Late Ozuah: police maintain innocence as principal witness flees

Ozuah: Police Maintain Innocence as Principal Witness Flees

Lagos Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ngozi Braide

By Chiemelie Ezeobi

In the face of mounting public outcry against the alleged murder of 36-year-old Ugochukwu Ozuah, the Lagos State Police Command has maintained its stance that the deceased was shot by suspected armed robbers in police uniform and not police officers as alleged.

This came as the principal witness in the entire saga, Omene Irikefe, the deceased’s friend who was also with him on that fateful night was alleged to have fled to safety following purported attempts to arrest him.

It would be recalled that the deceased was killed last Thursday by gunshots allegedly fired by some police officers at Gbagada barely five days after his wedding ceremony with his heartthrob, Joan.

THISDAY investigations revealed that the police had stormed Irikefe’s house for questioning but met an empty apartment as the principal witness, acting on a tip off, fled to safety.

police arrest NSPMC staff with N.9M Fake money

 

Police Arrest NSPMC Staff with N.9m Fake Money

IGP, Mohammed Abubakar

By Chiemelie Ezeobi

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a member of staff of the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company (NSPMC) for allegedly being in possession of fake N900, 000.

Prior to his arrest by police detectives attached to ‘Area N’ Command Headquarters, Ijede in Ikorodu, the suspect who was identified as Osakpolo Igbinosa, was said to have been perpetrating the act since 2010, as a material security officer.

Igbinosa said it was not actually printed by him but the NSPMC, alleging that they were the ones yet to reach the final stage of printing at the NSPMC.

Fielding questions from journalists on his arrest, the suspect said he had gone to a nearby Bureau De Change to change some of the money for American Dollars when the Bureau de Change operator raised the alarm and alerted the police.

He said: “The notes are not fake per se, but the difference is that, they have not reached the final stage of production and so, there are no serial numbers on them. Contrary to what I was accused off, I did not print the money. These notes are genuine ones and were printed by my company but I stole them because I needed to offset some debt.”

Otto Orondaam: help for the slum to school project

Be the hand of hope.
Written By: Otto Orondaam

It was on the 19th day of May 2012, myself and over hundred other young, impact driven volunteers gathered with senior officials from over 15 different governmental and Non-governmental organizations, community elders and many guests to enroll 118 children into 3 Schools. These kids, although they looked malnourished and some abandoned, were filled with so much intelligence. We never knew the impact of what we were doing until that Saturday morning when we watched tears drop down the eyes of their parents/caregivers and saw how the atmosphere was filled with pouring emotions.

I sat down and watched these kids from afar as they presented a cultural dance in appreciation of what had been done for them. I could barely identify them, as they had been totally transformed. They looked so different from the kids we had been with in the slum for months. I couldn’t believe they were the same children we saw playing without clothes and swimming in the brackish water.

They were well dressed in their new school uniforms with backpacks and had smiles all over their faces. Sotiana, one of my very favorite beneficiary spotted me and ran towards me, she grabbed me and wouldn’t let go. Her mum was late and she was abandoned by her dad to roam the streets of the slum selling fish. She was 13years old and for 8years, she had never seen the walls of a classroom. I held her and tried to get her back to the others children but she held me tight with tears rolling down her cheeks. Although she looked small and couldn’t express herself, but i could see gratitude written all over her face.

As we distributed their school kits according to the names on the enrollment list, we were caught up in another dilemma. Other groups of children who were friends and siblings of our beneficiaries stood looking sad, depressed and rejected. They also needed the same opportunity. They needed to be given a chance to have a bright future. They looked desperate yet helpless. I could do nothing at this point but watch in pains. Rather than feeling fulfilled after the successful enrollment ceremony, I went back home sad and broken. The thoughts kept running through my mind and their voices couldn’t just cease to echo in my ears.

“Uncle you did not give me bag”, “Aunty I also want to go to school” “Aunty me, Aunty me, Uncle me”, were the words they spoke in their local language, which was translated by our community volunteers.

Sometimes, we complain of not having enough, but we are blessed beyond our imagination to give a million folds. We should count ourselves really opportune if we can read this message. Several times, we try not to care about those less privileged than we are, but we will always need that help from those more privileged than we are.

 
Few days later, we began the monitoring and evaluation stage of the project and then decided to go back into the slum, forfeit our jobs, sacrifice our weekdays, train community youths, organize series of outreaches, advocacy visits and after rigorous screening and verification exercise we finally have 200 more children who are willing and desperately waiting to join their mates in school.

It has been a journey worthwhile, a journey of hope and fulfillment, a road filled with challenges and setbacks yet we stayed steadfast and strong. It really feels inspiring seeing the number of volunteers increase everyday. Volunteers, who are willing to take a stand for change and act, rather seat indoors and complain. Young ladies and gents who will take off their jackets, roll up their jeans and jump into the slum just to secure the future of disadvantaged children.

However we have now gotten to another juncture where we quickly need to go across the hurdles. We have been through this before and we believe it wouldn’t be difficult this time around. Can we please give these kids the hope they desire?

Yes! We can play our own role and talk to others to play theirs. It costs N30,000 (Thirty thousand Naira only) to sponsor a child for a year and N6Million Naira for 200 Children. Yes, we can do this and just like always, we remain absolutely accountable to every sponsor, donor or partner and we believe that together we can make a difference in their lives.

All donations will be made into the account of our respected professional partner, Bethesda Child Support Agency.

Account Details: Bethesda Child Support/Slum 2 School Project

Account Number; 1012994165

Any branch of Zenith Bank

 Follow us on twitter @slum2school and @otto_orondaam

Please for more information send an SMS to 08063477974 or email to slumtoschool@gmail.comg

Jonathan May Agree to Remove Oteh, Maina

Jonathan May Agree to Remove Oteh, Maina

President Goodluck Jonathan

By Ike Abonyi and Onwuka Nzeshi

President Goodluck Jonathan may give in to pressure from the National Assembly, which has pushed for the sack of the Director General, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ms. Arunma Oteh, and the Chairman of the Pension Task Team, Mr. Abdulrasheed Maina, THISDAY has learnt.

It was gathered that the president is considering removing the duo along with the Director General, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Ms. Bolanle Onagoruwa, if he fails to convince the leadership of the National Assembly to grant them a reprieve, as part of his efforts to thaw the frosty relationship between the two arms of government.

The executive, it was gathered, had made overtures to the leadership of the National Assembly, explaining why some of its resolutions had not been implemented to the letter.

At a meeting last Tuesday between Jonathan and the leadership of the legislature, the president had yielded to their demand to reconsider the currency restructuring exercise and introduction of N5,000 note planned by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The lawmakers, however, were said to have accused the president of dithering on the implementation of notable resolutions, including those calling for the sack of Oteh, Maina and Onagoruwa.

Of the trio, it was gathered that the National Assembly remains uncompromising on Oteh’s removal.

The demand for Oteh's sack formed an integral part of the recommendation of the House of Representative’s ad hoc committee, which investigated the near collapse of the capital market. Last March, Oteh was involved in an ill-tempered spat with the standing committee of the House on Capital Market and Institutions, which was investigating the remote and immediate causes of the collapse of the capital market between 2008 and 2012.

The House, which had recommended her removal before it went on recess in July, renewed its clamour for her sack on Tuesday after it resumed from recess, stressing that it was not prepared to back down on its earlier resolution on the matter.

The House had passed a resolution on July 19 requesting Jonathan to remove Oteh from office for allegedly being unqualified by law to occupy the position, for being incompetent, and her inability to manage the organisation effectively.

In renewing its resolution last week, it warned that it should henceforth cease to accord any recognition to Oteh or deal with her as the SEC director general.

It also directed its Committee on Legislative Compliance to monitor developments on the issue and to brief the House on the level of compliance with the resolution within the next 14 days.

The House expressed dismay that the executive ignored the earlier resolution even when it was duly conveyed by the Clerk of the National Assembly on July 30.

Ozuah: Allegdly Killed by the Police five days after wedding

 

Ugochukwu Ozuah: Married on Saturday, Killed Thursday

Ugochukwu Ozuah 

By Chiemelie Ezeobi

With his marriage on September 15 to his sweetheart, Joan Azubuike, 36-year-old Ugochukwu Ozuah was looking forward to savouring the joy of a new phase in his journey of life.

After the euphoria of the wedding, the newly wedded couple went on honeymoon at Whispering Palms, Badagry, where they spent three days and returned to Lagos on September 18, all ecstatic about the new life they were to share together.

But their joy and that of their families was cut short as two days after the honeymoon ended, Ozuah was killed on Thursday, September 20, by some police officers who allegedly shot him in Gbagada, Lagos at about 10pm.

According to THISDAY findings, the deceased, a former student of King’s College, Lagos was allegedly murdered by the policemen who were on patrol.

The deceased was said to have been shot twice on his chest while he was seeing off a friend, Irikefe Omene, who had visited him. Those who spoke to THISDAY said the policemen were drunk when they shot Ozuah without provocation.

Omene, who was with the deceased when he was shot, still looking dazed, told THISDAY that the whole scenario flashed past like a film.

CRIME WAVE IN KOGI

Crime Wave: Kogi State Government Harps on Job Creation

 

Governor Idris Wada


With increasing cases of violent crimes in Kogi State, the Governor Idris Wada-led administration recently introduced a new programme that has made it possible for the teeming unemployed youths in the state to acquire new skills, writes Shola Oyeyipo

At nightfall in Kogi State citizens fear the terror of the night. Aptly described as a confluence state, the fear of terror now makes citizen of a revered ‘confluence state’ to huddle together in fear day and night. This, the state governor, Idris wada is rolling up his sleeve to put at bay. He is creating job to stem crime wave.

With six tertiary institutions across the state churning out graduates every year, there is a growing rate of youth unemployment. A trip round the length and breadth of the state reveals the quantum of able-bodied young men and women in Lokoja, Koton-Karfe, Kabba, Mopa, Egbe, Ankpa, Idah, Ayingba, Ogori-Magongo, Okene, Ajaokuta and several other parts of the state who are seeking the non-existing job opportunities.

While acknowledging that there is youth unemployment and reiterating the disposition of the administration to the issue of gainfully employing the youths in the state, the Special Adviser to governor on Media and Strategy, Mr. Jacob Edi, enthused, “The government of Captain Idris Wada is leaving no stone unturned to create jobs and make the youth economically independent.”

THE LAW OF COURTMARTIAL

Court Martial: Law and Practice in the Armed Forces of Nigeria by A.I. Omachi, A.I. Omachi & Co., Kaduna (2012)

09 Sep 2012

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military law made simple

By Yinka Olatunbosun
Perhaps, one of the areas of legal practice that falls outside the spotlight of academic research until recently is found in the criminal justice administration and trial procedure in the Nigeria Armed Forces. One factor responsible for this is that over the years, court martial trials had been marked with seeming fear and trepidation which may have been connected with the prolonged military rule in Nigeria. Democracy has, however, changed the attitude and litigations in the area have become more frequent. Another factor is that court martial proceedings are often restricted from the public and journalists are often barred from reporting from the court. The martial court has thus earned a mystified position in history with the imaginary “Military Zone-Keep Off” signpost.

Still, legal practitioners have had to grapple with the dearth of legal text materials on court martial and summary trial proceedings in the Nigerian Armed Forces. The author thus wrote this book to fill the void created in the learning and practice of military law by providing in-depth information on a wide range of issues. Having been called to bar in 2002, Omachi was posted to 1 Division Headquarters Legal Service Department, Kaduna during his National Youth Service programme. This was where he first ventured into court martial proceedings at a general court martial convened by the General Officer Commanding 1 Division , Nigerian Army and since then had participated in several court martial proceedings.

LAGOS TRAFFIC LAW

Traffic Law: Lagos Ready for Enforcement

 

Governor Babatunde Fashola

As the Lagos State Government steps up effort to commence the enforcement of the new road traffic law, almost all transport operators across state have come to terms with the new law. But, Governor Babatunde Fashola advocates voluntary compliance with the new regime. Gboyega Akinsanmi writes

He never thought he could run out of luck, rather Mr. Samson Adebiyi simply thought another business opportunity had come his way, from which he could make some money. He was apparently excited when Mr. Semiu Ambali, an unsuspecting IT consumer, approached him again to buy another handset, barely twenty-four hours after he bought the first one.

Only last Monday, the Lagos State Government more strikingly expressed readiness to commence enforcement of its newly enacted road traffic law amid increasing public support. Early this week too, the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) threw its weight behind the new regime, which its national executives led by Mr. Umaru Yasin visited Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) at the Lagos House, Ikeja.

Also penultimate week, all Community Development Associations (CDAs) and Community Development Committees (CDCs) pledged their support to ensure effective enforcement of the new regime, which their leaders said, would help stem the spate of motorcycle-related robbery in the state. Among others, residents’ associations too, though apprehensive about its enforcement, said a megacity without such a traffic law “depicts a bad order”.

Even before they approached an Ikeja High Court on Monday, Association of Okada Operators in the state unflinchingly gave their backing to the state government, thereby pledging to duly observe the new regime, to which Fashola assented August 2.

But their song changed the morning after the okada riders pledged their support at a stakeholders’ meeting, which was specifically organised to sensitise and enlighten them.

Beyond various meetings it had organised with critical stakeholders across the 20 local government areas (LGAs) and 37 local council development areas (LCDAs), the state government has been using a multi-pronged approach first to create more awareness about the law and second to inculcate a new culture of road usage in all motorists and road users.

VISA WAHALA

Torture, Frustration of Visa Applicants at VFS Centre in Abuja

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/torture-frustration-of-visa-applicants-at-vfs-centre-in-abuja/124557/

Embassy environment or Visa applicants


Nigerians applying for South African visa face untold hardship at VFS visa application centre in Abuja. Damilola Oyedele writes
Clutching office folder in one hand and a back pack housing her laptop computer and other documents needed for the day’s business, Clement Etuk, a young professional arrived at the gate of VFS global in Abuja brimming with hope. With a broad smile, he alighted from the car that brought him, but in a quick turn of events, he became unsettling at the ugly scene that greeted his arrival. He muttered few words. “Nigerians are back to the dark days of visa processing”, he said.

Etuk had arrived at the VFS global located on plot 1901, hillside plaza, Yakubu Gowon way, Asokoro to process a visa to South Africa, only to realise Nigerians are facing unkind treatment in the hands of Indians managing visa application on behalf of foreign Embassies in the country.

A fuming Etuk did the obvious: let out a rage, shouting to the high heavens, “When will this stop. We can’t be second citizens in our own country”.

Sure, for a long time, the process for visa application in the country has been one of the most harrowing experiences for many Nigerians. Indeed, to obtain a visa to any country was considered a personal achievement for many Nigerians; most of whom had to part with huge sums of money in a black market arrangement to secure the visas.

This, analyst blamed on the extent of stress that Nigerians were subjected to by many embassies operating in the country. For instance, applicants in the past usually had to travel from their locations to the major cities like Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, and in some cases Kano or Kaduna, to be able to submit their applications and attend visa interviews. If the applicant does not have any relation or friend in the major city, he has to lodge in a hotel.

 

bloody sunday as robbers kill seven

Bloody Sunday as Robbers Kill Seven in Lagos Raid

 

IGP, Mohammed Abubakar

By Chiemelie Ezeobi

Robbers Sunday launched multiple attacks on various targets in Lagos, leaving in their trail, deaths and sorrow. Seven persons, including three policemen, were shot dead in the raids on targets in Ojodu, Ikeja, Surulere and Agege, among others. Those who were lucky among the victims, including a year-old baby, Taiye, were left with varying degrees of injuries.

The robbers had first struck at a bureau de change in Gbagada area before moving on to Ojodu and Ikeja. Another gang was believed to have launched attacks on targets around Anthony, Oshodi, Itire, Agege, Bariga, Ilasamanja and Adelabu Street in Surulere.

In what looked like well-coordinated attacks, the robbers held the citizenry of the state in different areas to ransom while the operations lasted. It could, however, not be confirmed if the robbers were of the same or different gangs.

THISDAY gathered that the armed gang had successfully looted the bureau-de-change after shooting some people. The volley of bullets from the robbers scared residents away from the streets while the operation lasted. The terror-struck residents resorted to using the social media network, especially twitter, Facebook and blackberry messages to announce the attacks and to warn others against coming into the neighbourhood.

It was also gathered that in their attempt to make a successful get-away with their loot, the robbers had engaged a patrol team of the RRS with registration number 5251 which they met at Guinness Bus Stop, Oba Akran Road, Ikeja, in a gun duel which resulted in the death of two police officers.

Eyewitness accounts said the robbers outgunned the police officers because they took them unawares. According to an eyewitness simply identified as Akin, the RRS patrol vehicle was not aware that the SUV that was driving by had armed robbers in it and so were not prepared for the onslaught of gunfire that greeted their approach.

However, another report said the robbers opened fire on the RRS team when the policemen were pursuing them. According to eyewitnesses, the police team were pursuing the robbers when both sides engaged in a gun duel at Guinness Bus Stop.

Another gang, which operated on a motorcycle at Anthony Bus Stop on the Ikorodu Expressway, was said to have shot a Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) official identified as Sosan on both legs.

Confirming the shooting of the official, the Public Relations Officer, LASTMA, Bola Ajao, said the official was responding to treatment at an undisclosed hospital where he was rushed to for treatment.