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Tag: Ibrahim Idris

  • Police dismiss drunken Inspector

    The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) on Wednesday dismissed an Inspector for getting himself drunk at Akowonjo, in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos.

    Inspector Kadima Useni was seen drunk on Instablog9ja, a social media.

    His drunken display on video was widely circulated on Tuesday.

    The Nation learnt that the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris’s attention was drawn to it and directed the Lagos Command Commissioner of Police (CP) Imohimi Edgal to investigate the matter.

    The inspector was said to have traced to Ikeja where he was apprehended and tried.

    Having confessed that he was the one in the video during the Orderly Room trial, he was dismissed.

    A statement by police spokesman Chike Oti, a Chief Superintendent (SCP) identified Inspector Useni’s appointment number as 176219

    CP Edgal, Oti said, noted that the dismissal will serve as deterrent to other officers.

    The statement reads in part: “The attention of IGP Ibrahim Idris was been drawn to a video of Lagos policeman who got drunk at Akowonjo, Dopemu area of Lagos. He directed CP Edgal to fish out the erring policeman for appropriate disciplinary action.

    Read Also: Police arrest suspected killers of pastors

    “The policeman who was stupefied after guzzling large quantity of alcoholic beverage was located and apprehended today at Police Mobile Force Squadron 22 Base, Ikeja, where he served by the Command Provost. He was identified as Inspector Kadima Useni with appointment number 176219.

    “During interrogation, the officer affirmed that he was the one in the video, he was therefore tried in orderly room and summarily dismissed to serve as a deterrent to others.”

    To prevent re-occurrence, Edgal has directed the officer in charge of the Command Provost Section to embark on tour of all police formations and barracks within the state with a view to identifying and shutting all beer parlour within the police community.

    “CP Edgal warns against offering policemen alcoholic drinks while on duty by members of the public. He added that henceforth any policeman found drunk on duty will be visited with similar punishment,” Oti said.

    It would be recalled that another Inspector, Emmanuel Egba, attached to Area ‘M’ Command, Idimu, Lagos, was arrested on September 13 for holding a bottle of beer on duty.

    Egba, according to Oti, said was questioned by senior officers, but denied the allegation, stating that he recovered the beer bottle with liquid content from a driver, who was drinking right inside his car in traffic.

    “He feared that the driver might get himself intoxicated thereby endangering his life and that of other road users,” he said.

    “The case is, however, being investigated at the Command Provost Section and if his claim is found to be false, appropriate disciplinary action would be meted out to him after an Orderly Room Trial,” he said.

  • IG’s panel to destroy 10,000 recovered illegal firearms, others

    Inspector-General (IG) Ibrahim Idris has set up a committee to destroy 10,000 illegal firearms and 26,000 ammunition recovered from members of the public.

    The arms were recovered during the mop-up operations of illegal firearms and prohibited weapons announced by the IG earlier this year.

    The committee, which would be headed by the DIG in charge of Operations, Habila Joshak, has representatives from United Nations (UN) organs, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and Presidential Committee on Prohibition of Small Arms and Light Weapons (PRESCOM).

    Members of the committee are expected to destroy the weapons before the 2019 general elections.

    Idris spoke yesterday during the monthly meeting with senior Police officers.

    The IG also described the actions of the El-Zakzaky Islamic Movement of Nigeria members as un-Islamic.

    He said: “I have set up a committee headed by the DIG Department of Operations comprising the United Nations Organs, the ECOWAS and the Presidential Committee on Prohibition of Small Arms and Light Weapons (PRESCOM) and other critical stakeholders for the destruction of illegal weapons retrieved from members of the public before the 2019 General Election.

    “They will destroy about 10,000 illegal firearms and prohibited weapons and over  26,000 illegal ammunition recovered in the mop-up operations of illegal firearms and prohibited weapons  currently ongoing throughout the country.”

    The IG warned that the Force would longer tolerate negligence on the part of Commissioners of Police in preventing crisis.

    He urged them to be proactive in dealing with crises, noting that much is expected from them before, during and after the general elections.

    He said: “The Government and the people expect much from us in ensuring security and safety of all Nigerians throughout the country as we go into the 2019 general elections.

    “The Force will no longer tolerate laxity on the part of any Commissioner of Police, who fails to be proactive in dealing with crisis and other violent crimes in their area of responsibilities (AOR).

    “We have to do more in ensuring adequate security throughout the country from now on to the election and beyond.”

    On the crisis in the FCT caused by members of the El-Zakzaky Islamic Movement of Nigeria, the IG said: “Most of the El-Zakzaky Islamic Movement of Nigeria’s members were arrested with hard drugs in their possession and these are people that claimed to be Islamic. This makes us to start thinking and questioning them.

    “These youths have been used to cause havoc and I think the group should just be called El-Zakzaky because I don’t see anything Islamic about them.

    “These are people who are trying to bring problem of security to the country and the strategies applied by the police were the best.

    “I think our actions are commendable because our confrontation with them has not led to any death and that was because we were trying to avoid using too much force in tackling the situation.

    “Our response has to be measured because these are Nigerians who are misguided.  So, we need to apply strategies to handle them.”

    The IG added that some of them would be charged to court for terrorism.

  • Senate condoles with family of slain Red Cross worker

    The Senate on Tuesday condoled with the family of Hauwa Liman, a worker with the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC), who was killed by Boko Haram insurgents on Monday.

    This followed a Point of Order by the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, at plenary.

    The lawmakers while observing “a two-minute” silence for the deceased, also urged the Federal Government to immediately ensure the release of the last ICRC volunteer still in Boko Haram captivity.

    The Upper Chamber also urged the Federal Government to ensure the immediate release of Leah Sharibu, the lone Dapchi School girl still in Boko Haram captivity.

    It mandated the Committee on Security and National Intelligence to meet with security chiefs to find lasting solution to insecurity in the country.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the death of the 24-year-old medical aid worker in the hands of the sect was confirmed by the Federal Government and ICRC on Monday.

    Liman was kidnapped alongside others in March in Rann, Borno, when the insurgents attacked an Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp.

    One of the kidnapped aid workers, Saifura Khosa, had earlier been executed by the terrorists.

    Read Also: Police arrests robbery gang leader, members in Jigawa

    After the murder of Khosa, Boko Haram released a video threatening to kill Liman, and Leah Sharibu earlier in the year.

    While presenting the Point of Order, Ekweremadu urged the senate to look into the gruesome killing of Liman by the terrorists group.

    Contributing, Senator Dino Melaye(PDP-Kogi), expressed the need to beef up security in major flashpoints in the country to tackle security concerns beyond insurgency.

    He cited the killing of a corps member, Nkechi Igwetu, in July and the recent killing of another woman, Anita Akapson.

    The lawmaker urged the senate to summon the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to explain the activities of his officers.

    “The senate should invite the Inspector-General of Police and ask why insecurity persists,” he said.

    In his remarks, the President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, put the prayers to voice vote and they were unanimously adopted.

    However, the call for inspector-general of police, Ibrahim Idris’ invitation to give explanations to the security situation did not scale through.

    The omission may not be unconnected to series of face-off between the senate and the inspector-general of police.

    The police boss was summoned by the senate three times but failed to appear before it.

  • Killing: Ex-ministers family petitions IGP

    …IGP orders detention, probe of Policemen involved

     

    The family of the former Minister of Finance, Senator Nenadi Usman have petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Ibrahim Idris over the murder of Anita Akapson by policemen.

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

    According to the family, the deceased was trailed, targeted, intercepted, her vehicle brushed, blocked and shot at close range by a police officer while she was sitting in her vehicle.

    The family in the petition dated 15th October and signed by the legal Chamber of Kayode Ajulo & Co. called for a comprehensive investigation into the murder.

    The petition reads: “We are solicitors to the Family of Senator Nenadi Usman (hereinafter refers to as “Our Clients”) on whose firm and unequivocal instruction we write you this letter.

    “Senator Nenadi Usman was a former Minister of Finance and Distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “Our Clients has availed us the circumstance of the gruesome murder of their daughter, Anita Akapson, (31 years old) who was gruesomely shot at close range by a trigger-happy police officer for reasons unknown to our client.

    “It is our brief that Our Clients received a distress call at about 11pm on the 13th of October, 2018 by an anonymous caller who informed them that their daughter was in Gwarinpa District Hospital. But, on the arrival of our Clients at the Hospital, Miss Anita had died from the gunshot injuries.

    “Several eye witnesses (names withheld) detailed to our Clients how the deceased was trailed, targeted, intercepted, her vehicle brushed, blocked and shot at close range by a police officer while she was sitting in her vehicle (An Honda Accord Salon) at Katampe District, Abuja.”

    The family also said the circumstances that surrounded the death of Akapson calls for thorough investigation considering her closeness with the former Minister who has in recent times been facing persecution from the government.

    “The circumstances of the trailing, tracking and gruesome murder of the deceased who had a strong affinity with Senator Nenadi Usman, a member of the leading opposition political party in Nigeria, and who is presently facing continuous prosecutions from the States, unleashed with inattentive executive sanctions, calls for thorough and comprehensive investigation.

    “Our Clients have reasons to be apprehensive based on the circumstances as enumerated above particularly the shielding of the suspected officers, a (Superintendent of Police) involved in the matter.

    “Given the level of intimidation of opposition by the instrumentality of the State, Our Clients are worried as to the intent or possible calculated assassination of the deceased to further cause pain and anguish on the family.

    Read Also: IGP orders detention of Policemen over death of Abuja lady

    “We, therefore, based on the foregoing, urge you to use your good offices to cause a comprehensive investigation of the killing and surrounding circumstances without further delay to unravel the intent and the culprits behind this mindless act.

    “Sir, you will agree with us that the right to life is fundamental and non- negotiable. No body regardless of how highly placed should be allowed to take another person’s life and yet live freely in our society.

    “We are hopeful that this matter will not be ‘heartlessly’ swept underground in an attempt to protect the perpetrators, their sponsors and intent as we have experienced in the past inglorious days of this country.

    “Take notice that we would be left with no other option than to use the instrumentality of the law to seek justice in the death of Miss Anita Akapson if investigations are not timeously and thoroughly conducted.”

    Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Ibrahim Idris has ordered the FCT Commissioner of Police, Bala Ciroma to detain and personally investigate the policemen who shot Akapson.

    The Force Spokesman, Ag. DCP Jimoh Moshood in a statement in Abuja on Monday said: “IGP has ordered the detention and investigation of Policemen involved in the incident that led to the death of Miss Anita Akapson.

    “The IGP has directed the Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja to immediately detain and personally carry out a thorough investigation of policemen involved in the incident that resulted in the death of Miss Anita Akapson at Katampe Extension, Abuja on the night of Saturday, 13th October, 2018; and bring the perpetrators to justice.”

    The IGP while commiserating with the family of the deceased also assured them that justice will be done in the matter.

    Moshood also disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command was already in touch with the family as directed by the Inspector General of Police.

    The Police also promised to inform the public of the outcome of investigations into the incident.

  • Twelve years after, family seeks justice for murder of Daramola

    12 years after the murder of the late World Bank consultant, Dr Ayodeji Daramola, his family has requested the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris to arrest and prosecute the outgoing Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose for the murder of their son.

    In their petition dated October 13, signed on behalf of the family by Dare Daramola and sent to the IGP in Abuja, the family  demanded for justice for their son.

    “We demand nothing but justice in the murder of our illustrious son since he, Fayose, will soon lose  his immunity and since the matter is still in court as filed by Fayose himself for justice in these murders, we call on the IGP to arrest Fayose immediately as one of the prime suspects in the murders as ruled by the Appeal Court and Supreme Court to face trial over Ekiti murder cases involving Dr Daramola and Omojola”, they said.

    Dr. Daramola was assassinated on August 14, 2006 in his Ijan-Ekiti country home over  threat allegedly by Fayose to prevent the deceased from contesting the governorship election in Ekiti State under the banner of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    The family alleged that Governor Fayose “consistently harassed and threatened the late Daramola with assailants, including forcing the deceased to renounce his governorship ambition on radio for several days, because the then Governor Fayose saw the late Daramola as a threat to his second term ambition after PDP leaders, including  former President Olusegun Obasanjo, had endorsed the late Daramola to succeed Fayose in the 2007 election.”

    Daramola’s murder, the family said, came barely three months after Omojola was murdered by the same suspects who were the same Fayose’s agents in his administration that allegedly killed Daramola.

    The family alleged that assailants linked to Fayose consistently threatened their son’s life and finally invaded his home at night at Ijan-Ekiti on August 14, 2006 and killed him despite having renounced  his governorship ambition as ordered.

    The family said  the suspects arrested named Fayose’s  personal aides, Dayo Okondo and Goke Olatunji, as the sponsors of the murder.

    According to the family, “Ekiti State Government led by Asiwaju Segun Oni arraigned the suspects in court in 2007 but the chains of political crises in the state stalled the prosecution of the suspects.

    “Upon assumption of office by Governor Fayose for second term, the case was listed for trial in 2016 and it was struck out by the Ekiti State High Court, Ado-Ekiti, in a secret trial that was kept away from members of Daramola and Tunde Omojola’s families, the latter being a victim of murder by Fayose’s agents also.

    “But having realised that striking out the case would not stop future trial, Fayose in  cahoots with some lawyers sought the relisting of both Daramola and Omojola’s cases for a fresh joint hearing for dismissal in secret trial.

    “It was at the point of re-listing the case for fresh joint trial for dismissal that good Samaritans among the legal officers in the State High Court alerted Daramola’s family and leaked the secret trial plot  masterminded by Fayose to the public, including journalists, who published the story.

    “So far, three judges of the Ekiti State High Court had withdrawn from handling the cases after media reported underhand deals to secretly conduct the trial to free the suspects without putting our family members  on notice”, they alleged.

    Daramola’s family alleged that at one point during the secret trial, “the prosecution led by Fayose procured fake witnesses to represent the victims to plead in court that the  suspects knew nothing about the murder. But again, the plot leaked to the media and the trial judge subsequently withdrew from the case.

    “Earlier, Ekiti State Government headed by Fayose had in an affidavit by one Kunle Adetowubo & Co, dated June 28, 2016 in charge No HAD/2c/ 2007 in the Motion on Notice No HAD/71cm/2016 between the State Government and complainants brought pursuant to Section 56 of the Ekiti State Administration of Criminal Justice Law 2014 and under the inherent jurisdiction of the court, listed the parties to the suit as the state government, listed as the plaintiff/prosecutor while defendants are Dayo Okondo, Olatunji Adegoke, T.A Aina and Samuel K. Dada, all Fayose’s known supporters that allegedly  killed Omojola in Ifaki-Ekiti and  Daramola  over plan to contest Ekiti State governorship election with Governor Fayose.”, they explained.

    The family  recalled that on May 25, 2005, Mr. Tunde Omojola, a Nigerian based in Holland was brutally killed at Ifaki Ekiti during a local government bye-election.

    “After a thorough investigation of the tragic incident, Mr. Fayose’s lieutenants – Captain Dayo Okondo (rtd) and Mr. Goke Olatunji were charged with conspiracy and murder of Tunde Omojola. When Mr. Ayo Fayose came out of hiding in December 2007, he was also charged with the murder of Tunde Omojola at the High Court. Consequently, the trial court issued a warrant for the arrest of Mr. Fayose on December 4, 2007 for murder.

    In a bid to stop his trial, the family said Fayose challenged the warrant for his arrest at the Court of Appeal but lost the appeal.

    “In a judgment delivered on December 9, 2010 at Ilorin, Kwara State, the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal and affirmed the order for the arrest of Mr. Fayose to face murder trial. In the lead judgment of the Court of Appeal read by Justice Abba-Aji, the honourable Justice said: “In the circumstances of this case, I am of the humble view that the learned trial judge exercised his discretion judicially and judiciously in granting the issuance of conditional warrant of arrest against the appellant. The said order is not made in vacuum. The issues are therefore resolved against the Appellant. I therefore find no merit in the appeal. It is accordingly dismissed. The ruling of the trial court delivered on the 12th December, 2007 directing the arrest of the Appellant is hereby affirmed.” See Ayo Fayose v. The State (2011) 10 WRN 132.”

    They further said that the Supreme Court also dismissed Fayose’s appeal challenging the Appeal Court’s judgment.

    The petition said  Fayose, on assumption of ofice in 2014 as governor,  re-opened Daramola and Omojola’s murder cases in a joint trial conducted secretly to free the suspects but the media, particularly the online media, leaked the plot.

    The petition said a publication by online media frustrated Fayose’s plot to manipulate these murder trials at the time he (Fayose) himself enjoyed immunity from prosecution.

    The family maintained that Fayose is liable to prosecution as ruled by both the Appeal Court and Supreme Court judgments, which insisted that he, Fayose, had a case to answer in the assassination of political opponent, Omojola, in Ifaki-Ekiti; which is part of the consolidated murder trial of both Daramola and Omojola as filed by the prosecution led by the state government.

    They also pointed out that the High Court where Fayose was arraigned for murder ordered Fayose’s arrest after dismissing his stay of arrest suit.

    “President Muhammadu Buhari has promised justice for all Nigerians, including re-opening high-profile murder cases, to enable victims get justice.

    “We demand justice for our brutally murdered illustrious son and we will appreciate a quick response to our plea immediately Fayose loses immunity on October 16, 2018”, the petition stated.

  • Reps may summon IGP over detained lawmaker

    – threaten Court action

     

    Members of the House of Representatives were livid on Wednesday over the continued detention of a member, Abubakar Abdulahi Lado ( APC) Niger State.

    They urged the Police authorities to release the lawmaker within 12 hours or the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris will have to come to the Green Chamber to explain reasons for the incarceration of the lawmaker.

    Members of the House also agreed that since the collective privilege of the House had been infringed on by denying the Green Chamber of the services on the lawmaker, the House should go to court over the issue.

    The resolution of the House was sequel to a motion of urgent National Importance moved by a member, Toby Okechukwu ( APC Enugu) with the title: “Urgent release of Hon. Abubakar Abdulahi Lado representing Suleja Federal Constituency detained by SARS for the past 3 days.”

    While moving the motion the lawmaker said the House is aware of the detention of Hon. Lado by the Special Anti- Robbery Squad ( SARS).

    “The House is further aware of the continued detention for the past three days which action offends the Nigerian Constitution and amount to inhuman and degrading treatment .

    “The House is embarrassed that the intervention of the House leadership was rebuffed by the Nigerian Police ostensibly because it is only. The Governor of Niger state that can give instruction for his release .”

    He said the House was further briefed that the detention arose out of issues related to the APC Primaries which he (Lado) had ab initio notified the Police authorities of efforts to cause crisis by his opponents.

    “The House Is aware that the invitation of Hon. Lado was not through due process and therefore breaches the Legislative Powers & Privileges Act- which require notifying of presiding officer before the member is invited or arrested” he said.

    Read Also: PDP condemns APC’s virulent attacks on Atiku

    Members who spoke including the Deputy Speaker, Yussuff Lasun, Nnena Elendu-Ukejje, Betty Apiafi,Wale Raji, Segun Adekola, Sani Abdul, Albert Adeogun, all agreed that the police had breached the privileges of all, members by the action especially as it was not related to a criminal act.

    They wondered what could be happening to ordinary Nigerians if a lawmaker could be so treated,and concluded that the arrest and detention was meant to keep the lawmaker from participating in the primaries in the state.

    The Majority leader, Femi Gbajabiamila noted that the issue was a fight between supporters of Lado and his opponents and wondered how it became a SARS issue.

    He said he was informed at the SARS office that only the Governor of Niger state can give instructions for the release of the lawmaker.

  • Melaye’s trial: Court faults IGP for ignoring Senate’s invitation

    *Says Idris’ excuse not tenable

     

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has faulted the excuse given by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris for refusing to honour Senate’s invitation over the trial of Senator Dino Melaye.

    Justice John Tsoho, in a judgment on Tuesday, said not only was the IGP’s excuse untenable, the two suits he filed in relation to the Senate’s invitation, amounted to an abuse of court processes.

    The IGP has filed both suits earlier this year to challenge the propriety of the Senate’s insistence that he must honour its invitation in person, and the Senate’s subsequent declaration that he was not fit to occupy public office.

    The Senate had, by a letter dated April 25, 2018, invited the IGP in relation to the alleged inhuman treatment of Melaye, and the incessant killings in many parts of the country, including Benue, Plateau and Kwara states.

    The IGP,who was expected to appear before the Senate the following day, sent the Deputy Inspector General of Police (Operations) and Commissioner of Police, Kogi State to represent him.

    The Senate refused to grant audience to both men sent by the IGP and insisted that he must appear in person.

    The legislators rescheduled the meeting for May 2 and again directed that the IGP must honour its invitation in person.

    Rather than honour the legislators’ invitation, the IGP filed the first suit on April 30, 2018, through his lawyer, Alex Izinyon (SAN), contending among others, that he was not required, under any known law,to honour every invitation in person.

    The IGP argued that by the Constitution and Police Act, it was within his powers to delegate responsibilities, including directing some of his subordinates to represent him where ever he was invited, more so that his choice of the DIG (Operations) and CP, Kogi State was on the basis that they were conversant with the issues for which he was invited.

    In his judgment on Tuesday, Justice Tsoho upheld the argument by the defendants – the Senate and its President – to the effect that the IGP’s suits were intended at hindering the Senate from performing its constitutional and legitimate responsibilities.

    The judge’s judgment was on one of both suits. He declined to determine the second suit on the grounds that having rendered his opinion on one, he would prefer that another judge hear and determine the second one.

    He returned the filed to the court’s Chief Judge for reassignment to a new judge.

    The judge was of the view that although the IGP could be excused for being unable to honour the first invitation because he accompanied President Muhammadu Buhari on an official trip, there was no justification for his refusal to honour the second invitation.

    Justice Tsoho noted that the IGP, having had knowledge of the Senate’s invitation, his excuse that he could not attend the second invitation because he was on an official trip to Birnin Gwari with the General Officer Commanding was “not tenable”.

    The judge added: “I do not see any harm that would have been caused if the plaintiff honoured the defendants’ invitation.

    “I uphold the defendants’ argument that the plaintiff’s suit is intended to prevent the exercise of the Senate’s legitimate and constitutional responsibility and that it constitutes an abuse of court process.”

    He said the IGP’s contention that it would be subjudice to discuss issues relating to the pending cases against Melaye was not a sufficient reason for him to ignore the invitation by the legislators.

    The judge said the IGP should have honoured the invitation and impress it on the Senate to refrain from deliberating on the matter that was subjudice.

    Justice Tsoho noted that although, from the headings of the two letters of invitation by the Senate, it was clear that the issues to be deliberated upon had to do with a case pending in court, the plaintiff ought to have appeared for the legislative hearing to notify the Senate of the development.

    He said : “In this present case, the plaintiff ought to have appeared before the Senate and sought the Senate to ensure that the nothing is done to change the character of the matter in court.

    “The plaintiff having failed to do so but chose to run to court to file this suit, the suit amounts to an abuse of court process and it is accordingly struck out.”

    The judge proceeded to dismiss the suit.

    The second suit, which the judge returned to the Chief Judge relates to May 9, 2018 declaration by the Senate that the IGP was “an enemy of democracy and unfit to hold any public office within and outside Nigeria,” following his failure to honour the invitations.

    Read Also: Shehu Sani, Akpabio, Yari, Uduaghan returned unopposed

    The Senate and the House of Representatives, at a subsequent joint session, passed another resolution reaffirming the Senate’s “vote of no confidence” on the IGP.

    In the suit, the IGP argued that the conduct of both the Senate and its President, Saraki, in the proceedings leading to his being declared unfit to hold public office and an enemy of democracy, was borne out of hatred and “undisguised contempt” they allegedly had for him.
    ‎

    He described the Senate’s May 9, 2018 resolution as an unwarranted “penal sanction” and “a legislative judgment” borne out of the alleged hatred and contempt the Senate and Saraki had for him.

    The IGP contended that the conduct of the Senate and its President, Saraki, during the “votes and proceedings” leading to the May 9, 2018 resolution “is palpable of bias, deep rooted prejudice, visible hatred, and undisguised contempt of me.”

  • NAF trains Provosts on crime investigation 30 years after

    Inaugurates forensic laboratory, provost group

     

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Monday said it had trained 16 Provost personnel on core crime investigative skills and others in crime scene investigation.

    These trainings, according to the Chief of the Air Staff  (CAS) Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar were last conducted 30-years-ago.

    Abubakar spoke in Lagos at the inauguration of the NAF’s remodelled Forensic Crime Laboratory and the new 057 Provost Investigation Group.

    According to him, the accuracy in the collection, review and analysis of evidence by law enforcement agencies and the ability of the court to fairly judge the strength of evidence was the bedrock of criminal justice administration.

    He said after a gap analysis of the structure of the NAF, it had become obvious the new expanded NAF Force Structure required a law enforcement arm with the capacity to effectively employ scientific approaches in all facets of its critical competencies.

    “Already, in conjunction with foreign partners from the United Kingdom, we have trained 16 Provost personnel in the Core Investigative Skills and Interview course.

    “Another set of 16 personnel will in four days’ time be concluding the Crime Scene Investigation Course here in 057 Provost Investigation Group.

    “In another development, the investigative capacity of the provost would be enhanced through the training of 10 Provost Officers in Advanced Detective Course at the Police Staff College, Jos, within the last quarter of the year.

    “Akin to the development of investigative and forensic skills, the NAF is also at an advanced stage of expanding and enhancing its utilisation of Military Working Dogs to boost the physical security of NAF critical mission essential areas.

    “This growth is equally projected to create the capacity for the Air Provost to be integrated in the conduct of Combat Search and Rescue operations in the Service.

    Read Also: NAF destroys Boko Haram vehicles

    “In the same vein, 140 Air Provost personnel will commence the Force Protection in Complex Air Ground Environment training, in conjunction with the British Military Advisory Training Team (B-MAT).

    “Furthermore, the rejuvenation of the Air Provost’s Explosive Ordnance Detection capability is projected to commence by the end of this year,” he said.

    Abubakar said the NAF’s recent push to make inroads in the development of the capacity and capability of the Air Provost was premised on the need to have a proactive police force that would nip threats in the bud.

    He said: “This would also provide the enabling environment for NAF personnel to freely discharge their duties in furtherance of the Service’s constitutional responsibilities,” he said.

    Inaugurating the facility, the Inspector General of Police (IG) Ibrahim Idris said without the objective evidence obtained through scientific analysis, many crime cases would have gone unsolved and the perpetrators unpunished.

    He said: “Forensic science is an integral part of the criminal justice system. It is vital in aiding the investigation of a crime and detection of criminals, as well as proving the innocence of people suspected of crimes that they did not commit.

    “It is thus, a veritable tool for not only detection and prosecution, but also deterrence.”

    The IG said that evidence was the cornerstone in modern police investigation, adding that witnesses could fall, be misunderstood, be influenced or contaminated.

    “This effort by the Chief of the Air Staff in providing a befitting and functional environment and making inroads in the application of forensics in policing is laudable.

    “It is a testimony of the Nigerian Air Force leadership’s commitment to push the boundaries and improve on the methodologies and technological platforms to detect and analyze evidence of crime in the service,” he said.

    Commander Air Provost Investigation Group, Group Captain Garba Bello said the provision of the facilities would enhance the capacity of the NAF provost personnel in carrying out their duties, especially in the area of criminal investigations.

    “These would significantly assist Air Provost Investigators in obtaining credible evidence for successful prosecution of cases in a court of law while at the same time adding to the country’s crime fighting resources,” he said.

     

  • Germany, IG train FSARS operatives on human rights, others

    The German Foreign Office and the office of the Inspector-General of Police ( IG ) on Monday commenced a two-week human rights training for 135 operatives of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad ( FSARS ) in Lagos.

    The training is part of the reformation of the unit which was carried out in line with presidential directive. The presidency had ordered the overhaul of FSARS following public outcry on alleged infractions by the operatives.

    Speaking at the inauguration of the training at Police College Ikeja, IG Ibrahim Idris said it was a holistic approach to enhance the performance of the participants comprising commanders, team leaders and foot soldiers of FSARS.

    Idris who was represented by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) in charge of training Emmanuel Inyang said the exercise would be of immense benefit to the force.

    He said: “Let me remind you that SARS was initially established to take charge of specific functions pertaining to crime prevention and control, but their direct contact with members of the public has brought conflict, friction and perceived human rights abuses and the inherent complaints arising from the performance of their duties.

    “The need by the present leadership to reposition the FSARS through capacity building calls for training and retraining of the officers and men. Therefore, there is no doubt whatsoever that this training will provide the necessary platform for all the participants, particularly the foot soldiers of FSARS to understand the necessity of imbibing human rights tenets at their duty posts and be able to identify problem areas, advance possible solutions to such problems.

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    “This effort by the police managment and GIZ Police Programme on Human Right in restructuring the FSARS will certainly be of immense benefit to the Nigeria Police Force. FSARS personnel will be re-equipped with the essential knowlege of human rights, proactive policing, collection of intelligence and the provision of a pragmatic approach to investigate activities and support to police stations.”

    He warns errant officers to desist from practices injurious to the police or face the wrath, adding that those who perform well would be rewarded.

    Earlier, GIZ’s Deputy Project Manager, Police Project Africa in Nigeria, Hartmut Zander said the German Governement stepped in to offer training assistance in order to contain cases of human rights abuse.

    Zander said: “Around 135 police officers from over 36 states are going to be trained by internal police trainers as well as external resource persons in relevant human rights principals, which apply to different police interventions.

    “By combining theoretical knowledge and standards, with practical aspects of human rights-centred police work, the training covers a broad range of related topics such as principles of use of force and firearms, investigations arrest and detention.”

    On the level of compliance by FSARS operatives on the directive that they should concern themselves with kidnapping and armed crimes, Commissioner Haliru Gwandu said appreciable progress was being made.

    Gwandu said: “For the purpose of reforms and to enhance competence and professionalism, a Standard Operational Procedure(SOP) was designed to guide the operations of the reformed FSARS. For now there is no problem as the number of litigations have reduced. Our personnel have shown that they are ready for change.”

    Also at the inauguration was the Commissioner, Police College Ikeja Adekinte Oyekan.

  • Buhari seeks collaborative efforts to fight human trafficking

    President Muhammadu Buhari has called for collaborative efforts among nations to fight human trafficking and smuggling of persons.

    Buhari made the call at the 16th INTERPOL Conference on Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling on Monday in Abuja.

    He was represented by Mr Olusegun Adekunle, Permanent Secretary, General Service Office, office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

    “Human trafficking requires our collective efforts to eradicate which destroying the future of our youths,” he said.

    The President said that Nigeria was among the first set of countries to domesticate United Nations relevant protocols on trafficking in persons and smuggling of persons.

    Buhari said that the protocols were at various times domesticated, resulting in the country’s enactment of the trafficking in persons prohibition law enforcement Act and eradication Act 2003 and the 1963 Immigration Act.

    He said that the Immigration act empowered the service to combat the smuggling of migrants.

    The president said that the country had recorded a landmark in the fight against trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants.

    He said that the collaborative efforts of the country’s security agencies had resulted in several interceptions, arrest and prosecution and conviction of 359 traffickers and smugglers.

    He urged the INTERPOL and relevant agencies to deepen already established collaboration in order to combat this modern day slavery to a standstill.

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    Buhari said that collaborative efforts across the international borders would go a long way to identify arrest and prosecute traffickers and smugglers in their countries of origin.

    He called on the INTERPOL to consider Abuja, Nigeria for the location of the proposed Strategic Service Centre.

    “Nigeria is ready to play host to the centre and we will avail you with all the necessary assistance within the provisions of the law,” he said.

    The president said that unless the country fight corruption, the little resources budgeted for development would be stolen by few elites, exposing the youths to poverty and becoming vulnerable to trafficking and smuggling.

    In a remark, the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris, said that the force was at the forefront in the fight against the ugly trend.

    Idris, who was represented by DIG Agboola Oshodi-Glover, said that trafficking and smuggling in persons posed a threat to both the victims and the countries of the world.

    He said that recently the force upgraded the anti-human trafficking section with the appointment of a Commissioner of police.

    Mr Jurgen Stock, Secretary General of INTERPOL said that trafficking in human beings and smuggling remained a prominent cahhlnge for law enforcement.

    He noted that the trend had opened the door for the exploitation of those simply seeking improved well-being and opportunities.

    Stock urged other participating countries at the conference to prioritise the fight against human trafficking and smuggling in persons.

    He said that INTERPOL had launched a platform consisting of 110 countries and 150 specialists from immigration, customs and investigative units to exchange information.

    News Agency of Nigeria reports that 500 participants from 70 countries are attending the conference.

    News Agency of Nigeria also reports that more than 500 specialists from security agencies, non-governmental and international organizations, public and private sectors are also participating.