The Nation Newspaper

Tag: alleged killing

  • Activists petition commission on alleged killing

    The Human Rights Advancement, Development and Advocacy Centre (HURIDAC) and Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) Resource Centre have petitioned the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on the recent extra-judicial Killing of an unarmed citizen by an officer of the Nigerian Customs Service (CS).

    In the petition delivered to NHRC head office in Abuja on Tuesday, HURIDAC and HEDA are demanding justice for the deceased, who was shot dead in the fracas that occurred on Saami/Ijebu-Ode Road, on Sunday.

    The petition was signed by HURIDAC Executive Director Mr. Ayodele Ameen and the Executive Director of HEDA, Mr. Olanrewaju Suraj.

    They said the incident is not just against Nigeria Criminal law, but also International Law.

    The two organisations claimed that their attention was drawn to a case of indiscriminate killing by a Customs officer, through a video that went viral on the social media.

    They said the story was corroborated by a statement published by the Nigerian Customs Service confirming the incident, but claiming it was an “accidental discharge”.

    The bodies said: “The video showed that the man was shot dead by a Customs officer after a fracas that ensued when some Customs officers, obviously on illegal checkpoint along the highway, insisted on checking belongings and bags of commuters of the affected commercial vehicle or the payment of N5,000 bribe as clearance for their release by the Customs officers. This was clearly heard from the video.

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    “The Nigerian Customs Service also affirmed in their statement that the killing was carried out by one of its officers on duty in that location at the time and is due to “accidental discharge”, identifying the victim as a friend of the officers, who assisted them in providing supplies.

    “We, however, wonder what the role of a civilian is in meddling in the official duties of a Customs officer to be shot in a friendly ‘accidental discharge’.”

    In the petition, HURIDAC and HEDA said Article 2 of the UN Resolution 34/169 of December 17, 1979, of the Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials, stated: “In the performance of their duty, law enforcement officials shall respect and protect human dignity and maintain and uphold the human rights of all persons.”

    The petition also referenced the United Nations’ Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials, which also stipulates that “law enforcement officials, in carrying out their duty, shall, as far as possible, apply non-violent means before resorting to the use of force and firearms’.

  • Farmers remanded for alleged killing

    Three farmers at Gbajimba in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State have been remanded for allegedly killing a 26-year-old man, David Tsenzughul.

    The accused, Desmond Tyosongo, Terlumun Utor and John Liambee, were charged before a Makurdi Magistrates’ Court with criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide.

    Prosecutor ASP Michael Lorundu told the court that the brother of the deceased, Timothy Tsenzughul, had reported the incident at the Guma Police Station.

    Lorundu alleged that the complainant had told the police that the accused conspired and stabbed his 26-year old younger brother to death.

    He alleged that the trio had applied anti-cutlass cut charm on the deceased and stabbed him with a knife in the chest to test the potency of the charm.

    The prosecutor said when the charm failed, resulting in the deceased sustaining a serious injury, he was taken to hospital where he died during treatment.

    Lorundu said the farmers were arrested during police investigation and the first accused confessed to stabbing the deceased to test the effectiveness of the anti-cutlass cut charm.

    The prosecutor said the knife the suspect used was recovered from him.

    He said the offence was punishable under sections 97 and 222 of the Penal Code Laws of Benue, 2004.

    When the case came up for mention, the accused persons could not take pleas for lack of jurisdiction of the court over the matter.

    The prosecutor informed the court that investigation into the matter was ongoing and asked for another date for mention.

    The Magistrate, Mrs. Regina Ochokwunu, adjourned the matter till January 22 for further mention.

  • Alleged killing: Ex-minister’s family demands identity of policemen involved

    •Independent prosecution of perpetrators demanded 

    The family of the former Minister of Finance, Senator Nenadi Usman, has demanded the identity of the policemen allegedly involved in the murder of their daughter, Anita Akapson.

    Miss Akapson, 31, was allegedly shot dead on Saturday by yet to be identified policemen in Katampe District, Abuja.

    Following her death, Inspector-General of Police Ibrahim Idris ordered immediate detention and investigation of officers who were suspected to have been involved, by FCT Commissioner of Police Bala Ciroma.

    The family also  demanded  an independent prosecutor to handle the matter.

    The family, in a statement in Abuja through its counsel, Dr. Kayode Ajulo, said the disclosure of the identity of those involved would aid transparent, judicial process.

    Giving details of how Akapson was killed, the family alleged: “On the night of Saturday, October 13, four persons in a Mazda car trailed, targeted, intercepted, brushed and blocked the vehicle being driven by the late Anita, after which one of the occupants came out to shoot at the rear tyre of her vehicle and shot her at close range.

    “This fellow, who was later identified as a superintendent of police, shot into the air to disperse the crowd, but when his bullets got expended, he brought out his identity card to identify himself as a police officer.

    “The late Anita, 31, who recently returned from the United Kingdom on completion of her studies to render her services to her country, died the same night at Gwarimpa Hospital due to injuries sustained from the gunshot.”

  • Police arraign egungun followers for alleged killing

    Police arraign egungun followers for alleged killing

    •Olubadan sympathises with victims

    Barely 24 hours after violence erupted among Ege masquerade followers in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, the police have arraigned 23-year-old Sadiq Olalere and his friend, Wasiu Oni, 38, before an Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court 4 in Ibadan for allegedly killing Mrs. Sakirat Olaegbe, during the current egungun festival in the city.

    The deceased was said to have been axed and shot by the accused.

    The accused were arraigned on five charges of conspiracy, murder, unlawful possession of arms and charms as well as other weapons in public.

    The prosecutor, Sergeant Sunday Ojeleye, told the court the accused, with others on the run, on July 16 at 2.45 p.m at SW3/336 Popoyemoja Area, Idi-Arere in Ibadan allegedly committed the crime.

    Ojeleye said the accused as well as their fleeing accomplices on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned area allegedly killed Mrs. Olaegbe with a gun in the front of her shop.

    He said the display of the dangerous weapons and charms by the accused also caused terror and fear among the public who were going about their lawful duties on the said and location of the crime.

    The prosecutor said the offences contravened sections 324, 316 and 319, 517, 213(b) and 80 Criminal Code Cap 38, Vol. II, Laws of Oyo State of Nigeria 2000.

    The magistrate, Mrs. Modinat Akani, adjourned the matter till August 28 for legal advice from the Director of public prosecution (DPP).

    Also, the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso I, has expressed displeasure over the violence that attended the Ege masquerade in Ibadan yesterday.

    Unconfirmed sources claims some lives were lost, while properties were also destroyed when street urchins hijacked the celebration of Ibadan customs and tradition and turned it into mayhem.

    In a statement issued by the monarch’s Director of Media and Public Affairs, Adeola Oloko, Olubadan wondered why despite several meetings and warning with the stakeholders before the egungun festival, some people still went around disobeying the law by inflicting violence on innocent citizens.

    Oba Adetunji, who sympathised with the incident victims and their families promised that the perpetrators would not escape the full weight of the law.

    Commenting on why he refused Ege masquerade from entering into the palace, Oba Adetunji in the statement stated that the palace officials were not informed that the masquerade was coming at the said date and time.

    He added that the masquerade, secondly, does not belong to the category of masquerades that visit the palace of Olubadan and high chief’s homes.

    He however said while the palace of Olubadan is open to all and sundry, including egungun, the rule is that the Olubadan and his chiefs must be informed in advance for adequate preparations to be put in place to receive them.

    Furthermore, the statement said that the Oloolu masquerade that is slated to visit the Olubadan on Tuesday (today) had been advised to keep away for fear of reprisal attack.

    Ege masquerade that is expected to come out once in three years is known for his large, uncontrollable crowd and attendant violence.

    “We were adequately informed that his supporters were believed to have unleashed violence even before reaching the palace at Idi Arere, so it is not true that the violence occurred because he was not allowed entry into the palace as being speculated in some quarters,” the statement added.