The Nation Newspaper

Tag: suspects

  • UNIPORT four: Three more suspects held

    A Chief Magistrate’s Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, yesterday remanded in custody three students of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT).

    They were detained in connection with the October 5 murder of four undergraduates of the university in Aluu.

    The order came shortly after the resumed sitting ofthe court in which the 13 accused persons were remanded for their roles in the death of the four youths.

    Finebone Jeffrey (23), Joshua Ekpe (27) and Abang Cyril (27), according to police prosecutors, were involved in the killing of the UNIPORT Four.

    Deputy Commissioner of Police, State Criminal Investigative Department (SCID) Sam Okaula confirmed the accused as UNIPORT students.

    He alleged that they caused the death of the victims by attacking them with a dog.

    Okaula said the dog was also in police custody.

    On October 5, the four undergraduates were lynched at Omuokiri-Aluu for allegedly stealing mobile phones and laptops.

    The victims were Biringa Chiadika Lordson (20), Ugonna Kelechi Obuzor (18), Lloyd Toku Mike (18) and Tekena Erikena (20).

    On October 17, the 13 arrested suspects, including the monarch of Omuokiri-Aluu, Hassan Welewa (59), were arraigned and remanded in prison custody. They were not in court yesterday.

    Besides the royal father, the other suspects arraigned were David Chinasa Ugbaje (30), Ikechukwu Louis Amadi, alias Kapoon (32), Lawal Segun (28), Lucky Orji (43), Cynthia Chinwo, (only female, 24), Ekpe Daniel (30), George Nwadei (30), Gabriel Oche (33), Ozioma Abajuo (23), Chigozie Evans Samuel (22), Endurance Edet (27) and Uwem Sampson Akpabio (30).

    Chief Magistrate Emmanuel Woke did not take any plea on October 17 but he referred the suspects’ case file to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), for legal advice.

    At yesterday’s sitting, the police prosecutor, Sgt. Aaron Nsirem, said the 13 suspects in Port Harcourt prisons could not appear in court.

    Prosecution counsel Henry Njoku had told the court that the accused persons committed the offence contrary to sections 324 and 319 (1), of the Criminal Code cap 37, adding that their charge was in continuation of the sister case earlier taken.

    Ordering the remand of the accused, Magistrate Woke said: “The court lacks the power to try the case. The offence they are charged with is a capital offence, I therefore order that the case file be duplicated and handed over to the Director, Public Prosecution (DPP), to enable him study and give his advice.

    “Section 118 (b) does not give me the power to grant bail to the accused under the section in which they were charged.

    “Meanwhile, I order that they be remanded in prison custody. But let me remind them that they have the right to seek bail at the High Court, pending the release of the report of legal advice by the DPP.”

    He also ordered that the copy of a duplicate copy of the case file be made available to the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Human Right Committee Group and to any of the accused persons who may wish to have a copy.

    The three accused persons were immediately moved out of the court premises in a white Toyota Hiace bus marked, FG 128 F50, to the Port Harcourt prisons .

  • Police arrest 2,000 suspects in Ogun

    The Ogun State Police Command yesterday said it has arrested over 2,000 suspects for various offences this year .

    It said 18 persons were arrested for alleged kidnapping, 11 for alleged rape, 331 for “robbery” and and 43 for cultism.

    Police Commissioner Ikemefuna Okoye gave the figures while parading 13 suspects at the command headquarters in Abeokuta, the state capital.

    Ikemefuna said 139 arms and 3,903 ammunition were recovered during the period.

    He said 708 suspects have been charged to court.

  • Police arrest two suspects for murder of Kano lawmaker

    Police arrest two suspects for murder of Kano lawmaker

    Two principal suspects have been arrested by the Kano State Police in connection with the weekend killing of Alhaji Danladi Isa Kademi, a lawmaker in the Kano House of Assembly.

    He belonged to the opposition All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP). The late assembly member was buried yesterday in his Kademi home town.

    The Commissioner of Police, Mr Ibrahim K. Idris said one of the two suspects has a strong case to answer.

    “We have two suspects in our custody right now, and I must tell you that one of them is a principal suspect. From the facts we have in our files, he has a case to answer,” he said.

    “We are still interrogating the suspects; and more arrests could be made. Our assurance is that within a short period of time, we will get to the root of the matter. Investigation is still on-going; what we cannot tolerate is to allow the case swept under the carpet no matter who is involved,” Idris said.

    Idris also added that for now, Police are working on the theory of assassination, going by information at their disposal.

    Alhaji Danladi who was shot dead by unknown gunmen at his Guest House in Hotoro Muradi was, yesterday according to Islamic rites.

    The Chief Imam of Kademi, led the funeral prayers for the repose of the deceased, also prayed Allah to grant the family members the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

    Dignitaries at the funeral were the Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso; the immediate past governor of the state, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau and his former Deputy, Alhaji Abdullahi Tijjani Gwarzo; Alhaji Salihu Sagir Takai, who was the ANPP gubernatorial flag bearer in the last election and the Chairman of the ANPP, Alhaji Sani Hashim Hotoro.

    Others were the Speaker of the State Assembly, Alhaji Gambo Salau; the House Majority leader, Hon Hamisu Cidare; commissioners and top government functionaries.

     

     

  • Police foil kidnap in Nnewi, five suspects held 

    Luck ran out of a six-man gang of kidnappers operating in two utility RAVA jeeps when they tried to abduct the owner of one of the biggest rental service providers in Nnewi, Chief Chico Anazodo.

    Anazodo was on his way back home after closing business by 7:30 pm when he noticed that the two jeeps were following him.

    The gang reportedly scaled his fence, and Anazodo sensing danger to his life scaled another fence of his neighbour, having known the terrain and disappeared to report to the Nnewi Special Anti-Robbery Squad who cordoned off the city and later arrested five of the suspected kidnappers while one allegedly escaped.

    Officials of the SARS Nnewi confirmed the kidnap attempt but said they would not comment further until investigations are concluded.

    The Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, Raphael Uzoigwe, was driving when this reporter tried to get confirmation of the report.

     

  • Suleja bombing: ‘Suspects wanted to produce 200 explosives’

    Suleja bombing: ‘Suspects wanted to produce 200 explosives’

    An Army Officer told the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday that the bomb components seized from four suspects of the Suleja bombing could produce 200 explosives.

    The officer, a prosecution witness, whose name was not given for security reasons, revealed this when crossed examined in the case filed by the State Security Service against the six people that are allegedly involved in the Suleja/Madalla bomb attack.

    He had on December 5 in his evidence-in-chief testified that Salisu Ahmed, Umar Babagana-Umar, Mohammed Ali and Musa Adam were arrested on July 28, 2011 at Gumel Junction, Kachia in Kaduna with the items.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Umar Ibrahim and Shuaibu Abubakar, were also standing trial for alleged multiple bombings and killings in Suleja and Madalla both in Niger.

    When asked how he concluded that the items were components for making explosives, the officer explained that the materials were subjected to expert scrutiny.

    He further said that “as an army officer exposed to proper training I could tell from my experience and exposure on warfare that the items are for IEDs.”

    Countering, Mr. Emeka Okoro, Counsel to the accused persons claimed that the items were not complete explosives at the point of his clients’ arrest.

    The officer further countered Okoro’s submission that the suspects were quarry workers who used similar explosives to blast rocks, as according to him, “the mission of the suspects was to cause mayhem.’’

     

     

  • Ex-militant leader George’s murder suspects in court

    There was tight security yesterday at the Rivers State High Court Complex in Port Harcourt, the state capital, during the resumed trial of the three alleged killers of ex-militant leader Soboma George.

    Armed soldiers, riot policemen and operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) in helmets and bullet-proof vests, marked DSS, took over the main gate, frisking lawyers, journalists, litigants and officials of the High and Magistrate Courts, which are situated within the complex.

    Many people, who could not properly identify themselves at the gate, were prevented from entering the premises.

    The search at the gate caused a heavy traffic on the dualised Station Road and adjoining streets.

    Women’s handbags, lawyers’ bags, cars and pockets of people entering the court premises were searched by the stern-looking security personnel.

    Security was also tight inside the courtroom. Security agents outnumbered visitors.

    The late George was gunned down on August 24, 2010 at Borokiri in Port Harcourt, after accepting the Federal Government’s amnesty.

    Policemen arrested Doubra Ogbe, Emmanuel Gladstone and Pere Matthew for his murder.

    They were arraigned and remanded at Port Harcourt Prisons.

    To protect the suspects from being attacked by militants, they were moved to Uyo Prisons in Akwa Ibom State. Matthew was later transferred to the Owerri Prisons in Imo State.

    Yesterday, the suspects appeared before Justice Godspower Aguma of the Rivers High Court and the case was adjourned till February 5, 2013.

    Before the Judge rose after the adjournment, Matthew raised his hand, signifying that he wanted to address the court.

    Aguma told the defence counsel to the first and third accused, Mr. A. Ojenamah, to listen to him.

    Matthew said: “My life is in danger at Owerri Prison. They are threatening to kill me. Attempts are also being made to poison me.

    “The three of us were initially moved to Uyo Prison. On June 14, I was moved to Owerri Prison. Prison officials refused to let me know where the two others are being detained. We are only meeting in court today.

    “Owerri Prison is overcrowded. I am also being subjected to inhuman treatment, in spite of being innocent of the charges preferred against me. The experience is horrible. My Lord, help me, so that I would not be killed at Owerri Prison.”

    A prison official, who accompanied the three suspects to the court, Mr. Eke Joseph, denied Matthew’s allegations.

    The judge said: “Treat the accused as human beings. They are presumed to be innocent, until otherwise proven. They should be adequately protected by the police and prisons’ officials to avoid any incident.”

    During yesterday’s sitting, the lead counsel to the second accused person, Mrs. Adeola Olowu, expressed surprise that after over two years of investigation, the lead prosecution counsel, Mr. Ipalebo Karibi-Botoye, alleged that the investigating officer found bullets in her client’s car.

    Olowu also objected to the additional witnesses, stressing that one of the witnesses described the car as navy blue; another prosecuting witness said the car was black.

    Ojenamah said fair hearing should be ensured for his clients.

    Justice Aguma said: “No lawyer complained today of any threat to life. We should allow the rule of law to prevail for justice to be done. All those involved in this matter should maintain the peace.”

    After the sitting, Olowu said: “No death certificate was tendered in court by the prosecution counsel to confirm that Soboma George is dead. They keep transferring the accused persons from one prison to another without allowing their counsel to have access to them. Justice must be ensured.”

    Karibi-Botoye said the prosecution was being diligent in handling the case so that the suspected killers of George would not go unpunished. He said the judge set aside the bail application pending the amendment of the charges.

  • Oyerinde: Suspects to appear in court Thursday

    Oyerinde: Suspects to appear in court Thursday

    The suspects arrested in connection to the murder of Private Secretary to Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde, will on Thursday appear in court for commencement of trial.

    They were remanded in prison custody after the charges were read to them in September.

    The suspects are Garba Usman Maisamari, Muritala Usman, Moses Asamah Okoro, Auta Umaru Ali, Umaru Adamu, Wilfred Iserhienhi, Hassan Aliyu Babete and Idris Abdulhamid.

    Oyerinde was murdered at his Benin City residence on May 4.

    Chief Magistrate Francis Idiake had said the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter and ordered that the case file be sent to the Director of Public Prosecution for advice.

    Thursday’s trial of the suspects will provide an avenue for the court to respond to the report of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) which exonerated the Executive Director, Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), Reverend David Ugolor, from Oyerinde’s murder.

     

     

     

  • Okah:South African court may take evidence from Nigerian suspects

    •20 witnesses testify against MEND leader

    As the Federal Government tries to close its case against the leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND), Henry Okah, there are plans for the Guateng High Court in South Africa to take evidence from three bomb suspects in custody in Nigeria.

    The suspects are on trial for the October 1, 2010, blast in Abuja.

    But it was unclear yesterday whether the court will relocate to Nigeria or the suspects will be flown to South Africa.

    It was gathered that written, oral, audio and video clips of the suspects might also be made available to the court.

    A source said more than 20 Nigerian witnesses, including four case officers from the State Security Service (SSS), testified against Okah in South Africa.

    The source said: “So far, more than 20 witnesses, including four case officers in SSS, have been to South Africa to testify against Okah.

    “There is no question of the Federal Government negotiating with the MEND leader.

    “Some of the witnesses included some serving ministers, security chiefs and even former MEND coordinators.

    “Depending on Okah’s defence, more witnesses might still go to South Africa. The last batch of witnesses came back about 11 days ago.

    “We are determined to conclude the case to prove that we are out to fight terrorism. It is left to Okah to open his defence.”

    Responding to a question, the source added: “The South African court might take evidence from some of the suspects in custody.

    “We are not sure whether the court will relocate to Nigeria or the suspects will be taken there.

    “The court might also choose to depend on written, audio and video clips of the testimonies of these suspects, who are also on trial at a Federal High Court in Abuja.”

    Four suspects were initially arrested in connection with the blast.

    The suspects are Edmund Ebiware, Charles Okah, Obi Nwabueze and Tiemkemfa Osuvwo, who later died in custody.

    Ebiware implicated the MEND leader in the explosions near the Government House in Warri on March 15, 2010.

    The source added: “From the hint at one of the trial sessions, the court might take evidence from some of these suspects.

    “It is left to the court to determine its modus operandi. We are, however, ready to cooperate with the court.”

     

  • Two suspects arraigned for N272.5m scam

    Two suspects arraigned for N272.5m scam

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday arraigned an oil marketer, Mr. Adejugbe Anthony and his company, Tonique Oil Services Limited, before Justice Lateefa Okunnu of the Lagos High Court, Ikeja, on a two-count charge bordering on ‘stealing and fraud’.

    The accused ‘fraudulently converted’ N272, 5000,000 (Two Hundred and Seventy Two Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira ) obtained from Water Gate Petroleum and Gas Limited for the supply five million litres of PMS to defray his liabilities with Sterling Bank without supplying the product for which he was paid.

    One of the charge reads: “That you, Adejugbe Anthony and Tonique Oil Services Ltd on or about the 8th of December, 2011 at Lagos with the Ikeja Judicial Division stole and fraudulently converted N272,500,000 (Two Hundred and Seventy Two Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira) property of Water Gate Petroleum and Gas Ltd which sum claimed represented payment for 5,000,000 (Five Million) litres of PMS which sum you transferred from your GTbank account to your Sterling Bank Plc account to defray your liabilities.”

    He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    Prosecution counsel, Mrs. F.T. Giwa, prayed the count to give a trial date and remand the accused in prison custody.

    But counsel to the accused, J. Fabilola, urged the court to remand his client in the EFCC custody pending the hearing of his oral application for bail.

    Justice Okunnu in her ruling observed that once an accused was arraigned, the proper place of remand is the prison.

    She adjourned the matter till November 19 for hearing of bail application and November 22 and 23 for trial. She also ordered that the accused be remanded in prison custody.

     

  • We didn’t kill Oyerinde – Suspects

    We didn’t kill Oyerinde – Suspects

    The suspects arrested by the State Security Services on Thursday said they were tortured and “promised many things” to admit to the killing of Private Secretary to Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde.

    Oyerinde was killed on May 4 at his Benin City residence at about 2am.

    The three suspects spoke to Journalists shortly before they were arraigned before an Oredo Magistrate Court.

    They said they had participated in several robberies but were not involved in the killing of Olaitan.

    The suspects are Raymond Dregbo (24), Edeh Chikezie (32) and Mohammed Ibrahim.

    Raymond said, “They beat me to say what I didn’t do. I didn’t go to Oyerinde’s house. I don’t know his house. I took them to the house we robbed where we collected N48, 000 and I got N8, 000. We didn’t shoot anybody there. They are holding us for robbery but we didn’t kill Oyerinde.”

    The second suspect, Mohammed, said he was arrested along Water Resources and that the SSS promised many things for them to admit to killing Olaitan.

    He said it was his personal phone that the SSS paraded as Olaitan’s and that the gun also paraded was not theirs.

    “I admitted because of the dehumanising treatment they gave us. We later discovered that what they were saying about us didn’t concern us.”

    Presiding Magistrate, Edo Asemota, ordered the suspects remanded in prison custody and requested that the case file be duplicated and sent to the Directorate of Public Prosecution for advice.