Crime Facts

Police Stop Family of Murdered LASU Student Leader from Performing Autopsy

Officers of Adoff Police Station in the Iba area of Lagos have told the family of Yusuf Nurudeen Alowonle, an education rights activist who was murdered in front of Lagos State University (LASU), not to perform an autopsy on the deceased’s body. Alowonle’s murder raised controversies after it happened on Wednesday night. While some argued that he was shot dead, others believed he was stabbed by robbers. In order to establish the actual cause of the death, the deceased’s family members, as well as Taiwo Hassan Soweto, the National Coordinator of the Education Rights Campaign (ERC), a civil group where Alowonle was a state coordinator, went to the morgue at the Infectious Diseases Hospital, Yaba, to recover the body for an autopsy. “On our own part, we were only interested in recovering the corpse and allowing the dead rest,” Yusuf Nurudeen Temilolu, the family’s lawyer, told FIJ. “But, what got me really infuriated was when the police insisted that we followed them to the station to sign an affidavit that we would not seek an autopsy.” Soweto also said that the conduct of the police officers raised suspicion of a cover-up. “There was no refusal to release the remains of our comrade until the police intervened. I wonder why these officers from Adoff Police Station are only interested in how the dead would be buried but not an investigation into the actual crime,” he said. “One of the mortuary attendants confirmed to me that the hole by the rib of Omomewa was a result of a gunshot wound. This pronouncement coincides with the testimony of Waheed Majekodunmi, the Senior Assistant Registrar at the Lagos State University, who had equally told us he sustained a gunshot injury.” Soweto asked whether the police had played any role in taking care of Omomewa’s remains before the Lagos State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit ( SEHMU) was invited to deposit the corpse in the morgue. “Since the police said they were around the vicinity as of the time of the attack, how come they didn’t hear any gunshot or screams from the two victims?” he asked. However, Grace Umelo, the Divisional Police Officer of Iba, claimed that “There was nothing like the police refraining the family from conducting an autopsy on the corpse”. A source told FIJ that the Investigating Police Officer in charge of Alowonle’s case didn’t examine the corpse before drafting the police extract that would have facilitated the recovery of Alowonle’s remains. Meanwhile, John Obafunwa, the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital’s chief pathologist, has directed that an autopsy be performed on the deceased’s body. ‘PERSECUTED TO DEATH’ Alowonle should have graduated in early 2020 but LASU delayed his clearance over an allegation of admission racketeering, a case he had been facing since 2019. On the day of his death, he appeared before a disciplinary panel of the school at about 2 pm. “Omomewa was persecuted to death,” the family’s lawyer said. “On the day he died, we both attended a sitting of the university’s panel against him on a case that was not known in the law of the school.”

Conflicting Judgements Will Have Far-Reaching Consequences On Our Electoral Processes, INEC Warns

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has again raised an alarming over conflicting court judgements on electoral matters. INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr Festus Okoye, believes such a trend poses a serious threat to the nation’s electoral system if it is allowed to continue. “What is going on is what in legal parlance, we call ‘forum shopping’ — people who are looking for a place where they can get a favourable decision,” he said on Friday when he featured as a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today. “I believe that it is important for the Nigerian Bar Association and for the judiciary to intervene in what is going on because if this spate of multiple and conflicting court orders is carried forward to the 2023 general elections, it is going to have far-reaching consequences on our electoral process.” The INEC spokesman referenced the events in the build-up to the governorship election in Anambra State scheduled to hold on November 6, 2021. He decried the situation where the electoral umpire received multiple court orders as a result of the actions of politicians who he said were shopping for favourable judgements. Okoye, however, stated that the laws of the land do not empower a court to stop an election or political party primaries. He explained that Section 285 of the Constitution fundamentally gave the definition of pre-election matter. According to the INEC official, a pre-election matter can only be filed by an aspirant in a party primary election or by a political party that complains about the breach of the decisions of the electoral umpire or the Electoral Act. “For a party primary that took place in Anambra, for instance, some people will go to Bauchi State, some people will go to Jigawa State, some people will go to Imo state and to other places to go and look for a place where they can get a favourable decision,” he said. “So, I think that all the institutions that are concerned must intervene, and courts must not donate their jurisdiction, donate their forum for people who engage in forum shopping. “By so doing, some persons may at the end bring the institution of the judiciary to disrepute and that will not augur well for our democracy and for our electoral process.”

Divorce: Anita Okoye allegedly demands $15,000 from Rudeboy for monthly spousal support

Anita Okoye, wife of Paul Okoye of the now defunct music group, P-square, has demanded a monthly payment of $15,000 (about N7.8m) for spousal support. The estranged wife of the popular singer made this known in her petition for divorce, which was signed before the Abuja High Court. “Payment of a monthly maintenance sum of $15,000.00 (US Dollars) for the general welfare, education and health of the three children of the union who are presently in schools in the United States of America until they are of age,” part of the document read. The internet went on a frenzy when the divorce plans between Anita and her celebrity husband, popularly known as Rudeboy, was made public on Friday. However, the one-page document which seems to be a fragment of a larger paper work does not have the court’s endorsement on it. Also, the petition number and other aspects of it were blurred. Saturday Beats could also not ascertain the date the said document was made or filed as there was no such information on the surface of the document. Meanwhile, when Saturday Beats got in touch with Rudeboy, he stated that he was not interested in talking about the matter and hung up. He said, “You people should stop calling me about this s**t.”

Prince Utieyinoritsetsola Emiko crowned Ogiame Atuwatse III

Prince Utieyinoritsetsola Emiko has been crowned the 21st Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III. He obviously derived the title from his father and 19th Olu, Atuwatse II, Godwin Toritseju Emiko. His investiture is ongoing at the Itsekiri Kingdom in Warri, Delta State. According to Itsekiri tradition, this is the dynastic name he will henceforth be addressed by and referred to. The new Atuwatse III is the son of the 19th Olu Atuwatse II, Godwin Toritseju Emiko and Gladys Durorike Emiko. Born on April 2, 1984, the new Olu is a descendant of Olu Akengbuwa. Education Emiko attended NNPC Primary School in Warri and later Adesoye College, Offa, Kwara State for his secondary education between 1995 and 2001. He then proceeded to Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA where he bagged his Bachelor’s of Arts between 2002 and 2006, majoring in International Studies and Political Science while minoring in History and Economics. In 2007, he earned a Master’s of Science in Management also from Case Western Reserve University. Love for sports The Olu designate is an avid sportsman, having participated in different sports including swimming, kayaks, basketball, American football, and soccer. Serial entrepreneurship On returning home to Nigeria in 2008, Prince Tsola Emiko served in the Public Affairs Department of National Petroleum Investment Management Services for the NYSC scheme. Thereafter, from 2009 to 2010, he worked as an officer at the Shell Nigeria Closed Pension Fund Administrator and later at Sahara Energy as Government Relations Officer between 2010 and 2012. A serial entrepreneur, the Olu designate is the founder of Noble Nigeria Ltd. and Coral Curator Ltd. He is the Chairman of Ocean Marine Security Ltd. and Director, Gulf of Guinea Ltd. and Vessel link Big. Ltd. while his business acumen may be said to have flowed from his late father. Family life Prince Tsola Emiko is a loving and caring husband to Ivie Uhunoma Emiko, daughter of popular Edo business mogul, late Idahosa Okunbo. The couple has three children: Oritsetsemiaye, Oritsetemisan, and Oritsetimeyin.

Former Oyo Military Administrator, Tunji Olurin, Is Dead

A former Military Administrator of Oyo State, Brigadier General Adetunji Idowu Olurin (rtd), has died at the age of 76. He died on Friday at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital after a brief illness, a statement signed by the Olurin family said. “It is with a deep sense of loss but gratitude to Almighty God for a life well lived that we announce the passing of Brigadier General Adetunji Idowu Olurin (rtd),” the statement said. igned by the Olurin family said. “It is with a deep sense of loss but gratitude to Almighty God for a life well lived that we announce the passing of Brigadier General Adetunji Idowu Olurin (rtd),” the statement said. “In 27 years of service to the Nigerian Army, General Olurin served as the military administrator of Oyo state, the General Officer Commanding the three armoured division and the ECOMOG field commander in Liberia. “He also served as the sole administrator of Ekiti state and was a governorship candidate in the 2011 Ogun State gubernatorial elections. “General Olurin is survived by his wife Mrs Kehinde Olurin, two sons Babatunde and Olumide Olurin, daughter-in-law Fehintola Olurin and grandson Demilade Olurin. Burial arrangements to be announced soon.” ‘An irreparable loss’ Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has described the Olurin’s death as painful. In a statement signed by his spokesperson, Taiwo Adisa, the Governor condoled with the people of Oyo State over the demise of “one of the past administrators who shaped our great state.” “I learnt of the death of former Military Administrator of Oyo State, General ‘Tunji Idowu Olurin,” the Governor said, as quoted in the statement. “It is sunset for another great man and one of the first set of leaders that providence gave to Oyo State at its earliest stage. “Through the efforts and contributions of Gen. Olurin and other leaders, the foundation for the shaping of the Pacesetter State, which has become a first among equals, was successfully laid. “General Olurin’s death at this time when his wealth of experience in leadership can be of immense help to the current crop of leaders is painful. “But since the Holy Bible reckons that man has been given 70 years and he lived beyond the granted three scores and ten, we can only celebrate the good life General Olurin lived and the great contributions he made to our dear State. “I commiserate with the entire Olurin family of Ilaro and the government and people of Ogun State and pray to God to grant them the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.” Man of the people Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, has also offered his condolences. In a statement signed by his spokesperson, Yinka Oyebode, the Governor said Olurin’s death was a great loss to Nigeria, Ogun State, his home state and Ekiti, which he helped stabilised during a six-month emergency rule. “On behalf of the Government and good people of Ekiti State, I commiserate with the immediate family and associates of our amiable General Olurin,” the Governor said, as quoted in the statement. “Our prayer is that God will grant the deceased eternal rest and grant the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.” Fayemi described the late General as a selfless statesman, courageous soldier and an altruistic patriot who served his country diligently while in active service and during his retirement. The Governor pointed out that the deceased discharged his duties as the Sole Administrator of Ekiti State with a great measure of fairness and firmness and left some legacies he would remembered for in the annals of history of the Land of Honour. Fayemi said although the late Gen. Olurin was a soldier, he was a man of the people who was very much concerned about their welfare and ever ready to solve problems brought to his attention. The Governor noted that Gen. Olurin brought his humane nature and professionalism to bear during his tenure as the Military Governor of the old Oyo State and while on peace- keeping assignment as the Field Commander of ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) in Liberia. According to him, the history of how a lasting peace was achieved in the then war- torn Liberia would not be complete without a worthy mention and glowing chapters written on the sterling contributions of the late General Olurin. He expressed sadness that Gen. Olurin’s demise came just few weeks after the death of a distinguished daughter of Ekiti, Mrs. Abike Sonoiki, who served during the emergency rule as Secretary to the State Government (SSG).

BBNaija Shine Ya Eye: I want Liquorose, Emmanuel kind of relationship, says WhiteMoney

BBNaija Shine Ya Eye housemate, Whitemoney has said that he admires Liquorose and Emmanuel’s relationship. WhiteMoney stated that if he’s going into any relationship it would be one like Emmanuel and Liquorose. Giving his point after the Friday night pool party, resident Mazi said he loves how both lovers free themselves to be with anybody on the dance floor and hold hands thereafter. He said: “Emmanuel was dancing and rocking girls, Liquorose was also dancing and rocking guys. They didn’t bother themselves. “But after the party, they held hands and walked away together. I really like them and I respect them. That’s the kind of relationship I want.”

Anambra 2021: Protesting women warn against rigging

Anambra women on Saturday protested alleged planned rigging of the November 6 Governorship poll. The women, operating under the aegis of Anambra Women for Peace and Growth Initiative, also declared support for candidates of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). Prof Chukwuma Soludo. Carrying placards with different inscriptions along Dr Alex Ekwueme square and adjoining streets, they warned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against any such plans during the exercise. They said that they were impressed with Governor Willie Obiano’s performance and would want APGA to continue. Leader of the women, Mrs Joy Otuadimma, said INEC should guide against making itself a willing tool in the hands of politicians to perpetrate electoral fraud. She said: “Anambra women would not accept any form of electoral malpractice, adding that they had resolved to participate actively in the electoral processes to ensure transparency and fairness to all parties. “We say no to the rigging of the election in Anambra. We will not also accept the Imo State experience here in Anambra. We will not accept any court-imposed governor in this state. “All we want is a straightforward election. Whoever wins, let the others support him. For us, we support Soludo and we want him to continue from where the governor, Chief Obiano, will stop.”

UNIZIK student commits suicide

A 200-level student of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State has reportedly, committed suicide It was gathered that the incident occurred on Friday. The deceased, it was further gathered, hailed from Isuikwuato Local Government Area of Abia State and was said to be studying Industrial Physics. The Nation gathered the body was reportedly found inside one of the hostel blocks dangling with a rope around his neck. An eyewitness, who preferred anonymity, said: “The deceased locked himself inside the room and when the door was broken, he was seen dangling with a rope around his neck.” Another source, who described the deceased as a quiet and calm student, said he never showed any sign of depression before the incident. Reacting, Chief Security Officer of the Institution, Mr Ken Chukwura, said the deceased’s roommates have been invited for further questioning while investigation had commenced. He however called on the students to go about their activities without fear as the situation was under control. When contacted, the Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, Ikenga Tochukwu, confirmed the incident.

Who’s Who In The Taliban Leadership

The Taliban’s senior officials were gathering in the Afghan capital Saturday for talks with elders and politicians on forming a government after their stunning sweep to power last weekend. The inner workings and leadership of the group have long been shrouded in secrecy — even during their rule from 1996 to 2001 — but here is a rundown of what is known: – Haibatullah Akhundzada, the supreme leader – Haibatullah Akhundzada was appointed leader of the Taliban in a swift power transition after a US drone strike killed his predecessor, Mullah Mansour Akhtar, in 2016. Before ascending the movement’s ranks, Akhundzada was a low-profile religious figure. He is widely believed to have been selected to serve more as a spiritual figurehead than a military commander. After being appointed leader, Akhundzada secured a pledge of loyalty from Al-Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri, who showered the cleric with praise — calling him “the emir of the faithful”. This helped seal his jihadi credentials with the group’s long-time allies. Akhundzada was tasked with the enormous challenge of unifying a militant movement that briefly fractured during the bitter power struggle after Akhtar’s assassination, and the revelation that the leadership had hidden the death of Taliban founder Mullah Omar for years. His public profile has largely been limited to the release of messages during Islamic holidays. – Mullah Baradar, the co-founder – Abdul Ghani Baradar was raised in Kandahar — the birthplace of the Taliban movement. Like most Afghans, Baradar’s life was forever altered by the Soviet invasion of the country in the late 1970s, transforming him into an insurgent. He was believed to have fought side-by-side with the one-eyed cleric Mullah Omar. The two would go on to found the Taliban movement in the early 1990s during the chaos and corruption of the civil war that followed the Soviet withdrawal. After the Taliban regime was toppled in 2001 by US-led forces, Baradar is believed to have been among a small group of insurgents who approached interim leader Hamid Karzai with a potential deal that would have seen the militants recognise the new administration. Arrested in Pakistan in 2010, Baradar was kept in custody until pressure from the United States saw him freed in 2018 and relocated to Qatar. This is where he was appointed head of the Taliban’s political office and oversaw the signing of the troop withdrawal agreement with the United States. – Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Haqqani Network – The son of a famed commander from the anti-Soviet jihad, Sirajuddin Haqqani doubles as the deputy leader of the Taliban and head of the powerful Haqqani network. The Haqqani network is a US-designated terror group long viewed as one of the most dangerous militant factions in Afghanistan. The group is infamous for its use of suicide bombers and is believed to have orchestrated some of the most high-profile attacks in Kabul over the years. The network is also accused of assassinating top Afghan officials and holding kidnapped Western citizens for ransom — including US soldier Bowe Bergdahl, released in 2014. Known for their independence, fighting acumen, and savvy business dealings, the Haqqanis operate from the rugged mountains of eastern Afghanistan, while holding considerable sway over the Taliban’s leadership council. – Mullah Yaqoob, the scion – The son of Taliban co-founder Mullah Omar, Mullah Yaqoob heads the group’s powerful military commission, which oversaw the vast network of field commanders charged with executing the insurgency. Yaqoob’s father enjoyed cult-like status as the Taliban leader, and that potent lineage makes him a unifying figure in the movement. Speculation remains, however, about Yaqoob’s exact role — with some analysts arguing that his appointment in 2020 was merely cosmetic.

Pantami: Communications ministry generated over N1trn revenue in two years

The federal ministry of communications and digital economy says it generated N1.054 trillion as revenue for the federal government in two years. Isa Pantami, minister of communications and digital economy, spoke during the virtual inauguration of the 12th batch of the digital economy projects at the Digital Economy Complex, Mbora, Abuja. Pantami said the communications and digital economy sector played a huge role in lifting the country out of recession, with ICT recording the highest growth rate in the fourth quarter of 2020. “The initiatives of the ministry are geared towards supporting the federal government in its 3 main focus areas- economy, security and anti-corruption,” he said. “Our activities in the communications and digital economy sector have greatly enhanced the economy of Nigeria. For example, the sector played a pivotal role in lifting the Nigerian economy out of recession, with the ICT sector recording the highest growth rate in the 4th Quarter of 2020 (14.70%), as reported by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and stated by Mr. President. “This growth rate was the only double-digit growth rate and it exceeded the aggregate growth rates of all the 2nd to the 7th fastest growing sectors. The ICT sector also had the highest growth rate in the year 2020 and the 1st Quarter of 2021. “It is also noteworthy that the telecommunications sub-sector grew at 15.90% and this was its highest growth rate over the past decade. “Additionally, the ministry and its parastatals have generated over N1 trillion for the federal government in less than 2 years, this translates to an average of about N44 Billion every month or over N1.4 Billion every day.” Pantami added that about N360 billion of the revenue was largely from Spectrum, allocated by the National Frequency Management Council (NFMC), under the chairmanship of the minister, to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) for commercial purposes. He added that over N600 billion was paid by ICT companies to the account of the federal government through the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). “Furthermore, over ninety four billion naira *N94,000,000,000) was generated for the federal government and approved by the national assembly in line with relevant laws, as part of the 2020 appropriation for personnel, capital projects, capacity building, interventions, etc. “The IT Projects Clearance Programme also saved over Five Billion Naira (N5,478,007,325.23) for the federal government.” Pantami noted that the statistics and figures discussed earlier were generated from the various reports submitted by the ministry and parastatals, as part of his supervision. He commended the CEOs of all the parastatals under the ministry for their commitment and urged them to redouble their efforts in developing Nigeria’s digital economy. Pantami also encouraged all the host communities and beneficiaries of the ministry’s projects and programmes to ensure that they take full advantage of the facilities and skills for the benefit of their communities and the nation. The digital economy projects inaugurated include the e-Accessibility Centre in Bauchi State Orphans and Vulnerable School, Bauchi; the Digital Economy Centre and e-Learning Facility at Ogba Grammar School, Lagos; the Digital Economy Centre and e-Learning Facility at St Paul Secondary School, Eke, Enugu. The Digital Economy Centre and e-Learning Facility at the Federal Character Commission, Abuja; the Emergency Communications Centre at Leko Abdulrahman Hospital, Daura; the e-Accessibility Centre at the Alderstown Schools for the Deaf, Warri; and the Virtual Examination Centre, at the College of Education, Argungu, Kebbi State.