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Charms and rituals are used by criminals in Nigeria – should police deploy spiritual security too?

Editorial
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Charms and rituals are used by criminals in Nigeria – should police deploy spiritual security too?

By Usman A. Ojedokun, University of Ibadan

CRIME is among the major challenges confronting Nigeria as a nation. The pervasiveness of crime has repeatedly called into question the effectiveness and efficiency of the Nigeria Police Force. This is despite their exclusive reliance on modern policing strategies and techniques.

Traditionally, crime-related matters have been handled through what’s known as “spiritual security”. This is a knowledge system that involves the use of amulets, charms, rituals and talismans for protection, power and clairvoyance.

As sociologists specialising in criminology, we were interested in what the Nigerian police personnel had to say about these mechanisms of protection.

We conducted a study of their perceptions and attitudes. Many told us that they believed criminals used spiritual security for power and protection. Some officers confirmed that they themselves used charms and the like to help in their jobs.

Nigerians use spiritual security mechanisms in other areas of social life such as healthcare delivery, conflict resolution and household crime control. But they’ve been overlooked in formal policing.

We conclude that this indigenous approach to crime fighting could prove useful to the police, particularly in intelligence gathering, crime investigation and crime control. Traditional belief systems could complement the country’s colonially based law enforcement and social control systems and improve their efficiency.

Traditional belief systems

Spiritual security is a traditional knowledge system that dates from precolonial times. It was a way that Nigerian people dealt with social issues. Not only for security, but also to settle disputes and for social control, conflict resolution, justice administration, peace engineering and social harmony.

The knowledge system of most African societies is generally predicated on a belief system that’s divided into the physical (visible and seen) and the spiritual (mysterious and unobservable). History tells us that African people gave high credence to this system of knowledge.

Although mystical, preternatural and esoteric powers are virtually inexplicable, many Nigerians believe that they know when they are being manipulated by those who have access to such powers.

The study

Our research was carried out among police officials serving at the Oyo State Police Command. We interviewed 35 police officers belonging to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department and the Special Anti-Robbery Squad.

We wanted to know to what extent the police were aware of criminals using spiritual security mechanisms. And we asked for their views on the police using them too. Should they be integrated into police operations?

Most police officers acknowledged that the system of spiritual security mechanisms was part of a cultural heritage which many Africans employed. They explained that people did so to protect themselves from their enemies’ spiritual attacks and to neutralise the impact of deadly weapons such as guns, machetes and knives.

Participants said that their professional experiences in the field showed that criminals routinely used spiritual security mechanisms. They did so to strengthen and protect themselves when perpetrating crime such as armed robbery, kidnapping, rape and homicide.

There was no clear consensus about whether the mechanisms were effective or not. But many officers said they believed that the criminals’ use of spiritual security was capable of compromising police operations. One police officer said:

Criminals, especially armed robbers, usually rely on it. Some time around 2003 … we arrested four armed robbers and handcuffed them. Can you believe that two of them who were handcuffed together disappeared? … What happened that day was like a miracle. It was only after making consultation from the people who are knowledgeable that we were told that one of them deployed egbe (a spiritual device for disappearance).

Our research also established that some police officers were secretly consulting custodians of the traditional knowledge system to enhance their performance and safety on the job.

Our respondents, however, expressed differing opinions about whether spiritual security mechanisms should be integrated into modern police work. Those who supported the idea believed it could improve crime fighting and help keep officers safe.

Others dismissed the idea. They stressed the value of modern policing strategies and technology. Some said their religion (both Christian and Muslim) expressly forbade them from associating with traditional charms. Some felt it went against police culture and codes.

Physical security and spiritual security

The work experiences of police officers, however, generally demonstrated the importance of a knowledge system that recognises a connection between physical security and spiritual security.

Modern policing strategies are not adequately dealing with Nigeria’s crime and insecurity crisis. Notorious criminals are combining the use of sophisticated weapons with spiritual charms.

READ ALSO:

We recommend that Nigeria’s police force should explore any potential advantages that the system of spiritual security mechanisms might offer. If well applied, this hybridisation could boost intelligence gathering capacity and crime control efforts.The Conversation

Usman A. Ojedokun, Sociologist/Criminologist, University of Ibadan

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

UNILAG lecturer accused of raping 20-year-old student

Ijeoma OPARA
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UNILAG lecturer accused of raping 20-year-old student

A LECTURER of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Kadiri Akeem Babalola, has been accused of raping a 20-year-old female student.

Babalola, an Associate Professor of the University, was accused by the female student of perpetrating the act on August 16, 2023, when she visited his office to sort out issues concerning her results.

An X user, Deji Lambo, disclosed on Wednesday, September 6, that the case was taken up by a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), the Inclusive Social Welfare and Empowerment Foundation (ISWEF), and Babalola confessed to perpetrating the crime.

“InclusiveSWEF reported the case to the Gender Unit of the state police command, and through the OC Gender, the state CP, Idowu Owohunwa, issued a warrant of arrest for Babalola through the state High Court and involved the Vice Chancellor, UNILAG.

“The VC was given seven days to produce Babalola, and when the VC invited the randy lecturer for questioning, InclusiveSWEF said he admitted to committing the crime. The VC informed the police through the school’s Chief Security Officer, and Babalola was arrested,” Lambo posted.

Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Benjamin Hundeyin shared Lambo’s post on the incident via his X handle on Wednesday. He wrote that the accused would “appear in court in the coming days.”

Sexual harassment has been a recurrent issue in Nigerian universities, and female students are mostly the target.

On Monday, August 15, female students of the University of Calabar Law faculty staged a protest within the school premises against sexual harassment and intimidation by Dean Cyril Ndifon.

The students carried placards that read, “Law students are not Bonanza, Prof. Ndifon should stop grabbing us. The Faculty of Law is not a brothel,” “Ndifon must go for our sanity,” among other inscriptions.

The University suspended Ndifon on August 17, his second suspension for sexual harassment since 2015, when he was accused of raping a final-year student. .

Some lecturers in other departments within the school were also named by students, including Frank Enor, Otora Agbor, Elvis Okorn and Okoi.

At the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra state, two lecturers were also accused of sexual harassment by an anonymous student.

PEPC: Obi failed to prove Tinubu was convicted in US –Tribunal

Ijeoma OPARA
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PEPC: Obi failed to prove Tinubu was convicted in US –Tribunal

THE Presidential Election Petitions Court (PEPC) has ruled that Labour Party (LP) candidate Peter Obi failed to prove any criminal records or conviction of Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for money laundering in the United States.

Appeal Court judge Haruna Tsummani declared this on Wednesday, September 6.

“From the legal definitions and judicial authorities cited above, it is clear that the sentence of imprisonment or fine for any offence involving dishonesty or fraud in Section 137 (1d) of the constitution is one imposed upon a criminal trial and conviction.

“In the instant case, the petitioners have failed to show evidence that the second respondent was indicted with charge or arraigned, tried and convicted and was sentenced to any term of imprisonment or fine for any offence,” Tsummani said.

He also said Tinubu’s legal team had proved that he had no criminal records in the United States by tendering certain exhibits and evidence.

“From all the foregoing, it is clear that having regard to the provision of Section 137 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, and the evidence laid before this court, the second respondent was not disqualified from contesting the presidential elections held on February 25, 2023,’ he said.

He, therefore, stated that the issue is resolved against the petitioners and in favour of the respondent.

In May, the court had admitted documents into evidence accusing Tinubu of drug offences in the United States.

The documents were filed by Labour Party candidate Peter Obi, challenging Tinubu’s victory at the 2023 general elections.

Oshimen, Oshoala nominated for 2023 Ballon d’Or award

Dotun OMISAKIN
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Oshimen, Oshoala nominated for 2023 Ballon d’Or award

TWO Nigerian strikers Victor Osimhen and Asisat Oshoala have been listed for the shortlist for the 2023 Ballon d’Or award for the male and female categories.

Oshimen became the highest scoring African in Serie A history after displacing Liberia’s president record with a total of 50 goals during the 2022-23 season.

He also helped his club Napoli to clinch their first Serie A title in over three decades most especially with his massive goal against Udinese last season.

Also, Oshoala played an integral part in Barcelona’s Spanish Iberdola and UEFA Women’s Champions League success last season.

She is the only African female player, who made the shortlist.

Oshoala has won the CAF Women’s Player of the Year Award for a record five times.

Meanwhile, Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland are among the leading contenders to win this year’s men’s Ballon d’Or, while Spain World Cup star, Aitana Bonmati, leads the nominees announced on Wednesday for the women’s prize.

Messi, who recently left Paris Saint-Germain for Inter Miami, is in with a chance of succeeding Karim Benzema and winning the Ballon d’Or for the eighth time in his remarkable career after leading Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar last year.

Haaland may be his main rival for the prize after scoring 52 goals in 53 games to help Manchester City win the treble of Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup last season.

The Norway striker, last week won the UEFA Player of the Year Award for last season.

PSG’s Kylian Mbappe and Haaland’s City teammate, Kevin De Bruyne, also feature among the 30 nominees for the prize, the winner of which will be announced at a ceremony in Paris on October 30.

Labour Party rejects tribunal judgement, says justice not served

Bankole ABE
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Labour Party rejects tribunal judgement, says justice not served

THE Labour Party (LP) has rejected the judgement of the presidential election petition tribunal that ruled against the petitions of Peter Obi, its candidate, against the victory of President Bola Tinubu in the February 25 polls.

The Tribunal on Wednesday, September 6, dismissed the petitions brought by Obi and the LP against President Bola Tinubu’s victory.

In a statement, the LP’s national publicity secretary, Obiora Ifoh, claimed the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) judgement did not reflect the law or the people’s wishes and that justice had not been given.

“The Labour Party watched with dismay and trepidation the dismissal of petitions by the five-man panel of the Presidential Election Petition Court led by Justice Haruna Tsammani today, and we reject the outcome of the judgment in its entirety because justice was not served, and it did not reflect the law and the desire of the people,” the statement reads.

“Nigerians were witnesses to the electoral robbery that took place on February 25, 2023, which was globally condemned, but the Tribunal, in its wisdom, refused to accept the obvious.”What is at stake is democracy, and we will not relent until the people’s will prevail.

“We salute the doggedness of our team of lawyers who fearlessly exposed the wrath (sic) in our system. We can only weep for democracy in Nigeria, but we refuse to give up on Nigeria,” the statement reads.

Ifoh said the Party’s position details will be presented after consultation with LP’s lawyers after the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgement has been secured.

The Party advised all supporters of democracy to stay determined and upbeat, adding that a new Nigeria was not out of the question.     

Obi came third in the election, and his Party had filed a joint petition in March challenging the election that saw INEC declare Tinubu winner.

Earlier at the Court, the PEPC said the FCT was not superior to any state and couldn’t be ministered differently in an election.

The Court held that regardless of where voters desire to reside in the country, all people had equal rights.

On the $460k forfeiture by Tinubu in the US over a drug-related case, the panel said Obi and LP failed to demonstrate that Tinubu was convicted.

According to Tsammani, who read the lead judgement, the petitioners’ evidence (Exhibit P5) demonstrated that it was a civil forfeiture case.

Tsammani added that the petitioners did not present any convincing proof that Tinubu had been charged, had entered a plea, had received a sentence, or had been penalised in any criminal case in the US.

The Court also said Obi did not show how he secured the majority of lawful votes in the February 25 election.

The Court described Obi’s petition as lacking in merit and ruled against him.

 

 

 

PEPC: Court upholds Tinubu’s victory at polls

Ijeoma OPARA
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PEPC: Court upholds Tinubu’s victory at polls

THE Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) has upheld the election of Nigerian President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 coring exercise.

The five-man panel delivering judgment on Wednesday, September 6, disclosed that the petitiona filed against Tinubu by the People’s Democratic Party, Allied People’s Movement and Labour Party were all without merit.

“Having concluded and decided that all three petitions are all devoid of merit, the petitions are hereby dismissed,” the panel announced.

Read about other related developments here:

PEPC resolves petition against Obi, says claim lacks merit

Bankole ABE
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PEPC resolves petition against Obi, says claim lacks merit

THE Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) has decided all petitions filed by Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) against the February 25 presidential election winner, Bola Tinubu, in Tinubu’s favour.

The court declared that Obi’s petition lacked merit.

The election saw the emergence of Tinubu of the All Progressive Congress (APC) as the nation’s president.

The three major contestants in the election are Tinubu, Labour Party (LP) candidate Peter Obi and the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Abubakar Atiku.

Haruna Tsammani heads the five-man panel; other members are Stephen Adah, Monsurat Bolaji-Yusuf, Moses Ugo and Abba Mohammed.

In its judgement read by a panel member, Abba Mohammed, the panel said the petitioners only made “generic accusations of irregularities” in the election but failed to specify the anomaly, the places where it occurred and those affected.

“They failed to state the number of votes affected and the number of people disenfranchised,” says Mohammed.

The Court said that although Obi and LP claimed to have scored the majority of lawful votes cast, they failed to state the number of lawful votes they scored.

“The law is very clear that where someone alleged irregularities in a particular polling unit, such person must prove the particular irregularities in that polling unit for him to succeed in his petition.

“The determination of election is about figures,” the Court held.

Regarding Obi’s membership in the LP, which the respondents disputed on the grounds that Obi was still a PDP member as of the time of his nomination, the Court stated that LP and Obi certified the terms of Obi’s membership.

According to the Court, the request to reject Obi as a member of LP is no longer valid.

Tsammani has now continued the reading of the judgement.

The Judge struck out ten LP witnesses’ statements on technical grounds.

Tsammani said the statements made on oath and exhibit tendered through them are inadmissible and invalid.

Regarding the compulsory 25% in the FCT, Tsammani said Abuja is on par with every other state in Nigeria, and there are no special voters anywhere in the country.

The Tribunal added that the petitioners’ interpretation of Section 134(2)(b) of the 1999 constitution is “completely fallacious — if not outrightly ridiculous”.

On the alleged forfeiture of $460,000 and drug trafficking indictment by Tinubu in the United States, the Court overruled the argument that sought to have the documents submitted by Obi/LP struck out.

On the drug matter, the Court said, “The Nigeria Police, through its IGP, had written to the US to confirm the criminal status of Bola Tinubu, and the US government had replied in 2003 stating that Bola Tinubu had no criminal records in the US. Therefore, the Court admits this evidence.”

The Judge ruled that the sentence of crime for any offence involving dishonesty or fraud from section 37(d) has to be a criminal offence, and LP failed to supply evidence that forfeiture is criminal while the respondents proved it was not criminal.

The PEPC, in its judgement, claimed Obi’s case lacks merit and lacks the burden of proof.

“From the foregoing, it is clearly evident that the petitioners have failed to discard the burden of proof placed on them by law.

“They have failed to prove any of the three grounds contained in paragraph 20 of this petition,” the Judge stated.

The judge added that the petitioners have been unable to provide credible and acceptable evidence.

The panel, after that, resolved all issues against the petitioners.

“All issues in this this petition are resolved against the petitioners,” the judge said

This court described the petition as clearly “unmeritorious.”

INEC had declared Tinubu as the winner of the February 25 election.

According to INEC, Tinubu secured 8,794,726 votes to come first, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) finished second with 6,984,520, while Obi polled 6,101,533 to go third.

The tension that followed the announcement of the result was very high. 

The APC, which won the poll, has continued to hold that Tinubu’s victory was valid and that the election was free and fair.

In his petition before the Court, Obi stated that there was rigging in 11 states, and he promised to prove it based on the uploaded results.

Obi further claimed that Tinubu “was not duly elected by a majority of the lawful votes cast at the time of the election”.

Parts of the petition read, “The petitioners shall show that in the computation and declaration of the result of the election, based on the updated results, the votes recorded for the second respondent (Tinubu) did not comply with the legitimate process for the computation of the result and disfavoured the petitioners in the following states: Rivers, Lagos, Taraba, Benue, Adamawa, Imo, Bauchi, Borno, Kaduna, Plateau and other states of the federation.”

Obi and the LP said since all polling unit results had yet to be thoroughly scanned, uploaded, and transferred electronically as required by the Electoral Act at the time of the declaration, INEC broke its own rules when it announced the result.

The petitioners also urged the Tribunal to “determine that, at the time of the presidential election held on February 25, 2023, the second and third respondents (Tinubu and Shettima) were not qualified to contest the election.

“That it be determined that all the votes recorded for the second respondent in the election are wasted votes, owing to the non-qualification of the second and third respondents.

“That it be determined that the second respondent (Tinubu), having failed to score one-quarter of the votes cast at the presidential election in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, was not entitled to be declared and returned as the winner of the presidential election held on February 25, 2023.

“That it be determined that based on the remaining votes (after discountenancing the votes credited to the second respondent), the first petitioner (Obi) scored a majority of the lawful votes cast at the election and had not less than 25 per cent of the votes cast in each of at least two-thirds of the states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and satisfied the constitutional requirements to be declared the winner of the February 25, 2023, presidential election.”

In addition, the petitioners request that the tribunal issue a ruling ordering INEC to hold a new election in which Tinubu, Shettima, and the APC shall not run.

Coalition condemns detention of Nigerian Journalist arrested in Benin Republic 

Mustapha USMAN
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Coalition condemns detention of Nigerian Journalist arrested in Benin Republic 

THE Coalition of Whistleblowers Protection and Press Freedom (CWPPF) has on Wednesday, September 5, condemned the arrest and continuous detention of a Nigerian journalist and Editor of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), Damilola Ayeni, by the Beninese Police.

Ayeni was arrested on August 31 while on a second part of his Nigeria-Benin environmental journalism report when the authorities of the Benin Republic arrested him. 

The FIJ editor is currently being detained at the Commisseriat Central, Parakou Police Station, in Parakou, Republic of Benin, by the Beninese police. 

Confirming the arrest, FIJ, in a report stated that it received a distress text from Ayeni on Thursday, August 31, which was swiftly deleted a few moments after it was delivered through one of its communication channels. The message read, “I have been apprehended.”

Meanwhile, Ayeni subsequently told his colleagues on a phone call that he was briefly held because the authorities stated that there were security concerns in the area.

FIJ, however, said it learnt that the Beninese police frequently employ the strategy of releasing and then re-arresting individuals as a means to keep them detained at the station without notifying their friends and family.

“FIJ subsequently lost touch with him until the early hours of Tuesday morning when a man who identified himself as the ‘Commissioner of the Central Police Station of Parakou in Benin’ said that Ayeni was being held at Commisseria Central, Parakou Police Station,” the report stated.

Reacting to this, the Coalition in a statement on Wednesday, September 6, said Ayeni’s arrest violates internationally recognised human rights standards, including the right to a fair trial and freedom of expression.

“This act by the Beninese police has raised serious concerns about the state of press freedom and human rights in Benin Republic, as well as the broader implications for journalists working across the region. 

While condemning his arrest, the organisation called on the Government of the Republic of Benin and the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to take immediate action to rectify this situation.

It also charged the two governments to uphold the principles of justice, the rule of law and respect for human rights.

“We stand united in demanding the immediate release of Mr Ayeni and the dropping of all unfounded charges. Diplomatic efforts, media campaigns, and advocacy will continue until justice is served. 

In these trying times, it is crucial for governments around the world to protect the fundamental rights of journalists and ensure they can carry out their vital work without fear of persecution,” the statement added.

Tribunal to Obi: Tinubu winning 25% of FCT votes not compulsory

Bankole ABE
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Tribunal to Obi: Tinubu winning 25% of FCT votes not compulsory

THE Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC), currently delivering judgment in a case filed By Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) against the victory of President Bola Tinubu at the February 25 election, has said no candidate needs to secure 25 per cent of votes cast in the FCT to be declared President.

Haruna Tsammani, who led the five-man panel, said Abuja is at par with every other state in Nigeria, and there are no special voters anywhere in the country.

The Court ruled that the FCT does not enjoy special privileges ahead of other states and dismissed that part of Obi’s suit.

On the method of transmission of election results, the panel stated that INEC is free to specify the mode it plans to utilise when transmitting election results in accordance with Sections 52 and 65 of the Electoral Act, INEC.

“By the provision of Section 52 and Section 65 of the Electoral Act, INEC is at liberty to prescribe the manner in which result can be transmitted. INEC cannot be compelled to electronically transmit result,” the Court stated.

The ICIR had earlier reported that the Court said Obi did not show how he secured the majority of lawful votes in the February 25 election.

Justice of the Appeal Court Abba Mohammed, a member of the five-man panel delivering judgment on the petition, gave the ruling during the proceedings on Wednesday, September 6.

“They failed to state the number of votes affected and the number of people disenfranchised. The law is very clear that where someone alleged irregularities in a particular polling unit, such a person must prove the particular irregularities in that polling unit for him to succeed in his petition. The determination of election is about figures,” he said.

Mohammed also said that Obi’s party did not prove over-voting allegations against the All Progressives Congress (APC), the platform on which Tinubu contested the election.

Obi is challenging President Tinubu’s declaration as the February 25 election winner.

His is also joined by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar, and the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).

The Court had earlier struck out the APM’s petition.

The case is still ongoing at the PEPC and has not been concluded as of the time of filing this report.

Tribunal declares Natasha Akpoti winner of Kogi senatorial seat

Ijeoma OPARA
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Tribunal declares Natasha Akpoti winner of Kogi senatorial seat

THE Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Lokoja, Kogi, has declared the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, winner of the 2023 senatorial elections held in the state on February 25.

The tribunal, led by Justice K. A. Orjiakoin, held on Wednesday, September 6 that Akpoti-Uduaghan scored 54,064 votes to defeat her closest opponent and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Abubakar Sadiku-Ohere who polled 51,291.

The three-man panel was unanimous on the judgment.

Orjiakoin also disclosed that the results were inflated in favour of the APC within nine polling units in the Ajaokuta Local Government Area (LGA), while Akpoti-Uduaghan’s was intentionally reduced in the areas.

The tribunal also ruled that results were deliberately not entered in favour of Akpoti-Uduaghan in three other polling units.

Sadiku-Ohere was also ordered to pay the sum of N500,000 to Akpoti-Uduaghan to cover the cost of the petition.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Sadiku-Ohere winner of the Kogi Central Senatorial election on Tuesday, February 28.

This came after several hurdles experienced by Akpoti-Uduaghan ahead of the elections, including the hiring of workers a few hours before the voting exercise to destroy roads leading to the Kogi Central Senatorial District by the state Governor Yahaya Bello, who assumed office under the APC platform.

While the PDP alleged that the destruction of roads was a deliberate act of the state to influence election outcomes, the government reacted by saying it aimed to prevent terrorists from accessing the area.

Akpoti-Uduaghan had also accused the APC of hiring thugs in military camouflage to disrupt the elections in some polling units in Kogi Central.

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