PRESS STATEMENT

UNODC TO TRAIN NDLEA, OTHERS IN DRUG DEMAND REDUCTION

An elaborate action plan to regulate, upgrade and streamline drug abuse counselling, treatment and rehabilitation practice in the country is being worked upon by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and other treatment centres. This preparation towards streamlining best practices in drug demand reduction nationwide is part of a national European Union (EU) funded project in response to drugs and related organised crime control in Nigeria.

Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade while receiving the UNODC Country representative in Nigeria, Mrs Mariam Sissoko and UNODC regional adviser on HIV & AIDS, Dr. Reychad Abdool at the Agency’s headquarters in Lagos said that the Agency is prepared to collaborate with UNODC, European Union and other stakeholders on narcotics and organised crime control in the country. 

According to Giade, the visit of UNODC to the agency is timely to address the current problem of drug use among youths. “We have in the last two years discovered five clandestine laboratories used for the production of methamphetamine in the country. The implication is that methamphetamine which is a powerful stimulant is now being produced locally. This must be checked at all levels. Drug transit countries are at risk of becoming drug consumers and there is even a higher risk when the drugs are locally produced. There is no better time to plan against drug abuse especially among the youths”.

Dr Abdool stated that he was impressed that Nigeria has a lot of experts in drug demand reduction that can be relied upon. “Nigeria has a lot of experts that can be used in creating a new and upgraded drug rehabilitation infrastructure. We hope to enhance the capacity of these experts for quality service delivery in drug counselling, treatment and rehabilitation in the country with NDLEA as the coordinating body”.

UNODC Country representative, Mrs Sissoko added that about 200 NDLEA officers will participate in the first phase of the project along with personnel from certified drug abuse treatment centres selected from the six geo-political zones in the country. “The project is designed to develop the capacity of professionals in charge of drug abuse treatment in the country. In the first phase, six treatment centres one from each geopolitical zone shall be upgraded to international standard. The ultimate aim is to encourage professionalism such that every practitioner both at the government and Non-Governmental level can operate within a minimum international standard in drug abuse counselling, treatment and rehabilitation”.

The visit of the UNODC boss which coincided with the first national planning committee meeting for the commemoration of the international day against drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking is expected to strengthen drug control activities in the country. June 26 every year has been set aside by the United Nations in commemoration of the fight against drug production, trafficking and abuse.

Ofoyeju Mitchell

NDLEA WINS APPEAL AS BABA SUWE GOES TO SUPREME COURT

 By Ofoyeju Mitchell

The Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos on Friday May 31 set aside the judgment of Justice Yetunde Idowu of Lagos State High Court which ordered the anti-narcotic Agency to pay twenty-five million naira (N25,000,000) to popular comedian, Babatunde Omidina aka Baba Suwe for unlawful arrest and detention for nine days from October 12, 2011 to October 20, 2011. The Comedian was apprehended on October 12, 2011 over suspicion of narcotic ingestion during the screening of Air France passengers to Paris.

In a judgement delivered by Justice R. N Pemu, the court held that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA), had good reason to detain the comedian. It upheld the argument of the NDLEA that the Lagos State High Court lacks jurisdiction to entertain the matter and accordingly set aside the 25 million naira compensation awarded against the NDLEA and the order to publish public apology in two national dailies within 21 days of judgement.

Chairman/Chief Executive of the Agency, Ahmadu Giade described the Appeal Court judgement as a victory for drug control in the country. In his words, “this judgement is a victory for drug control in the country”.

In its judgenment on the issue of damages awarded against the Agency, the Appeal court stated that the detention of the comedian was within a reasonable period as stipulated by the law. “The Agency was conscious of the fundamental rights of the comedian when it promptly approached the Federal High Court Lagos for additional days of detention for observation. There was simply no basis for the 25 million naira damages. The compensation is excessive and hereby set aside” Justice Pemu stated.

The NDLEA Director of Prosecution and Legal Services, Mr Femi Oloruntoba, expressed delight with the Appeal Court judgement. “We are happy with the judgement. It is fair and serves the best interest of justice” Femi stated.

Adopting NDLEA’s brief dated February 3, 2012, Oloruntoba submitted that the lower court judge erred in law as the judgment was not a product of evidence presented before the court. Oloruntoba argued that the lower court erred as the entire judgment was faulty and that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the fundamental human rights suit filed by the respondent.

In a swift reaction, counsel to Babatunde Omidina,  Mr Bamidele Aturu said that they will contest the Appeal Court judgement at the Supreme Court. “With profound respect, we thank the Court for the judgement. However, we disagree with the decision and will appeal the judgement” Aturu said.

It will be recalled that in its judgment, the lower court ordered NDLEA to pay Baba Suwe N25 million as compensation and that the agency should publish a public apology in two widely read national newspapers.

two cultists in police custody for killing Hip Hop artist Damino Damoche

police sources stated two suspected cultists have been arrested over the grusome murder of Upcoming hip hop artist  and a student of the Lagos State University, LASU, Olaniyan Damilola, popularly known as Damino Damoche and four other students in Lagos state . The suspected cultists were arrested during a raid at the piopular Alaba  International market .  The officers raided the market last week folowing the grusome killing of four men by an unnamed cult group 

HOW N15MILLION BRIBE WOULD HAVE KILLED CYNTHIA OSOKOGU’S MURDER CASE INTERVIEW WITH ASSISTANT  COMMISSIONER OF POLICE  AREA “E” FESTAC TOWN. DAMIEN OKORO.

BY PATIENCE OGBO

 ACP Okoro was one of the police officers conferred with meritorious award and certificate of bravery by President Goodluck Jonathan at the recent event to mark the police week in Abuja .

 The award is in recognition of his groundbreaking investigation into the gruesome murder of Cynthia Osukogu, a postgraduate student murdered by her face book friends in Lagos.

ACP Okoro in an interview after he received his award stated that Miss Osokogu’s killers offered him N15million to compromise the case. He also spoke about his love for unraveling crime and the need for police officers to improve themselves on the job.

He said “ I try to achieve a fete  in my profession and in all I do . Investigations into the murder of Miss  Osukogu was not an easy one as she was killed in such a manner that it would take a very intelligent officer to arrest her killers. There was no complainant , no means to locate her family as her phones were styolen by her killers . We also could  not Identify her or say this was where she was coming from. Investigation into the killing   took my officers and I to Cotonu in Benin REPUBLIC where we played a decoy  undercover as we broke the barrier of the INTERPOL that would have slowed down the case.  We went to Anambra State University.

When, we got the call log, It was about 300- 400 pages and we did a deep study of the call log; involved  forensic analysis –it was tasking analyzing all the activities on the social media, Facebook, twitter. I took a great risk putting my life and that of my officers on the line  to go after the killers because my spirit was high and that was why I took the risk not minding that there is grave danger we made arrest about midnight 1;15am  until 3.15am we were in operation. It was the painstaking forensic investigation we did that showed the suspect was economical with the truth about his location. He was in Lagos State but claimed he was in Abuja.

Did  you think that you will be celebrated for  arresting  Cynthia’s killers?

 ACP Okoro: My mind was not on any award. I was just doing what a police officer is expected to do in such a situation to find the killers. I am very glad and I feel elated at the awards and certificates I have received and the President’s award is a great fete that is not common. I am fulfilled and I thank God that I was honored -It is nothing compared to the N15million I was offered. Today have been celebrated and that is all I wanted. I received the National Orientation Agency, Security Watch Africa awards, the best Area Commander in Nigeria award in 2012 also, the IGP award and the President’s meritorious award. If we had collected money, the celebration would not be today.

I am happy because I never compromised the case because if I had done that then this award would not be today. Actually, the suspect gave me money for us to kill Cynthia Osokogu’s murder  and there were pressure from everywhere that we should not arrest other suspects. I got furious when Eche, the killer was bold to say that I should remove the handcuff   from his hands; that he wants to go home and his people are coming to “see” me. He told me that why am I bothering myself with that prostitute?  I told him he was not going anywhere. He thought I was being tough so he offered, N10million. I was just looking at him and I said, you cannot go anywhere . He thought I was looking for more money so he increased his bribe to N15million. At this point, I became very furious with  him that he had no remorse after killing a human being in that manner . I stood my ground that he cannot go after committing such heinous crime. He thought I was joking but he got the message when my men took him away and locked him up. If I had collected that N15million, then we would not be talking about this award. The N15million is nothing to be compared with the life time award I received from the president. This award is not a mean fete. I will cherish the award all my life.  It shows that if one works hard, and is dedicated, the person would be recognized and honoured .

WHAT IS THE Height OF Your   PROFESSION?

 ACP Okoro: Every officer should strive to make a name for his or herself and put themselves in the echelon of crime busting   which is the fundamental in police work. The aspiring officer should look for a mentor. I own all the achievement so far to the IGP Mohammed Abubakar . He is my mentor and I adore him. I have known my boss for over a decade and I have worked with him and learnt from his wisdom and knowledge. He was the one who encouraged me to read law. The Lagos State commissioner of police Umar Manko is also a police man I adore. He gave me the ENABLING environment and the necessary support to carry out investigations. If he had said   the Cynthia’s case should be transferred, then we would not be saying anything about awards and being celebrated. 

How did you achieve so much despite the challenges on the job?

ACP Okoro : The modern technology  involving forensic  investigation has been digitalized- , using computer and the social media to crack cases requires tech knowledge   . What this entails is updating one’s knowledge and expertise. I had to enroll in a technology school where I acquired knowledge in forensic investigation. Also, there is the challenge of human, political and economic pressure trying to make you compromise. When highly placed individuals call you and want the case compromised it makes the job difficult but an astute policeman must stand his ground and say no.

How have you been succeeding in spite of poor infrastructures and equipment to do your work?

ACP  Okoro: There are a lot of training programme for officers as the IGP Mohammed Abubakar  is one person that believes in training and retraining and there are courses in this regards to make officers excel on the job. Like I said, success on the job is a personal aspiration and desire. An officer should have that high innate passion to achieve more – to become an achiever of international repute. This kind of mindset will make you go far in life.

 Would you have preferred another profession?

ACP  Okoro: It has been on my mind to join the police even when I was in school. I am from a family of policemen and I got attracted to the profession I loved so much and I don’t regret it . If I am reincarnated, I would still become a policeman. My experience in the Police Force has been awesome.  I advise other officers to train and retain themselves especially in modern policing and the use of the web and social media. It is left to them to become achievers on the job.

HOW N15MILLION BRIBE WOULD HAVE KILLED CYNTHIA OSOKOGU’S MURDER CASE INTERVIEW WITH ASSISTANT  COMMISSIONER OF POLICE  AREA “E” FESTAC TOWN. DAMIEN OKORO.

BY PATIENCE OGBO

 ACP Okoro was one of the police officers conferred with meritorious award and certificate of bravery by President Goodluck Jonathan at the recent event to mark the police week in Abuja .

 The award is in recognition of his groundbreaking investigation into the gruesome murder of Cynthia Osukogu, a postgraduate student murdered by her face book friends in Lagos.

ACP Okoro in an interview after he received his award stated that Miss Osokogu’s killers offered him N15million to compromise the case. He also spoke about his love for unraveling crime and the need for police officers to improve themselves on the job.

He said “ I try to achieve a fete  in my profession and in all I do . Investigations into the murder of Miss  Osukogu was not an easy one as she was killed in such a manner that it would take a very intelligent officer to arrest her killers. There was no complainant , no means to locate her family as her phones were styolen by her killers . We also could  not Identify her or say this was where she was coming from. Investigation into the killing   took my officers and I to Cotonu in Benin REPUBLIC where we played a decoy  undercover as we broke the barrier of the INTERPOL that would have slowed down the case.  We went to Anambra State University.

When, we got the call log, It was about 300- 400 pages and we did a deep study of the call log; involved  forensic analysis –it was tasking analyzing all the activities on the social media, Facebook, twitter. I took a great risk putting my life and that of my officers on the line  to go after the killers because my spirit was high and that was why I took the risk not minding that there is grave danger we made arrest about midnight 1;15am  until 3.15am we were in operation. It was the painstaking forensic investigation we did that showed the suspect was economical with the truth about his location. He was in Lagos State but claimed he was in Abuja.

Did  you think that you will be celebrated for  arresting  Cynthia’s killers?

 ACP Okoro: My mind was not on any award. I was just doing what a police officer is expected to do in such a situation to find the killers. I am very glad and I feel elated at the awards and certificates I have received and the President’s award is a great fete that is not common. I am fulfilled and I thank God that I was honored -It is nothing compared to the N15million I was offered. Today have been celebrated and that is all I wanted. I received the National Orientation Agency, Security Watch Africa awards, the best Area Commander in Nigeria award in 2012 also, the IGP award and the President’s meritorious award. If we had collected money, the celebration would not be today.

I am happy because I never compromised the case because if I had done that then this award would not be today. Actually, the suspect gave me money for us to kill Cynthia Osokogu’s murder  and there were pressure from everywhere that we should not arrest other suspects. I got furious when Eche, the killer was bold to say that I should remove the handcuff   from his hands; that he wants to go home and his people are coming to “see” me. He told me that why am I bothering myself with that prostitute?  I told him he was not going anywhere. He thought I was being tough so he offered, N10million. I was just looking at him and I said, you cannot go anywhere . He thought I was looking for more money so he increased his bribe to N15million. At this point, I became very furious with  him that he had no remorse after killing a human being in that manner . I stood my ground that he cannot go after committing such heinous crime. He thought I was joking but he got the message when my men took him away and locked him up. If I had collected that N15million, then we would not be talking about this award. The N15million is nothing to be compared with the life time award I received from the president. This award is not a mean fete. I will cherish the award all my life.  It shows that if one works hard, and is dedicated, the person would be recognized and honoured .

WHAT IS THE Height OF Your   PROFESSION?

 ACP Okoro: Every officer should strive to make a name for his or herself and put themselves in the echelon of crime busting   which is the fundamental in police work. The aspiring officer should look for a mentor. I own all the achievement so far to the IGP Mohammed Abubakar . He is my mentor and I adore him. I have known my boss for over a decade and I have worked with him and learnt from his wisdom and knowledge. He was the one who encouraged me to read law. The Lagos State commissioner of police Umar Manko is also a police man I adore. He gave me the ENABLING environment and the necessary support to carry out investigations. If he had said   the Cynthia’s case should be transferred, then we would not be saying anything about awards and being celebrated. 

How did you achieve so much despite the challenges on the job?

ACP Okoro : The modern technology  involving forensic  investigation has been digitalized- , using computer and the social media to crack cases requires tech knowledge   . What this entails is updating one’s knowledge and expertise. I had to enroll in a technology school where I acquired knowledge in forensic investigation. Also, there is the challenge of human, political and economic pressure trying to make you compromise. When highly placed individuals call you and want the case compromised it makes the job difficult but an astute policeman must stand his ground and say no.

How have you been succeeding in spite of poor infrastructures and equipment to do your work?

ACP  Okoro: There are a lot of training programme for officers as the IGP Mohammed Abubakar  is one person that believes in training and retraining and there are courses in this regards to make officers excel on the job. Like I said, success on the job is a personal aspiration and desire. An officer should have that high innate passion to achieve more – to become an achiever of international repute. This kind of mindset will make you go far in life.

 Would you have preferred another profession?

ACP  Okoro: It has been on my mind to join the police even when I was in school. I am from a family of policemen and I got attracted to the profession I loved so much and I don’t regret it . If I am reincarnated, I would still become a policeman. My experience in the Police Force has been awesome.  I advise other officers to train and retain themselves especially in modern policing and the use of the web and social media. It is left to them to become achievers on the job.

GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ARE THE BIGGEST BENEFICIARIES OF  FUEL SUBSIDY---Study.
By Patience Ogbo
Government officials are the major beneficiaries of fuel subsidy in Nigeria. This revelation was made following a research conducted by the three Nonprofit organizations made up of independent, non-partisan, African-based network of researchers.
'Kemi Okenyodo the Executive Director of  CLEEN Foundation said  the research was organized by the CLEEN Foundation in collaboration with the Afrobarometer Network and the Center for Democratic Development CDD-Ghana. The result   was presented at a press briefing on May 22nd in Lagos State.
She said “The Afrobarometer (AB) is a comparative series of public opinion surveys that measure public attitudes toward democracy, governance, the economy, leadership, identity, and other related issues. The AB is an independent, non-partisan, African-based network of researchers. The first round of surveys took place in 1999-2001 in 12 countries.  The Network has conducted “Round 5” surveys in up to 35 countries including Nigeria during 2011-2012.

Two thousand four hundred (2,400) respondents were interviewed in their homes using personal face-to-face interview and multi-stage sampling technique.To ensure adequate representation of adult Nigerians population, probability sampling procedure was used to neutralize any known form of bias that may affect the findings of the study. Respondents were males and females, age 18 years and above.  Interviews were conducted throughout week days and weekends, to ensure that respondents of all works of life were included in the sample”.

Miss Okenyodo added that the purpose of Afrobarometer survey in Nigeria is to measure popular perspectives on the social, political, and economic environment. The goal is to give the public a voice in policy making processes by providing high-quality public opinion data to policy-makers, policy advocates and civil society organizations, academics, media, donors and investors, and ordinary Africans.“We went to the greatest length in quality control measures in order to ensure that the process of collecting and analyzing the data we are presenting today adhered to the highest possible international standard in reliability.
The field administration of the survey questionnaire in Nigeria was handled by the Practical Sampling International (PSI), a reputable social research firm that has worked with the CLEEN Foundation and the Afrobarometer network over the years and has conducted similar surveys for local and international organizations” .she said.
The Survey,   focused on five areas   which include election, rotation of Presidency, creation of more states, corruption and fuel subsidy.
“62% of Nigerians say government should maintain the fuel subsidy. The Nigeria public have the believe that creation of more States and Local government Areas will improve development of the country; 60% of Nigerians approve the rotation of Presidency across regions against 40% who say anyone should contest for the office of the presidency regardless of the region .While majority of Nigerians say the quality of the 2011 general election in Nigeria is better than 2007 national elections. Also, wide majority of Nigerians say government officials benefits most from fuel subsidies and most Nigerian residents say it is difficult to start-up a small or medium scale business in Nigeria”.  Miss Okenyodo said. Kathy Addy, the representative of Center for Democratic Development (CDD), Ghana stated that the research assists government in formulating policies that will prioritise the needs of the people.
“The first round of surveys took place in 1999-2001 in 12 countries. The Network is now conducting “Round 5” surveys in up to 35 countries including Algeria, Burundi, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Egypt, Guinea, Mauritius, Morocco, Niger, Togo, Tunisia, Sierra Leone, and Sudan during 2011-2012.The goal is to give the public a voice in policy making processes by providing high-quality public opinion data to policy-makers, policy advocates and civil society organizations, academics, media, donors and investors, and ordinary Africans.”
Gbolahan Adeniran, the Senior Special Assistance to the Attorney General and Commissioner For Justice Lagos State applauded the researchers stating that the Lagos state government has benefitted immensely from the scientific researches which are  unbiased and geared towards meaniful developmental policies and implementation.
The Round 5 Core Funders include the DFID, SIDA, USAID and the Mo Ibrahim Foundation.

18 years- old -lady allegedly hangs herself in Lagos

Officers of the Lagos state police command are investigate the alleged suicide by one  one Rebecca  18 years old who  allegedly hanged herself at N0. 15 Agbonifo Street Ikotun Lagos. The incident occurred om May 5th 2013.The corpse has been deposited at Isolo Genera Hospital Mortuary for autopsy. The case is under investigation at Ikotun Division

NO JUSTICE FOR SLAIN BADAGRY POLICE STATION OFFICERS TWO YEARS AFTER GRUSOME MURDER BY SOLDIERS
BY PATIENCE OGBO
May 25th 2013 marks  the second year three police officers were brutally murdered by suspected soldiers attached to the 243 Recce Battalion Barracks, Ibereko,  Badagry  in Lagos State .
Sadly, their murder which was premeditated has been swept under the carpet family members of the slain officers’ alleged.
The police officers were  the  late Divisional Police Officer, Badagry Police Station, Samuel Salisu,  the Divisional Crime Officer, Samson Okedusi  and late Assistant Superintendent of Police, Taofeek Afolabi, killed by the soldiers after a  peace meeting at the 242 Recce Battalion Barracks  .
The slain  officers were on a peace mission to the army barracks, allegedly on the invitation of the commandant of the barracks simply identified as Colonel Nabasa to settle a rift between the police and the army over the killing of a staff sergeant allegedly by an anti-riot police officer attached to the  Lagos State security outfit, the Rapid Response Squad (RRS)during a scuffle at a check-point in Badagry on may 23 2011.
It was gathered that soldiers in camouflage uniform ambushed, shot and killed the unsuspecting police officers. The DPO’s head was smashed with stones and he died on the spot, the DCO was stoned and shot  several times and he too gave up the ghost but the ASP sustained gunshot wounds and later died in the hospital few days later .
 As if this was not dehumanizing enough, the soldiers ensured they left The DPO and DCO corpses   under the sun by the road side for more than six hours and dared anybody not to remove them as they kept watch over the corpses. The soldiers  allowed the corpses to be removed after they got an order from an unnamed superior officer.
 There was public outcry over the gruesome murder of the policemen while the family members called for justice and compensation.
Despite the anguish and plea for justice, families of the slain officers are angry with the police authority for sweeping the murders under the carpet and gross failure to fish out the killers two years After the policemen were killed
 Mrs  Temitayo Okedusi stated that the police and the government who made promises of fishing out her husband’s killers have abandoned her family  as they have  failed to arrest and prosecute the killers .
“It has not been easy all ,financially and personally it  has  not been easy at all, no helper, nobody. The people who promised they are going to do this and do that I have not seen anybody. The little business I do is what we have been using to feed. We have not been able to access his gratuity because of the 10% commission the Probate court is asking for.
 They asked us to bring letter of Administration from the Probate court so the court told us to go and calculate his entire money in the bank and pay 10% of the money to the Probate court but we do not have the money to pay the court and this is delaying us from getting his gratuity and other entitlements.  The commission the probate court is asking for  and the legal fee will cost us N330,000 and I don’t have that money .The family is in a tight corner as the   bank needs this letter of administration before the money in his account can be released . So we are suffering not being able to access all these money”” Mrs Okedusi said.
 Mrs Okedusi added that she felt abandoned as there has not been any news to cheer her  up that her husband’s killers have been arrested.
“I feel so sad because the serving policemen are not helping the wives of the dead officers . They did not assist widows of their dead officers. My husband   died on active duty trying to solve a rift between the police and the army. This is very sad and devastating but God has been helping us. If the government is assisting the wives of soldiers killed by Boko Haram, and militants, they should also compensate the families of policemen killed in such a gruesome manner. The government has a day set aside for remembering the fallen soldiers but there is no recognition for the policemen killed fighting to protect this country. This is not fair and the government should set a day aside to remember fallen policemen also.
In my husband’s case, I will continue to demand for justice. I want the government to find my husband’s killers and bring them to book.  The family wants justice and if I have money, I would have taken  the government ,and the police and army to court for sweeping the death of my husband under the carpet” Mrs Okedusi said .
During the  lying- in -state ceremony  at the police headquarters Ikeja , the recitation read    that the slain officers had contributed immensely to the uplifting of the police Force as under their leadership, the Badagry police station won the the Altus Global Alliance, Annual Police Station Visitors Week (PSVW) in 2010  . It was gathered that the late DPO, Samuel Salisu, served the police for more than twenty years while the DCO, Samson Okedusi was killed five months to his retirement from the Force.Innocent Chukwuma the Chief Executive officer of CLEEN Foundation while paying tribute to the slain officers during the one year remembrance said “It is unfortunate that the police officers were brutally murdered as the Badagry Police Station under their leadership won an Altus award last year,” he said. We were told when they were killed by the soldiers that the police and the military will set up a panel to investigate that heinous crime. As we speak to you today, neither the report of that panel has been made”.
It can be recalled that Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola of Lagos State, assured the family In his condolence  letter to the family that the government will  fish out the killers and bring them to face the full wrath of the law.
 The letter  delivered to the Okedusi family by the Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area, Council Manager Mr. Olaleye.read“ I write to offer the deepest and most heartfelt condolences of myself, my family, the government and people of Lagos State over the tragic loss of your husband and father, Superintendent of Police Samson Okedusi while on official service of his nation.I am indeed lost of words at the circumstances that led to his painful loss but I am given solace, as I pray you are, by the knowledge that though we may sometimes be tested in our faith, God’s  will is the ultimate determinant of our fates.
I have been assured by the relevant authorities that those responsible for the dastardly act shall be identified and made to face the full wrath of the law and I undertake to see that this is done. Your husband and father was a diligent, honest, fearless and gallant man who committed his whole life to the service of humanity and our hearts and thoughts are with you at this difficult time”
The family in a speech delivered by the deceased younger brother, Dr.  Michael Okedusi  during the laying in state ceremony called on the then  Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Hafiz Ringim, to set up  an independent panel of inquiry to probe the gruesome murder of the officers.
“We will not succumb to threat, intimidation and compromise or any other alternative than justice. We are once again calling on all human right groups, both local an

children become commodity in Nigeria

An  unborn baby can be purchased  for N200,000 while a four-year-old son can be purchased  for N400, 000 said a couple  Chibueze and Adaeze Mba arrested recently for  operating a child theft syndicate.
The couple had successfully sold thier children but thier  children are not thier only victims as they had also sold thier neighbour's children for N700,000 ;a male child was sold at N400,000 while the female child, who was two months old when she was kidnapped in 2012 was sold at N300,000.”
Narrating how they carry out the nefarous act, Adaeze who is pregnant said  “ Where we lived  at the Jakande Estate  of  Lagos state, precisely on  March 2013,  my husband and I, kidnapped our  neighbour’s toddler son called Stanley Ezeaka, and took him out of Lagos state to Imo state . My husband called an accomplice who later bought the boy for N400,000".
 After committing the crime, the couple relocated to Calabar but they had plans to kidnap and sell more babies.
Adaeze who is seven months pregnant  stated to the surprise of everyone that her unborn child is already a purchased "commodity", “I am seven months pregnant but  my husband has already sold our unborn baby for N200, 000.
Chibuueze however stated that he went into child theft  out of sympathy for helpless women who cannot take care4 of themselves and the babies “One of the children was born by a mentally challenged woman; so I have committed no crime by selling the child to people who would take care of her.”
 One of the women who  had  purchased stolen  children revealed that she bought the   boy because she could not have a child of her own..
“I bought the boy for N600,000 . I used my savings to pay for him becuase I was lonely after my husband died. I was married for more than twenty yeears but did not have a child of my . One Ogbonna sold the boy to me and i changed his name to Uchenna  . I  dont know that the boy was stolen as Ogbonna told me that the child is from an Orphanage and he would gt me his adoption document but I discovered it was a fraud when the police came to my houst to arrest me.
 One Benedicta Ogbonna  who serves as a link betwen the couple and  interested party said the children were kidnapped and sold for them to have a good life.
.”

REVENGE BACKFIRES BY PATIENCE OGBO

Officers attached to the Special Anti Robbery Squad SARS   of the Lagos State Police Command Ikeja  on May 22nd 2013  paraded a Lebanese, Mohammed Dannawi, for allegedly masterminding the   kidnap of  his aunt, Alhaja Essa Dannawi.
The  police said Mohammed  alongside one Obi Kwentua   a former domestic staff of Alhaja Essa abducted the 61-year-old  Lebanese woman from her residence at No. 40 Abule Nla Road, Ebute Metta On May 2.
 The police further stated that the suspect kept the woman in thier hideout at the Oyinbo area of the state. The police arrested the suspect after they demanded N100million ransom.
However, the suspects later reduced the ransom  to  N4million and it was in the process of collecting the money at the Rita Lori hotel at Surulere area of the state  that the police arrested them.
Asked why he masterminded the kidnap of his aunty, Mohammed said his aunty was mean to him and his wife and at such she was always offending him. " I planned the kidnap not to get money but to teach my aunt a lesson. She was always offending me. I did not tell the boys to collect money for her ransom but they should just teach  her  a lesson"

TENSION IN EGBEN KINGDOM

TENSION IN EGBEN KINGDOM:
–       OBA OYEBO IN POLICE CUSTODY 
By Steve Ogwu-Chinuwa
Peace evaded the Egben kingdom mid  yesterday as news spread like wide fire that Oba Adoriyomi Oyebo of Egben kingdom is been detained at the Lagos State Police Command Headquarter Ikeja.
Sources confirmed to our reporter that the Monarch arrived the police headquarters along with his wife the Lagos State to see the Lagos State Common of Police Umar Menko.
Police source at the X-squad office confirmed to our supporter that the monarch is been detained and also been interrogated based on the alleged killing of a mobile police officer at Mowo-Nla Village in Ijede Local Government Development Area in Ikorodu.
In a petition from the Falami of Falana Chamber, dated 23rd May, 2013 addressed to the Lagos State Commission of Police, Mr. Umar Manko and signed by one Oludare Falana and titled this:
PETITION AGAINST MALICIOUS DAMAGE, UNLAWFUL INVASION AND THEFT OF PERSONAL EFFECT OF OTUNBA KAMORUDEEN LAMINA BY ONE DSP AYENI OF (MOPOL 22) IN COMPAY OF AINA, OTUNBA ABAYOMI, ISIAKA ABORISHADE
We act as Solicitors to Otunba Kamorudeen Lamina on whose instructions we write this petition.
1.     On May 21, 2013 at about 11:30 to 12:45am, one DSP Ayeni of MOPOL 22 led about 60 mobile policemen to unlawfully invade our client’s office situate at No. 262 Sagamu Road, Odoigiyan, Ikorodu, Lagos.

2.     In the process, our client’s office was bugled and his properties were carted away including the sum of N1, 750, 000.00 (One million seven hundred and fifty thousand naira)
3.     As if that was not enough, on the aforesaid dated (may 21st, 2013), the said DSP Ayeni in the company of the mobile policeman also invaded his residence of situate at no.1 obagunle close, odogunyan off shagam road and in the process manhandled his security guard, handcuffed him and dumped hin in the in the trunk of their car, subsequently, forcefully broke open the entrance door leading to our client’s property and carted away jewelry worth N1,600,000.00 and the sum of N2,650,000.00. Kindly find attached pictures annexed as annexures “C”, “D”, “E” & “F”).

4.     Upon enquiries by our client at the Shagamu road police station, he was informed that the invasion led by DSP Ayeni of (MOPOL 22) and other unidentified mobile policeman is illegal and unauthorized as there was no entry in their record to reflect the illegal and unauthorized invasion.

5.     Our client made further enquiries at the area commander’s office “Area N” Ijede, Ikorodu as to what informed the illegal invasion, malicious damage, and theft of his cash and properties worth millions of naira and he was reliably informed as follow:

a.      One oba Kabiyesi Adeoriyomi Akeem Oyebo Obateru harboured some         hoodlums in his palace at egbin where they orchestrated their plan to attack          mowonla village.

b.     On the 20th/21stof May, 2013 at about midnight, the hoodlums led by one      Akorede Ogunsanmi a.k.a Eiye, Isola Alegunleye, Lawal a.k.a Jeba, Oji     Ogijo invaded Mowonla Village on the instructions and authorization of Oba     Adeoriyomi Obateru thereby Causing mayhem in the community.


     6.            Consequent thereon, the Police arrested three of the hoodlums that attacked Mowonla Community, who have made confessional statement to the police that the said Oba Adeoriyomi Akeem Oyepo Obateru authorized them to invade the community and perpetrate the dastardly act.
On the premise of the foregoing, it is obvious that there is no nexus between our client and the crime committed at Mowonla Village to warrant the unlawful invasion of his office, property, and the theft of his cash.
In the circumstances, we urge you to use your good offices to cause a detailed investigation into client’s allegations herein with a view to bringing any party found culpable to face the full wrath of the law.
The officer in charge X-squad CSP Kolawole confirmed the detention of Oba Oyebo.
Some Lagos State officials were sighted streaming into the office of the CP only to be told by a source that the monarch will be in police custody pending the outcome of the investigation as the it related to the alleged killing of a mobile police office attached to mobile 22 Ikeja.
At press time, the monarch is yet to be released, while according to the police sources ten other suspect have made confessional statement to the police.

GUN MEN KILL POLICE CORPORAL ,Injure three in midnight robbery attack.

Suspected armed robbers in the early hours of Wednesday attacked a police team killing one policeman and wounding three others. The policemen are attached to the Alade Police Station in Somolu Lagos State . Residents said they heard fierce gun shots about midnight at the Bajulaiye area of the state. According to a police source, the suspected armed robbers allegedly drove in a white Murano Utility Jeep attacked the police team at Church Bus Stop Bajulaiye. An unidentified commercial bus driver was said to be driving the policemen in the Lagos State yellow bus when they were attacked . The police source gave the names of the wounded officers as " Sergeant Ogoigbe Egugoje ,corporal Iyang and Monday Efoma while Corporal Gabriel Bissong was shot dead". The wounded policemen were taken to the General Hospital at Oguntolu Somolu before they were transferred to the Intensive Care Unit Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) at Idi-Araba. Transport workers have complained of armed robbery attacks at the Fola-Agoro axis Bajuliaye stating that a notorious car snatching gang operates in the area. They also decried policemen "hijacking" their buses and using them to patrol the streets.

HOW AMERICAN BASED NIGERIAN COUPLE GOT "AGBO" TWIN IN PORT HARCOURT.

SUSPECTED CHILD TRAFFICKING SUSPECTS: 1. ADENUGA SOYIBO ‘M’ 2. ELIZABETH SOYIBO ‘F’ On the 15th day of April, 2013, the American Consulate reported that the above stated persons who have earlier applied for American Visa and their application was differed on the suspicion that the Twins they claimed to be their babies appeared to have been stolen. Based on this, the Consulate ordered a DNA test to ascertain the biological relationship of the babies with the two suspects. The Consulate invited them when it received the result of the DNA which revealed that the babies do not belong to the couple as both lack the genetic marks that must be contributed to the child by the biological parents. During investigation, Detectives travelled to Port-Harcourt where the woman claimed to have given birth to the Twins in a private small house. On getting to Port-Harcourt, the woman claimed she could no longer identify or locate the place, she also stated that she has no antenatal record anywhere as she did not attend any. She stated further that the total sum of N1.8million was paid to the woman who administered “Agbo” local herbs on her that eventually produced the babies. Adenuga Soyibo, the claimed father of the twins on his own part stated that he was also given “Agbo” local herbs that boosted his sperm count that produced the babies. Both suspects claimed they can no longer trace the woman whom they paid the sum of N1.8million for the “Agbo” local herbs and the delivery of the baby. They also could not produce anyone who knew about the conception and the subsequent delivery of the babies. The suspects would soon appear in Court. DSP NGOZI ISINTUME-AGU Police Public Relations Officer For: Commissioner of Police Special Fraud Unit Ikoyi – Lagos

Italian Embassy Exposed Fake Travel Agents in Lagos Ste

Officers of the Special Fraud Unit Ikoyi Lagos have arrested three men Michael Adeoye,Ody Chidebe and Moradeyo Olalekan for alleged conspiracy, forgery and obtaining under false pretence following a petition received from Deputy Consular-General/Head of Visa Operations, Italian Embassy. Following the petition, the Commissioner of Police, Special Fraud Unit, ordered a team of police men to apprehend some travel agents who specialized in procuring fake health insurance certificate, visa and other vital travel documents for prospective travelers. The petitioner further alleged that with the fake health insurance certificate, Nigerians will apply for visa at the Italian Embassy and this has been a source of worry as it affects the operations of the Embassy. DSP NGOZI ISINTUME-AGU, the Police Public Relations Officer of the SFU said In the course of investigation, it was discovered that Michael Adeoye, a 38yr old from Otun-Ekiti in Ekiti State who works at Nuyork Network Services at Mini Shop 2, TBS Lagos as a travel agent is the mastermind of the whole crime. He usually commit the crime using Elvia Health Insurance Company based in Denmark and Asa Health Insurance Company based in Germany. “He(Adeoye) confessed that he found the Health Insurance Companies on line and has been defrauding the companies by booking health insurance certificates for travelers without paying any money to the companies. The cost for procuring the certificate is 17Euro but they charge 47Euro which according to them is equivalent to N10,000.00 and this fraud has been going on since 2012. The second suspect, Ody Chidebe, a 31yr old from Nri, Anambra State and a graduate of Federal Polytechnic, Okoh who claimed to be an Insurance Agent corroborated the confession of the first suspect that the business has been on since 2012. According to her, as an Insurance Agent, she can obtain an insurance certificate from any source whether genuine or fake and the Elvia Insurance Certificate was given to her by Michael Adeoye and they have been succeeding in using it to procure visa for travelers until their act was discovered” The statement by the police added that the third suspect Moradeyo Olalekan, a 45yr old from Owu in Abeokuta, Ogun State, a travel agent and the owner of Nuyork Network Services where Michael Adeoye is presently working. His office serves as an avenue for perpetrating the act. He confirmed that Elvia Health Insurance is one of the listed travel insurance on the list of required and accepted health insurance on the website of list travel documents by the Embassy and can be booked on line. He shifted the whole blame to Michael Adeoye whom he said, is in a better position to explain the health insurance in question. Other documents recovered in his office are international passports which according to him belonged to different people for booking of appointments or payment of visa fees in banks. Investigation is on-going. Suspects will be charged to court soonest.

250 Police officers graduate in Human Rights Course. By patience Ogbo Two hundred and fifty police officers today earned certificates in Human Rights Studies . The officers were among about 297 officers who participated in the Course 16 training programme organised by the Crime Victims Foundation in conjunction with the Lagos State police Command. The Course started from Febuary 10th 2013 and ended April 25th. The Acting Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 2 Police Command in Lagos Mamman Tsafe urged members of the public to support the police in the fight against rights abuse. He said "Nigeria police is undergoing many changes and we are transforming to face the changes. The captain of the ship,the IGP Mohammed Abubakar is a great promoter of Human Rights and that is why he has given the necessary support for this training to continue. Human Rights is his personal commitment to transform the Police Force. We expect these officers to imbibe what they have learnt and let it benefit the citizens". Mrs Gloria Egbuji,the Executive Director of Crime Victims Foundation said the training is beneficial to the police and the citizens. She said " The benefit of the training cannot be overemphasized as all the Divisions in Lagos State today have got at least 15 trained Human Rights officers. The awareness is massively created and the public are begining to get the benefits as we are also training them to demand for their rights from the police". Mrs Egbuji said. A former commissioner of police,Mr. Frank Odita delivered the graduation Lecture titled "Re-positioning the Human Rights Culture Through Motivators,Models and Mentors". Mr. Odita while charging the officers to imbibe what they have learnt said " The police uniform is not a symbol of authority but of service to humanity. The first step to Human Rights is giving not taking from people you are meant to protect. The change must begin with the police slogan"The Police Is Your Friend". You do not extort from your friend,harrass or maim your friend. You don't dehumanise your friend. Human Rights law expects you to protect the rights of others and in doing that ,you are also protecting your own rights. That rights expects you to have a mentor that you can learn from. A policeman should be a jack of all trade and master of all. This training is to make you agents of change and to train your subordinates". The Course participants were exposed to a wide range of Human Rights topics such as,human rights definitions and source,code of conduct for law enforcement,Alternative Dispute Resolutions,Child rights laws,domestic violence,International Humanitarian laws. Other areas the course focused on include Police Powers,communication skills,judge rule,marriage act and the use of firearms. Awards and certificates were presented to the officers and the best graduating students. SP. Iyunade M. Lasisi the Divisional Police Officer,Bode Thomas Division came top as the Best Graduating Officer. Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone provided by Airtel Nigeria. IMG-20130114

Elere killing : Killer cop remanded in SCID

The lagos State commissioner of police Umar manko has ordered the arrest of an Inspector attached to the Elere Police station who allegedly shot dead a transporter during a scuffle . The incident happened on May 2nd at the Oke-Odo area of the state in the evening. The deceased was said to be quarrelling with another man over the ownership of a tyre when the police Inspector who was returning from attending to a distress call with a tream of officers in a patrol van got down from the vehicle to settle the two score between the two men. It was in the process that the gun fired and killed the transporter. The said inspector has been arrested and remanded at the State criminal Investigation department at Panti Yaba. the killer police man however said it was an accidental discharge as he did not intend to kill the transporter . When contacted, the lagos State police boss stated that the case is "murder" and would be investigated. The killing of the transporter caused tension in the area as residents were aggrieved by the killing .

LASPOTECH STUDENT RAPED TO DEATH THREE DAYS AFTER GRADUATION.

LASPOTECH STUDENT RAPED TO DEATH THREE DAYS AFTER GRADUATION. A 21- year -old girl simply identified as Nofisat was raped to death by unknown men in her home at the Magbon area of Ogijo in Ogun State. The incident happened on Wednesday at about 2p.m. The victim had just earned her National Diploma from the Lagos State Polytechnic Ikorodu on Saturday April 27th and was still in a joyous mood when the suspected rapists stormed her residence and raped her to death. Nofisat was said to be the only person at home as her mother a school teacher and her siblings had gone to school. Neighbours said the victim's mother came back from school and saw her naked in a pool of her own blood. It was gathered that the police have arrested two men said to reside in the same premises in connection with the brutal murder. A postmortem examination on the brutal murder have been stalled as the victim's remains has since been buried according to Islamic rites at the Alaba Muslim Cemetery at Ogijo at about 3p.m on Thursday.

POLICEMEN ON THE TRAIL OF FRAUDSTERS WITH JONATHAN/SAMBO FOUNDATION

Officers attached to the XSquad Unit of the Lagos State police command are on the trail of six men for allegedly duping hundreds of unsuspecting members of the public with a fraudulent Foundation purportedly owned jointly by President Goodluck Jonathan and his Vice, Architect. Nmandi Sambo. Officers attached to the Ketu Division had stormed the fake Goodluck/Sambo Foundation at Number 15 Oluwalogbon Street, Ikosi, following a complaint by two victims Bola Olaleke and Florence Adebisi, who had gone to the station on February 26th alleging that the Foundation had defrauded them of N1000 each but later charged N3000. The police gave the names of the suspects on their wanted list as Dr. Chris Ajakaiye, Atanda Johnson, Morenike Folarin, Ademola Atanda, Soledayo Akinnubunmi and John Ajagbe:Mr. Ajagbe is said to be the leader of the gang and with others are said to be on the run. According to the police, the suspects set up the Foundation in 2010 towards the 2011 General election which they used to fleece people to become members of the PDP supporters club campaigning for election. Residents said most of the victims were not residents of Ketu but were lured due to their desperation to make quick money. The police stated that victims were asked to pay N1000 for registration fees which were subsequently increased to N3000. It was gathered that the suspects later changed the name of the Foundation to “Vision Relief Programme in 2012. A police source said the suspects fleeced over N12m from the victims before the crime was exposed.