The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Policeman

  • Policeman bags death penalty for extra-judicial killing

    A High Court in Lafia, Nasarawa State presided by Justice James Abundega yesterday sentenced a police officer, Sergeant Vincent Manu, to death for unlawfully killing a businessman, Stephen Anakwe in Karu local government and labelling him an armed robber.

    Manu was arraigned alongside five other police officers, including Inspector Danladi Lenkem, Inspector Edula Ateku who died in prison custody during the trial, Corporal Samson Magga, Corporal Musa Audu and Christopher Maikasuwa on a count charge of criminal conspiracy to kill the deceased while on patrol duty.

    Justice Abundega found Sergeant Manu who carried out the shooting guilty of murder, saying the prosecution was able to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt the convict intentionally killed the deceased.

    He rejected the defendant’s plea of self defence, adding that based on the evidence before him it was not plausible.

    He said the offence contravened section 220 and punishable under section 221 of the penal code.

    He absolved the other police officer of any wrong doing, discharging and acquitting them.

    “In the circumstances, the court finds the defendant guilty of the charge of causing the death of late Stephen Anakwe on the 13th of January 2012, he is accordingly convicted,” said Justice Abundega.

    He added: “It needs be said that the defendant came to his present circumstances on the account of apparent abuse of power and unbridled show of might”.

    He said that police officers who under the law are to perform the duties of detecting, apprehending offenders and protecting lives and property of citizens end up oppressing, brutalizing, even killing them.

    “In the light of the above, the punishment for the offence of culpable homicide which the defendant has been convicted of is mandatory death sentence.

    “The court does not have discretion to impose any other punishment much as it may, the defendant having been convicted for the offence of culpable homicide under section 221 of the penal code as charge, is sentenced to death, the sentence of the court upon you is that you be hanged by the neck until you be dead,” he said.

    Younger brother of the deceased, Stanley Anakwe, told our correspondent that justice has been served after six years of rigorous legal battles.

     

     

  • When is the policeman your friend?

    Sir: A few weeks ago the Police Command in Ogun State supplied a surprising answer to this poser during a time of unrest in some communities in Ota, the state’s industrial powerhouse. The people of Onibuku, Baba Ode and NAHCO sent an SOS via SMS to the Commissioner of Police Ahmed Iliyasu, asking him to dispatch his men to restore order.

    Within minutes the police chief called back, desiring to know the precise nature of the security breach and the exact location of the troubled areas. He was briefed and informed that members of the Omo Onile (land grabbers) in the area were disturbing the peace of the community through preventing landowners from developing their property. They were said to be seizing the tools of the workmen after beating and maiming them. This resulted in stampede, leading to residents shutting down business activities and withdrawing their wards from school. A resident reminded the police boss that there was a law passed by the state government that criminalizes the forcible entry of property by Omo onile. The law also forbids them from unleashing bodily harm, with a breach attracting severe penalties including death.

    The briefing ended with the CP Iliyasu promising that he would act to prevent a breakdown of law and order.

    In less than an hour after the conversation that night, residents of Onibuku, Baba Ode and NAHCO were surprised to see fully armed policemen in patrol vehicle combing the community for arrest of suspects. The presence of these law agents continued for days to hold the troublemakers in check. The hope of the people is that there would be lasting peace in the area. The residents also want the Ogun government to set up a task force to enforce its law on land grabbers.

    The point is that a friend in need is a friend indeed. The prompt response of CP Iliyasu to the cry of those citizens in Ota would make the people believe in the slogan, Police is your friend. They reached out to him in their distress and he didn’t fail them.

    CP Iliyasu’s action has bombed out the distressing view that the citizens must bribe the policeman before his duty. Of course there are several bad eggs in the force who have given wings to the perception of the police as a corrupt and severely compromised and irredeemably rotten organization. Iliyasu has proved that all you need to change society or an organization is a good and selfless leader.

    If our police and all other state actors would play their constitutional roles, then they must bear this in mind: they are a creation of the people and they owe us a debt of selfless service all year round as long as they are in state employ. They are our servants, not our lords and masters, even if they bear lethal arms. Such weapons are to protect us, not to persecute us.

    Again there must be a deal here. The society needs to invest massively in an organ of state in whose hands you are placing your life and property. If you want the best from him you must give him your best. On this score, we have failed the police!

    We must applaud those in our midst who, even as the odds we speak of in the society or in the state are raging to frustrate the delivery of patriotic service, are refusing to give up. They will do their work without being bribed. The land needs more of them to populate and drive our failing institutions.

     

    • Banji Ojewale, Ota, Ogun State.

  • Policeman to die by hanging for extra-judicial killing

    A state High Court in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, has sentenced a police sergeant, Jilla Lannubo, to death by hanging for extra-judicial killing.

    The court found the policeman guilty of killing Oruyegha Grand at Agudama on May 13, 2017.

    Lannubo, an indigene of Bokos community in Bokos Local Government of Plateau State, was attached to Mopol 30, Bayelsa Command.

    He was deployed in Akenfa Police Station for patrol duties when he committed the offence.

    The state special prosecutor, Arthur Seweniowor, said the offence was contrary to Section 247(1) of the Criminal Code Law. Cap c14 Laws of Bayelsa State 2006.

    Lannubo, who admitted shooting the deceased, said he did so to frighten him and stop him from escaping arrest.

    The prosecutor called 15 witnesses, including the deceased’s wife and brother.

    Justice Ineikade Eradiri held that essential ingredients for the establishment of murder were made available.

    He sentenced the accused to death by hanging.

  • Six men ‘assault’ policeman, cook over ‘missing manhood’

    A tricycle rider, Babagana Mustapha, and five of his friends, were yesterday arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court for allegedly assaulting a Beninoise cook and a policeman.

    According to the police, the men assaulted  Mickey Dauwo and Corporal Balogun Gideon after falsely accusing the cook of causing the disappearance of Mustapha’s genitals.

    Arraigned with Mustapha, 28, are Isa Hassan, 35; Kori Kambo 35; Alhaji Mustapha 40; Bulu Umar, 18; and Ismaila Babagana, 32.

    They are standing trial before Mrs A.M. Davis on a three-count charge of conspiracy, assault and breach of the peace.

    Prosecuting Sergeant Reuben Solomon alleged that the defendants committed the offence on March 14 at about 12:30pm on Saka Tinubu Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    The defendants, he said,  conducted themselves in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace by raising a false alarm about missing genitals.

    He alleged that the false allegation was a ploy to attack the cook.

    Solomon said: “The first defendant approached the cook, Mickey Dauwo, a Benin Republic national to help him split a N100 note into N50 notes, claiming he needed it as change for his passenger.

    “Immediately after Dauwo obliged him, the first defendant raised the alarm that his manhood was missing.

    “When Dauwo protested his innocence, he asked Dauwo to follow him to a hospital, so that a doctor could check whether his manhood was intact. But, rather than a hospital, he led Dauwo to an uncompleted building where the five other defendants were waiting. They began attacking the cook with different weapons and caused him bodily harm.

    “Corporal Balogun Gideon was passing by and saw them. When he asked what was going on, they attacked him too and injured him on the face, with one of his eyes swollen.”

    The defendants pleaded not guilty.

    Magiatrate Davis granted the defendants N120,000 bail each with two sureties in the like sum.

    The case continues on March 28.

  • Six men ‘assault’ policeman, cook over ‘missing manhood’

    A tricycle rider, Babagana Mustapha, and five of his friends, who allegedly assaulted a Beninoise cook and a policeman, were yesterday brought before an Lagos Magistrates’ Court in Igbosere.

    According to the police, the men assaulted the cook, Mickey Dauwo, and Corporal Balogun Gideon, after falsely claiming that Dauwo caused the disappearance of Mustapha’s genitals.

    Mustapha, 28, was arraigned alongside Isa Hassan, 35; Kori Kambo 35; Alhaji Mustapha 40; Bulu Umar, 18; and Ismaila Babagana, 32.

    They are standing trial before Mrs A.M. Davis on a three-count charge of conspiracy, assualt and breach of peace.

    Prosecuting Sergeant Ruben Solomon alleged that the defendant committed the offences last Wednesday (March 14) at about 12:30pm, on Saka Tinubu Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    Solomon said that the defendants conducted themselves in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace by raising a false alarm about missing genitals.
    He alleged that the false allegation was a ploy to attack the cook.

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    Solomon said: “The first defendant approached the cook, Mickey Dauwo, a Benin Republic national to help him split a N100 note into N50 notes, claiming he needed it as change for his passenger.

    “Immediately after Dauwo obliged him, the first defendant raised the alarm that his manhood was missing.

    “When Dauwo protested his innocence, he asked Dauwo to follow him to a hospital, so that a doctor could check whether his manhood was intact. But, rather than a hospital, he led Dauwo to an uncompleted building where the five other defendants were waiting. They began attacking the cook with different weapons and caused him bodily harm.

    “Corporal Balogun Gideon was passing by and saw them. When he asked what was going on, they attacked him too and injured him on the face, with one of his eyes swollen.”

    According to Solomon, the offences contravened sections 411, 168(D) and 173 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
    The defendants pleaded not guilty.

    Magiatrate Davis granted each defendant N120,000 bail with two sureties in the like sum.

    The case continues on March 28.

  • Policeman killed, three others injured in Delta

    A police sergeant was killed yesterday and three others injured when armed youths opened fire on a police patrol van at Obo-Deti community in Ndokwa West Local Government of Delta State.

    The incident followed a communal violence.

    The killing, which occurred at 6:30am, caused panic, as many fled their homes for fear of arrest by the police

    The Nation learnt that the police arrested youths allegedly involved in the communal crisis.

    It was gathered that the injured officers included two assistant superintendents of police and an inspector attached to Abbi and Kwale divisions.

    A source said trouble started over a dispute concerning the location of a transformer donated by the government.

    The source said youths loyal to a top government official informed him of the incident, and he allegedly mobilised security agents to arrest youths in the opposing camp.

    He said over 40 youths have been arrested.

    The Nation gathered that an aide to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa is being detained at the Police Command in connection with the violence.

    It was learnt that soldiers have been drafted to maintain peace in the community.

    Efforts to reach police spokesman Andrew Aniamaka proved abortive, as he did not pick his calls.

    Aniamaka also did not respond to text messages.

  • Policeman gets deadline to settle marital difference

    An Enugu State High Court yesterday gave Kyrian Ibe, a policeman and his wife, Lilian, till May 28 to settle their marital differences.

    Lilian had urged the court to dissolve their eight-year-old marriage for alleged maltreatment of the husband.

    The petitioner also begged the court to award her custody of their four-year-old son held hostage by her husband.

    She told the court that her husband, a policeman and lawyer, was maltreating her, adding that he locked her up in police custody for six days for no reason and took their son.

    “My son is in the custody of his brother, Philip, and he also locked me up in police cell for six days without cause,” he said.

    Ibe, in his response, had told the court that his wife was not submissive.

    He said his wife had been having extra-marital affairs, adding that this led to her arrest and detention by the police.

    “She left my house for another man’s house and I led some police men and arrested her,’’ he said.

    The respondent said that he still loved his wife and was ready for reconciliation to ensure that his family got back to its original state.

    Justice Afamefuna Nwobodo asked Lilian if she was ready to let her matrimonial home go.

    Lilian told the court that she did not want to leave her matrimonial home but wanted the court to save her from the husband’s maltreatment.

    Nwobodo urged the respondent’s younger brother and wife, Philip, to do their best and resolve the couple’s differences before the next sitting.

    He adjourned the matters till May 28 for reports of the proposed settlement.

  • Four injured as policeman, driver clash in Ondo

    A commercial bus driver was at the weekend allegedly brutalised by a police officer at Ogbagi-Akoko in Akoko North West Local Government of Ondo State.

    The Nation learnt that the driver, identified as

    Wale, was returning from a farm with 10 passengers when he was accosted by the officer.

    He was allegedly beaten up after disobeying the policeman, who asked him to stop at a check point close to a police post.

    It was gathered that the driver was beaten up while in motion, he lost control and the vehicle hit an electric pole. Three passengers were injured.

    The incident, which caused confusion, was, however, brought under control through the intervention of leaders of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).

    The officer was said to have fled. His identity could not be ascertained last night.

    The driver and passengers were said to have been hospitalised.

    Police spokesman Femi Joseph accused the driver of reckless driving.

    He alleged that there was an accident because the driver was reckless.

    Joseph said the driver caused the accident, but shifted the blame to the officer, who was performing his duty.

    He exonerated the officers attached to Ogbagi-Akoko from any offence, urging the public to desist from violence whenever the police and civilians were involved in any matter.

  • Suspected Boko Haram member remanded for killing policeman

    Suspected Boko Haram member remanded for killing policeman

    A self-confessed member of Boko Haram sect, Abdulsalam Adinoyi, has been remanded by an Ado-Ekiti Magistrates’ Court for allegedly killing a policeman.

    The 36-year-old sect member is on trial for killing Sergeant Gana Jiya in Oye-Ekiti at 11 pm, on February 2.

    According to Police Prosecutor Oriyomi Akinwale, the accused is facing a three-count charge of murder, terrorism and robbery.

    The prosecutor told the court that the accused confessed to the police that he was involved in many attacks by the Boko Haram sect in Kogi State in which many people were killed.

    The suspect’s offence contravenes sections 11 and 12 of Ekiti State Kidnap and Terrorism Law; Section 319 of the Criminal Code Cap and Section 1(2)(a)(b) of Robbery and Firearms (Prohibition Act) Cap R4 Laws of the Federation.

    The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    Counsel to the accused Mr. Busuyi Ayorinde applied for bail but the court turned it down.

    The Magistrate, Mrs. Dupe Afeniforo, ordered that the accused be remanded, pending a legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP).

    She adjourned the matter till March 26 for mention.

  • Suspected Boko Haram member remanded for killing policeman

    Suspected Boko Haram member remanded for killing policeman

    A self-confessed member of Boko Haram sect, Abdulsalam Adinoyi, has been remanded by an Ado-Ekiti Magistrate Court for allegedly killing a policeman on duty.

    The 36-year-old Abdulsalam is standing trial for killing Sergeant GanaJiya, while on lawful duty in Oye-Ekiti at about 11.00 pm on February 2.

    According to the Police Prosecutor, Mr. Oriyomi Akinwale, the accused is facing a three-count charge of murder, terrorism and armed robbery.

    The prosecutor told the court that the accused, while under interrogation, confessed to the Police that he was involved in many attacks carried out by the Boko Haram sect in Kogi State in which many people were killed.

    The offence allegedly committed by the suspect contravened Section 11 and 12 of Ekiti State Kidnap and Terrorism Law, Section 319 of the Criminal Code Cap and Section 1(2)(a)(b) of Robbery and Fire Arms (Prohibition Act) Cap R4 Laws of the Federation.‎

    The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    Counsel to the accused, Mr. Busuyi Ayorinde, applied for the bail of the accused, but the court turned down his application.

    The Magistrate, Mrs. Dupe Afeniforo, ordered that the accused be remanded pending legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP).

    ‎She adjourned the case until March 26 for mention.