November 2020 – Page 32

Post Date : November 21, 2020

Cross River court convicts two for fraud

Justice Simon Amobeda of the Federal High Court sitting in Calabar, Cross River State , on Friday, convicted two fraudsters arraigned by the Uyo Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. The convicts, Okanezi Tamunonengiyeofori and Unuafe Oghenetejiri, were convicted on separate one -count of impersonation and obtaining by false pretence . Oghenetejiri fraudulently obtained the sum of N 492, 000 from one Julius Austin Nkpung after hacking into the electronic identity of his UBA account , while Tamunonengiyeofori was convicted for impersonating one James Ogbonda in order to gain monetary advantage for himself from unsuspecting victims. The two suspects pleaded guilty to the charges preferred against them . Consequently, the Prosecuting Counsel , Joshua Abolarin , prayed the court to invoke Section 270 ( 9) and ( 10a) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act in convicting the offenders . The prosecution also informed the court of the plea agreements dated November 19, 2020, entered by the convicts and the prosecution , and adopted same for the prosecution . The defence counsel , C . N . Nweke raised no objection, but prayed the court to temper justice with mercy during sentencing, because they were first -time offenders . In his judgment , the presiding Judge, Justice Amobeda convicted the accused persons and sentenced them in accordance with the provisions of the extant laws . “ I have considered all the factors, particularly the fact that the convicts are first – time offenders and who have exhibited sincere penitence in the circumstance rather than insist on their inalienable rights to trial . They pleaded guilty , thereby saving taxpayers’ resources and the time of this court , ” the Judge said . They were both sentenced to three months imprisonment each . While Tamunonengiyeofori was given the option of a fine of N 150, 000 and ordered to restitute N 250, 000 to his victim through the prosecution , Oghenetejiri was given the option of fine of N 200, 000 and was also ordered to restitute the sum of N 492, 000 to his victim through the prosecution . The court also ordered that the convicts forfeit every instrument used in committing the crimes to the Federal Government . Justice Amobeda also ordered the convicts to make an undertaking to the prosecution to be of good behaviour and never to be involved in any form of crime . The convicts were remanded at the Commission’ s facility in Uyo, pending the payment of their fines and restitution .

Post Date : November 21, 2020

ICYMI: 2 nabbed for eating roasted police officers’ scrotum in Oyo

The police in Oyo State have confirmed the arrest of two suspects allegedly linked with the roasting and eating of the flesh of police officers burnt in Ibadan during #EndSARS protest. Police Spokesman at the Oyo State Command, SP Olugbenga Fadeyi, confirmed the arrest of the suspects on Saturday in Ibadan. The suspects, a 34-year-old expectant mother and a 43-year-old man have been transferred to the Force Intelligence Bureau at the Force Headquarters in Abuja for further investigation, he said. The 34-year-old woman was alleged to have eaten some body parts of one of the police victims, an allegation which she denied as she said while it was true that she was at the scene, she was only given the body parts to keep by the second suspect, the 43-year-old man. The 43-year-old suspect did not also deny being at the scene of the incident with other hoodlums but said it was the woman who voluntarily took the body parts and only asked him for a towel or handkerchief to wrap them in. The fallen policemen were deployed to contain the #EndSARS protest of Oct. 22, which was hijacked by hoodlums, when they met their deaths.

Post Date : November 21, 2020

Protests in Brazil over killing of black man

Protests broke out across Brazil on Friday, the country’s Black Consciousness Day, after a video went viral showing a black man beaten to death by white security guards. The incident happened at a supermarket in the southern city of Porto Alegre on Thursday night. A protest was staged in front of the supermarket where the incident happened. Police in the city used tear gas and flash bang grenades against the protestors, according to local television. In Sao Paulo, about 1,000 protesters stormed a set of the French-owned Carrefour supermarket chain, and trashed and burned goods, according to AFP. The capital Brasilia, Belo Horizonte and Rio de Janeiro also confronted strong demonstrations. The victim was a 40-year-old welder named Joao Alberto Silveira Freitas. As the video shows, he was repeatedly punched in the face and head by a security guard while being restrained by another at a supermarket. He died on the scene as medics tried to rescue him, according to AFP. The two supermarket security guards have been arrested. Carrefour’s Brazilian branch blasted the “brutal death” of Silveira Freitas, adding that it would take “appropriate measures to hold accountable those involved in this criminal case.”

Post Date : November 21, 2020

Death Of Raped Teen Sparks Tension In Bayelsa Community

The death of a 13-year-old after she was raped by a teacher in Sagbama, Bayelsa is causing outrage. Civil society organisations and girl child advocacy groups are to visit the state police commissioner to demand investigation and arrest of the suspect. The suspect, Promise Sylvanus Ogun, 30, is a teacher at the Government Secondary School, Toroegbeni in Sagbama Local Government area of the state. The Girl Response Initiative Team set up by the wife of the State Governor, Gloria Diri and the DOF Foundation led by Barr. Dise Ogbise-Erhisere are leading the push for his investigation and arrest. It was gathered that the allege rapist, after owning up before family and compound chiefs that he was responsible for the rape of the deceased and paid her hospital bill at a private hospital in Opolo area of Yenagoa, the state capital, have made a u-turn by accusing the father of the deceased of threat to life before the Area Command of the Police in Sagbama. Civil society groups have criticised police for summoning the father of the deceased on what they call “trumped up charges of alleged threat to life” by the accused teacher. It was revealed that the deceased teenager was waylaid in March by the waterside in Ogoibiri community of Sagbama where she had gone to take her bath and raped twice by the accused teacher. “The girl did not report that she was violated and raped. She kept it to herself and was bleeding little by little,” according to her father Pinaowei Gana. “Until two months later, we noticed some strange smell and she complained of serious sickness. We took her to a local massage therapist and he told us that the child has been defiled and infected.” “We took her back to tell my landlord and some elders who questioned her, and she confirmed it was the teacher. The teacher pleaded I should not go to the Police but that he will pay for her treatment and settle with the family. He took her to a private hospital in Opolo where she was admitted for over a week. But he came back and discharged the child without doctor’s advice and dumped her with me. Two days later, the girl died. “The accused and his entire family packed and ran out of the area. The father to the accused however offered and deposited the corpse of the girl at the mortuary along the Amassoma Road pending the resolution of the conflict.” Commenting on the development, the Founder of the DOF foundation, Ogbise-Erhisere confirmed that the deceased died from complications of rape, insisting that the girl child advocacy groups are planning on visiting the Commissioner of Police over the matter. “A crime has been committed and the culprit has admitted to the crime. They need to ensure he is arrested and prosecuted. On the reported petition of the allege pedophile, the police needs to investigate and determine who is culpable and where is the corpse of the defiled and deceased child. “We urge the Police authorities to transfer the case from Area command in Sagbama to the State Police headquarters in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa capital for proper investigation.” She said. When contacted, the police spokesman, SP Asinim Butswat said the rape case has not been officially reported to the police.

Post Date : November 21, 2020

I Will Not Join Political Enemies To Shoot Down Tinubu – Fayose

Former overnor of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele’s Fayose has said he will not join political enemies of the former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to shoot him down politically, describing him as one of the greatest builders of men in Yoruba land and Nigeria at large. Fayose, noted that though he was not holding brief for Tinubu, who is the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, but added that people should learn how to appreciate those who had done creditably well despite political differences. On the frosty relationship with Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde and Senator representing Ekiti South, Biodun Olujimi, Fayose pointed out that there was no leadership tussle amongst the trio, saying, whatever happened were not personal and would be resolved in the interest of the People’s Democratic Party(PDP). Fayose, made the remarks in Ado Ekiti while speaking with journalists as part of the events commemorating his 60th birthday. ‘I won’t jump ship like Umahi’ Fayose, who also spoke on the recent defection of the Ebonyi State Governor to the APC, said he would never jump ship like those politicians that were bereft of political ideology, describing those indulging in such act as “political robbers”. Fayose said: “I am not championing the course of Tinubu, I’m not in the position to do that, but there is no denying the fact that Tinubu is a prominent Yoruba leader, whether in APC or in PDP. There is no gainsaying that fact. Fayose is a prominent son of Yoruba nation. Governors Nyesom Wike , Ifeanyi Okowa, Okezie Ikpeazu, are prominent sons of southern Nigeria. “What I’m trying to say is that, we can’t hide their identities and goodwill for political reasons. We can’t deny their contributions. Other leaders from the North like Ahmadu Bello Sardauna, they made different impacts not necessarily like Awolowo. So, Tinubu has paid his dues. I have paid my dues, Okowa has paid his dues, Wike has paid his dues, we need to acknowledge them. “The late Balarabe Musa, who was a leader of note and repute, cannot be forgotten in history. For me, Tinubu, has paid his dues, I stand by that. I have not seen Tinubu after the Ekiti election by any means, we haven’t even met at a function or saw him passed. “President Muhammadu Buhari condoled with me on the death of my sister, does it mean we are on the same page politically? No. I will not sit down in any corner to shoot down Tinubu. I am not a member of APC and I will never be. But I supported Governor Fayemi to be governor by Tinubu’s influence at a time”. “These are indications of the type of leaders we have in our country who are without ideology. They go for only what they feel would benefit them. ‘Umahi’s excuse not tenable’ “Our politics is sick. Everything in Nigeria is currently sick and is a function of the leadership that we have have. Governor Umahi’s joining APC after benefiting several positions in PDP was unprincipled. We do not accept the excuses given by the governor. “I am not satisfied with some things in PDP, but, leaving the party does not equally solve the problems”. He assured that all the raging crisis between him and other leaders of the party in Ekiti and the region would be resolved in the interest of the PDP. “I was the one who went to flag off Governor Makinde campaign in Ogbomoso. Whether he is backing Senator Olujimi or not, the fact remains that the struggle for the control of party’s structures in Ekiti has come and gone, so why do we have to fight over spilled milk? “We won the congresses, but they are in court, if the court says it’s Olujimi that is right, we would follow her and if the court says she has no case, they should join us so that we can move the party forward. Let us pursue our interest legitimately in the manners that will create peace in the region”.

Post Date : November 21, 2020

Four dead, two injured as truck rams into bus in Ogun

A mob action was weekend, reportedly prevented in Ogun State after a DAF truck allegedly rammed into a commercial bus leaving four people dead and two others critically injured in Ogun State. The incident which occurred at about 1.15pm was said to have occurred at Oru/Ago Iwoye Road. The fatalities were three adult females and a male while the injured were two males the truck driver and a passenger. The bus was said to be going to Ibadan from an unknown destination while the truck was heading towards Ijebu-Ode from Ibadan axis. It was gathered that the truck due to overspeeding, lost control, veered off its lane and rammed into the commercial bus laden with Kolanut, in the opposite direction. TRACE Public Relations Officer, Babatunde Akinbiyi who confirmed the incident has since commiserated with the affected families. Vanguard gathered that the four passengers in the bus, including the driver and three women were presumed dead on the sport. The incident was said to have turned rowdy as a mob action almost set the truck ablaze but for the timely intervention of men of Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps TRACE, the Nigeria Police and Federal Road Safety Corps FRSC, The four bodies were deposited at the morgue of Ijebu-Ode General Hospital while the injured were taken to the general hospital. The incident was said to have hampered free flow of traffic in the axis until the accidented vehicles were taken to Atan Divisional Police Command. Akinbiyi warned drivers and owners of articulated vehicles, against reckless and dangerous driving, as well as, overspeeding because of its attendant consequences.

Post Date : November 21, 2020

Army arrests 27 suspected cult members in Jos

A total of twenty -seven suspected cultists have been arrested by troops of Operation Safe Haven in Plateau State . Commander of the task force , Major General Chukwuemeka Okonkwo , who paraded the suspects at its headquarters in Jos on Saturday also said that a number of drug barons were also arrested during the operation and were handed over to the state Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for further action. According to him , all the suspects including six females were arrested when troops of the task force raided their hideouts in different parts of Jos including a hotel between November 17 and 20. The Commander reassured the citizens of the troops ’ commitment to a crime -free Plateau State especially during the forthcoming National Festival of Arts slated which is slated to hold in the state between November 23 and 28 as well as during the yuletide season. “ We shall continue to get rid of kidnappers , cultists and other enemies because there shall be no hiding place for them . Citizens are encouraged to provide useful information on criminals to enable us carry out or duty , ” the commander stated.

Post Date : November 21, 2020

Tackling Security Challenges in the Aftermath of #EndSARS Protests in Anambra

By SP Haruna Mohammed, In what initially started as a peaceful protests against alleged Police brutality, which has attracted both national and international attention, a swift response has been gotten from the Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Mohammed Abubakar Adamu. This led to the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), as well as taking other positive steps, to address the matter in order to avert a breakdown of law and order. But, despite frantic efforts by the government to address the matter amicably, all of a sudden, hoodlums–in Anambra, like in other States–hijacked the protests, launching vicious and ‘murderous’ attacks on police personnel and their facilities, on the night of 21st October 2020, in Nnewi, through to the evening of 24th October 2020 in Uli. Tragically, at the end of these callous attacks, four Police officers including the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Osumenyi Division, CSP Akpan Joseph, ASP Agu Micheal, the Station Officer (SO), Osumenyi Division and a young PC Udegbunam Sunday Celestine, were all sent to the great beyond by these blood-thirsty hoodlums, while they also left many others injured. In their state of desperation, they also murdered and beheaded Insp John Oche, attached to the Command Anti- Cult Unit, burnt his body to ashes and his head paraded on the streets in Ogidi area. Aside human loss, 12 Police formations were completely razed down, seven Divisional Police Stations vandalized, two Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) were damaged beyond repairs, while 27 Police vehicles, along with personal and exhibits vehicles were burnt completely.The degree of the carnage makes one to wonder what the offence of the Police could have been. In the wake of those coordinated attacks, some patriotic youths, traditional/community leaders, vigilante groups and other residents of Anambra State join the police in the defence of various police formations, due to robust synergy with the Command and other law enforcement agencies, which has greatly helped in calming down the situation and averted further attacks by the hoodlums in the State. Following the unfortunate incidents, our pragmatic and visionary Commissioner of Police John B. Abang, visited different Police Stations burnt and vandalized during the #ENDSARS protests, for an on-the-spot assessment. Abang, who inspected the levels of destruction done to those facilities, also held interactive discussions with police officers of the affected formations, and sympathized with them on behalf of IGP Adamu. He encouraged them to overcome the tragedies and focus on their constitutional duties. While reconstruction works was ongoing at the affected areas, temporary operational bases were set up immediately by the Command and our policemen returned to regular operations in the State, despite the setbacks encountered during the protests. Furthermore, the Command carried out threat analysis and intelligence gathering throughout the State in order to stem the tide of crimes. This was followed by the aggressive deployment of police operatives, which also includes aerial surveillance, patrols and traffic control, aimed at ensuring that “Ndi Anambra” and other residents alike are adequately protected and secured, taking into cognizance blackspots and vulnerable areas such as Nkpor roundabout, Upper Iweka Axis, Idemili, Owerri road, Onitsha, Enugu Agidi road, Nnobi junction, Ifite Okpuno and other flashpoints. However, in order to further reassure and restore public confidence in the State, the Command under the watch of CP John Abang, embarked on aggressive confidence building, through awareness campaign and visitation by the Command Public Relations unit. The aim is to build public confidence and reassure them that Police has occupied the public space in compliance with IGP’s directive, and to confirm that operations have resumed fully in Anambra State. This will further serve as deterrence and also sent a strong message to the criminal elements that it cannot be business as usual and that the Command will deny them any opportunity to perpetrate crime in the State. It would also ensure the safety and security of all citizens, before during and after the Christmas, and new year celebrations. Consequently, on the 12 of November, the Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano paid a visit to our Anambra State Police Command Headquarters, in Awka, to commiserate with the Command over the unfortunate attacks, killing of four police officers and injuring fifteen others during the protest. The Governor condoled the families of four slain officers, the injured and those whose personal properties were destroyed during the protests. He equally presented a welfare package of 2 Million Naira each to families of four deceased Police officers who paid the supreme price during the unfortunate incident, and a cash gift of #250,000 each to fifteen officers injured during the crisis in addition to shouldering their medical expenses. in his usual tradition of rewarding selfless service, the governor also presented cash reward to selected officers and their personnel who defended their facilities despite the attacks and also made concerted efforts to manage the crisis. The Governor equally unveiled the ‘New Command Rapid Response Squad’ and donated thirteen vehicles, comprising ten Hilux and three IVM IKENGA, fortified with security gadgets to boost police operations in the State. Since their commissioning, the Command Rapid Response Squad is making so many breakthrough, by drastically reducing heinous crimes such as armed robbery, car snatching and cult-related killings in the State. Nevertheless, as part of their social responsibilities of promoting safety and security, some business tycoons and other well meaning individuals in the State have commenced the reconstruction of the destroyed facilities at Nbewi, Oraifite, Ukpor and Isiowulu, among other communities in the State. More volunteers are still showing interest to undertake reconstruction of other facilities destroyed during the attacks. One major factor responsible for the overall successes recorded by the Command was the support of the good people of Anambra State, who were very cooperative with the security agencies, as well as the robust inter-agency collaboration, achieved through community policing. There is need for such kind of collaboration to be sustained. It will do a whole lot of good for Ndi Anambra, while also making the officers and men of the Police

Post Date : November 21, 2020

Lekki shootings: CCTV reveals soldiers arrived in seven trucks

The Lagos State Judicial Panel of Judicial Inquiry probing the alleged killing of #EndSARS protesters by soldiers at the Lekki tollgate on the night of October 20 on Saturday resumed the viewing of a CCTV footage submitted by the Lekki Concession Company, operators of the tollgate, ThePunch reports. The footage showed that the scene was calm until about 6. 43pm when people could be seen running towards the tollgate from the Oriental Hotel end . Two minutes later , at 6. 45pm , military trucks with flashing headlights arrived the scene . There were no fewer than seven of them . At 6. 53pm, about 10 minutes after the arrival of the military vehicles , the tollgate went into a blackout. Two minutes later , at 6. 55pm , one of the military vehicles drove through the tollgate to the other end where the crowd of protesters was gathered . More to follow…..

Post Date : November 21, 2020

Buhari: I want Nigeria to be counted among countries that fight corruption to end

President Muhammadu Buhari Friday in Abuja said his desire is to make Nigeria a country that has no tolerance for corruption, but one where the menace is vigorously battled. Receiving the Report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry on the Investigation of Ibrahim Magu, Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), headed by Justice Ayo Salami (Rtd), at State House, Abuja, President Buhari said: ‘”Corruption is present in all countries. Some Governments treat it with levity. Some fight it all the time. I want Nigeria to be counted among those countries that do not tolerate but fight corruption.” In order to protect Nigeria’s political and economic systems, and the continuous existence of the Nigerian State from the serious threat of corruption, the President called on all stakeholders, and indeed every Nigerian to own the fight against corruption at their respective levels. Pledging that the fight against corruption is one that must be fought without fear or favour, President Buhari thanked members of the Commission for their dedication and commitment to the fight against corruption. The President said further: ”The sad reality confronting us as a people is that there is corruption almost everywhere; at many levels of government, and nearly every stratum of our society. Mindful of the threat that corruption poses to us as a nation, this administration has specifically focused on the fight against corruption. ”As a government, and in furtherance of our anti-corruption programme, we have since inception engaged in many reforms in removing corruption including but not limited to the enforcement of Treasury Single Account (TSA), strict implementation of the Bank Verification Number Policy and signing unto the Open Government Partnership. A lot of efforts have gone into building and development of our anti-corruption institutions. ”We have so far kept faith with our promise and shall remain committed until Nigeria triumphs over the evil of corruption, attain a prosperous economic status and surmounts her security challenges. ”However, the stark reality of widespread corruption becomes poignant when allegations of corruption touches on the leadership of an institution set up by law to coordinate and enforce all economic and financial crimes. It is an abomination that strikes at the root, and undermines the Government’s anti-corruption programme. ”It was in response to the serious allegations against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission that I set up a Panel headed by the Honourable Justice Isa Ayo Salami, retired President of the Court of Appeal, via an Instrument dated 3rd July 2020 pursuant to the Tribunals of Inquiry Act (Cap T21, LFN, 2004). ”We recognize that there are more grounds to cover in the war against corruption, and we are prepared to go out to possess those lands by cutting off any stream that nourishes the seed of corruption and supports its growth. ”Let it be known that in the fight against corruption, no one is too big to tackle, as no individual is bigger than the Nigerian State!” In his remarks, Justice Salami said that the suspended Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, and 113 witnesses appeared and testified before the Commission, adding that 46 petitions and memoranda were presented by individuals and organisations with complaints against the suspended Acting Chairman, EFCC or both. Justice Salami disclosed that the Commission also embarked on a nationwide physical verification of recovered forfeited assets, comprising real estates, automobiles, vessels and non-cash assets. He commended the President for the initiative to dispose all forfeited assets ”because of the poor condition of the assets we saw during our physical verification nationwide.” Noting that the four chairmen of EFCC since inception were from the police, the retired Justice of the Court of Appeal also recommended that in appointing a new chairman consideration should be given to candidates from other law enforcement or security agencies and core staff of the EFCC as provided in the EFCC establishment Act of 2004. He expressed profound gratitude to the President for giving the Commission members a wonderful opportunity to serve the nation.