A nine-year-old pupil of Sunshine Nursery and Primary School, Ile-Ife, Osun State, (name withheld) has narrated before a High Court sitting in Ife how she was allegedly raped by her teacher, Mr. Francis Ijiwande.
At the hearing on Friday, the pupil alleged that Ijiwande had forceful carnal knowledge of her in 2010.
The pupil told the court that the teacher accosted her when she was urinating behind her classroom and subsequently raped her on the school premises – after the school hours.
But the teacher restated his innocence before the court, stressing that he did not commit the crime.
The pupil told the Justice O Siyanbola-led court that, “Mr. Ijiwande was my teacher in primary four. I was in primary five when he raped me. When I was urinating behind the classroom, I saw uncle (Ijiwande) standing at my front.
“As I was urinating, uncle pushed me down. He removed my pant and threw it away. I shouted for help but no one came to my rescue. Uncle removed his trousers and boxer. He then lay on me and removed his private part and put it inside my private part.
“I felt the pains in my thigh and back when uncle was on me. Uncle did not stay long on me. I also felt the pains after uncle stood up. I managed to stand up and stay with my younger brothers, who were waiting for my father at the front of my school.”
When asked if she told her parents her ordeal, the victim replied, “I did not tell my parents because Uncle Ijiwande threatened to kill me. I only complained of back and thigh pains. My parents gave me Paracetamol, (a pain reliever), but the pains persisted.”
She explained that her mother discovered the fate that had befallen her four days later when the pains did not subside, adding that she was subsequently taken to a hospital.
The victim said, “My mother called me in the evening and ordered me to remove my pant. She discovered something like mucus and clotted blood at my private part. My mother shouted and she started crying. My father woke and we all prayed together and we went to sleep.
“The day, my parents took me to a hospital. A doctor conducted a test on me. We later went to a police station where I made statement on what Uncle Ijiwande did to me and he was arrested.
“Two policemen followed me to where uncle raped me. My parents and Aunty Bisi, the proprietress of the school, also followed us. Aunty Bisi called me aside and told me not to mention uncle Ijiwande’s name again. She told me the police would kill him and that I would not see him again.”
Testifying before the court, a Professor of Gynecology, Orji Okechukwu, who conducted a test on the victim, confirmed that the pupil was actually raped.
Okechukwu accused the police of lack of diligent prosecution, saying they failed to conduct a test on the girl and the accused when the matter was reported.
The gynaecologist said he refused to release the result of the test he conducted on the victim and the specimen he took, alleging that the police thereafter began to threaten him.
However, the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Moses Faremi, prayed the court to adjourn the case for further hearing, saying he was not healthy.
Justice Siyanbola granted Faremi’s prayer and adjourned the matter till April 18, 2012, for further hearing.
Tuesday, 20 March 2012
EFCC arrests Ondo oil commission boss ...after six-hour hunt
The EFCC team who came in 2 vehicles - a blue Nissan bus and a white Hilux van - with registration numbers BJ 156 KWL and AA 938 LAM respectively, were on a manhunt for Mr. Debo and searched for about 6 hours before they were able to apprehend him in a bush beside his compound at Alagbaka extension in Akure, the state capital.
The EFCC was said to have visited the the state based on a petition written from the some persons within the state over misappropriation of funds allocated to the commission running to billions of naira, meant for the development of oil producing areas of the state.
As at the time of filing this report, the EFCC officials, who came from Abuja were still searching his personal house.
The EFCC was said to have visited the the state based on a petition written from the some persons within the state over misappropriation of funds allocated to the commission running to billions of naira, meant for the development of oil producing areas of the state.
As at the time of filing this report, the EFCC officials, who came from Abuja were still searching his personal house.
police college attacked in jos as two police men died
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) learnt that the attackers fired several shots at the officers who were manning the entrance of the school.
The injured policemen, Sgt. Bitrus Oloji, and a corporal, who was identified as Japheth, were taken to Bingham University Teaching Hospital (BUTH), Jos, sources said.
NAN learnt that one of the victims was in a more critical condition, having been shot in the head.
A police officer, who pleaded anonymity, told NAN that the attackers took the policemen by surprise by launching the attack from two angles.
"It is by sheer providence that the two policemen were not killed in view of the heavy shooting carried out by the attackers who first destroyed the security lights at the gates before unleashing a heavy attack on the guards,’’ the officer said.
He said that the shootings went on for "almost one hour’’.
When contacted, Mr. Mulero Ayinde, the College Public Relations Officer, confirmed the incident but added that no life was lost.
"For now, that is all I can tell you. We’ll speak after we have gathered more details,’’ Ayinde said.
A relation of Oloji’s, Miss Murna Basu, however, told NAN that the incident happened not long after she brought food for him at the gate.
"I brought food for my brother just when NTA began the 9.00 pm Network news and left but around 10.00 p.m. I heard gunshots.
``I suspected something terrible must have happened when I called his line without any response even when it was ringing,`` Basu said.
NAN reports that the college is among areas identified as targets of attacks by Boko Haram, the sect believed to be responsible for a terrorist attacks in various parts of the country.
In a text message sent to some Jos residents early in the month, the college was listed among targets that included, COCIN Headquarters Church, Police Command, ECWA Headquarters, Theological College of Northern Nigeria, among others.
COCIN was hit a week after, while St Finbar’s Catholic Church was bombed two weeks after.
________________________________________
The injured policemen, Sgt. Bitrus Oloji, and a corporal, who was identified as Japheth, were taken to Bingham University Teaching Hospital (BUTH), Jos, sources said.
NAN learnt that one of the victims was in a more critical condition, having been shot in the head.
A police officer, who pleaded anonymity, told NAN that the attackers took the policemen by surprise by launching the attack from two angles.
"It is by sheer providence that the two policemen were not killed in view of the heavy shooting carried out by the attackers who first destroyed the security lights at the gates before unleashing a heavy attack on the guards,’’ the officer said.
He said that the shootings went on for "almost one hour’’.
When contacted, Mr. Mulero Ayinde, the College Public Relations Officer, confirmed the incident but added that no life was lost.
"For now, that is all I can tell you. We’ll speak after we have gathered more details,’’ Ayinde said.
A relation of Oloji’s, Miss Murna Basu, however, told NAN that the incident happened not long after she brought food for him at the gate.
"I brought food for my brother just when NTA began the 9.00 pm Network news and left but around 10.00 p.m. I heard gunshots.
``I suspected something terrible must have happened when I called his line without any response even when it was ringing,`` Basu said.
NAN reports that the college is among areas identified as targets of attacks by Boko Haram, the sect believed to be responsible for a terrorist attacks in various parts of the country.
In a text message sent to some Jos residents early in the month, the college was listed among targets that included, COCIN Headquarters Church, Police Command, ECWA Headquarters, Theological College of Northern Nigeria, among others.
COCIN was hit a week after, while St Finbar’s Catholic Church was bombed two weeks after.
________________________________________
Oteh says, I didn’t spend N850,000 on hotel food – SEC DG and Explains secondment of Access Bank staff
The Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Ms. Arunma Oteh, has responded to allegations that she incurred huge bills during her eight-month stay at the Hilton Hotel in Abuja.
She also explained the controversial secondment of two officials of Access Bank Plc to work in her office.
Oteh became the DG of SEC on January 7, 2010.
The issues came to the fore during last week’s public hearing organised by the the House of Representatives Committee on Capital Markets and Other Institutions.
In a statement issued by her spokesperson, Mr. Obi Adindu, and posted on the commission’s website, Oteh said she never incurred an alleged N850,000 feeding bill on a single day during her stay at the hotel.
She stated that the highest feeding bill generated on a single day during her stay was N83,000.
She said this bill was in respect of an official dinner hosted by the commission on March 24, 2010 for a group of international capital market experts who were visiting Nigeria to provide technical assistance to SEC.
Oteh did not, however, address the allegation that she incurred a bill of N30 million during her eight-month stay at the hotel.
The statement explained that she stayed at the hotel for an unstated period of time and “voluntarily left the hotel before an official residence could be provided, unhappy with the lack of privacy at a hotel accommodation and for security reasons.”
The statement said her stay at the hotel was “in line with the terms and conditions of her employment verbally communicated to her on January 7, 2010 and confirmed in writing on January 11, 2010.”
It said that prior to her stay at the hotel, Oteh had no home in Abuja.
It noted, “In accordance with its policy of providing official residential accommodation for its DG, the SEC began on January 7, 2010 to search for official residence for Ms Oteh.
“This policy on official accommodation was communicated to Ms Oteh in writing upon assumption of duty.
“The transaction referred to at the public hearing was in February 2011, in respect of rental property in Maitama, Abuja at N25 million per annum, actually lower than the going rate of similar property in the area. The transaction collapsed when the property owner required the SEC to pay as much as four years rent in advance.
“The issue of high rents has been a source of concern and been the subject of a bill debated on the floor of the House of Representatives. (Read here)
“All the negotiations for an official accommodation failed for reasons relating to high cost, availability, and frequently changing terms.
“These transactions never materialized; the SEC NEVER leased any property for Ms Oteh.
“The SEC was not successful in finding accommodation for the DG. In line with its policy, the Commission offered rental allowance to Ms Oteh in lieu of official accommodation.”
It also denied that SEC procured four cars for Oteh at N42 million, saying she had been using pool cars belonging to the commission for official duties.
“Since the DG’s arrival, only two pool cars have been purchased by the SEC and assigned to the DG. The two pool cars were purchased to replace two old cars that were subject to frequent breakdowns.
The purchase of these cars followed due process and the provisions of the public procurement laws.”
She also defended herself against allegations that she compromised her position by seconding two members of staff of Access bank Plc to her office.
“No. Laid down rules, procedures and processes have been strictly complied with by the SEC since January 2010 (including in the processing of any transaction involving Access Bank). The seconded Access Bank staff were: a project adviser and a communications assistant, and these two areas are not at the core of the SEC’s regulatory function,” the statement explained.
It added, “Prior to Ms Oteh’s assumption of duty, two independent studies commissioned by the SEC’s Board indicated that there were human capacity gaps at the Commission.
“One of the initiatives she took to quickly address the capacity issues was to reach out to development agencies, sister regulators and the private sector for assistance.
“This way, the SEC received technical assistance from a multilateral development bank, a sister regulator and the private sector to revamp its sub-optimal ICT infrastructure, to complement the in-house ICT staff.
“Equally, the IFC/ESMID provided a Resident Bond Adviser, for 18 months, to help develop the fixed income market.
“In addition, the SEC requested and received pro bono secondment of two employees of Access Bank, one a project adviser (on facilities management), the other on brand communication support (communication assistant).
“These Access Bank employees have no connection with the core regulatory functions of the Commission in any manner as would create a conflict of interest.
“In fact, Access Bank has disclosed the details of the secondment in its 2010 annual report. The fact that the SEC has bank accounts and investments with a number of banks has not undermined our capacity to regulate or approve transactions relating to them.
“The Access Bank secondment in 2010 happened because recruiting full-time staff at the SEC, as in many government agencies, takes a long time. For instance, the SEC’s recent recruitment of 52 Young Professionals lasted one full year. Note also that Access Bank is primarily regulated by the CBN.
“The transaction involving Access Bank that has required the SEC’s approval was that bank’s recent acquisition of Intercontinental Bank.
Most significant securities transactions involving a bank, such as a merger or acquisition, involve shareholders, the Central Bank, the Ministry of Finance, various departments at the SEC and the Federal High Court.
For a merger, an acquisition or takeover, there are laid down procedures for the SEC’s approval.
“The DG’s office receives all applications to the SEC, and in the case of a merger or acquisition, forwards it to the Executive Commissioner Operations (ECOP). The ECOP in turn forwards the application to the Director of the Securities and Investments Services (SIS) Division who then forwards the application to the Head, Mergers & Takeover department, the Head, Legal Division of SIS. The Director of SIS receives the analysis of the transaction from M&T and the legal opinion of the Legal Division, both of SIS. The Director SIS then makes a recommendation to the Executive Commissioner, Operations who in turn reviews and either endorses or disapproves the transaction and submits to the DG for final approval. The DG’s decision is based on the recommendations made and is communicated to the parties through the ECOP and Director SIS.
“The Access Bank transaction was recommended for approval by all the departments and officers of the SEC who reviewed it.
“The other stakeholders including the shareholders, the CBN, the Ministry of Finance and the Federal High Court also approved and endorsed the transaction.
On a review of the SEC’s records, we find that secondment is not a new practice and the public sector.
“Indeed as far back as 1988, the DG SEC as a member of the Technical Committee on Privatization endorsed the involvement and appointment of private sector officials in the privatization process.”
The statement said Oteh was willing to cooperate with relevant authorities in the investigation of its activities, processes and actions.
It also said the commission had refrained from responding to attacks in the media by ‘vested interests’ on the reputation of the DG and SEC.
It stated, “Since Ms. Oteh assumed office as SEC DG on 7th January, 2010 she has led a reform programme to restore market integrity and revive investors’ confidence.
“These reforms included charging over 260 individuals and entities before the Investment and Securities for market abuses that led to the downturn, and seeking orders of disgorgement and restitution of investors.
“Based on evidence of financial mismanagement and corporate governance lapses, the SEC in 2010 also replaced the leadership of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).
“As a result, equity market capitalization now stands at N6.6 trillion.
“There are also new products, new listing requirements, greater capacity among operators and regulators and a drastic reduction in market infraction among others.”
She also explained the controversial secondment of two officials of Access Bank Plc to work in her office.
Oteh became the DG of SEC on January 7, 2010.
The issues came to the fore during last week’s public hearing organised by the the House of Representatives Committee on Capital Markets and Other Institutions.
In a statement issued by her spokesperson, Mr. Obi Adindu, and posted on the commission’s website, Oteh said she never incurred an alleged N850,000 feeding bill on a single day during her stay at the hotel.
She stated that the highest feeding bill generated on a single day during her stay was N83,000.
She said this bill was in respect of an official dinner hosted by the commission on March 24, 2010 for a group of international capital market experts who were visiting Nigeria to provide technical assistance to SEC.
Oteh did not, however, address the allegation that she incurred a bill of N30 million during her eight-month stay at the hotel.
The statement explained that she stayed at the hotel for an unstated period of time and “voluntarily left the hotel before an official residence could be provided, unhappy with the lack of privacy at a hotel accommodation and for security reasons.”
The statement said her stay at the hotel was “in line with the terms and conditions of her employment verbally communicated to her on January 7, 2010 and confirmed in writing on January 11, 2010.”
It said that prior to her stay at the hotel, Oteh had no home in Abuja.
It noted, “In accordance with its policy of providing official residential accommodation for its DG, the SEC began on January 7, 2010 to search for official residence for Ms Oteh.
“This policy on official accommodation was communicated to Ms Oteh in writing upon assumption of duty.
“The transaction referred to at the public hearing was in February 2011, in respect of rental property in Maitama, Abuja at N25 million per annum, actually lower than the going rate of similar property in the area. The transaction collapsed when the property owner required the SEC to pay as much as four years rent in advance.
“The issue of high rents has been a source of concern and been the subject of a bill debated on the floor of the House of Representatives. (Read here)
“All the negotiations for an official accommodation failed for reasons relating to high cost, availability, and frequently changing terms.
“These transactions never materialized; the SEC NEVER leased any property for Ms Oteh.
“The SEC was not successful in finding accommodation for the DG. In line with its policy, the Commission offered rental allowance to Ms Oteh in lieu of official accommodation.”
It also denied that SEC procured four cars for Oteh at N42 million, saying she had been using pool cars belonging to the commission for official duties.
“Since the DG’s arrival, only two pool cars have been purchased by the SEC and assigned to the DG. The two pool cars were purchased to replace two old cars that were subject to frequent breakdowns.
The purchase of these cars followed due process and the provisions of the public procurement laws.”
She also defended herself against allegations that she compromised her position by seconding two members of staff of Access bank Plc to her office.
“No. Laid down rules, procedures and processes have been strictly complied with by the SEC since January 2010 (including in the processing of any transaction involving Access Bank). The seconded Access Bank staff were: a project adviser and a communications assistant, and these two areas are not at the core of the SEC’s regulatory function,” the statement explained.
It added, “Prior to Ms Oteh’s assumption of duty, two independent studies commissioned by the SEC’s Board indicated that there were human capacity gaps at the Commission.
“One of the initiatives she took to quickly address the capacity issues was to reach out to development agencies, sister regulators and the private sector for assistance.
“This way, the SEC received technical assistance from a multilateral development bank, a sister regulator and the private sector to revamp its sub-optimal ICT infrastructure, to complement the in-house ICT staff.
“Equally, the IFC/ESMID provided a Resident Bond Adviser, for 18 months, to help develop the fixed income market.
“In addition, the SEC requested and received pro bono secondment of two employees of Access Bank, one a project adviser (on facilities management), the other on brand communication support (communication assistant).
“These Access Bank employees have no connection with the core regulatory functions of the Commission in any manner as would create a conflict of interest.
“In fact, Access Bank has disclosed the details of the secondment in its 2010 annual report. The fact that the SEC has bank accounts and investments with a number of banks has not undermined our capacity to regulate or approve transactions relating to them.
“The Access Bank secondment in 2010 happened because recruiting full-time staff at the SEC, as in many government agencies, takes a long time. For instance, the SEC’s recent recruitment of 52 Young Professionals lasted one full year. Note also that Access Bank is primarily regulated by the CBN.
“The transaction involving Access Bank that has required the SEC’s approval was that bank’s recent acquisition of Intercontinental Bank.
Most significant securities transactions involving a bank, such as a merger or acquisition, involve shareholders, the Central Bank, the Ministry of Finance, various departments at the SEC and the Federal High Court.
For a merger, an acquisition or takeover, there are laid down procedures for the SEC’s approval.
“The DG’s office receives all applications to the SEC, and in the case of a merger or acquisition, forwards it to the Executive Commissioner Operations (ECOP). The ECOP in turn forwards the application to the Director of the Securities and Investments Services (SIS) Division who then forwards the application to the Head, Mergers & Takeover department, the Head, Legal Division of SIS. The Director of SIS receives the analysis of the transaction from M&T and the legal opinion of the Legal Division, both of SIS. The Director SIS then makes a recommendation to the Executive Commissioner, Operations who in turn reviews and either endorses or disapproves the transaction and submits to the DG for final approval. The DG’s decision is based on the recommendations made and is communicated to the parties through the ECOP and Director SIS.
“The Access Bank transaction was recommended for approval by all the departments and officers of the SEC who reviewed it.
“The other stakeholders including the shareholders, the CBN, the Ministry of Finance and the Federal High Court also approved and endorsed the transaction.
On a review of the SEC’s records, we find that secondment is not a new practice and the public sector.
“Indeed as far back as 1988, the DG SEC as a member of the Technical Committee on Privatization endorsed the involvement and appointment of private sector officials in the privatization process.”
The statement said Oteh was willing to cooperate with relevant authorities in the investigation of its activities, processes and actions.
It also said the commission had refrained from responding to attacks in the media by ‘vested interests’ on the reputation of the DG and SEC.
It stated, “Since Ms. Oteh assumed office as SEC DG on 7th January, 2010 she has led a reform programme to restore market integrity and revive investors’ confidence.
“These reforms included charging over 260 individuals and entities before the Investment and Securities for market abuses that led to the downturn, and seeking orders of disgorgement and restitution of investors.
“Based on evidence of financial mismanagement and corporate governance lapses, the SEC in 2010 also replaced the leadership of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).
“As a result, equity market capitalization now stands at N6.6 trillion.
“There are also new products, new listing requirements, greater capacity among operators and regulators and a drastic reduction in market infraction among others.”
Girl Mother Hackes One year old daugther to piesces
The accused, according to the charge sheet, armed with a cutlass allegedly cut her one year old daughter into pieces sometime last year at Kilabaliya village in Marte Local Government Area of Borno state.
She was charged with culpable homicide punishable by death under section 221(b) of the penal code.
However the charged sheet could not be read to her as she was suspected to be mentally unstable.
The presiding judge at the Maiduguri high court 9 where she was arraigned, Justice Abdullahi Sanya Yerima ordered that she should be taken to a psychiatric hospital to determine her mental state.
She was charged with culpable homicide punishable by death under section 221(b) of the penal code.
However the charged sheet could not be read to her as she was suspected to be mentally unstable.
The presiding judge at the Maiduguri high court 9 where she was arraigned, Justice Abdullahi Sanya Yerima ordered that she should be taken to a psychiatric hospital to determine her mental state.
Wednesday, 14 March 2012
Gunmen riding two motorbikes opened fire on a security post in Kano yesterday, killing a soldier and two policemen, less than 24 hours after attackers gunned down another soldier and a police inspector in Mubi, Adamawa State.
In the Kano incident, witnesses said the gunmen approached the checkpoint along Malam Aminu Kano Way as if they were ordinary passengers. They then drew guns and fired at the security men at about 5.30pm.
There was no official confirmation of the incident, but agency reports quoted security sources as saying two policemen and a soldier lost their lives in the attack at the Gwammaja area.
Witnesses said security men at the checkpoint returned fire, killing one of the attackers.
“The gunmen came on two motorbikes like ordinary motorcyclists, and when they approached the checkpoint, they drew guns from under their dress and opened fire on the checkpoint,” a witness said.
Soldiers arrived soon after the shooting, taking over the area, but by then the surviving gunmen had fled.
Yesterday’s attack came a day after gunmen fired at the Mandawari police station in Kano city, killing a policeman, in the third such strike on the same station since last month.
No-one took responsibility for the check-point shooting in Kano, which came in the wake of incessant Boko Haram-linked violence in the city.
In Mubi, gunmen on motorbikes and in a car attacked a military patrol team on Monday night, killing a police inspector, a soldier and four other people.
Residents said a unit of military patrol team was also attacked by the gunmen, wounding the men on duty.
Also, unidentified gunmen attacked a military patrol vehicle on Ahmadu Bello Way in Mubi.
The attack was followed by multiple explosions and sporadic gunfire, which started at about 7.40 pm and lasted throughout the night in various parts of the town.
A witness said that the gunmen hurled an explosive device and opened fire on the moving military patrol vehicle.
He said the soldiers fired back.
“The gunmen fled the area, leaving one soldier killed and four others wounded. One police officer and other persons were also killed in the attack.
“We could not ascertain the identities of the four persons, whether they were pedestrians or gunmen,” he said.
Spokesman for the Adamawa police command, ASP Altine Daniel, confirmed that a police inspector, a soldier and other three civilians were killed, while three soldiers were wounded in the attacks on Monday night.
Daniel said the police were yet to ascertain the identities of the three dead people.
The attacks in Mubi came after an early morning incident in the town in which six corpses were found riddled with bullets. Residents say the men were killed by soldiers most likely on suspicion that they were Boko Haram members.
New Nigerian police uniform
The Inspector General of Police, Alhaji M. D. Abubakar, has said his appearance in the new police camouflage is a process of mock display of the uniform, as one of the operational outfits of the Nigerian Police.
The president, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, has approved a mock display of a camouflage dress for the police as one of their operational attires.
Alhaji Abubakar, on Tuesday, said the new dress was in line with the transformation agenda of the Federal Government and the desire of the police management team to reform the security outfit.
The camouflage, which is an admixture of black, white and ash colours, will serve as an operational dress for the police, with some inherent advantages when fully integrated and confirmed as one of the official police outfits
The new police camouflage is cost effective, durable, customised with security features to forestall impersonation and environmentally friendly.
The IGP called on the general public to constructively criticise the new police camouflage, so that public opinion would be given adequate considera
female corp memeber in police net over drugs and cocoain
Those with unknown long distance friends on Facebook may need to be wary as a female corps member is now in the custody of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) over drug parcel sent by her London-based Facebook friend.
The lady had, at the weekend, received a telephone call from her London friend about the arrival of the parcel with instructions on whom to hand it to once she collected it.
The parcel had arrived Lagos enroute Abuja, at the weekend, but officials of the courier firm in collaboration with the drug police directed their Abuja office to ensure that the parcel was opened before the beneficiary was allowed to take it away.
The corps member (names withheld), who had gone to the Abuja office of a courier company (names withheld) to collect the parcel, received the shock of her life when vigilant drug police, on searching the parcel, discovered a pack of cocaine.
The parcel, a small container, has within it three packs of cocaine concealed inside a wall clock,the Nigerian Tribune learnt.
The lady under interrogation was reported to have told the drug police that she met the man on Facebook and was under instruction to hand over the parcel to another friend also based in Abuja.
When pressed further, the female corps member was said to have confessed that this was not the first time she would be collecting parcels from her London friend with the shoe she was wearing at the point of her arrest said to be a product of previous transactions.
The lady had, at the weekend, received a telephone call from her London friend about the arrival of the parcel with instructions on whom to hand it to once she collected it.
The parcel had arrived Lagos enroute Abuja, at the weekend, but officials of the courier firm in collaboration with the drug police directed their Abuja office to ensure that the parcel was opened before the beneficiary was allowed to take it away.
The corps member (names withheld), who had gone to the Abuja office of a courier company (names withheld) to collect the parcel, received the shock of her life when vigilant drug police, on searching the parcel, discovered a pack of cocaine.
The parcel, a small container, has within it three packs of cocaine concealed inside a wall clock,the Nigerian Tribune learnt.
The lady under interrogation was reported to have told the drug police that she met the man on Facebook and was under instruction to hand over the parcel to another friend also based in Abuja.
When pressed further, the female corps member was said to have confessed that this was not the first time she would be collecting parcels from her London friend with the shoe she was wearing at the point of her arrest said to be a product of previous transactions.
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