The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Dismissed

  • Four FSARS operatives dismissed for ‘kidnapping, collecting N7m ransom’

    Four Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) operatives, have been dismissed for alleged armed robbery, kidnapping and extorting a man of N7 million.

    Sergeants Adeoye Adekunle, Adeniran Adebowale, Lucky Agbi and Odighe Hehosa, all of FSARS, Ikeja, were said to have abducted Chukwudi Odionye alias Bishop, on June 4 and 5 last year.

    Their dismissal followed their probe after a May 2 petition by the victim to Adamu Ibrahim, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone II, Onikan.

    According to zonal spokesperson, Dolapo Badmos, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), the panel recommended their dismissal. The AIG upheld the report, she said, adding that the suspects have been charged to court for armed robbery, kidnapping, unlawful detention, intimidation and threatening violence.

    Badmos said: “The petitioner stated that on June 4, last year, he was in his house around Alagbado, Lagos when the four armed men stormed his residence to effect his arrest on the allegation of performing fake miracles.

    “He stated that after his arrest, he was taken to a hotel at Agege, where he was detained and threatened to be killed if he failed to cooperate. He explained further that the following day, June 5, he was taken to the bank, where he was made to transfer N7 million to one of the operatives’ account.

    “On the receipt of the petition, the AIG ordered investigation into the case. It was revealed that no proper police procedure for investigation was followed in Mr Chukwudi’s arrest and that the four FSARS operatives actually abducted the man from his house and unlawfully detained him in the hotel under the guard of the suspects for personal gain.

    “They were subsequently found guilty during the orderly room trial for professional misconduct, corrupt practices and discreditable conduct and were dismissed.”

    Badmos quoted the AIG as saying stated that the police would not tolerate acts of misconduct that undermines the value of international best policing practices.

  • Policeman who shot Bamidele dismissed

    The Police have dismissed the trigger-happy mobile policeman who shot former House of Representatives member Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele and five other party faithful last Friday.

    The culprit opened fire at the All Progressives Congress (APC) secretariat during the welcome rally held for the governorship flag bearer, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

    Bamidele and five other injured party members were hospitalised. But, the former federal lawmaker has been relocated to Lagos for post-surgery treatment.

    The officer was battered by angry party members who smashed his head, inflicted injuries on him and dispossessed him of his service rifle.

    Ekiti State Commissioner of Police Mr. Bello Ahmed, disclosed that the mobile policeman has been dismissed from service to pave the way for his trial in court as soon as he is discharged from the hospital.

    The police boss who spoke on a live programme on Channels Television said that the politician who brought the policeman to Ekiti State from his Lagos base has been detained and he is being grilled by interrogators.

    Ahmed said the politician will also be arraigned in court as soon as the Police conclude their investigation into the shooting incident.

    He said: “The policeman involved is dismissed already and even though he’s nursing some injury.

    “At the appropriate time, he will face the law of course. Nigerians will be briefed on the outcome of our actions.”

    Ahmed also spoke on the readiness of the command to regulate the activities of political parties to prevent violence and other acts that could lead to breakdown of law and order.

    Part of the measures, according to him, was the deployment of armed policemen from neighbouring states which he said would be a continuous exercise as election approaches.

    He added: “We have robust arrangement to regulate and observe these political activities as they unfold in Ekiti State, in fact in the entire state.

    “We just got a robust deployment of mobile policemen and that will be increased as the campaigns are progressing.

    “You know what is on the ground will determine what will be done. If the satiation on ground dictates we behave otherwise, we will do provided it is within the confines of the law.

    “This morning (Monday) I’ll be having a meeting with all the political parties’ chairmen. We have programmes for them.

    “We are going to regulate every inch of activity in the state. We will not sit down and tolerate any act of lawlessness, whoever is involved.

    “The police, we are willing, competent to take action against any group or persons, either individual or groups as far this campaign is concerned.”

    Also, political parties have promised to maintain peace before, during and after the July 14 poll.

    They gave the commitment at a meeting held with the Police Commissioner, Bello Ahmed, at the state police headquarters in Ado-Ekiti on Monday.

    Ekiti State APC Chairman Chief Olajide Awe described the meeting as a fruitful deliberation, saying the police boss spoke frankly and expressed his feelings about the comportment of political parties.

    “The police boss spoke frankly and he told us to warn our supporters to respect the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act and this we have to do in the interest of our dear state.

    “We want to rule over living and not dead people, so we need to exercise restraint in the way we conduct ourselves”.

    The PDP Chairman, Chief Gboyega Oguntuase, said what the police boss preached at the meeting was civility and decorum from all political parties, which he assured his party will comply with.

    “As much as we believe in this, he must also not be unaware of something, you can’t rig election and be expecting decorum.

    “What our people will resist is corruption and rigging and once the police and other security agencies are ready to be neutral, then there will be peace”.

    National Democratic Liberty Party (NDLP) Chairman Mr. Ifedayo Iyaniwura said parties urged the CP to ensure security at the poll in which 35 parties will participate unlike the 18 that took part in the 2014 poll.

    Speaking at the forum, Ahmed said the command won’t fold its arms and allow people to breach the 1999 constitution and the Electoral Act in the name of election.

    He said the meeting convened for stakeholders to brainstorm on how to ensure peaceful conduct of the coming governorship election and that the riot act has been read to them to serve as a guided principle.

    The Police boss assured that his men will be neutral in the July 14 election and won’t do anything that would make them look as if they were working for a certain political party.

    “What I want from men is professionalism. We are going to be guided by the instrumentality of the law, because this election is going to be a different ball game”.

    On the deployment of more anti-riot policemen to Ekiti since last week, Ahmed said:  “You know what is on the ground will determine what will be done. If the satiation on ground dictates we behave otherwise, we will do provided it is within the confines of the law.

    “We are going to regulate every inch of activity in the state. We will not sit down and tolerate any act of lawlessness, whoever is involved.

    “The police, we are willing, competent to take action against any group or persons, either individual or groups as far this campaign is concerned.”

  • I need my job back – Ekiti worker dismissed for falling ill appeals to Fayose

    Michael Olusegun Omotoyinbo desired a good job and he got it after a series of job interviews. Just when he thought things were gradually falling in place, his life took a negative turn. In this interview with Yetunde Oladeinde, he talks about how a strange ailment changed his dreams and brought misery to his family and career.

    MICHEAL OLUSEGUN Omotoyinbo’s experience in life can be compared to that of a cat with nine lives. He has literarily passed through the biblical shadow of death a number of times and survived. One of the most traumatic experiences was falling ill for about three years, only to recover lose his job.

    Almost in tears, Omotoyinbo recalls the early days and the dreams of a better future. “As a young man growing up, I had a great dream about the future. I wanted to reach the pinnacle of my career, as well as have a good life with my family.”

    He continued: “I loved my job very much and I put everything into whatever assignment on the job.  However, I took ill in August 2007. Initially, I thought it was just one of those minor illnesses; but sadly, it got so bad and on the 26th of August, I had to be taken home with the office vehicle to go and take care of myself.”

    Omotoyinbo took his plight to the doctors and they tried to get him back on his feet again. “Things went from bad to worse and I spent virtually all my resources attending to the ailment. At a point, I told my Head of Department (HOD) to help me get my allowances and salary but it was not given to him.”

    It was a very traumatising time in his life and he was bedridden for about three years. “It was really tough and it was not until three years after that I finally recovered. Happily, I went to resume, but was told that my appointment had been terminated. I was really disappointed. How could they terminate my employment when they knew that I had been sick,” he asked rhetorically.

    Omotoyinbo said he left the office devastated. Just as he was trying to get to terms with the situation, Omotoyinbo said he began noticing some threats to his life. “While I was leaving for Ekiti, I saw one Hilux van following me and it was obvious that they were trailing me up till Ado.  I came down from the vehicle and took another cab and some people started shooting in the air.”

    He managed to escape, but he said, “The experience was very shocking and it made me realise that something fishy was going on. To survive at that point, I began to think of what to do and I remembered that I had a plot of land somewhere and decided to sell it. While we were on it, I saw two boys laying ambush for me. “

    Again, he ran for his life. “They looked really wild and I was terrified. One had a broken bottle and another was brandishing a knife in his hand. One of them kept shouting that he had been seeing me in his dream and I just could not understand what was going on. That was not all. They sent all kinds of things after me and it was at that point that I made up my mind not go back there again.”

    He later decided to seek redress through some human rights organisation and the courts, yet his expectations were not met. “We were in court for eight years but I was not attended to in Lagos. I was told I had to go back to the courts in Ekiti State. It has been very challenging and I do not know what to do again. Life is really tough and I need help to get my life back on track. I am pleading with the current Governor of the State, Governor Ayodele Fayose to have mercy on me. Any help from his Excellency would go a long way to change my story.”

    He paused, looked into space as if it held answers to his problems and continued, “It is so sad, but I just don’t know what I did to them.”

    Next, he produced a copy of his letter of appointment from the Local Government Service Commission, Ado-Ekiti.

    He also produced his letter of posting to the then chairman of Oye Local Government in Oye Ekiti. His appointment was confirmed four years later. Again, he showed a letter to that effect. It read in part, “I am directed  to inform  you that  the Local Government  Service  Commission  has approved the confirmation  of your appointment  in accordance with the unified local Government  (Staff) Regulations 12( i) .

    That same year he was promoted and this turning point made him believe that he was now moving towards his goal. “It was an exciting part of my career and it was great being dedicated to duty and reaping the reward of my dedication. “They then approved my promotion from the post of higher Technical Officer (Arch) to Senior Technical Officer (Arch.) with financial benefits from 2006.”

    Omotoyinbo finished off by again appealing to Governor Fayose to have mercy on him and his family and repeal his job termination. As it stands, he said the only offence anyone could accuse him of was falling ill, which he said was beyond him.

  • Police officers dismissed in Akwa Ibom for cultism

    Police officers dismissed in Akwa Ibom for cultism

    Two officers serving with Akwa Ibom Police Command have

    been dismissed for aiding and abetting cultism, Commissioner Mr. Adeyemi Ogunjemilusi has said.

    He told House of Assembly Speaker Mr. Onofiok Luke yesterday in Uyo that the act led to insecurity.

    Although the CP did not mention the names of the officers, he said the command intends to prosecute them with the suspected cultists.

    He urged the assembly to review the anti-cultism law, to make provision for stiffer penalties for those engaging in cultism.

    Ogunjemilusi said the command would not condone cultism, no matter who was involved.

    He enjoined the legislature to assist the police in tackling crimes.

    The police boss warned those using vehicles without number plates or those covering them to desist, “as we will clamp down on them.”

    He appealed to lawmakers and government officials to cooperate with the police.

    Ogunjemilusi demanded the building of three newly-approved area command

    headquarters in Eket, Etim Ekpo and Itu/Ibiono Ibom local governments

    and provision of patrol vehicles, gun boats, communication gadgets and equipment.

    Onofiok hailed the police commissioner for his quick response to security issues and community policing.

    He condemned rise in cultism, saying anyone caught, no matter how highly placed, should be prosecuted.

  • Dismissed policeman to face trial

    The Delta State Police Command says it set to arraign ex-Sergeant Habila Samaila in court on grounds of professional misconduct and murder of a 32-year-old man Ejovwoghene Igueride.

    It will be recalled that on August 19, 2017, at about 7:10 a.m, the deceased was allegedly shot by a mobile policeman at Emede community and was rushed to General Hospital Olomoro where he was confirmed dead

    The ex-policeman who is attached to 33 PMF in Ado-Ekiti State was on escort duty with the Director of Johnnesco (Nig) Enterprises Ltd when the shooting occurred in Emede Community, Isoko South Local Government Area..

    The spokesman of Delta State Police Command, Andrew Aniamaka,  in a press statement yesterday said: “In line with its avowed commitment to serve with integrity and be guided by the best democratic principles and practice at all times, no matter whose ox is gored, the Delta State Police Command ,Tuesday 29th,August 2017,dismissed and is in the process of arraigning Sergeant Habila Samaila “M” 36 years in court on grounds of professional misconduct and murder of Ejovwokoghene Igueride, 32, of Emede Community, Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State.”

  • Dismissed officer to face trial for ‘murder’

    Delta State Police Command is to arraign ex-Sergeant Habila Samaila for alleged professional misconduct and murder of a 32-year-old man, Ejovwoghene Igueride.

    On August 19, about 1910hrs, the deceased was allegedly shot by a mobile policeman at Emede and was taken to General Hospital, Olomoro, where he was confirmed dead.

    The suspect, attached to 33 PMF in Ado-Ekiti State, Ekiti State capital, was on escort duty with the director of Johnnesco (Nig) Enterprises Ltd when the shooting occurred at Emede in Isoko South Local Government.

    In a statement by the command, police spokesman Andrew Aniamaka said: “In line with its commitment to serve with integrity and be guided by best democratic principles and practices, no matter whose ox is gored, Delta State Police Command, on August 29, dismissed and is in the process of arraigning Sgt. Habila Samaila, male, 36, for misconduct and murder of Ejovwokoghene Igueride, 32, of Emede in Isoko South Council of Delta State.”

  • Dismissed soldier held for ‘robbery’

    Dismissed soldier held for ‘robbery’

    A dismissed soldier, Ndubisi Ogana, 31, has been arrested by the police for alleged robbery.

    He was apprehended when he attempted to snatch a motorcycle.

    It was gathered that he had been arrested twice and charged to court, but was released.

    According to a source, Ogana has been stealing motorcycles, tricycles other properties for over four years.

    He usually wore military camouflage for his operations.

    The source said: “He was arrested last Tuesday while trying to steal a motorcycle. He usually robs road users of their valuables and also steals motorcycles and tricycles.

    “It was a team led by Godwin Onyebuchi that arrested him. He claimed he was dismissed from the military because he was caught smoking weed. They have charged the suspect to court.”

    It was gathered that the policemen also arrested some suspected members of the Awawa cult group, who have since been charged to court for robbery and murder.

  • Two policemen dismissed for container ‘robbery’

    Two policemen dismissed for container ‘robbery’

    Two policemen have been dismissed for their alleged role in the hijack of a trailer loaded with auto spare-parts last Saturday in Sagamu, Ogun State.

    Lagos State Police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni, who announced their dismissal yesterday, said they would be prosecuted.

    Inspector Durojaiye Taiwo and Sergeant Victor Omorokai of the Strike unit of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad  (SARS), Ikeja, on Saturday night led two other policemen to hijack the trailer carrying goods worth N30 million.

    Omorokai was arrested at Okokomaiko in Lagos, with the aid of the trailer’s tracking device.

    Owoseni said the suspects had been handed over to the Ogun State Police Command where the crime was committed.

    He said: “We did not deny the story; it was all over the media. Some bad fellows committed a crime and it is the stand of the Inspector-General of Police that all bad eggs in the Force be exposed and made to face the law like other ordinary criminals.

    “We arrested them and the ones that are on the run, we are going after them. Exhibits have been recovered.

    “The crime was committed in Ogun State Police Command and we have handed the ex-policemen to that command to prosecute them in the court of law.

    “In the same vein, I want to state that we have not covered anyone of them. They would be tried. The Nigeria police would not spare those who are not worthy of wearing the police uniform.”

    The police boss paraded over 15 suspects arrested for various crimes since last week.

  • Owoseni: Killer-cop will be dismissed posthumously

    Owoseni: Killer-cop will be dismissed posthumously

    The late Sergeant Stephen James, who shot himself after killing three men in Lagos last Saturday will be dismissed posthumously, police chief Fatai Owoseni said yesterday.

    The late James, Owoseni said, would be tried posthumously and dismissed.

    “We will try him even in death and dismiss him for his action. We want to use this medium to sympathise with the bereaved families. We apologise for the irrational action of the policeman, who also took his own life,” Owoseni said.

    He added that the late James could no longer remain in the police after his callous behaviour.

    James killed three men, including two siblings, in Ketu, Lagos for asking him to behave well at a bar.

    The late Taiwo and Kehinde Oyesunle (the only children of their mother) and their friend identified as Jeje, were said to have admonished the late officer, who entered the premises of Paulson Hotel on Anibaba Street, and harassed customers to buy him drinks.

    James, with force number 217884 attached to MOPOL 22, Oduduwa, GRA, Ikeja, was said to have threatened to shoot if anyone dared him.

    An eyewitness said the policeman ambushed and killed the three men, as they stepped outside the hotel premises where they had gone to celebrate Jeje’s birthday.

    It was gathered that when he realised the implications of his action, the policeman shot himself on the chest.

    In the ensuing confusion, passersby and residents scampered to safety.

    An angry mob, The Nation gathered, attempted to burn the hotel and the policeman’s body but for the swift intervention of police officers from Ketu division.

    The mob was said to have thrown bottles and stones at the hotel, prompting lodgers to flee their rooms.

    A guest at the hotel, who witnessed the killings, said that the policeman had boasted about wanting to kill people hours before the incident happened.

    The customer, who identified himself simply as Femi, said all efforts to pacify the policeman proved abortive as he kept fomenting trouble harassing visitors with his gun all afternoon.

  • Army begins review of dismissed soliders’ cases

    Army begins review of dismissed soliders’ cases

    The Army will today in Jaji, Kaduna State begin the review of the cases of about 4,000 officers and men dismissed from Operation “Zaman Lafia” in Northeast.

    The exercise, which was earlier slated for 311 Artillery Regiment Kontagora in Niger State, will now hold at the Nigerian Army Peace Keeping Centre (NAPKC), Jaji.

    The cases of officers and men who are  in detention in Jos, Plateau State and those already convicted for various offences under “Operation Zaman Lafiya” will be reviewed.

    A signal dated August 13 and signed by Lt. Colonel P. Y Haruna from the headquarters of the 31 Artillery Brigrade to all its formations across the country directed all affected to appear before a panel at the NAPKC Jaji.

    According to the signal, the review exercise will also look into the cases of officers and men “under detention, trail or convicted by GCM in respect of disciplinary cases emanating from erstwhile Operation Zaman Lafiya to NAPKC Jaji”.

    The development supersedes the August signal by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Army headquarters, Colonel D. C Onyemulu directing all affected to proceed to Kontagora.

    Majority of the affected soldiers were dismissed following the fall of the home town of the former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshall Alex Badeh to Boko Haram early this year.

    The development led to mass summary dismissal of men and trial of some officers under the Operation Zaman Lafiya for neglegence without strict adherence to military guidelines for dismissal of officers and men.

    Affected officers and men had appealed against their summary dismissal, alleging that they were not tried but were only dismissed.