The suspects that attempted to slaughter an Okada man detained at the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Ikeja, Lagos

Passersby Save Okada Man From Slaughter.

Two men who attempted to slaughter a commercial motorcyclist, a.k.a Okada rider after dispossessing him of his money and motorcycle have been arrested by the police in Lagos.

The men were arrested in Ayobo, Lagos State by the Abba Kyari-led Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Lagos State Police Command.

The suspects, Yusuf Marvel and Umaru Farouk were alleged to have lured an Okada rider at Lanre Bus Stop, Ayobo and tricked him to take them to Layeni Bus Stop.

They allegedly pounced on the hapless Okada rider at the bus stop, collected his money, motorcycle and were about to slaughter him with their knife when some passersby saw them.

They left the victim in a pool of blood and ran away but were chased by the passersby who caught them and handed them over to the police.

The Okada rider was rushed to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, where doctors are battling to save his life.

One of the suspects, Umaru blamed his accomplice, Yusuf for hatching the plot, adding that he only assisted him to hold the victim.

Both suspects may be charged to court soon.

President Goodluck Jonathan

Jonathan Appoints Interim chairman For ICPC

President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja asked a member of the Board of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) Ekpo Una Owo Nta to act as the Commission’s Chairman until issues which have arisen over the nomination and confirmation of a new Chairman are resolved.

Speaking after Nta and four other new members of the ICPC Board took their oaths of office at the Presidential Villa, President Jonathan said the swearing-in of Francis Ugochukwu Elechi whose nomination as ICPC Chairman was confirmed by the Senate had been put on hold because of certain disturbing reports.

Restating his Administration’s determination to curb the debilitating effects of corruption on national development, President Jonathan said that due care would be taken to ensure that only the most appropriate individuals are appointed to positions of influence and authority in the country’s anti-corruption agencies.

He therefore urged members of the new ICPC Board to collaborate effectively with the EFCC in the prosecution of the national war against corruption.

Responding on behalf of other members of the ICPC Board who were sworn-in today, Nta thanked the President for giving them the opportunity to serve the nation, assuring him that they will do their best to carry the war against corruption forward.

Other members of the board who took their oaths of office at the ceremony presided over by President Jonathan are: Abdullahi Ado Bayero, Isa Ozi Salami, Olu Aina and Dame Julie Onum-Nwariaku.

Also in Abuja, President Jonathan swore in Ambassador Lawrence Nwuruku as a new National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

President Jonathan asked the new Commissioner to work with the INEC Chairman, Attahiru Jega towards ensuring that future elections in Nigeria are even better than the widely acclaimed April 2011 general elections.

The President also inaugurated a new Presidential Technical Committee on Land Reform headed by Peter Adeniyi.

Its other members are Mohammed Yahaya, John Balami, Isah Ichaba, Valentine Ofogba, Gloria Nwofor and Yakubu Fabiyi.

POLICEMEN ARRESTS OKADA RIDER

Massive Crackdown On Okada Riders And More Roads Banned For Riders.

The Lagos State Government has begun a massive clampdown on commercial motorcyclists, a.k.a. Okada riders with the arrest of over 200.

The government, after due consultation with the relevant Okada riders’ associations gave the riders a period of grace which expired by midnight on Sunday. The clampdown began in all the affected zones.

The clampdown is coming on the heels of orders by Governor Babatunde Fashola to Commissioner for Transportation, Kayode Opeifa, to ensure Okada riders obey the traffic laws of the state.

Opeifa declared last Thursday that government can no longer watch and allow Okada riders break the laws of the state with impunity.

In the new regulations guiding the operations of okada riders in the state, Okada riders are not allowed to operate without a valid rider’s licence, a standard crash helmet with full head protection, carry more than one passenger, carry pregnant women, school children and load and drive against traffic.

They have also been banned from operating beyond 10 p.m. in all parts of the state except Victoria Island and Ikoyi, Ikeja GRA where they were restricted from operating beyond 8 p.m.

Okada riders have also been banned from plying the expressway, bridges, Awolowo Way, Bank Anthony Way and some other roads in the Lagos metropolis.

The police, officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA and other security agencies have been directed to arrest any Okada operator found to have violated the law.

General Manager, LASTMA, Engineer Babatunde Edu confirmed that aggressive enforcement of the law had begun and that over 200 Okada riders had been arrested so far.

He lamented that several criminal activities were being perpetrated through the use of Okada by men of the underworld.

Governor Fashola, who was bitter about the menace posed by Okada riders, vowed that the enforcement would be total.

To show his seriousness, he personally led a team of officials to arrest five Okada riders who drove against the traffic in Apapa area of the state last week.

Fashola said a new policy was in the offing to deal decisively with the problems posed by Okada riders.

The governor arrested more Okada riders driving against the traffic on Sunday in Badagry during his tour of ongoing projects in the state.

Rising from the state Security Council meeting last week, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), Tunde Sobulo said a new policy on commercial motorcycle is on the way to deal with errant riders who still disobey government rules and regulations on the operation of commercial motorcycles (Okada) on the state’s roads.

According to him, Okada riders are still giving us problems as they are still riding against the traffic and carrying two to three passengers and without helmet.

He said Majority of the culprits are those that are not members of the motorcyclists’ unions and there is nothing to identify them with.

ASIWAJU BOLA AHMED TINUBU AT TRIBUNAL

Tribunal Acquits Tinubu.

A three-man panel of the Code of Conduct Tribunal led by Danladi Yakubu Umar has dismissed the three-count charge brought against former Governor of Lagos State, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Tinubu was alleged to have operated and maintained several foreign accounts while in office as the Governor of Lagos State contrary to the provisions of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act.

In its ruling this morning, the tribunal maintained that the charge did not comply with the provisions of the Act which demands that an accused person should be invited and confronted with allegations against him or her for an opportunity for such an accused person to make a written admission or denial of the allegations before the matter can be transferred to the tribunal for adjudication.

In the course of the trial, the former Lagos State governor had complained to the tribunal that he was neither invited nor summoned by the Code of Conduct Bureau as it did to other governors, to come and make a written admission or denial of the allegations against him.

In agreeing with the former governor, the tribunal held that the provisions of Section 3(d) of the Act is a condition precedent which must be complied with before the tribunal will become vested with jurisdiction to try an accused person.

The tribunal blasted the Federal Government for flouting the provision which the lawmakers inserted in the Act with the intention to avoid overcrowding the tribunal with cases which would have been resolved upon the invitation of an accused person by the Code of Conduct Bureau.

He dismissed the submissions of the Federal Government that it invited Tinubu severally to the bureau without success and noted that there is no evidence before the tribunal to support the claims that Tinubu was ever invited by the Code of Conduct Bureau to make a written admission or denial of the allegations against him before he was dragged to the tribunal.

Furthermore, the tribunal held that the leave he granted to the Federal Government to commence the trial of Tinubu was in relation to an earlier one-count charge filed before the tribunal and not for the three-count charge upon which the trial commenced.

It held that it was an abuse of court process having discontinued with the one-count charge.

It also held that there was no summary proof of evidence attached to the amended three-count charge upon which Tinubu is standing trial.

Consequently, the tribunal quashed the charges brought against the former Lagos State governor and dismissed them.

Tinubu was arraigned before the tribunal on 21 September over allegations of operating foreign accounts while in office as Lagos State governor.

His counsel made up of 10 Senior Advocates of Nigeria and 21 other lawyers objected the efforts of the prosecution led by Alex Izinyon, SAN, to substitute the one-count charge with a fresh three-count charge.

Wole Olanipekun led the team of lawyers representing Tinubu

Addressing reporters after the sitting, Tinubu described his case as political persecution and challenged his accusers to bring proof of his foreign accounts, if they had any.

PPRO LAGOS POLICE COMMAND

Lagos Police command begins investigation of suspected murder

The Lagos State Police Command has begun investigations into the alleged cover-up of a murder case by some officers, including a Divisional Police Officer.

The investigation is coming as a result of a petition sent to the Commissioner, Yakubu Alkali, by the family of the deceased, through their lawyer, Gabriel Giwa-Amu.

Alkali assured that the petition will be investigated thoroughly, with a view to ascertaining those who might have been involved in any unprofessional conduct.

Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Police Samuel Jinadu who made this known said the petition, which was copied to the Inspector General of Police and Assistant Inspector General of Police Zone-2, also indicted the Divisional Police Officer of Epe police division and one Corporal.

He said the petition alleged that the police officers allegedly conspired to scuttle the course of justice over the murder of one Omowumi Orisan, of Lagos Road, Agric, Ikorodu, Lagos.

The deceased family claimed in their petition that on the Nov. 12, Orisan was allegedly invited by a woman, now a suspect in the case, to attend her chieftaincy title installation at Ibeju-Lekki, in Lagos.

``On the said 12th November 2011, the deceased person’s son persistently called the cell phone of his mother with no response.

``That on 13th November 2011, consequent upon the fact that there was no reply from the deceased, the deceased husband and son placed a phone call to the suspect.

``That the suspect answered and replied that the deceased person was fine, but could not talk on the phone, but would be back home on Monday the 14th November 2011.

``That on Monday the 14th of November, 2011 at 8.30 p.m. the said suspect, called the elder brother of the deceased's husband, a traditional ruler, to inform him of the sudden and inexplicable death of Orisan,`` the petition noted

The petition stated that the case was first investigated by the Sagamu Road Police Division, which later transferred it to Epe, jurisdiction, where the incident occurred.

The family claimed that in a dramatic twist of events, the police at Epe Division released all suspects and refused to co-operate with the family to conduct postmortem on the corpse to ascertain the cause of death.

``Upon inquiry by the family, the DPO Epe told the family that anybody can die ‘anyhow’ and the cause of death is ‘unascertainable’ and told the family to ‘respect themselves’ and go and take the corpse for burial without further investigation.

``The DPO promptly ordered the detention of the elder sister to the deceased (Mrs Iyabo Adekoya) and her husband (Mr Adekoya) for no reason, other than accompanying the family to the Police Station in pursuit of the course of justice, `` the family said.

The petition noted that the police officer demanded for money before granting bail to the detained relations, adding that the same officer threatened to close the murder case file if they did not bring money.

The family claimed that the failure of the DPO to cause a transfer of the matter to State CID Panti, in line with police practice and procedure, was a proof of corruption.

``We urge you to cause a detailed investigation of this matter by ordering the transfer of this matter to an independent police unit for proper investigation, `` the petition added.

BABASUWE

Court awards Baba Suwe N25m compensation •We’ll appeal - NDLEA

POPULAR comedian cum actor, Babatunde Omidina (a.k.a Baba Suwe) was all smiles, when Justice Yetunde Idowu of a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja ruled that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) was not justified in detaining him for a long time without cause and awarded him N25 million as damages.

Justice Idowu said the act of the NDLEA for detaining Baba Suwe for nine days before getting a court order to that effect was a flagrant abuse and infringement on his fundamental human rights, while she also ordered that the agency must publish a public apology to Baba Suwe in two widely read national dailies.

“The act of the NDLEA in detaining the respondent for nine days from 12 October to 21 October is not justified. It is a flagrant abuse and infringement of his rights and his continuous detention is contrary to the provisions of Section 4 of the African Charter on human rights,” he said.

She instructed that the publications, which must be made not later than 21 days from the day of judgment, must be placed on conspicuous pages of the national dailies.

Justice Idowu was giving judgment in the N100 million suit instituted against the NDLEA by Baba Suwe, adding that the agency did not put all the facts of the case before the Federal High Court before they got the order.

“An unlawful arrest does not only affect a man’s movement and health, but it does also affect the reputation, because it is subjected to public opinion,” she said, adding that “I quite agree with the NDLEA that there is a need to sanitise the country, but not in this form.”

Counsel for Baba Suwe, Bamidele Aturu, at the end of the sitting, said “it is our hope that this will send a strong signal to the law enforcement agencies.”

However, the NDLEA Director of Public Prosecutions and Legal Services, Femi Oloruntoba, said “the judgment is not a reflection of the facts before the court and it is a misapprehension of the law, as it relates to power of the law enforcement agencies and the liberty of citizens.”

He added that the agency would appeal, adding that the judgment could not stand the test of time.

Baba Suwe, after the judgment, said “I am so happy. I thank Nigerians.”

Babatunde Fashola

Fashola ‘arrests’ okada riders Featured

Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, has arrested four commercial motorcyclists, popularly called ‘okada riders,’ for driving against the traffic.

Fashola who was on his way from the inauguration of a 60 housing units at Apapa Local Government Area, named after Senator H.A.B. Fashinro, arrested the okada riders at the Apapa-Ijora Link Bridge and Ikorodu Road

He said the arrest would send a message to other riders to desist from flagrant violation of the state traffic rules and regulations.

Fashola’s warning was re-echoed at a media briefing at Alausa, Ikeja, where the state Commissioner for Transportation, Kayode Opeifa, read the Riot Act to okada operators in the state.

Opeifa, who noted that the operators had not obeyed any of the measures put in place to guide their operations, said the government was ready to deal with any of them that ignored its regulations.

He said, “Some of the areas the operation of okada has been prohibited are, Agindigbi, Olowopopo Avenue, Allen Avenue, Oshodi Apapa Expressway, excluding the service lanes.

“The entire stretch of Funso Williams Avenue, Eko Bridge, Apongbon, Murtala Muhammed way from Jibowu – Yaba – Oyingbo –Iddo –Idumota, Ikorodu Express Road, from Jibowu to Ikorodu Roundabout, Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway/Agege Motor Road and all Lagos Bridges.”

Fashola, at the inauguration, advocated public spending on infrastructural development.

The governor said it was the most viable means of countering economic ressession.

He said, “If government did not lead the spending drive in times of economic recession, the private sector will not venture.”

Meanwhile the state government has assured residents of the state of free flow of traffic during the 2011 Eyo Festival tomorrow.

POLICE BOSS

Police deploy APCs in LASU Featured

The Lagos State police Command has deployed Armoured Personnel Carriers in the state university over students’ protest.

The students, who were protesting the hike in their tution fee, however, said they would not relent in their struggles to reject the hike.

They warned banks in the school’s campuses not to receive payments from any students of parents.

It was gathered that the students also locked out the Vice Chancellor, Professor John Obafunwa, accusing him of being part of their suffering.

The President of the Student Union Government, Mr. Durojaiye Akeem said the increment did not go through due process.

He said. “The ad hoc committe of the state House of Assembly is yet to come out with its report.”

Meanwhile, the Education Right Campaign, National Association of Nigerian Students, National Association of Lagos Mainland Students and the Joint Action Front have condemned the increment in tution.

The groups said the government had no right to instruct the students to pay the fee when the committee set up by the House of Assembly was yet to submitted its report.

ERA said, “It is indeed saddening that this is coming from the Action Congress of Nigeria which lay claims to late Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s philosophy of free education.

ICPC AND EFCC MERGER

Senate forecloses EFCC, ICPC merger Featured

The Senate has foreclosed the possibility of merging the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission with the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission.

Spokesperson of the ICPC, Folu Olamiti, said the Chairman of Senate Committee on Drugs, Narcotics, Financial Crimes and Anti-Corruption, Mr. Victor Lar, made the clarification during a visit to the commission as part of the committee’s oversight function.

The committee, he said, did not believe that the fight against corruption should be domiciled in a single agency.

Lar said rather than merge the two anti-graft agencies, the committee was working towards ensuring that the agencies, especially the ICPC “is strengthened and made to be more proactive in executing its mandate.”

He said, “Let me use this opportunity to say that in public view, ICPC has not lived up to its expectations and that is why in various sectors, there have been arguments that ICPC should be merged. We do not support that. We believe that the ICPC should be strengthened to ensure that they deliver on their mandate.

Although Lar admitted that the processes of the ICPC might be painfully slow, he said, “even if you volunteer to give ICPC information, say from my village in Plateau State, you will have to travel to Abuja. There is the need to spread the offices of the commission to ensure that it covers the whole federation.

He added, “Somebody willing to help you with information must not incur avoidable expenses and avoidable risk. We will be of assistance to ensure that your activities are spread across the36 states of the federation and the FCT.”

He assured the management of the commission that the committee would look into the challenges of the amendments of the ICPC enabling Act.

BANKOLE

N37bn loan scam: EFCC tenders 16 exhibits against Bankole, Nafada

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), on Thursday, November 24 , 2011, tendered 16 exhibits against a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dime ji Bankole and his deputy, Usman Nafada before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory , sitting in Abuja .

The duo of Bankole and Nafada were arraigned on Monday, June 13 , 2011, on a 17-count charge of criminal breach of trust, misappropriation and theft.

At the resumed hearing of the case, five prosecution witnesses were led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Festus Keyamo. All the five witnesses gave evidence and tendered documents which the trial judge, Justice Sulaiman Belgore, admitted as exhibits and marked Exhibits A25 to A41.

The five witnesses that testified and presented documents which were admitted in evidence were: Abdullahi Nma, Branch Manager, United Bank of Africa, UBA; Mr. Alex Adeyemi, a deputy director in the office of the Accountant General of the Federation; Mr. Jide Adeniyi Ade-yemo, a director in the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation. Others are Mr. Lasisi Bukoye, director, Finance and Administration, House of Representatives and Ms. Safiya Musa, the Relationship manager, First Bank of Nigeria . This brings to nine the number of prosecution witnesses that have testified in the case within the last four days.

JTF PERSONNELS

20 killed in Plateau fresh attack

THE entire Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State was in mourning, following a clash between the Fulani and the natives Berom,leading to the death of no fewer than 20 people, with several houses burnt.

To stem the hostilities, the state government has, therefore, imposed 24-hour curfew on the affected local government area, while members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) serving in the council had been relocated to the state capital.

The latest crisis was in connection with the clashes between the natives and the Fulanis on Monday, leading to the death of seven people and since the incident, there had been reprisal, thereby heightening tension in the council and other surrounding local government areas.

The incident got to its peak in the early hours of Monday, when the two groups confronted each other over the killing of two people in a place of worship.

It was learnt that as a result of the commotion that ensued, the two re-grouped and mobilised, leading to killings and burning of property at random, while the incident further spread out to the interior parts of the council.

In the clash, a police inspector with the police division in the council, Dalyop Pindar; his wife and four children of a councillor, Mr Pam Choj, were killed and their residences set ablaze.

At the time of filing this report, the people of the area were still counting their losses, with bodies of those killed being picked at various parts of the council, while those who sustained injuries were recuperating at health centres within the local government.

The incident cut off people in the central and southern parts of the state from assessing the state capital, as a result of the curfew imposed on the area by the state government.

Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune by telephone, the chairman of the council, Emmanuel Loman, condemned the incident, adding that security agencies had been drafted to the areas.

The Special Task Force (STF) Information and Media Officer, Captain Charles Ekeocha, confirmed the incident to the Nigerian Tribune by telephone.

The state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Abraham Yiljap, who spoke to journalists in Jos, on Thursday, said a 24-hour curfew had been imposed on Barkin Ladi and adjoining areas.

BORNO BOMB BLAST SCENE

Most of those involved in Yobe and Borno bombings have been arrested

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, has revealed that most of those allegedly involved in the recent bomb attacks in Borno and Yobe have been arrested.

Ihejirika made the disclosure Sunday in Kaduna while attending the 2011 Annual Harvest and Thanksgiving Service of St. John's Military Church, 41 Div. Engineers, Dalet Barracks, Kaduna.

The bomb explosions and attacks on the police and other security structures were recorded about a week ago in Borno and Yobe states.

In the incidents, more than 100 lives were reportedly lost.

``The threat to installations and institutions of government have been on for quite some time, but the intelligence community has done a tremendous job as culprits have either been arrested or killed,'' the army chief said.

He, however, declined comments on the number of suspects arrested or killed during the confrontation with security agents.

Ihejirika described terrorism as a complex problem that required special measures to tackle.

He said there was the need for increased collaborative effort between the military, the Nigerian Immigration Service and Nigerian Customs Service.

The army chief noted that it was the responsibility of all the security bodies to secure the nation's territorial borders were secure.

He attributed the scale of violence in the country to the numerous social, economic and political issues that needed the attention of everyone to overcome.

`` The military is however playing its role of dealing with the situation and I assure you we are going to overcome it soon,'' Ihejirika said.

INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE

Nigeria police send personnel to China for communication technology training.

The Nigeria Police has sent number of its personnel to China for training on the handling and effective use of communication system to enhance the security surveillance across the country.

Inspector General of Police, Hafiz Ringim made this known while delivering a lecture titled ‘Sustaining Nigeria’s Democracy Through National Security’ at the occasion of 2011 Press Week, Ogun State Nigeria Union of Journalists held in Abeokuta.

Represented by the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Nicholas Nkemdeme, the police chieftain noted further that Nigeria Police Communication System Project is a major milestone in the history of policing Nigeria, assuring when completed, this will enhance the security surveillance.

“To ensure the seamless working of the communication system, our personnel have been sent to China for training on the handling and effective deployment of this technology. We have installed automated vehicle locator in Lagos, Bayelsa and Port Harcourt with a view to covering the entire country as soon as possible,” the police boss informed.

He spoke further that the command has equally paid for three armoured helicopters, with one already delivered, while 24 armoured personnel carriers, 65 Toyota Hilux armoured patrol vans and 23 Mercedez Benz lorries and ten Toyota Land Cruiser armoured vehicles have been delivered.”

The Inspector General of Police, explained that in the area of welfare for its men, which is part of motivation to combat crimes, about 24,331 officers and men have successfully completed their promotion courses in line with the Police Reform Recommendation.

“All these are geared toward motivating the force to attain its optimum,” Ringim explained, stressing that as part of the command’s fight against the dreaded Boko Haram sect, the authority recently discovered and excavated arms and ammunitions looted by the extremists and buried in the ground.

He said, the feat was recorded at Kwaoni Village opposite 34 Police Mobile Force {Base, Gombe, pointing out that the recovered ammunitions include, 8,140 rounds of K2 rifle, 5.56mm live ammunition, 7 boxes containing 104 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition each, 10,660 rounds of 7.62mm, special AK47 rifles, eleven pistols, smoke gunners and 356 magazines.

FARIDA WAZIRI

Civil Society hail Waziri’s removal

Civil society groups,have described the removal of Farida Waziri as chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, as a welcome development.

Presidential spokesman, Reuben Abati, said the Federal Government has approved the appointment of Ibrahim Lamorde as the Acting Chairman/Chief Executive of the EFCC.

According to Abati, Larmode’s appointment took immediate effect.

Waziri was appointed EFCC Chairman by Late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua on May 18, 2008.

Her appointment was confirmed by the Senate on May 27, 2008.

In a swift reaction, Human Rights lawyer, Bamidele Aturu, said Waziri’s removal was a very good development for the EFCC.

Aturu also said there was need for the National Assembly to amend the constitution to enable people from outside the Police Force to head the Commission.

General Secretary of Democratic Socialists Movement, Segun Sango described Waziri’s removal as "a breath of fresh air" and urged the Federal Government to seriously consider confirming Lamorde.

In his reaction, Director, International Press Center, Lanre Arogundade, said the EFCC needed to be strengthened and its stability ensured.

Arogundade said Waziri’s removal came as a surprise, but the government must assure Nigerians that it was still committed to fighting corruption.

Meanwhile, the Civil Liberties Organization has urged the Federal Government to look for Waziri’s replacement from civil society and Human Rights groups in Nigeria.

General Secretary of Joint Action Front, Abiodun Aremu said Waziri’s removal was long overdue as civil society groups had long called for her sack.

Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Onyeabo Ihejirika

3 Div Garrison emerges best in combat proficiency competition

The 3 Division Garrison of Nigerian Army has emerged the over all winner of the 2011 Combat Proficiency Competition.

The Garrison polled 440 out of 500 points, beating three other Brigades.

Garrison beat the 33 Armoured Brigade, Bauchi, 21 and 23 Brigades, Maiduguri and Yola respectively.
The 23 Brigade, Yola came second with 400 points while 21 and 33 Brigades scored 340 and 220 points to emerge third and fourth respectively.

The 3 Division Garrison emerged best in Communication skills, map reading and weapon handling.

The 23 Brigade, Yola emerged best in swimming while 21 Brigade, Maidiguri emerged best in obstacle crossing in the week-long competition.

Speaking at the event in Jos, the military Special Task Force (STF) Commander, Maj Gen. Oluwaseun Oshinowo, said combat training was the bedrock of the military.

He said constant training had prepared the military to discharge statutory responsibilities including defending the territorial integrity of the country and tackling internal security challenges.

Oshinowo said training was necessary for commanders to know the strengths and weaknesses of their troops, urging the various commanders to take serious the responsibility of training their subordinates.

He charged the participants to share the benefits of the training with their respective units and challenged them to continuously train if they wanted to succeed in the army profession.

The Commander expressed confidence that the competition would enhance the quality of personnel to meet the desired objectives of the Nigerian Army.

Earlier, the 3 Division Garrison Commander, Brig-Gen. Jatau Alexander, said that the competition featured weapon handling, live shooting, obstacle crossing, combat swimming, map reading and communication skills.

He commended all the competing Brigades for their stamina, saying that the competition was ``a hard-fought and hard-won competition" which each of the Brigades could have won.

EFCC'S BOSS SACKED AND REPLACED

Jonathan sacks Waziri as EFCC Chairman

President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday relieved Farida Waziri of her position as Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Reuben Abati, in Abuja, said the President had approved the appointment of Ibrahim Lamorde as the Acting Chairman of the Commission.

The statement said Lamorde's appointment took immediate effect.

Waziri was appointed the EFCC Chairman by late President Umaru Yar’Adua on May 18, 2008, and confirmed by the Senate on May 27, 2008.

Lamorde was until his appointment the Director of Operations of the EFCC.

He also acted as the chairman of the commission before Waziri's appointment.

POLICE BOSS

Police commissioner laments influx of foreign criminals

The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Yakubu Alkali, has expressed worries over the upsurge in the number of suspected criminals from Chad, Niger, Mali and Bourkina Faso operating in the state.

Speaking after the 5th Town Hall Meeting on Security in the state, Alkali alleged that the suspects were pretending to be seeking for greener pastures.

Alkali noted that a large number of them came to Lagos with no certificates, skill and other relevant prerequisites with which they could seek employment.

The police chief pointed out that this and many other threats poised security challenges to the police command.

He, however, said the command was up to the task.

Alkali said within the last few months, crimes had ``nipped in the bud'', pointing out that this was possible due to the quick response to distress calls.

He said five suspected armed robbers were shot dead, others escaped with bullet wounds, huge arms and ammunition, vehicles and cash running into millions were recovered by the police from hoodlums.

GOVERNOR BABATUNDE FASHOLA

Lagos lost 124 Policemen to armed robbery in four years.

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State has said no fewer than 124 police officers, who were serving in the state, were killed by armed robbers between 2007 and 2011.

Fashola disclosed this at the fifth Lagos Security Town Hall meeting with stakeholders organised by the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF).

He said the high number of cops killed by hoodlums within the period was unacceptable, saying that the state government had adopted strategies to confront the increased activities of criminals.

The governor honoured 19 policemen who had distinguished themselves in crime fighting.

Fashola said the LSSTF was a state government initiative in which residents and other stakeholders, through contributions, assisted in the fight against crime.

He, however, said contributions to the funds had not been impressive, calling on corporate bodies and other stakeholders to show more commitment to the fund in order to put an effective lid on crime.

Fashola said: “We should honour the memory of the 124 police officers killed by armed robbers by pledging more support for their comrades-in-arms in spite of the dangers.

He also commended the team of 21 police officers that recently “investigated and stormed the hide out of heavily armed robbers and kidnappers resulting in the arrest of three members of the gang.

He said ``the challenges of security and law are a growing threat across the world; the world is increasingly plagued by ideological, religious and economic challenges.

``Countries such as the U.S., Britain, Greece and Italy, which used to act as shock absorbers, receiving millions of immigrants are facing grave social and economic problems,” Fashola said..

The governor warned all landlords in the state that the government would revoke the title of deed of any property where criminals were found, adding that the property would be acquired for public use.

GOVERNOR BABATUNDE FASHOLA

LASG honours 20 policemen.

Twenty policemen from the Lagos State Police Command, who rescued four kidnapped persons in October, were on Thursday honoured by the state government.

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, who presented the policemen with plaques at the fifth Town Hall Meeting on Security in Lagos, said his administration was poised to reward hard work.

Fashola said that no honour was too big for those who placed their lives ``on the line for others to have comfort.``

The honoured policemen, led by Mopol 2 Commander, Patrick Ejedawe, rescued the four abducted people in October from a criminal syndicate.

The syndicate had demanded a ransom of N150 million to free the abducted persons.

The honoured officers recovered from the scene of the arrest eight AK-47 riffles and 108 fully loaded AK-47 magazines; one rocket launcher, three rockets and thousands of ammunition.

Speaking on the honour, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Yakubu Alkali, said the award would surely ginger the police officers to double their efforts.

Alkali noted that with greater logistics support from the state government, men of the command would perform their duties creditably.

He said a total of six suspects,including a herbalist, had been arrested in connection with the kidnapping.

Ejedawe, who led the other police officers in the rescue operation, said the award showed that those in government were watching the activities of policemen.

He said the honour was `highly` appreciated, adding that ``it will make us double our efforts.``

Abba Kyiari, the Second-in-Command to Ejedawa said the honour was a morale booster``.

He said this kind of recognition is what younger officers require to make them more committed to their constitutional responsibilities.

ALKALI, LAGOS CP

Rise In Robbery Incidents In Lagos ALKALI, LAGOS CP

The Lagos State Police Command has admitted a rise in robbery attacks in the state.

In the statistics released by the state Commissioner of Police, Yakubu Alkali at the 5th Town Hall meeting of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) held at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, he revealed that armed robbery incidents increased from 48 in 2010 to 61 this year.

The Lagos police boss disclosed that 19 policemen were shot dead by robbers in the last one year as against three policemen killed by robbers in 2010.

Alkali disclosed further that 522 armed robbers were arrested in 2011 as against 476 arrested in 2010, while 164 armed robbers were killed by the police this year as against 124 robbers killed last year.

The police recovered 328 arms in 2011 as against 303 arms in 2010. He added that 3,553 ammunition were recovered this year as against 2,123 ammunition recovered in 2010.

The statistics also revealed that 1,187 vehicles were recovered out of the 1,448 stolen this year. 819 vehicles were stolen in 2010.

The Lagos police boss said 204 murder cases were recorded by the police in 2010 while 319 murder cases were reported this year.

Senator Ndume’s Arrest

Boko Haram: Groups Commend SSS Over Senator Ndume’s Arrest.

The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) and the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) commended the State Security Service (SSS) on the arrest and arraignment of Senator Ali Ndume over his alleged involvement with the Boko Haram sect.

Ndume, who was arraigned before an Abuja Magistrates’ Court, pleaded not guilty to the charges levelled against him.

Konduga, who was arraigned alongside Ndume, however, pleaded guilty to the various coordinated bombings by the sect in northern Nigeria.

Marilyn Ogar, SSS Deputy Director of Public Relations, had told newsmen in Abuja that the sect spokesman, Ali Sanda Umar Konduga, also known as Al-Za-Waziri, three weeks ago, named the senator as one of its major sponsors.

AYCF President, Yerimma Shettima, commended the SSS for the arrest, stating that no one was above the law.

Yerima said Nigeria was not a banana republic where people could do what they wanted and would get away with it.

He, however, warned against victimisation of any Nigerian, noting that a mere allegation without proof was not enough.

The AYCF president also asked the SSS to invite and question the former Governor of Borno State, Ali Modu Sheriff.

Also speaking, the Lagos State Chairman of the CLO, Ehi Omokhuale, said the SSS must shun sentiments and arrest the former governor.

Omokhuale described the alleged involvement of the senator with the sect as very unfortunate, saying that the sooner the SSS fished out more of the culprits the better for Nigeria.

Nigeria Immigration acquires passport scanning machines

The Nigeria Immigration Service, Lagos Command, has acquired nine scanning equipment to facilitate the production of electronic-passport at its Ikoyi passport office.

A power inverter was also acquired to boost the power generation which had slowed down production at the Ikoyi passport office.

The Passport Control Officer, Innocent Akatu said the machines were acquired to reduce the stress on the existing ones.

The constant breakdown and slow pace of the existing machines, mostly due to stress, had caused congestion of passport applications at the Ikoyi Passport office.

He said the production chart at the office was about 800 passports daily at peak periods.

The daily production of passports had not been commensurate with the number of applicants which had been about 2000 per day.

With the acquisition of the new machines, the daily production of passports at the Ikoyi office would increase and the backlog of applicants would be taken care of speedily..

The use of the Machine Readable Passport expired in June, and this has increased the quest for the e-passport.

Sen Ali Mohammed Ndume

Court Convicts Boko Haram Spokesman.

Spokesman for the fundamentalist Islamic sect, Boko Haram, Ali Sanda Umar Konduga, has been convicted by an Abuja Magistrate Court presided over by Oyebode Oyewole.

His conviction followed a plea of guilty pleaded by Konduga when he was arraigned before the court alongside Senator Mohammed Aliyu Ndume representing Borno South senatorial District at the National Assembly.

When the only charge contained in the First Investigation Report filed by the State Security Service, SSS, was read to the accused persons, the senator pleaded not guilty while Kodunga who spoke through an interpreter appointed by the court for him pleaded guilty.

They were charged of conspired to commit a felony, breach of official trust by disclosing official information to persons not authorized to have such information. The offense was said to be contrary to sections 79,98 and 398 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

The court noted that the spokesman to Boko Haram can only be sentenced on the strength of section 398 of the CPC which deals with deals with criminal intimidation by anonymous communication which prescribes a term of 2 years imprisonment to an offender.

Counsel to the SSS, Chris Osagie applied for the sentencing of Konduga to be deferred in view of the aspect of the charge dealing with conspiracy with respect to the plea of the senator as the court will still have to determine the charge against senator Ndume.

The court acquiesced to the request but ordered that the accused persons be allowed unfettered access to their lawyers and should be provided with medical attention on request and also remanded them to the custody of the SSS.

Attempts by the accused persons lawyer, Cajethan Nnaemeka, to move an application for senator Ndume’s bail were rebuffed by the court which directed the lawyer to bring a formal application to that effect.

Trial of the senator was subsequently adjourned to 6th December.

POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER, SAMUEL JINADU

Lagos Police Command lauds vigilante groups in the state The Spokesman of the Lagos State Police Command, Samuel Jinadu, on Tuesday commended vigilante groups in the state for their contributions toward reducing crime in the state. Jinadu said the vigilante groups had played a key role at ensuring security in Lagos state. “The Lagos state Police Command is been working hand- in-hand with the vigilante groups and members of these vigilante groups have been of support to the Police activities.”
Jinadu stated that the vigilante groups had been carrying out patrols with police teams, and had proved effective. He explained that since members of vigilante groups were not allowed to bear arms, they have to patrol alongside armed policemen to rid Lagos State of criminals. Jinadu said vigilante groups helped in providing useful information that had helped in fighting crime in the state. The police spokesman assured Lagos residents of their security during the Yuletide as the Police had mapped out strategies to ensure crime-free celebrations. “They should continue to go about their lawful businesses and duties as adequate security have been provided everywhere to checkmate the obnoxious and nefarious activities of criminals, who may actually wantto unleash terror on innocent citizens during the Yuletide period.”

NAPTIP

NAPTIP evacutes 93 Nigerians from Mali over prostitution
No fewer than 93 Nigerians were evacuated from Mali by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons (NAPTIP), for prostitution and other related matters.
Beatrice Jedy-Agba, the Executive Secretary of NAPTIP, said at a briefing that nine traffickers were also arrested with the support of the Malian authorities.
Jedy-Agba said the agency moved into action when it discovered that Nigerians were holding fellow Nigerians in slavery for prostitution in Mali.
She said NAPTIP during the raid discovered that some of the brothels housed young Nigerians between the ages of 14 years and 17 years.
According to her, the operation to rescue the victims from Mali is necessitated by the numerous disturbing reports from a variety of sources as the girls are used as sex slaves.
She said the agency would ensure that the victim were rehabilitated before sending them back to their states of origin
Jedy-Agba added that any of the victims, who did not wish to return to their states would be adequately taken care of.
The executive secretary said that the nine suspected traffickers repatriated with the girls were being interrogated, adding that the agency would take steps to prosecute them to serve as a deterrent to others.
Jedy-Agba listed the trafficking route to include Lagos-Cotonou, Sokoto-Bori Koni in Niger, Kano-Saudi Arabia, Nigeria Morocco, among others.
She said that trafficking in persons posed a threat to the security of a nation and its well being, adding that if the crime must be eradicated it needed all hands to be on the deck.
``In order to tackle the growing menace, there is a need to take a holistic and coordinated national approach to address predisposition factors.
``Such factors include poverty, ignorance, unemployment and the gradual erosion of our cultural values,'' she said.
According to her, our action or self-denial will not only accelerate the frightening dimensions of this crime but also make the menace invincible.
``Beyond mere bringing these victims back, it is important to note that they must be rehabilitated, empowered and reintegrated back to the society.
``This is in line with the national policy on protection and assistance to victims of traffickers,'' she said.
The victims were from 17 of the 36 states in Nigeria.
Edo had the highest number with 49, Delta 27, Imo five, Akwa-Ibom four, Anambra three, while Lagos and Rivers had two each with the remaining states having one each.

BABA SUWE

Baba Suwe’s lawyer calls for removal of NDLEA chief.

A Lagos-based lawyer, Bamidel Aturu, has called for the removal of the Head of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Femi Ajayi, for wrongly accusing his client.

Aturu told newsmen in Lagos that the Agency failed in its duty to prove that his client, Babatunde Omidina and popularly called Baba Suwe, was guilty of any offence.

According to him, Ajayi needs nobody to tell him to go before he leaves as If it is in other climes, the person will resign.

Omidina was detained by the Agency on October twelve after an arrest at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja in Lagos.

This was on the suspicion that the actor had ingested substances suspected to be
hard drugs.

The agency however failed to establish a case against him after it failed to find any drug on him, leading to a court ordering his immediate release on Nov. 11.

Aturu observed that the Agency’s machines may either be obsolete, or the agency may be under-funded or not having good hands to conduct drug-related tests.

He said he would use Omidina’s case as a deterrent for the Agency for the wrongs done to people.

The Nollywood actor had made his first public appearance with his lawyer at the news briefing, after being in the Agency custody for twenty four days without excreting any drug.

Aturu said it was apparent that the agency acted on a tip-off and had already made up its mind to arrest Omidina immediately they saw him at the airport.

He described Omidina’s arrest as highly dehumanising, saying he was treated as a common criminal.

The lawyer said his client would soon institute a suit against the Agency for the ill-treatment and for conducting several medical tests without his consent.

Speaking at the briefing, Omidina told newsmen that he had never been caught, tried or imprisoned for drug trafficking anywhere in the world.

Omidina said his legs were chained despite his protests that he had not ingested any hard drugs.

GOVERNOR BABATUNDE FASHOLA

OPD Gets 1719 Petition.

The Lagos State Office of the Public Defender, OPD has received 1,719 petitions bothering on assault, child abuse and others from the public in the last eight months.

OPD, an arm of the Ministry of Justice renders free legal service to the oppressed and downtrodden in the society.

Statistics received from the office showed that 60 people have petitioned the office over assault cases and wanted the OPD to get justice for them, while six cases of child abuse in the form of rape had also been reported.

The Office received 53 petitions bothering on child custody and maintenance and 40 petitions on compensation. It also received 166 petitions on court matters and eight others on dissolution of marriage.

Of other petitions received, employee/employer dispute had 315; domestic violence, 53; estate/land, 28; family matters, 218; tenancy cases, 193; seized property, 83; unlawful detention, 98 and others, 398.

The Deputy Director, OPD, Mrs Yinka Adeyemi said the office had received several petitions from the public, soliciting from free legal services and that the office had been representing them in the court as well as helping to settle some of the disputes.

Adeyemi said the office was confronted with the challenges of relations of victims of rape cases coming up to terminate the cases in the court, thus hindering the chances of getting justice for the victims.

“Our challenges are that the people we deal with, like cases of child abuse; while we are handling their cases, their relations will come up to say they are no longer interested in the case.

“On domestic violence involving women, the people involve do not want to come out but in recent times, we have seen an increase in women coming up to report such cases. We advise women to come up to report such cases. They should not die in silence. We have seen cases of women being battered to death

“Women should not die in silence; once it has happened, come to the OPD. In some cases, we have prevented husbands from beating the women. Our women should not suffer in silence, they should speak out,” she said.

She disclosed that a family court has been established, where the oppressed could get justice, adding that “our goal is to bring justice to the doorstep of citizens of Lagos State. We want to see that as long as you are in Lagos State, your rights are not trampled upon.”

Farida Waziri, Chairman EFCC

Time Frame On Corruption Cases Will Boost Anti-Graft War -Waziri.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has described as a great boost to the nation’s anti-graft war, the practice directive issued by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Dahiru Musdapher to judges to henceforth conclude all corruption cases filed and/or pending in their courts within six months.

The commission in a statement issued in response to series of media enquiries seeking its reaction to the development said the directive, if strictly adhered to by judges, will not only draw to a close the over 75 high profile cases and 1500 others it is presently prosecuting in courts with the attendant effect of reshaping the nation’s anti-graft war but will equally reposition the country’s reputation in the international community.

The statement, which quoted the EFCC Chairman, Mrs Farida Waziri, as expressing her profound gratitude to the CJN “for being courageous to issue the directive at this critical period in the process of nation building”, said it is a confirmation that the judiciary is responding to the yearnings of the citizens.

According to the release, “this directive apparently tallies with the objective of the campaign for the creation of special courts to fast track the trial of corruption cases which the EFCC chairman has vigorously pursued since 2008 in the interest of the nation’s socio-economic and political development.

“In response to this development, the Commission is not only ready to prove its cases in all matters it has filed in court, but its chairman has equally issued an immediate directive to put some accused persons and suspects in these matters under strict surveillance to foil any attempt of escape by those who believe their prosecution will never come to an end in their life time.

“The Commission will also want to enjoin all citizens to show greater interest in these cases henceforth with a view to ensure that all stakeholders are put on their toes and report any plot to escape justice.

“While the Commission remains committed to the successful implementation of the CJN’s directive in the interest of justice and the overall interest of the nation, we enjoin all defence counsel in graft cases to see this development as also serving the interest of their clients as justice delayed is justice denied.”

NSCDC BOSS

NSCDC maps out security strategies for Sokoto governorship race.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, has come up with operational order on how to ensure smooth implementation of electoral processes in Sokoto State.

State Commandant of the corps, Aminu Kofar Soro said a comprehensive security network had been worked out to sustain peace in the state

He said already officers and men of the command had been briefed on security modalities to be adopted in their respective areas of jurisdiction.

He added that leaders of political parties had been sensitised on the need to advice their supporters to adhere strictly with the rules and regulations.

Soro said the command would not hesitate to arrest and prosecute any person or group of people found tampering with peaceful nature of the seat of caliphate.

He called on officers to continue to put in their best as hard working ones would be rewarded.

Soro called on parents to carefully monitor their children so as not to allow them be used as political thugs.

Beautiful One, the ex-UNILAG cultist with the SUV he allegedly stole.

Beautiful One, Ex-UNILAG Cultist Turns Robber.

A man who claimed to be a former student of the University of Lagos, UNILAG who was reportedly expelled over his alleged involvement in cultism, Sunday Audu Turaki, a.k.a. Beautiful One, has been arrested by men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS in Lagos for allegedly stealing a Hyundai SUV worth N5 million.

The light silver green Hyundai Tucson Sport Utility Vehicle with registration number RU 619 AAA belongs to an Indian national, Samgee F. Aswaw, a friend to the chairman of the company where the suspect, Turaki works as a logistics officer.

Investigations revealed that the suspect who was known as the Beautiful One during his cult days at UNILAG, removed the car where it was parked at the car park at LSDPC building, Victoria Island, Lagos, southwest Nigeria.

Turaki allegedly drove the car to Benue State with a view to selling it to Mallam Hassan who said he could not buy the car because he does not like it.

Turaki then promised to look for another buyer for the car.

But before he could get a buyer, Turaki got a call from the police in Lagos that his sister and other family members have been arrested and detained at Bar Beach Police Station in Lagos Island over the missing Hyundai car.

When he received the call, Turaki reported at the police station, and he was arrested, and detained for about a week. The vehicle was later recovered from Benue State.

It was learnt that the suspect refused to cooperate with his interrogators because they knew him at Bar Beach Police Station as an impersonator who had paraded himself as a lawyer.

Turaki was later transfered to SARS, where he later allegedly confessed to the crime.

He was reported to have confessed to belonging to cult group and was expelled from the university because of his involvement in cult activities.

The suspect may be arraigned in court soon, after the completion of police investigation.

Al-Mustapha

Al-Mustapha: Court Fixes 30 Jan, 2012.

For Judgment After over a decade of incarceration, former Chief Security Officer, CSO, to the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha and Lateef Shofolahan will know their fate on 30 January, 2012.

Justice Mojisola Ayoka Dada of a Lagos High Court fixed the date for judgment in a case of conspiracy and murder filed against them by the Lagos State government.

The accused were alleged by the state government to have killed Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, wife of the acclaimed winner of 12 June, 1993 presidential election, late Basorun MKO Abiola.

Justice Dada fixed the date after the submission of written addresses by counsel to the parties.

Counsel to the defendants, Olalekan Ojo, leading five other lawyers, submitted a written address, urging the court to free the accused.

Addressing the court, Ojo hinged the defence of his clients on five key issues which he wants the court to determine.

First, he pleaded with the court to dismiss the evidence of the prosecution witnesses, saying they are unreliable.

He explained that the two key prosecution witnesses, Sergeant Barnabas Mshelia, alias Rogers and Mohammed Abdul, alias Katako, denied their evidence-in-chief while being cross examined.

Ojo also described the statements made by the witnesses as extra judicial, stressing that Rogers while being cross examined said the whole case was ‘arrangee.’

Two, Ojo averred that the statements of the two witnesses have no evidential value as they are extra judicial statements. “Therefore, they cannot be referred to as evidence of truth,” he stated.

He said the third witness, a police officer did not conclude his evidence. Therefore, he was not cross-examined.

Finally, Ojo submitted that the prosecution has not proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. According to him, the prosecution did not prove that al-Mustapha and Shofolahan killed Alhaja Kudirat Abiola.

He described murder as a serious offence, stressing that nobody was invited from the family of the late MKO Abiola to identify Shofolahan as a staff of the family.

Based on the totality of the evidence before the court, Ojo submitted that the prosecution has not proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

He urged the court to discharge the accused who have been in detention since October 1998.

In his own presentation, the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN, urged the court to consider the long time taken by the matter and convict the accused as charged.

He told the court that many of the witnesses vital to the case were either dead, retired or are not forthcoming.

Pedro identified two key issues for the court to determine.

One, whether the accused committed the offence or not and two, whether the evidence is credible or not.

He contended that conspiracy does not necessarily means meeting physically. But it is determined by inference and meeting of like minds before the court.

FAKE NAVAL OFFICER

Fake Naval General Arrested With 9 Guns, Bullets.

A fake Naval Commodore, the equivalent of Brigadier-General in the Army, found with large cache of arms and ammunition, Godwin David has been arrested by men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in Igando area of Lagos State, southwest Nigeria.

Godwin, a native of Umuahia in Abia State, was nabbed in his hideout after his gang of robbers and kidnappers who were previously arrested by SARS exposed his clandestine activities.

At his hideout, SARS discovered 4 rocket launchers, 9 AK47 rifles, 2 locally made handcuffs, 30 magazines, live ammunition, 4 fake naval caps and uniform, charms and 4 unused catridges.

In his confessional statement, Godwin David disclosed that he and his gang members usually get their guns from the East where they are later moved to Lagos to be used for their robbery and kidnapping operations.

He said moving the guns and ammunition to Lagos was usually easy as he usually dress as a Naval Commodore to deceive policemen on the road.

He also confessed to using the guns and ammunition for robbing several people in Lagos and its environs.

Godwin disclosed that his gang only goes for big “operations” in which they could make from N2 million and above. “We go for major operation ranging from N2 million and above and my share is usually bigger than every other gang member’s share because I am the leader.

“When we go out for the operation, we dress in naval uniforms so that no policeman or soldier on the road will suspect us. Once we get to our hit area, we pull off the uniforms and begin our operation,” he said.

Godwin also confessed that his gang has successfully kidnapped four people who paid several million for their release.

“We have kidnapped four set of people in Lagos. We collected N2 million and N4 million from two of the victims. The name of one of the victims we kidnapped is Rodney Ogagba.”

Godwin said the hideout in Igando where he was caught, was used to keep the kidnapped victims.

Narrating how he was eventually arrested, he said: “I was in the camp when I saw my boy with a man who came on an okada. I heard a gun shot and immediately, I opened fire. Before I knew it, I was trapped down and arrested by SARS operatives led by OC SARS, SP Abba Kyari.”

Sources at SARS told P.M.NEWS that the landlord of the premises where Godwin was arrested is presently on the run and he has been declared wanted by SARS.

The source further told P.M.NEWS that the landlord is believed to be an accomplice.

SSS DEPUTY DIRECTOR PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER, MARILYN OGAR

SSS arrest 5 suspected pirates

The State Security Service has in Lagos apprehended five suspected pirates, including a man believed to be a retired naval officer.

According to the security organisation, the officer of the rank of lieutenant commander rank and four others were arrested for allegedly hijacking a vessel laden with twenty-six thousand tonnes of fuel.

Deputy Director, Public Relations Department, Marilyn Ogar who announced this said the Lagos-bound vessel “ROASA TOMASOS” was hijacked by the suspects and others still at large on Nov. 3 while approaching Lagos from the Niger Delta.

Ogar said``On Nov. 6, the SSS successfully recovered the vessel and its content intact while the suspects, who are members of a notorious gang of pirates, were apprehended.

According to her,``Investigation also revealed that this same group was responsible for the hijack of a vessel named Cape Bird carrying 32,000 tonnes of automated gas oil, belonging to Sahara Energy Resources on Oct. 7 and succeeded in taking away eight tonnes of the products,”.

She said the suspects, who were being investigated, would soon be charged to court.

Ogar, however, said two persons had also been declared wanted in connection with the hijack -- Abenego Abaka a.k.a Captain Abedi and Felix a.k.a FNU, a ``lawyer’’.

She urged Nigerians to desist from acts capable of giving the country negative image, adding that they should also be security conscious and cooperate with security agencies by offering useful information.

NDLEA Boss Ahmad Giade

NDLEA apprehends 2 men with 101 bags of suspected cannabis

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Thursday in Abuja said it had arrested two men, who were allegedly transporting 101 bags of weeds suspected to be cannabis.

The two suspects were paraded at the FCT Command of the agency by the Commander in the FCT, Mrs Omolade Faboyede.

Faboyede, while parading the suspects, said they were arrested on Nov. 5, at Gwagwalada, FCT, with the alleged exhibit weighing 951.1 kg.

She said the truck, which at first appeared empty when opened by NDLEA officers for search, had another compartment that was constructed inside.

According to her, it was in that compartment that the bags of the suspected cannabis were allegedly found.

She said investigations were still ongoing to determine the real owners of the consignment and arrest them.

The commander said the two suspects, who would soon be prosecuted, were giving the agency useful information that would help in its investigation.

Responding to questions from journalists, the suspects denied knowledge of the consignment they were carrying.

They said that they were only directed to go to Kaduna from Onitsha to pack some goods and that they went to Kaduna but could not locate their contact there.

According to them, they were on their way back, as instructed by their boss, one Chinedu, when they were arrested by officers of the NDLEA.

NDLEA appeals to traditional rulers on drug abuse

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has appealed to traditional and religious leaders in Gombe State to assist the agency in stamping out drug abuse.

The Commandant, Aliyu Adole, said the leaders had the capacity to help in stamping it out from the grassroots.

He said cocaine and heroin were on sale in Gombe, adding that the first case of cocaine in Gombe the state had been prosecuted and sentenced to four years by a court.

He said the agency would intensify efforts to quickly nip the ugly trend in the bud, to safeguard the youths and other members of the society.

Adole further solicited the cooperation of all relevant stakeholders, including security agencies, to check the illegal activities of the drug dealers.

He described as worrisome the availability of hard drugs in the state ``which has no international border that would serve as conduit''.

PPRO LAGOS POLICE COMMAND

Police to clamp down on banger sellers

The Lagos State Police Command has said it would soon commence the arrest of sellers and users of bangers.

Command Public Relations Officers, Samuel Jinadu, a deputy superintendent of police, said the command had sent out warnings against the use of bangers and that the new drive would rein in sellers and suppliers.

He said it was important to track down offenders of that directive so as to check the possibility of robbers and terrorists cashing in on the opportunity to wreck havoc on residents.

Police arrest five armed robbery suspects

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested five armed robbery suspects allegedly terrorising residents of the state.

Command Public Relations Officer, Samuel Jinadu, said the suspects were arrested with a locally-made single barrelled shotgun in a stationary tricycle at Jejelaiye St., Ajangbadi, Lagos, during the Eld-El-Kabir celebration.

Jinadu gave the names of the suspects as David Silas, Niyi Bolaji, Odutola Temitope, Jude Jepher and Lawal Ramoni.

The PPRO said that the suspects had made useful statements to aid the police in their investigations.

He said that the case had been transferred to State CID, Panti, Yaba, for further investigations and for possible prosecution of the suspects.

CUSTOM PERSONNELS

NCS surpasses 2011 revenue collection target by N6b.

Abdullahi Dikko, Comptroller-General, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), says the Service surpassed its 2011 revenue target by N6 billion.

He announced this in Abuja at the Monthly Revenue Strategy meeting with the NCS management and Area Comptrollers.

Wale Adeniyi, NCS Public Relations Officer, quoted Dikko as saying the revenue target was N596 billion.

“As at the end of October 2011, the Service has generated a total of N602 billion.

``By the end of the year, we hope to have generated bonus revenue of over N100 billion into government coffers. ”

The Comptroller-General attributed the feat to the stringent measures put in place to closely monitor revenue performance and blocking of leakages.

These measures includ the creation of a System-Audit Unit in the headquarters to monitor duty payment in all ports.

It also includes the automation of the entire Customs Clearance Procedure, which allowed faster and smoother clearance and the improved quality delivery by the NCS workforce.

The Comptroller-General also noted that the automation of excise payment procedures greatly helped to block leakages associated with the sector.

``Though only four locally produced items pay excise duties in Nigeria, they represent about 10 per cent of the total collections. ”

He said before 2011, the average monthly collection by the Service was N30 billion which had increased to a monthly average of N50 billion in the first quarter of 2011.

He added that towards the end of the second quarter, the Service recorded an increase of N61.5 billion in July 2011 and surpassed by the collection of N76.2 billion in August.

IGP

Police confirm 65 dead in Yobe expolsion

The Nigerian Police Force, has confirmed the death of 65 people in the explosion which rocked Damaturu on Nov. 4.

Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, Yemi Ajayi
gave the breakdown as 11 policemen, two soldiers, two civil defence personnel,one immigration officer and one customs personnel.

Ajayi also said 36 Boko Haram suspects and 11 civilians died in the incident.

He reiterated the need for all Nigerians to report suspicious movements and gatherings to the nearest police station or other security agencies.

It also appealed to the public to cooperate with the police on their quest at reducing crime to the barest minimum.

Police rescue six-year-old boy from kidnappers

The Rivers State Police Command says it
has rescued a six-year–old-boy, who was kidnapped on Nov.7.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Ben Ugwuegbulam said the boy's rescue
followed a quick police response to a distress call.

He said Rumuji Division in Emohua Local Government Area, had received information
that the boy had been sighted at Ibaa also in the LGA in company of his abductors.

Ugwuegbulam said the suspects ran away, abandoning their victim, on seeing the police.

He said the boy was identified and handed over to his father at Rumukpakani Police Station
in Port Harcourt, where the matter was earlier reported.

The spokesman said investigation into the incident had commenced, assuring the public
that the suspects would be arrested and brought to justice.

The boy was the second youngest kidnap victim in Rivers.
The youngest was a six-month-old baby, abducted by four gunmen and a lady.

The baby was later rescued in Aba in Abia after several weeks.

Nigeria Police deserves honours for role in sports development - AIG Zone 6

Abubakar Mohammed, the Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) of Police, Zone 6, Calabar, has expressed dismay over the failure of Nigerians to appreciate the efforts of the police in sports development.

Mohammed said the police consistently produced world class sports men and women who had brought honour to the country.

He emphasised that the sports men and women in the police had won laurels and honour for the country.

He however expressed regret that the dwindling resources of the force had affected its investment in sports, thus making it difficult for the police to sustain the practice.

Mohammed also said that the rising crime rate and the security challenges in the country had also compelled the force to channel available funds to policing, to the disadvantage of sports.

The police chief noted that though Nigeria had come a long way in sports, the current lull in athletes’ performance was disturbing.

He attributed the development to the incompetence of sports administrators in the country.

The AIG maintained that the country needed to consolidate on the achievements recorded so far, rather than regress.

The police chief, who served as Chairman of Security Sub-Committee on Nigeria ‘99 and the 2009 FIFA youth football tournaments, said that the country learnt a lot from hosting the championships.

Bank Chief Charged With Fraud.

State Criminal Investigation Department of the Nigeria Police, Panti, Yaba, Lagos State, has filed a four-count criminal charge of conspiracy and stealing against a manager of Ecobank Nigeria Plc, Tosin Lawal and her husband, Michael.

In the said charge number FHC/L/342C/11 filed before a Federal High Court in Lagos, the police prosecuting officer, Nosa Ununnogho, alleged that Tosin and Michael Lawal, between 22 April and 6 September, 2011 at Ecobank Nigeria Plc, Allen Avenue, Ikeja branch, did conspire to commit felony to wit stealing and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code, law of the Federation 2004.

The prosecutor alleged further that the accused, being a customer services manager of the bank, same time and place, with the intention to defraud, knowingly made fraudulent account concerning transactions in various customers’ accounts under her control, thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 438 of the Criminal Code laws of the Federation.

It was also alleged in the third count of the charge that the accused persons, same time and place, with intention to defraud, obtained N209,674,267, property of Ecobank Nigeria Plc under the pretext that the amount was being posted to their lawful owners’ accounts, a representation they knew to be false, thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 419 of the Criminal Code.

In the fourth count, the accused were alleged to have stolen N209,674,267, property of Ecobank of Nigeria Plc, thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 390 of the Criminal Code.

The accused persons were initially arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrate’s Court but chose to be tried by a High Court, hence the new charge was filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos.

The arraignment was, however, stalled last week as the first accused, Tosin Lawal, currently in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) since 30 September, was not produced.

The presiding judge, Justice Okechukwu Okeke, adjourned for a new date to be fixed for the arraignment of the accused persons.