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Police sack four officers for extorting N50,000 from innocent civilian

iCiR
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Police sack four officers for extorting N50,000 from innocent civilian

 

The Public Complaint Rapid Response Unit (PCRRU) of the Nigeria Police Force says it has dismissed four policemen attached to the Ogun State command from service, after they were found guilty of corruption.

Abayomi Shogunle, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), who made the announcement on Sunday, said the officers arrested an innocent man, accused him of involvement in internet fraud and collected a sum of N50,000 from him before releasing him.

Shogunle said investigations were conducted into the matter after receiving a complaint from the victims, and an Orderly Room trial found the officers guilty.

THE FULL STATEMENT 

In line with the fight against corruption and ensuring adherence to the “Change Begins With Me” campaign of the Federal Government, the Nigeria Police Force has approved the dismissal from service of four police officers attached to Ijebu-Ode Area Command in Ogun State. They are (1) AP. No 122800 Inspr. Mufutau Olaosun, (2) F/No. 366127 Sgt. Adebayo Temitope, (3) F/No. 455593 Cpl. Bakare Taiwo and (4) F/No. 455554 Cpl. Adesoye Ayokunlehin who were charged, tried and found guilty in an Orderly Room conducted at the Area Command Headquarters, Ijebu-Ode for two offences against discipline as provided for in Paragraphs E (iii) Discreditable Conduct and C (ii) Corrupt Practice under the First Schedule of Police Act and Regulations Cap. P19. Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

IGP Ibrahim Idris

THE CASE AGAINST THE DISMISSED POLICEMEN
On the 12th of June, 2017 the Public Complaint Rapid Response Unit (PCRRU) received a complaint via WhatsApp number 0805 700 0003 which states thus;

“Good morning sir, My name is (Withheld), living in ijebu ode, on Wednesday afternoon I went to withdraw money from the bank and am been sent by my boss when going back to the office some policeman car just double cross me and collect my phone telling I stole the phone I should follow the to the station and the took me to igbeba police station here in ijebu asked me to do frog jump from outside to a room, which I did to afford being beating. After gotten there they started calling a internet fraudster which I told them am not that am an (withheld) and they started beating slapping me and forcing me to write a statement which they are the one telling me what to write and after that they collected 50,000 from me( from my boss money which I went to withdraw before ealizing me. Sir that’s my story. All this are not good and policeman are meant to protect us but this nowadays police officer have turn this to another thing by using their power to ride civilians, maltreating and harassing civilian. The officers name who headed the squad are been called which I overhead are name: one is Omo Alaja while the second is called AY but don’t know the name of the other 2 officer. Please sir you have to stop this kind of officer because they are taking this to far”

The complaint was immediately registered, Tracking Number PCRRU451591 issued and investigation initiated. The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Igbeba Division, Ijebu-Ode was mandated to commence an enquiry straightaway. The policemen were identified and it was discovered that they apprehended the complainant on 7th June, 2017 without any reasonable cause and extorted the sum of Fifty Thousand Naira (N50,000) “Bail Money” despite the #BailisFree campaign before he was eventually released same day. The extorted N50,000 was subsequently recovered from these unethical policemen who were armed in plain clothes on the day of the incident. Their action is contrary to the directives of the Inspector-General of Police and unacceptable.

Necessary disciplinary measures were initiated against the erring policemen, they were found guilty as charged in an Orderly Room trial after the presentation of witnesses and exhibits. Punishment of dismissal from service was recommended by the Adjudicating officer and proceedings reviewed by the relevant Nigeria Police Force (NPF) authorities. The punishment of dismissal from service has been upheld with immediate effect and all NPF uniforms and accoutrements including warrant cards (ID cards) issued to the men have been retrieved with all dismissal procedures completed. The complainant was also handed back his N50,000 with an apology a day after he lodged the complaint. The elated man after receiving his money thanked the PCRRU, he said “Great job you people are doing right there, thank you for the prompt response”.

Furthermore, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Ibrahim K. Idris NPM, mni while reiterating his stand on zero tolerance for corruption vows to “flush out those tarnishing police image” from the Force. The IGP also impress it upon the PCRRU to ensure that all allegations of professional misconduct against the police are promptly investigated and officers found wanting in any proven case be made to face appropriate sanctions as stipulated by relevant laws.

Members of the public are advised not to resort to self-help when faced with case of police misconduct, but are enjoined to report such to the PCRRU for resolution. PCRRU is available 24/7 via the following channels; Phone Calls Only: 08057000001, 08057000002 | SMS/WhatsApp Only: 08057000003 | BBM:58A2B5DE | Twitter: @PoliceNG_PCRRU | Facebook: www.facebook.com/PolicePCRRU | Email: complaint@npf.gov.ng OR PolicePCRRU@gmail.com

PCRRU says NO TO IMPUNITY; our quick response will put a smile on your face.

ACP ABAYOMI SHOGUNLE.
ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF POLICE,
PUBLIC COMPLAINT RAPID RESPONSE UNIT (PCRRU),
NIGERIA POLICE FORCE, FORCE HEADQUARTERS,
ABUJA.

Let’s get rid of this horrible APC govt, PDP says after Adeleke’s victory

Rebecca Akinremi
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Let’s get rid of this horrible APC govt, PDP says after Adeleke’s victory

 

The victory of Ademola Adeleke in the Osun West senatorial election proves that Nigerians have woken up to the deceit of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at all levels, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said on Sunday.

PDP’s Adeleke won Saturday’s election against public expectation, polling a total of 97,480 votes to defeat Mudashiru Hussain of the APC, who polled 66,116 votes.

Analysing the victory on Sunday, PDP said that Adeleke’s feat shows that the party is still the one to beat in all elections in the country.

It urged Nigerians to join it in “ridding the country of the horrible APC government”.

“The Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on behalf of the entire organs of the party and PDP family nationwide, warmly congratulates Ademola Adeleke on his victory at the just concluded Osun West senatorial by-election in Osun state on Saturday, July 8, 2017,” Sunday, Dayo Adeyeye, spokesman of the Ahmed Makarfi led-caretaker committee of the party, said in a statement.

“The victory of our party, the PDP, at the poll is a general reflection on the reawakening of Nigerians to the deceit of the All Progressive Congress (APC) led administration at all levels, hence the overwhelming rejection of the APC by the electorate in Osun West.

“The people have spoken with one voice and we know that Ademola Adeleke will deliver on his promises to the people. The successful outcome of this election is an evidence of hard work, dedication and the unity of all members of the PDP in Osun state who buried temporary differences in the overall interest of the party and the good people of Osun State.

“We are confident that without the interference of the APC in the current leadership issues in our party, the PDP remains the party to beat in all elections in Nigeria. Even as we await the judgement of the Supreme Court we urge all our members to unite in the interest of Nigerians to rid the country of the horrible APC government.”

Obasanjo: Abacha wanted to poison me in prison but God gave me a unique power

Kingsley OBIEJESI
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Obasanjo: Abacha wanted to poison me in prison but God gave me a unique power

 

Olusegun Obasanjo, former President, has narrated how fasting and prayer saved him from Sani Abacha, the late head of State, whose killer squad allegedly poisoned the late Shehu Yar’Adua and MKO Abiola while in prison.

Obasanjo said that while in prison, he fasted on three occasions for seven days, tasting neither food nor water, and perhaps, as a result, his life was spared.

He said people had told him that Abacha had vowed that he, Yar’Adua and Abiola would not make it out of prison alive, but he was saved by God, perhaps in order to serve Nigeria.

“Two people had earlier told me Abacha promised that three of us would not come out of prison or detention alive; myself, Shehu Yar Adua and MKO Abiola. And two of them did not come out alive,” Punch quoted him as saying at a dinner programme organised by an inter-denominational Christian organisation, Christ The Redeemer’s Friends International of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Lagos Province 39 Chapter, on Saturday.

“So, that I came out alive, maybe God has a purpose; and therefore if the purpose is for me to serve the people and by so doing, serve God, then so be it.

Obasanjo said that Abacha’s government failed “because he left God out of his plan”, adding that “there is God’s hand in the life of each and every one of us and every institution.”

He said he was taken to a house in Ikoyi, Lagos after he was first arrested, and he spent three months in solitary confinement there. It took the intervention of notable world leaders, including Jimmy Carter, former US President, and Yoweri Museveni and Robert Mugabe, who all came to plead with Abacha, before he was released.

Obasanjo during his army days
Obasanjo during his army days

Eventually, Obasanjo said he was court-martialed and sent to Prison together with Yar’adua.

“I must say that, that day, in a split second, it felt like the worst day in my life. What flashed through my mind was that I was forever ruined.

“I asked myself, ‘What did I do to deserve this? Is this what I get for serving Nigeria?’ But then, I told myself again that this was not done to me by Nigeria, but that one man did it for me.

“I was to go to Jos (prison) and Yar’Adua was to go to Port Harcourt (prison). In Jos, I was visited by my colleagues, including Yakubu Danjuma, Joe Garba, Domkat Bali, many of our colleagues, and then family members and friends.”

Obasanjo said that he was later transferred to Yola prison, which is far worse than the Jos facility, because the authorities at the time felt he was becoming popular in Jos as a result of the number of people that came to visit him.

“In Jos prison, before I was transferred to Yola prison, they had decided that Shehu Yar’Adua and myself should be poisoned,” he continued.

“So, they took him from Port Harcourt prison to Abakaliki. In the process, he was injected with the virus that killed him. The same was supposed to be done to me.

“The man who took me from the prison to a guest house in the GRA in Jos, said, ‘We know you have problem with cholesterol so I have to take your blood for a test.’ Then I said, ‘Not on your life, I don’t have any problem of cholesterol’.

“So, I refused him touching me with anything. So, they took me to Yola and he said, ‘when you get to where you are going, we will come again.’”

In Yola, Obasanjo said God saved his life through a doctor and a specialist who were called to treat him.

He said: “The doctor was a professional man in charge of the General Hospital in Yola. He listened to my case that I needed special food because I was diabetic. He said the specialist would come to see me.

“The specialist turned out to be somebody from Okeogun in Oyo State. Two, he was a Baptist, and three, he had heard about me and knew me. So, he looked at me and said, ‘Don’t let anybody touch you with anything’.

“Within three weeks the man that came to me earlier returned again and said he wanted to take my blood. I said, ‘No, you have to get my doctor to come and take my blood for you’.

“That was the arrangement between me and the doctor. And my doctor came and he brought a syringe and he took my blood and gave it to him. He now asked the man, ‘When would we have the result?’ The man said, ‘Within 24 hours of my getting to Abuja’. I haven’t heard the result till today.”

Obasanjo said while in prison, he developed a closer relationship with God as he would always pray and fast.

“On three occasions, I fasted for seven days, no water, no food… a unique power was given to me by God,” he said.

“In all these, God did not leave me alone, and I know that. I say to people that God has never let me alone or disappointed me in spite of all. I am a sinner. It is not because of my goodness, but because of the grace of God, and the grace of God continues to abound.”

Could Osun by-election victory mark the beginning of PDP’s return to power?

'Fisayo Soyombo
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Could Osun by-election victory mark the beginning of PDP’s return to power?

 

If you must understand how steeply the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has fallen since the 2015 general election, look no further than one week ago, when Doyin Okupe, former Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to former President Goodluck Jonathan, abandoned the party.

Unlike many Nigerian politicians, Okupe, the only Nigerian to have been spokesman for two presidents, has no history of cross-party associations. In terms of party loyalty, there are very few politicians like him. Despite failing to clinch the Ogun State PDP governorship ticket for the 2003 election, he remained in the party even when Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, whom he served as spokesman, left the PDP in anger. Therefore, his departure from the PDP last week is not just another resignation; it is proof of PDP’s collapse. Well, so it seemed. But in politics, just as in life, nothing is permanent.

TRAGIC RAY OF HOPE IN OSUN

Ademola Adeleke mourns
Ademola wails at the burial ground of his brother

Fast-forward seven days and there is a ray of hope for the PDP. A senatorial seat that was firmly in the grip of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has now gone to the PDP. It came with a bit of luck — maybe tragedy is a more appropriate word. Isiaka Adeleke, a two-time Senator and first civilian Governor of Osun State, died in unclear circumstances.

After mourning his late brother, captured by a particularly touching burial-ground photo, Ademola declared interest in filling his void at the senate. He looked initially set to succeed, having secured the APC ticket. But the National Working Committee of the party instead favoured Mudashiru Hussain, a man who was always pitched against the late senator for political offices. Ademola’s truncated dream promptly resurfaced at the PDP; still, it looked unlikely that he would upstage Hussain.

THE BIG ALLIANCE

Ademola Adeleke 2

Does he who kill by the sword actually die by the sword? It has to be true, on the strength of current political evidence in the Osun West Senatorial District. Days before the election, nine political parties adopted Adeleke as their candidate. They are:  All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), People’s Democratic Movement (PDM), Action Alliance (AA), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Green Party of Nigeria (GPN), Alliance for Democracy (AD), Democratic People’s Party (DPP), Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) and People’s Party of Nigeria (PPN). In the end, Adeleke recorded a shocking victory.

A HELPING HAND FROM APC

Rauf-Aregbesola

Despite the alliance, PDP could never have won without a helping hand from the APC. Rauf Aregbesola, Governor of the state, had become unpopular owing to a combination of reasons, including economic recession and the state’s self-insufficiency. Workers were being owed; and just two days before the by-election, medical doctors in the state protested against Aregbesola, saying their unpaid salaries were even being “mutilated”. There is little to show that a PDP governor would have done any better in the current circumstance, but Aregbesola is at the helm and if someone had to pay the price, it had to be him and his party.

OSUN AS MIRROR FOR 2019?

Ademola Adeleke 6

The reasons for which the people turned their back on Aregbesola are prevalent at the national level. More than two-thirds of states are struggling to pay workers’ salary and very few of them have a solid internally-generated revenue base. The jobs that were promised two years ago are not here; the ones that were there are being lost in large numbers. Just like PDP before the 2015 election, APC is currently a house divided against itself. President Muhammadu Buhari’s ill-health-induced absence has paved the way for a power struggle that has whittled down APC’s collective strength. As things stand at the moment, things are not done and dusted for APC ahead of 2019.

COULD PDP RETURN?

pdpconvention

It is a possibility. Adeleke’s death has offered PDP a platter-of-gold opportunity to return to power. If the former ruling party escalates its Osun alliance project to the national level, and if APC does not improve its performance in the final two years of its existing presidential contract with the people, the PDP could have a real shot at power.

Ahead of the by-election, Adeleke had said: “We are going to win the election and come 2018, we will still win”. The first part of the statement has been fulfilled, against widespread expectations, and the second may just still be possible.

The party Okupe said had reached menopause just a week ago may yet become fecund because with Osun, PDP has already validated the saying that in life, never say never.

Adeleke declared winner as PDP floors APC in six of seven LGs

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Adeleke declared winner as PDP floors APC in six of seven LGs

 

 

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Ademola Adeleke, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), winner of the Osun West Senatorial by-election.

Olaide Lawal, a Professor at Oye Ekiti University and Chief Returning Officer, said Adeleke polled 97,480 votes while Mudashiru Hussain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) polled 66,116 votes.

The official result showed that the PDP candidate won by large margin in the two local councils in his Ede home town, while only losing in Ejigbo LG, the base of his opponent.

Adeleke also won in the remaining seven local councils including Isokan, Ayedaade and Egbemode.

Voting held in seven of 10 local councils and results were declared as follows:

AIYEDIRE LGA: APC 5360 PDP 5789

EDE NORTH LGA: APC 2784, PDP 18559

EDE SOUTH LGA: APC 2096, PDP 13476

EJIGBO LGA: APC 12229, PDP 9723

IREWOLE LGA: APC 8952, PDP 9096

IWO LGA: APC 12205 PDP 12547

OLA-OLUWA LGA: APC 5316, PDP 5618

The seat became vacant following the death on 23 April of Adeleke’s brother, Isiaka, a member of the APC.

Wild jubilation in PDP as Adeleke looks set to replace late brother

Kingsley OBIEJESI
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Wild jubilation in PDP as Adeleke looks set to replace late brother

 

Ademola Adeleke, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Osun West Senatorial by-election held on Saturday, appears set to clinch victory and replace Isiaka Adeleke, his late older brother, at the senate.

Only few weeks ago, the younger Adeleke joined the Ali Modu-Sheriff faction of the PDP from the All Progressives Congress (APC) after it became obvious that he would not win the APC primary.

According to NAN, unofficial results show that Adeleke defeated Mudashiru Hussain, the APC candidate, in majority of the local government areas in the senatorial district.

Adeleke won the two local councils in his home town of Ede as well as Egbedore and Ola Oluwa local councils, and projections in other local councils also appear to show that he has a comfortable lead.

Victory for the PDP in the election could deal a heavy blow on the image of Rauf Aregbesola, the OSun State governor, as it is believd that Hussain, Adeleke’s major opponent, is the Governor’s preferred candidate.

Hussain’s poor performance at the polls was obvious as he was said to have won his own polling unit in Ejigbo local government area by a paltry four votes, having garnered 152 votes against Adeleke’s 148.

Journalists who covered the event said voter turnout was impressive despite heavy rains.

Meanwhile, below is a video of the PDP in celebratory mood ahead of the official announcement of Adeleke’s victory by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The clip was posted on Twitter by Kayode Ogundamisi, a journalist.

Police: Evans is with us but we won’t tell you his whereabouts

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Police: Evans is with us but we won’t tell you his whereabouts

 

Jimoh Moshood, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CPS) and spokesman of the Police, says arrested kidnap kingpin Chukwudumeme George Onwuamadike, better known as Evans, is still in the custody of security agents.

According to Moshood, Evans is safe and still under police watch, contrary to reports by The Sun newspaper on Saturday that he had “vanished”.

He urged Nigerians to not fret, saying investigation is still ongoing and the suspect would be charged to court when it is completed.

“The media need to avoid stories that could create fear, tension or misrepresentation among the masses,” NAN quoted Moshood as saying.

“Where did Evans vanish to? That headline was misleading. The suspect and his accomplices are very much in our custody.

“We are working hard to ensure that justice is served at the end of the day. There are certain information that are not for public consumption to avoid jeopardising investigation or even national security.

“Evans is with the police. His whereabouts is known but cannot be made public. We are appealing to Nigerians to remain calm and support the police to conclude its investigation.”

‘Flooding has taken over’… Twitter reacts to Lekki flood

Kingsley OBIEJESI
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‘Flooding has taken over’… Twitter reacts to Lekki flood

 

 

Lagos State is in the news every year for numerous incidents of flooding, which usually destroy property and sometimes claim lives.

The latest, on Saturday, spawned arguments over the real cause cause. While some say it is the effect of climate change, others think it’s simply the consequence of the construction of buildings on canals and drainage ways, thereby blocking the water ways.

Regardless of their beliefs, Lagosians ‘took over Twitter’ on Saturday to discuss the matter — and there were some funny tweets, including one saying ‘flooding is taking over’.

Lekki

 

VIDEO: Foreigner paddles a canoe through the flooded streets of Lekki

Kingsley OBIEJESI
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VIDEO: Foreigner paddles a canoe through the flooded streets of Lekki

 

The menace of flooding in Lagos State is gradually getting out of hand, as major streets of the city have been overtaken by flowing waters.

It got so bad on Friday that a white man used his kayak to make his way through the flooded streets.

Oluwashina Okeleji, a Twitter user, captured the sad but funny moment on video and shared on his Twitter handle.

Watch:

UK restates ‘strong opposition’ to Biafra

Kingsley OBIEJESI
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UK restates ‘strong opposition’ to Biafra

Paul Arkwright, British High Commissioner to Nigeria, says the United Kingdom does not support any agitation for geared towards the breakup of Nigeria.

Arkwright said this in reaction to insinuations that the British government was backing a section of the country that is calling for secession.

He made the comments in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, when he paid a courtesy visit on the State Hose of Assembly as part of his visit to Bukola Saraki, the Senate President.

“In a word, no, we don’t have anything to do with anyone agitating for breakup of Nigeria,” he said.

“We’re strongly in support of the unity of Nigeria and the federal government of Nigeria. And that’s what the British government has consistently supported and we don’t have interest or support any one agitating for the breakup of Nigeria.

“For anyone to say the British governmental is involved in any way in the break-up of Nigeria is completely wrong.”

Arkwright acknowledged that Nigeria’s democratic situation is delicate, but added that there are patriotic Nigerians who put in enormous efforts towards ensuring that democracy is protected in the country.

Also, Denys Gauer, the French Ambassador to Nigeria, had pledged the country’s commitment to a one, united Nigeria, adding that a lot has changed between the time of the civil war in 1967 and now.

France was an ally of defunct Biafra during the 1967 to 1970 Nigerian civil war.

According to Gauer, such move to form a different republic by a section of Nigeria has since been overtaken by events and his country no longer supports it, neither will it work in any way with any group calling for the breakup of Nigeria.

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