Four men have been arraigned by the police before an Ebute Metta Magistrate’s Court over a four-count charge of armed robbery and kidnapping.
The accused persons, Okechukwu Uba (26), Dantani Gambo (32), Ahmed Kasali (30) and Bello Oje (34), were said to have abducted a tanker driver, Afolabi Adebola, and his assistance Jubril Oluwagbenga, after robbing them of their money.
According to the prosecutor, Inspector Sam Omoyeni, the alleged offence was committed by the accused persons on the midnight of September 23, 2011 at the Apapa-Oshodi expressway.
Omoyeni informed the court that the accused persons abducted the tanker driver and his assistance, after carrying out a robbery operation by using a military bayonet and other dangerous weapons.
However, the accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them.
In another development, a 39-year-old Indian, Umesh Kalaskar, has been arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrate Court, Lagos, over an alleged conspiracy with others at large to defraud a travel agency of N84m.
Kalaskar (accused), while working with the travel agency, Skymiles Travels Limited, as an accounting officer allegedly obtained the sum of N84.76 million belonging to International Air Transport Association. The alleged money was also said to be received under false pretences, by fraudulently using acquired CITI Travel and Car Rentals Limited’s air ticket licence on March 11, 2011.
The Indian was charged with alleged conspiracy, stealing and obtaining money under false pretences, which were punishable under sections 516, 419, and 390 of the Criminal Code Cap 17 Vol. II, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2003.
When the plea of the accused was taken, he pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him.
In a ruling, the magistrate, Mrs. T. Akanni, granted the accused bail in the sum of N500,000 with two responsible sureties in like sum.
Wednesday, 30 November 2011
100 injured three dead as Delta community and Shell clash over GMoU
ABOUT three persons are feared dead and 100 others, including women and children, injured in a stampede, Tuesday, at Uzere in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta, when soldiers and mobile policemen fired tear gas on protesters at a Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, flow station in the area.
Angered by the action of the soldiers and policemen, the protesters burnt a Mercedes benz car and two Hilux vehicles provided for the security agents by the oil company.
Angry villagers also razed their traditional ruler’s palace, his guest house and wife’s store. They alleged that some leaders of the community were conspiring with the oil company against them.
At the time the community youths forced their way into the company, the security agents had become jittery over the repercussion of their action and fled.
Divisional Police Officer, DPO, for Isoko South, Chief Superintendent Chris Forgbara, who led a team of policemen to quell the disturbance was also affected by the tear-gas from the security agents, who also shot indiscriminately into the air.
Vanguard gathered that the community had expressed misgivings that SPDC, which started operations in the area since 1958, had not signed a Global Memorandum of Understanding, GMOU, and, therefore, mobilised for a peaceful protest.
The protesters, numbering about 5,000, and led by members of the oil and gas committee in Uzere community, Messrs Okegbe Sam, Meshack Uge and Godspower Aluya, demanded that the barricade to the flow station be dismantled as they wanted to get to the gate and present their demands to the company.
It was alleged that the security agents insisted that they should disperse immediately and fired canisters of tear-gas into the air to scare them away. With gunshots also renting the air, the villagers ran helter-skelter, sustaining injuries in the process. The scale of the injury sustained by the protesters allegedly infuriated the entire community.
Over 500 motorcyclists, popularly known as Okada, also massed together and rode furiously, daring anybody to come out and attack them.
Shell’s ‘crimes’
In a statement issued on the state of affairs between Shell and its host communities in Uzere kingdom, President-General of the community, Chief Emeakpo Owhe, said: “It is a known fact that Uzere land has been blessed with oil and gas. It is also a known fact that Shell has exploited this natural resources on our fatherland for the past 52 years (since 1958).”
He said the company did not enter into any agreement with the people, adding, “consequent upon the above, we wrote Shell since February 2011 to come to Uzere to discus and firm up the GMoU (Global Memorandum of Understanding) with Uzere communities.
“In October, we reminded Shell on the imperative of putting a framework in place for the GMoU so that we can legally know the basics for our relationship/partnering and cooperation with SPDC.
“The only hospital Shell managed to build in Uzere is not functional because it refused to fund the health insurance scheme that will enable the hospital take-off properly. SPDC funded a similar Obio Cottage hospital in River State at N24 million. Why have they refused to fund the Uzere Cottage Hospital?
“The ultimatum given to Shell on the issue of GMoU with Uzere kingdom expired months ago, but up till now Shell has not shown any interest to have a GMoU with Uzere kingdom, its host.
“We have also written to the Delta State Government on the refusal by Shell to sign the GMoU. The Uzere community has, therefore, decided that if SPDC still wants to operate in Uzere land, it should come and sign a GMOU with Uzere before carrying out further oil activities with effect from today (yesterday).”
Shell responds
Shell Media Officer in Warri, Mr. Joseph Obari told Vanguard: “We have confirmed that a group of youths from Uzere community this morning (Tuesday) invaded SPDC’s Uzere Flow Station and shut it down. They attacked workers and burnt two security vehicles.”
According to him, the youths were reportedly demanding the signing of a GMoU with the community.
He added: “SPDC has phased the implemen-tation of its highly successful GMoU model for sustainable develop-ment. Apart from two GMoUs tied to specific projects, the programme is already being implemented in three clusters in Delta State.
“We are working with the Delta State government to resolve the situation.
Angered by the action of the soldiers and policemen, the protesters burnt a Mercedes benz car and two Hilux vehicles provided for the security agents by the oil company.
Angry villagers also razed their traditional ruler’s palace, his guest house and wife’s store. They alleged that some leaders of the community were conspiring with the oil company against them.
At the time the community youths forced their way into the company, the security agents had become jittery over the repercussion of their action and fled.
Divisional Police Officer, DPO, for Isoko South, Chief Superintendent Chris Forgbara, who led a team of policemen to quell the disturbance was also affected by the tear-gas from the security agents, who also shot indiscriminately into the air.
Vanguard gathered that the community had expressed misgivings that SPDC, which started operations in the area since 1958, had not signed a Global Memorandum of Understanding, GMOU, and, therefore, mobilised for a peaceful protest.
The protesters, numbering about 5,000, and led by members of the oil and gas committee in Uzere community, Messrs Okegbe Sam, Meshack Uge and Godspower Aluya, demanded that the barricade to the flow station be dismantled as they wanted to get to the gate and present their demands to the company.
It was alleged that the security agents insisted that they should disperse immediately and fired canisters of tear-gas into the air to scare them away. With gunshots also renting the air, the villagers ran helter-skelter, sustaining injuries in the process. The scale of the injury sustained by the protesters allegedly infuriated the entire community.
Over 500 motorcyclists, popularly known as Okada, also massed together and rode furiously, daring anybody to come out and attack them.
Shell’s ‘crimes’
In a statement issued on the state of affairs between Shell and its host communities in Uzere kingdom, President-General of the community, Chief Emeakpo Owhe, said: “It is a known fact that Uzere land has been blessed with oil and gas. It is also a known fact that Shell has exploited this natural resources on our fatherland for the past 52 years (since 1958).”
He said the company did not enter into any agreement with the people, adding, “consequent upon the above, we wrote Shell since February 2011 to come to Uzere to discus and firm up the GMoU (Global Memorandum of Understanding) with Uzere communities.
“In October, we reminded Shell on the imperative of putting a framework in place for the GMoU so that we can legally know the basics for our relationship/partnering and cooperation with SPDC.
“The only hospital Shell managed to build in Uzere is not functional because it refused to fund the health insurance scheme that will enable the hospital take-off properly. SPDC funded a similar Obio Cottage hospital in River State at N24 million. Why have they refused to fund the Uzere Cottage Hospital?
“The ultimatum given to Shell on the issue of GMoU with Uzere kingdom expired months ago, but up till now Shell has not shown any interest to have a GMoU with Uzere kingdom, its host.
“We have also written to the Delta State Government on the refusal by Shell to sign the GMoU. The Uzere community has, therefore, decided that if SPDC still wants to operate in Uzere land, it should come and sign a GMOU with Uzere before carrying out further oil activities with effect from today (yesterday).”
Shell responds
Shell Media Officer in Warri, Mr. Joseph Obari told Vanguard: “We have confirmed that a group of youths from Uzere community this morning (Tuesday) invaded SPDC’s Uzere Flow Station and shut it down. They attacked workers and burnt two security vehicles.”
According to him, the youths were reportedly demanding the signing of a GMoU with the community.
He added: “SPDC has phased the implemen-tation of its highly successful GMoU model for sustainable develop-ment. Apart from two GMoUs tied to specific projects, the programme is already being implemented in three clusters in Delta State.
“We are working with the Delta State government to resolve the situation.
Medical doctor killed over 25:000 naira pledge.
Calabar—A medical doctor with the Federal Psychiatric Hospital, Calabar, Cross River State, Dr. Chibueze Onunkwo, has been allegedly killed by his landlady’s daughter-in-law (names withheld) following a disagreement between his wife and the suspected assailant over a pledge made by his wife.
However, the suspect has denied committing the crime, claiming that the late doctor and his wife were the ones that attacked her for allegedly assisting the wife to protect her marriage at their 2, Oyo Efan Street, off Palm Street, Calabar residence.
The doctor’s wife reportedly pledged N5,000 to the church where the suspected assailant worshipped and later redeemed the pledge. But the suspect was said to have continued to demand that she redeem the N25,000 pledge.
Sources said the cause of the quarrel between the two women was over the reported balance of N20,000. The doctor’s wife had insisted that she pledged N5,000. The suspect was said to have attacked her.
The doctor then confronted the suspect who was said to have hit him on the head with an object. He slumped and died.
Meanwhile, the Cross River State chapter of Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, has accused the police of trying to cover up the matter.
Branch Chairman of NMA, Dr, Ofem Enang, said: “NMA strongly condemns the attitude of the police and we ask the Inspector-General of Police, IGP, through the state Commissioner of Police, to carry out a thorough investigation to ensure that justice is done.”
State Police Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent Hogan Bassey, confirmed the in-cident, adding that inve-stigation was still on-going.
Bassey, however, denied the allegation that the police had been compromised. He said the suspect was in police custody and receiving medical attention.
However, the suspect has denied committing the crime, claiming that the late doctor and his wife were the ones that attacked her for allegedly assisting the wife to protect her marriage at their 2, Oyo Efan Street, off Palm Street, Calabar residence.
The doctor’s wife reportedly pledged N5,000 to the church where the suspected assailant worshipped and later redeemed the pledge. But the suspect was said to have continued to demand that she redeem the N25,000 pledge.
Sources said the cause of the quarrel between the two women was over the reported balance of N20,000. The doctor’s wife had insisted that she pledged N5,000. The suspect was said to have attacked her.
The doctor then confronted the suspect who was said to have hit him on the head with an object. He slumped and died.
Meanwhile, the Cross River State chapter of Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, has accused the police of trying to cover up the matter.
Branch Chairman of NMA, Dr, Ofem Enang, said: “NMA strongly condemns the attitude of the police and we ask the Inspector-General of Police, IGP, through the state Commissioner of Police, to carry out a thorough investigation to ensure that justice is done.”
State Police Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent Hogan Bassey, confirmed the in-cident, adding that inve-stigation was still on-going.
Bassey, however, denied the allegation that the police had been compromised. He said the suspect was in police custody and receiving medical attention.
Gadafi’s men moving arms into Nigeria through niger
THE Federal Government, on Tuesday, raised the alarm on the influx of arms and ammunition from Libya into Nigeria.
The Minister of Defence, Dr Bello Haliru Mohammed, who disclosed this on Tuesday, while on a maiden visit to the Defence, Army, Navy and Airforce headquarters, said that security reports revealed that some of the dissidents of the slain former Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi, were moving with heavy equipment and arms into the northern part of the country.
“We are very much aware of the movement of arms and explosives that were stolen from Libya. And I discussed with the Minister of Defence from Niger recently and he confirmed to me that arms were coming in. Recently, about 10 trucks entered from Libya and they had to fight them. They killed six people and seized all the 10 trucks and all of them were loaded with weapons.”
He said that anxiety was being expressed on the issue of security of the country’s borders, as fears had heightened about arms coming from Niger and lack of military representation in that country.
Subsequently, the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin, has directed the deputy concierge to move to Niger, while the government is to set a process in motion to ensure that the government approves the establishment of Defence attaché for Niger.
The minister disclosed that the fears were genuine but that they were up and doing. “We are doing something about it; we are working to set up a memorandum of understanding with Niger. And the EU has just approached that they would also like to work with us. They have fears also of disruption in our sub-region, if these weapons are allowed to proliferate without challenge. And Mali, Central African Republic, Mauritania Niger are all coming together to set a joint operation to fight movement of these weapons.”
He said that the government was doing a lot in this area and that with the support of the armed forces which are the field operators, and with their dedication, “we are going to face the situation and we will not allow it to deteriorate the security situation in our sub-region.”
Dr Bello charged the armed forces and other security agencies to really look inwards; “to look at ourselves, our attitudes, our methods of operation so that we devise means and ways of combating these new challenges, as he also promised to involve the military in internal security operations by bringing them into greater contact with the civil population.
He appealed to senior military officers to consider the civil populace as their friends, brothers and sisters, saying that to a great extent, they relied on them to get some of the information that they used to plan their operations.
According to him, when coming in contact, senior officers should talk to their men to be extraordinarily civil, because military training was geared towards threatening the enemy.
“When you are fighting a war, every citizen of your enemy country is considered an enemy, but internal security operation is different and we have to re-orient our people to think and behave accordingly,” he said.
Also, he added that it was the aim of the government to transform the Armed Forces by ensuring that they are always properly equipped and trained.
He said training institutions in the country were of high quality, as evidenced by constant request they received from other countries, even from outside Africa.
The minister said they had set in motion a process for amending the conditions of service for the Armed Forces to increase the age of retirement for various positions.
Meanwhile, against the backdrop for the clamour for state police by some states of the federation, the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police for South-South, Mr Mustafa Yesufu, has said such a development is unnecessary, as it would promote chaos and anarchy in the society.
The DIG, who stated this in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, on Tuesday, while on a working visit to the state police command, said the present structure of the police force was suitable for the country.
According to him, “Nigeria as a nation has not developed into having state police, those who are calling for the establishment of state police are simply inviting chaos and anarchy.”
Explaining further, Yesufu said state governors were the chief security officers of their individual states, even as they had given enough support to their state police commands with the provision of security apparatus like security vans, weapons and financial assistance.
He said allowing state police would mean state government having control over security agencies in their domains, which, he said, would result in mismanagement. “
On the activities of Boko Haram sect, Yesufu said such a crime was relatively new in the system, adding that the steps to stem their activities required a collective effort and should not be left to the security agencies alone.
He, however, called on the members of the public to be vigilant, saying that “note those that buy ammunition, explosives from you, report strange and funny characters around you. The situation requires team work and not to be left in the hands of the police alone.”
In his welcome address, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, said the command had concluded arrangements to establish a quick response squad in the state, to ensure that proactive measures were taken to fight crime with all vigour available to the command, to make the state safe for prospective investors and the general citizenry.
The Minister of Defence, Dr Bello Haliru Mohammed, who disclosed this on Tuesday, while on a maiden visit to the Defence, Army, Navy and Airforce headquarters, said that security reports revealed that some of the dissidents of the slain former Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi, were moving with heavy equipment and arms into the northern part of the country.
“We are very much aware of the movement of arms and explosives that were stolen from Libya. And I discussed with the Minister of Defence from Niger recently and he confirmed to me that arms were coming in. Recently, about 10 trucks entered from Libya and they had to fight them. They killed six people and seized all the 10 trucks and all of them were loaded with weapons.”
He said that anxiety was being expressed on the issue of security of the country’s borders, as fears had heightened about arms coming from Niger and lack of military representation in that country.
Subsequently, the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin, has directed the deputy concierge to move to Niger, while the government is to set a process in motion to ensure that the government approves the establishment of Defence attaché for Niger.
The minister disclosed that the fears were genuine but that they were up and doing. “We are doing something about it; we are working to set up a memorandum of understanding with Niger. And the EU has just approached that they would also like to work with us. They have fears also of disruption in our sub-region, if these weapons are allowed to proliferate without challenge. And Mali, Central African Republic, Mauritania Niger are all coming together to set a joint operation to fight movement of these weapons.”
He said that the government was doing a lot in this area and that with the support of the armed forces which are the field operators, and with their dedication, “we are going to face the situation and we will not allow it to deteriorate the security situation in our sub-region.”
Dr Bello charged the armed forces and other security agencies to really look inwards; “to look at ourselves, our attitudes, our methods of operation so that we devise means and ways of combating these new challenges, as he also promised to involve the military in internal security operations by bringing them into greater contact with the civil population.
He appealed to senior military officers to consider the civil populace as their friends, brothers and sisters, saying that to a great extent, they relied on them to get some of the information that they used to plan their operations.
According to him, when coming in contact, senior officers should talk to their men to be extraordinarily civil, because military training was geared towards threatening the enemy.
“When you are fighting a war, every citizen of your enemy country is considered an enemy, but internal security operation is different and we have to re-orient our people to think and behave accordingly,” he said.
Also, he added that it was the aim of the government to transform the Armed Forces by ensuring that they are always properly equipped and trained.
He said training institutions in the country were of high quality, as evidenced by constant request they received from other countries, even from outside Africa.
The minister said they had set in motion a process for amending the conditions of service for the Armed Forces to increase the age of retirement for various positions.
Meanwhile, against the backdrop for the clamour for state police by some states of the federation, the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police for South-South, Mr Mustafa Yesufu, has said such a development is unnecessary, as it would promote chaos and anarchy in the society.
The DIG, who stated this in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, on Tuesday, while on a working visit to the state police command, said the present structure of the police force was suitable for the country.
According to him, “Nigeria as a nation has not developed into having state police, those who are calling for the establishment of state police are simply inviting chaos and anarchy.”
Explaining further, Yesufu said state governors were the chief security officers of their individual states, even as they had given enough support to their state police commands with the provision of security apparatus like security vans, weapons and financial assistance.
He said allowing state police would mean state government having control over security agencies in their domains, which, he said, would result in mismanagement. “
On the activities of Boko Haram sect, Yesufu said such a crime was relatively new in the system, adding that the steps to stem their activities required a collective effort and should not be left to the security agencies alone.
He, however, called on the members of the public to be vigilant, saying that “note those that buy ammunition, explosives from you, report strange and funny characters around you. The situation requires team work and not to be left in the hands of the police alone.”
In his welcome address, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, said the command had concluded arrangements to establish a quick response squad in the state, to ensure that proactive measures were taken to fight crime with all vigour available to the command, to make the state safe for prospective investors and the general citizenry.
Gay marriage outlawed in Nigeria!
The senate passed a bill on Tuesday outlawing same-sex marriage in Nigeria as well as banning public displays of affection between homosexual couples.
The bill, which still must be approved by the House of Representatives and signed by President Goodluck Jonathan, spells out a 14-year jail term for anyone involved in same-sex marriages.
Those who abet or aid such unions could be given 10 years, as would “any person who registers, operates or participates in gay clubs… or directly or indirectly makes public show of same sex amorous relationships,” the bill says.
British Prime Minister David Cameron has warned that his country will consider withholding aid from countries that do not recognise gay rights.
Senate President David Mark said during debate on the bill on Tuesday that “our values are our values.”
“If there is any country that does not want to give us aid or assistance just because we want to hold on to our values, that country can keep her aid and assistance,” he said.
“No country has the right to interfere in the way we make our own laws because we don’t interfere in the way others make their own laws.”
During a public hearing last month, gay activists staged a protest outside parliament calling for the bill to be dropped, saying it infringed on their fundamental human rights.
It was unclear why lawmakers decided a ban was necessary, with gay marriage not known to be prevalent in Nigeria and homosexuals already harshly discriminated against.
The country is strongly religious, roughly divided between a mainly Muslim north and predominately Christian south. Islamic sharia law is in place in 12 northern states, though it is selectively enforced.
On Tuesday, one rights activist called the bill a waste of time in a country lacking even the most basic infrastructure needs, including adequate electricity, despite Nigeria’s status as Africa’s largest oil producer.
“I can’t recall a particular place where this type of marriage has taken place in Nigeria,” said Adetokunbo Mumuni, director of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project.
“This particular thing they have assented to is a thing of no substance to Nigeria. They should focus on things that affect the majority of Nigerians.”
In the east African nation of Uganda, a controversial bill that calls for the death penalty for certain homosexual acts was recently reintroduced in the parliament.
The bill, which still must be approved by the House of Representatives and signed by President Goodluck Jonathan, spells out a 14-year jail term for anyone involved in same-sex marriages.
Those who abet or aid such unions could be given 10 years, as would “any person who registers, operates or participates in gay clubs… or directly or indirectly makes public show of same sex amorous relationships,” the bill says.
British Prime Minister David Cameron has warned that his country will consider withholding aid from countries that do not recognise gay rights.
Senate President David Mark said during debate on the bill on Tuesday that “our values are our values.”
“If there is any country that does not want to give us aid or assistance just because we want to hold on to our values, that country can keep her aid and assistance,” he said.
“No country has the right to interfere in the way we make our own laws because we don’t interfere in the way others make their own laws.”
During a public hearing last month, gay activists staged a protest outside parliament calling for the bill to be dropped, saying it infringed on their fundamental human rights.
It was unclear why lawmakers decided a ban was necessary, with gay marriage not known to be prevalent in Nigeria and homosexuals already harshly discriminated against.
The country is strongly religious, roughly divided between a mainly Muslim north and predominately Christian south. Islamic sharia law is in place in 12 northern states, though it is selectively enforced.
On Tuesday, one rights activist called the bill a waste of time in a country lacking even the most basic infrastructure needs, including adequate electricity, despite Nigeria’s status as Africa’s largest oil producer.
“I can’t recall a particular place where this type of marriage has taken place in Nigeria,” said Adetokunbo Mumuni, director of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project.
“This particular thing they have assented to is a thing of no substance to Nigeria. They should focus on things that affect the majority of Nigerians.”
In the east African nation of Uganda, a controversial bill that calls for the death penalty for certain homosexual acts was recently reintroduced in the parliament.
Monday, 28 November 2011
mysterious death of woman, many questions than answers..........
The family says she did not commit suicide, while her husband told the police his wife was insane
NONE of Mrs. Elizabeth Andrew’s brothers and sisters believes she committed suicide by hanging as the photographs could have suggested.
They think there are reasons to strongly suspect foul play in the death of their sister and are asking the police to look into the matter and do what is right so that the murderer will face justice.
One of Mrs. Elizabeth Andrew’s brothers, Johnny Okechukwu Ezurike, a native of Ahaba Oloko in Abia State, told The Guardian the circumstances surrounding her death were hazy and required investigations.
His late sister, he said, was working at the Ministry of Defence in Ikoyi, Lagos, when she met and married Mr. Andrew Chinedu, who hails from Isiala Ngwa, also in Abia State.
“That was three years ago and all through that period, it was a turbulent and very unhappy marriage for my sister.
“There were frequent, violent confrontations during which her husband would beat my sister mercilessly.
“Hardly would a day go by without his beating her up and she would run to my house, with bruises all over her body, for safety.
“As an employee of the Defence Ministry, she lived in the official quarters and her husband was living with her.
“A time came and the authorities warned her not to live in the quarters with her and she pleaded with him that they should move out, but he refused.
“Due to this, my sister was dismissed from the ministry without any benefits after 19 years of service.
“At last, they looked for and got an alternative accommodation in the Isheri-Ikotun area but the beating continued.
“On July 1, 2011, following another beating from her husband, my sister again, ran to my apartment.
“Later, I called Chinedu Andrew and asked him to bring some dresses so she could change the dresses she came in with.
“On Sunday, July 3, I went for a family meeting and my sister’s husband came and she left with him.
She called to tell me she was going back with him and I warned her not to go, but she refused.
“She said what she had in her shop would go bad if she did not go back.
“I warned her that the information we were getting about her husband was not good, how his first wife died without any explanation as to why, but she would not listen.”
Now in tears, Ezurike continued: “She went back on Sunday and on Wednesday, her husband called very late in the night that he went out to the market and came back, only for my sister to lock him outside.
He wanted me to come to their house that night but I refused.
“I told him I could not leave my family that late in the night and that he should go inside but he said unless I came that night, he would not go in.
He called me again the following morning and when I asked where he slept, he said in the corridor.
“I hung up but he kept calling me until in the evening.
“ I asked him that I hoped he did not do any wrong since he was scared of his house and his wife.”
Unable to hold back the avalanche of tears, Ezurike said Chinedu Andrew told him he climbed the roof of his house and saw that his wife had hanged herself with a rope.
“I was shocked and immediately called my relations to go see what was going on, only for me to learn that he had called them all earlier.
“I was surprised, because he had never visited nor seen any of them since after the marriage.
“When we got there, we asked him to open the door but he refused, unless the police were called.
“We met two people and he identified them as his brother and neighbour though he had always claimed he had no siblings, or relations in Lagos and claimed he lived in Amukoko before he met my sister.”
“When he would not budge, we called the police at Isheri and the police photographer we went with kicked the door and it opened.
“What we saw was unbelievable.
“ My sister’s lifeless body was hanging by the window, stark naked.
“One of her legs was on the ground, the other on a chair and her two hands resting on a huge plastic container in the room.
“Blood was coming out from her ears and there were marks like bruises on her head and legs.
“Her genital organ had been shaved and she was wearing a wig.
“The police man with us asked him why her artery was cut, and he said it was when she was struggling for life.”
The grieving brother said after Chinedu Andrew’s arrest, by the Isheri Police, he was transferred to State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) Panti, Yaba.
“But since then, we do not know what has happened to Chinedu Andrew, whether he is still in detention or not and the answers to the many questions about the death of my sister.
“Till now, whether her body is still in the morgue or not, I cannot say.
“We are begging the police to help us get justice because the posture we saw my sister was not that of someone who committed suicide by hanging.
“In his statement to the police, he lied that my sister was mad, and that she had high blood pressure.
“Till now, we have not heard anything about the autopsy. When I got to the General Hospital Ikeja, they brought out an unrecongnised body with Number 1362, and asked me to go ahead and bury it but I refused.
“One, I was not sure it was my sister’s and second, in our culture, it is the husband’s duty to claim the body and bury his wife.”
He is appealing to the police not to let the matter die without being properly investigated and the result known.
“My sister is dead, but we should, at least, be satisfied that anybody who killed her and made it look like suicide by hanging is not walking about a free man
NONE of Mrs. Elizabeth Andrew’s brothers and sisters believes she committed suicide by hanging as the photographs could have suggested.
They think there are reasons to strongly suspect foul play in the death of their sister and are asking the police to look into the matter and do what is right so that the murderer will face justice.
One of Mrs. Elizabeth Andrew’s brothers, Johnny Okechukwu Ezurike, a native of Ahaba Oloko in Abia State, told The Guardian the circumstances surrounding her death were hazy and required investigations.
His late sister, he said, was working at the Ministry of Defence in Ikoyi, Lagos, when she met and married Mr. Andrew Chinedu, who hails from Isiala Ngwa, also in Abia State.
“That was three years ago and all through that period, it was a turbulent and very unhappy marriage for my sister.
“There were frequent, violent confrontations during which her husband would beat my sister mercilessly.
“Hardly would a day go by without his beating her up and she would run to my house, with bruises all over her body, for safety.
“As an employee of the Defence Ministry, she lived in the official quarters and her husband was living with her.
“A time came and the authorities warned her not to live in the quarters with her and she pleaded with him that they should move out, but he refused.
“Due to this, my sister was dismissed from the ministry without any benefits after 19 years of service.
“At last, they looked for and got an alternative accommodation in the Isheri-Ikotun area but the beating continued.
“On July 1, 2011, following another beating from her husband, my sister again, ran to my apartment.
“Later, I called Chinedu Andrew and asked him to bring some dresses so she could change the dresses she came in with.
“On Sunday, July 3, I went for a family meeting and my sister’s husband came and she left with him.
She called to tell me she was going back with him and I warned her not to go, but she refused.
“She said what she had in her shop would go bad if she did not go back.
“I warned her that the information we were getting about her husband was not good, how his first wife died without any explanation as to why, but she would not listen.”
Now in tears, Ezurike continued: “She went back on Sunday and on Wednesday, her husband called very late in the night that he went out to the market and came back, only for my sister to lock him outside.
He wanted me to come to their house that night but I refused.
“I told him I could not leave my family that late in the night and that he should go inside but he said unless I came that night, he would not go in.
He called me again the following morning and when I asked where he slept, he said in the corridor.
“I hung up but he kept calling me until in the evening.
“ I asked him that I hoped he did not do any wrong since he was scared of his house and his wife.”
Unable to hold back the avalanche of tears, Ezurike said Chinedu Andrew told him he climbed the roof of his house and saw that his wife had hanged herself with a rope.
“I was shocked and immediately called my relations to go see what was going on, only for me to learn that he had called them all earlier.
“I was surprised, because he had never visited nor seen any of them since after the marriage.
“When we got there, we asked him to open the door but he refused, unless the police were called.
“We met two people and he identified them as his brother and neighbour though he had always claimed he had no siblings, or relations in Lagos and claimed he lived in Amukoko before he met my sister.”
“When he would not budge, we called the police at Isheri and the police photographer we went with kicked the door and it opened.
“What we saw was unbelievable.
“ My sister’s lifeless body was hanging by the window, stark naked.
“One of her legs was on the ground, the other on a chair and her two hands resting on a huge plastic container in the room.
“Blood was coming out from her ears and there were marks like bruises on her head and legs.
“Her genital organ had been shaved and she was wearing a wig.
“The police man with us asked him why her artery was cut, and he said it was when she was struggling for life.”
The grieving brother said after Chinedu Andrew’s arrest, by the Isheri Police, he was transferred to State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) Panti, Yaba.
“But since then, we do not know what has happened to Chinedu Andrew, whether he is still in detention or not and the answers to the many questions about the death of my sister.
“Till now, whether her body is still in the morgue or not, I cannot say.
“We are begging the police to help us get justice because the posture we saw my sister was not that of someone who committed suicide by hanging.
“In his statement to the police, he lied that my sister was mad, and that she had high blood pressure.
“Till now, we have not heard anything about the autopsy. When I got to the General Hospital Ikeja, they brought out an unrecongnised body with Number 1362, and asked me to go ahead and bury it but I refused.
“One, I was not sure it was my sister’s and second, in our culture, it is the husband’s duty to claim the body and bury his wife.”
He is appealing to the police not to let the matter die without being properly investigated and the result known.
“My sister is dead, but we should, at least, be satisfied that anybody who killed her and made it look like suicide by hanging is not walking about a free man
4 policemen killed and 20 others wounded as boko haram burns police headquaters and churches in yobe state
THE fundamentalist Islamic sect, Boko Haram, again struck on Saturday evening, killing four policemen, wounding about 20 others
and burning some churches as they attacked the police head-quaters in Geidam, Yobe State.
The attack on the police headquarters, according to Agency report, set the small North-East ablaze, in a wave of night-time gun and bomb attacks by the radical Islamist sect, which had claimed responsibility for dozens of shootings and attacks with improvised explosive devices this year.
“The Geidam divisional police headquarters and FirstBank were bombed on Saturday evening by Boko Haram and fire was exchanged into the night between the police and Boko Haram members,” a police spokesman told reporters.
“Four policemen were killed, 20 wounded, eight churches and 20 market stalls, as well as Geidam council secretariat are completely destroyed,” the spokesman added.
and burning some churches as they attacked the police head-quaters in Geidam, Yobe State.
The attack on the police headquarters, according to Agency report, set the small North-East ablaze, in a wave of night-time gun and bomb attacks by the radical Islamist sect, which had claimed responsibility for dozens of shootings and attacks with improvised explosive devices this year.
“The Geidam divisional police headquarters and FirstBank were bombed on Saturday evening by Boko Haram and fire was exchanged into the night between the police and Boko Haram members,” a police spokesman told reporters.
“Four policemen were killed, 20 wounded, eight churches and 20 market stalls, as well as Geidam council secretariat are completely destroyed,” the spokesman added.
former chief whip senator kanti bello petitions goodluck jonathan, david mark, musdapher for miscarriage of justice
Former Senate Chief Whip, Senator Kanti Bello, who was the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the April general election in Katsina North senatorial district has petitioned President Goodluck Jonathan, the Chief Justice of Nigeria(CJN), Justice Dahiru Musdapher and the President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, alleging miscarriage of justice in the ruling of the Appeal Court, Kaduna, on his election petition against the candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change(CPC), Senator Abdul Yandoma.
The senator, in a nine-page petition asked for the intervention of the president and the CJN in order to save the judiciary.
The Court of Appeal had, in a judgment delivered on November 16 by Justice Amina Augie over an appeal brought before it by Senator Abdul Yandoma, CPC candidate representing Katsina North senatorial district, set aside the decision of the elections petitions tribunal sitting in Katsina.
The appellate court held that the decision of the tribunal nullifying Senator Yandoma’s election and ordering bye-election was wrong, adding that the issue was a pre-election matter which it said the election tribunal had no jurisdiction to delve into.
But in the petition dated November 24, Senator Bello, who also copied the petition to the acting National Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Kawu Baraje, wondered why the Appeal Court failed to await the Supreme Court judgment in another suit questioning the candidacy of Senator Yandoma.
The Senator accused the Court of Appeal of desperation, adding that the court had “thrown honour, decency, common sense and justice overboard.”
He further stated in the petition: “why the indecent haste to hear and determine the appeal, this act by the Court of Appeal can only but diminish the administration of justice in the eyes of the right thinking members of the society and ultimately erode our confidence in the judiciary as an impartial arbiter of our disputes.
The senator, in a nine-page petition asked for the intervention of the president and the CJN in order to save the judiciary.
The Court of Appeal had, in a judgment delivered on November 16 by Justice Amina Augie over an appeal brought before it by Senator Abdul Yandoma, CPC candidate representing Katsina North senatorial district, set aside the decision of the elections petitions tribunal sitting in Katsina.
The appellate court held that the decision of the tribunal nullifying Senator Yandoma’s election and ordering bye-election was wrong, adding that the issue was a pre-election matter which it said the election tribunal had no jurisdiction to delve into.
But in the petition dated November 24, Senator Bello, who also copied the petition to the acting National Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Kawu Baraje, wondered why the Appeal Court failed to await the Supreme Court judgment in another suit questioning the candidacy of Senator Yandoma.
The Senator accused the Court of Appeal of desperation, adding that the court had “thrown honour, decency, common sense and justice overboard.”
He further stated in the petition: “why the indecent haste to hear and determine the appeal, this act by the Court of Appeal can only but diminish the administration of justice in the eyes of the right thinking members of the society and ultimately erode our confidence in the judiciary as an impartial arbiter of our disputes.
Thursday, 17 November 2011
former kano state governor mallam ibrahim shekarau is been investigated for 420 million naira by the ICPC
The anti-graft agency says allegations that the former Kano State governor misappropriated N420 million are worth investigating. The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) is to investigate former governor of Kano State, Ibrahim Shekarau, over an alleged N420 million fraud and misappropriation of public funds.
The announcement was made in a statement issued in Abuja by the Commission's Resident Consultant, Folu Olamiti, on Thursday.
It said that a Kano based nongovernmental organisation had, in a petition forwarded to the anti-graft agency, alleged that Shekarau indulged in some “unwholesome acts” in breach of several provisions of the ICPC Act 2000.
The NGO alleged that Shekarau, who contested for president in the April 2011 general elections, committed fraud, abused power, inflated contracts sums, awarded double contracts and engaged in many other vices in gross violation of the ICPC Act.
The petitioner alleged further that Shekarau engaged in diversion and embezzlement of billions of naira belonging to the state government through an ambiguous expenditure referred to as “reciprocal arrangement”.
Other allegations include: that Shekarau awarded the construction of an 11-bedroom apartment to himself to the tune of N286,434,168.51 while in office; awarded contracts to a company in which he had substantial interest; and as well as paying for some furniture twice.
“Following the petition, the ICPC team of investigators visited the state where it uncovered a lot of financial malpractice in the award of contracts as claimed by the petitioner,” the statement said. “The report was submitted to the acting chairman of the Commission, Abdullahi Bako, by the investigators, and a prima facie case was established against the former governor.”
It said the report stated that the contractor handling the project was mobilised “with the sum of N119,330,955.91 on October 18, 2007, representing 50 per cent of the contract sum, contrary to section 35 of the Procurement Act which provided for 15 per cent mobilisation for any contract awarded”.
Shekarau was further alleged to have ordered the release of several millions of naira to the contractor handling the project without referring to the financial regulation and ignoring advice from the state Ministry of Lands.
The statement added that the contractor and officials of the state’s Ministry of Works had made statements to the anti-graft agency on the issues raised by the petitioner.
“Consequently, the acting chairman of the commission has directed that the ex-governor be invited to answer questions raised in the petition,” the statement said.
The announcement was made in a statement issued in Abuja by the Commission's Resident Consultant, Folu Olamiti, on Thursday.
It said that a Kano based nongovernmental organisation had, in a petition forwarded to the anti-graft agency, alleged that Shekarau indulged in some “unwholesome acts” in breach of several provisions of the ICPC Act 2000.
The NGO alleged that Shekarau, who contested for president in the April 2011 general elections, committed fraud, abused power, inflated contracts sums, awarded double contracts and engaged in many other vices in gross violation of the ICPC Act.
The petitioner alleged further that Shekarau engaged in diversion and embezzlement of billions of naira belonging to the state government through an ambiguous expenditure referred to as “reciprocal arrangement”.
Other allegations include: that Shekarau awarded the construction of an 11-bedroom apartment to himself to the tune of N286,434,168.51 while in office; awarded contracts to a company in which he had substantial interest; and as well as paying for some furniture twice.
“Following the petition, the ICPC team of investigators visited the state where it uncovered a lot of financial malpractice in the award of contracts as claimed by the petitioner,” the statement said. “The report was submitted to the acting chairman of the Commission, Abdullahi Bako, by the investigators, and a prima facie case was established against the former governor.”
It said the report stated that the contractor handling the project was mobilised “with the sum of N119,330,955.91 on October 18, 2007, representing 50 per cent of the contract sum, contrary to section 35 of the Procurement Act which provided for 15 per cent mobilisation for any contract awarded”.
Shekarau was further alleged to have ordered the release of several millions of naira to the contractor handling the project without referring to the financial regulation and ignoring advice from the state Ministry of Lands.
The statement added that the contractor and officials of the state’s Ministry of Works had made statements to the anti-graft agency on the issues raised by the petitioner.
“Consequently, the acting chairman of the commission has directed that the ex-governor be invited to answer questions raised in the petition,” the statement said.
Beheading of corpse in Abia as police parade 2 suspected culprit
Police say they are investigating the suspects’ motives
The Abia State Police Command has arrested two persons for allegedly beheading two corpses kept at a local mortuary in Owerrinta, Isiala Ngwa Local Government Area of the state.
The corpses, male and female, were kept at the Might Moon Mortuary in Owerrinta, where the suspects allegedly beheaded them at about 3.30 a.m. on November 4.
Geoffrey Ogbonna, the police spokesperson, confirmed the incident, adding that the suspects were arrested at Owerrinta.
Ogbonna, who described the act as “ungodly and sacrilegious”, said that the police were investigating the matter. “How can one behead a dead body, what is he or she going to do with the head?” he said.
The proprietor of the morgue, Dr Boniface Ubani, had reported the incident to the police on November 5.
It was gathered that the suspects had attacked the mortuary attendants before carrying out the act.
“We felt the people brought a dead body to the mortuary that night,” said a resident of the village who did not want his name published. “It was only after day break that we learnt the some very horrible things took place at the mortuary.
The Abia State Police Command has arrested two persons for allegedly beheading two corpses kept at a local mortuary in Owerrinta, Isiala Ngwa Local Government Area of the state.
The corpses, male and female, were kept at the Might Moon Mortuary in Owerrinta, where the suspects allegedly beheaded them at about 3.30 a.m. on November 4.
Geoffrey Ogbonna, the police spokesperson, confirmed the incident, adding that the suspects were arrested at Owerrinta.
Ogbonna, who described the act as “ungodly and sacrilegious”, said that the police were investigating the matter. “How can one behead a dead body, what is he or she going to do with the head?” he said.
The proprietor of the morgue, Dr Boniface Ubani, had reported the incident to the police on November 5.
It was gathered that the suspects had attacked the mortuary attendants before carrying out the act.
“We felt the people brought a dead body to the mortuary that night,” said a resident of the village who did not want his name published. “It was only after day break that we learnt the some very horrible things took place at the mortuary.
pension fraud as police parade x-law maker
Fawa used fake names and files to collect money from the Salaries and Pensions Directorate. The Jigawa State police command has paraded a former member of the state House of Assembly, Saleh Fawa, for allegedly defrauding the State Government of millions of naira through the state Salaries and Pensions Directorate.
The state Commissioner of Police, Hashimu Argungu, while parading the suspect at the police headquarters in Dutse, said Fawa was arrested at Royal Tropicana Hotel following a tip off.
Fawa, who is alleged to be the leader of a pension fraud syndicate, chaired the Committee on Salaries and Pension in the Jigawa State House of Assembly for eight years when he was a member.
Argungu said the arrest was made possible due to the assistance the police received from the Salaries and Pensions Directorate regarding three forged files during investigation.
“The syndicate perpetrates the fraud by using proxy names of imaginary deceased pensioners and siblings, as well as fake files to siphon money from the state's Salaries and Pensions Directorate,” he said.
Fawa confessed to the crime, adding that he also ordered the other suspects to forge a file with the name Abdullahi Mohammed, whom they claimed had died as a classroom teacher with Koki–Nami Primary School Gumel LGA.
The state Commissioner of Police, Hashimu Argungu, while parading the suspect at the police headquarters in Dutse, said Fawa was arrested at Royal Tropicana Hotel following a tip off.
Fawa, who is alleged to be the leader of a pension fraud syndicate, chaired the Committee on Salaries and Pension in the Jigawa State House of Assembly for eight years when he was a member.
Argungu said the arrest was made possible due to the assistance the police received from the Salaries and Pensions Directorate regarding three forged files during investigation.
“The syndicate perpetrates the fraud by using proxy names of imaginary deceased pensioners and siblings, as well as fake files to siphon money from the state's Salaries and Pensions Directorate,” he said.
Fawa confessed to the crime, adding that he also ordered the other suspects to forge a file with the name Abdullahi Mohammed, whom they claimed had died as a classroom teacher with Koki–Nami Primary School Gumel LGA.
Candidate faints as election tribunal gives verdict in Kaduna
Abba Umar could not handle the shock of seeing his case dismissed
Abba Umar, who lost his bid to be elected into the Kaduna State House of Assembly, has been hospitalised after he fainted at the venue of the Kaduna State Election Petitions Tribunal.
Umar slumped to the floor from his seat in the court room immediately the tribunal dismissed the case he filed against the election of Esther Dyaji Habu for Sanga Constituency.
Friends said Umar had been “very confident” that the tribunal would rule in his favour and so could not handle the shock of the dismissal.
In a ruling read by Justice Umar Abubakar, the tribunal dismissed the petition and affirmed Habu as duly elected.
Umar had presented 14 witnesses and 35 exhibits before the tribunal in an effort to prove his case, but the tribunal was not convinced and dismissed the petition for lack of merit.
Abba Umar, who lost his bid to be elected into the Kaduna State House of Assembly, has been hospitalised after he fainted at the venue of the Kaduna State Election Petitions Tribunal.
Umar slumped to the floor from his seat in the court room immediately the tribunal dismissed the case he filed against the election of Esther Dyaji Habu for Sanga Constituency.
Friends said Umar had been “very confident” that the tribunal would rule in his favour and so could not handle the shock of the dismissal.
In a ruling read by Justice Umar Abubakar, the tribunal dismissed the petition and affirmed Habu as duly elected.
Umar had presented 14 witnesses and 35 exhibits before the tribunal in an effort to prove his case, but the tribunal was not convinced and dismissed the petition for lack of merit.
Wednesday, 16 November 2011
Lagos senators reject goodluck jonathans nomination of roli Bode-George
It was a robust debate
at the Senate, on
Wednesday, before the confirmation of Mrs Roli Bode-George as a member of the National Population Commission (NPC) following her nomination by President Goodluck Jonathan.
Her confirmation also led to war of words between members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) as they engaged in survival arguments.
The arguments started immediately after Senator Maina Lawan, chairman of the Committee on National Identity Card and National Population announced that the committee received a petition from three senators from Lagos State kicking against her nomination.
All the three senators representing Lagos State rejected her nomination on the grounds of incompetence and that she is not an indigene of the state.
Lawan said that in the petition, the senators said the nominee was not from Lagos State and attached a letter written by the governor of Lagos State to President Goodluck Jonathan asking him to nominate someone else.
But the committee, while presenting its report, disclosed that after a careful consideration, it concluded that the nominee was from Lagos State based on her marriage to someone from Lagos State.
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at the Senate, on
Wednesday, before the confirmation of Mrs Roli Bode-George as a member of the National Population Commission (NPC) following her nomination by President Goodluck Jonathan.
Her confirmation also led to war of words between members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) as they engaged in survival arguments.
The arguments started immediately after Senator Maina Lawan, chairman of the Committee on National Identity Card and National Population announced that the committee received a petition from three senators from Lagos State kicking against her nomination.
All the three senators representing Lagos State rejected her nomination on the grounds of incompetence and that she is not an indigene of the state.
Lawan said that in the petition, the senators said the nominee was not from Lagos State and attached a letter written by the governor of Lagos State to President Goodluck Jonathan asking him to nominate someone else.
But the committee, while presenting its report, disclosed that after a careful consideration, it concluded that the nominee was from Lagos State based on her marriage to someone from Lagos State.
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