The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Outrage

  • ESE ORURU’S ABDUCTION

    ESE ORURU’S ABDUCTION

    All thanks to Nigerians and the media, Ese Oruru, 14-year-old Delta girl who was forcefully taken to Kano, converted to Islam and married off without her parents’ consent, is expected to be reunited with her family today, reports MIKE ODIEGWU

    THE road to freedom for the abducted 14-year-old Ese Rita Oruru began yesterday. It is believed that she will be reunited with her parents today, six months after her forceful abduction from Bayelsa State to Kano State.

    Against her parents’ consent and blessings, Ese betrothed to her abductor, Yinusa, 18, who renamed her Aisha Chuwas.

    The police in Kano yesterday confirmed taking custody of Ese.

     

    Free Ese rally shelved

    in Bayelsa

     

    It was scheduled to be the mother of all rallies. But, it never held. Organisers of the rally planned for yesterday in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, to protest the plight of the kidnapped 14-year-old Ese Oruru cancelled it at the eleventh hour.

    Governor Seriake Dickson pleaded with the campaigners to shelve the protest, which he noted could trigger tribal clashes.

    A report on Ese’s ordeal was published by The Punch newspapers on Sunday.

    There was a consensus yesterday from notable individuals and rights’ groups for the release of the girl. Among those who called for the immediate and unconditional release of Ese are: Women Affairs Minister Jumai Alhassan, lawyer-activist Femi Falana, Senate Minority Leader Godswill Akpabio, senators Ben Murray-Ben Bruce and Solomon Adeola among others.

    In Yenagoa, a civil society group – Kindling Hope Across Nations Initiative (KHANI), shelved its protest following Dickson’s intervention to stave off a possible clash of Bayelsans and the Hausa community in the state.

    KHANI’s Executive Director Kizito Andah said Dickson presented his concerns at a meeting with representatives of the group on Sunday, adding that the governor offered to wade into the matter.

    According to him, Dickson, at the Sunday meeting, called his Kano State counterpart, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, on telephone over the issue.

    He said Dickson told them after the conversation that he had a fruitful discussion with Ganduje and that he assured them that with collaborative efforts of both state governments, Ese would be released “very soon”.

    Dickson’s media aide Daniel Iworiso-Markson confirmed the conversation between his boss and Ganduje, pointing out the Bayelsa State helmsman got full assurances of his Kano colleague that the issue would be resolved as quickly as possible.

     

    An ultimatum 

    from Ese’s kinsmen

     

    In Uwherun, the Oruru’s country home in Ugheli North Local Government Area of Delta State, the Urhobo Monitoring and Development Group (UMDG) condemned Ese’s abduction and gave a two-week ultimatum for her release.

    The group flayed the manner the teenager was forcefully converted into Islam, renamed Aisha and betrothed to Yinusa.

    A statement yesterday by its President, Mr. Kingsley Oberuruaria, said the abduction and subsequent marrying of the teenager to the suspect was criminal and barbaric and must be condemned in its entirety.

    It reads: “The victim was 13 when she was abducted last year.”

     

    No ethno-religion

    undertone

     

    Senators Murray-Bruce, Akpabio and Solomon were among the numerous Nigerians, who took to their twitter handles yesterday to call for Ese’s release.

    The senator representing Bayelsa East Senatorial District cautioned against reading ethnic meaning to Ese’s abduction.

    He wrote: “The action of an individual is not the action of an ethnicity or a religion. Let us be guided in our utterances over.  Our anger should be directed at the abductor and any negligence on the part of the police and not on a tribe or religion.

    “However, I will not relent until Ese is freed and released back to her parents. Your statement that Ese’s release is “dependent” on persons is sad. Her release is guaranteed by the constitution.

    “IGP Arase, Ese is a minor and can’t consent to marry. The constitution is clear. Your duty is to ensure her release to her parents. The IGP is in a pole position to show that there are no sacred cows in Nigeria and everyone is equal before the law.

    “Many of you have not spoken to Emir Sanusi over this matter. I have and I am convinced that he is not behind it in any way. After investigation, Emir Sanusi ruled it was wrong for Ese to consent to marriage as a minor and that she return to her family.

    “I just got off the phone with the Emir of Kano. He has exonerated himself and has provided documental evidence to this effect on Ese’s case.”

    Akpabio urged the police to act fast.

    “The police should act fast on Free Ese. They don’t need to wait for anyone to do the right thing. Just free Ese now,” the Senate Minority Leader wrote.

    Adeola, who is representing Lagos West at the upper legislative chamber said no stone should be left unturned to do things right.

    He wrote: “For those arguing for and against, imagine for a second Ese was your daughter…. This is not about winning arguments. As a Senator of the Federal Republic, I will do all that is within my power to right this wrong.”

    Mr. Falana, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), said Ese’s abduction and forced marriage amount to a breach of Bayelsa’s criminal code.

    The lawyer-activist said in a statement: “The abduction, enslavement and forced marriage of Ese Oruru constitute serious contraventions of several provisions of the laws of the land.

    “Equally, they are brutal violations of the fundamental rights of the victim to the dignity of her person guaranteed by the Child’s Rights Law of Bayelsa State and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “It is a shame that the Kano state police command has not deemed it fit to free the girl and arrest the suspects involved in the barbaric conduct.

    “Meanwhile, I have contacted and requested the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase to ensure the immediate release of the girl.

    “If the authorities fail or refuse to free her today my law office will approach the court tomorrow with a view to seeking redress for her.”

     

    A reawakening on

    women, child’s rights

     

    Women Affairs Minister Al-Hassan described the development as a wake-up call for the protection of women and child’s rights

    She wrote on her handle: “Ese’s case has brought to the fore the need to protect the rights of children and women in our society and we won’t relent. Our laws are very clear on the case. Ese Oruru is 14 and as such cannot consent to marriage. Any such union she’s in is illegal.

    “I can assure you that I will use all my powers and influence as a minister and woman to secure the release and return of Ese Oruru.

    Popular novelist Lola Shoneyin cautioned the authorities against treating the issue with levity; saying do so could embolden others.

    “When a sitting senator of the Federal Republic can get away with marrying a 13-year-old, what do you expect?”

    Actress Stella Damasus described the development as not only embarrassing but shameful.

    “After reading the entire story & various reports on #FreeEse, I must say that I am ashamed of the “Systems That Be” in Nigeria,” the actress wrote on her handle.

    Another actress, Kate Henshaw, said the perpetrators should be brought to book.

    “There should not be selective justice! No one is above the law.”

    A senior pastor of Daystar Christian Centre, Pastor Nike Adeyemi, said the treatment given to Ese’s parents was injustice that must be condemned.

    She wrote: “Can’t sleep, the injustice done to children especially the poor is of deep concern #FreeEse thanks to those speaking out, praying.”

    For the Orurus, it all began like a fairy tale

    Kelvin Oruru shared assignments with her younger sister, Ese Rita, in their mother’s canteen on August 23, last year. Their mother allowed Kelvin, 16, and Ese, 14, to attend to her customers whenever she went to restock food items.

    But, at about 11am on that fateful day, Rita disappeared. Kelvin looked everywhere around Opolo, Yenagoa, where the canteen was located for her younger sister to no avail. He kept looking for her sister until 4pm when her mother returned from the market. The mother got the report of her daughter’s disappearance.

    The mother, Mrs. Rose Oruru, was distraught. She raised the alarm that attracted neighbours and other passersby. A man, popularly known as Daidi, solved a problem that was fast becoming a riddle. He knew the whereabouts of Ese. He told Rose that Mr. Yinusa (a.k.a Yellow) abducted the minor and took her to Kano, the Kano State capital.

    Ese, whose parents hail from Uwheru, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, was taken by Yinusa to Kano to convert her into Islam and later marry her.

    According to Rose, a man identified as Dan Kano who knew about the plan made the disclosure to her. She said Dan Kano promised to take her to Kano to recover her daughter.

    Following Dan Kano’s promise, Mrs. Oruru immediately prepared for a trip to Kano. But, Dan Kano reneged on his promise. He, however, sent one Rabiu to accompany Mrs. Oruru to Kano. Rose, who spoke in pidgin, said they started the journey on August 14, 2015 and arrived in Kano after midnight.

    She said: “Rabiu took me to the village head called Tufa in Kura Local Government Area of Kano State on August 15, 2015. After we told the chief the purpose of our visit, the chief became angry with Rabiu and wondered why he should bring me to Kano for such a mission.

    “The chief told me that my daughter had been converted to Islam and renamed Aisha. He also told me that my daughter was in the custody of the Emir of Kano, Malam Muhammadu Sanusi II,” Mrs. Oruru said.

    Rose said she insisted on going to the Emir’s palace to see her daughter. Accompanied by Rabiu, she headed for the palace.

    She recounted her ordeal: “We were pushed out of the palace by the youths. Yinusa called me on phone and said she did not kidnap my daughter. He said he informed Dan Kano before taking my daughter away.

    “We went to see the adviser to the emir who told us that he did not want to be involved in the matter. We then went to the secretary to the emir.

    “The secretary told us that the chief of Tufa village got an approval from Kura Police Station to take my daughter to the emir’s palace. He said my daughter was already converted to Islam and that even if I saw her, I won’t be able to touch her. He said that if I should touch her, either my daughter or I would die. He advised us to come back on August 17, 2015.”

    On August 17, Mrs. Oruru said an inspector, and another police officer from Kwani Police Station took her to a section of the palace where the Emir of Kano sat in Council. She said she was surprised to see her daughter driven into the place in a black Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) accompanied by two police escort and Yinusa.

    She expressed shock that everybody was allowed inside apart from her when her case was mentioned. He said the police officer later informed her that the Emir of Kano asked her to take her case to the Sharia Court.

    She said the police at Kwani transferred the case to the Kano State Criminal investigations Department (SCID) where she was asked to head for Bayelsa and report the case to the police command.

    Mrs. Oruru said that after returning to Yenagoa, she reported the matter to the Ekeki Police Station, adding that the case was later transferred to the CID in Yenagoa. She said the police arrested some persons, including Dan Kano.

    Following the inability of his wife to bring back his daughter, Charles Oruru, the father, decided to embark on another trip to Kano. The Bayelsa State Police Command sent some suspects and two police officers to accompany him. Dan Kano and the Chairman of the Hausa Community, K.C. Dahiru, were in the delegation.

    Charles said they arrived in Kano at about 9pm on September 2, last year. He said the Emir told them that he had since August 26, last year, sent a letter to the Sharia Council and asked them to release the girl to her parents.

    He said about 15 of them later went to the Sharia Council, adding that the council refused to release his daughter insisting that the girl was 18 years old and decided on her own to convert to Islam.

    “I was very angry. How can a stranger tell me when my daughter was born? My daughter was born on February 22, 2002. When you calculate it, she was 13 years old then and 14 now. She is still a minor and cannot decide her religion. She is underage and remains a Christian because our family members are Christians.

    “We spent over one week going from one place to another just to get my daughter out,” Charles said.

    He said the Sharia Council later asked them to return to Yenagoa, promising to send the girl home.

    The Executive Director, Kindling Hope Across Nations Initiative (KHANI), Mr. Kezito Andah, said the parents reported the matter to his Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) in December, last year. Andah reported the matter to the Chairman, Child Protection Network (CPN) in Bayelsa State.

    The Department of State Services (DSS) was also involved. Meetings were held in December with officers of the service, alleging that the DSS made several failed promises to secure the girl’s release.

     

     

  • Outrage over S/Africa attacks

    Outrage over S/Africa attacks

    There was outrage yesterday against attacks on African immigrants in South Africa, which has led to the death of no fewer than six people and massive destruction and looting of property.

    Nigerians living in South Africa are not spared as no fewer than 50 have been rendered homeless  after being displaced by the attacks. About 300 others are displaced near Johanesburg.

    Although the Federal Government said it would begin the evacuation of Nigerians, who are interested in relocating from yesterday, it could not be ascertained whether the evacuation had started.

    The South African embassy in Abuja was picketed by members of the Advocacy for Peoples Rights and Justice (APRJ). They carried placards denouncing the attacks.

    In Benin, the Edo State capital, the office of MTN Nigeria, South Africa’s largest company operating in Nigeria, was picketed.

    In Kaduna, youths staged a protest on the streets. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) urged the South African Government to end xenophobia by addressing its cause.

    Human rights groups also issued statements condemning the attacks.

    The anti-immigrant attacks, which began last month in the coastal city of Durban, has spread to other parts of the country, forcing thousands of migrants to leave their homes. The arrow heads of the attacks are targeting African migrants who they accuse of stealing their jobs and businesses. It is the deadliest spread of xenophobic violence South Africa has seen since 2008, when 67 people were killed.

    Business was stalled at the MTN office in Benin during the protest.

    The protesters barricaded the entrance to the office on Murtala Mohammed Way as early as 7a.m.

    They carried inscriptions, such as “Xenophobia is Inhuman” “Zuma call your boys to order”; “S/Africans can’t be making money from us and killing us”; “Nigerians boycott South Africa companies”.

    Speaking for the protesters, Austin Enabulele, said the action was a warning to the South African government to stop the attacks on Nigerians or risk losing its investments in Nigeria.

    Enabulele said the attack on foreigners was inhuman and condemnable.

    He said: “We are all Africans. We wonder why they should attack our fellow Nigerians who are doing their legitimate businesses in South Africa, when we have shown them love to operate in Nigeria.

    “We have come here to say to (President Jacob) Zuma to call his people to order because if he fails to call them to order we will do the needful. We are aware of all their businesses in Nigeria.

    The vice president of the group, Gloria Noren, said South Africans were not showing gratitude for the financial support from Nigeria during the apartheid era.

    She said: “We have videos of Nigerians that have been killed; I personally watched the video. How can someone come out to say that we are taking their jobs from them? What about the money they are making from us?

    “Nigeria spent over N60 billion fighting apartheid for them. Why should we exchange love to them and they extend hatred to us. It is totally inhuman, distasteful; it is disgusting.

    “We are sending this message to our Nigerian government to go ahead and retrieve all Nigerians from South Africa because we cannot keep losing our brethren.”

    The youths who stormed the major streets of Kaduna said South Africans were being ungrateful to nations that stood by them during their struggle against apartheid.

    The coordinator of the movement, Comrade Yusuf Yusuf said the death of General Murtala Mohammed, a former Head of State, was to some extent associated with the struggle to liberate southern African countries, including South Africa, and it is disheartening that South Africa has now turn its weapon or war against African countries that stood by them.

    He added: “For weeks now,  we have been receiving distress calls from our loved ones residing in south Africa and some of them have left behind their property which are being looted by the miscreants.

    “They are out there on the street, hunting and killing those they tag foreigners and taking over their businesses while their government turn a blind eye towards the violence.

    “We want to remind South Africans-that their call for all foreign Nationals to leave their country simply means that they in turn should expect the recall of their countrymen back home.”

    The NLC said in Abuja yesterday that the South African government must take steps to end the attacks.

    The Congress said in a statement that it was unfortunate that the attack is targeted immigrant workers from countries that contributed immensely to the fight against apartheid.

    In the statement signed by the President of the Congress, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, entitled “Hold the South African Government responsible for the safety of all immigrants”, the NLC said the South African government must evolve policies that will create jobs for its citizens.

    It also said that the South African government must bear in mind that there are South African businesses in countries whose citizens are being attacked, pointing out that these businesses are vulnerable to severe danger if positive steps are not immediately taken.

    The Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) also urged the South African Government to urgently address the causes of the xenophobic attacks.

    In a statement issued in Abuja yesterday by its Chairman, Ibrahim Zikirullahi,  the TMG said: “It is ironic that a section of the South African citizenry has chosen to vent its anger on peoples from fellow African countries, which stood in solidarity with South Africans at a time the evil system of Apartheid held sway in their country.

    “TMG recalls that several African countries, with Nigeria leading the charge, put their interests on the line and toiled to ensure the end of white minority rule in South Africa.

    “Many Nigerians donated personal funds, wrote letters, sang songs and performed small, but brave acts to help our brothers and sisters in South Africa break off the shackles of domination and abuse by the Apartheid system.”

     

     

     

  • Anti-bunkering campaigner’s arrest sparks outrage in Delta

    Anti-bunkering campaigner’s arrest sparks outrage in Delta

    The circumstances surrounding the arrest of a local anti-illegal bunkering activist, Chief Futek Zikoregha by detectives from Force Headquarters, Abuja, is generating dust in Delta state, especially as it came after the the embattled community leader raised the alarm over plans to frame him up and arrest him. SHOLA O’NEIL, who has been following the activities of the activist for nearly a decade writes on his latest travails, averring that he might be the victim of a well-orchestrated vendetta by a gang that has hijacked Odimodi community

    Chief Futek Zikoregha , as a former chairman of the oil-rich Forcados and a leader of Odimodi community both in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, knows a lot about illegal bunkering and how it affects the environmental, ecological and social fabrics of his society. He knows the dirty community politics over royalties and sharing of oil companies’ largess as well as the tricks some leaders play to extort money from oil companies.

    He knows key players in the illicit oil deals in the waterways and has had series of run-ins with some of them because of his objection to the trade.

    The first time this reporter met him was in early 2008 and it was in a hideout of an obscured hotel in Warri; he was on the run after blowing the lid on the dirty deals of a prominent local chief. Although barely literate, he knows the effects and devastation of crude oil pollution.

    “Our ecology has been devastated, mangrove trees are dying mysteriously; periwinkles-gathering is no longer possible because of oil pollution and our fishes are too leady for consumption just because of bunkering,” he told our reporter in an exclusive interview published in the March 17, 2008 edition of this newspaper.

    To further tackle the masterminds of the crime, he formed the Heroes of Peace (HOPE) Initiative, a nongovernmental organization which tracks and reports to security operatives the activities of criminals troubling oil pipelines in the area.

    In a recent communication to the Commanding Officer of 3 Battalion dated 2/09/14, the group disclosed that “These said bunkerers are currently using about three to four flat bottom vessels to convey petroleum products… Also they have about 17 to 20 Cotonou boats, which they load on daily basis.”

    The letter identified Abrabebe Community near the Forcados NNPC pipeline and Forcados trunk lines, Forcados Export Line and Nigeria Agip’s Beniboye facilities as spots where they criminals are having their day and urged the JTF to take “appropriate steps and actions” to stop the criminals.

    Asked why he took upon himself the dangerous task of fighting illegal bunkering, Zikoregha once told our reporter, “I don’t see why we (communities) should be crying foul over oil spills resulting from companies’ legitimate business, when our own people are destroying pipelines and committing worse environmental crimes.”

    It was against the backdrop of his objection to pipeline vandalism and similar crimes in the area that his arrest by policemen from the Force Headquarters, Abuja came as a shock to those who him – some blame it on “crime fighting back”.

     

    Hunter becomes

    the hunted

     

    Zikoregha knows how powerful and vengeful the operators of the illegal bunkering rings and beneficiaries of illegal deals in the area are. But the middle-aged activist failed to recognize how far criminals could go to protect their illegitimate wealth.

    “His outspokenness and actions on illegal bunkering and attack on oil facilities may have won him friends in the environmental rights community and the media, it also brought him scores of powerful enemies among his kinsmen,” an environmental rights activist told our report.

     

    Involvement of police, other security agents

     

    Prior to his arrest on April 1, Zikoregha had been engaged in a running battle with some factional leaders of Odimodi Community. His face-offs with the group peaked when the group threatened to shut down operation of Shell Petroleum Development Company in the area. Their gross with the company was the failure of SPDC to award the lucrative contract for the repair of the 48″ SBM pipeline, which was attacked by vandals, to a local firm. An oil industry source said the company does not award such contract to indigenes of community where its facilities are sabotaged to discourage connivance.

    Speaking with Niger Delta Report on the threat, the activist said those who signed the paid advertorial where the threat was made lacked the capacity to speak for the community. He said Benjamin Gbesine and Ingo Davies, ‘Chairman’ and ‘Secretary’ of Odimodi, had been disowned by the Amadiwei (traditional head).

    He accused them of acting out a script, adding that they are lackeys for a prominent businessman and contractor who was eyeing the pipeline repair contract. He said when the deal fell through, the duo and others issued the threat to arm-twist the company.

    Zikoregha was banned from the community. He petitioned the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 5 Benin City, over persistent threats to his life and those of other members of HOPE and his family. He fingered the duo and one Presley Iyalagha, the surveillance contractor, whose section of the SBM line was breached.

    Contacted, Iyalagha, debunked the allegation and accused our reporter of being used by blackmailers and threatened to get him “into trouble”.

    He said, “Did you see my signature in any of the documents? You are the same person who wrote about me in your paper; you are going to get your company into trouble”, he thundered, in a very heated telephone chat when our reporter sought his comment.

    However, Zikoregha, in the petition, told Zone 5 AIG that he had information that a meeting was held on the 23rd of February, where a decision was taken to frame him and other members of the group with “heinous crime of illegal possession of firearms” and other weighty crimes.

    “We are fully convinced that these characters possess the requisite capacity and intent to implement their evil design,” he said and appealed to the AIG to call those fingered in the plot for interrogation and possible arrest, if they found guilty.

    But fate forced him back to Odimodi when he lost his elder brother, Capt Jacob Kiyagha. He said he was attacked by agents of his traducers when he took the corpse for burial. Youths armed with cudgels, cutlasses and other dangerous weapons beat him to pulp, forcing him to abandon the corpse and run for dear life.

     

    An ‘unblessed’

    peacemaker

     

    But for the intervention of the Vice Chairman of the community’s youth, identified as Mr James Benarode, he said he would have been lynched. Sadly, for the peacemaker, for his ‘interference’, he was given the beating of his life and still bore a scare from the incident.

    Benarode told NDR on Monday morning that he was not only beaten black and blue, but was detained at a ‘prison’ operated by the gang.

    Worried by the threats, the victims went to the Warri High Court to obtain a restraining order against the group to prevent further attack. The affidavit deposed in support of the motion accused the group of using security operatives, including an officer of the Nigerian Navy identified as Lt Comd R K Ruma, to terrorise the community.

    They said although the matter was reported to the Nigerian Police station at Burutu, there was no response. Worried by the police’ silence, Zikoregha said he asked his solicitors “to write a fresh complaint to the Area Commander, Warri to take urgent steps to save my life and others…”

    It was while the suit was pending in court that he was served a cruel April Fool Day joke when he was arrested by policemen from the Ugborikoko Police Station on the behest of FCID.

    It was gathered that he was arrested when he went as a pointer with a bailiff who was serving the court processes of the pending suit on one of the defendants.  He was whisked away in the presence of the stupefied bailiff and swiftly moved to the Federal Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Abuja. Reports that could not be independently confirmed indicated that detectives demand N2m to ‘bail’ to free him.

     

    ‘Police aiding

    reign of terror’

     

     

    Meanwhile, his family and perceived sympathizers like Benarode, in the community say they have become victims of daily haunts and threats from the powerful clique, which is believed to have usurped the traditional leadership of the community.

    Benarode told our reporter: “I have been in hiding because I rescued someone they wanted to beat to death. They took me to their guardroom and the next day they brought navy to threaten me. My life has not been the same since them. They are threatening my family members who are still in the village; my elder brother called me this morning. He said they asked him to produce me or face dire consequences. They have gone to my employer and asked him to sack me. I am scared to move around because they are using police to harass us, using false allegation to cow everybody,”

    The Police Public Relations Officer, Delta Command, Celestina Kalu (DSP) who was contacted by our reporter, said she was not aware of the incident. DSP Kalu promised to investigate and get details of the incident from the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Ugborikoko before getting back to us. She was yet to do so at press time. But a source at the station told our reporter that the instruction to arrest Zikoregha came from above, adding, “We were instructed to follow up.”

     

    Odimodi under siege; elders are helpless – Prince Ikirie

     

    One of the aggrieved leaders of the community, Prince Wilfred Ikirie, told our report that the community was under siege by persons who use brute force to silence those who spoke out against them. Ikirie, a former youth leader of the community said the elders are afraid and cannot speak because of threat of retributions and unpleasant fates of Zikoregha and others.

    He said. “There is a cartel in Odimodi who assume control by using their militant strength. A constitution that the Amadiwei, is the sole authority and leader to inaugurate the leadership of the community has been abandoned. Unfortunately, this cartel is armed with militant power; they have taken over and overshadowed him. They forcefully swear-in themselves. Anybody who attempt to speak out and say the truth becomes their enemy.”

    “They said I took the community to court, but I said no, I only took impostors to court. For this they say my sisters must pay for lawyers to stand for them or else they would be banished from the town. We are under siege of militants and criminals parading themselves as leaders of Odimodi.”

     

    Navy’s reaction

     

    The Commander of the Nigerian Naval Ship (NNS) Delta, Commodore Musa Gemu, said such an arrest could not have been made by him, pointing out that he had fought the oil theft war without reservation, adding that he would rather have defended the victim if he had been informed of his activities. According to him, no naval officer could have made the said arrest without his knowledge and that he would have done so, if he had known of any case as that, in the glare of media.

    “He was not arrested by the navy, there’s no way anybody will be arrested by my command and I won’t know about it, not to talk of transferring the case to Abuja. I am the chief officer here and nothing of such nature happening escapes my attention. When I arrest, I don’t hide it, I make sure I invite you people (media) to be witnesses.

    “However, we are not unaware of people impersonating the navy, we just recently arrested some persons impersonating the army. If I had heard about this matter early enough, I would have by now gotten to the roots because we are talking about a human life now and I don’t joke with that. This case you are talking about is something else and I can sincerely tell you that the navy is not involved, we didn’t make any such arrest,” Gemu said.

     

     

  • Outrage over pipeline contracts to Tompolo, Gani Adams, others

    Outrage over pipeline contracts to Tompolo, Gani Adams, others

    Wide criticisms are trailing  President Goodluck Jonathan’s approval of contracts for securing  the waterways and  oil pipelines to companies owned by ex-militants and  factional leaders of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC).

    The Presidency  is understood to have  directed the Police and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to quit the job for the companies which have been signed on by the government.

    Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief   Niyi Akintola, described the plan as an act of corruption which  has no  precedent anywhere in the world.

    “Why must we encourage the establishment and operation of ex-militants in securing our oil pipelines? What is the responsibility of the Police and the Navy if the ex-militants are to be saddled with the responsibility?  It is an act of corruption in itself and I don’t think the intention has any precedent anywhere in the world. I don’t know when tribal militias have the right to carry out security surveillance in the country.

    “When given the contracts, would they not be interested in having their own national cake? It appears all you need to become a millionaire and command respect in the country is to be a militant. I don’t think a decent society would encourage this because it emboldens other militants to ask for a similar advantage and this is why we are in this quagmire.”

    He feared that the plan could lead to another form of insurgency “and that will amount to endangering the society the more.  The financiers of Boko Haram are certainly regretting their actions today.  So the Federal Government should think twice and allow the Navy and the Police to do their jobs.

    “In Dubai, there is always constant air force patrol in the sky.  After the 9/11 attack in America, their air force patrols the city all the time. That is what nations that are serious about their internal security do. They don’t entrust their security to militants.”

    Lagos lawyer, Festus Keyamo blasted the Federal Government for conceiving the idea in the first place, saying: “It is irresponsible of the Federal Government to give up part of its security to individuals. The money that would be given to such people should be used to equip the Police and the Navy. If this is done, they will perform better. The plan is simply a political patronage. Those people will not guide anything. It is all part of corruption on the part of the Federal Government.”

    Retired Police Commissioner, Abubarkar Tsav, blamed the plan on the desperation of President Jonathan to win the forthcoming presidential election at all costs.

    His words: “It is wrong to do such. Jonathan is too desperate. It may be that he wants to use them against Nigerians. We have the Police and the Navy to do that. Why is he bringing in the ex-militants and OPC people to do their job? He has possibly done that  because of this election. Jonathan has lost focus and I don’t know what our security chiefs are doing. The security of the country appears not to mean anything to them.”

    He warned that: “If we abandon the Police and the  Navy that are trained and engage ex-militants who have at one time or the other attacked the country to secure our water ways and oil pipelines, it will spell doom for the country.  I was really very sad when I read the story.”

    Dr Junaid Mohammed, Second Republic lawmaker, said: “This latest reckless move by Jonathan and the PDP with their collaborators in the  Senate and the House of Representatives  is an indication of the desperate stand with which the party and the government are prepared to endorse Jonathan at all costs.

    “You can’t hire out the functions of the government to an individual no matter how connected they are. If they do that, it means they don’t mind to do anything illegal to win the election.  I don’t know the values that ex-militants, Gani, Fasheun  and others have to improve  the security in our water ways and oil pipelines.”

    Barrister Collins Dike, Secretary General of Rivers Lawyers Network, said they are free to get contracts from the Federal Government, but was quick to point out that the matter goes beyond the law.

    “From the security perspective, giving the security of the oil pipelines and the water ways to the likes of Tompolo is a serious matter. He was given  a similar contract before and with all the money that was given to him by the Federal Government, the security situation became worse. This simply means that they don’t have the capacity to provide such security. What security qualification do they have to even do that?” he said.

    Wilson Esangbedo, a security expert, advised the government to remove politics from security issues because the plan could push the country into a crisis.

    He said: “The government should know what is right and they should it. The militants can turn the  ships meant for securing the waterways against us.  They are not professionals and have no professional ethics. Militants are used to taking things by force and if the government refuses to meet their demands, it may have grave consequence. “

  • Attack sparks outrage in Ondo community

    RARELY a year after he was arrested by the police over alleged involvement in the killing of a Prince, Titilola, a traditional ruler in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State is in the news again. He is being accused of alleged attack on Prince Faforiti  Awolowo. Incidentally, Awolowo, is a family member of the deceased.

    Sources hinted that the monarch and 10 others would soon appear in court over the matter.

    Lawyer to the Awolowo family, Mr. Koboju Atima, told reporters in Akure that the monarch’s action was callous.

    Atima, who was accompanied by the victim’s wife, Arolawa, alleged that the monarch led about 14armed thugs to Awolowo’s residence at Okoga, in Igbokoda on January 2.

    He said the suspected assailants reportedly shot sporadically into the air, forcing residents to scamper for safety.

    The lawyer alleged that the hoodlums later shot Awolowo in the chest and took his body away in the process.

    Mrs.  Awolowo lamented that all her pleas to rescue her husband were turned down by the monarch.

    She said: “I saw the monarch and his boys with my two eyes as they shot and descended on my husband. I begged them to spare his life but they didn’t listen to me. Rather they assaulted me and smashed my head on the wall.

    “There was blood everywhere. My husband’s blood flowed like a river as they forcefully took his body away.”

    The family counsel said it could not be ascertained whether Awolowo was still alive or dead because his whereabouts remained unknown after he was forcefully taken away by the assailants.

    Atima said the matter was later reported to the Divisional Police Officer (DP0) at Igbokoda, but claimed no action was taken on the matter.

    He accused the police of aiding the monarch in terrorising innocent residents of the town.

    Atima said Igbokoda witnessed unprecedented peace in the last two months when the DPO went on a course until two weeks ago when he returned to the ancient town.

    While appealing to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to personally investigate the allegation against the monarch and his boys, the counsel called for the immediate redeployment of the DPO in the interest of peace.

    It would be recalled that the monarch is currently standing trial over the murder of Prince Lebi, who was a cousin to the missing Awolowo.

    When contacted, police spokesman in the state, Wole Ogodo, said he was yet to be briefed on the development.

    The monarch could not be reached on phone, but one of his chiefs who spoke in confidence said the allegation against the monarch was untrue.

  • Outrage as ex-NBA chief Wali is kidnapped

    Outrage as ex-NBA chief Wali is kidnapped

    SANs, others seek colleague’s release

    There is outrage in the land over the kidnap of former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President Okey Wali (SAN).

    Wali was kidnapped at about 9pm on Saturday in Port Harcourt.

    NBA, in a statement by its president Augustine Alegeh (SAN), said: “ The Nigerian Bar Association has just received shocking news that the 26th President, Okey Wali (SAN) was on Saturday 11th October, 2014 at about 9pm kidnapped by unknown persons in Port Harcourt.

    “Wali is a man of peace who has not only contributed immensely to the enthronement of rule of law and protection of human rights, but also to the development of our Nation.

    “It is, therefore, saddening that he should become a kidnap victim. This sad event is yet another reminder of the state of insecurity in which all Nigerians live.

    “The NBA calls on the Federal Government to step up efforts to fulfill its primary constitutional role of providing for the welfare and security of all Nigerians.

    “We passionately appeal to his abductors for his immediate and safe release to his family.”

    There is no demand for ransom yet.

    The men of the Rivers Police Command, headed by Dan Bature, immediately swung into action and recovered Wali’s car, which was abandonned at the Ozuoba Junction on NTA-Choba Road in Port Harcourt, while still on trail of the kidnappers.

    It was learnt that the kidnappers trailed Wali, a Rivers indigene, to Ozuoba Junction, stopped in front of his vehicle, shot into the air many times to scare other motorists and passersby in the densely-populated Ikwerre community and dragged him out of his car into their steaming vehicle and sped off to Choba River, beside UNIPORT, where he was whisked away in a speed boat to an unknown destination.

    Rivers police spokesman Muhammad Kidaya Ahmad, who confirmed the kidnap of the ex-NBA President by  telephone, assured that efforts were being made to ensure his early release unhurt, while expressing optimism that the gunmen would soon be apprehended and prosecuted, to serve as a deterrent to other criminally-minded people.

    Ahmad said: “Okey Wali was kidnapped while going home, sometime in the early hours of last night. As soon as the police got the information of his abduction, we swung into action. His vehicle was recovered at Ozuoba. We are still on their trail, with a view of rescuing him safely and possible apprehension of his abductors.”

    The Pan African Lawyers Union (PALU) yesterday added its voice to the call on security agencies to secure Wali’s release.

    The group’s Vice President, Emeka Obegolu said, in a statement, that PALU received the news of Wali’s kidnap “with a sense of foreboding.”

    It urged security agencies in the country “to ensure the immediate release of this committed African Bar leader and his safe return to his family.

    “We call on his abductors to spare Okey Wali SAN from harm as his voice has remained constant against all the evils besieging Nigeria and the African continent.  We join his family and the NBA in prayers for his safe homecoming,” PALU said.

    Lagos lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN) and former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja, Monday Ubani have urged the federal government and the Rivers state government not leave any stone unturned in securing the release of the former of the association , Mr. Okey Wali (SAN) from the custody of the kidnappers.

    In a statement issued in Lagos yesterday, Falana said all hands must be on deck in combating the menace of abduction, armed robbery, terrorism and other violent crimes plaguing the society adding     “these crimes should be fought and defeated like the Ebola virus. Apart from mobilizing security forces to end these dangerous crimes the government should fight illiteracy and unemployment in the country”.                                                                                                                                                                       He advised the leadership of the NBA to go beyond the usual issuance of a press statement in demanding for the immediate release of the senior lawyer from the custody of the kidnappers. He recalled that when Kayode Ajulo and Chief Mike Ozekhome SAN were kidnapped in the Federal Capital Territory and Edo state respectively, he called on the NBA “to embark on a symbolic protest with a view to compelling the federal government to halt the obscene commercialization in the liberty of unarmed Nigerians and foreigners alike by human traffickers. But the Wali-led NBA ignored my call”.

    He noted that since then,  hundreds of people have been kidnapped in Rivers, Bayelsa and other states of the Federation. “In the north east zone women and girls have been seized and subjected to serial rape by their abductors. While the fundamental rights of abducted persons to life, liberty, dignity and freedom of movement were being violated by criminal gangs the NBA felt totally unperturbed.        “Even the barbaric assassination of lawyers and the primitive abduction of over 270 Chibok girls in Borno state did not worry the NBA. As it is now crystal clear that no citizen is safe in any part of the country, lawyers can no longer maintain questionable silence in the face of the from massive violations of the human rights of the people by lawless individuals”, he stated.

    The erudite lawyer stated, “having abdicated it’s responsibility of securing the life and property of every citizen the Federal Government has left the families and friends of the victims of abductions to pay ransom to secure their release from custody. Sadly, some of the kidnapped persons lost their lives. Henceforth, the NBA must institute actions praying the courts to compel the Federal Government to refund any ransom paid for the release of any abducted person. More importantly, the NBA should embark on urgent measures designed to compel the Federal Government to actualize section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of a Nigeria which stipulates that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government”, he said.

    Ubani , in his reaction, described as highly condemnable the abduction of the immediate past President of the association, Okey Wali (SAN).

    Ubani wondered why Wali, who according to him is not a politician, could be kidnapped.

    “Wali’s abduction is highly condemnable. I plead for his release. The abductors should spare the country and legal profession the agony  of any pain and loss. The man is not a politician and does not have the kind of money they may be demanding. They should release him unconditionally and promptly too”, he pleaded.

    To the first female NBA President, Dame Prisicilia Kuye, Wali’s abduction is a terrible thing which the government must stop.

    She called on the government to put in place stiffer punishment for kidnappers and ensure the laws are fully implemented.

    “The problem in this country is that we do not implement laws. If an example could be set with three or four people, the menace of kidnapping will stop.

    “What has Wali done? Why kidnap him? This is also a threat to the judicial system especially if one recalls the Ekiti State saga, where a serving judge was beaten and his cloth torn.

    “With the way things are going, there is every possibility of anarchy. I urge the Inspector General of Police to look into these issues and get the suspects apprehended.

    “Also, I plead with Wali’s abductors to release him. The government should also create jobs for unemployed youths in order to reduce the menace,” she said.

    Former Attorney ýGeneral and Commissioner of Justice, Edo State, Dr. Ossgie Obayuwana, called on Nigerians to engage in civil disobedience in order to compel the government to meet its basic responsibility of securing lives and properties.

    He described Nigeria as a failed state running on auto-pilot.

    “I call on the Nigerian people to engage in civil disobedience ý until the state can assure us, her citizens of the protection of our lives and properties.

    “The state has disarmed us and still not doing anything to provide protection for us; how can such a state expect us to continue to be loyal to it and pay taxes?

    “We should defer such a state until they realise that this matter is serious. When Goodluck Jonathan’s uncle was kidnapped, did that arouse the importance to put in place an effective police force? It did not. They just negotiated and got him released.

    “This is a country where we had a judge kidnapped and his finger chopped off as a bargaining chip.

    “The whole situation is evidence of a failed state because it shows the state has failed in its fundamental obligation of protecting lives and properties.

    “When you call ýfor help from the police, there is no assurance you will get protection. Nigeria is on auto-pilot. You cannot be talking about democracy when its basics have been abused with impunity.

    “Our police and military are overwhelmed. I am not surprised it is Wali because it could have been anybody at anytime. The only people who enjoy some measure of protection are those in political offices. Perhaps, the executive but they tooo are not save because their relations are not spared.

    “It is a fundamental challenge and the question all these poses to the Nigerian people is what to do to get the state to meet its obligation to the people? There is need for  a new revolution to get the state to meet its fundamental obligations.

    “People should revolt to get the government to meet its responsibility to the citizens as foundation to pay taxes,” he said.

    Constitutional lawyer Norrison Quakers (SAN)ý said Wali’s abduction  is a pointer to the security challenge in the nation.

    “How do we explain the kidnapping of a thorough bred professional. If a former President of an association such as the NBA can be kidnapped at gun point, who then is safe?

    “Government should immediately address the multifarious security issues, so that professionals can criss-cross the nation contributing their quota to societal development and encourage external investment.

    “The spate of abduction is too rampant and frequent. The constitutional responsibility of government in terms of security must not only be seen to be done but must in fact be done, said Quakers.

  • Outrage grows over $9.3m seized in South Africa

    Outrage grows over $9.3m seized in South Africa

    JNI, Akume demand probe of smuggled cash from Nigeria

    There was more outrage yesterday over the smuggling of $9.3million from Nigeria into South Africa purportedly to buy arms.

    Islamic body Jama’atu Nasir Islam (JNI) expressed disbelief that such a mission was undertaken ostensibly on behalf of government.

    Senate Minority Leader Geroge Akume expressed “utmost dismay and anger” over the matter. He criticised Christian Association of Nigerian (CAN) President Ayo Oritsejafor for his role in the matter.

    The CAN leader has admitted having a “residual interest” in Eagle Airline Limited, owners of the Bombadier jet to ferry the cash from Abuja to Johannesburg on September 5”.

    He, however, said the plan had been leased to another company since August. The company gave the plane  out on charter.

    Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) expressed disbelief over the impounding of the jet in South Africa, laden with $9.3 million in cash, purportedly to buy arms in the country, saying that the matter became more of concern to JNI because the government has full knowledge of it, despite its illegality.

    A statement by JNI Secretary General, Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu in Kaduna yesterday said: “Government should tell Nigerians the real fact on the issue. We hope the matter will not be wheedled with. However, we note with dismay the unguarded utterances of some leaders that they will call on their followers to defend themselves.

    “Also we note the uncourteous speeches attacking other leaders, which leave much to be desired and overheat the polity.

    “JNI demands answers to why were the presidential fleet of jets not used? Is government short of official agents which necessitated assigning non official ones? With the current trend of cashless financial transaction, why is such huge amount carried in cash? And isn’t arms deals executed via third parties?

    “Where is the Ministry of Defence and the office of the National Security Adviser? Was due process followed through relevant government agencies? And are bilateral matters dealt with in that way?”

    The apex Islamic body in the North also urged Senators and Reps to rise initiate a special discussion on the matter, which according to it, as urgent public interest revolves on it, as it relates to threat to national security.

    “The EFCC must wholly play its role in this direction by prosecuting those involved to adequately face the wrath of the law. It doesn’t matter whose ox is gored.

    “We are in support of any move to restore peace and security and we will not waiver. We commend the efforts of security agents in the fight against terrorism and the successes so far achieved,” the statement added.

    Akume statement said the circumstances surrounding the incident suggested that those ferrying the money did it in open breach of Nigerian and international laws.

    “South Africa has already established a prima facie case of criminality involved in the questionable misadventure.”

    Pastor Oritsejafor’s arguments are unsustainable because he has vicarious liability at several levels. One, the vessel used for criminal activity belongs to him. Secondly, he commercially leased the vessel to Eagle Air, which is a company he holds an interest in and which in turn further leased same to the company that converted it to commercial use with his full knowledge and approval. The chain of ethical liability is unbroken. How will the pastor explain his involvement with people engaged in the murky waters of international arms trafficking?”

    “The President of CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, claimed that his congregation donated this same jet to him on the 40th anniversary of his ministry sometime in 2012 for the purpose of attending to his flock and doing God’s work. The plane, a Bombardier Challenger 600, was registered as a privately owned jet supposedly for pastoral use. However, the three passengers arrested in South Africa with the aircraft were definitely not on pastoral visit to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

    “Unfortunately, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has jumped into this fray, hurling insults on respectable members of the society and making statements that are more political than spiritual. I wish to remind officials of CAN that when on 27th August, 1976, Christian leaders first met at the Catholic secretariat, Lagos, they agreed to establish an organisation that would promote cooperation among Christians, interfaith harmony and safeguard the welfare of all Nigerians. When CAN was eventually registered in 1986, its constitution clearly articulated among other objectives to act as ‘watchperson of the spiritual and moral welfare of the Nation’. Another core objective is to promote understanding, peace and unity among the various people of Nigeria.

    From the pioneer president of CAN His Eminence Dominic Cardinal Ekannem through his revered successors like His Eminence Anthony Cardinal Okogie, Dr. Sunday Mbang, Most Rev. Peter Akinola and the immediate past President of CAN and Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, His Eminence John Cardinal Onaiyekan, CAN witnessed its glorious years.

    “My appeal to Pastor Oritsejafor is that as a Christian leader, his beacon should be Jesus the Christ. “

    “I advise him to sell this controversial jet and use the funds to reconstruct or rehabilitate churches destroyed by Boko Haram in the northeast of Nigeria. This advice is especially apt now that the Pastor no longer needs the plane for pastoral duties,” Akume said.

  • Boko Haram: Outrage over Jonathan’s $1b loan request

    Boko Haram: Outrage over Jonathan’s $1b loan request

    APC, Tinubu, lawyers to lawmakers: say no

    Minister defends plan

    There is outrage over the proposal by President Goodluck Jonathan to secure the National Assembly’s nod to obtain a $1billion loan to buy arms and ammunition to strengthen the fight against Boko Haram.

    Minister of State for Defence Musiliu Obanikoro, said at the weekend during his tour of Naval formation in Delta and Bayelsa states, said major military equipment had not been procured by successive governments in 25 years – to justify the need for the loan.

    Obanikoro, accompanied by the Commanding Officer, NNS Delta, Navy Captain Musa Gemu, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Naval Engineering School, Rear Admiral Sidi H Usman and Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Peter Agba, said the war against terrorism would soon be won.

    On the state of the military, the minister said: “So far so good, but in real terms and given the goals that we have set for ourselves as a nation, there is the need for more investment. No doubt about that.

    “Funding will forever remain an issue. I schooled in the U.S. Anywhere, funding is a problem in terms of the military. It is not peculiar to Nigeria alone. I recognise the fact that if you have a responsibility to somebody, the person must be equipped to carry out such responsibility.

    “The Federal Government has resolved that within the limited resources available, the military is properly kitted to deal with the challenges confronting the country for now and the future.

    “The president is committed to that and he has taken practical steps. As I speak to you today, some of the acquisition we are doing to beef up military capacity have not been done in the last 25 years. That, to me, is what progress is all about.”

    Speaking in Yola, Obanikoro said: “It is not true that the military is not well motivated. We must recognise and appreciate the effort of President Goodluck Jonathan since he came on board.

    “I can tell you that in the last 25 years, we have not made major acquisitions in terms of platforms for the Navy,  amunition and equipment generally for the military.

    “It is Jonathan that has started doing that now and it is as a result of neglect that we are suffering today. But that we are also trying to overcome with this new acquisition.

    “There is no doubt that we have both men and women who can deliver under any situation and they are acclaimed worldwide to be among the best. If they can solve issues outside, why will they not be able to solve issues at home.”

    The pattern of Defence Budget in the last 25 years showed a sharp increase, but most of the funds reportedly went to personnel and overhead costs.

    This year’s budget has the highest allocation to Defence N968.127 billion  out of total budget of N4.962 trillion.

    The capital budget has always been spent on buildings, uniforms, some ammunition and vehicle spares parts.

    It was learnt that there was a little improvement in 2012 when the Navy bought two offshore patrol vessels and six coastal patrol boats and some spares.

    It was gathered that in the same year, the Air Force acquired 12 Augusta 109 helicopters and some uniforms, reactivated C-130 and G222 Alpha Jets.

    A military source said: “The military budgets over the years were not meant for massive equipment. They were meant for administration, logistics,training and day-to-day running of the establishment.

    “Nobody envisaged a war of this magnitude. This matter should not be unnecessarily sensationalised or politicised. These are facts Nigerians should be made to know.

    The source spoke on the telephone and pleaded not to be quoted.

    In an article in 2012, which drew the ire of the Presidency, a former Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, gave an insight into the nation’s defence budget.

    He said: “Military spending the world over averages about 2.5 per cent of GDP, with the USA being the highest spender – about $700billion, which is about 5 per cent of GDP. In Africa, the leading military spender is Algeria, ranked 29th in the world, with 3.8 per cent of GDP, followed by Egypt (41st, 2.1 per cent), Angola (42nd, 4.2 per cent), and South Africa (43rd, 1.3 per cent). Nigeria is ranked 57th in the world then earmarking $1.724billion – about 0.9 per cent of our GDP on defence. Even a smaller country like Morocco, ranked 48th with 3.4 per cent of GDP out-spends us! In contrast, countries at near state-of-war like Lebanon (58th, 4.1 per cent) and Sudan (56th, 4.1 per cent) are in our neighbourhood in terms of defence outlays.

    “Our current budget for defence has climbed slightly to just over 1 per cent of GDP.”

    From N1.2 billion in 1988, the defence budget moved to N968.127 billion in this year’s budget.

    The opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday urged the National Assembly not to give its go-ahead for the President to take the loan.

    It urged the government to account for the “missing” $20 billion oil money, saying “massive corruption and lack of accountability is behind the government request for loan”.

    To APC national leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, “the loan is dubious”, “Nigerians must reject it,” he said.

    Lagos lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) urged the National Assembly to reject the President’s request, saying there was no justification for the loan.

    The activist recalled that between 2010 and 2013, over N3 trillion was budgeted for defence.

    “Under the Appropriation Bill signed into law on May 23, 20 per cent of the entire federal budget i.e the sum of N968.127 billion out of N4.962 trillion, was earmarked for defence,” Falana said.

    He advised the Senate to find out what happened to the defence budget in the middle of the year to warrant a supplementary budget of N160 billion.

    Other senior lawyers urged the National Assembly to scrutinise the request.

    Joseph Nwobike and Sebastine Hon (both Senior Advocates of Nigeria) said, the legislature should monitor the application of the funds – if it gives the go-ahead.

    Nwobike said in view of the growing insecurity in the country, no amount was too much to spend on a secured environment for the people.

    Hon urged the National Assembly to extract, undertaking from the President to assure the country that the money would actually be spent for the purpose for which it was being sought.

    Nwobike said:”With the growing security challenges in the country; insurgency in the Northeast, as well as oil theft and sea piracy and other maritime crimes in the southern part of the country, I think there is a need for the government to acquire sophisticated military hardware and training for our military to be able to combat these crimes.

    “We should not ground in the argument about whether money had been spent in the past or not. What we should be concerned with is how to tackle these challenges, which are not only threatening the fabric of our nation, but also interfering with our economic life.

    “In other words, we all know how much Nigeria has lost since this insurgency, oil theft and other maritime crimes started. What we have lost in a year is more than $10billion. So if we spend $1b to equip our military so that they can stop or nip in the bud, this escalating criminality, I think is a welcome development.”

    “The only thing that I will ask the National Assembly to do in approving the loan is to improve  on their oversight function, such that they will be able to monitor in great details, where the money will be spent, what it will be spent on, and the benefit capital, which the money will be able to generate in the area of security of lives and property in the country,” Nwobike said.

    Hon said : “The question that will arise is, what has been the effect of the spending on the military so far? Is it that it has not been fully utilised or there are some extraordinary measures requiring external borrowing, in addition to what has been budgeted for to take care of the military?

    “I think as the Commander-in-Chief, he is the person wearing the shoes and he knows where they are pinching him.

    “The National Assembly should extract an undertaking from the President to the effect that if this amount is approved, he will tackle the insurgency that is ravaging our country.

    “The National Assembly should audit the military in view of the fact that there have been allegations flying here and there that substandard equipment are being supplied to soldiers fighting the insurgents and that heavy money has been misappropriated or taken away outrightly.

    “So, I advise that there should be probity and accountability to make Nigerians appreciate the imperative for looking for additional funds,” Hon said.

  • Outrage in Anambra community over member’s disappearance

    Outrage in Anambra community over member’s disappearance

    There is tension in Obosi in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

    Residents of the community, including youths, are protesting against disappearance of Mr. Tochukwu Nebo, who is popularly known as Baby Boy. He is loved by many for safeguarding Obosi collective heritage when he was chairman of Obosi Land Management Committee (OLMC) and for his role in enthroning Igwe A.C Iweka as traditional ruler of Obosi Kingdom.

    Nebo hails from Ire Village. He is married to Chinenye with who he has five children. A petty trader, Chinenye is searching for her husband who disappeared on December 16, last year after he was allegedly summoned by the Igwe’s secretary.

    Since then, the family has written several petitions to the Nigerian Police, State Security Service and other security agencies for intervention. Traditional rulers and community leaders were also petitioned over the matter. A petition was also sent to the National Security Adviser to President Jonathan, Col. Sambo Dasuki, last month seeking his intervention.

    In the petition, it was stated that some members of Obosi Vigilance Group battered him in public and later took him to the palace of their sponsor and principal, Mr A. C. Iweka.

    “Our clients further informed us that when they asked for the whereabouts of their son, they were told that Mr A. C. Iweka handed them over to the officers of the State Security Services in Awka. When we visited the office of the SSS at Awka, they denied having our client’s son in their custody. We have equally sourced all the police formations in the state without locating our client’s son.

    “Our clients believe that the people have either killed their son or are detaining him in a secret location preparatory to killing him.

    “Our clients’ belief is also supported by a story in the Sunday Sun Newspaper of December 22, 2013 page 15 where Mr A.C. Iweka owned up that he sent the Obosi Vigilance Group to go after our clients’ son. He also confirmed that they brought him to his palace. In the article, he claimed that our clients’ son is a criminal and a torn in his flesh. This is far from the truth. We enclose herewith pictures showing how close A.C. Iweka and our clients’ son were before they fell out. We also have video clips of their relationship to debunk claim that he was a criminal.

    “Consequently, we implore you to arrest these people and compel them to produce our clients’ son, who has been in their custody since the 16th day of December, 2013. Mr A.C. Iweka maintains that he can get away with any atrocity he commits because of his connections and status,” the petition said.

    His wife, Chinenye said: “I saw my husband last on December 16, 2013. At 7:00 in the morning that day, he left for Igwe Iweka’s palace after he received a phone call from the Palace Secretary for a brief meeting with the monarch. Later, a man came to inform us that Baby Boy was being tortured by the security men attached to the Igwe.

    “I boarded a commercial motorcycle to Anyafulu’s house who is the current chairman of OLMC. His hands were tied as Igwe’s security men continued to beat him. Blood oozed out from all parts of his body.

    “They fired shots in the air to scare people away from the scene. I ran to Igwe’s palace to plead for leniency for my husband which he ignored. Rather he ordered the soldiers to take him away. So, they took my husband to an unknown destination.

    ”We have searched for him at the office of the Special Armed Robbery Squad (SARS), State Security Service (SSS), among others without success. Our fear is that they might have killed him as they did many youths of our town. We plead with Igwe and his cohorts to release my husband.

    “Government, civil society organisations, pressure groups, the media and other relevant agencies should help to ensure justice prevails.”

    Mother of Baby Boy, Christy Nebo, called for a thorough interrogation to find out her son’s current situation. She accused the palace security men of maiming and killing innocent youths.

    She said: “I am calling for his immediate release dead or alive by whoever is holding him.”

    Similarly, a prominent son of Obosi community, Prince Emeka Ike Orizu has called for a thorough investigation into all the alleged killings in the community.

    He called on prominent citizens of Obosi like the former Secretary of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, the Commandant of Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Osita Chidoka; and Chief Dan Chuke, Nigeria’s former Minister of State for Aviation to call for thorough investigation into the death of no fewer than 23 youths of Obosi.

    He wondered why they should dub the killed youths cultists, rapists and robbers.

    Recounting his ordeal in the hands of the security men, Prince Orizu said: “These people go about brandishing sophisticated arms and ammunition.  I urge the media, human rights organisations, international liberty organisations, pressure groups, state and National Assemblies and the Presidency to rescue the people of Obosi Kingdom from these blood thirsty individuals before they finish us,” Prince Orizu said.

    When contacted for comment on matter, Igwe A.C Iweka, through the Palace Secretary, Shedrack Okenwa denied any involvement in any misfortune that befell Baby Boy.

    He exonerated himself of being part of the problems in Obosi.

    He said: “Obosi youths didn’t engage in any form of riot because they have no problems about land. Those that clashed were cultists.”

    Reacting, the Security Adviser Ikenwa said one Baby Boy was arrested because of the girl he raped, adding that, after his arrest, he was handed over to the State Security Services (SSS). He also said “the Anambra State Director of SSS is in a better position to know where Baby Boy is and not the security people doing their community policing.

    “How can we kill Baby Boy who we handed over to the SSS? Let them go to the SSS.

    On the allegation by Prince Orizu who alleged the Igwe security men beat him, Ikenwa said “if he was beaten, it was not during his tenure as security adviser.”

    He added: “We don’t kill and we are not security men to the Igwe but to the community under community policing of the state government.”

    But reacting to the allegation by Obosi Security Adviser that Baby Boy was handed over to the State Security Services (SSS) who took him to Awka, the state Director of SSS, Mr Alexander Okeiyi said the family of Baby Boy has not visited his office to ask about their son, saying they should visit him.

    Okeiyi said: “This is not a matter we can discuss over the phone. Ask them if they have come to ask about him in the SSS. They have not come to find out if their son is with us? They have not come to us. Ask them to come.

    “This is not only an issue of rape but also a criminal offence involving kidnapping and killing. I hope you are aware of the killings in Obosi? The same groups are behind the killings in Obosi and I want the media to partner us in wiping away kidnappers and criminals from the society.

    “I don’t know how many they have killed but there are killings in Obosi. They are involving the media now to deter me from coming to stop the mess as I did last year when it became unbearable.”

    The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State, Usman Gwary, who spoke through the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Emeka Chukwuemeka said Baby Boy was never handed over to the police, adding that the family of Baby Boy, knows who their son was handed over to.

    He said: “Baby Boy was not handed over to us. At no time was he handed over to the police. The family knows who their son was handed over to and if you ask them, they will tell you it is not the Nigerian police.

    “I don’t know the number of people already killed in Obosi but we are investigating the matter. I know there have been killings and the CP is not sleeping over that.”

     

  • Outrage in Cross River community over missing health worker

    Outrage in Cross River community over missing health worker

    There is outrage in Obanliku Local Government of Cross River State following the perceived reluctance of relevant authorities to follow up the disappearance of a health worker Mrs Helen Ilonge, from the area since September last year.

    Until her disappearance, the 48-year-old widow was the Coordinator of the Primary Health Care in neighbouring Bekwarra Local Government in the state and was said to be an outstanding worker who oversaw a zero mother/child mortality rate.

    For her five children life seems to have lost meaning and they believe their mother did not deserve what she got.

    Life for the children, who lost their father in 2000, has been traumatic and members of the Obanliku community feel more could be done about the situation in terms of following up the matter and making sure all culprits are brought to book as well as cater for the welfare of her children, given her excellent performance while she was working.

    A youth leader of Obanliku, Williams Alelele, said they would express their grievance at the Mountain Race which holds in the area to show the world the pains the community was feeling over the matter, especially the woman’s children.

    He said, “Mrs Ilonge got missing on her way to Obanliku from Bekwarra. We once demonstrated and they caught some people regarding the case but at the end of the day nothing has happened. We have not even heard anything about the case. The children are suffering. Nothing is going on. We feel that we would carry out a peaceful demonstration to make government do something about it. Even if she is not here, she left some other people to take care of. So we want to carry placards and do something at the mountain race as it is a world event so that the whole world will see it.”

    Eldest daughter of the missing woman, Mishael, regretted that it was at about the time her mother was to be sent abroad for further training that the unfortunate incident occurred, hinting of possibly foul play especially given that her mother was the source of envy to many people in Bekwarra due to the accolades she got for her performance at work.

    Twenty five-year old Mishael, a graduate of Banking and Finance from the University of Calabar recounted: “My mummy was abducted on September 23, last year between Ogoja/Bekwarra are. She was coming from a church programme. We tried her number through 24th her number did not go through. On 25th, a Tuesday, her number connected and it was someone else who picked it and demanded for money. The person demanded for N50,000 ransom sent through recharge cards – N25, 000 Glo and N25, 000 MTN.

    “We quickly did that and then, the person said he was quickly going to sell the cards and then release my mum. The person said they were at Ishi Eke, behind Ebonyi State University. So we quickly did that and the person promised he was going to release our mother as soon as he confirmed the recharge cards. The person switched off the phone. We did not hear from the person again throughout that day until the next morning when the number connected again and it was another person that picked and was requesting to speak to one Jombo. That one was not even patient. At least the person the previous day was patient enough to ask us to send something. The second day the person was very unfriendly. My mum is being kept somewhere and the police are not doing enough. I don’t understand. I am strongly convinced my mother is alive.

    “My mother is a God-fearing person and I know in her wildest imagination she would not believe that someone would mete out this kind of punishment to her. My mummy travelled with her handbag and travelling bag and she and my pastor’s wife where together at the convention. My pastor’s wife said she bought books and a lot of gospel CDs and an umbrella that Jesus boldly written on it. The title of one of the books she bought was Girls of Destiny. None of these has been seen. No evidence to show.”

    Mishael said she heard her mother shouting in the background for a door to be opened while one of abductors, who was later found out to be Ifeanyi, called her to get the recharge cards.

    “She was supposed to be sponsored abroad by the government for training because of her enviable record. So I think that is where this problem starts from – people who envied her. She was supposed to be abroad but now they have destabilized everything because they don’t want her to go anywhere. Some people have been boasting they will use their connection to frustrate this case and they will do my mother anything that she does not have people to fight for her. This matter cannot just be pushed away. We have spent money but keep making no headway. Why? The government should please help us,” she cried.

    What irks the mind of Mishael and her siblings even more now is the seeming complacence of relevant authorities in pursuing the matter.

    Ifeanyi and others were arrested and have been facing trial since. But they are aggrieved that one of the main suspects, a supervisor for health in the area, has never appeared in court for one day.

    “The number one suspect recommended by the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) has never appeared in court and he keeps dodging. Is it that he is bigger than the law? This is eating us up and the government is not doing anything. Maybe because we are not connected or politicians or maybe because the woman is a widow. They have just left us to be fighting our own cause like that on all fronts.”

    Life has not been easy for Mishael, who shoulders the responsibility of looking after her younger ones, and her siblings.

    She says: “It has not been easy but we thank God for His grace and strength. My mother brought us up to know that in times like this, all our hope is God. The father to the d to fatherless and the God of the widows would not let us see shame. We have been praying and fasting. We have had sleepless nights.

    “I was about to turn 12 when we lost our father in 2000. She was still young. She could have married anybody if she wanted to but she did not want to. Instead she married her children. She lived and sweated for us. She lived in debt, borrowed to see us through school. That is why she has been so hard working, because of her children.

    “If they are saying they killed her, they should produce her body. Even if they have killed her she should be buried properly. They stopped her salary and they have forgotten about us. She was a government official and a very active civil servant. She was very productive in fighting so many diseases and she achieved a lot.

    “The Mountain race would not hold if the government does not intervene. You don’t know whether she is alive or dead. What are we living for? This woman has suffered for us and now we don’t even know where she is.”