UK to ban Boko Haram, Minibar Ansar-Deen’s operation in Britain

July 9, 2013 by NAN 6 Comments

   

The United Kingdom is set to ban  two “radical islamist” groups, Minibar Ansar  Deen,

and Boko Harm’s operations in Britain.

While Boko Haram operates from Nigeria, Minbar Ansar-Deen also known as Ansar al-Sharia is based in the UK.

Home Secretary, Theresa May, on Monday asked for the two radical Islamist organisations to be banned under terrorism laws.

If the motion is approved by Parliament, both will be banned from operating in the UK from Friday, the Home Office said.

Police brutality victim refuses to press charges

Author(s): Patience Ogbo
A 35-year-old woman, Tope Moore, who was brutalised by policemen attached to the Pedro Police Station in Lagos State has said she is not interested in seeking justice. The policemen had pushed Moore over a fence and beat her mercilessly until she soiled herself.
The abuse followed allegations that Moore’s younger brother, Bolaji Moore, led cultists who killed one Osondu Boobu (25) at the Famous Hotel in Bariga area of Lagos State on June 9.

Moore was subsequently arrested by the police after Bolaji fled the area and she was detained at the Pedro Police Station with the faeces and urine on her body.

Tope Moore alleges that she was brutalised by policemen who detained her in her younger brother’s stead.

She said that the police forced her to pay N15,000 as bail. Despite paying the money, she and five other people were transferred to the Homicide Department of the State Criminal Investigation Department in Panti, Yaba on charges of conspiracy and murder.

Moore was detained for five days while police used her wanted brother as collateral for her release. She would have continued to languish in the cell but for the timely intervention of a community leader and human rights activist, Vincent Olatunde, who brought Moore’s plight to limelight.
Inquiries by Nigerian Telegraph at the office of Umar Manko, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Police Command, brought Miss Moore’s ordeal to the CP’s attention.
Furious at the behaviour of the policemen, Mr. Manko ordered their detention and directed that Miss Moore be freed.

Lagos CP, Umaru Manko ordered the detention of the policemen who brutalised Miss Moore.

However, more than two weeks after regaining her freedom, Miss Moore has turned down legal assistance from human rights lawyers, who besieged her to seek justice.
When contacted on the phone about her reasons for doing so, Miss Moore said that she was scared to be hurt again.
“I’m scared. I do not want any wahala (trouble) with the police. I have forgiven them and I do not want justice. My family members told me to leave everything to God so that’s what I have decided to do. I just want to live my life and take care of my business and children. This ugly incident has almost ruined my marriage plans as my fiance’s family is not happy. I leave everything to God to judge the policemen.
“If policemen can hold a gun to my son’s head and force him to tell them where I was, and the way they treated me, I don’t have the strength to fight them. I have treated myself and I am okay,” Moore said.
Mr. Olatunde said Miss Moore’s refusal to seek justice is an indication that Nigerians have lost faith in the police and the government.
“Obviously, this woman is scared to fight for her rights. This is what happens where impunity is the order of the day. It is bad that people can no longer fight for their rights and when they are brutalised they fear to speak up due to intimidation.”
SOURCE; NIGERIAN TELEGRAPH

Report shows rise in use of New Psychoactive Substances

Author(s): Jewel Stephen
The 2013 World Drug Report released officially in Abuja by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) on Friday June 5, 2013, has raised alarm concerning the global rise in New Psychoactive Substances (NPS).
The report shows that while the use of traditional drugs such as heroin and cocaine seems to be declining in some parts of the world, use of prescription drug abuse and new psychoactive substances rose by 50 per cent from 166 at the end of 2009 to 251 by mid-2012.
This is the first time the number of NPS will exceed the total number of substances under international control which is 234.
UNODC representative in Nigeria, Mariam Sissoko, expressed concern about West Africa’s vulnerability to organised crime, including drug trafficking, which may contribute to drug use in the region.
“The world drug report indicates that West Africa has assumed an important role as a hub for cocaine trafficking from South America en route to Western and Central European markets. The region was also assessed to be used for the trafficking of heroin originating from Afghanistan via Pakistan,” Sissoko stated.
She hinted that the Commission on Narcotic Drugs would, in 2014, hold a high-level review of the Political Declaration and Plan of Action adopted by United Nations member States on the liberalisation of the use of certain substances other than medical or scientific purposes.
Reacting to the report, the Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Ahmadu Giade, said that Nigeria was not contemplating the legalisation of controlled drugs, particularly cannabis, for recreational use.
While presenting the highlight of the report, Professor Isidore Obot, the Head of the Department of Psychology, University of Uyo, noted that some Africa countries like Angola, Cape Verde, Egypt, Ghana, Togo and South Africa have reported new harmful psychoactive substances.
In his words, “NPS is not a new phenomenon but increasingly a global phenomenon. New approaches must be adopted and explored in the control of these substances. The report has also suggested early warning on identified new psychoactive substances.”
These substances, sometimes referred to as ‘legal highs’, are multiplying in numbers and becoming more widespread geographically, causing great concern as officials struggle to contain them. NPS are substances of abuse, either in a pure form or a preparation, that are not controlled by the 1961 Convention on Narcotic Drugs or the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, but which may pose a public health threat. In this context, the term ‘new’ does not necessarily refer to new inventions but to substances that have recently become available.
Giade, in his address, said that the world leaders must continue to respond to the ever changing nature of the drug trade.
“The drive for addiction is growing daily and world leaders must continue to check drug addiction especially among youths. In Nigeria, the Agency has observed with dismay, the abuse of substances not under international control like a local plant called Zakami. The abuse of licit solvents like fuel, nail polish cleaner, rubber solution and others present a unique challenge that must be addressed through advocacy and public education,” he said.
The NDLEA boss called for the incapacitation of drug syndicates, to prevent the use of drug proceeds in funding acts of terror.
In furtherance of this, the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), is partnering with the NDLEA to address the problem of drug abuse in the country.
“NAFDAC is working with the NDLEA to educate youths on the dangers of drug abuse. We carry out enlightenment at motor packs, schools and orientation camps for members of the National Youth Service Corps. This relationship has help in reducing the drug addiction in the country,” the Director General of NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii, said.
SOURCE ;NIGERIAN TELEGRAPH

The child hawkers of Lagos

Author(s): Chinedu Ozordi
Chibuike Ibe jumped nimbly aboard the large bus that was just rolling to a stop at Oshodi, managing to precariously balance a tray of beef rolls in one hand and hang on for dear life to the doors as passengers struggled to alight from the bus. He is nine years old, and the time was few minutes shy of 10pm.
Reacting to the queries of a couple of incredulous passengers on the Mile 2 bound bus, the youngster retorted: “Even my junior brother dey sell for Cele (bus stop on the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway)”, and proceeded to hawk his wares at the top of his voice while striding the length of the 50-seater bus.

Hawkers in pursuit of a BRT bus at Ojota, Lagos.

“Look at how such a small boy is selling things by this time of the night that he should be in bed, what kind of parents will send such young children out to the streets to sell? What will he even sell?” asked a Shola Akanbi, a passenger aboard the bus.
Not all passengers, however, shared Ms. Akanbi’s concerns, as the wad of cash that Chibuike clutched in his dirty hands showed sufficient proof that business was good.
As the massive population of Lagos State continues to swell considerably, the activities of child hawkers have continued to increase, despite the efforts made by the state government’s at curtailing this development.
What the government did
Concerned with the trend, the state government have rolled out series of sensitisation programmes in the last few years and warned that parents whose children were caught in the streets, especially during school hours, would be issued a ‘yellow card’ for first offenders, and a ‘red card’ for repeat offences.
The state’s deputy governor, Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, has constantly instructed law enforcement agents to sweep the streets and apprehend defaulters, specially targeting the arrest and prosecution of parents whose children were caught.
“Education and proper upbringing of our children is the only way to eradicate poverty,” she said. “The law forbids the use of under-aged children for domestic labour, negligence and maltreatment on the part of parents and guardians as it negates the tenets of the Child Rights law. The Lagos State Government, through the various agencies of government, will ensure the survival, development and protection of all the children in the state, the laws will be enforced to the letter in order to ensure that all the rights of our children are protected.
Parents, scared of finding themselves on the wrong side of the law, reign in their children during day. However, the child hawkers simply come out at night, when law enforcement officials are scarce. And their numbers have continued to swell considerably.
Spots like Oshodi, Ojuelegba, Obalende, Cele bus stop, and Mile 2 are their favourite haunts due to the high number of commuters that pass through these places, and their bustling night life.
‘We make money to support’
Another child hawker at Oshodi, who gave her name as Toun, said she had to make sure that she sold out her oranges before going home, often as late as midnight. She gave her age as 14, but looked 10.
“Our house no far, so if I finish this one, I will go and take more from my mother who is peeling them there,” she said, while expertly balancing a tray of oranges on her head and darting in between the buses at Oshodi. “Why my mama say make we help am sell na to support am.”
Not all of them, however, are trading to supplement family incomes; some, like 16-year-old immigrant Sherrif Adebisi, have no family to take care of them, and simply have to live off the streets.
“Before I used to beg (for alms), but one Good Samaritan gave me N5000 and I started with pure (sachet) water business before I went into the soft drinks that I am doing (selling) now,” he said.
Bad economy
Oluyemisi Wada, founder of Haven for the Nigerian Child Foundation, an Lagos-based NGO that rehabilitates street children, is not comfortable with the government’s efforts so far, and also blames parents for contributing to the increasing population of street children across the metropolis.

A child hawker at Oshodi.

“The economy is so bad now even in urban areas, not to talk of rural areas that majority of these children come from, so parents often end up subjecting these children to street hawking,” she said. “Often, these children run away to the cities in search of better lives. I think parents should pay more attention to children, and strive not to put them in situations were running away from home becomes attractive.”
For some of these children, like Chibuike, it is simply a question of survival.
“If I finish selling, I go follow big bus go Cele and help my mama pack for where she dey sell before we go begin go house,” he said.
Glance box: UNICEF REPORT

• Child labour remains a major source of concern in Nigeria, in spite of legislative measures. Child labour is defined as work that is mentally, physically, socially or morally dangerous and harmful to children and deprives them of opportunities for schooling and development.
• According to the International Labour Organization, the number of working children under the age of 14 in Nigeria is estimated at 15 million.
• The high level of diverse and tedious jobs that children execute in dangerous circumstances is particularly worrying. These jobs include being street vendors, beggars, car washers or watchers and shoe shiners.
• Research also shows that child workers display poor educational achievements. Girls start working at an earlier age than boys, particularly in the rural areas.
• Major causes of child labour are widespread poverty, rapid urbanisation, breakdown in extended family affiliations, high school dropout rates, and lack of enforcement of legal instruments meant to protect children.
• Traditionally, children have worked with their families, but today children are forced to work for their own and their family’s survival. The money earned by child family members has become a significant part of poor families’ income.
• These children who work suffer from fatigue, irregular attendance at school, lack of comprehension and motivation, improper socialisation, exposure to risk of sexual abuse, high likelihood of being involved in crime.
• source: Nigerian Telegraph

Four Boko Haram bombers jailed for life

July 10, 2013 by Ihuoma Chiedozie, Abuja Leave a Comment

Four Boko Haram members – Shuaibu Abubakar, Salisu Ahmed, Umar Babagana-Umar and Mohammed Ali – were on Tuesday convicted  for carrying out multiple bombings and killings in parts of the Federal Capital Territory and Suleja, Niger State, between March and July 2011.

An Abuja Federal High Court , presided by Justice Bilikisu Aliyu, jailed  them for life in her judgment in the suit filed by the Federal Government after their arrest in 2011.

The four   and two other suspects-Musa Adamu and Umar Ibrahim – were prosecuted under the provisions of section 15(2) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act, which prescribes a life sentence for anyone found guilty of committing or attempting to commit an act of terrorism.

The convicts were accused of carrying out  bombings at the Independent National Electoral Commission office   and the All Christian Fellowship Church,  in Suleja, Niger State, in April and  July 2011, as well as the killing of four policemen at a check-point at Dakwa-Deidei in Bwari Area Council of the FCT in May 2011.

They were also accused of participating in killings at a political rally in  Suleja Secondary School in June 2011.

Furthermore, the Federal Government alleged that, between June 4 and July 12, 2011, the suspects had, at various locations in Suleja,  Azare in  Nasarawa State and the  the FCT, engaged in acts of terrorism “by encouraging through training of persons now at large, the use of arms and ammunition, and the preparation, planting and detonation of improvised explosive devices for the purpose of terrorism.”

But the accused persons, on  their arraignment in 2011, pleaded not guilty to the five-count brought against them

However, in the judgment delivered by Justice Aliyu on Tuesday,  four  out of the six suspects  were convicted and jailed for life for being members of the Boko Haram sect for  engaging in  terrorism.

Another accused person,whose name was simply given as  Ibrahim, was  given a 10-year prison term after the court found that he only assisted the terrorists, even though he was not a member of the sect.

The other suspect, whose mane was given as  Adamu, was freed after the court discovered that there was no evidence linking him to the terrorism charges.

The prosecution, led by Thompson Olatigbe of the Department of Public Prosecutions in the Ministry of Justice, called a total of 16 witnesses against the accused persons, and tendered evidence,  including the suspects’ statements, materials used in making improvised explosive devices, as well as a black Honda Civic  with number plate   AG94MNG, in which they were travelling when they were arrested at an army road block at  in Kachia, Kaduna State  on July 27, 2011.

After the prosecution called its last witness on January 9, 2013, the suspects, through their lawyers, Kelvin Okoro and Nureini Suleiman, filed a no-case-submission, arguing that the evidence presented by the prosecution witnesses did not establish a prima facie case against them.

But in a ruling on February 11, 2013, Justice Aliyu dismissed the no-case-submission filed by the accused persons and declared that the prosecution had indeed established a prima facie case against them.

Reading a summary of the 87-page judgment on Tuesday, Aliyu noted that the 2nd accused person, Ahmed, had initially confessed that a Boko Haram leader, one Bashir Madalla, who is currently at large, had given them a bag containing improvised explosive devices to deposit within the premises of INEC.

Justice Aliyu said, “The convicts used explosive devices used for blasting rock and maining their fellow human beings .

“Human life is sacred. They have shown utmost disregard for human life in a most cruel manner so they deserve to be removed from the public if only to save more lives.”

Meanwhile,  prominent lawyers on Tuesday hailed the sentencing of  the four Boko Haram members to life imprisonment for their involvement in  terrorism.

The lawyers spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria   in separate interviews in Lagos.

A renowned lawyer, Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN), said the judgment would help stem the tide of impunity and wanton killings in the country.

On his part, Mr Wale Ogunade, President, Voters Awareness Initiative, a non-governmental organisation, lauded the quick conclusion of the trial.

“We have always clamoured for quick dispensation of justice because we believe that justice delayed is justice denied,” Ogunade said.

source:Punch

Court reserves judgment on rape of ex-NYSC member

July 11, 2013 by Tunde Odesola, Osogbo 3 Comments

An Osun State High Court has reserved judgment in the allegation of rape levelled by a female National Youth Service Corps member, Miss Helen Okpara, against a monarch, the Alowa of Ilowa, Oba Adebukola Alli.

Justice Oyejide Falola, who noted that the case of alleged rape had generated so much media attention, said at the resumed hearing of the case on Wednesday that he had been inundated with calls over the

case.

He said, “For two reasons, I will not give a date of judgment because almost a day to the earlier judgment, the media were awash with the story of the case, and people started calling my lines

and disturbing me.

“Therefore, this case is adjourned indefinitely for judgment and the date is to be communicated to the parties through hearing notice.”

Counsel for the monarch, Mr. Taofeeq Tewogbade, at the last hearing of the case, applied for

extension of time for defence.

But a senior state counsel, Mr M O Adedokun, urged the court to deliver its judgement, stressing that the call by the defence for extension of time was needless.

Adedokun, who noted that the case had undergone a series of adjournments, called for a quick dispensation of justice in the matter.

The state counsel said, “The attitude of the defence counsel is an attempt to frustrate the judgment,” urging the court to dismiss the application for time extension in the interest of justice and

fairness.

Okpara, while serving as NYSC members in the domain of the monarch in 2011, accused the traditional ruler of forcefully having carnal knowledge of her.

Debunking the allegation, the ruler said Okpara was his lover, with whom he had had sex before the allegation came up.

source; Punch

Internet fraudsters reveal how they lure women on dating sites

Author(s): Patience Ogbo
Policemen attached to the Apapa Division have arrested five men for alleged armed robbery.
The suspects however denied the allegation, arguing instead that they are internet fraudsters, who specialise  in defrauding unsuspecting women through dating sites and Facebook.

The suspects were nabbed at the Harvesters Hotel along Ojoo Road in Ajegunle area of Lagos State after the police tracked a
Blackberry Bold 5 phone that was stolen during a robbery at Senator Muse Street Apapa on June 4.
The police revealed that the armed robbers stole laptops, wrist watches, phones, cash and other valuables.
Police investigation revealed that an unidentified lady got the phone from her boyfriend, one of the suspects identified as Desmond Ozore, who claimed to be a drop-out from the Lagos State University.Police identified other suspects as Solomon Mibien, Nelson Mbabie, Jamiu Adigun and Akeem Apejoye. The suspects were lodging at the hotel when they were arrested.
Narrating how they defraud women, Nelson Mbabie, a drop-out from the Imo State University, said they visit various dating websites where they entice divorced foreign women and lure them with marriage.“We are not armed robbers . We do not know anything about the robbery but we are internet fraudsters. We have been staying in the hotel for the past two months and we spend N5000 per night. We have to stay in the hotel because we need constant electricity to keep in touch with our target women. We hunt vulnerable women on dating sites. We also use Facebook to get our victims, who are divorced.
“We chat with them constantly because If we stay away from the internet for too long, our target will become suspicious so we need constant electricity. We usually pretend to be white men working in Nigeria. We use false picture of white men and we claim to be working on a big project in Nigeria. Our targets are divorced lonely women and we tell them to send us money to offset our hotel bills and other needs. We promised to pay them when we visit them in their countries. We also promise to marry them and that’s the part they love. Sometimes, they send us 500 dollars or more.”
On how he got the BB phone, Ozore said; “I bought the phone for N26,000 from Mibien. I never knew it was stolen so when I heard that my girlfriend had been arrested because of the phone, I voluntarily turned myself in to the police. The police asked me to take them to Mibien. That is how all my friends got arrested because they were all at the same hotel,” Ozore said.Mibien however denied being an armed robber. He said, “I bought the phone for N25,000 from a friend. I have gone to his house with the police, his family said he has not been around.”
Also both Adigun and Akeem said they are neither fraudsters nor armed robbers.
“I was not in Nigeria when this robbery took place. I school in the USA and I came back to Nigeria on June 25th for our long break. I came to visit Nelson in the hotel. Adigun is a furniture maker. He escorted me to the hotel but the police arrested us.”
Police say that occupants of one of the two houses robbed identified Adigun and Nelson as members of the gang that raided their house.