Court remands four policemen for torturing citizen Chima to death

A Magistrate Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has remanded four policemen in the Correctional Center for allegedly torturing Chima Ikwunado to death.

The policemen, who were members of the Eagle Crack, a special squad under the state police command, reportedly killed Chima and inflicted various degrees of injuries on three others while in detention in police a cell.

The command earlier dismissed the operatives identified as Ayogu Fidelis, Rose Georgewill, Eke Chibuzor and Egbunefu Felix, for unprofessionalism.

The suspect were arraigned before the Magistrate Court on Tuesday on seven-count of murder, conspiracy to commit murder and unlawful assault.

They, however, pleaded not guilty when they charges were read to them.

The Chief Magistrate, Promise Iruanya, who declined to grant the suspects bail remanded them in the Correctional Centre and ordered that the case file should be transferred ti the Directorate of Public Prosecution for legal advice.

Iroanya added that the court lacked the jurisdiction to hear the matter and adjourned the case to September 19th for legal advice.

The Magistrate explained that while the court lacked Jurisdiction to entertain count one to three of the charges, count four to seven could be handled by the court.

Man arrested with dead baby in Abia

Police in Abia State have saved a man from a lynch mob in Aba after he was reportedly seen with a dead baby.

The suspect was said to be unable to explain how he ended up with the baby, neither could he provide any information on the mother’s whereabouts.

It was gathered that the police team on patrol was  alerted by the large number of people gathered and surging towards the market.

On getting close to the scene, they noticed that some members of the crowd were bearing several dangerous weapons which were already.

The police team was said to have quickly intervened and moved the suspect away.

The man in his early thirties and a regular face in the area, it was gathered, was thought to be mentally unstable but after seeing him with the dead baby, people started seeing him in a new light.

“The incident this morning has made us doubt the true state of his mental derangement,” one source said. “The question that we want the police to help us ask him is, where he got the baby and where he is taking the baby to?”

185 suspected cultists arrested in Lagos

Police in Lagos on Sunday said they arrested 185 suspected cultists terrorising Ikorodu and environs.

Spokesman Bala Elkana said eight locally-made pistols were recovered from the suspects within the last two weeks during raids of Ikorodu, Ipakodo, Igbogbo, Ibeshe, Shagamu Road, Agbowa and others.

Elkana said the raids followed a directive from the Commissioner of Police Hakeem Odumosu to the Special Strike Force on social miscreants to tackle the menace of cultism in Ikorodu district.

Elkana said the operatives launched an intelligence-driven operation that targeted top cult leaders and members especially those who engaged in supremacy tussles that took lives.

“Operatives of the Special Strike Force were given clear instructions to reclaim and dominate the public spaces and ensure that no cult groups or gangs operate in any part of Lagos State.

“The Strike Force has so far arrested 185 notorious cultists and recovered eight locally made pistols and other dangerous weapons from them.

“Suspects arrested confessed to belong to Eiye, Aiye, KK, Buccaneers, Vikings confraternities, among others. One Gbadamosi Mohammed, 30, suspected to be among the cultists, who reportedly killed one Madariola Sunday at Ibeshe on May 21, was among the suspects arrested.

“Also arrested are Onibudo Afeex, Habeeb Isa, Felix Igwoke, Taiwo Iyanu at Femi Taiwo Street, Ikorodu. They were arrested in an uncompleted building holding cult meeting. One Adeoye Daya, 25, a hit man of Aiye confraternity, was arrested at Ikorodu garage with one locally made short gun.”

Orji Kalu Finally back home

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu on Wednesday night returned home from custody.

The Senate chief whip was freed from the Kuje Correctional Centre at about 7:30pm.

His release was ordered on Tuesday by Justice Mohammed Liman of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos.

The judge also set aside the fraud trial and the 12-year conviction of the former Abia State governor (1999 -2007).

The judgment in the N7.65b fraud case involving Abia State fund was delivered on December 5, last year.

Convicted along with Kalu were former Abia State Government House Director of Finance Ude Udeogu and Kalu’s firm Slok.

But on May 8, the Supreme Court in an appeal by Udeogu, quashed the judgment and ordered a trial of the case afresh because Justice Muhammed Idris, who delivered the verdict no longer had jurisdiction having been elected to the Court of Appeal.

On the strength of that judgment, Kalu asked the court to free him. This was granted.

New video shows Florida cop kneeling on black man’s neck in recent arrest

Police in Florida have released a helicopter video showing a now-suspended officer kneeling on a suspect’s neck and head, the same unauthorized restraining method used in the fatal arrest of George Floyd.

The video, released Tuesday by the Sarasota Police Department, appears to show 27-year-old Patrick Carroll resisting arrest during a domestic battery investigation on May 18 — a week before Floyd’s killing in Minneapolis.

One of two cops who were trying to detain Carroll placed his knee on the suspect’s neck and head as the other held the man by his legs.

Authorities said Carroll did not need medical treatment or complain about any injuries, but Police Chief Bernadette DiPino said she was “disturbed" by the footage.

“While it appears the Officer eventually moves his leg to the individual’s back, this tactic is not taught, used or advocated by our agency,” police said in a statement Monday.  The officer has been placed on administrative leave while the department conducts an internal affairs investigation. His name has not been released.  Sarasota police published the footage after cellphone video from a bystander surfaced on social media earlier this week, drawing outrage and comparisons to the Floyd case. In both arrests, a white officer was seen kneeling on a black man’s neck as the handcuffed suspect lay on the pavement.  But unlike Floyd, who was being investigated for the nonviolent crime of passing a counterfeit bill and did not appear to resist arrest, Carroll tried to pull away from officers and initially refused to get into the patrol car, the footage shows.  The Florida suspect was charged with domestic battery, resisting a law enforcement officer without violence and possession of ammunition by a convicted felon.

Nigerian man narrates how he was allegedly extorted by SARS officers who arrested him after getting a haircut in Lagos

A Nigerian man has narrated how he and others were allegedly extorted by SARS officers who arrested him after getting a haircut. 

 

He said the SARS officers were from the Anti Cultism Unit in Gbagada Charlie Boy, Lagos and they picked him up before 8pm on Wednesday June 3. @Dav_Okwulili also alleged that the security operatives arrested people sitting in front of their houses and assaulted those who resisted. 

The Twitter user who claims he and others were bailed out with N10,000, said there was a lady who has been in the police cell for two days because he refused to sleep with one of the police officers. 

He tweeted; 

MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE @PoliceNG SARZ (Anti Cultism Unit)

@segalink @YemieFASH

Why i am writing this is basically not because of me, but because we have a messed up & unprofessional set of people being employed without proper process and orientation.

I left my house around past 6pm yesterday to get plastic buckets with a friend because he just moved into a new apartment around Gbagada. On returning, i branched into a saloon to have my hair cut which was around past 7pm. I was done with my hair by quarter to 8pm then paid ...and left, i got across the road to take Napep from the salon to where i stay.

The next thing, i saw four men in black, boldly written on their shirt "Anti Cultism Unit" with guns. Then one of them grabbed me from the waist, while he said i should get into the bus, i asked why?...he said, they are police that i should get inside. I obeyed and entered (before i start receiving slaps).

Then i was searched, which i was having just 4k and my atm card, my phone and its charger. They said i should give them my phone, i refused and said that it was private....that they ain't permitted to search it. They asked what do i do, i said i am a Software Developer and i mentioned the company i work with, they requested for my ID Card, i said i just came to cut my hair and i did not come with an ID (which in my head i said f**k up).

They said i should not call anybody nor use my phone. Few minutes later, a call from the office came in, cause we have been working remotely, i picked and the phone was dragged from my hand, which i didn't bother dragging cause i can't afford to start fixing Samsung screen.

(fast forward)... They drove us down to Gbagada Ifako, Yetunde Brown street, to Deeper Life HQ, and to New Garage. Tho while they where driving, they picked more people, even those that where sitting in front of their houses, if you resist, they will use slaps and punches...which i was clearly avoiding, they even used tear gas on one.

We got to the station (Anti Ciltism Unit, Gbagada Charlie Boy) around quarter to 10pm. We came down from the bus with our hands up, which i so felt humiliated and portrayed as a criminal. They removed our slippers... & shoes, took us inside, while they wrote down our names, and went out for second parade. I saw alot of people, both female & male, inwhich more were still being brought in by different units. I over heard some saying they picked them from Ikorodu, OniPanu, Mushin, Oshodi...Bariga & Ketu etc.

One of the girls said she has been there for 2days now, cause she didn't agree to sleep with one of the policemen. We were treated as criminals, they took us to the passage of the cell, told us to sit on the floor, while more people were brought in.

The odour from the toilet covered the cell, inwhich i had to hold my urine till i couldn't take it anymore. Not to talk of the cell itself, the mosquito were vampires, they ate the living hell out of me, cause there was no light. For a while I couldn't sleep.

I woke up more than 20times to find out it was still 3AM. Also everyone was sharing how they got picked. By day break, we were called out by the unit that brought us in. We were taken to the back of the cell to write statement sitting on the floor

They gave us our phones to call someone, one by one, it was in the process i took those pictures, inwhich one of them noticed and requested for my phone, but was smart enough to do the needful, so i was unable to capture their faces. To cut this story shot...

I was finally bailed by both of my friends that have been trying to reach me all through yesterday till today. Note: We were so much that i couldn't count. But an estimate of the money they made: You will bail one person with "at least N10,000", nd if you multiply...

N10,000x200 people, we have 2million. Also before you go into the station to see anyone, you will deposit N1,000 at the gate. I can not express this more as everything that happened is still funny to me, cause this is my first time ever, sleeping over in a police...station, combined with how messy this one is. This is just to create awareness of the mess the society is in, cause i believe there are still some people that will spend the next 5 to 7 days in that station.

Wadume: AGF Malami Takes Over Prosecution Of Taraba Kidnap Kingpin

AGF takes over prosecution of alleged Taraba kidnap kingpin, Wadume

The Attorney-General of the Federation, (AGF) and Minister of Justice Mr Abubakar Malami has taken over the prosecution of alleged Taraba kidnap kingpin, Bala Hamisu (aka Wadume), Capt. Tijjani Balarabe and 18 others.

At the resumed hearing on Wednesday, Mr Shuaibu Labaran, a lawyer from the Ministry of Justice told the court that the AGF has taken over the prosecution of the matter.

Labaran said that the AGF needed time to look at the case file before re-arraigning the defendants and prayed the court for a short adjournment.

The counsel said the adjournment was to enable the prosecutors to put their house in order.
“The AGF has taken over the prosecution of this case. We have received the file and noticed that there are about 20 defendants from the charge.

” So there is need for us to review the charge and also liaise with the arresting agency to ensure that all the defendants are brought to court.

“We will do all that is necessary to ensure that justice is done in the matter,” he said.
The trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako adjourned the matter until June 8 for re-araignment.

Recall that the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, had filed a 16- count charge bordering on terrorism, murder, kidnapping and illegal arms running against Wadume and the others.

They were arraigned on March 16. Count one of the charge read, “That you, Alhaji Hamisu Bala, 33, aka Wadume; Capt. Ahmed Tijjani Balarabe; ASP Aondona Iorbee; Insp. Aliyu Dadje; Auwalu Bala; Uba Bala; Ahmad Suleiman; Bashir Waziri; Zubairu Abdullahi; Rayyanu Abdul and others now at large, between February and April 2019 at Takum and Ibi, Taraba, within the jurisdiction of this court, while acting in concert, conspired together to commit felony, to wit: acts of terrorism, by attacking and kidnapping one Usman Garba, aka Mayo, at his filling station in Takum, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 17 of the Terrorism (Prevention) Amendment Act 2013.”

They were also accused of possessing six AK-47 rifles and dealing in prohibited firearms contrary to Section 27 (1)(a)(I) and (1)(b)(iii) of the Firearms Act 2004.

Alleged N5.5b SURE-P fraud: Ex-Katsina governor’s associate arrested

FIVE years after he was declared wanted in connection with alleged diversion of N5.5 billion during the administration of former Katsina State Governor Ibrahim Shema, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has taken into custody Mr. Idris Kwado.

Shema is under probe in connection with the cash meant for the implementation of the Subsidy Re-Investment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) in the state.

Out of the N5.5 billion SURE-P funds, over N1.3 billion was traced to Kwado, identified as Shema’s associate.

Although Kwado relocated to the Republic of Niger since 2015, luck ran against him on May 25 when he sneaked into Katsina.

A source within the anti-graft agency said: “As soon as the EFCC commenced investigation into the activities of SURE-P Dept and were looking for Idris Kwado, he relocated to the Republic of Niger Republic where he now lives and operates his numerous businesses both in Niger and Nigeria.

“He occasionally sneaks into Katsina State,  and returns to Niger without being noticed until he was arrested on May 25 in Katsina by agents of the  state government who promptly notified the commission of his arrest and detention at the state Criminal Investigation Department (SCID).

“The EFFC team from Abuja took over the suspect on May 28, 2020 for continuation of investigation.

“Former Governor Shehu Shema was charged before the Federal High Court, Katsina in 2018 on a 26 – count charge of money laundering involving the sum of N5, 502, 321, 990. 40.

“In some of the charges, one Kwado was mentioned but he was said to be at large. Alhaji Idris Kwado assisted the former governor in laundering of about N1, 369,951, 000 withdrawn from the Department of Sure-P of the Katsina State government.”

When contacted, a top official of the commission confirmed the development.

He added: “The suspect is wanted for alleged laundering of over N1.5b SURE-P cash.  Investigation is ongoing on the matter. The suspect is in our custody.”

The EFCC had seized three mansions linked to Shema pending the conclusion of the ongoing probe of alleged N74.6 billion fraud against the former.

The affected houses in Katsina were placed under Interim Assets Forfeiture in line with Sections 28 and 34 of the EFCC (Establishment Act) 2004 and Section 13(1) of the Federal High Court Act, 2004.

Osun CJ pardons 13 inmates

Osun State Chief Judge, Justice Adepele Ojo on Thursday released 13 inmates from Ile-Ife Correctional Centre. She also assured other inmates of accelerated hearing.

She said 13 awaiting trial inmates were considered for release out of 19 presented to a committee that evaluated them.

“Three out of them were released on health grounds, two granted bail, while others were pardoned because they had overstayed when compared to the number of years of the offence committed.”

Adulterated fertiliser warehouse discovered in Minna

A warehouse where a large quantity of adulterated fertiliser is stored has been discovered in Minna, the Niger State capital.

Police who found the warehouse, also made some arrests.

Policemen intercepted one Nma Mohammed driving a Hiace bus loaded with 50 bags of the fertiliser.

The suspect reportedly admitted that the fertiliser was adulterated, though he and his partners wanted to sell it to unsuspecting farmers.

Further investigation led to the arrest of another suspect and the recovery of 456 bags of the adulterated fertiliser.

Police spokesman Abiodun Wasiu confirmed the arrests, saying that the suspects had confessed to the crime.

He added that the case was under investigation and that the suspects would be charged to court soon.

Bars shut as task force arrests impersonators of army officers

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Ministerial Task team on the Enforcement of COVID-19 restrictions has arrested eight persons, some impersonators of army officers, who violated the curfew.

The violators who were arrested at Kubwa and Dutse Alhaji Districts of the FCT would be arraigned at the mobile courts.

Some of those arrested were at drinking bars and gardens, while a tricycle operator and a commercial motorcyclist were arrested for operating during the curfew hours.

At Second Gate, Dutse-Alhaji, the team accosted the operator of a drinking bar who claimed to be a soldier but upon interrogation he admitted that he lied in order to evade arrest.

At Dutse Makaranta, the team shut a pub operating after 10pm.

The manager of the place  claimed the facility was owned by a major in the army, saying they decided to operate into the curfew hours because of the occupation of the owner.

Addressing journalists after the night operation, chairman of the task team, Ikharo Attah, noted that the compliance level in Kubwa and Dutse area was very high.

Police arrest woman for stealing two-year-old in Rivers

Police in Rivers State have confirmed the arrest of a middle-aged woman, simply identified as Chinyere, for allegedly abducting her neighbour’s two-year-old baby.

The incident reportedly happened on Tuesday in the D-Line area of Port Harcourt.

Police spokesman Nnamdi Omoni, who confirmed the development to The Nation yesterday, said two men were also arrested in connection with the incident.

Omoni, who said the suspects would be taken to court after investigations, added that the rescued two-year-old victim has been reunited with her family.

A source said the suspects drugged the baby, put her in a zipped box and proceeded to a motor park before they ran out of luck.

The Nation gathered that upon interrogation by police, Chinyere confessed that the child was drugged and put in a box.

The baby was brought out of the box at the motor park sweating and crying, it was learnt.

NAPTIP probes 40 rape cases

About 40 cases involving domestic and sexual violence, sexual abuse of minors, rape, incest, sodomy, are presently under investigation, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), has said.

The agency said these cases were recorded during the five weeks lockdown ordered by President Muhammadu Buhari.

NAPTIP noted that some persons took advantage of the period to unleash violence on their loved ones who are mostly women.

he agency also said that over 400 persons have been prosecuted for human trafficking.

Director-General of NAPTIP, Julie Okah-Donli disclosed this at the commissioning of a water project donated by ex-beauty queen and founder, African Scholars Care Initiative (ASCI), Joy Onumajuru-Osomiamhe, to the LEA primary school in Jahi 1, Abuja.

She warned that the agency would not hesitate to invoke the relevant laws to deal with anyone found to be disturbing the peace of the nation at this period.

Robbery suspects, ritualists arrested with human skull

Police in Kogi State on Tuesday arrested three armed robbery and other suspects following a statewide raid.

Command’s spokesman William Aya, in a release, said the arrests were the result of a “continuous onslaught against kidnapping, armed banditry and other heinous crimes” in the state.

A human skull was found on a suspected ritualist, police said, adding that various weapons were also recovered from the robbery suspects.

The suspects will soon be arraigned in court, Aya said.

Robbers pour hot liquid on commercial cyclist

A commercial tricycle operator, Joseph Asogwa, was on Tuesday allegedly attacked by two suspected tricycle snatchers along Onitsha-Owerri Road, Oba, Anambra State.

The suspects disposesed the victim of his tricycle after pouring a hot liquid on his face, which hurt amd momentarily blinded him.

The Nation gathered that Asogwa immediately raised the alarm which attracted the attention of police patrol team arrested the suspects.

Police spokesman Haruna Mohammed confirmed the incident.

He said the snatched tricycle was also recovered from the suspects and registered as exhibit.

He said, “On the 26/5/2020, around 7:55am, at Umuogali Oba along Onitsha/Owerri road, two suspected members of tricycle snatching syndicate who specialise in snatching tricycles popularly called kek were arrested by a police patrol team attached to Oba Division in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State.

61 suspected cultists held in Cross River creeks

Twenty-four hours after the Cross River State government declared 35 youths wanted for cult-related activities, a Navy Victory Ship, NNVS, has arrested 61 persons performing initiation session in Akpabuyo creeks.

Out of the 61 suspects, 42 were said to be among those declared wanted and were handed over to the state government.

NNVS commander Rear Admiral Vincent Okeke said on Tuesday that the suspects were arrested on Sunday following a tip-off.

SUV car snatchers in Anambra

Three persons have been arrested by police for allegedly snatching at gunpoint a Toyota Highlander Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) and other valuables from one Christopher Oraukwu along Ekwulobia road Aguata, Anambra State.

The suspects, Chidi Ugoji, 31, Okoye Onyebuchi, 34 and Onwe Chigozie, 22, were arrested at their hideouts in Achalla/Nkpor area of the state.

Police spokesperson, Haruna Mohammed who confirmed the arrest, said the suspects had voluntarily confessed to the crime.

He said they would be charged to court as soon as investigations were concluded

He said,  “Exhibits recovered in their possessions included one pump action gun, one cut-to-size double barrel gun, four live cartridges, one Mitsubishi L300 bus used by the syndicate for their robbery operations and the snatched Toyota Highlander Jeep.”

Yes, I defrauded an American’

An Ikeja Special Offences Court on Wednesday sentenced a scammer, Lawal Sholaru, to six months imprisonment for defrauding an American, Mr David Geobel, of $1,200 in an online scam.

Justice Mojisola Dada, however, gave the convict an option of N100,000 fine after he pleaded guilty to the offence.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged the convict on March 18. Justice Dada noted that the convict did not waste the court’s time and was remorseful.

“He has exhibited great remorse for his action,” she said.

The sentence will commence from March 18 when he was first remanded while he will forfeit a vehicle and any other property recovered from him.

18-year-old wife stabs husband to death over sex

An 18-year-old wife, Salman Hassan, from Itas Gadau Local Government Area of Bauchi State, has been arrested by the Bauchi Police Command for allegedly stabbing her husband, Mohammed Mustapha to death while trying to have sex with her.

Hassan, while being paraded at the Police Command headquarters, Bauchi, the state capital on Thursday said she stabbed her husband on the chest because he insisted on sleeping with her on the fateful night.

In her confessional statement at the Police Headquarters, she said “I did not really mean to kill my husband, it was an accident. I stabbed him on the chest because he wanted to have carnal knowledge of me. I felt sex was a bad thing, so I objected to his advances.”

”I regret killing my husband I only meant to use the knife to scare him away. I don’t know what will happen to me now” She added.

Hassan who said she really love her husband said she got angry and stabbed Mustapha with a knife when he refused to stop.

The State Commissioner of Police, Phillip Maku, while addressing newsmen said that, Salma committed the crime on April 24 2020.

He disclosed that one Hauna Musa reported at the Itas-Gadau Police Division after which she was arrested.

Maku said that Mustapha sustained serious injury and was rushed to the General Hospital, Itas-Gadau for treatment where he was certified dead.