The Nation Newspaper

Tag: detainees

  • Imo judiciary, police and detainees in Owerri prisons

    SIR, The judiciary is supposed to be the last hope of the common man. The judiciary through its platforms (that is, the courts) provides the opportunity for the oppressed to express himself or herself. The oppressed common man gets justice through the courts. The oppressed common man secures his freedom through the courts. But most unfortunately in Imo State, it is not so. The oppressed common man is denied justice.

    Since Justice Paschal Nnadi became the Chief Judge of Imo State, the judiciary has gone on strike on three consecutive times. The first strike lasted for almost three months; the second for over two months. The third strike has entered its second month, and there is no sign that it would be called off. The law courts have been under lock and key, which has directly affected the fate of innocent prison inmates awaiting trials in Imo State. Honestly, this judicial imbroglio signifies incompetence in the hands of the current leadership of the judiciary.

    The Owerri Federal Prisons originally has the capacity for about 800 inmates, but today there are about 2400 inmates. Despite the fact that the courts in Imo State are not open, special courts sessions are held where suspects from the Imo State Police Command are brought or arraigned, and finally remanded at the over-congested Owerri Federal Prisons. This happened just few days ago.  Through this conspiracy, the population of inmates at the Owerri Prisons has continued to increase, to the detriment of both the prison officials and the inmates.

    Even when the courts are in session; corruption, long adjournments, absenteeism and perhaps deliberate manipulation of judicial process have been adopted to suffocate and indeed frustrate the desired freedom of these innocent awaiting trial inmates at the Owerri Prisons. The resultant effect is that these innocent inmates remain in prison custody for a long time.

    The Imo State Police Command and its very corrupt officers are part of this conspiracy against innocent inmates.

    The questions now are; if special courts are used to remand people in prison custody, even when the courts are not open, why can’t special courts be used to grant inmates with bailable offences bail? Why can’t special courts be used to discharge and acquit innocent inmates?

    At this point, it is expedient to let Governor Rochas Okorocha know that he cannot stand aloof and allow innocent inmates at Owerri Federal Prisons to continue to suffer in the hands of the moribund Imo State judiciary. He must step into the matter by ensuring that the judiciary calls off its strike.

    • Dr. Ikenna Samuelson Iwuoha,

    Owerri – Imo, Nigeria

  • ‘Why I’m fighting for detainees’

    ‘Why I’m fighting for detainees’

    Ahmed Adetola-Kazeem is the son of Gani Adetola-Kazeem (SAN). He was called to the Bar seven years ago. A member of the Board of Trustees of the Lagos Public Interest Law Partnership (LPILP) and Director, Prisoners’ Rights Advocacy Initiative (PRAI), he tells ADEBISI ONANUGA why he followed his father’s footsteps

    Unlike his peers, Ahmed Adetola-Kazeem chose to champion the cause of the less privileged. For years, he has been at the vanguard of ensuring that suspects awaiting trial do not stay in prison custody longer than is necessary. This he does through his organisation, the Prisoners’ Rights Advocacy Initiative (PRAI).

    His decision to advocate for this less privileged was mooted when, while still in the university as a law student, he  visited the Ijebu-Ode prisons under the auspices of Nigeria Association of Muslim Law Students.

    “During the visit we heard the harrowing experiences of inmates of the prison and there and then I promised the inmates and myself to take up advocacy for the rights of inmates and others whose rights are abused whenever I am called to the bar,” he said.

    His National Youth Service year in Abia state offered him the first opportunity to fulfill this dream when he represented poor inmates in court and successfully secured their release.

    One of those freed was an orphan who had spent over seven years awaiting trial and had become partially blind.

    He and other lawyers partnered with Lagos State to establish the Lagos Public Interest Law Partnership (LPILP),  aimed at assisting those who can’t afford legal services, particularly awaiting trial inmates.

    He highlighted some cases handled by his NGO. “We filed an action on behalf of 106 inmates of Kirikiri maximum prison and  most of them were eventually released.

    “We also advocated the release of some underage inmates sentenced to 390 days in prison by the Lagos Environmental and Special offences  court in Alausa and kept in Kirikiri Maximum prison in 2013,” he said.

    Adetola-Kazeem said he took to law because his father wanted him to study law, which he also wanted.

    “I didn’t have to do much. I also had to make him happy since none of my older siblings studied law,” he stated.

    He however remarked  that If he had not done Law, he would have done Psychology and or joined the Military.

    “My father is a lawyer and growing up I wanted to be like him. So the decision to become a lawyer came naturally. Also, I wasn’t good in sciences and anything that had to do with calculation, so the only safe haven to progress in Senior Secondary School was to ‘quarantine’ myself in arts class.

    “When I got to the University, seeing the injustice being perpetuated around, I was emboldened to take up the profession as a passion in order to give voice to the voiceless and that I have been able to do within the limit of my resources,” he said.

    He recalled that his first appearance in court was before Honourable Justice Abai of the High Court of Justice, Abia State in the Abia Judicial Division during his NYSC assignment in January 2010.

    He said he experienced no fright but was “very relaxed because of the drilling I received at the law school and also because of my background.”

    The PRAI Executive Directror have quite a number of persons he admired in the profession. His role models include his father, the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN), the late Bamidele Aturu, Mr Femi Falana (SAN), Mr Abdul-Jelil Owonikoko (SAN), Mr. Yemi Candide Johnson ( SAN), Mr Gbenga Oyebode, as well as his mentors, Justice Habeeb Abiru of the Court of Appeal and Hon. Justice Babatunde Adejumo of the National Industrial Court.

    “If I can combine the attributes of these great men, then I will be rest assured of being a forerunner in my generation,” he said.

    Adetola-Kazeem regretted that  corruption has becpome an embarrassment to the legal provision and sees it is a reflection of the decay in the fabric of our national existence.

    “I believe the posture of the current government on corruption will assist a lot in cleansing the rot in the judiciary. There are still a lot of Judicial officers who are upright, and I think such people should be encouraged,” he said.

    On his most embarrassing court experience, he said: “My boss, Mr. Obiora Obianwu ( SAN) handed me three files to attend to in Court the next day. as matter of practice I ensure I study my files well to avoid any surprise in Court. However on this faithful day, I had a clear instruction from my boss to take an adjournment in one of the cases which was slated for trial. On getting to Court, I indicated that the trial will not be going on because my boss who wants to handle the case personally is not in town.

    “The opposing counsel insisted that the matter must go on and the Judge, Hon. Justice Abai agreed with him. I was sweating profusely not knowing what to do in the circumstance. One of the lawyers in court advised me to ask for a stand down to enable me familiarize myself with the file. I followed his advice and the Court granted my request. I went out of the Court with the very bulky file and yet could not make any sense out of the contents as the matter was filed under the old dispensation when there was no front loading of processes.

    “I put a call through to my boss, who then instructed a senior in chambers, Mr Dozie Ogunji to come and lead me. When he came, he simply spoke with the Counsel on the other side to allow the Court Adjourn. Surprisingly the Counsel obliged him simply because they were from the same town,” he recalled.

    In the next 10 years, he hoped  to have made very outstanding and unrivaled contributions to the development of the law and the course of humanity. I hope that I would have been elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria”, he said in addition.

     

  • Detainees flee as Prisons’ bus collides with truck

    There was panic yesterday in Badagry, Lagos, following the escape of some prison inmates being conveyed to court.

    The awaiting trial inmates were said to have escaped when their Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS) bus rammed into a stationary truck at Beyuf Busstop on Badagry Expressway around 7am.

    They reportedly fled as prison officers were trying to put the situation under control.

    Several persons were injured in the accident.

    The Nation gathered that efforts were on to catch the escaped inmates, some of who were injured.

    A Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) official said the headlamps of the NPS bus were not bright, adding that the driver did not see the stationary vehicle in time.

    He said the occupants were trapped inside the bus for hours.

    “It rammed into the back of the truck headlong. Those inside the bus were trapped for sometime before one of the officials opened the door to allow rescuers carry out emergency work. Amidst the confusion, some of the prisoners escaped. The injured were taken to the hospital,” he said.

    NPS official told our correspondent that a manhunt has begun for the escapees.

  • N8b scam: Group seeks detainees’ release

    A socio-political group, Southwest Youth Front (SYF, has petitioned the National Human Right Commission (NHRC) and the National Assembly over the continued detention of staff of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) for seven months over their involvement in the N8 billion currency fraud.

    The group said it was an infringement on the fundamental human rights of the detainees not to be granted bail whereas some others whom were charged with them have since gone home.

    At least six top officials of the CBN and 16 other workers of commercial banks were arrested last May for the alleged massive fraud.

    The suspects were arrested by the EFCC for stealing and putting into circulation defaced and mutilated Nigerian currency notes to the tune of N8 billion.

    But a statement by its Chairman, Comrade Kehinde Bello and its Secretary, Comrade Segun Adio, SYF wondered why five out of the suspects that were alleged to have committed the same crime were granted bail, while the remaining 16 were still languishing in Agodi prison custody awaiting trail.

    He said: “We believe as a group that it’s an infringement on their fundamental human right. Is it that their continuous detention was because they are from Southwest Nigeria? They are yet to be convicted and we taught it wise that they deserve bail, because the offence is bailable.

    “The alleged suspects are suffering and rotting in jail because their health is deteriorating, while their family are been threatened and harassed by the EFCC Some have been dismissed from work and have been no means of livelihood again.’’

  • Plight of awaiting trial detainees

    In the first assizes conducted in the legendry Garden of Eden, the creator of the universe did not adjourn the case of disobedience levelled against our foster parents, Adam & Eve. He gave them a fair and accelerated hearing and sentenced them accordingly with the evil one, serpent, the symbol of Devil.

    We learn from the foregoing that a suspect is adjudged innocent until proven guilty. We also learnt that justice delayed is justice denied. No gainsaying the fact that punishment for guilt is commensurate with degree of involvement of accused persons.

    From the information we receive in the print and electronic media, our prisons are populated with a lot of men and women whose cases have not be decided in the law courts. These Nigerian groan in agony as they suffer for offences they did not commit or stay more than the jail term they deserve after convictions.

    The irony of the ugly development is that many of our rulers today are men and women who have suffered such injustice some years back. From information available, the police and other prosecuting bodies like the ministry of justice are culpable in this ignoble development as they dump fellow countrymen in dungeons without concluding their cases.

    It’s as if we now get justice with money and influence. The law courts on their own part collaborate with presenting bodies and solicitors to postpone litigation indefinitely. Some lazy solicitors and advocates also contribute in delaying cases in the law courts while unfortunate Nigerians suffer in detention camps.

    Let somebody somewhere move into the legal system and stop this ugly trend of event. This will go a long way in promoting patriotism and fellow feeling among Nigerians. It will also increase the trust in the judicial system and discourage resorting to self help by aggrieved nationals.

    Yours’ truly,

    Dickson Nnaji Ogbodo

    Agbani Town.

  • Detainees and their sudden health challenges

    Detainees and their sudden health challenges

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and other security agencies may need to urgently upgrade their healthcare facilities. Better still they could start to push for a supplementary budget that substantially supplements the allocation for medical treatment.

    They also need to learn how to deal with a new (or not so new) trend amongst detainees – especially those called to answer to allegations that they helped themselves to chunks of the national cake while serving in one official capacity or the other. We refer to how these individuals develop suddenly ‘grave,’ and usually life threatening, ailments once they find themselves in custody.

    With the new zeal that has come upon the anti-corruption agencies to go after, and bring to justice people alleged to have corruptly enriched themselves, there have been several cases of ‘sudden health crisis’, forcing relatives or lawyers of a number of detainees to cry out in fear for the safety of their loved ones or clients. An attempt to mention names here will produce a long list, for many were those who, perhaps out of the fear of spending time in custody, developed cold feet, and consequently became gravely ill in no time.

    Even some didn’t wait to be taken in before announcing their sudden ailments, buying more time in the process. A good example is the former Special Adviser on Niger Delta Affairs to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Kingsley Kuku. He was invited for questioning by the EFCC, but he quickly announced that he couldn’t  honour the invitation until September 30, of course, due to a health challenge.

    In a letter addressed to the EFCC chairman, brought to the attention of Olufunke Adetayo Ogunbode, the commission’s head of economic governance, Kuku’s counsel, Karina Tunyan, said his client was in the US for knee surgery and will not return to Nigeria until the end of September.

    Few days earlier, Onochie Onwuegbuna, the lawyer of Gordon Obua, the Chief Security Officer to former President Goodluck Jonathan, had said his client was detained under inhuman conditions by his employer, the Department of State Services (DSS).

    He said the ex-CSO was denied access to his drugs despite being hypertensive. He said Obua had also been denied access to his doctor. “Our Client is hypertensive and diabetic to the knowledge of his employers the SSS. He has been on daily medications to manage these very severe ailments and since his detention, he has completely been denied access to these medications.

    “Our Client is presently languishing in the custody of the SSS without access to his medication, food, water and drugs or to any member of his family, doctors or his lawyers and in the circumstance we hereby call on the SSS to immediately release him. The general public is also invited to note that the SSS should be held responsible if anything untoward happens to our Client in their custody or subsequently as a consequence of his unlawful detention,” his counsel warned.

    When it appeared Nigerians weren’t listening enough to this particular case of an ailing detainee in dire need of his freedom though all means possible, news of how Obua allegedly fainted in detention, hit the airwaves few days later. A few hours later it was ‘confirmed’ that he had ‘died’ – sending social media into frenzy.

    Unable to turn deaf ears to the happenings, the DSS was forced to hurriedly present the ‘resurrected’ Obua to the public at a press conference. Looking quite healthy and unruffled, the former presidential CSO said he is in good health.

    We have no way of controverting the detainee’s claim to parlous health, but the crisis surely got the attention of those that mattered.  From the days of military rule to now detainees and their lawyers have always played the ill-health card where that was really the case, or as a gimmick. There’s no sign that security agencies have any antidote yet. So watch for more such health dramas.

  • Ekiti CJ orders release of 24 detainees

    Ekiti State Chief Judge Justice Ayodeji Daramola has ordered the release of 24 awaiting trial inmates (ATI), including four women from the Ado-Ekiti Prisons.

    Justice Daramola spoke during a routine visit to the prisons at the weekend.

    He said paucity of funds remained a major challenge for the Ekiti State Judiciary.

    Justice Daramola granted bail to three other inmates, adding that he exercised the prerogative of mercy following diligent investigation as well as advice from the office of the Director of Public Prosecution and the police.

    The Comptroller of the Ekiti State Command of the Nigeria Prison Service, Mr. Kehinde Fadipe, lauded the Chief Judge for  ensuring that justice was not denied.

     

  • 21 Boko Haram detainees die in failed jailbreak

    21 Boko Haram detainees die in failed jailbreak

    TWENTY-ONE Boko Haram detainees died yesterday during an attempted jailbreak at the detention facility of the State Security Service (SSS) headquarters in Abuja.

    There was panic in the city after sporadic shootings shattered the Sunday morning serenity of Asokoro – home of the rich and powerful, including the Presidential Villa.

    The SSS cleared the air when it announced that there had been an attempted jailbreak.

    The detainee, who coordinated the failed jailbreak, died in the commotion. Some Boko Haram suspects and three SSS operatives were injured.

    The SSS said 18 of the detainees were killed during the attempted jailbreak. Three, who were injured, died in the hospital.

    The service also said two of its operatives were seriously injured.

    The SSS gave the breakdown in a statement by its Deputy Director, Public Relations, Marilyn Ogar.

    The statement said: “Following our earlier releases, it has been established that eighteen (18) casualties were recorded, while two (2) Service personnel sustained serious injuries.

    “Three (3) other detainees who sustained gun shot injuries during the incident have also died.

    “Meanwhile, investigation is still ongoing to ascertain the immediate and remote causes. Any other detail will be communicated.”

    A source, who spoke in confidence, explained how it all happened. He said: “When the detainees were to be served breakfast, the coordinator of the jailbreak broke his manacles and seized a gun from one of the operatives to liberate his colleagues.

    “He shot sporadically and sprayed the facility at random, leading to the killing of some of his colleagues. In fact, the coordinator killed most of his colleagues. About 21 Boko Haram detainees died in the ensuing melee.

    “Many other detainees and three SSS operatives were injured. But due to reinforcement, none of the detainees was able to escape.”

    Responding to a question, the source said: “The coordinator of the jailbreak lost his life too during encounters with security operatives.

    “Apart from mopping up the detention facility, security has also been strengthened based on the order of the Director-General of SSS, Mr. Ekpenyong Ita.”

    The SSS Deputy Director, Public Relations, Marilyn Ogar said the jailbreak occurred during the breakfast session for the detainees.

    She issued two statements. The first said: At 0715 hours, the Service suspect handler went to the detention facility within the headquarters to feed the suspects.

    “One of the suspects attempted to disarm him by hitting him at the back of his head with his handcuff.

    “His attempt to escape drew the attention of other guards at the facility who fired some shots to warn and deter others.

    “The gun shots attracted the attention of the military with whom we have an understanding of mutual assistance in the event of any threat.

    “The Army immediately deployed a team to reinforce our perimeter guards to forestall any external collaborators. The situation has since been brought under control. Further details will be communicated.”

    The second statement said: “Further to my earlier statement, we wish to state that the roads leading to the office were cordoned off to prevent possible assistance from external collaborators.

    “During this period, the precinct of the office and adjoining neighborhoods were thoroughly searched. Meanwhile, normalcy has returned to the area as the roads have been opened for free movement of persons and vehicles

    “We wish to restate our commitment to the safety of the people and the Nigerian nation at large.

    “Any other detail will be communicated.”

    Heavy security had been built around the Presidential Villa and the Federal Capital Territory by soldiers with military helicopters deployed in the area.

    There was suspicion that the jailbreak might be a prelude to a major attack on the Villa and Abuja.

    A source said: “All military formations and security agencies have been put on the alert to ward off any aggression by the sect.

    “The Villa is being heavily protected as I speak with you only to guard against any spill over. But the Villa is not under threat in any manner.”

    As at 5pm, normal traffic had been restored to the SSS headquarters motorway and Villa precincts although some soldiers were still sighted around the area.

    The SSS launched a probe into the incident to determine whether there was sabotage or not.

    Another source added: “The internal probe has started to ascertain if there was any culpability by anybody or group. This will involve grilling of surviving Boko Haram

    “We are also trying to determine the real motives of Boko Haram behind the jailbreak.

    “We will get to the roots as soon as possible and whoever is involved will be dealt with.

  • Gunmen free 30 detainees in Abuja police office attack

    Gunmen free 30 detainees in Abuja police office attack

    -Police re-arrest 25

    -Presidency orders security alert

    -UK issues travel
    advice to citizens

     

    The Presidency yesterday ordered a 24-hour security alert nationwide, following an early morning attack on the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in the Federal Capital Territory by unknown gunmen.

    The gunmen killed two policemen and set free more than 30 high-profile suspects.

    But the police said they arrested two of the attackers and 25 of the fleeing suspects.

    Inspector-General of Police M.D. Abubakar has set up a panel to probe the incident.

    Also yesterday, some embassies, especially the United Kingdom , warned their citizens against travelling to Kaduna State, following the Jaji bomb explosions and the attack on SARS.

    The UK also asked Britons to restrict their movement to some parts of Abuja

    But the Presidency has directed all security agencies, including the police, to place the nation on a 24-hour alert.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The government is deeply worried about the resurgence of bombings and attacks by gunmen since it decided to rule out dialogue with any militant group and placed ransom on some leaders of the Boko Haram sect.

    “The Presidency has directed all military formations, security/intelligence agencies and the police to beef up security nationwide. This directive became necessary because the recent gains recorded by security agencies have overwhelmed some of them.

    “I can tell you that there will be tight security nationwide with priority placed on volatile states in the Northeast, Northwest and Northcentral.”

    No group has claimed responsibility for the SARS invasion, which bears the imprint of the Boko Haram (western education is sin) sect.

    A source said it was difficult to ascertain who the gunmen were because the suspects in the SARS included armed robbers and other dangerous criminals.

    “Gang members of each group of suspects could have mobilised to invade SARS,” said the sources, adding: “The luck we had was that SARS is heavily fortified and our officers and men were able to launch a counter-attack against the gunmen.

    “Unless a group comes out to claim responsibility, we have to wait for the outcome of the Special Investigative Panel raised by the IGP.

    A statement by the Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Frank Mba, gave an ight into the attack.

    The statement said: “In the early hours of Monday (at about 2am), unknown gunmen in large number attacked the premises of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command. Policemen on duty responded swiftly and engaged the gunmen in a gun battle that lasted for some minutes, at the end of which the gunmen were successfully repelled.

    “However, in the confusion that ensued, about 30 suspects in the detention facilities of SARS broke out of the cells and attempted to escape. Tactical and coordinated efforts to re-arrest the fleeing suspects yielded instant result.

    “So far, twenty five (25) of the suspects have been re-arrested while five (5) suspects originally being held in relation to robbery related offences are currently at large. Two (2) Policemen died during the operation while two (2) of the attackers have been arrested.

    “It needs to be emphasisd here that no suspect held for terror related charges escaped from SARS detention facilities. No explosive or IED-related materials were used in the botched attack.

    “Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP MD Abubakar, CFR, NPM, mni has personally visited the scene of the incident to assess the situation.

    “He has equally ordered a high-powered investigative panel headed by a Senior Police Officer to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident

    “Similarly, the IGP has ordered water-tight security around all government and Police related facilities nationwide.

    “The Police High Command uses this medium to appeal to Nigerians for calm while reassuring them of the Force’s reparedness to perform its constitutional and statutory responsibilities of providing adequate security for the state and the entire citizenry.

    “The Force, therefore, enjoins the public to continue to go about their lawful duty without fear or intimidation as adequate strategies have been put in place to guarantee the general security and safety of all Nigerians.”

    It was also learnt that some cells being used by some militant groups and criminals have been identified and demolished in the FCT and its environs.

    The source added: “We are on the trail of some groups and sect commanders who had been operating in the FCT-Niger State axis. We will rout them out of their operational bases.

    “We will ensure that we protect lives and property in the FCT and its environs.”

    But, despite the assurance, some embassies were yesterday gripped with anxiety.

    A diplomatic source said: “Some embassies made consultations on the need to liaise with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the actual security situation in Abuja .

    “They became anxious because SARS is not far away from Asokoro District, which is hosting some embassies. And the embassies in Asokoro District felt the impact of the crossfire between the gunmen and SARS police.”

    While the enquiry is in progress, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the UK, through its High Commission in Nigeria, at about 5pm yesterday updated its travel advice to its citizens following the Jaji and SARS incidents.

    The travel advice reads in part: “This advice has been reviewed and reissued with amendments to the Travel Summary (bomb attack on 25 November on church in Jaji, Kaduna State : security incident at police station in the Guzape area of Abuja ). The overall level of the advice has not changed. We advise against all travel to some areas of Nigeria and against all but essential travel to other areas, including Kaduna , and Zaria cities .

    “We advise against ALL travel to: Borno State ; Yobe State ; the riverine areas of Delta; Bayelsa; Rivers; Akwa Ibom; Cross River State ; Warri city; and Kano city.

    “We advise against ALL BUT ESSENTIAL travel to: Bauchi State ; Jos city; Riyom and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas in Plateau State ; Gombe State ; Mubi Town in Adamawa State and the area north of Mubi town that borders Borno State . Non-riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa Ibom States ; Abia State ; Kaduna City ; Zaria City.

    “There was a bomb attack on 25 November on a church in Jaji, Kaduna State . Initial reports state that this resulted in a number of deaths. You should exercise vigilance and caution, and monitor the local media for further information.

    “In the early morning of 26 November there was a security incident involving a police station in the Guzape area of Abuja . The nature of the incident is still unclear, but we advise British Citizens to avoid the area for the time being.

    “There was a bomb attack on a church in Kaduna City on 28 October, resulting in deaths and injuries. You should exercise vigilance and caution, and monitor the local media for further information.

    “There have been violent clashes between ethnic groups in Agyaragu, Nassarawa State on 22 November which has led to a number of deaths. British nationals in the area should exercise vigilance and caution, and monitor the local media for further information.”