-Amanya was the driver of the deceased, while Chigozie was the steward.
Igbe was arrested for being in possession of the deceased’s cars.
The prosecution said the offence contravened Sections 315, 316, 317 and 318 of the Penal Code.
It would be recalled that all the three accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges.
At the resumed hearing on Friday, Abdullahi, husband of late Afshatu, told the court how the corpse of his wife was discovered in the kitchen freezer with deep cuts on her neck and other parts of her body.
Abdullahi told the court that during the last Eid-el Kabir holiday on Nov. 6, 2011, Afshatu had called to say that she would be in Auchi for the celebration with her family.
He said she had called to tell him that she would come to see the family, and that after waiting for three days without hearing from her, he decided to come to Abuja to check her.
“When I got to Abuja, I went straight to the NNPC where she works and was told that no one had seen her.’’
Abdullahi told the court that a search party that was organised, found only the security man, Ali Alpha in Afshatu’s house, while the first and second, who live in the boy’s quarters, were nowhere to be found.
He said that Alpha said he had not seen his madam for a few days and assumed that she had traveled.
“We broke into the house and found the place in disarray, with many expensive furniture missing and her jewelry gone; it was obvious the house had been burgled.
“While searching, my brother-in law, Tahiru Momoh, opened a deep freezer in the kitchen and we discovered my beloved wife’s body inside it.
“We called the Police and in the cause of their investigations, neighbours told them (Police) that they saw the driver driving my wife’s Infinity Toyota SUV some days earlier.
“The security man also told the Police that the driver (first accused) came back on the same day to take away the second 2011 brand of Toyota SUV.”
Abdullahi said that he was hospitalised for three days after the corpse of his wife was found in the freezer.
“I was shocked and shaken to my bone marrow,” he said.
During cross-examination by counsel to the three accused, Mr Paul Esewomo, Abdullahi debunked any rumours that he and his wife were separated.
Abdullahi also told the court that he loved his wife “100 per cent”.
Justice Baba-Yusuf adjourned further hearing in the suit to Thursday and Friday, March 8 and 9. (NAN)
Comments are moderated. Please
On February 24, 2012 · In News 7:26 pm..Email0
Abuja – Chief Sa’adu Abdullahi, an Auchi-based legal practitioner, on Friday told an Abuja High Court how he and two of his in-laws discovered the corpse of his wife, Afshatu, in her deep freezer.
Mrs Abdullahi, a mother of three and a top NNPC staff, was murdered on Nov. 5, 2011 in her house located off Ladoke Akintola Boulevard, in Garki II.
The office of the Inspector-General of Police on Feb. 16, arraigned Chiwendu Hart-Amanya, 30, Kenneth Chigozie, 21, and Ejike Igbe, 18, before Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf on a six-count charge including felony and murder of Mrs Afshatu Abdullahi.
The prosecution counsel, Sam Lough told the court that Hart-Amanya was the driver of the deceased, while Chigozie was the steward.
Igbe was arrested for being in possession of the deceased’s cars.
The prosecution said the offence contravened Sections 315, 316, 317 and 318 of the Penal Code.
It would be recalled that all the three accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges.
At the resumed hearing on Friday, Abdullahi, husband of late Afshatu, told the court how the corpse of his wife was discovered in the kitchen freezer with deep cuts on her neck and other parts of her body.
Abdullahi told the court that during the last Eid-el Kabir holiday on Nov. 6, 2011, Afshatu had called to say that she would be in Auchi for the celebration with her family.
He said she had called to tell him that she would come to see the family, and that after waiting for three days without hearing from her, he decided to come to Abuja to check her.
“When I got to Abuja, I went straight to the NNPC where she works and was told that no one had seen her.’’
Abdullahi told the court that a search party that was organised, found only the security man, Ali Alpha in Afshatu’s house, while the first and second, who live in the boy’s quarters, were nowhere to be found.
He said that Alpha said he had not seen his madam for a few days and assumed that she had traveled.
“We broke into the house and found the place in disarray, with many expensive furniture missing and her jewelry gone; it was obvious the house had been burgled.
“While searching, my brother-in law, Tahiru Momoh, opened a deep freezer in the kitchen and we discovered my beloved wife’s body inside it.
“We called the Police and in the cause of their investigations, neighbours told them (Police) that they saw the driver driving my wife’s Infinity Toyota SUV some days earlier.
“The security man also told the Police that the driver (first accused) came back on the same day to take away the second 2011 brand of Toyota SUV.”
Abdullahi said that he was hospitalised for three days after the corpse of his wife was found in the freezer.
“I was shocked and shaken to my bone marrow,” he said.
During cross-examination by counsel to the three accused, Mr Paul Esewomo, Abdullahi debunked any rumours that he and his wife were separated.
Abdullahi also told the court that he loved his wife “100 per cent”.
Justice Baba-Yusuf adjourned further hearing in the suit to Thursday and Friday, March 8 and 9. (NAN)
Comments are moderated. Please
Cocaine generates $900m in West, Central Africa annually – UN
February 24, 2012 by Agency Reporter Leave a Comment
The UN agency that fights drugs and crime has estimated that cocaine trafficking is generating about $900m annually in West and Central Africa as South American cartels use the shortest route to transport drugs to Europe.
Yuri Fedotov, the Head of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, told the UN Security Council on Tuesday that in addition to an upsurge in cocaine trafficking, West Africa was experiencing an increase in piracy, arms and human trafficking.
According to Sapa-AP, he said South American drug cartels were not only exploiting poverty but a lack of border controls, weak law enforcement, and endemic corruption in West Africa to reach Europe.
Fedotov said, “The West African transit route feeds a European cocaine market which in recent years grew four fold, reaching an amount almost equal to the US market.
“We estimate that cocaine trafficking in West and Central Africa generates some $900m annually.”
That estimate is up from an April 2011 UNODC report that put the figure at $800m for 2009.
Fedotov said illegal drug consumption was also growing fast in the region, where there are now up to 2.5 million drug users.
He said greater understanding was needed of the extent to which drug trafficking might be linked to piracy off West Africa’s coast.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said there was a growing concern about stability in West Africa and the Sahel region to the north because of the rise in organised crime, drug trafficking and piracy, a growing food crisis, the influx of weapons from the upheaval in Libya, and the reported links between insurgent groups, criminal groups and terrorist organisations.
“There is even fear that we could see in this region a crisis of the magnitude of the one in the Horn of Africa,” Ban said, a reference to Somalia which remains a failed state, with the al-Qaida-affiliated militant group al-Shabab challenging a weak transitional government.
He told the council that an assessment mission he sent in December to look at the effects of the Libya crisis on the Sahel “found that terrorist groups, such as al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, had begun to form alliances with drug traffickers, and other criminal syndicates.”
“Such alliances have the potential to further destabilise the region and reverse hard-won democratic and peacebuilding achievements.”
Benin’s Minister of State for National Security Issifou N’Douro said the dispersal of Libya’s arsenal and mass departure of Libyans following the ouster of Moammar Gadhafi “has considerably worsened the challenges that West Africa and the Sahel in particular are facing in terms of combatting organised transnational crime.”
The Libyan fallout has led to the growth and radicalisation of rebel groups in the Sahel states and “a resurgence in pernicious forms of coordinated criminal activity” such as kidnapping with ransom demands and shootouts between security forces and insurgents with better weapons, he said.
Togo’s President Faure Gnassingbe, whose country holds the Security Council presidency this month and organised the meeting, said terrorist actions in Nigeria and the Sahel had added to West Africa and the Sahel becoming “channels for trafficking of all kinds.”
February 24, 2012 by Agency Reporter Leave a Comment
The UN agency that fights drugs and crime has estimated that cocaine trafficking is generating about $900m annually in West and Central Africa as South American cartels use the shortest route to transport drugs to Europe.
Yuri Fedotov, the Head of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, told the UN Security Council on Tuesday that in addition to an upsurge in cocaine trafficking, West Africa was experiencing an increase in piracy, arms and human trafficking.
According to Sapa-AP, he said South American drug cartels were not only exploiting poverty but a lack of border controls, weak law enforcement, and endemic corruption in West Africa to reach Europe.
Fedotov said, “The West African transit route feeds a European cocaine market which in recent years grew four fold, reaching an amount almost equal to the US market.
“We estimate that cocaine trafficking in West and Central Africa generates some $900m annually.”
That estimate is up from an April 2011 UNODC report that put the figure at $800m for 2009.
Fedotov said illegal drug consumption was also growing fast in the region, where there are now up to 2.5 million drug users.
He said greater understanding was needed of the extent to which drug trafficking might be linked to piracy off West Africa’s coast.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said there was a growing concern about stability in West Africa and the Sahel region to the north because of the rise in organised crime, drug trafficking and piracy, a growing food crisis, the influx of weapons from the upheaval in Libya, and the reported links between insurgent groups, criminal groups and terrorist organisations.
“There is even fear that we could see in this region a crisis of the magnitude of the one in the Horn of Africa,” Ban said, a reference to Somalia which remains a failed state, with the al-Qaida-affiliated militant group al-Shabab challenging a weak transitional government.
He told the council that an assessment mission he sent in December to look at the effects of the Libya crisis on the Sahel “found that terrorist groups, such as al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, had begun to form alliances with drug traffickers, and other criminal syndicates.”
“Such alliances have the potential to further destabilise the region and reverse hard-won democratic and peacebuilding achievements.”
Benin’s Minister of State for National Security Issifou N’Douro said the dispersal of Libya’s arsenal and mass departure of Libyans following the ouster of Moammar Gadhafi “has considerably worsened the challenges that West Africa and the Sahel in particular are facing in terms of combatting organised transnational crime.”
The Libyan fallout has led to the growth and radicalisation of rebel groups in the Sahel states and “a resurgence in pernicious forms of coordinated criminal activity” such as kidnapping with ransom demands and shootouts between security forces and insurgents with better weapons, he said.
Togo’s President Faure Gnassingbe, whose country holds the Security Council presidency this month and organised the meeting, said terrorist actions in Nigeria and the Sahel had added to West Africa and the Sahel becoming “channels for trafficking of all kinds.”
Fake policewoman nabbed in Kwara
February 24, 2012 by Success Nwogu, Ilorin 91 Comments
The Kwara State Police Command has arrested a 30-year-old mother, Yemisi Fagbemi, for allegedly parading herself as a police Inspector.
Speaking with journalists in Ilorin on Tuesday, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Dabo Ezekiel, said the suspect was arrested on January 30 in a police uniform.
He added that a policewoman, Medina Garba, attached to the command arrested the suspect.
Ezekiel said Fagbemi, a mother of two, hails from Kabba, in Kogi State and resides at Oja-Iya area of Ilorin.
He added that the suspect allegedly swindled an electronic dealer of one 37-inch Plasma TV, laptop and refrigerator among others with promise to pay in instalments.
The PPRO said the suspect would soon be charged to court.
But while speaking with journalists, Fagbemi claimed that she was dismissed from the police in 2011, when a murder suspect in her custody escaped.
Yemisi, who admitted that she wore a police uniform on the day of her arrest, added that she wanted to visit a senior police officer who had promised to assist her on that day.
Fagbemi said, “I am not a fake police officer. I joined the force in 2000 as a constable but I later went for cadet inspector course in 2006.
“When I was a constable, I served at both Ijagbo and Offa divisions. I was dismissed in 2011 when a suspected murderer in my custody escaped.”
February 24, 2012 by Success Nwogu, Ilorin 91 Comments
The Kwara State Police Command has arrested a 30-year-old mother, Yemisi Fagbemi, for allegedly parading herself as a police Inspector.
Speaking with journalists in Ilorin on Tuesday, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Dabo Ezekiel, said the suspect was arrested on January 30 in a police uniform.
He added that a policewoman, Medina Garba, attached to the command arrested the suspect.
Ezekiel said Fagbemi, a mother of two, hails from Kabba, in Kogi State and resides at Oja-Iya area of Ilorin.
He added that the suspect allegedly swindled an electronic dealer of one 37-inch Plasma TV, laptop and refrigerator among others with promise to pay in instalments.
The PPRO said the suspect would soon be charged to court.
But while speaking with journalists, Fagbemi claimed that she was dismissed from the police in 2011, when a murder suspect in her custody escaped.
Yemisi, who admitted that she wore a police uniform on the day of her arrest, added that she wanted to visit a senior police officer who had promised to assist her on that day.
Fagbemi said, “I am not a fake police officer. I joined the force in 2000 as a constable but I later went for cadet inspector course in 2006.
“When I was a constable, I served at both Ijagbo and Offa divisions. I was dismissed in 2011 when a suspected murderer in my custody escaped.”
Gunmen kill four policemen at IG’s house
February 24, 2012 by Adelani Adepegba, Mike Odiegwu and Mustapha Saliu 211 Comments
GUNMEN suspected to be members of the terrorist Islamic sect, Boko Haram, on Thursday killed four policemen and injured another two near the house of the Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar.
In Minna, Niger State, some gunmen suspected to be members of the sect similarly killed two policemen.
Also, a bomb suspected to have been planted by the sect was discovered at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church, located on Church Road, Minna, by members who attended the Ash Wednesday mass.
On Christmas Day last year, Boko Haram bombs killed 44 parishioners at the St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Madalla, also in Niger State.
The incidents coincided with a comment by a senior United States diplomat that the country would not provide military assistance to Nigeria in its battle against Boko Haram.
The US ambassador, Terence McCulley, who spoke to the Associated Press, said he would rather encourage the Federal Government to reach out to residents in the affected northern states while using security forces to target and apprehend terrorists.
The Kano attack took place during the morning rush hours along BUK Road.
Eyewitnesses’ accounts indicated that the gunmen, riding on four motorcycles, opened fire on the policemen said to be guarding the residence of the IG and killed four of them.
A statement by the spokesman for the Kano State police command, Magaji Majiya, confirmed the incident but said only two policemen were killed in the attack.
Majiya said 15 suspects had been arrested in connection with the attack.
The statement reads, “Today Thursday 23rd February, 2012 at about 0830hrs along BUK Road by Island after Gidan Murtala, unknown gunmen on four motorcycles attacked our policemen on foot patrol.
“As a result of the attack two died on the spot while two were injured and are now receiving treatment at the hospital.”
The statement adds that the area of the attack has been ‘thoroughly combed” and that investigation into the incident has commenced.
Our correspondent in Kano reports that shortly after the attack, surveillance helicopters hovered above the area.
In the Minna incident, THE PUNCH learnt that the gunmen, also riding on motorcycles, opened fire at two policemen at a point near a Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation mega station.
Two of the policemen reportedly died on the spot while another sustained injury and was rushed to an undisclosed nearby hospital.
The injured officer, eyewitnesses said, only escaped death by a whisker because he had gone to buy sachet water when the attack occurred.
“Two men who were on a motorbike on sighting the policemen shot directly at them and killed two of them instantly. They carted away their rifles but other policemen ran to safety. One policeman who was coming back from where he went to buy sachet water was injured,” an eyewitness told our correspondent on Thursday.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Richard Oguche, confirmed the attack and said the police were on the trail of the killers. He added that the attackers were not members of Boko Haram but members of an aggrieved group out to avenge the detention of their members arrested after the prison break in Kogi State.
The explosives found at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Suleja were reportedly kept inside a Ghana-Must-Go bag and hidden in a corner of the church premises. The bag was said to have been discovered by a member of the church who then raised the alarm.
Residents of Church Road told our correspondent on Thursday that the discovery of the explosives caused a stir in the area and it took the police anti-bomb squad searching the area to douse the fear of the residents.
Meanwhile, Terrence said the US was also considering opening a consulate in Kano to improve the country’s image among a people still suspicious about Western influence. Boko Haram means ‘Western education is evil.’
However, he was unequivocal when asked in the interview with the Associated Press whether U.S. troops should be deployed in Nigeria.
“That’s not on the table. No, absolutely not,” McCulley said.
The ambassador said the issue of Boko Haram was of great concern to the US.
“It’s of a great concern to us. We’ve seen an increase in sophistication, we’ve seen increased lethality. We saw at least a part of the group has decided it’s in their interest to attack the international community” he said.
McCulley said the U.S. was already working with the Nigerian police to help them learn how to carry out forensic investigations, while a bomb expert from the FBI has been working with authorities on how to detect explosives planted by the group before they detonate.
He said, “The U.S. also would be open to training Nigeria’s military in counter-terror techniques, though the country hasn’t asked for that assistance.
“It’s not going to be solved exclusively by treating it as a security issue. It needs a holistic solution.
“Government needs clearly to have a targeted approach on security that targets the bad guys, that targets perpetuators of these horrible attacks and doesn’t injure innocent civilians or damage property.”
February 24, 2012 by Adelani Adepegba, Mike Odiegwu and Mustapha Saliu 211 Comments
GUNMEN suspected to be members of the terrorist Islamic sect, Boko Haram, on Thursday killed four policemen and injured another two near the house of the Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar.
In Minna, Niger State, some gunmen suspected to be members of the sect similarly killed two policemen.
Also, a bomb suspected to have been planted by the sect was discovered at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church, located on Church Road, Minna, by members who attended the Ash Wednesday mass.
On Christmas Day last year, Boko Haram bombs killed 44 parishioners at the St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Madalla, also in Niger State.
The incidents coincided with a comment by a senior United States diplomat that the country would not provide military assistance to Nigeria in its battle against Boko Haram.
The US ambassador, Terence McCulley, who spoke to the Associated Press, said he would rather encourage the Federal Government to reach out to residents in the affected northern states while using security forces to target and apprehend terrorists.
The Kano attack took place during the morning rush hours along BUK Road.
Eyewitnesses’ accounts indicated that the gunmen, riding on four motorcycles, opened fire on the policemen said to be guarding the residence of the IG and killed four of them.
A statement by the spokesman for the Kano State police command, Magaji Majiya, confirmed the incident but said only two policemen were killed in the attack.
Majiya said 15 suspects had been arrested in connection with the attack.
The statement reads, “Today Thursday 23rd February, 2012 at about 0830hrs along BUK Road by Island after Gidan Murtala, unknown gunmen on four motorcycles attacked our policemen on foot patrol.
“As a result of the attack two died on the spot while two were injured and are now receiving treatment at the hospital.”
The statement adds that the area of the attack has been ‘thoroughly combed” and that investigation into the incident has commenced.
Our correspondent in Kano reports that shortly after the attack, surveillance helicopters hovered above the area.
In the Minna incident, THE PUNCH learnt that the gunmen, also riding on motorcycles, opened fire at two policemen at a point near a Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation mega station.
Two of the policemen reportedly died on the spot while another sustained injury and was rushed to an undisclosed nearby hospital.
The injured officer, eyewitnesses said, only escaped death by a whisker because he had gone to buy sachet water when the attack occurred.
“Two men who were on a motorbike on sighting the policemen shot directly at them and killed two of them instantly. They carted away their rifles but other policemen ran to safety. One policeman who was coming back from where he went to buy sachet water was injured,” an eyewitness told our correspondent on Thursday.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Richard Oguche, confirmed the attack and said the police were on the trail of the killers. He added that the attackers were not members of Boko Haram but members of an aggrieved group out to avenge the detention of their members arrested after the prison break in Kogi State.
The explosives found at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Suleja were reportedly kept inside a Ghana-Must-Go bag and hidden in a corner of the church premises. The bag was said to have been discovered by a member of the church who then raised the alarm.
Residents of Church Road told our correspondent on Thursday that the discovery of the explosives caused a stir in the area and it took the police anti-bomb squad searching the area to douse the fear of the residents.
Meanwhile, Terrence said the US was also considering opening a consulate in Kano to improve the country’s image among a people still suspicious about Western influence. Boko Haram means ‘Western education is evil.’
However, he was unequivocal when asked in the interview with the Associated Press whether U.S. troops should be deployed in Nigeria.
“That’s not on the table. No, absolutely not,” McCulley said.
The ambassador said the issue of Boko Haram was of great concern to the US.
“It’s of a great concern to us. We’ve seen an increase in sophistication, we’ve seen increased lethality. We saw at least a part of the group has decided it’s in their interest to attack the international community” he said.
McCulley said the U.S. was already working with the Nigerian police to help them learn how to carry out forensic investigations, while a bomb expert from the FBI has been working with authorities on how to detect explosives planted by the group before they detonate.
He said, “The U.S. also would be open to training Nigeria’s military in counter-terror techniques, though the country hasn’t asked for that assistance.
“It’s not going to be solved exclusively by treating it as a security issue. It needs a holistic solution.
“Government needs clearly to have a targeted approach on security that targets the bad guys, that targets perpetuators of these horrible attacks and doesn’t injure innocent civilians or damage property.”
Police arraign two for theft of DDC machines
February 24, 2012 by Agency Reporter Leave a Comment
The police on Friday arraigned two men at the Chief Magistrates’ Court, Yaba, Lagos State for allegedly stealing 391 Direct Data Capture machines.
The machines were said to be property of the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Charles Awopetu (46) and Essien Godwin (42) were arraigned for two counts of conspiracy to commit felony and stealing.
They were granted bail by the presiding magistrate.
February 24, 2012 by Agency Reporter Leave a Comment
The police on Friday arraigned two men at the Chief Magistrates’ Court, Yaba, Lagos State for allegedly stealing 391 Direct Data Capture machines.
The machines were said to be property of the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Charles Awopetu (46) and Essien Godwin (42) were arraigned for two counts of conspiracy to commit felony and stealing.
They were granted bail by the presiding magistrate.
FAMILY OF GUNSHOT VICTIM APPEALS TO IGP
BY PATIENCE OGBO
The family of Blessing Isabor who was shot by a police corporal identified as Emmanuel Okujo has called on the federal government and the Acting Inspector General of Police , Mohammed Abubakar to come to their rescue in footing the medical bill.
The victim’s mother Doris Isabor, a widow is also appealing to the IGP to track down corporal Emmanuel who also kidnapped her 17 years old daughter Patience after he shot Blessing for trying to stop the kidnap.
Blessing is undergoing series of surgery at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) Ikeja following the gunshot wound she sustained from corporal Emmanuel’s rifle which shattered her cheek bone and fingers .
The incident happened at at Sawmill area Ifako Bariga on February 10th.
According to Mrs Isabor, corporal Emmanuel who is attached to the Ifako Police station attacked her two daughters about 7.00pm in her apartment.
“ I am a nanny in a private crèche and I have been taking care of my two girls since their father died in 2001. My children and I are struggling to survive and we have lived peacefully with our neigbours all these years; I started noticing corporal Emmanuel coming to our compound last year and he will greet me like every other person in our compound but since I do not stay at home all the time I will not know much about his visit.
From what I heard, Emmanuel barged into my room; he ordered Patience the younger one 17 years old to follow him but she refused .Blessing stood up to him that he cannot take Patience anywhere without my consent, that was how he brought out his gun and told Blessing to close her eyes and say her last prayers, so that was how he shoot her four times on the cheek and on her fingers ; the blood stain is everywhere in my room; it was a neigbour who called to inform me about what happened and that corporal Emmanuel took Patience away.” Mrs Isabor said .
A case of kidnap.
Mrs Isabor rejected police claims that Patience eloped with corporal Emmanuel.
“ it is not true that Patience eloped with corporal Emmanuel, because a neighbour who witnessed the whole incident said after Emmanuel shot Blessing, he pointed a gun on Patience’s head and forced her to scale through the fence, he also scaled the fence but Patience ran into a nearby shop and was trying to hide but he ran after her and threatened to shot the man that was trying to help her so that was how he kidnapped her and fled on a motorcycle.”Mrs Isabor said.
The Isabors are accusing the police of playing games with the lives of their daughter.
Kevin the girls’ uncle said the family will petition the IGP and the presidency over the case.
“ It is unfortunate that the police are saying that Patience eloped with the corporal. How can a minor give her consent ? A corporal had just shot her sister in her presence and is pointing a gun at her; even if it is the DPO, he will succumbed and do what the person holding the gun wants; the police is not ready to find the erring officer and Patience life is at risk,
also the DPO has to explain why he did not default Emmanuel and collect his rifle from him after he closed from work that day; the family with the help of the community has been footing Blessing medical bills . The DPO gave me N63,000 but we have spent more than N200,000 and the hospital is saying Blessing needs to undergo plastic surgery as her cheek bone has been shattered, her fingers are also shattered by the gunshots; I have written to human rights organisations and we are also writing petitions to the presidency and the IGP on this injustice” Kelvin said .
It was also gathered that Patience has called some of her friends and family members that corporal Emmanuel locked her up in an undisclosed apartment at Ikorodu .
“Patience called and said she is at Ikorodu that Emmanuel locked her inside; she said she was calling with his phone but the number was hidden” Mrs Isabor said.
The Lagos state police spokes person Jayieoba Joseph assures the family that the police is on the trail of the erring policeman.
“We have began a manhunt for him and he will be arrested soon and be made to face the full wrath of the law”
5 attachments — Download all attachments View all images
Blessing Isabor, on her sick bed at LASUTH..jpg
1885K View Download
bullets allegedly used by corporal okojo.jpg
1271K View Download
Mrs Doris Isabor.jpg
2166K View Download
scene of the crime, where police corporal , Emmanuel Okojo allegedly shoot Blessing.jpg
1453K View Download
Patience Isabor, Kidnap victim.jpg
1998K View Download
Reply Forward
PATIENCE OGBO
8:07 PM (14 minutes ago)
to musikilumojeed
FAMILY OF GUNSHOT VICTIM APPEALS TO IGP The family of Blessing Isabor who was shot by a police corporal identified as Emmanuel Okujo has called on the federal government and the Acting Inspector General of Police , Mohammed Abubakar to come to their rescue in footing the medical bill. The victim’s mother Doris Isabor, a widow is also appealing to the IGP to track down corporal Emmanuel who also kidnapped her 17 years old daughter Patience after he shot Blessing for trying to stop the kidnap. Blessing is undergoing series of surgery at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) Ikeja following the gunshot wound she sustained from corporal Emmanuel’s rifle which shattered her cheek bone and fingers . The incident happened at at Sawmill area Ifako Bariga on February 10th. According to Mrs Isabor, corporal Emmanuel who is attached to the Ifako Police station attacked her two daughters about 7.00pm in her apartment.“ I am a nanny in a private crèche and I have been taking care of my two girls since their father died in 2001. My children and I are struggling to survive and we have lived peacefully with our neigbours all these years; I started noticing corporal Emmanuel coming to our compound last year and he will greet me like every other person in our compound but since I do not stay at home all the time I will not know much about his visit. From what I heard, Emmanuel barged into my room; he ordered Patience the younger one 17 years old to follow him but she refused .Blessing stood up to him that he cannot take Patience anywhere without my consent, that was how he brought out his gun and told Blessing to close her eyes and say her last prayers, so that was how he shoot her four times on the cheek and on her fingers ; the blood stain is everywhere in my room; it was a neigbour who called to inform me about what happened and that corporal Emmanuel took Patience away.” Mrs Isabor said . A case of kidnap. Mrs Isabor rejected police claims that Patience eloped with corporal Emmanuel.“ it is not true that Patience eloped with corporal Emmanuel, because a neighbour who witnessed the whole incident said after Emmanuel shot Blessing, he pointed a gun on Patience’s head and forced her to scale through the fence, he also scaled the fence but Patience ran into a nearby shop and was trying to hide but he ran after her and threatened to shot the man that was trying to help her so that was how he kidnapped her and fled on a motorcycle.”Mrs Isabor said. The Isabors are accusing the police of playing games with the lives of their daughter. Kevin the girls’ uncle said the family will petition the IGP and the presidency over the case.“ It is unfortunate that the police are saying that Patience eloped with the corporal. How can a minor give her consent ? A corporal had just shot her sister in her presence and is pointing a gun at her; even if it is the DPO, he will succumbed and do what the person holding the gun wants; the police is not ready to find the erring officer and Patience life is at risk, also the DPO has to explain why he did not default Emmanuel and collect his rifle from him after he closed from work that day; the family with the help of the community has been footing Blessing medical bills . The DPO gave me N63,000 but we have spent more than N200,000 and the hospital is saying Blessing needs to undergo plastic surgery as her cheek bone has been shattered, her fingers are also shattered by the gunshots; I have written to human rights organisations and we are also writing petitions to the presidency and the IGP on this injustice” Kelvin said . It was also gathered that Patience has called some of her friends and family members that corporal Emmanuel locked her up in an undisclosed apartment at Ikorodu .“Patience called and said she is at Ikorodu that Emmanuel locked her inside; she said she was calling with his phone but the number was hidden” Mrs Isabor said. The Lagos state police spokes person Jayieoba Joseph assures the family that the police is on the trail of the erring policeman.“We have began a manhunt for him and he will be arrested soon and be made to face the full wrath of the law”
BY PATIENCE OGBO
The family of Blessing Isabor who was shot by a police corporal identified as Emmanuel Okujo has called on the federal government and the Acting Inspector General of Police , Mohammed Abubakar to come to their rescue in footing the medical bill.
The victim’s mother Doris Isabor, a widow is also appealing to the IGP to track down corporal Emmanuel who also kidnapped her 17 years old daughter Patience after he shot Blessing for trying to stop the kidnap.
Blessing is undergoing series of surgery at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) Ikeja following the gunshot wound she sustained from corporal Emmanuel’s rifle which shattered her cheek bone and fingers .
The incident happened at at Sawmill area Ifako Bariga on February 10th.
According to Mrs Isabor, corporal Emmanuel who is attached to the Ifako Police station attacked her two daughters about 7.00pm in her apartment.
“ I am a nanny in a private crèche and I have been taking care of my two girls since their father died in 2001. My children and I are struggling to survive and we have lived peacefully with our neigbours all these years; I started noticing corporal Emmanuel coming to our compound last year and he will greet me like every other person in our compound but since I do not stay at home all the time I will not know much about his visit.
From what I heard, Emmanuel barged into my room; he ordered Patience the younger one 17 years old to follow him but she refused .Blessing stood up to him that he cannot take Patience anywhere without my consent, that was how he brought out his gun and told Blessing to close her eyes and say her last prayers, so that was how he shoot her four times on the cheek and on her fingers ; the blood stain is everywhere in my room; it was a neigbour who called to inform me about what happened and that corporal Emmanuel took Patience away.” Mrs Isabor said .
A case of kidnap.
Mrs Isabor rejected police claims that Patience eloped with corporal Emmanuel.
“ it is not true that Patience eloped with corporal Emmanuel, because a neighbour who witnessed the whole incident said after Emmanuel shot Blessing, he pointed a gun on Patience’s head and forced her to scale through the fence, he also scaled the fence but Patience ran into a nearby shop and was trying to hide but he ran after her and threatened to shot the man that was trying to help her so that was how he kidnapped her and fled on a motorcycle.”Mrs Isabor said.
The Isabors are accusing the police of playing games with the lives of their daughter.
Kevin the girls’ uncle said the family will petition the IGP and the presidency over the case.
“ It is unfortunate that the police are saying that Patience eloped with the corporal. How can a minor give her consent ? A corporal had just shot her sister in her presence and is pointing a gun at her; even if it is the DPO, he will succumbed and do what the person holding the gun wants; the police is not ready to find the erring officer and Patience life is at risk,
also the DPO has to explain why he did not default Emmanuel and collect his rifle from him after he closed from work that day; the family with the help of the community has been footing Blessing medical bills . The DPO gave me N63,000 but we have spent more than N200,000 and the hospital is saying Blessing needs to undergo plastic surgery as her cheek bone has been shattered, her fingers are also shattered by the gunshots; I have written to human rights organisations and we are also writing petitions to the presidency and the IGP on this injustice” Kelvin said .
It was also gathered that Patience has called some of her friends and family members that corporal Emmanuel locked her up in an undisclosed apartment at Ikorodu .
“Patience called and said she is at Ikorodu that Emmanuel locked her inside; she said she was calling with his phone but the number was hidden” Mrs Isabor said.
The Lagos state police spokes person Jayieoba Joseph assures the family that the police is on the trail of the erring policeman.
“We have began a manhunt for him and he will be arrested soon and be made to face the full wrath of the law”
5 attachments — Download all attachments View all images
Blessing Isabor, on her sick bed at LASUTH..jpg
1885K View Download
bullets allegedly used by corporal okojo.jpg
1271K View Download
Mrs Doris Isabor.jpg
2166K View Download
scene of the crime, where police corporal , Emmanuel Okojo allegedly shoot Blessing.jpg
1453K View Download
Patience Isabor, Kidnap victim.jpg
1998K View Download
Reply Forward
PATIENCE OGBO
8:07 PM (14 minutes ago)
to musikilumojeed
FAMILY OF GUNSHOT VICTIM APPEALS TO IGP The family of Blessing Isabor who was shot by a police corporal identified as Emmanuel Okujo has called on the federal government and the Acting Inspector General of Police , Mohammed Abubakar to come to their rescue in footing the medical bill. The victim’s mother Doris Isabor, a widow is also appealing to the IGP to track down corporal Emmanuel who also kidnapped her 17 years old daughter Patience after he shot Blessing for trying to stop the kidnap. Blessing is undergoing series of surgery at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) Ikeja following the gunshot wound she sustained from corporal Emmanuel’s rifle which shattered her cheek bone and fingers . The incident happened at at Sawmill area Ifako Bariga on February 10th. According to Mrs Isabor, corporal Emmanuel who is attached to the Ifako Police station attacked her two daughters about 7.00pm in her apartment.“ I am a nanny in a private crèche and I have been taking care of my two girls since their father died in 2001. My children and I are struggling to survive and we have lived peacefully with our neigbours all these years; I started noticing corporal Emmanuel coming to our compound last year and he will greet me like every other person in our compound but since I do not stay at home all the time I will not know much about his visit. From what I heard, Emmanuel barged into my room; he ordered Patience the younger one 17 years old to follow him but she refused .Blessing stood up to him that he cannot take Patience anywhere without my consent, that was how he brought out his gun and told Blessing to close her eyes and say her last prayers, so that was how he shoot her four times on the cheek and on her fingers ; the blood stain is everywhere in my room; it was a neigbour who called to inform me about what happened and that corporal Emmanuel took Patience away.” Mrs Isabor said . A case of kidnap. Mrs Isabor rejected police claims that Patience eloped with corporal Emmanuel.“ it is not true that Patience eloped with corporal Emmanuel, because a neighbour who witnessed the whole incident said after Emmanuel shot Blessing, he pointed a gun on Patience’s head and forced her to scale through the fence, he also scaled the fence but Patience ran into a nearby shop and was trying to hide but he ran after her and threatened to shot the man that was trying to help her so that was how he kidnapped her and fled on a motorcycle.”Mrs Isabor said. The Isabors are accusing the police of playing games with the lives of their daughter. Kevin the girls’ uncle said the family will petition the IGP and the presidency over the case.“ It is unfortunate that the police are saying that Patience eloped with the corporal. How can a minor give her consent ? A corporal had just shot her sister in her presence and is pointing a gun at her; even if it is the DPO, he will succumbed and do what the person holding the gun wants; the police is not ready to find the erring officer and Patience life is at risk, also the DPO has to explain why he did not default Emmanuel and collect his rifle from him after he closed from work that day; the family with the help of the community has been footing Blessing medical bills . The DPO gave me N63,000 but we have spent more than N200,000 and the hospital is saying Blessing needs to undergo plastic surgery as her cheek bone has been shattered, her fingers are also shattered by the gunshots; I have written to human rights organisations and we are also writing petitions to the presidency and the IGP on this injustice” Kelvin said . It was also gathered that Patience has called some of her friends and family members that corporal Emmanuel locked her up in an undisclosed apartment at Ikorodu .“Patience called and said she is at Ikorodu that Emmanuel locked her inside; she said she was calling with his phone but the number was hidden” Mrs Isabor said. The Lagos state police spokes person Jayieoba Joseph assures the family that the police is on the trail of the erring policeman.“We have began a manhunt for him and he will be arrested soon and be made to face the full wrath of the law”
MEN AS SILENT VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
BY PATIENCE OGBO
Last weekend, a middle age man simply identified as Ifeanyi Anasekwe, was allegedly murdered by his wife Chikodile Anaekwe following a fight in their apartment at Ago-Okota .
Mrs Anaekwe allegedly used a pestle to smash her husband's head and when the man was unconscious, she allegedly used a knife to stab him several times all over the body following her husband's alleged inability to provide money for diapers and their baby's food.
Also on February 3rd, Hadiza Abutu , a mother of one was rearrested by the police after she was granted bail by an Abuja court following her alleged role in the death of her husband , Ibrahim Abutu .
The incident happened on December 28th 2011 when Hadizat allegedly murdered her husband at their Parakou Crescent home Abuja barely one day after her husband took a second wife in Gombe state.
Mrs Abutu allegedly used a double barrel gun to shot her husband at close range in the chest following an argument.
Mrs Abutu was subsequently arrested by the police; she however claimed that her husband shot himself.
Despite Mrs Abutu’s claim that she is innocent, her late husband’s family is seeking justice as they maintained that their brother was a victim of domestic violence .
Also
Domestic violence has been viewed in many quarters as a crime against women as the media has reported overwhelming cases of domestic violence against women but very few cases of violence against men .
One of such violence against women that provoked public outcry was the gruesome death of the former Skye bank staff, Titilayo Arowolo 26, a mother of one who was allegedly killed by her husband, Akolade in their home at Isolo last year.
While Titilayo’s death was one of several cases of domestic violence against women ,investigations however reveal that violence against men is on the rise in the country and like the women , men are silent victims of domestic violence; Mr. Abutu’s death is a clear indication and a typical example of domestic violence against men.
Another gruesome case of domestic violence against men was that of Kazeem Ademoye .
Mr. Ademoye until his death was a computer expert allegedly murdered by his wife- Ngozi at their home at Magodo Phase 2, Lagos on September 16th 2011.
In her statement to the police at the Homicide department at Panti Yaba ,Mrs. Ademoye maintained that she killed her husband in self defense adding that her husband had turned into a monster after a fetish incantation in his secret room and had attempted to kill her but she miracously overwhelmed and killed him with a heavy object .
Also in November last year Mr. Daniel Iyamu a SUBEB staff and a popular entertainer in Benin city in Edo state was allegedly killed in his sleep by his wife Grace .
Mr Iyamu was said to be sleeping at their Agonse Street, Ugbihoko residence in Egor North East Local Government council when his wife allegedly used a pestle to smash his head several times killing him instantly.
Mrs Iyamu has since been arraigned but her lawyers are claiming that she is insane.
It can also be recalled that 43-year-old Vincent Omeje, would live each day grateful as he escaped being killed by assassins allegedly sponsored by his wife Chidera in November last year.
Mr. Omeje a trader was attacked in his apartment at No. 10, Awka-Etiti Street, Comfort Obot, Kirikiri, Lagos by a five man gang .
The assassins beat Omeje mercilessly with dangerous weapons and left him for death following allegations from his wife that he was seeking a divorce.
Mr. Omeje survived the attack and reported the incident to the police which led to the arrest of his wife and her brothers as the assassins who attempted to kill him.
Dr. Adeolu Olusode , a medical doctor with the Star Clinic at Ebutte- metta said domestic violence against men is a daily occurrence but such cases are not reported due to the stigma, and male chauvinism .
“Indeed there are cases of domestic violence against women but there is no doubt that men are also experiencing violence from their wives and girlfriends
The issue is that these men do not come out to tell people that they were beaten by their wives or violated by their female lovers; they even hardly tell such things to their friends due to the fact that it is seen as a shame for a man to be beaten up by a woman so due to this many men do not talk about the violence they face at home except the case had become extreme and people found out about it” Dr. Olusodo said .
Dr. Olusodo added that domestic violence is not gender based as both male and female are victims of violence in their homes .
“There have been cases where we have treated men who claimed that the injury was sustained from beating they received from women; the truth is that more women than men experience domestic violence because women are seen as the weaker sex and they can come out to speak about their suffering but a lot of men are also victims of domestic violence” Dr. Olusodo said .
Reports on domestic violence show that women are victims of domestic violence ten times the men and such violence against men by the women folk is usually viewed by experts as violent resistant or what is popularly known as self defence .
In the case of Mrs Ademoye she confessed that her husband would have killed her in his rage but she defended herself.
It is based on the instinct of abused women to defend themselves that Gloria Egbuji the Chief Executive Officer of Crime Victims foundation, a not for profit organization in Lagos state calls on the government to take women’s rights seriously.
According to Egbuji, government has not shown enough resolve in upholding women’s rights and as a result women are left to fight for themselves; a development she said if not checked will lead to multiple violence.
“ A lot of factors contribute to women being violent. When women begin to react violently its shows that they have been pushed to the wall and they have to fight back for their lives—such women would have suffered years of psychological trauma, pent up anger over abuse they have suffered in the hands of the men.
Also envy is another reason for women to become violent ,as she has a husband that is not caring for her but wasting the family resources on other women despite the fact that both the man and the woman worked for the money so such behavior by the men can make the women to become violent .
Mrs Egbuji added that statistics on domestic violence show that violence against men is “ still miniature compared to what men do to women; this is because culture impedes the fight against domestic violence; culture that says women can be seen but cannot be heard, such culture reduces women to men’s object and it is sad that the government and the law enforcement agencies are dominated by the men and so they cannot make or enforce laws that will affect them—that is why you hardly see the court prosecuting men for bigamy” Mrs Ebuji said .
Proffering solutions to the issue of domestic violence, Dr. Oni Fagbouhougbe, a lecturer in the department of Psychology at the University of Lagos said women are becoming more aware of their rights.
“Psychologically, when we look at the structure of our personality, we have the ID, the ego and the super ego. The ID is irrational, aggressive and cannot delay gratification; ego is more pragmatic, while the super ego plays a more superior role in stopping anti-social behaviour
Research has however shown that the ID is prominent in the women than in the men and that is why women are easily deceived and by nature can be irrational; but culture has contributed in controlling and taming the ID in women which teach women to be tolerant and patient; sadly our culture and values have been eroded by westernization , the internet and technology generally played significant roles in creating awareness on women’s rights and our women are now more enlightened than before.”Dr. Fagbouhougbe said.
Dr. Fagbouhougbe urged men to put the needs of the women first and refrain from abusing women’s rights.
“Men must stop taking women for granted this is because our value system has changed and they should know that they do not have monopoly of violence . Also , women need to get counseling to control their ID and other abuse they have suffered which can trigger them to becoming violent , in
BY PATIENCE OGBO
Last weekend, a middle age man simply identified as Ifeanyi Anasekwe, was allegedly murdered by his wife Chikodile Anaekwe following a fight in their apartment at Ago-Okota .
Mrs Anaekwe allegedly used a pestle to smash her husband's head and when the man was unconscious, she allegedly used a knife to stab him several times all over the body following her husband's alleged inability to provide money for diapers and their baby's food.
Also on February 3rd, Hadiza Abutu , a mother of one was rearrested by the police after she was granted bail by an Abuja court following her alleged role in the death of her husband , Ibrahim Abutu .
The incident happened on December 28th 2011 when Hadizat allegedly murdered her husband at their Parakou Crescent home Abuja barely one day after her husband took a second wife in Gombe state.
Mrs Abutu allegedly used a double barrel gun to shot her husband at close range in the chest following an argument.
Mrs Abutu was subsequently arrested by the police; she however claimed that her husband shot himself.
Despite Mrs Abutu’s claim that she is innocent, her late husband’s family is seeking justice as they maintained that their brother was a victim of domestic violence .
Also
Domestic violence has been viewed in many quarters as a crime against women as the media has reported overwhelming cases of domestic violence against women but very few cases of violence against men .
One of such violence against women that provoked public outcry was the gruesome death of the former Skye bank staff, Titilayo Arowolo 26, a mother of one who was allegedly killed by her husband, Akolade in their home at Isolo last year.
While Titilayo’s death was one of several cases of domestic violence against women ,investigations however reveal that violence against men is on the rise in the country and like the women , men are silent victims of domestic violence; Mr. Abutu’s death is a clear indication and a typical example of domestic violence against men.
Another gruesome case of domestic violence against men was that of Kazeem Ademoye .
Mr. Ademoye until his death was a computer expert allegedly murdered by his wife- Ngozi at their home at Magodo Phase 2, Lagos on September 16th 2011.
In her statement to the police at the Homicide department at Panti Yaba ,Mrs. Ademoye maintained that she killed her husband in self defense adding that her husband had turned into a monster after a fetish incantation in his secret room and had attempted to kill her but she miracously overwhelmed and killed him with a heavy object .
Also in November last year Mr. Daniel Iyamu a SUBEB staff and a popular entertainer in Benin city in Edo state was allegedly killed in his sleep by his wife Grace .
Mr Iyamu was said to be sleeping at their Agonse Street, Ugbihoko residence in Egor North East Local Government council when his wife allegedly used a pestle to smash his head several times killing him instantly.
Mrs Iyamu has since been arraigned but her lawyers are claiming that she is insane.
It can also be recalled that 43-year-old Vincent Omeje, would live each day grateful as he escaped being killed by assassins allegedly sponsored by his wife Chidera in November last year.
Mr. Omeje a trader was attacked in his apartment at No. 10, Awka-Etiti Street, Comfort Obot, Kirikiri, Lagos by a five man gang .
The assassins beat Omeje mercilessly with dangerous weapons and left him for death following allegations from his wife that he was seeking a divorce.
Mr. Omeje survived the attack and reported the incident to the police which led to the arrest of his wife and her brothers as the assassins who attempted to kill him.
Dr. Adeolu Olusode , a medical doctor with the Star Clinic at Ebutte- metta said domestic violence against men is a daily occurrence but such cases are not reported due to the stigma, and male chauvinism .
“Indeed there are cases of domestic violence against women but there is no doubt that men are also experiencing violence from their wives and girlfriends
The issue is that these men do not come out to tell people that they were beaten by their wives or violated by their female lovers; they even hardly tell such things to their friends due to the fact that it is seen as a shame for a man to be beaten up by a woman so due to this many men do not talk about the violence they face at home except the case had become extreme and people found out about it” Dr. Olusodo said .
Dr. Olusodo added that domestic violence is not gender based as both male and female are victims of violence in their homes .
“There have been cases where we have treated men who claimed that the injury was sustained from beating they received from women; the truth is that more women than men experience domestic violence because women are seen as the weaker sex and they can come out to speak about their suffering but a lot of men are also victims of domestic violence” Dr. Olusodo said .
Reports on domestic violence show that women are victims of domestic violence ten times the men and such violence against men by the women folk is usually viewed by experts as violent resistant or what is popularly known as self defence .
In the case of Mrs Ademoye she confessed that her husband would have killed her in his rage but she defended herself.
It is based on the instinct of abused women to defend themselves that Gloria Egbuji the Chief Executive Officer of Crime Victims foundation, a not for profit organization in Lagos state calls on the government to take women’s rights seriously.
According to Egbuji, government has not shown enough resolve in upholding women’s rights and as a result women are left to fight for themselves; a development she said if not checked will lead to multiple violence.
“ A lot of factors contribute to women being violent. When women begin to react violently its shows that they have been pushed to the wall and they have to fight back for their lives—such women would have suffered years of psychological trauma, pent up anger over abuse they have suffered in the hands of the men.
Also envy is another reason for women to become violent ,as she has a husband that is not caring for her but wasting the family resources on other women despite the fact that both the man and the woman worked for the money so such behavior by the men can make the women to become violent .
Mrs Egbuji added that statistics on domestic violence show that violence against men is “ still miniature compared to what men do to women; this is because culture impedes the fight against domestic violence; culture that says women can be seen but cannot be heard, such culture reduces women to men’s object and it is sad that the government and the law enforcement agencies are dominated by the men and so they cannot make or enforce laws that will affect them—that is why you hardly see the court prosecuting men for bigamy” Mrs Ebuji said .
Proffering solutions to the issue of domestic violence, Dr. Oni Fagbouhougbe, a lecturer in the department of Psychology at the University of Lagos said women are becoming more aware of their rights.
“Psychologically, when we look at the structure of our personality, we have the ID, the ego and the super ego. The ID is irrational, aggressive and cannot delay gratification; ego is more pragmatic, while the super ego plays a more superior role in stopping anti-social behaviour
Research has however shown that the ID is prominent in the women than in the men and that is why women are easily deceived and by nature can be irrational; but culture has contributed in controlling and taming the ID in women which teach women to be tolerant and patient; sadly our culture and values have been eroded by westernization , the internet and technology generally played significant roles in creating awareness on women’s rights and our women are now more enlightened than before.”Dr. Fagbouhougbe said.
Dr. Fagbouhougbe urged men to put the needs of the women first and refrain from abusing women’s rights.
“Men must stop taking women for granted this is because our value system has changed and they should know that they do not have monopoly of violence . Also , women need to get counseling to control their ID and other abuse they have suffered which can trigger them to becoming violent , in
EFFECTIVE SECURITY AND JUSTICE SYSTEM WILL BOOST ECONOMIC GROWTH
BY PATIENCE OGBO
”The impact of security and justice issues on economic development”, was the theme of a one day conference organized by the Justice For All (J4A ) in Lagos on Tuesday.
The conference was a partnership between the government and the UK Department for International Development (DFID) aimed at addressing the challenges confronting the country’s security and justice sector with a view to finding practical solutions to these problems .
Participants at the event which include lawyers the Lagos state justice department , civil society groups, security agencies among others call for a complete overhaul of the security and justice sector in order to save the country’s collapsing economy.
Bob Arnot the J4A national programme manager in his speech said J4A has set up four interrelated components aimed at “ improving the capability, accountability and responsiveness of the key organisations in safety and justice sector with a view to supporting the key organisations to work together alongside civil society institutions as part of a coherent coordinated sector”.
Explaining what these components are, Mr. Arnot said Component One focuses on Safety and security; ensuring that more effective and accountable policing and remand services are delivered while Component Two focuses on Justice aimed at improving access to justice and equitable results
Component Three focuses on Anti-corruption by strengthening the capacity and capability of selected anti-corruption agencies, while Component Four aims at cross sector coordination among the sectors , linkages and over sight.
Mr. Arnot added that the programme will include the federal , state and local levels and in five focal states: Enugu Jigawa, Kaduna , Kano and Lagos ; while other states will be encouraged to replicate successful iniatives .
Dignitaries at the event include justice I.E Akande, Justice Philips represented the Lagos state governor Babatunde Raji Fashola , Mr. Ade Ipaye the Attorney General and commissioner for justice in Lagos state and Mr. Lawal Pedro SAN, the Solicitor – General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice , Lagos state.
Mr. Ipaye delivered the main paper “ Impact of security and justice issues on economic development : the Lagos state experience” said Lagos state has made giant strides in addressing its security and justice sectors but stated that the state’s peculiarities are challenging.
“Lagos state does not control the law enforcement agencies , the state does not control people migrating into the state from neighbouring states and countries” .
These peculiarities among others according to Mr. Ipaye take heavy toll on the state’s budget and infrastructure as the government has to cater for an already over populated state .
According to Mr. Ipaye the Lagos state government in addressing the issues in the justice sector came up with intervention through the justice reform agenda since 1999 which has led to the establishment of the Citizen’s Mediation Centre , creation of the office of the Public Defender , the establishment of Lagos Multi Door Courts , the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, the provisions of street lights and the establishment of 767 emergency response centres.
The discussants at the events include , Professor Bolaji Owasanoye who delivered a paper on the “ Justice issues and economic development”; Mr. Arthur Fola Worrey delivered the paper on “ Security Issues and economic development while Mr. Opeyemi Agbaje gave a speech on the “Impact of corruption on economic development”
The discussants said there is the need to engage the informal sector of the economy as a viable space in addressing the issues of security and justice in a quest for economic development .
Mr. Agbaje links corruption to poverty which in turns leads to breakdown of law and order; while explaining the impact of corruption on the economy Mr. Agbaje said “ 112.25million Nigerians are relatively poor in 2011 and this population is expected to rise ; the danger is that the 40% of the unemployed are in the age range of 15-24years; so we see where the Boko haram come from, and where other vices like the area boys , kidnappers, armed robbers , cultists and the like come from”
To tackle corruption in the system, Mr. Agbaje urged the government to “close gaps and spaces that gave rooms for corruption as we have lost the morality but by employing structural approaches , like fiscal responsibility, market liberalization, due process, procurement and transparency, freedom of information and enforcement we are closing the gap and spaces that allow corruption to thrive”.
Other solutions preferred by participants at the events include; bridging the gap between the rich and the poor, strengthening other security agencies like the neighbourhood watch, and vigilante groups, proper funding and motivation for police officers, strengthening leadership and addressing institutional frustration in doing business and strengthening the informal sector.
Others include amendment of the constitution to give powers to the states to control the police and prisons and the amendment of the police Act.
3 attachments — Download all attachments View all images
Dignitaries at the J4A Conferernce in Lagos ..jpg
1805K View Download
Bob Arnot, the National programme Manager, Justice For All..jpg
1657K View Download
j4a.doc
28K View Download
Reply Forward
PATIENCE OGBO
Feb 22 (2 days ago)
to c.ozordi, Cheta, chinedu.ozordi, bcc: Sesan, bcc: mezi201, bcc: xavier, bcc: segunadio
EFFECTIVE SECURITY AND JUSTICE SYSTEM WILL BOOST ECONOMIC GROWTH
”The impact of security and justice issues on economic development”, was the theme of a one day conference organized by the Justice For All (J4A ) in Lagos on Tuesday. The conference was a partnership between the government and the UK Department for International Development (DFID) aimed at addressing the challenges confronting the country’s security and justice sector with a view to finding practical solutions to these problems . Participants at the event which include lawyers the Lagos state justice department , civil society groups, security agencies among others call for a complete overhaul of the security and justice sector in order to save the country’s collapsing economy. Bob Arnot the J4A national programme manager in his speech said J4A has set up four interrelated components aimed at “ improving the capability, accountability and responsiveness of the key organisations in safety and justice sector with a view to supporting the key organisations to work together alongside civil society institutions as part of a coherent coordinated sector”. Explaining what these components are, Mr. Arnot said Component One focuses on Safety and security; ensuring that more effective and accountable policing and remand services are delivered while Component Two focuses on Justice aimed at improving access to justice and equitable results Component Three focuses on Anti-corruption by strengthening the capacity and capability of selected anti-corruption agencies, while Component Four aims at cross sector coordination among the sectors , linkages and over sight. Mr. Arnot added that the programme will include the federal , state and local levels and in five focal states: Enugu Jigawa, Kaduna , Kano and Lagos ; while other states will be encouraged to replicate successful iniatives . Dignitaries at the event include justice I.E Akande, Justice Philips represented the Lagos state governor Babatunde Raji Fashola , Mr. Ade Ipaye the Attorney General and commissioner for justice in Lagos state and Mr. Lawal Pedro SAN, the Solicitor – General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice , Lagos state. Mr. Ipaye delivered the main paper “ Impact of security and justice issues on economic development : the Lagos state experience” said Lagos state has made giant strides in addressing its security and justice sectors but stated that the state’s peculiarities are challenging.“Lagos state does not control the law enforcement agencies , the state does not control people migrating into the state from neighbouring states and countries” . These peculiarities among others according to Mr. Ipaye take heavy toll on the state’s budget and infrastructure as the government has to cater for an already over populated state . According to Mr. Ipaye the Lagos state government in addressing the issues in the justice sector came up with intervention through the justice reform agenda since 1999 which has led to the establishment of the Citizen’s Mediation Centre , creation of the office of the Public Defender , the establishment of Lagos Multi Door Courts , the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, the provisions of street lights and the establishment of 767 emergency response centres. The discussants at the events include , Professor Bolaji Owasanoye who delivered a paper on the “ Justice issues and economic development”; Mr. Arthur Fola Worrey delivered the paper on “ Security Issues and economic development while Mr. Opeyemi Agbaje gave a speech on the “Impact of corruption on economic development” The discussants said there is the need to engage the informal sector of the economy as a viable space in addressing the issues of security and justice in a quest for economic development . Mr. Agbaje links corruption to poverty which in turns leads to breakdown of law and order; while explaining the impact of corruption on the economy Mr. Agbaje said “ 112.25million Nigerians are relatively poor in 2011 and this population is expected to rise ; the danger is that the 40% of the unemployed are in the age range of 15-24years; so we see where the Boko haram come from, and where other vices like the area boys , kidnappers, armed robbers , cultists and the like come from” To tackle corruption in the system, Mr. Agbaje urged the government to “close gaps and spaces that gave rooms for corruption as we have lost the morality but by employing structural approaches , like fiscal responsibility, market liberalization, due process, procurement and transparency, freedom of information and enforcement we are closing the gap and spaces that allow corruption to thrive”. Other solutions preferred by participants at the events include; bridging the gap between the rich and the poor, strengthening other security agencies like the neighbourhood watch, and vigilante groups, proper funding and motivation for police officers, strengthening leadership and addressing institutional frustration in doing business and strengthening the informal sector. Others include amendment of the constitution to give powers to the states to control the police and prisons and the amendment of the police Act.
BY PATIENCE OGBO
”The impact of security and justice issues on economic development”, was the theme of a one day conference organized by the Justice For All (J4A ) in Lagos on Tuesday.
The conference was a partnership between the government and the UK Department for International Development (DFID) aimed at addressing the challenges confronting the country’s security and justice sector with a view to finding practical solutions to these problems .
Participants at the event which include lawyers the Lagos state justice department , civil society groups, security agencies among others call for a complete overhaul of the security and justice sector in order to save the country’s collapsing economy.
Bob Arnot the J4A national programme manager in his speech said J4A has set up four interrelated components aimed at “ improving the capability, accountability and responsiveness of the key organisations in safety and justice sector with a view to supporting the key organisations to work together alongside civil society institutions as part of a coherent coordinated sector”.
Explaining what these components are, Mr. Arnot said Component One focuses on Safety and security; ensuring that more effective and accountable policing and remand services are delivered while Component Two focuses on Justice aimed at improving access to justice and equitable results
Component Three focuses on Anti-corruption by strengthening the capacity and capability of selected anti-corruption agencies, while Component Four aims at cross sector coordination among the sectors , linkages and over sight.
Mr. Arnot added that the programme will include the federal , state and local levels and in five focal states: Enugu Jigawa, Kaduna , Kano and Lagos ; while other states will be encouraged to replicate successful iniatives .
Dignitaries at the event include justice I.E Akande, Justice Philips represented the Lagos state governor Babatunde Raji Fashola , Mr. Ade Ipaye the Attorney General and commissioner for justice in Lagos state and Mr. Lawal Pedro SAN, the Solicitor – General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice , Lagos state.
Mr. Ipaye delivered the main paper “ Impact of security and justice issues on economic development : the Lagos state experience” said Lagos state has made giant strides in addressing its security and justice sectors but stated that the state’s peculiarities are challenging.
“Lagos state does not control the law enforcement agencies , the state does not control people migrating into the state from neighbouring states and countries” .
These peculiarities among others according to Mr. Ipaye take heavy toll on the state’s budget and infrastructure as the government has to cater for an already over populated state .
According to Mr. Ipaye the Lagos state government in addressing the issues in the justice sector came up with intervention through the justice reform agenda since 1999 which has led to the establishment of the Citizen’s Mediation Centre , creation of the office of the Public Defender , the establishment of Lagos Multi Door Courts , the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, the provisions of street lights and the establishment of 767 emergency response centres.
The discussants at the events include , Professor Bolaji Owasanoye who delivered a paper on the “ Justice issues and economic development”; Mr. Arthur Fola Worrey delivered the paper on “ Security Issues and economic development while Mr. Opeyemi Agbaje gave a speech on the “Impact of corruption on economic development”
The discussants said there is the need to engage the informal sector of the economy as a viable space in addressing the issues of security and justice in a quest for economic development .
Mr. Agbaje links corruption to poverty which in turns leads to breakdown of law and order; while explaining the impact of corruption on the economy Mr. Agbaje said “ 112.25million Nigerians are relatively poor in 2011 and this population is expected to rise ; the danger is that the 40% of the unemployed are in the age range of 15-24years; so we see where the Boko haram come from, and where other vices like the area boys , kidnappers, armed robbers , cultists and the like come from”
To tackle corruption in the system, Mr. Agbaje urged the government to “close gaps and spaces that gave rooms for corruption as we have lost the morality but by employing structural approaches , like fiscal responsibility, market liberalization, due process, procurement and transparency, freedom of information and enforcement we are closing the gap and spaces that allow corruption to thrive”.
Other solutions preferred by participants at the events include; bridging the gap between the rich and the poor, strengthening other security agencies like the neighbourhood watch, and vigilante groups, proper funding and motivation for police officers, strengthening leadership and addressing institutional frustration in doing business and strengthening the informal sector.
Others include amendment of the constitution to give powers to the states to control the police and prisons and the amendment of the police Act.
3 attachments — Download all attachments View all images
Dignitaries at the J4A Conferernce in Lagos ..jpg
1805K View Download
Bob Arnot, the National programme Manager, Justice For All..jpg
1657K View Download
j4a.doc
28K View Download
Reply Forward
PATIENCE OGBO
Feb 22 (2 days ago)
to c.ozordi, Cheta, chinedu.ozordi, bcc: Sesan, bcc: mezi201, bcc: xavier, bcc: segunadio
EFFECTIVE SECURITY AND JUSTICE SYSTEM WILL BOOST ECONOMIC GROWTH
”The impact of security and justice issues on economic development”, was the theme of a one day conference organized by the Justice For All (J4A ) in Lagos on Tuesday. The conference was a partnership between the government and the UK Department for International Development (DFID) aimed at addressing the challenges confronting the country’s security and justice sector with a view to finding practical solutions to these problems . Participants at the event which include lawyers the Lagos state justice department , civil society groups, security agencies among others call for a complete overhaul of the security and justice sector in order to save the country’s collapsing economy. Bob Arnot the J4A national programme manager in his speech said J4A has set up four interrelated components aimed at “ improving the capability, accountability and responsiveness of the key organisations in safety and justice sector with a view to supporting the key organisations to work together alongside civil society institutions as part of a coherent coordinated sector”. Explaining what these components are, Mr. Arnot said Component One focuses on Safety and security; ensuring that more effective and accountable policing and remand services are delivered while Component Two focuses on Justice aimed at improving access to justice and equitable results Component Three focuses on Anti-corruption by strengthening the capacity and capability of selected anti-corruption agencies, while Component Four aims at cross sector coordination among the sectors , linkages and over sight. Mr. Arnot added that the programme will include the federal , state and local levels and in five focal states: Enugu Jigawa, Kaduna , Kano and Lagos ; while other states will be encouraged to replicate successful iniatives . Dignitaries at the event include justice I.E Akande, Justice Philips represented the Lagos state governor Babatunde Raji Fashola , Mr. Ade Ipaye the Attorney General and commissioner for justice in Lagos state and Mr. Lawal Pedro SAN, the Solicitor – General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice , Lagos state. Mr. Ipaye delivered the main paper “ Impact of security and justice issues on economic development : the Lagos state experience” said Lagos state has made giant strides in addressing its security and justice sectors but stated that the state’s peculiarities are challenging.“Lagos state does not control the law enforcement agencies , the state does not control people migrating into the state from neighbouring states and countries” . These peculiarities among others according to Mr. Ipaye take heavy toll on the state’s budget and infrastructure as the government has to cater for an already over populated state . According to Mr. Ipaye the Lagos state government in addressing the issues in the justice sector came up with intervention through the justice reform agenda since 1999 which has led to the establishment of the Citizen’s Mediation Centre , creation of the office of the Public Defender , the establishment of Lagos Multi Door Courts , the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, the provisions of street lights and the establishment of 767 emergency response centres. The discussants at the events include , Professor Bolaji Owasanoye who delivered a paper on the “ Justice issues and economic development”; Mr. Arthur Fola Worrey delivered the paper on “ Security Issues and economic development while Mr. Opeyemi Agbaje gave a speech on the “Impact of corruption on economic development” The discussants said there is the need to engage the informal sector of the economy as a viable space in addressing the issues of security and justice in a quest for economic development . Mr. Agbaje links corruption to poverty which in turns leads to breakdown of law and order; while explaining the impact of corruption on the economy Mr. Agbaje said “ 112.25million Nigerians are relatively poor in 2011 and this population is expected to rise ; the danger is that the 40% of the unemployed are in the age range of 15-24years; so we see where the Boko haram come from, and where other vices like the area boys , kidnappers, armed robbers , cultists and the like come from” To tackle corruption in the system, Mr. Agbaje urged the government to “close gaps and spaces that gave rooms for corruption as we have lost the morality but by employing structural approaches , like fiscal responsibility, market liberalization, due process, procurement and transparency, freedom of information and enforcement we are closing the gap and spaces that allow corruption to thrive”. Other solutions preferred by participants at the events include; bridging the gap between the rich and the poor, strengthening other security agencies like the neighbourhood watch, and vigilante groups, proper funding and motivation for police officers, strengthening leadership and addressing institutional frustration in doing business and strengthening the informal sector. Others include amendment of the constitution to give powers to the states to control the police and prisons and the amendment of the police Act.
Bolivians , Nigerian arrested for drug production
The
Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)
Ahmadu Giade has announced the arrest of three Bolivians and a Nigerian in
connection with a clandestine laboratory for the illicit production of
Methamphetamine at satellite town, Lagos. The Agency warned that it will not
treat the development with kid gloves as it threatens public health and safety.
Speaking
on the development, Giade said that the laboratory was detected by operatives
attached to the Lagos State Command. Items recovered at the production area
include 41.150kg of ephedrine, 4.8kg of methamphetamine, other
chemicals and sundry gadgets used in the laboratory. Three vehicles, a Honda
Accord Saloon car, a Honda CRV Jeep and a Toyota 4 Runner Jeep were also
impounded.
Apprehended
in connection with the laboratory include three Bolivians Yerko
Artunduaga Dorado,
19 years old; Ruben Ticona Jorge, 21 years old; and Hugo Chavez Moreno, 39
years old. The fourth suspect is a 23-year-old Nigerian, Uba Ubachukwu Collins.
However, Solomon Azuka Uzoka and Basil Ikechukwu Uzoka are wanted for
questioning by the anti-drug Agency.
Giade
stressed that Clandestine Laboratories constitute a serious threat to societal
peace and security. In his words, “It is important to stress that such
buildings are not safe for habitation. A house used for the illicit production
of methamphetamine is simply a death trap. Tenants moving into new buildings
are hereby advised to carry out discreet investigations on the previous
occupants”.
He
also stated that the ugly development has led to the recruitment of youths in
smuggling the drugs across the borders. “Besides the environmental pollution,
gullible and unemployed youths are being used to smuggle these drugs to
countries with high demand. Several methamphetamine traffickers have been
caught at the airports and land borders”.
While
condemning the existence of clandestine laboratories in the country, the Agency
urged Members of the public to watch out for various clues to identify a
clandestine laboratory. It would be recalled that the NDLEA discovered the
first Clandestine Laboratory in the country in 2011. The accused persons have
been charged to court and the case is on-going.
Some
of the tips include chemical smells coming from a building, skin irritation and
coloured waters in gutters. Clandestine Laboratories have no sign posts. Unlike
normal laboratories that are opened to the general public with known members of
staff, clandestine laboratories operate covertly.
Most chemicals found in
such laboratories are flammable, corrosive and toxic. Unprotected exposure to
such chemicals could cause headaches, watery or burning eyes, burning skin,
coughing or choking feeling, weakness and dizziness. Investigation into the
case has commenced.
Methamphetamine
is a powerful
addictive stimulant that dramatically affects the central nervous
system. It is produced using precursor chemicals. Findings
show that there may be insignificant local abuse as it is mainly meant for
export.
Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)
Ahmadu Giade has announced the arrest of three Bolivians and a Nigerian in
connection with a clandestine laboratory for the illicit production of
Methamphetamine at satellite town, Lagos. The Agency warned that it will not
treat the development with kid gloves as it threatens public health and safety.
Speaking
on the development, Giade said that the laboratory was detected by operatives
attached to the Lagos State Command. Items recovered at the production area
include 41.150kg of ephedrine, 4.8kg of methamphetamine, other
chemicals and sundry gadgets used in the laboratory. Three vehicles, a Honda
Accord Saloon car, a Honda CRV Jeep and a Toyota 4 Runner Jeep were also
impounded.
Apprehended
in connection with the laboratory include three Bolivians Yerko
Artunduaga Dorado,
19 years old; Ruben Ticona Jorge, 21 years old; and Hugo Chavez Moreno, 39
years old. The fourth suspect is a 23-year-old Nigerian, Uba Ubachukwu Collins.
However, Solomon Azuka Uzoka and Basil Ikechukwu Uzoka are wanted for
questioning by the anti-drug Agency.
Giade
stressed that Clandestine Laboratories constitute a serious threat to societal
peace and security. In his words, “It is important to stress that such
buildings are not safe for habitation. A house used for the illicit production
of methamphetamine is simply a death trap. Tenants moving into new buildings
are hereby advised to carry out discreet investigations on the previous
occupants”.
He
also stated that the ugly development has led to the recruitment of youths in
smuggling the drugs across the borders. “Besides the environmental pollution,
gullible and unemployed youths are being used to smuggle these drugs to
countries with high demand. Several methamphetamine traffickers have been
caught at the airports and land borders”.
While
condemning the existence of clandestine laboratories in the country, the Agency
urged Members of the public to watch out for various clues to identify a
clandestine laboratory. It would be recalled that the NDLEA discovered the
first Clandestine Laboratory in the country in 2011. The accused persons have
been charged to court and the case is on-going.
Some
of the tips include chemical smells coming from a building, skin irritation and
coloured waters in gutters. Clandestine Laboratories have no sign posts. Unlike
normal laboratories that are opened to the general public with known members of
staff, clandestine laboratories operate covertly.
Most chemicals found in
such laboratories are flammable, corrosive and toxic. Unprotected exposure to
such chemicals could cause headaches, watery or burning eyes, burning skin,
coughing or choking feeling, weakness and dizziness. Investigation into the
case has commenced.
Methamphetamine
is a powerful
addictive stimulant that dramatically affects the central nervous
system. It is produced using precursor chemicals. Findings
show that there may be insignificant local abuse as it is mainly meant for
export.
Thursday, 9 February 2012
Police arrest robbers, recover arms
February 10, 2012 by Eniola Akinkuotu 1 Comment
Men of the Lagos State Police Command on Thursday smashed a robbery syndicate that specialised in robbing customers leaving banks.
The police engaged the robbers in a fierce gun battle around the Charley Boy Bus-Stop, off Oworonsoki Expressway, and arrested one of them.
It was gathered that about 11am on Thursday, the suspects allegedly robbed one Kolawole Bakare of N280, 000 after he had left a branch of Guaranty Trust Bank in the area.
PUNCH Metro gathered that on sighting the robbers, the policemen along with some okada riders chased after the suspects.
Bakare said, “Around 11:30am, I went to withdraw money from GTbank, Ilupeju branch and was attempting to cross the road and return to my office when two robbers approached me. The robbers, who were on an Okada, hit me in the head and collected all the money from me.
“I fell to the ground and the hoodlums shot in the air sporadically before escaping and running towards Oworonshoki Expressway.”
PUNCH Metro learnt that, the Divisional Police Officer, Ilupeju, Mr. Gbolahan Olugbemi, on receiving the information, mobilised his men and they engaged the robbers in the gun battle.
Olugbemi said, “I was on my way to a security meeting at Odi-Olowo Local Government Area with a crew of anti-robbery policemen when we heard gunshots at GTbank.
“We moved to the scene and met six armed robbers on two motorcycles who had dispossessed Bakare of his money.
“In the ensuing gunfire, one of the suspects was shot dead while one of the others three arrested was badly injured. They will be taken to the State Special Anti-Robbery Department.”
It was, however, learnt that two of the six suspects managed to escape.
Two of the suspects, Henry Atabel and Olosomo Gabkuet, who were paraded before newsmen at the Ilupeju Police Division, admitted that they robbed Bakare. But the third suspect, Seyi Nasara, said although the suspects were his friends, he denied participating in the robbery.
Atabel said, “My friends called me to follow them around GTbank but they didn’t tell me that they wanted to rob.
“It was when they brought out guns that I knew they had guns. I have followed them for operation just three times.”
A mini drama unfolded outside the station as scores of okada riders, who had gathered disowned the suspects.
Insisting that the suspects were not okada riders, they said the robbers had been dispossessing banks’ customers of their money for a while in the area.
“These suspects have been terrorising the area for quite sometime and they give us a bad name. Most times, they lay siege to banks during the daytime and dispossess customers of their money. It’s even worse on Friday because more customers visit banks,” one of the okada riders, who declined to give his name, said.
The DPO assured the residents that security had been beefed up in the area, adding that a meeting would be held with bank managers in the area.
The spokesperson for the command, Mr. Joseph Jaiyeoba, described the arrest as an accomplishment for the command.
He said, “The arrest is in tandem with the directives of the Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar.
“The items recovered from the hoodlums include, five cut-to-size double barrel guns, one dagger, a knife N250,000, a motorcycle and two expended cartridges.”
Jaieyoba urged members of the public to continue to give the police vital information that could lead to the arrest of
February 10, 2012 by Eniola Akinkuotu 1 Comment
Men of the Lagos State Police Command on Thursday smashed a robbery syndicate that specialised in robbing customers leaving banks.
The police engaged the robbers in a fierce gun battle around the Charley Boy Bus-Stop, off Oworonsoki Expressway, and arrested one of them.
It was gathered that about 11am on Thursday, the suspects allegedly robbed one Kolawole Bakare of N280, 000 after he had left a branch of Guaranty Trust Bank in the area.
PUNCH Metro gathered that on sighting the robbers, the policemen along with some okada riders chased after the suspects.
Bakare said, “Around 11:30am, I went to withdraw money from GTbank, Ilupeju branch and was attempting to cross the road and return to my office when two robbers approached me. The robbers, who were on an Okada, hit me in the head and collected all the money from me.
“I fell to the ground and the hoodlums shot in the air sporadically before escaping and running towards Oworonshoki Expressway.”
PUNCH Metro learnt that, the Divisional Police Officer, Ilupeju, Mr. Gbolahan Olugbemi, on receiving the information, mobilised his men and they engaged the robbers in the gun battle.
Olugbemi said, “I was on my way to a security meeting at Odi-Olowo Local Government Area with a crew of anti-robbery policemen when we heard gunshots at GTbank.
“We moved to the scene and met six armed robbers on two motorcycles who had dispossessed Bakare of his money.
“In the ensuing gunfire, one of the suspects was shot dead while one of the others three arrested was badly injured. They will be taken to the State Special Anti-Robbery Department.”
It was, however, learnt that two of the six suspects managed to escape.
Two of the suspects, Henry Atabel and Olosomo Gabkuet, who were paraded before newsmen at the Ilupeju Police Division, admitted that they robbed Bakare. But the third suspect, Seyi Nasara, said although the suspects were his friends, he denied participating in the robbery.
Atabel said, “My friends called me to follow them around GTbank but they didn’t tell me that they wanted to rob.
“It was when they brought out guns that I knew they had guns. I have followed them for operation just three times.”
A mini drama unfolded outside the station as scores of okada riders, who had gathered disowned the suspects.
Insisting that the suspects were not okada riders, they said the robbers had been dispossessing banks’ customers of their money for a while in the area.
“These suspects have been terrorising the area for quite sometime and they give us a bad name. Most times, they lay siege to banks during the daytime and dispossess customers of their money. It’s even worse on Friday because more customers visit banks,” one of the okada riders, who declined to give his name, said.
The DPO assured the residents that security had been beefed up in the area, adding that a meeting would be held with bank managers in the area.
The spokesperson for the command, Mr. Joseph Jaiyeoba, described the arrest as an accomplishment for the command.
He said, “The arrest is in tandem with the directives of the Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar.
“The items recovered from the hoodlums include, five cut-to-size double barrel guns, one dagger, a knife N250,000, a motorcycle and two expended cartridges.”
Jaieyoba urged members of the public to continue to give the police vital information that could lead to the arrest of
Lagos seals off factory where machine killed worker …says safety was compromised
February 10, 2012 by Simon Utebor Leave a Comment
The Lagos State Government has sealed off IMPCO Company Limited where a 21-year-old machine operator, Happiness Okon, was killed by a plastic moulding machine on January 23.
The government said the failure of the firm to fully adhere to standard safety laws led to Okon’s death.
Metro had on Tuesday reported the story of Okon, who was killed barely five days after she was employed in the company.
Okon’s death has led to a dispute between the family and the company with the family members insisting that the latter was economical with the truth about the real cause of the girl’s death.
Following PUNCH Metro’s report, the Lagos Safety Commission paid an unscheduled visit to the company on Wednesday and sealed it off.
The commission, it was learnt, found out that there were evidence to show that the company’s safety policy had been compromised.
The Director-General of the commission, Mrs. Odebunmi Dominga, who led a team of experts and professionals to the factory on Wednesday, noted that the premises were not properly ventilated.
She also said protective equipment such as masks and boots were grossly inadequate.
“Investigation also revealed that the death of Miss Happiness Okon could have been avoided if the blow moulding machine was guarded and factory workers given better orientation,” she added.
Dominga, who decried the spate of avoidable accidents in the country, however reiterated the state government’s resolve to punish all those found wanting in order to reduce the incidence to barest minimum.
The director-general called on health and safety environmental management departments of all organisations operating in the state to register with the commission.
The measure, she said, would go a long in reducing the incidence of avoidable accidents in factories and workplaces.
An IMPCO source, who craved anonymity, said some officials of the state government were at the company on Wednesday.
He said when the officials came they checked the factory and other places and thereafter ordered that the factory be sealed off.
“Maybe they came because of Happiness (Okon) death. She was killed by a machine recently. When they came, they went round the company. By the time they finished, they sealed off the factory and said the management should see them within 48 hours,” the source said.
When our correspondent visited the company on Thursday, it was observed that the workers of the company did not come to work.
February 10, 2012 by Simon Utebor Leave a Comment
The Lagos State Government has sealed off IMPCO Company Limited where a 21-year-old machine operator, Happiness Okon, was killed by a plastic moulding machine on January 23.
The government said the failure of the firm to fully adhere to standard safety laws led to Okon’s death.
Metro had on Tuesday reported the story of Okon, who was killed barely five days after she was employed in the company.
Okon’s death has led to a dispute between the family and the company with the family members insisting that the latter was economical with the truth about the real cause of the girl’s death.
Following PUNCH Metro’s report, the Lagos Safety Commission paid an unscheduled visit to the company on Wednesday and sealed it off.
The commission, it was learnt, found out that there were evidence to show that the company’s safety policy had been compromised.
The Director-General of the commission, Mrs. Odebunmi Dominga, who led a team of experts and professionals to the factory on Wednesday, noted that the premises were not properly ventilated.
She also said protective equipment such as masks and boots were grossly inadequate.
“Investigation also revealed that the death of Miss Happiness Okon could have been avoided if the blow moulding machine was guarded and factory workers given better orientation,” she added.
Dominga, who decried the spate of avoidable accidents in the country, however reiterated the state government’s resolve to punish all those found wanting in order to reduce the incidence to barest minimum.
The director-general called on health and safety environmental management departments of all organisations operating in the state to register with the commission.
The measure, she said, would go a long in reducing the incidence of avoidable accidents in factories and workplaces.
An IMPCO source, who craved anonymity, said some officials of the state government were at the company on Wednesday.
He said when the officials came they checked the factory and other places and thereafter ordered that the factory be sealed off.
“Maybe they came because of Happiness (Okon) death. She was killed by a machine recently. When they came, they went round the company. By the time they finished, they sealed off the factory and said the management should see them within 48 hours,” the source said.
When our correspondent visited the company on Thursday, it was observed that the workers of the company did not come to work.
Killer tanker driver nabbed in Ogun
February 10, 2012 by Temitayo Famutimi Leave a Comment
The Lagos State Police Command on Thursday arrested the driver of the Conoil tanker that killed a four-year-old boy, Michael Daniel, in a compound at the Ikotun Egbe area of the state.
The Public Relations Officer for the command, Mr. Joseph Jaiyeoba, told our correspondent that the driver, Musa Ashiru, was arrested in Ogere, a settlement along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State.
Ashiru had gone to discharge the contents of his 33,000-litre tanker into some containers in a compound next to the place where Michael and his family members reside.
However, the tanker had some difficulties moving out of the compound as the tyres were stuck in the sand. A tipper was consequently hired to pull it out.
During the process, the hook attached to the tipper got detached forcefully and the tanker rammed into security post of the compound and the wall fell on Michael who was playing in his residence. The boy was buried under the rubble.
Michael’s sister, Joy, had said, “I was sitting in front of the house when I saw the tanker which was being towed suddenly rammed into the fence. Everybody around the scene at that time scampered for safety as the security post built at the entrance of the building collapsed.”
By the time Michael was brought out from the rubble, he had lost so much blood. He was rushed to a hospital where he was certified dead.
Ashiru, a native of Potiskum, Yobe State, is being detained at the Ikotun Police Division.
Jaiyeoba said, “The driver of the Conoil tanker that killed Michael has been arrested. The police acting on a tip-off nabbed him in Ogere Trailer Park in Ogun State this morning (Thursday) where he had been seeking refuge.
“Police investigations have so far revealed that the house where the incident happened was been used as a kerosene depot and that Ashiru had lifted the kerosene he offloaded in that compound from Port-Harcourt, Rivers State.”
Jaiyeoba assured the public that the matter would be painstakingly investigated before charging Ashiru to court.
He added that the police had concluded arrangements for the towing of the tanker to the police station to serve as an exhibit during prosecution.
share
February 10, 2012 by Temitayo Famutimi Leave a Comment
The Lagos State Police Command on Thursday arrested the driver of the Conoil tanker that killed a four-year-old boy, Michael Daniel, in a compound at the Ikotun Egbe area of the state.
The Public Relations Officer for the command, Mr. Joseph Jaiyeoba, told our correspondent that the driver, Musa Ashiru, was arrested in Ogere, a settlement along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State.
Ashiru had gone to discharge the contents of his 33,000-litre tanker into some containers in a compound next to the place where Michael and his family members reside.
However, the tanker had some difficulties moving out of the compound as the tyres were stuck in the sand. A tipper was consequently hired to pull it out.
During the process, the hook attached to the tipper got detached forcefully and the tanker rammed into security post of the compound and the wall fell on Michael who was playing in his residence. The boy was buried under the rubble.
Michael’s sister, Joy, had said, “I was sitting in front of the house when I saw the tanker which was being towed suddenly rammed into the fence. Everybody around the scene at that time scampered for safety as the security post built at the entrance of the building collapsed.”
By the time Michael was brought out from the rubble, he had lost so much blood. He was rushed to a hospital where he was certified dead.
Ashiru, a native of Potiskum, Yobe State, is being detained at the Ikotun Police Division.
Jaiyeoba said, “The driver of the Conoil tanker that killed Michael has been arrested. The police acting on a tip-off nabbed him in Ogere Trailer Park in Ogun State this morning (Thursday) where he had been seeking refuge.
“Police investigations have so far revealed that the house where the incident happened was been used as a kerosene depot and that Ashiru had lifted the kerosene he offloaded in that compound from Port-Harcourt, Rivers State.”
Jaiyeoba assured the public that the matter would be painstakingly investigated before charging Ashiru to court.
He added that the police had concluded arrangements for the towing of the tanker to the police station to serve as an exhibit during prosecution.
share
The new IG and national security
February 10, 2012 by Yakubu Dati Leave a Comment
On January 25, 2012, Nigerians got what has been rightly described as a New Year gift with the appointment of Mohammed Abubakar as the new Inspector-General of Police in acting capacity. He replaced Hafiz Ringim, whose retirement had been touted since last year’s attacks on the Force Headquarters and UN building, both in Abuja, and the Christmas Day Madalla church bombings, that killed a lot of people.
Since his appointment, there have been varied opinions, especially as there were some Deputy Inspectors-General of Police, who were his seniors and among whom one should have been picked as the IG. They queried why an AIG should be chosen far above his seniors.
No matter what opinion any section must have had on Abubakar’s appointment, it is now realised that the raison d’être for his appointment lies in the fact that a strong and effective police force leads to improved internal security of the country, which will ultimately translate to protection of lives and property.
This is particularly central to the function of government, especially in the face of daunting security challenges such as those posed by Boko Haram.
It is, perhaps, the need to put a handle on these dire security challenges that informed the appointment of Abubakar, given his antecedents especially during his stint in Lagos State.
He joined the Nigeria Police Force as Cadet Inspector on August 1, 1979 and rose to serve variously as Assistant Commissioner of Police, State Criminal Investigations Departement, Sokoto Police Command; Assistant Commissioner of Police, Federal Operations, Force Headquarters, and Lagos; and, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Airport Police Command, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
He has also served as Police Commissioner in Plateau, Kwara, Abia, Kano, Airport and Lagos State commands. He was later promoted as an Assistant Inspector-General of Police and served in Zone 2 comprising Lagos and Ogun States. He was also the AIG Zone 5, Benin comprising Edo, Delta, and Bayelsa states. He was later posted to Zone 6 comprising Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Ebonyi states. His last posting was AIG in charge of Zone 12 Bauchi State before he was appointed the Inspector General of Police.
Perhaps Abubakar’s most controversial posting was in Plateau in the heat of the 2001 Plateau crisis. It has been the argument that Abubakar was indicted by the Justice Niki Tobi Commission of Enquiry, which was set up by the State Government. The panel was said to have found Abubakar culpable in the crisis.
But when the argument is carried further many analysts are wont to fault the supposed indictment, especially as there was no official government gazette of the matter. Moreover, government did not take a definitive stand on the indictment, making it appear as neither here nor there.
Again, it is argued that no police commissioner that had served Plateau State after Abubakar had left unscathed, making the command a case for special study. From Innocent Ilozuoke, Joseph Apapa, Kevin Okpoke, Richard Chime, Kayode Ibironke, Samson Wuda, to Greg Ayanting, none of them got much accolades from their service in Plateau, not minding the pedigree of those involved.
Perchance, Abubakar was chosen for his pedigree in crime fighting. It was said that his tenure in Kwara State was remarkable because one could leave his car open and come back to meet all the contents as one left them. It is also a fact that no ordinary CP was posted to Lagos because of its volatility, Abubakar served in Lagos where he had a distinguished career as the commissioner of police.
Apart from his postings in his career, Abubakar has also undergone many courses. He at various times attended the Intermediate Command Course and Senior Command Course at the Police Staff College. He also attended overseas courses such as the General Detective Course – Metropolitan Police, West Hendon, England; General Security Course – Israel; General Security Course – FBI, USA; International Security – England; and the General Detective Course – Scotland Yard
With this pedigree, the question is; can he make the difference? Or will he be more of the same? Can he prove to be that tough cop and how can he bring that to bear on his present assignment? There is no doubt that what is needed to get Nigeria out of the present security mess is a no-nonsense cop, who really knows his onions.
As a cop with keen eyes for details, Abubakar appears well-suited for the job more so as he has been in operational duties up the ladder to his present position. There is no doubt that President Goodluck Jonathan’s choice for IGP can deliver the goods and keep Nigeria safe.
Dati wrote in from 14, Joseph Gomwalk Street, Abuja via: viYaksdati2004@yahoo.co.uk
share
Read 9 times
February 10, 2012 by Yakubu Dati Leave a Comment
On January 25, 2012, Nigerians got what has been rightly described as a New Year gift with the appointment of Mohammed Abubakar as the new Inspector-General of Police in acting capacity. He replaced Hafiz Ringim, whose retirement had been touted since last year’s attacks on the Force Headquarters and UN building, both in Abuja, and the Christmas Day Madalla church bombings, that killed a lot of people.
Since his appointment, there have been varied opinions, especially as there were some Deputy Inspectors-General of Police, who were his seniors and among whom one should have been picked as the IG. They queried why an AIG should be chosen far above his seniors.
No matter what opinion any section must have had on Abubakar’s appointment, it is now realised that the raison d’être for his appointment lies in the fact that a strong and effective police force leads to improved internal security of the country, which will ultimately translate to protection of lives and property.
This is particularly central to the function of government, especially in the face of daunting security challenges such as those posed by Boko Haram.
It is, perhaps, the need to put a handle on these dire security challenges that informed the appointment of Abubakar, given his antecedents especially during his stint in Lagos State.
He joined the Nigeria Police Force as Cadet Inspector on August 1, 1979 and rose to serve variously as Assistant Commissioner of Police, State Criminal Investigations Departement, Sokoto Police Command; Assistant Commissioner of Police, Federal Operations, Force Headquarters, and Lagos; and, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Airport Police Command, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
He has also served as Police Commissioner in Plateau, Kwara, Abia, Kano, Airport and Lagos State commands. He was later promoted as an Assistant Inspector-General of Police and served in Zone 2 comprising Lagos and Ogun States. He was also the AIG Zone 5, Benin comprising Edo, Delta, and Bayelsa states. He was later posted to Zone 6 comprising Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Ebonyi states. His last posting was AIG in charge of Zone 12 Bauchi State before he was appointed the Inspector General of Police.
Perhaps Abubakar’s most controversial posting was in Plateau in the heat of the 2001 Plateau crisis. It has been the argument that Abubakar was indicted by the Justice Niki Tobi Commission of Enquiry, which was set up by the State Government. The panel was said to have found Abubakar culpable in the crisis.
But when the argument is carried further many analysts are wont to fault the supposed indictment, especially as there was no official government gazette of the matter. Moreover, government did not take a definitive stand on the indictment, making it appear as neither here nor there.
Again, it is argued that no police commissioner that had served Plateau State after Abubakar had left unscathed, making the command a case for special study. From Innocent Ilozuoke, Joseph Apapa, Kevin Okpoke, Richard Chime, Kayode Ibironke, Samson Wuda, to Greg Ayanting, none of them got much accolades from their service in Plateau, not minding the pedigree of those involved.
Perchance, Abubakar was chosen for his pedigree in crime fighting. It was said that his tenure in Kwara State was remarkable because one could leave his car open and come back to meet all the contents as one left them. It is also a fact that no ordinary CP was posted to Lagos because of its volatility, Abubakar served in Lagos where he had a distinguished career as the commissioner of police.
Apart from his postings in his career, Abubakar has also undergone many courses. He at various times attended the Intermediate Command Course and Senior Command Course at the Police Staff College. He also attended overseas courses such as the General Detective Course – Metropolitan Police, West Hendon, England; General Security Course – Israel; General Security Course – FBI, USA; International Security – England; and the General Detective Course – Scotland Yard
With this pedigree, the question is; can he make the difference? Or will he be more of the same? Can he prove to be that tough cop and how can he bring that to bear on his present assignment? There is no doubt that what is needed to get Nigeria out of the present security mess is a no-nonsense cop, who really knows his onions.
As a cop with keen eyes for details, Abubakar appears well-suited for the job more so as he has been in operational duties up the ladder to his present position. There is no doubt that President Goodluck Jonathan’s choice for IGP can deliver the goods and keep Nigeria safe.
Dati wrote in from 14, Joseph Gomwalk Street, Abuja via: viYaksdati2004@yahoo.co.uk
share
Read 9 times
Husbands protest transfer of 375 female police officers
February 10, 2012 by Success Nwogu Leave a Comment
Husbands of about 375 female police officers of Zone 8, Kwara State Command of the Nigerian Police on Thursday stormed A Divisional Police Office in Ilorin to protest against the alleged ill-treatment meted out to their wives.
They also petitioned the acting Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, over what they described as “inconsiderate and abnormal” transfer of their wives.
Our correspondent learnt that the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Ephraim Amakulor, on Wednesday allegedly issued transfer letters to about 500 police officers in the zonal command in Ilorin to proceed to Lokoja, Kogi State as a result of the ongoing reorganisation in the police.
According to a source, the reorganisation is to combat the menace of Boko Haram and other criminal activities in the state.
Our correspondent learnt that 375 of the affected 500 police officers in Kwara State were women.
The husbands of the affected women officers, who besieged the A Divisional Police Office in Ilorin, urged the IG to stop the transfers.
Their spokesperson, Mr. Peter Akhigbe, said since the women were married, their transfer could adversely affect their marriages.
According to him, some are pregnant while some are either nursing mothers or are newly married.
share
February 10, 2012 by Success Nwogu Leave a Comment
Husbands of about 375 female police officers of Zone 8, Kwara State Command of the Nigerian Police on Thursday stormed A Divisional Police Office in Ilorin to protest against the alleged ill-treatment meted out to their wives.
They also petitioned the acting Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, over what they described as “inconsiderate and abnormal” transfer of their wives.
Our correspondent learnt that the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Ephraim Amakulor, on Wednesday allegedly issued transfer letters to about 500 police officers in the zonal command in Ilorin to proceed to Lokoja, Kogi State as a result of the ongoing reorganisation in the police.
According to a source, the reorganisation is to combat the menace of Boko Haram and other criminal activities in the state.
Our correspondent learnt that 375 of the affected 500 police officers in Kwara State were women.
The husbands of the affected women officers, who besieged the A Divisional Police Office in Ilorin, urged the IG to stop the transfers.
Their spokesperson, Mr. Peter Akhigbe, said since the women were married, their transfer could adversely affect their marriages.
According to him, some are pregnant while some are either nursing mothers or are newly married.
share
One killed as NURTW members clash again in Lagos
February 9, 2012 by Eniola Akinkuotu 14 Comments
One person, identified simply as Ige, believed to be a member of the National Union of Road Transport Workers reportedly lost his life on Tuesday during a clash at Ona la on Lagos Island.
Metro learnt that the fight was a supremacy battle between two factions of the NURTW over the collection of money at a park in Oyebanji area.
A resident, who wished not to be named, said one of the warring parties was angry because it felt the police had taken sides with the other faction.
He said, “One of the NURTW bosses on Lagos Island was alleged to have been responsible for last week’s violence in which some people died.
“However, the police promised us that he would be arrested before he fled last week. He came back on Tuesday and the police did not arrest him. In fact, he is still in control of Lagos Island.
“The people were aggrieved and felt the police had taken sides. So, they went to Ona la on Tuesday to fight the other faction.”
The Police Public Relations Officer for the state command, Mr. Jaiyeoba Joseph, could not be reached as at press time as his phones were switched off.
Meanwhile, the immediate past treasurer for the state chapter of the NURTW, Mr. Musiliu Akinsanya a.k.a. MC Oluomo, has cautioned the warring members of the union in the state to bury the hatchet or face the full wrath of the law.
Akinsanya said there was need for members of the union to embrace peace and resolve their differences through dialogue.
Akinsanya, who spoke through his media aide, Mr. Samson Adigun, said life was sacred and everybody had a right to life as guaranteed by the Nigerian constitution.
He said it was high time the union members began to think in the right direction and stopped blood-letting and violent clashes, adding that there was no faction in Lagos NURTW.
“I also want to seize this opportunity to make it clear to everyone that I’m not in any way connected to the crisis. Oshodi is my base and the place is peaceful as always. I don’t have or belong to any faction of NURTW because we are one body,” he said.
Akinsanya, who is also running for the chairmanship seat in the forthcoming NURTW election in the state, added that he had been to the state police command headquarters to absolve himself of the accusations.
“I understand that people have erroneously linked my name to the violent clashes in some parts of Lagos Island because I’m contesting for the chairmanship seat of our union in the state. But the police are in a better position to do investigations and fish out the real masterminds. I know that time will tell and people will know the truth very soon,” he explained.
According to Akinsanya, the police have been urged to arrest anyone falsely claiming to be working for him or fomenting trouble in his name.
February 9, 2012 by Eniola Akinkuotu 14 Comments
One person, identified simply as Ige, believed to be a member of the National Union of Road Transport Workers reportedly lost his life on Tuesday during a clash at Ona la on Lagos Island.
Metro learnt that the fight was a supremacy battle between two factions of the NURTW over the collection of money at a park in Oyebanji area.
A resident, who wished not to be named, said one of the warring parties was angry because it felt the police had taken sides with the other faction.
He said, “One of the NURTW bosses on Lagos Island was alleged to have been responsible for last week’s violence in which some people died.
“However, the police promised us that he would be arrested before he fled last week. He came back on Tuesday and the police did not arrest him. In fact, he is still in control of Lagos Island.
“The people were aggrieved and felt the police had taken sides. So, they went to Ona la on Tuesday to fight the other faction.”
The Police Public Relations Officer for the state command, Mr. Jaiyeoba Joseph, could not be reached as at press time as his phones were switched off.
Meanwhile, the immediate past treasurer for the state chapter of the NURTW, Mr. Musiliu Akinsanya a.k.a. MC Oluomo, has cautioned the warring members of the union in the state to bury the hatchet or face the full wrath of the law.
Akinsanya said there was need for members of the union to embrace peace and resolve their differences through dialogue.
Akinsanya, who spoke through his media aide, Mr. Samson Adigun, said life was sacred and everybody had a right to life as guaranteed by the Nigerian constitution.
He said it was high time the union members began to think in the right direction and stopped blood-letting and violent clashes, adding that there was no faction in Lagos NURTW.
“I also want to seize this opportunity to make it clear to everyone that I’m not in any way connected to the crisis. Oshodi is my base and the place is peaceful as always. I don’t have or belong to any faction of NURTW because we are one body,” he said.
Akinsanya, who is also running for the chairmanship seat in the forthcoming NURTW election in the state, added that he had been to the state police command headquarters to absolve himself of the accusations.
“I understand that people have erroneously linked my name to the violent clashes in some parts of Lagos Island because I’m contesting for the chairmanship seat of our union in the state. But the police are in a better position to do investigations and fish out the real masterminds. I know that time will tell and people will know the truth very soon,” he explained.
According to Akinsanya, the police have been urged to arrest anyone falsely claiming to be working for him or fomenting trouble in his name.
ACTING IGP URGED TO ENFORCE DIRECTIVE ON
DETAINNES' RIGHTS.
BY PATIENCE OGBO
Access to Justice, a non profit rights and justice reform organization in Lagos, has called on the new acting Inspector General of Police Mohammed Dikko Abubakar to ensure that police officers adhere strictly to his recent directive on the pre-trial rights of detainees as it relates to arraignment and release within 24 hours of crime suspects.
Leonard Dibia the Director of programme stated this in a press statement titled “The sales of liberty and the police detention business Plc--- How far can the new IGP directive go?”
“This directive issued by the acting IGP, Mr. Muhammed Abubakar, appears to “hit the bulls eye” on a major rule of law challenge that has defied intense corrective advocacy in policing ethics and practices since democratic re-start in 1999. Salutary and commendable as this directive is, the major challenge centers around translating its terms into concrete and corrective reality.
Nothing short of a committed implementation would do in the circumstance; especially as the tentacles of the racket of corruption associated with unlawful detention and bail in police stations has achieved such monstrous dimensions that has rendered sections 35 (4) and (5) of the 1999 Constitution a laughable dead letter. No other phenomena seems to have made a mockery of constitutional democracy and civil liberties than the pandemic abuse of police powers of detention and the impunity that has belied the denial of crime suspects of their right to arraignment before a court of law within 24 hours of arrest and detention or, where the circumstance warrants, an outright release.”Mr. Dibia said
Mr. Dibia also urged the IGP to check gross abuses of detainees and suspects at the State Anti-robbery Squad SARS Ikeja, Adeniji Adele police and State CID Panti Police stations.
” A little insight into the bail system in SARS Ikeja, Adeniji Adele and State CID Panti Police Stations explains the anomaly by which a police corporal who earns below N30, 000 monthly rides and comfortably maintains a 2011 Model Prado Jeep. The secret is inexorably tied to the diabolical racket of the use of police powers of detention/bail money. A corollary to this practice is the malicious arraignment of crime suspects in court (without evidence or proof) as punishment for failing to pay bail money.
AJ’s research which concluded in October, 2011, revealed that a number of awaiting trial inmates who were on remand custody was only maliciously arraigned on “holding charge” (without evidence of the crime) as punishment for not meeting the monetary terms of bail.” Mr. Dibia said.
Mr. Dibia added that human rights and justice reform organizations have persistently drawn the attention of the government to the misuse of power by the police to no avail. “Researches by both local and international agencies spanning between 1999 and 2011 (by Access to Justice, Human Rights Watch, Open Society Justice Initiative, Amnesty International and UN Rapporteurs to Nigeria for 2006 and 2007) not only reveals the invidious use by the police of its powers of detention to foster an entrenched culture of extortion, corruption and egregious practices of psychological torture, they unanimously portray a well commercialized trade where the transaction is “investigative detention”, the article is “bail” and the currency is “raw money”. Research reveals that the practice of putting bail for sale is not just the act of one derelict officer who may pass for “one bad apple” among the bunch, but an entrenched practice to which every officer in the strata of the average police station is complicit – from the DPO to the newest constable.
As a way of enforcing the directive, the acting IGP should ensure that “Every stage of the inter-face between a crime suspect and his IPO, the pre-trial rights of the suspect is observed as matter of law. Our expectation focuses on how many investigating police officers (IPOs), DPOs and DCOs will face internal and administrative discipline for unlawful and extortionate pre-trial detention practices. Anything short of committed enforcement would not do. As promised by the acting IGP,
It will be fitting to see a well-delineated and institutionalized monitoring mechanism for enforcing compliance and penalizing violations of his directive. In this regard, there may be need to re-define and empower the Office of the Force Provost Marshall towards departing from its present clay-footed stature, into becoming a compliance-monitoring unit with self-actuating inspectorial powers over police detention facilities, and with ample summary disciplinary powers to demand accountability for prolonged and unlawful detention from IPOs, DPOs and DCOs.” Mr. Dibia said.
DETAINNES' RIGHTS.
BY PATIENCE OGBO
Access to Justice, a non profit rights and justice reform organization in Lagos, has called on the new acting Inspector General of Police Mohammed Dikko Abubakar to ensure that police officers adhere strictly to his recent directive on the pre-trial rights of detainees as it relates to arraignment and release within 24 hours of crime suspects.
Leonard Dibia the Director of programme stated this in a press statement titled “The sales of liberty and the police detention business Plc--- How far can the new IGP directive go?”
“This directive issued by the acting IGP, Mr. Muhammed Abubakar, appears to “hit the bulls eye” on a major rule of law challenge that has defied intense corrective advocacy in policing ethics and practices since democratic re-start in 1999. Salutary and commendable as this directive is, the major challenge centers around translating its terms into concrete and corrective reality.
Nothing short of a committed implementation would do in the circumstance; especially as the tentacles of the racket of corruption associated with unlawful detention and bail in police stations has achieved such monstrous dimensions that has rendered sections 35 (4) and (5) of the 1999 Constitution a laughable dead letter. No other phenomena seems to have made a mockery of constitutional democracy and civil liberties than the pandemic abuse of police powers of detention and the impunity that has belied the denial of crime suspects of their right to arraignment before a court of law within 24 hours of arrest and detention or, where the circumstance warrants, an outright release.”Mr. Dibia said
Mr. Dibia also urged the IGP to check gross abuses of detainees and suspects at the State Anti-robbery Squad SARS Ikeja, Adeniji Adele police and State CID Panti Police stations.
” A little insight into the bail system in SARS Ikeja, Adeniji Adele and State CID Panti Police Stations explains the anomaly by which a police corporal who earns below N30, 000 monthly rides and comfortably maintains a 2011 Model Prado Jeep. The secret is inexorably tied to the diabolical racket of the use of police powers of detention/bail money. A corollary to this practice is the malicious arraignment of crime suspects in court (without evidence or proof) as punishment for failing to pay bail money.
AJ’s research which concluded in October, 2011, revealed that a number of awaiting trial inmates who were on remand custody was only maliciously arraigned on “holding charge” (without evidence of the crime) as punishment for not meeting the monetary terms of bail.” Mr. Dibia said.
Mr. Dibia added that human rights and justice reform organizations have persistently drawn the attention of the government to the misuse of power by the police to no avail. “Researches by both local and international agencies spanning between 1999 and 2011 (by Access to Justice, Human Rights Watch, Open Society Justice Initiative, Amnesty International and UN Rapporteurs to Nigeria for 2006 and 2007) not only reveals the invidious use by the police of its powers of detention to foster an entrenched culture of extortion, corruption and egregious practices of psychological torture, they unanimously portray a well commercialized trade where the transaction is “investigative detention”, the article is “bail” and the currency is “raw money”. Research reveals that the practice of putting bail for sale is not just the act of one derelict officer who may pass for “one bad apple” among the bunch, but an entrenched practice to which every officer in the strata of the average police station is complicit – from the DPO to the newest constable.
As a way of enforcing the directive, the acting IGP should ensure that “Every stage of the inter-face between a crime suspect and his IPO, the pre-trial rights of the suspect is observed as matter of law. Our expectation focuses on how many investigating police officers (IPOs), DPOs and DCOs will face internal and administrative discipline for unlawful and extortionate pre-trial detention practices. Anything short of committed enforcement would not do. As promised by the acting IGP,
It will be fitting to see a well-delineated and institutionalized monitoring mechanism for enforcing compliance and penalizing violations of his directive. In this regard, there may be need to re-define and empower the Office of the Force Provost Marshall towards departing from its present clay-footed stature, into becoming a compliance-monitoring unit with self-actuating inspectorial powers over police detention facilities, and with ample summary disciplinary powers to demand accountability for prolonged and unlawful detention from IPOs, DPOs and DCOs.” Mr. Dibia said.
Friday, 3 February 2012
Police Reform: Anxiety Grips Acting IG, Top Officers •As Petitions Flood PSC Panel
| Print | E-mail
Written by Jacob Segun-Olatunji, Abuja
Saturday, 04 February 2012
ShareFear has reportedly gripped senior top police officers, including
the Acting Inspector General of Police, Mr. M.D. Abubakar over the planned unprecedented shake-up in the Nigeria Police.
Saturday Tribune learnt that anxiety followed scores of petitions signed and supported with court affidavits as well as anonymous ones being received daily against senior officers by the Parry Osayande panel on re-organisation of the Nigeria Police recently put in place by President Goodluck Jonathan.
“We have scores of petitions flooding the committee on daily basis against the officers even including the Acting Inspector General of Police, Abubakar himself, most of the petitions were being directed against senior officers especially those in the ranks of Deputy Commissioners, Commissioners and Assistant Inspectors General of Police, detailing their various offences with necessary data to back up their claims against the officers,” a source close to the committee told Saturday Tribune in Abuja on Friday.
According to the source,”the panel has commenced work and the members are working round the clock to meet the deadline given to it by the President.”
The source disclosed that some of the affected officers with grievous allegations would be invited to appear before the committee apart from scrutinising their service records before a final decision is taken against any officer.
The source also hinted that the panel had been able to establish prima facie case against some senior officers, who might be shown the way out of the police.
Investigations from the various police formations across the country and the Force Headquarters, Abuja as at Friday revealed that all was not well within the rank and file of the police based on feelers from the committee.
It was gathered that while some of the concerned officers had started lobbying their godfathers to save their jobs, others had resorted to spiritual help from various sources.
A very senior police officer at the Force Headquarters in Abuja who spoke in confidence with Saturday Tribune declared that the imminent shake-up, if religiously carried out, would give the country the needed ideal police force.
ShareSet as favorite
| Print | E-mail
Written by Jacob Segun-Olatunji, Abuja
Saturday, 04 February 2012
ShareFear has reportedly gripped senior top police officers, including
the Acting Inspector General of Police, Mr. M.D. Abubakar over the planned unprecedented shake-up in the Nigeria Police.
Saturday Tribune learnt that anxiety followed scores of petitions signed and supported with court affidavits as well as anonymous ones being received daily against senior officers by the Parry Osayande panel on re-organisation of the Nigeria Police recently put in place by President Goodluck Jonathan.
“We have scores of petitions flooding the committee on daily basis against the officers even including the Acting Inspector General of Police, Abubakar himself, most of the petitions were being directed against senior officers especially those in the ranks of Deputy Commissioners, Commissioners and Assistant Inspectors General of Police, detailing their various offences with necessary data to back up their claims against the officers,” a source close to the committee told Saturday Tribune in Abuja on Friday.
According to the source,”the panel has commenced work and the members are working round the clock to meet the deadline given to it by the President.”
The source disclosed that some of the affected officers with grievous allegations would be invited to appear before the committee apart from scrutinising their service records before a final decision is taken against any officer.
The source also hinted that the panel had been able to establish prima facie case against some senior officers, who might be shown the way out of the police.
Investigations from the various police formations across the country and the Force Headquarters, Abuja as at Friday revealed that all was not well within the rank and file of the police based on feelers from the committee.
It was gathered that while some of the concerned officers had started lobbying their godfathers to save their jobs, others had resorted to spiritual help from various sources.
A very senior police officer at the Force Headquarters in Abuja who spoke in confidence with Saturday Tribune declared that the imminent shake-up, if religiously carried out, would give the country the needed ideal police force.
ShareSet as favorite
Stolen car gives away daring carjackers
February 4, 2012 by Comfort Oseghale Leave a Comment
The law finally caught up with three suspected members of a gang of notorious armed robbers on Jan 9, 2012. This was after a stolen Honda Odyssey was discovered parked outside a bar in the Obalende area of Lagos.
The suspects – Adekunle Akin, 23, Segun Bello, 24, and Abiodun Adedeji, 23 – were alleged to be members of a six-man gang that specialised in carjacking. The leader of the gang, one Yinusa, is currently at large.
CRIME DIGEST learnt that the end of the road came for the criminals after they trailed the owner of the car to her home in Ajah and robbed her. Some of the items stolen during the operation included expensive jewellery and a laptop computer.
Recounting the incident to our correspondent, Akin said, “I was in my house at Ifo in Ogun State when Yinusa called me for a ‘job’ at Ajah and asked me to meet him at Obalende. It wasn’t as if we had a target in mind that we were going to rob; we were to roam the area for a target.
“When I got to Obalende Road, I met Yinusa there with two other members of the gang, Seyi and Yusuf. Bello and Adedeji were still on their way. Yinusa had come in a Sienna bus and when the others arrived, we all moved to Ajah.
“On our way to Ajah, we saw a lady driving a Honda Odyssey car and we trailed her to her home in Ajah. We robbed her of the car, jewellery and laptop, after which we went back to Obalende and stopped at a beer parlour to relax.”
The gangsters abandoned the Sienna bus at the residence of their victim and they dispersed. But Yusuf and Seyi, who had gone to eat lunch, returned to the beer parlour.
Unknown to the other members of the gang, a friend of their victim had sighted the Honda Odyssey car and had called the attention of her husband to it.
The commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Mr. Yakubu Alkali told CRIME DIGEST that the robbers had the previous day attacked and shot the owner of the Sienna bus at Abesan Housing Estate in Iyana-Ipaja. Aware that the blood stains on the bullet-riddled car might attract the attention of law enforcement agents, they had decided to snatch the Honda Odyssey and abandon the Sienna bus.
He said, “Luckily for their latest victim, her husband’s friend sighted her car outside a beer parlour at Obalende and immediately called to know what the car was doing there. After the friend got to know that the car had been stolen three hours earlier from its owner, he immediately alerted the neighbourhood Oodua People Congress members, who after some enquiries, traced the car to the four young men who were still at the beer parlour.
“The OPC guys apprehended the four men amongst others, but later released Yusuf and Seyi, along with some others after they identified them as residents of the area. They had no idea that Yusuf and Seyi were robbers. Two guns were recovered from Akin and Adedeji and two more from the stolen Honda Odyssey.”
Akin and Adedeji were later handed over to the police officer in charge of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Superintendent Abba Kyari, who took over the investigation.
However, a SARS team arrested Bello at his Owode home in Ogun State. But the leader of the gang, Yinusa, managed to escape before the law enforcement officers could get there.
The guns seized from the robbers were said to have been procured from a Cotonou businessman, who exchanged arms for stolen cars with Yinusa.
Akin, who had previously worked as a bus conductor, confessed that he participated in four different robbery operations before his arrest.
He says, “Since 2010, I have been involved in four robbery operations. I met Yinusa at a beer parlour in Obalende in December 2009. We struck up a friendship after I dropped him off at Oshodi the next morning; I was working then as a commercial bus driver. It was until some months later that he confided in me that he was a robber.”
Bello, who also worked as a bus driver, met Yinusa under similar circumstances. He says, “I got to know Yinusa last year when he took a ride in my bus; I was driving from Iyana-Ipaja to Oshodi. I was impressed by Yinusa’s style of dressing and we got talking. When I asked what sort of job he did, he told me he was a smuggler on the Badagry-Seme route. We exchanged addresses. Four days later, Yinusa invited me to his house. That was when he confessed his true identity as a robber to me.”
The youngest of the three, Adedeji, was lured into crime by his own colleague, Akin, whom he had known for some time. He says, “After the day’s work, Akin would invite me to join him for a drink; he never seemed to be short of money. This went on three months by which time, I was already curious about his source of wealth. Eventually one night, I wasn’t invited for a robbery operation at Abule Egba. Initially, I wasn’t told beforehand that it was an operation. It was until I had met with them that I knew what I had got into.”
February 4, 2012 by Comfort Oseghale Leave a Comment
The law finally caught up with three suspected members of a gang of notorious armed robbers on Jan 9, 2012. This was after a stolen Honda Odyssey was discovered parked outside a bar in the Obalende area of Lagos.
The suspects – Adekunle Akin, 23, Segun Bello, 24, and Abiodun Adedeji, 23 – were alleged to be members of a six-man gang that specialised in carjacking. The leader of the gang, one Yinusa, is currently at large.
CRIME DIGEST learnt that the end of the road came for the criminals after they trailed the owner of the car to her home in Ajah and robbed her. Some of the items stolen during the operation included expensive jewellery and a laptop computer.
Recounting the incident to our correspondent, Akin said, “I was in my house at Ifo in Ogun State when Yinusa called me for a ‘job’ at Ajah and asked me to meet him at Obalende. It wasn’t as if we had a target in mind that we were going to rob; we were to roam the area for a target.
“When I got to Obalende Road, I met Yinusa there with two other members of the gang, Seyi and Yusuf. Bello and Adedeji were still on their way. Yinusa had come in a Sienna bus and when the others arrived, we all moved to Ajah.
“On our way to Ajah, we saw a lady driving a Honda Odyssey car and we trailed her to her home in Ajah. We robbed her of the car, jewellery and laptop, after which we went back to Obalende and stopped at a beer parlour to relax.”
The gangsters abandoned the Sienna bus at the residence of their victim and they dispersed. But Yusuf and Seyi, who had gone to eat lunch, returned to the beer parlour.
Unknown to the other members of the gang, a friend of their victim had sighted the Honda Odyssey car and had called the attention of her husband to it.
The commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Mr. Yakubu Alkali told CRIME DIGEST that the robbers had the previous day attacked and shot the owner of the Sienna bus at Abesan Housing Estate in Iyana-Ipaja. Aware that the blood stains on the bullet-riddled car might attract the attention of law enforcement agents, they had decided to snatch the Honda Odyssey and abandon the Sienna bus.
He said, “Luckily for their latest victim, her husband’s friend sighted her car outside a beer parlour at Obalende and immediately called to know what the car was doing there. After the friend got to know that the car had been stolen three hours earlier from its owner, he immediately alerted the neighbourhood Oodua People Congress members, who after some enquiries, traced the car to the four young men who were still at the beer parlour.
“The OPC guys apprehended the four men amongst others, but later released Yusuf and Seyi, along with some others after they identified them as residents of the area. They had no idea that Yusuf and Seyi were robbers. Two guns were recovered from Akin and Adedeji and two more from the stolen Honda Odyssey.”
Akin and Adedeji were later handed over to the police officer in charge of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Superintendent Abba Kyari, who took over the investigation.
However, a SARS team arrested Bello at his Owode home in Ogun State. But the leader of the gang, Yinusa, managed to escape before the law enforcement officers could get there.
The guns seized from the robbers were said to have been procured from a Cotonou businessman, who exchanged arms for stolen cars with Yinusa.
Akin, who had previously worked as a bus conductor, confessed that he participated in four different robbery operations before his arrest.
He says, “Since 2010, I have been involved in four robbery operations. I met Yinusa at a beer parlour in Obalende in December 2009. We struck up a friendship after I dropped him off at Oshodi the next morning; I was working then as a commercial bus driver. It was until some months later that he confided in me that he was a robber.”
Bello, who also worked as a bus driver, met Yinusa under similar circumstances. He says, “I got to know Yinusa last year when he took a ride in my bus; I was driving from Iyana-Ipaja to Oshodi. I was impressed by Yinusa’s style of dressing and we got talking. When I asked what sort of job he did, he told me he was a smuggler on the Badagry-Seme route. We exchanged addresses. Four days later, Yinusa invited me to his house. That was when he confessed his true identity as a robber to me.”
The youngest of the three, Adedeji, was lured into crime by his own colleague, Akin, whom he had known for some time. He says, “After the day’s work, Akin would invite me to join him for a drink; he never seemed to be short of money. This went on three months by which time, I was already curious about his source of wealth. Eventually one night, I wasn’t invited for a robbery operation at Abule Egba. Initially, I wasn’t told beforehand that it was an operation. It was until I had met with them that I knew what I had got into.”
Boko Haram: Tambuwal gives condition for negotiation …denies knowledge of sect’s letter seeking help
February 4, 2012 by John Ameh, Abuja 1 Comment
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Aminu Tambuwal, has said that the only condition he can initiate a dialogue between Boko Haram and the Federal Government is for the members of the group to reveal their identities.
Tambuwal, who is from Sokoto State, said the acting Governor of the state, Lawal Zayyana, and the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, were ready to intervene in the crisis for amicable resolution so long as members of the sect identified themselves publicly. The Speaker explained that such intervention was in line with the spirit of dialogue canvassed by President Goodluck Jonathan, who had also challenged the group to reveal its identity.
Tambuwal was reacting to reports alleging that the group sent him a letter along with the acting governor and the Sultan, seeking their intervention to secure the release of sect members held by security agencies in Sokoto State.
In a statement by the Speaker’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Imam Imam, on Friday, Tambuwal denied receiving such letter.
“We are yet to receive any letter from the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’ati wal Jihad, aka Boko Haram and we’re not aware of the alleged arrest and detention of any of their members,” the statement said.
share
February 4, 2012 by John Ameh, Abuja 1 Comment
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Aminu Tambuwal, has said that the only condition he can initiate a dialogue between Boko Haram and the Federal Government is for the members of the group to reveal their identities.
Tambuwal, who is from Sokoto State, said the acting Governor of the state, Lawal Zayyana, and the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, were ready to intervene in the crisis for amicable resolution so long as members of the sect identified themselves publicly. The Speaker explained that such intervention was in line with the spirit of dialogue canvassed by President Goodluck Jonathan, who had also challenged the group to reveal its identity.
Tambuwal was reacting to reports alleging that the group sent him a letter along with the acting governor and the Sultan, seeking their intervention to secure the release of sect members held by security agencies in Sokoto State.
In a statement by the Speaker’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Imam Imam, on Friday, Tambuwal denied receiving such letter.
“We are yet to receive any letter from the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’ati wal Jihad, aka Boko Haram and we’re not aware of the alleged arrest and detention of any of their members,” the statement said.
share
Biu: Emirs, politicians pressure Jonathan, IG …want soft-landing for him
February 4, 2012 by Niyi Odebode, Fidelis Soriwei and Adelani Adepegba, Abuja 15 Comments
Some traditional rulers and politicians have started pressurising President Goodluck Jonathan and the acting Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, over the case of a Commissioner of Police, Mr. Zakari Biu.
SATURDAY PUNCH investigations showed that the traditional rulers and politicians had started making moves to ensure that Biu got a soft-landing.
It was, however, learnt that the President, who had resisted the pressure, insisted on due process.
The embattled CP, who was in charge of investigations, it was learnt, would retire next year.
He was suspended on Jan 18 over the escape of a Boko Haram suspect, Kabiru Sokoto, from police custody.
Sokoto was accused of masterminding the Christmas Day bombing of St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Madalla, Niger State, where 43 people died.
The suspect escaped on Jan 15 while he was being taken to his house at Abaji, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, for a search by five policemen.
The commissioner of police investigating the suspect’s case and the five policemen, who accompanied him to Abaji, had been suspended and arrested.
Former IG Hafiz Ringim was forced to resign following his failure to meet up with Jonathan’s ultimatum to produce the Boko Haram suspect.
The President had given the ex-IG a 24-hour ultimatum to produce the suspect.
An investigation showed that some members of Biu’s family had swung into action to locate the whereabouts of the police commissioner.
Some newspapers (The PUNCH not included) had on Tuesday reported that family and friends of the CP did not know his whereabouts.
According to the reports, the friends and family members said they had not set eyes on Biu and had tried in vain to trace where he was taken to, as none of the country’s security agencies seemed to know his whereabouts.
The Director, Army Public Relations, Maj.-Gen. Raphael Isah, was reported to have said Biu was not with the Army.
Also, the Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, Oluyemi Ajayi, said the officer had long ceased to be in police custody.
It was learnt that the family had contacted some traditional rulers and top politicians to intervene in Biu’s case.
A top security source told one of our correspondents that some traditional rulers and politicians had in fact contacted Jonathan and the acting IG.
The source said the traditional rulers and politicians preferred that Biu should be allowed to resign since he would leave the police next year.
He stated, “They are considering a situation where the police commissioner will silently be given a soft-landing by easing him out of the police. Since he is going next year, some people are saying he should be allowed to retire with all his entitlements.
“They don’t want a situation where he will lose the 35 years he has spent in the police. Their argument is that the man deserves pity because he lost his son in the Oct 1, 2010 bomb blast in Abuja.”
But it was learnt that the moves of the traditional rulers and politicians were being resisted by people in the security agencies.
Investigations showed that security experts had urged the President and the acting IG to ensure that the recommendations of a committee headed by the were implemented.
The PUNCH had on Monday reported that the committee recommended that Biu and the five policemen should be sacked and prosecuted.
It was learnt that those who were against a soft-landing for Biu cited his antecedents in the police.
A source in the Presidency said that because of public opinion, there was no way Jonathan, the acting IG and the Police Service Commission would yield to the pressure from Biu’s sympathisers.
The Presidency source stated, “You will recall that Biu was the anti-terrorism chief of the late maximum ruler, Gen. Abacha. Biu’s group was used by Abacha to unleash terror on government’s perceived opponents.
“Biu was said to have been dismissed from the police after Abacha’s death, but was controversially reinstated and promoted commissioner of police by the PSC, which had also ratified the demotion and subsequent dismissal of former Economic and Financial Crimes Commission chairman, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.”
He said any attempt to treat Biu’s case with levity would portray Jonathan’s administration, locally and internationally, as not being serious with the war against terrorism.
He said, “Those who are resisting the pro-Biu group are saying if Ringim can be forced to resign, Biu and the five policemen should face harsher punishment.”
The Presidency source said it was very unlikely that the President would yield to pressure from any quarters.
He said that while the President would not go after anybody, he would not allow anybody to interfere with the process to deal with the offence committed by Biu and others in detention with him.
The source said, “All I know is that Biu and those who committed the offence of releasing Kabiru Sokoto would be made to face the law.
“I’m not saying the President would go after them; you know that President Goodluck Jonathan would not be vindictive in this matter.
“The President would allow the stipulated process to be followed in dealing with the grave offence or allegation made against the commissioner and his cohorts.
“If they are found guilty and the punishment is dismissal, they would be dismissed from the force and tried for the serious security offence and if they are innocent, they would be made to go.”
Efforts to get the reaction of the Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Olusola Amore, on the issue did not succeed as he did not pick the five calls put to his cell-phone between 4 pm and 8 pm on Thursday. He did not also respond to an SMS sent to him.
share
Read 1,838 times
More Stories in News
Ban on transport union subsists – Ajimobi
February 4th, 2012 / 1 Comment
Read Full Story
Policy inconsistency
February 4, 2012 by Niyi Odebode, Fidelis Soriwei and Adelani Adepegba, Abuja 15 Comments
Some traditional rulers and politicians have started pressurising President Goodluck Jonathan and the acting Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, over the case of a Commissioner of Police, Mr. Zakari Biu.
SATURDAY PUNCH investigations showed that the traditional rulers and politicians had started making moves to ensure that Biu got a soft-landing.
It was, however, learnt that the President, who had resisted the pressure, insisted on due process.
The embattled CP, who was in charge of investigations, it was learnt, would retire next year.
He was suspended on Jan 18 over the escape of a Boko Haram suspect, Kabiru Sokoto, from police custody.
Sokoto was accused of masterminding the Christmas Day bombing of St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Madalla, Niger State, where 43 people died.
The suspect escaped on Jan 15 while he was being taken to his house at Abaji, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, for a search by five policemen.
The commissioner of police investigating the suspect’s case and the five policemen, who accompanied him to Abaji, had been suspended and arrested.
Former IG Hafiz Ringim was forced to resign following his failure to meet up with Jonathan’s ultimatum to produce the Boko Haram suspect.
The President had given the ex-IG a 24-hour ultimatum to produce the suspect.
An investigation showed that some members of Biu’s family had swung into action to locate the whereabouts of the police commissioner.
Some newspapers (The PUNCH not included) had on Tuesday reported that family and friends of the CP did not know his whereabouts.
According to the reports, the friends and family members said they had not set eyes on Biu and had tried in vain to trace where he was taken to, as none of the country’s security agencies seemed to know his whereabouts.
The Director, Army Public Relations, Maj.-Gen. Raphael Isah, was reported to have said Biu was not with the Army.
Also, the Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, Oluyemi Ajayi, said the officer had long ceased to be in police custody.
It was learnt that the family had contacted some traditional rulers and top politicians to intervene in Biu’s case.
A top security source told one of our correspondents that some traditional rulers and politicians had in fact contacted Jonathan and the acting IG.
The source said the traditional rulers and politicians preferred that Biu should be allowed to resign since he would leave the police next year.
He stated, “They are considering a situation where the police commissioner will silently be given a soft-landing by easing him out of the police. Since he is going next year, some people are saying he should be allowed to retire with all his entitlements.
“They don’t want a situation where he will lose the 35 years he has spent in the police. Their argument is that the man deserves pity because he lost his son in the Oct 1, 2010 bomb blast in Abuja.”
But it was learnt that the moves of the traditional rulers and politicians were being resisted by people in the security agencies.
Investigations showed that security experts had urged the President and the acting IG to ensure that the recommendations of a committee headed by the were implemented.
The PUNCH had on Monday reported that the committee recommended that Biu and the five policemen should be sacked and prosecuted.
It was learnt that those who were against a soft-landing for Biu cited his antecedents in the police.
A source in the Presidency said that because of public opinion, there was no way Jonathan, the acting IG and the Police Service Commission would yield to the pressure from Biu’s sympathisers.
The Presidency source stated, “You will recall that Biu was the anti-terrorism chief of the late maximum ruler, Gen. Abacha. Biu’s group was used by Abacha to unleash terror on government’s perceived opponents.
“Biu was said to have been dismissed from the police after Abacha’s death, but was controversially reinstated and promoted commissioner of police by the PSC, which had also ratified the demotion and subsequent dismissal of former Economic and Financial Crimes Commission chairman, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.”
He said any attempt to treat Biu’s case with levity would portray Jonathan’s administration, locally and internationally, as not being serious with the war against terrorism.
He said, “Those who are resisting the pro-Biu group are saying if Ringim can be forced to resign, Biu and the five policemen should face harsher punishment.”
The Presidency source said it was very unlikely that the President would yield to pressure from any quarters.
He said that while the President would not go after anybody, he would not allow anybody to interfere with the process to deal with the offence committed by Biu and others in detention with him.
The source said, “All I know is that Biu and those who committed the offence of releasing Kabiru Sokoto would be made to face the law.
“I’m not saying the President would go after them; you know that President Goodluck Jonathan would not be vindictive in this matter.
“The President would allow the stipulated process to be followed in dealing with the grave offence or allegation made against the commissioner and his cohorts.
“If they are found guilty and the punishment is dismissal, they would be dismissed from the force and tried for the serious security offence and if they are innocent, they would be made to go.”
Efforts to get the reaction of the Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Olusola Amore, on the issue did not succeed as he did not pick the five calls put to his cell-phone between 4 pm and 8 pm on Thursday. He did not also respond to an SMS sent to him.
share
Read 1,838 times
More Stories in News
Ban on transport union subsists – Ajimobi
February 4th, 2012 / 1 Comment
Read Full Story
Policy inconsistency
Suspected husband killer rearrested after gaining freedom
February 4, 2012 by Adelani Adepegba, Abuja Leave a Comment
A woman, Hadezia Abutu (nee Afegbua), who allegedly shot her husband, Ibrahim, to death two days after he wedded a second wife in December 2011 has been rearrested and detained by the police in Abuja after she was initially granted bail by Justice Abubakar Talba of the Abuja High Court, Gudu.
Hadezia had allegedly shot her husband, Ibrahim, a former employee of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, in their Wuse II, Abuja residence about 24 hours after the deceased took a second wife in Gombe.
Although the late Ibrahim’s relatives insisted that Hadezia, a mother of one, had a hand in the murder of her husband as she reportedly gave contradictory accounts of what transpired between her and the deceased before his death, she had consistently denied culpability.
Hadezia, an employee of the National Youth Service Corps, was said to have told the police that her husband was cleaning the gun when it accidentally went off and killed him.
But a relation of the deceased said that just before he died, Ibrahim had managed to tell his younger sibling, Obotu, that his wife had shot him.
An autopsy conducted on Ibrahim indicated that he was shot at point-blank range and the bullet hit his heart and broke three ribs.
The police had on Jan 3, 2012 arraigned Hadezia with her sister, Nafisat Afegbua, Oyifie Okoh (cousin to the deceased), and a girl, identified simply as Anne, before a Karu magistrate’s court on charges of conspiracy and giving false information to the police.
The magistrate granted them bail in the sum of N1m each and a level 13 civil servant as surety for Hadezia, while her co-accused were asked to produce a level eight civil servants as sureties.
On fulfilling the bail conditions, the police re-arrested Hadezia and arraigned her before Abuja High Court, Gudu.
The police prosecutor, Mark Igwe, DSP, who was reluctant to comment on the case, explained that he had filed an ex-parte motion for extension of time to conclude investigation, adding that the woman was to be charged with criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide, which is punishable by death.
“But I was surprised to see the accused in court and she was granted bail by the presiding judge to the surprise of everyone,” Igwe said.
When asked if he had enough evidence to convict the accused, Igwe said the prosecution had ‘concrete evidence’ against her.
The counsel to the Abutu family, Isaac Sambo, explained that the prosecution filed an ex-parte motion pursuant to Section 129 of the Criminal Code, praying the court to remand the accused person in prison custody pending the conclusion of investigation by the police.
Sambo said, “The accused was not supposed to be in court because it was a motion ex-parte, but she was brought to court and the presiding judge suo motu granted her bail; the police (prosecution) was not given an opportunity to oppose it.
“There are many questions surrounding the handling of the matter. For instance, the police filed the case directly at the court instead of taking it to the registry, where the chief judge would assign it to any judge he deemed fit.”
The lawyer, who expressed deep reservations about the bail granted to the accused, stated that his client was thinking of petitioning the National Judicial Council or asking the Chief Justice of the FCT to reassign the case to another trial judge.
Police sources said the investigating team had come under serious pressure from influential members of Hadezia’s family.
The members of the Abutu family were distraught over the decision of the court to grant the accused bail, though there was no bail application before the court.
One of Ibrahim’s siblings, Ishotu, said the suspect had given conflicting accounts of how her husband died, pointing out that Hadezia had claimed she was in the bathroom, but she later said she was in the kitchen when the husband shot himself.
Ishotu said the moment Hadezia learnt her husband had died, she allegedlywent back to the house from the hospital and cleaned the crime scene.
She said, “We were all at the hospital praying that my brother would survive the attack. The moment we heard that Ibrahim had died, the wife allegedly went home and destroyed the crime scene to cover her tracks. She cleaned the blood and changed the curtains. She also hid the gun in the toilet.
“When challenged, she said she had cleaned the blood on the floor because her son was playing with it. This can’t be true because the son was with her younger sister in the house, and besides, she did not allow the police to record the crime scene before doing this.”
Ishotu stated that she had witnessed quarrels between the couple during which the suspect would break things in the house in anger.
Reacting to Hadezia’s initial release by the court, Obotu said he was devastated by the turn of events which he said had destroyed his faith in the nation’s judicial system. “I think they deliberately created loopholes to allow the accused escape justice,” he lamented.
However, following the condemnation that followed the court’s decision, the police re-arrested the accused 24 hours later.
February 4, 2012 by Adelani Adepegba, Abuja Leave a Comment
A woman, Hadezia Abutu (nee Afegbua), who allegedly shot her husband, Ibrahim, to death two days after he wedded a second wife in December 2011 has been rearrested and detained by the police in Abuja after she was initially granted bail by Justice Abubakar Talba of the Abuja High Court, Gudu.
Hadezia had allegedly shot her husband, Ibrahim, a former employee of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, in their Wuse II, Abuja residence about 24 hours after the deceased took a second wife in Gombe.
Although the late Ibrahim’s relatives insisted that Hadezia, a mother of one, had a hand in the murder of her husband as she reportedly gave contradictory accounts of what transpired between her and the deceased before his death, she had consistently denied culpability.
Hadezia, an employee of the National Youth Service Corps, was said to have told the police that her husband was cleaning the gun when it accidentally went off and killed him.
But a relation of the deceased said that just before he died, Ibrahim had managed to tell his younger sibling, Obotu, that his wife had shot him.
An autopsy conducted on Ibrahim indicated that he was shot at point-blank range and the bullet hit his heart and broke three ribs.
The police had on Jan 3, 2012 arraigned Hadezia with her sister, Nafisat Afegbua, Oyifie Okoh (cousin to the deceased), and a girl, identified simply as Anne, before a Karu magistrate’s court on charges of conspiracy and giving false information to the police.
The magistrate granted them bail in the sum of N1m each and a level 13 civil servant as surety for Hadezia, while her co-accused were asked to produce a level eight civil servants as sureties.
On fulfilling the bail conditions, the police re-arrested Hadezia and arraigned her before Abuja High Court, Gudu.
The police prosecutor, Mark Igwe, DSP, who was reluctant to comment on the case, explained that he had filed an ex-parte motion for extension of time to conclude investigation, adding that the woman was to be charged with criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide, which is punishable by death.
“But I was surprised to see the accused in court and she was granted bail by the presiding judge to the surprise of everyone,” Igwe said.
When asked if he had enough evidence to convict the accused, Igwe said the prosecution had ‘concrete evidence’ against her.
The counsel to the Abutu family, Isaac Sambo, explained that the prosecution filed an ex-parte motion pursuant to Section 129 of the Criminal Code, praying the court to remand the accused person in prison custody pending the conclusion of investigation by the police.
Sambo said, “The accused was not supposed to be in court because it was a motion ex-parte, but she was brought to court and the presiding judge suo motu granted her bail; the police (prosecution) was not given an opportunity to oppose it.
“There are many questions surrounding the handling of the matter. For instance, the police filed the case directly at the court instead of taking it to the registry, where the chief judge would assign it to any judge he deemed fit.”
The lawyer, who expressed deep reservations about the bail granted to the accused, stated that his client was thinking of petitioning the National Judicial Council or asking the Chief Justice of the FCT to reassign the case to another trial judge.
Police sources said the investigating team had come under serious pressure from influential members of Hadezia’s family.
The members of the Abutu family were distraught over the decision of the court to grant the accused bail, though there was no bail application before the court.
One of Ibrahim’s siblings, Ishotu, said the suspect had given conflicting accounts of how her husband died, pointing out that Hadezia had claimed she was in the bathroom, but she later said she was in the kitchen when the husband shot himself.
Ishotu said the moment Hadezia learnt her husband had died, she allegedlywent back to the house from the hospital and cleaned the crime scene.
She said, “We were all at the hospital praying that my brother would survive the attack. The moment we heard that Ibrahim had died, the wife allegedly went home and destroyed the crime scene to cover her tracks. She cleaned the blood and changed the curtains. She also hid the gun in the toilet.
“When challenged, she said she had cleaned the blood on the floor because her son was playing with it. This can’t be true because the son was with her younger sister in the house, and besides, she did not allow the police to record the crime scene before doing this.”
Ishotu stated that she had witnessed quarrels between the couple during which the suspect would break things in the house in anger.
Reacting to Hadezia’s initial release by the court, Obotu said he was devastated by the turn of events which he said had destroyed his faith in the nation’s judicial system. “I think they deliberately created loopholes to allow the accused escape justice,” he lamented.
However, following the condemnation that followed the court’s decision, the police re-arrested the accused 24 hours later.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)