Chibok Abduction: Nigeria Military Surrenders Information Management to Borno State Government

Posted: May, 02 2014, 10:05AM

Protesters demanding release of Chibok high school girls abducted by Boko Haram militants

By SaharaReporters, New York

Nigeria’s federal authorities on Monday surrendered to the government of Borno State its information responsibilities concerning the abducted Chibok girls.
In a curious statement, Defence Headquarters spokesman Major General Chris Olukolade, who famously made the false announcement two weeks ago that the girls had been rescued, and then rescinded it, said the Borno government “in whose facility the incident occurred” would now provide the public with regular briefing on the matter.
“Accordingly, security agencies on ground in Borno State will continue to interact and support the State Government officials in their efforts to inform the public on the Chibok incident and progress in the search without any prejudice,” he said.   “The Nigerian Military has always subscribed to the importance of information flow to the public and will continue to sustain this policy in all its internal security operations.”
Borno and two other states have been under emergency rule in the past year, presumably swamped by federal security agencies, and the DHQ statement seemed to stand Nigeria’s constitutional structure on its head.  “The security forces on ground in the state have been directed to coordinate with the State Government and provide them with necessary information on the search for the girls,” the statement said.
It is unclear how federal authorities will handle the supposed search for the girls, while the state government will brief the public about their progress, if any.

EFCC Press Release : N47.1bn Theft: “You Have A Case To Answer”, Court Tells Rogue Banker, Erastus Akingbola

Posted: May, 02 2014, 10:05AM

"Rogue Banker" Erastus Akingbola

By Wilson Uwujaren

Justice Lawal Akapo of the Lagos High Court, Ikeja on Friday, May 2nd, 2014 told a former managing director of defunct Intercontinental Bank, now Access Bank, Mr. Erastus Akingbola and his associate, Mr Bayo Dada, that they have a case to answer and dismissed two separate applications filed by the defendants, seeking to quash the N47.1 billion theft charge preferred against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for lack of merit.
 In his ruling, Justice Akapo said the duo were charged with stealing, obtaining money by false pretences and receiving stolen property ,which clearly distinguished their case from that of Okey Nwosu, which they alluded to in their defence. The charge against Nwosu, according to the judge, had its roots in capital market transactions.
He noted that the failure of the defendants to produce the charge preferred against Akingbola at the Federal High Court robbed the court of the opportunity of comparing both charges to determine if the new charge was an abuse of court process. Besides, the judge pointed out that the Lagos State High Court had jurisdiction to try offences charged under the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act.
“The offences as charged are within the purview and competence of the state high court. In the result, I find no merit in the applications and they are hereby dismissed," he said.
Akingbola and Dada had challenged the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the 22-count charge filed against them by the EFCC.  Lead defence counsel, Wole Olanipekun (SAN),   told the court that the alleged offences related to banking operations and capital market issues.
He submitted that only the Federal High Court had the jurisdiction to entertain such matters in line with Section 251 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Olanipekun relied on the ruling of the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, on November 21, 2013 where it upheld the argument of a former managing director of Finbank, Okey Nwosu, that the Lagos High Court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the charge preferred against him by the EFCC. He drew similarity between Akingbola and Nwosu’s case and submitted that Akingbola’s trial at the Lagos High Court was an abuse of court process as he was “facing a similar charge before the Federal High Court, Lagos.”
In a similar vein, Professor Taiwo Osipitan (SAN), holding brief for Dada, told the court that, the offence allegedly committed by his client related to buying and selling of shares on behalf of Intercontinental Bank and that, such offences could only be entertained by a Federal High Court.
However, EFCC counsel, Godwin Obla (SAN), urged the court to dismiss the no-case submission filed by Akingbola and Dada, stressing that the two defendants were facing trial for stealing which was different from the charges against Nwosu.
 "If you steal money, whether from Bank, Financial Institution or from an individual, the State High Court has jurisdiction. The jurisdiction is the same for the second defendant (Bayo Dada) who is charged under the Advanced Fee Fraud Act", he said.
Obla further stated that, "the charge against the accused persons is clear, and it is stealing bank money, so let's not massage it".
Justice Akapo adjourned further hearing in the case till June 23, 24 and 25, 2014.
 It would be recalled that, Akingbola and Dada are being prosecuted by the EFCC on a 22- count charge bordering on stealing N47.1 Billion belonging to former Intercontinental Bank (now Access Bank).

Charles Okah Sues Prison Authorities N500 Million

Posted by African Examiner Crime Watch, Featured, Latest News Thursday, May 1st, 2014

Charles Okah, who is currently being detained at Kuje Prison has dragged the prison authorities to court over various acts of inhuman treatments asking the court to award him N500 million as damages from the prison authorities.
The case has been assigned to Justice A.S Adepoju of the FCT High Court No. 31, Kuje and is slated for hearing on 12th of May, 2014.
In the form of Writ of Summon, Okah added the Minister of Interior, The comptroller General of Prisons and the Nigerian Prisons Service as defendants in the suit.
Okah, through his client, Festus Keyamo Chamber is seeking a declaration that the fumigation of his cell while he was inside by the officers of Kuje Prisons, Abuja under the control and authority of the defendants amounted to a breach of his fundamental human right to life and dignity as guaranteed by Sections 33 (1) and 34 (1) (a) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria.
The Keyamo Chamber is also seeking a declaration that the administration on the plaintiff of the drug called Epilim Sodium Viproate, (ESV), primarily used for the ailment of epilepsy, when the plaintiff was not epileptic and had no history of epilepsy, by the officers of Kuje Prisons, Abuja under the control and authority of the defendants, amounted to a breach of the fundamental human right to life and dignity of the plaintiff, as guaranteed by Sections 33 (1)and 34 (1) (a) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria.
It sought a further declaration that the intentional denial of the plaintiff of medication for the treatment of the plaintiff’s hypertension and high blood pressure, by the officers of Kuje Prisons, Abuja under the control and authority of the defendants amounted to a breach of the fundamental human right to life and dignity of the plaintiff, as guaranteed by Sections 33 (1) and 34 (1) (a) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria.
The chamber is seeking an order awarding the sum of N500 million as damages against the defendants, for the actions of the officers of Kuje Prisons, Abuja under the control and authority of the defendants, in breach of the fundamental human right to life and dignity of the plaintiff, as guaranteed by Sections 33 (1) and 34 (1) (a) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria.
It prays for an order mandating the officers of Kuje Prisons, Abuja under the control and authority of the defendants to allow the plaintiff access to proper medication as and when due and also an order restraining the officers of Kuje Prisons, Abuja under the control and authority of the defendants from administering the drug called Epilim Sodium Viproate, (ESV), primarily used for the ailment of epilepsy, and any other harmful drug on the Plaintiff.

May-Day: Police Disperse Protesters In Lagos With Tear Gas

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest News Thursday, May 1st, 2014

Kayode Adelowokan, Lagos

It was a mild drama in Lagos between men of Nigeria Police Force and a group of concerned Nigerians protesting against the abduction of 234 female students writing exams at the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State.
The protesters had planned to take off on their march from CMS to Onikan Stadium but were dispersed by a large number of policemen who shot tear gas canisters at them.

Concerned Nigerians protesting against the abduction of 234 female students Thursday in Lagos

African Examiner learnt the protesters did not obtain a permit from the police before embarking on the protest.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, had warned all workers to engage in peaceful rallies and avoid using the Workers Day celebration to disrupt peace of the nation.
Scores of Nigerian women, and a few men, had also protested Wednesday in Abuja to demand the release of over 200 girls kidnapped on April 14 by insurgents believed to be members of the extremist Boko Haram sect.
The women, coordinated by Dr Obi Ezekwesili, Mariam Uwaiz, Saudatu Madi and Hadiza Bala Usman, marched from the Unity Fountain from about 3:30pm, singing to register their anger even as the police guided them to their destination.
They said that the demonstration was to register the agony they are feeling as a result of the abduction of the girls.
Thegroup held up placards with inscriptions like; Rescue Our Children, Please Find Our Daughters, Save Our Sisters, Rescue Our Chibok Girls.
Intermittently, they stopped to address the crowd, insisting that not even the rains can stop them until they get to the National Assembly, where the leadership of the National Assembly also defiled the rains to address them.
The Senate President, David Mark, House of Representatives’ speaker, Aminu Tambuwal and his deputy, Emeka Ihedioha, addressed the women.
They stressed that the National Assembly had scheduled a meeting with the president to discuss the issue and assured the women that they would do their best to ensure that the girls would be rescued soon.
Moments later the women returned to the take-off point, where they poured out their anger over what they have been through so far following the abduction of the girls.
Some Nigerian men and concerned fathers, including human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, wonder why the authorities are paying lip service to the welfare and security of the citizens.
This is the second demonstration following the perceived inaction by security agencies
over the abduction and continued detent

Police begin documentation of abducted Chibok girls

City Voice Published: May 2, 2014

The Commissioner of Police in Borno, Lawan Tanko, on Friday appealed to parents whose wards were abducted in Chibok to forward the names and photographs of the girls for documentation.
Tanko, who made the appeal at a news briefing in Maiduguri, said the move followed difficulties in accessing the records of the girls due to the burning down of the school by the abductors.
“We want to appeal to parents of the abducted girls to please come forward with the names and photographs of their wards, so we can come up with a tentative figure of those missing.
“The April 14 attack on the school by suspected insurgents has damaged the entire structure, including the administrative building where records were kept.
“This makes it difficult to get records on the number of girls actually abducted at the school,” he said.
Tanko said available information had revealed that 530 candidates registered at the school for the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE).
“Candidates from five areas – Ashigashiya, Izge, Chibok, Waraba A, and Lassa, registered in the school for the SSCE.”
The police commissioner noted also that it was still not clear on the number of girls that were abducted when the insurgents attacked Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno, on April 14.
“At present, there are flying figures on the actual number of the girls abducted.
“About 276 students were allegedly abducted by the insurgents going by claims of the people.
“Out of the number, 53 have regained their freedom, and going by the figure about 223 girls are believed to be in the abductors’ den.
“But we need the parents and guardians to come forward with genuine claims like names and photographs so we can get the actual figure,” the police chief said.

CATERER  ATTEMPTS TO SMUGGLE   CANNABIS HIDDEN IN NOODLES TO BOYFRIEND IN PRISON

A 35-year-old caterer in Lagos will soon be remanded in prison custody for attempting to smuggle cannabis hidden inside noodles to her boyfriend in prison.
Officials at the Kirikiri Prison, Lagos discovered the drug during routine examination of food items brought for inmates. The suspect in her statement said that her detained boyfriend directed her to a woman to collect two cartons of noodles.
The Lagos State commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mr Aliyu Sule said that the suspect who was transferred to the State command by the prison authority will soon be charged to court. “A 35-year-old single lady, Oyinyechi Ezirim was transferred by the Prison authorities for smuggling cannabis to inmates. The compressed dried weeds concealed inside noodles tested positive for cannabis and weighed 4.1kg. She will soon be charged to court” Aliyu noted.
According to the suspect, “I used to buy noodles for my boyfriend who has been in prison custody for one year. He promised to get married to me and we have been in courtship. Last week, he told me that a former inmate promised to send him two cartons of noodles. He asked me to contact the man on phone. When I did, the man referred me to his wife who gave me the noodles. Unfortunately, when I got to the prison, twenty packs of the noodles were found to contain hemp. That was how I found myself in this case”. Oyinyechi who hails from Imo State is a graduate of Imo School of Catering.
Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade while commending the Prison authority said that the case will be thoroughly investigated. “I commend the Prison authority for the arrest and prompt transfer of the suspect for prosecution. This case will be properly investigated. We shall get to its root and arrest other persons involved in the criminal act. Members of the public must be careful in their dealings and avoid getting involved in drug trafficking” Giade stated.

Police Recover Head Of Beheaded Boy;Arrest 4 For Killing "Mad Man"

The Ogun State Police command has recovered the head of the 2 year old boy that was beheaded recently at Ofada ,Mowe area, in Obafemi Owode Local Government of Ogun State.The boy was beheaded at Ofada area Owode Egba on 12th of April by one Mamodu Bashir Ibrahim, who fled the scene immediately he perpetrated the evil act before he was later arrested at Mowe on 16th April by the police detectives attached to the Department of Criminal Investigation Eleweran Abeokuta with the help of community members in the area.The suspect took the investigation team to Mokola area of Ibadan Oyo State where the head was recovered in a bag in the bush on Tuesday 22nd April. He has confessed to the crime but still keeping some information to himself as to those who sent him to get the "commodity".The commissioner of police Ogun State CP Ikemefuna Okoye has however directed the detectives to intensify efforts to uncover the buyers and those who engaged in such dirty deals in our society.In a related development,the Police operatives attached to Adatan Division of the command , led by the Divisional Police Officer, have arrested 4 suspects in connection to the killing of a suspected person of unsound mind known as Kazeem Akindele, 35 years of No 1, Onikola Street Iberekodo Abeokuta, on Tuesday 22nd April about 1800hrs at Kugba area Abeokuta for allegedly attempting to kidnap a lady of 19 year old.The deceased was attacked by the suspects and other angry youths in the area who are at large presently; the commissioner of police had ordered for the arrest of the fleeing suspects who embarked on that jungle justice that led to the death of the mad man.The suspects arrested include Fausat Ogunbiyi,f, Mariam yahaya,f, BlessingJoseph,m, and Nurudeen Adebayo,m.These suspects will be charged to court as soon as the command concludes its investigation.The commissioner of police ogun state CP Ikemefuna Okoye has further directed that anyone caught in the act of jungle justice or attempting to do so be arrested and prosecuted accordingly as the police will not in anyway to