Police Ask Court To Stop Probe Of Abuses By Judicial Panels

The Police have initiated a move to stop various panels probing allegations of rights abuses and other acts of impunity against police officials, particularly operatives of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

State governments have raised the panels to investigate alleged infractions by SARS operatives, following nationwide #endsars protests by youths.

The panels have since been sitting in almost all the states.

But, the Police have approached a Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking among others, an order restraining the Attorneys-General of the 36 states and the panels of inquiry they constituted, from proceedings with their investigation of the activities of the police and their officials.

The suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1492/2020, filed for the NPF by its lawyer, O. M. Atoyebi (SAN) has 104 defendants.

The defendants include the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the attorneys-general of the states and chairmen of the panels set up by the states.

It is the plaintiff’s main contention that the decision by governors to set up panels of inquiry to investigate activities of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and their officials in the conduct of their statutory duties violate Section 241(1)(2)(a) and Item 45, Part 1, First Schedule to the Constitution and Section 21 of the Tribunals of Inquiry Act.

The NPF is of the view that by the provisions of 241(1)(2)(a) and Item 45, Part 1, First Schedule to the Constitution the Federal Government of Nigeria has exclusive power to “organise, control and administer the Nigeria Police Force.”

The plaintiff raised three questions for the court’s determination. It is also seeking four main reliefs.

One of the prayers is a declaration that having regard to the provisions of Section a14 (1)(2) (a) and Item 45, Part 1, First Schedule, 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), the Federal Government of Nigeria has the exclusive power to organise, control and administer the Nigeria Police Force.

Other reliefs being sought by the plaintiff are:

* A declaration that the establishment of panel of inquiries by the Governors of the various states of the Federation of Nigeria, to inquire into the activities of the Nigeria Police Force in relation to the discharge of her statutory duties is a gross violation of the provisions of Section 241 (1)(2) (a) and Item 45, Part 1, First schedule, 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and Section 21 of the tribunals of inquiry Act, Cap.T21, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

* A declaration that having regard to the circumstances of this case, the attitude of the governors of the various states of the Federation of Nigeria in this case is unconstitutional, illegal, null and void and of no effect whatsoever.

* An order of perpetual injunction restraining the 3rd to 38th defendants (the attorneys-general of the 36 states) from making or conducting any investigations, sittings and inquiries and/or from making or conducting any further investigations, sittings and inquiries in respect of matters affecting the Nigeria Police Force, and or further setting up any panel of inquiry in any state whatsoever in the country.

The case listed on the cause list for Wednesday, could not be heard because the court did not sit. It was rescheduled for December 18.

Also on Wednesday, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, faulted a claim that the apex bank obtained court orders to block accounts linked to promoters of the #endsars protests.

Emefiele’s position was stated by his lawyer Mike Aondoakaa (SAN) while appearing before a Federal High Court in Abuja.

Aondoakaa, a former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, is Emefiele’s lawyer in the case, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1384/202of CBN v.Bolatito Rachael Oduala and 19 others in which Justice Ahmed Mohammed granted an order freezing the accounts of the defendants for 90 minutes in the first instance.

The former AGF spoke while reacting to remarks by Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN), lawyer to Albert A. Ugochuwu and others, whose accounts were also frozen in similar circumstance by another judge, Justice Taiwo Taiwo in the case marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/12000/2020.

Aondoakaa, who insisted that his client acted within the provision of Section 60 (b) of the Bank and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA), that allows the CBN to apply for a freezing order pending the conclusion of investigation.

The ex-AGF faulted Adegboruwa claim that the CBN was going about filing multiple cases to freeze people’s accounts, including those linked to the #endsars protests.

He said the CBN did not apply for the freezing of any accounts because of the owners were associated with the #endsars protests.

Aondoakaa stated that his client only applied to have the accounts frozen following suspicious and questionable transactions in them.

He noted that none of those affected by the orders have claimed, in the processes they filed, that they are #endsars protesters.

Arguing earlier, Adegboruwa accused the CBN of filing multiple cases to freeze accounts of people indiscriminately. He cited the case of those associated with the #endsars protests.

He argued that the CBN had a misconception of Section 60(b) of the BOFIA, and that its lacks the power to conduct investigation into alleged infraction of the law.

Adegboruwa noted that the CBN came before the court on September 21, 2020 and obtained the freezing order pending the conclusion of its investigation.

“The law permitting the CBN to approach the court makes it a clearing house. Not to investigate. The CBN is arogating the powers of the investigating agencies. The CBN lacks the power to investigate crimes,” he said.

Adegboruwa prayed the court to vacate the order earlier made by the court and dismiss the CBN’s suit.

Justice Taiwo adjourned the matter till December 16 for ruling.

#nairaland

Isreal Adegoke Adeusi Killers, 15 Others Arrested By Amotekun

* Suspected Killers Of Ondo Monarch, 15 Others Arrested By Amotekun

Places surveillance on Falae farm

By Dayo Johnson – Akure
Suspected killers of the Ondo first-class monarch, the Olufon of lfon, Oba Isreal Adegoke Adeusi, have been arrested by the personnel of the state Security Network Agency codenamed “Amotekun Corps”.

Also, the security outfit has arrested 15 other suspected criminals in different flashpoints across the state under its “Operation Clean up” exercise.

The late Oba Adeusi was gunned down by suspected kidnappers at Elegbeka village in Ose council area of the state last week.

Addressing newsmen in Akure, the state Commander of the security outfight, Amoyekun Corps, Chief Adeleye, who did not disclose the number of suspects arrested in connection with the killing of the traditional ruler said an investigation was still ongoing on the matter.

Adeleye said that their identities would be made public after thorough investigations by the security outfit.

According to him, the suspects were arrested after the security outfit in conjunction with other conventional security agencies, local hunters and members of the Odua Peoples Congress (OPC) combed the forest where the monarch was murdered.

Adeleye said that “we were also able to rescue four other victims that were earlier kidnapped and held hostage in the thick forest around Elegbeka where the monarch was shot dead.

He said that the outfit had launched “operation clean up” to rid the state of criminal element terrorising the people of the state.

He said that the exercise would last a month adding that the spate of crime necessitated the massive patrol by the personnel of the security outfit.

“Following the increase in the spate of criminal activities, the Amotekun went into action with other security agencies and put up some measures that had yielded positively by stepping down the activities of the criminals.

“We have decided to change tactics; this involves massive patrol using a bike, motorised patrol of the state. We have decided to take the war to where the criminals are rather than waiting for them to come out.”

The commander said that Amotekun in conjunction with other conventional security agencies raided dark spot across the state between 10 pm and 4 am and 15 suspects were arrested during the exercise codenamed “Operation Clean Up”.

“We observed a downward trend after the ban on okada at night so we had to change tactics. That was why we launched the Operation Clean Up which is intense patrol across the nook and cranny of Akure and other parts of the state.

“We apprehended them with dangerous weapons and various incriminating items. Although we are a still investigating their culpability anyone that is not found wanting would be set free while those implicated would be handed over to the appropriate security agencies for prosecution.”

On the ban of motorcycle operators in the state by government, Adeleye lamented that 80 per cent of the crime committed in the state were perpetrated by criminal using motorbikes

The commander said that the security outfit has placed the farm of the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Chief Olu Falae, on surveillance and warned herders to keep off.

#vanguard

Court Sacks Pondei, Interim NDDC Leadership

In a suit numbered ABJ/CS/617/2020, Justice Ahmed Mohammed, in a ruling on an application by a Civil Society Organisation, Forum for Accountability and Good Governance, restrained them from parading themselves as board members of the NDDC.


The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday sacked Prof Kemebradikumo Pondei, Mr Cairo Ojougboh, Dr Joi Nunieh and others from functioning on the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission.

In a suit numbered ABJ/CS/617/2020, Justice Ahmed Mohammed, in a ruling on an application by a Civil Society Organisation, Forum for Accountability and Good Governance, restrained them from parading themselves as board members of the NDDC.


Acting MD of the NDDC, Kemebradikumor Pondei, fainting during public interrogation before a legislative committee probing allegations of contracting fraud under his watch to the tune of N81 billion.
Daily Trust reports that the court also granted leave to the applicant to apply for a judicial review of the power of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or the Minister of the Niger Delta to appoint Pondei, Ojougboh and others in an interim capacity as members of the NDDC Board.

The judge also granted leave to the applicant to apply for judicial review for an Order of Mandamus compelling the ICPC, sued as the 9th Defendant in the suit, to investigate the Minister of Niger Delta, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, and the five members of the Board over allegations of N3billion contract fraud.




By this order of the court, the members of the NDDC Board are restrained from performing the functions of the board pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice which is fixed for Dec. 8, 2020.

The plaintiff in the suit said it had notified President Muhammadu Buhari, the Attorney General of the Federation, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Department of State Services, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the ICPC of an interim vacancy in the commission.

The plaintiff also urged that the most senior civil servant or administrator in the commission be appointed while praying that the suspended officers be stopped from accessing the commission's offices and files as they could tamper with evidence which could be used by the ICPC in its probe.

Parties joined in the suit are the Attorney General of the Federation, the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Minister of the Niger Delta, Prof Kemebradikumo Pondei, Dr Cairo Ojougboh, Dr Joi Nunieh, Mrs Caroline Nagbo, Cecilia Bukola Akintomide and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences commission.

FG Engages 17,000 Youths In Rabbit Farming

The Federal Government on Wednesday announced the commencement of its programme on rabbit farming that would engage 17,000 youths across the country.

It made the announcement through its National Agricultural Land Development Authority, noting that the programme had already commenced in some states, as it would engage more participants in the southern part of Nigeria.

The Executive Secretary, NALDA, Paul Ikonne, told journalists in Abuja that the agency would provide the rabbits, cage, vaccine and training for participants free of charge.

He said the first set of beneficiaries would be required to bring back the kitten from the rabbits they train so as to be used in the empowerment of other youths.

Ikonne said, “The President had inaugurated the national young farmers’ scheme, and we intend to take in 774,000 young Nigerians into the entire agribusiness. This programme has started implementing the first leg, which is our animal husbandry.

“In this segment, we are doing goat and rabbit rearing. A lot of people do not know the potentials, the benefits and the money they can make from rearing rabbits. Rabbit has an entire value chain, nothing is a waste farming rabbit.”

He added, “So we are engaging our youths into rabbit farming, NALDA has designed a programme to take in 17,000 rabbit farmers especially in the South, and we have commenced the engagement in some states.”

Ikonne said the first phase of the programme had commenced in Imo, Abia, Cross River and Oyo states, as selected youths in the states had received rabbits and had commenced farming.

Kidnapped Chinese Expatriate Released After Payment Of N100m Ransom In Ekiti

The Chinese expatriate, who was abducted by some unknown gunmen in Ado-Ekiti, has regained freedom, after payment of N100m ransom.

The Chinese, simply identified as Wang, was one of the Engineers handling the dualisation of the new Ado-Iyin road.

He was abducted last Friday evening at the site by gunmen who also killed a policeman attached to him.

He was released by his abductors after five days in captivity.

A source close to the road construction company said the abductee was released around 11 pm on Tuesday after payment of N100 million ransom.

He explained while the ransom was collected at a place in Kwara state, the expatriate was released around Ilawe-Igede road in Ekiti state.

According to him, “The Chinese was released very late yesterday (Tuesday) after payment of ransom to the kidnappers.

“The N100 million was taken to a bush in Kwara state where the kidnappers collected and confirmed it before the man was released here at a very difficult location along Igede-Ilawe road.”

But when contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Ekiti state ASP Sunday Abutu confirmed the release of the Chinese expatriate but denied any payment of ransom.

He revealed that the release was made possible after a serious manhunt launched on the kidnappers by security operatives.

“Yes, he was released after a serious manhunt and pressure from the security operatives around Ilawe-Igede at about 11:30 pm yesterday (Tuesday).”

He assured residents that the command would continue to do everything possible to ward off all criminal elements from the state and ensure maximum security of lives and property.

#vanguard

Okorocha To Buhari: Sack All Your Cabinet Members, Aides, They Have Failed

Former Governor of Imo state, Senator Rochas Okorocha has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to sacked all the Minister’s and presidential aides he appointed to help him run the government as they have failed to perform their duties.

He made the call Wednesday in Lafia when he paid a condolence visit to Governor Abdullahi Sule in Government House and the family of the late Nasarawa State Chairman, Mr. Phillip Tatari Shekwo who was murdered by gunmen.

According, to him, “President Muhammadu Buhari should fire the people he hired to work for the country, because they have failed and are not performing in the national assignments assigned them.

“He should do the needful to save the nation from the insult on the leaders. The people are angry with the recent events in the country.

“The culprits who killed people in Borno, the people in Nasarawa and other parts of the country should be arrested and prosecuted. As the killing of people by gunmen should not happen again as it is an insult to the country.

“President Buhari should hire competent hands to develop the country as many countries suffered similar fate before the experience growth and development,” Okorocha said.

Okorocha called on Nigerians to be patient, cooperate with the government to reduce unemployment and hunger ravaging the nation.

In his remarks, Governor Abdullahi Sule said three suspected criminals linked with the death of the late APC Chairman were killed by the military, while one was arrested few days ago and he confessed to the crime and we are waiting for the report from the police.

Reno Omokri Blasts Northerners Attacking Davido For Not Speaking Up Against

#zambarmarimassacre

Reno Omokri has taken to his Instagram page to tackle Nigerians from Nothern Nigeria who came online to bash Davido for not speaking against the Zambarmari massacre, IgbereTV reports.

Over 40 farmers were slaughtered by Boko Haram members in Borno state last weekend.

Northerners took to Twitter to bash the singer for not speaking against the attack.

Reacting to the bashing Davido received, Reno Omokri asked the Northerners to leave Davido alone. According to him, the singer isn't their problem.

His post reads:

''Leave @Davido alone. His job is to make the world a happier place. And he is exceptionally good at it. If you guys harass General @MuhammaduBuhari the way you have harassed this young man this year (we remember #endsars), perhaps #zabarmarimassacre and other killings would not have happened! Think about this:

* President
* Senate President
* Chief Justice
* Chief or Staff
* Secretary to the Government
* Minister of Defence
* NSA
* Chief of Army Staff
* Chief of Air Staff
* Police IG
* Heads of DMI, DSS, NIA, NIS, NCS, NPS

All from the NORTH. Yet the North is still not safe! Is that Davido’s fault?"

Messi Slammed With £540 Fine For Diego Maradona Shirt Celebration

LIONEL MESSI has been hit with a £540 fine for his tribute to Diego Maradona after the legend’s death.

The Barcelona superstar started his career at Newell's Old Boys and unveiled their shirt in tribute to his fellow Argentine - who also played there - after scoring in Sunday's 4-0 win against Osasuna.

The goal had striking similarities to a goal scored by Maradona on his Newell's debut 27 years ago.

He picked up the ball outside of the box, beat two defenders then fired a shot into the far corner of the net.

The celebration forced referee Mateu Lahoz to book Messi for removing his Barca shirt, in line with the Spanish FA's rules.

It has now been confirmed that the 33-year-old has now been sanctioned.

The forward, who earns over £60m-a-year, should have to cough up a £540 fine.

And Barcelona have also been hit with a fine of £316 over the incident - although they plan to appeal.

The rule which imposes a fine for celebrations like Messi's is not exclusive to the Spanish league, it is also applied by FIFA.

On FIFA's official website, it states: "The IFAB, the body responsible for the Laws of the Game, decided to add a detail to Law 12 relating to ‘Fouls and Misconduct’, stating: “A player who removes his jersey after scoring a goal will be cautioned for unsporting behaviour.”

#sports

Tanker Explodes On Magboro Bridge, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway (Video)

Deji Olaoti wrote on Twitter:

"LAGOS-IBADAN EXPRESSWAY: TRAFFIC ADVISORY!
A tanker exploded on Magboro Bridge outward Lagos-Ibadan Expressway at 4:15am today 2nd December, 2020.

Road users are expected to experience delay due to traffic gridlock. If you can, cancel your trip or use alternative.
@Gidi_Traffic"