Police arraign woman who killed three-year-old for vomiting

A 21-year-old woman, Rebecca Bassey, has been arraigned before an Ebute Meta Magistrate’s Court, Lagos State, for allegedly killing her husband’s niece, Deborah Bassey.

It was reported on August 2, that the defendant allegedly beat up the deceased for vomiting and defecating on herself.

Police sources had said young Deborah, who lost her mother in 2010, had been sent by her father to stay with his brother.

On the said date, Deborah was said to have woken up  with a high temperature and started vomiting.

This was said to have angered the defendant, who reportedly beat her up instead of administering medical treatment.

It was reported that the victim started to bleed from the head before some neighbours rushed her to Ahmadiyya Hospital, where she was referred to Orile Agege General Hospital. She died at the hospital.

The incident occurred at Powerline Street, Ijaiye Ojokoro area of Lagos State.

Rebecca was subsequently arrested and charged with murder.

The police told the court on Tuesday that Rebecca killed the three-year-old by hitting her head on an iron chair.

The one count murder charge read, “That you, Rebecca Bassey, f, on the July 22, 2013 at about 0600hrs, at No 158, Powerline Street, Ijaiye Ojokoro, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did unlawfully kill one Deborah Uduak Bassey, f, aged 3 years, by hitting her head on an iron chair and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 221 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, Nigeria, 2011.”

The police added that the accused made confessional statement, and although investigation was still on, there was finger print evidence to nail the accused.

Her plea was not taken.

The prosecutor, Inspector Frank Inah, filed application for the remand of the defendant pending the advice from the Director of Public Prosecution.

Counsel for the defendant, Mr. Olabisi Kolawole, urged the court to grant bail to the defendant.

He said, “The charge does not represent the true facts of the case. The scripture says spare the rod and spoil the child. It was a mere spank that led to the death of the deceased. She has been taking care of this child for a very long time.”

The magistrate, Mr. O.A Komolafe, however, remanded the defendant in prison pending the DPP’s advice.

The matter was adjourned till October 2.

Agent defrauds 12 prospective tenants of N4m

Ebute Meta Chief Magistrate Court

The police have arraigned one Alhaji Lukman Adewole before an Ebute Meta Magistrate’s Court for allegedly defrauding 12 prospective tenants of N4, 060,000.

 Adewole, who was arraigned on 24 counts of fraud and stealing, was said to have collected sums ranging from N100, 000 to N850,000, from the people who had approached him for accommodation.

 The defendant was said to have collected the money for a property located at Folaranmi Street in the Egbe area of Lagos.

However, after payments were made, the  accommodation  seekers discovered that they had been duped.

The charge read in part, “That you, Alhaji Lukman Adewole, m, on October 18, 2012 at No 4, Folaranmi Street, off Liasu Road, Egbe-Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, with intent to defraud, did fraudulently obtain the sum of N850,000 (Eight Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) from one Soji Ekundayo, m, under the pretext that you are able to let a mini flat apartment at No 4 Folaranmi Street, off Liasu Road, Egbe, Lagos, a representation you knew to be false.

“That you Alhaji Lukman Adewole, m, on the same date, time and place in the aforesaid Magisterial District, did dishonestly steal the sum of N850,000 (Eight Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) property of Joseph Orakwe.”

The prosecutor, Mr. Richard Odige, said the offences were contrary to Sections 312 and 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, Nigeria, 2011.

The defendant said he was not guilty of the 24 counts charge.

 His counsel pleaded that he should be admitted on bail “in the most liberal terms.”

The magistrate, Ms S.O. Solebo, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N1m with two sureties in like sum.

The matter was adjourned till October 2.

Guards help robbers to steal from pharmaceutical firm

The suspects

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested two security guards, Ali Salifu and Eno Kela, with seven others for allegedly robbing pharmaceutical company, May and Baker, in Ikeja Indusrial Estate.

Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide, said that the arrested guards gave other security men in the company some packs of juice laced with a banned drug, Rohypnol, to make them sleep when the robbery was taking place.

She added that policemen attached to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad were, however, able to foil the operation after some hours of surveillance.

She said, “On August 24, 2013, SARS operatives received information that some robbers were planning to rob May and Baker at Ikeja. Around 9pm, the robbers had duplicated a key to the warehouse where the company’s products were kept. We learnt that some of the security guards had connived with the robbers after being promised N200,000.

“The robbers also gave the security men laced juice and told them to give it to other security men at the company to make them sleep. The robbers came in two trucks and were loading cartons of two expensive drugs, Sulphatride and Thyzamide, into the trucks when they were apprehended.

“Policemen from SARS stormed the place and foiled the robbery. The robbers, who were in possession of two AK-47 rifles, immediately threw their guns into the warehouse when they saw the policemen.

“The robbers and the prospective buyer of the stolen goods have all been arrested.”

The suspects, however, said they were not armed during the robbery.

The security guards also denied complicity. They said they did not know that a robbery was taking place on the premises until policemen arrived at the scene.

Salifu said, “They had approached me before, saying they wanted to rob and they would give me N200, 000 but I refused. On the day they came, they told me they were going to another company. I did not know they came to rob.”

The suspect accused of masterminding the operation, Olanrewaju Simeon, said this was his second time of robbing the company.

Simeon, who claimed to have been in charge of the company’s security before his dismissal in 2011, said he was expecting N1m from the operation.

He said, “I have been jobless since I was asked to leave the company in 2011. But I understand how things are done at the company. Last year, I successfully robbed the place and made N1m. This year, I got in touch with another security guard at the company, Richard, who gave me the go ahead to rob.

“May and Baker shares the compound with five other companies, so the security guards at the main gate are different from those attached to May and Baker. I understood this very well and Richard told me that he would get some drinks, inject them with Rohypnol and give them to the security guards at May and Baker, telling them that he was celebrating his birthday.

“Richard demanded N50, 000 from me and then introduced me to the other guards (Salifu and Kela). I gave them N50,000 and they remained at the main gate to ensure that the robbery was successful. Unfortunately, policemen caught and arrested us. Richard however managed to escape.”

The proposed buyer, Ejike Ehiri, 62, said he did not know he was buying stolen goods since Simeon had pretended to be a medical sales representative.

The father of nine said, “I bought drugs from him (Simeon) last year at the cost of N400,000. I did not know the goods were stolen. It was not until SARS operatives arrived at my house that I knew he was a robber.”

Another suspect, James Imoha, who claimed to be a graduate of Mechanical Engineering from Auchi Polytechnic, said he did not know that he was engaging in a robbery operation.

He said he had only been invited by a friend to convey the goods from the warehouse to a truck at midnight.

Police arrest 12 suspected cultists in Ogun

Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Ikemefuna Okoye

The police in Ogun have arrested 12 suspected cult members in Ogijo, Sagamu Local Government Area of the state.

The police said weapons including guns, live catridges, Indian hemp and assorted charms were also recovered from the suspected cultists.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, said in a statement on Tuesday that a team of police detectives led by the Divisional Police Officer, Ogijo Division, Superintendent Toyin Afolaogun, stormed the hideout of the cultists at  12.15am last Saturday and arrested the 12 suspects.

Adejobi, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, said  the arrest of the suspected cultists, who had made life miserable for the Ogijo people, followed complaints from members of the public and intelligence report from the State Intelligence Bureau of the command.

The statement read in part, “On Saturday, some teams of police detectives led by the DPO Ogijo Division, SP Toyin Afolaogun, pounced on the cultists in the area between the hours of 12.15am and 4.30am and arrested 12 cultists  belonging to different cult groups.

“The command has been duly informed of the dangerous activities of the cultists who have been terrorising and robbing people of the area, particularly on their land, when they are constructing structures on their legally acquired land.

“The command is ready to sanitise the area and get rid of miscreants and cultists.”

Man caught attempting to rape girl, 9

A 23-year old man, Ohuegbe Vincent, has been arraigned before an Ebute Meta Magistrate’s Court, Lagos, for allegedly wanting to have the carnal knowledge of a nine year old girl.

Vincent was, however, said to have assaulted the minor by “giving her a human bite on her right breast.”

The incident occurred on Church Street, in the Ebute Meta area of Lagos.

Vincent was arraigned on two counts of assault and attempted rape.

The charge read in part, “That you, Ohugbe Vincent, m, on the September 1, 2013, at about 1420 hours, at No 2, Church Street, Ebute Meta, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did unlawfully assault one (names withheld), f, aged 9 years old by giving her human bite on her right breast.”

The prosecutor, Inspector Richard Odige, said the offences were contrary to Sections 171 and 260 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, Nigeria, 2011.

Vincent said he was not guilty of the charges.

His counsel pleaded he be admitted on bail.

The magistrate, Ms S.O Solebo, agreed to admit him on bail in the sum of N200,000 and with two sureties each in like sum.

The matter was adjourned till September 25.

JTF destroys two illegal refineries

Illegal refinery destroyed by JTF in Bayelsa State

Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta says it has destroyed two illegal oil refineries in Bayelsa State.

Spokesman for JTF, Lt. Col. Onyema Nwachukwu,  said troops of 5 Battalion of the outfit deployed in Sector 2 area in the Niger Delta impounded two barges laden with illegally sourced crude oil along the Kasabobo creek.

Nwachukwu said the feat was achieved after a weeklong intensive anti-oil theft patrol targeted at sanitising the creeks and waterways of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa.

This came even as the Bayelsa State Government  said the Governor Seriake Dickson administration would rid the state of kidnapping, pipeline vandalism and other crimes.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Lt.Col. Bernard  Kenebai (retd.), spoke on behalf of the government in an interview on Tuesday.

“In Bayelsa, the criminals will have to make a personal decision not to be involved in kidnapping, pipeline vandalism and other crimes. Our mandate and commitment is to ensure that we rid Bayelsa of criminals.

“We earnestly must empower security agencies and position them to be able to carry out their statutory responsibilities in such a way that meets the expectations of the citizens.”

Speaking on the impounded oil barges, the JTF spokesman said the Commander, Sector 2, Brig.-Gen. Osasogie Uzamere, ordered the operation  following reports that crude oil theft had continued despite JTF’s continuous clampdown on the activities of criminals.

Nwachukwu said, “The troops were ordered by the Commander, Sector 2 Brig.-Gen. Osasogie Uzamere, to embark on the operation following reports of recalcitrance of oil thieves in the area despite regular clampdown by the JTF.

“The barges, christened CWTC 16 and TIKORO 2 with eight compartments each, filled with stolen crude were intercepted by the troops while trying to make its way into the international waters through Forupa channels.”

“The troops also carried out raids on illegal crude oil distillers along Ogbenibiri, Kugbie and Forupa in Southern Ijaw LG where they dismantled eight illegal crude oil distillation sites.

“The troops also scuttled 7 steel reservoirs deceptively buried in the ground and concealed with canopies to prevent detection by troops.”

In a separate operation, Nwachukwu said the anti-oil theft patrol team of 146 Battalion carrying out surveillance along PPMC right-of-way arrested 4 suspects at an active illegal crude oil distillation site at George Kiri near Bonny Island.

He said 21 drums containing illegally distilled Automated Gas Oil loaded in four 75HP OBM speed boat were recovered from the suspects.

He said, “A cordon and search conducted around the illegal refinery site led to the discovery of a metal pipe connection welded on PPMC pipeline which would require the assistance of a technician to be disconnected. The suspects recovered items have been taken into custody pending further investigation.”

57 reps, 20 senators back New PDP

National Assembly building, Abuja

Fifty-seven out of the 204 members of the House of Representatives on the platform of the embattled Peoples Democratic Party have declared their support for the Alhaji Kawu Baraje-led New PDP.

This endorsement is coming barely 24 hours after about 20 senators on the party’s platform took a similar decision.

The 57 lawmakers include the son of former President Shehu Shagari, Aminu and the former Chairman, House Committee on Education, Alhaji Farouk Lawan.

The statement by members of the House of Representatives was made available to newsmen in Abuja, on Tuesday.

Although the statement, which was issued by Ali-Ahmed from Kwara State did not contain the federal constituency of signatories, it was evident that most of them come from the seven states where the aggrieved PDP governors hail from.

The statement read, “We, the members of the House of Representatives under the platform of the New PDP, hereby congratulate our leaders on the emergence of the new party:

“Although a sizeable number of our members who could not append their signatures because of their unavailability in the country will do so immediately on arrival, we the under signed salute and appreciate the courage, sacrifice and resilience and patriotism of our leaders namely: former Vice President Atiku Abubakar GCON, and the Governors of Kano State, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso; Aliyu Wamakko, (Sokoto); Murtala Nyako (Adamawa); Sule Lamido (Jigawa); Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu (Niger); Abdul Fattah Ahmed (Kwara); and Chibuike Amaechi (Rivers), and other well-meaning and eminent Nigerians for leading the way for the emergence of the New PDP.

The lawmakers also condemned alleged attempts by “some agents of the Federal Government to use state apparatus to persecute their leaders.

“As members of the House of Representatives, we call on the security agencies and other anti-graft bodies to be professional in their activities and not allow themselves be used by anybody no matter how highly placed for their political ambitions. Remember how you want history to judge your tenures.

“We won’t hesitate however to use all instruments of law within our powers as provided by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), to stop this and bring anybody found wanting to book.

“We wish to state that by this statement, we pledge our loyalty and support to the New PDP under the able chairmanship of Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje, the Deputy Chairman, Dr Sam Sam Jaja, National secretary, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinola and other members of the National Executive Committee.

“We congratulate them and wish them the very best as they steer the affairs of our party to provide level playing-field for all Nigerians.”

Those who signed the statement include Abdullahi Balarabe; Abdulmumin Jibrin; Ali Ahmad; Abdullahi Wamako; and Abdullahi Muhammed Rico.

Others include Abdulmalik Cheche; Adamu Bashir; Ahmanpatigi Aliyu; Ahmed Zerewa; Aishatu Binani; Aiyedun Olayinka and Alhassan Ado Garba.

Ariel Castro, Ohio man who held 3 women captive commits suicide

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The man who held three women captive in his home for nearly a decade before one escaped and alerted authorities has been found dead and is believed to have committed suicide, a prison official said.

Ariel Castro, 53, was found hanging in his cell around 9:20 p.m. Tuesday at the Correctional Reception Center in Orient, located south of Columbus in central Ohio, JoEllen Smith, Department of Rehabilitation and Correction spokeswoman, said early Wednesday.

Prison medical staff performed CPR before Castro was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead around 10:50 p.m.

He was in protective custody because of the notoriety of his case, meaning he was checked every 30 minutes, but was not on suicide watch, Smith said. She said suicide watch entails constant observation.

Castro was also watched closely in Cuyahoga County Jail in the several weeks after his arrest and before his case was resolved by a guilty plea, with logs noting his activity every 10 minutes. He was taken off county jail suicide watch in early June after authorities determined he was not a suicide risk.

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FILE - This combo image made from July 8, 2013, file still frames from video provided by Hennes Payn …

Castro's attorneys tried unsuccessfully to have a psychological examination of Castro done at the Cuyahoga County Jail, where Castro was housed before he was turned over to state authorities following his conviction, his attorney, Jaye Schlachet, told The Associated Press early Wednesday. Schlachet said he could not immediately comment further.

In an interview last month after Castro's conviction, Schlachet and attorney Craig Weintraub said their client clearly fit the profile of sociopathic disorder and that they hoped researchers would study him for clues that could be used to stop other predators.

The three women disappeared separately between 2002 and 2004, when they were 14, 16 and 20 years old. They escaped from Castro's Cleveland home May 6, when Amanda Berry, one of the women, broke part of a door and yelled to neighbors for help.

"Help me," she said in a 911 call. "I've been kidnapped, and I've been missing for 10 years and I'm, I'm here, I'm free now."

The two other women were so scared of Castro that they held back initially even as police officers began to swarm the house. But quickly they realized they were free.

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FILE - This Wednesday, July 17, 2013 file photo shows Ariel Castro standing before a judge during hi …

"You saved us! You saved us!" another of the captives, Michelle Knight, told an officer as she leaped into his arms.

Castro was arrested that evening. He had also fathered a child with Berry while she was in captivity; that girl was 6 years old when freed. A judge rejected Castro's request to have visiting rights with his daughter.

Elation over the women's rescue soon turned to shock as details emerged about conditions of their captivity. Investigators say they were bound with chains, repeatedly raped and deprived of food and bathroom facilities. Knight told investigators she was beaten and starved several times to force her to miscarry.

Messages left for the women's lawyers were not immediately returned early Wednesday.

Castro was sentenced Aug. 1 to life in prison plus 1,000 years on his guilty plea to 937 counts including kidnapping and rape.

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FILE - This Aug. 1, 2013 file photo shows Ariel Castro in the courtroom during the sentencing phase  …

In a rambling statement, he told the judge he was not a monster but a man suffering from a pornography addiction.

"I'm not a monster. I'm sick," Castro said at his sentencing.

Knight was the only one of the three who appeared in court at his sentencing.

"You took 11 years of my life away, and I have got it back," she said in the hushed courtroom. "I spent 11 years in hell. Now your hell is just beginning."

This is the second high-profile suicide in an Ohio prison in a month.

On Aug. 4, death row inmate Billy Slagle was found hanged in his cell just days before his scheduled execution. He was condemned to death for fatally stabbing a neighbor.

Nigerian Army retires 10 generals

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

The authorities of the Nigerian Army have retired some top generals of the Army.

It was gathered that those retired were ten in number.

Among those affected were the former Director of Training and Operations, Defence Headquarters, Maj.-Gen. Lawrence Ngugbane, the former Commander of Training, Doctrine and Command, Maj.-Gen. Babagana  Mungonu, and the former Chief of Research and Development, Maj.-Gen. Obinali Ariahu.

A top military source said on Wednesday that the generals were retired because they had put in the maximum years in service.

The source said that the retirement exercise was routine and not punitive.

The source added that the retirement exercise was expected to take place every quarter of the year.

The source couldn’t give the names of the others affected in the exercise.

“It is true that some of our generals have been retired. The exercise is a routine one. It is not a punitive retirement, they have reached their terminal level.

“Some of them were asked to proceed on the compulsory terminal leave in June this year,” the source said.

Our correspondent could not contact the Director of Defence Information, Brig.- Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, for comments as the calls placed to his mobile telephone line indicated that it was switched off or in an area outside network coverage.

INEC should deregister Tukur’s PDP – Aggrieved govs, others

PDP National Chairman, Dr Bamanga Tukur

The  parallel Peoples Democratic Party led by Abubakar Baraje has said the faction of the party led by Dr. Bamanga Tukur should be deregistered by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

It hinged its position on what it described as the failure of the faction to complying with Section 222(D) of the 1999 Constitution which requires a political party to notify INEC of any  alteration of its constitution.

It was learnt on Tuesday shortly after the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the PDP, Chief Tony Anenh,  said the seven  governors who aligned with a former Vice-President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar,  and others   to form the Baraje -led faction  had genuine grievances.

The position of the faction known as the ‘New PDP’ is part of the  statement of claims    before the Lagos High Court,Ikeja . The faction is also seeking the declaration of  Tukur as illegal chairman of the PDP on the grounds  that he was not properly accepted as a member of the PDP  after his expulsion by the National Executive Council  of the party  in 2001.

According to the statement of claims, “It will be recalled that the 2009 PDP Constitution was amended which brought about the 2012 PDP constitution.

“Evidence has surfaced to prove that strange clauses which were not part of the proposed amendment to the 2009 Constitution  was inserted into the originally  produced version of the 2012 Constitution and those alterations were not approved by the party’s  convention and the NEC, thereby making the document a forged document which is invalid.

“The forged 2012 Constitution was not equally filed before INEC as required by the  1999 Constitution, thereby making the PDP constitution upon which the 2013 convention was held an invalid document and the outcome of that convention invalid, as it was held with no valid constitution.

“The proof  of these evidences can be seen in the approved memo by the PDP NEC upon which the amendment was done in the 2012 and the original version of the PDP constitution filed with INEC will as well prove these violations.”

On why  Tukur was not capable of presiding over the PDP convention, the statement of claims  noted that, “exactly on  May 31, 2001, the PDP NEC, after its meeting  in Abuja, expelled eight members of the PDP   in accordance with the PDP constitution which gives the NEC the powers to discipline NEC members who breach  the constitution.

“They were expelled after NEC considered and adopted the report of the Iro Dan Musa-led PDP Disciplinary Committee. Alhaji   Tukur,  Chief Don Etiebet, Asheik Jarma,  Edwin Ume-Ezeoke (late), Emmanuel Ibeshi, Harry Marshal and Gbenga Olawepo, were the ones expelled from the PDP.

“Note that Article 10(b) iii of the PDP 2009 constitution and Article 8(17) of the 2012 amended constitution which holds that any member of the party who loses his membership by expulsion can only return to the party with the approval of the party executive at his ward, state and national levels, who shall give him a waiver.

“Since the expulsion of   Tukur in 2001, he has not complied with the above requirement  , meaning that his purported participation at the 2012 convention where he was elected was a fraud and invalid, as he is not yet a member of the party.”

The Baraje’s faction is also asking the court to declare the August 2013 convention   as illegal based on the  participation of “illegal delegates;”   the disqualification of duly elected delegates; and the failure of the party to comply with the provision of Section 85(1) of the Electoral Act.

Section 85(1) of the   Act states, “a registered political party shall give INEC at least 21 days notice of any convention, congress, conference or meeting convened for the purpose of electing members of its executive committees, and other governing bodies.”

Also on Tuesday,  a group,  the PDP Stakeholders Forum, filed a fresh law suit at the  Federal High Court in Abuja,  seeking the nullification of PDP  mini- convention  and the sacking  of  Tukur.

In the  suit, the forum  also asked  INEC to deregister the   Tukur-led PDP faction  for allegedly using a forged 2012 constitution to hold the convention.

The Chairman of the forum,  Chief Ikenga Ugochinyere,  said, “We insist that this act of brazen criminality must not go unpunished. The perpetrators of this heinous crime against the party and the law of the land should be arrested and charged to court.

“Tukur is ab-initio not a bonafide member of the PDP that is capable of being elected into the office he currently occupies. Alhaji  Tukur was expelled by the National Executive Committee of the party after being indicted for “high level anti-party activities” alongside five others in May 31, 2001.”

Tukur   however denied the allegation that he was not a member of the party.

Speaking through his aide, Mr. Oliver Okpala, he  asked  for  evidence that he was  no longer a member of the party.

 “Tukur is among the founding fathers of the PDP. He has paid his dues and the allegation that he has been suspended should be ignored. Let those making the allegation show evidence that he is no longer a member of the party,” he said.

Meanwhile, the PDP BoT Chairman,  Anenih, has  said  the seven  aggrieved  PDP  governors had  genuine grievances.

Anenih,   in   a statement in Abuja on Tuesday, also said that the Tuesday (yesterday) peace talks between President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP governors, including the aggrieved ones, had been postponed till next Tuesday.

He explained that the shift was at  the  instance  of the aggrieved governors, adding that   the peace talks   would continue next Tuesday after selected party leaders of the party would have met with former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Friday as part of the wider consultations demanded by parties to the crisis.

He said,  “I believe some of them have genuine grievances; but I have hope that, once the grievances are addressed, they will come back.  I am happy that the PDP has an internal mechanism for effective conflict resolution. At the end of the day, the problems will be addressed and the PDP will come out of the crisis stronger.

“Part of the wider consultations is the meeting of selected party leaders with Chief  Obasanjo on Friday morning and thereafter, we will meet with the governors on Tuesday, next week.”

He disclosed that the aggrieved governors told the Presidency and the PDP leadership that they needed more time to make wider consultations. Anenih  explained that the Presidency and the PDP leadership were taking advantage of the postponement to also consult widely on how to amicably resolve the crisis.

The BoT chairman, who read out the resolution of the marathon meeting that held in the Presidential Villa from Sunday night till the early hours of Monday, expressed optimism that the problems would be resolved.

Anenih had at  the end of the  meeting read  a short resolution   to the hearing of the  PDP governors.

Police arraign driver for abandoning pregnant wife

The police have arraigned a 27 year old commercial bus driver, Oluwole Ajao, before a Yaba Magistrate’s Court, for allegedly neglecting his five-month pregnant partner, Yewande Awofeso, and attempting suicide while in the police cell.

The police said Ajao abducted Awofeso, 20, from her parent’s custody between December 2012 and July 21, 2013 before impregnating her without her parent’s consent.

He was alleged to have also abandoned Yewande at Somolu General Hospital, Lagos,for seven days, and failed to contribute to her ante-natal care.

The three counts added that after his arrest, he attempted to commit suicide in the police cell by hanging himself “in the burglary of the cell.”

The charge read in part, “That you, Oluwole Ajao, m, between December 2012 and 21st July, 2013 at No 17, Jebina Street, Bariga, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did abduct one Yewande Awofeso, f, aged 20 years, from custody of her parent, with intent to marry and to have sexual intercourse with her, without her parents’ consent and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 267 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State Nigeria, 2011.

“That you, Oluwole Ajao, m, on the July 29, 2013, at about 2pm, at Bariga Police Station, Bariga Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District did attempt to commit suicide by hanging yourself in the burglary of the cell and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 233 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State Nigeria, 2011.”

The defendant said he was not guilty of the charges.

In his testimony, the defendant said he did not abandon his lover in the hospital but had gone to work for money, and had been sending money to her through her sister.

This was confirmed in court as the woman was asked to rise and attest to the statement.

There was also no evidence to show Ajao abducted Awofeso as the police claimed or that their union had not been by mutual consent.

The magistrate, Mrs. M.O Ladipo, said the case lacked merit, saying it was a “love affair” that could be sorted out among the parties involved.

The matter was subsequently struck out.

DPP recommends manslaughter for man who killed lover

Regina James

The Directorate of Public Prosecution, Lagos State, has said George Iheanacho, who allegedly killed his live-in-lover and mother of his three children, Regina James, will be charged with manslaughter.

It was exclusively reported on May 29, 2013, that the accused, who worked in a shipping company, had a misunderstanding with Regina sometime in April, 2013.

It was reported that the argument led to Iheanacho beating up Regina, and in the process, she fell into a coma. The victim died before she could get medical attention.

Iheanacho was subsequently charged to court for the crime, and was granted bail pending the DPP’s advice.

According to the DPP’s advice dated August 30, and signed by Ms Olayide Eboda for the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Lagos State, the facts from the police case file indicated a case of manslaughter, and not murder.

The DPP’s advice read in part, “After a careful perusal of facts contained in the duplicate case file, this office is of the opinion that a prima facie case of involuntary manslaughter contrary to Section 222 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, Nigeria, is established against the suspect, Ihenacho Nkem.

“Facts available in the police duplicate file revealed that the deceased ran into the hands of fraudsters at Iyana Ipaja who defrauded her of N200,000, made her drink a concoction and then, beat her up.

“On getting home and informing her husband about what happened, her husband also beat her with a cable wire, during which she excreted twice on her body. She died thereafter.”

The advice stated that the facts did not satisfy all the ingredients of a murder case, hence a charge of involuntary manslaughter was preferred in the absence of intention.

It added that though the act of beating the deceased as alleged by one of the witnesses, Peace Effiong, might have aggravated the situation, it was not enough to conclude that the defendant indeed deliberately killed the deceased.

Counsel for the defendant, Spurgeon Ataene, urged the court to allow the defendant continue on bail before the matter would be taken to the High Court for trial.

However, the lawyer for the complainant, Mr. Destiny Takon, objected to the plea.

He said, “I want to observe that the bail granted to the defendant was pending the DPP’s advice. The advice is out, his bail has expired. Since the substantive charge is going to the High Court, and this court cannot handle the matter, it also means it cannot take its preliminary part. The proper thing is to give the defendant’s bail a burial. ”

The magistrate, Mr. O.O. Olatunji, said the law gave him the power to exercise his discretion over the issue of bail.

He said the defendant should be allowed to continue on bail if his four sureties could express their willingness to continue standing for him in writing.

The matter was adjourned till October 18.

NDLEA seizes liquid drug disguised as vegetable oil

The drug

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has seized the “first illegal shipment” of liquid methamphetamine to South Africa.

The methamphetamine which weigh seven kilogrammes was disguised as vegetable oil.

 It was learnt that anti-narcotic officials made the discovery at the cargo section of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport Lagos during a routine check.

A customs-licensed agent, who brought the consignment for shipment through a South African Airline flight, was also said to have been arrested by the agency.

 NDLEA Airport Commander, Mr. Hamza Umar, confirmed the arrest and seizure.

He said, “This is the first seizure of liquid methamphetamine. There were six containers in all but only two were found with vegetable oil, while the remaining four contained liquid methamphetamine. With the assistance of our forensic personnel, we were able to extract the crystallised methamphetamine which weighed 7kg.”

Liquid methamphetamine is said to be formed when methamphetamine crystals are dissolved in water. The water can be heated, leaving the drug in solid forms.

The NDLEA had in 2012, uncovered three methamphetamine factories in Lagos and one in Anambra states.  The production of methamphetamine is said to have grave health implications for those involved and others living within the immediate vicinity.

The suspect, a 31-year-old native of Imo State, Ugochukwu Okoroji, said he owned the seized drug.

He said, “I started living in Lagos in 2003, but I started working as a clearing and forwarding agent in 2008. I have been struggling to make ends meet without success. I have already told the NDLEA officers before their examination that the consignment belonged to me. By the time they discovered the drug, I was very unhappy.”

Chairman of NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, commended the discovery.

He said, “The NDLEA will continue to prevent illegal drug trade through effective drug law enforcement as well as anti-drug abuse advocacy campaign.”

Driver’s death in LASTMA custody stirs controversy

Okechukwu Osaka

Detectives at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba, Lagos State, are investigating the cause of the death of a commercial bus driver, Okechukwu Osaka.

Osaka was said to have died in the custody of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority on March 15, 2013.

It was learnt that on the day, Osaka had parked his vehicle by the side of the road and had gone to a nearby canteen to eat. It was said that while he was eating, some people told him that a team of six LASTMA officials were towing his vehicle.

It was learnt that in a bid to stop them, he had an altercation with the LASTMA officials.

Eyewitnesses said despite Osaka’s efforts, the vehicle was towed. The deceased was said to have jumped into the vehicle, which was taken to Iponri operational base of the agency.

Colleagues of the deceased at the Ojuelegba Motor Park told our correspondent that it was the last time they saw Osaka alive.

But the spokesperson for LASTMA, Bola Ajao, had said Osaka died suddenly, shortly after arriving at the LASTMA office. She insisted that there was no foul play.

Ajao in a statement, said, “A commercial bus with number plates, XS 318 LND, was abandoned at Ojuelegba with no occupant inside as of the time of the arrival of LASTMA officials at the scene. The vehicle was eventually towed by the officials to the LASTMA zonal yard, Iponri, Surulere.

“The young man (Osaka) later made an appearance and was asked to provide evidence of ownership, and thus went to his parked vehicle. He was later discovered to be vomiting, shaking and foaming whitish substance from the mouth. He fell down and convulsed. The officials quickly made an emergency call to LASTMA control room.

“The medical team of the Lagos State Ambulance Services pronounced him dead on arrival. The case was immediately reported at Iponri Police Division, where his remains and the vehicle were taken to for further investigation.”

It was learnt that the Iponri Police Division tagged the matter as a case of “Sudden and Unnatural Death,” while the Investigating Police Officer, Inspector Adelakun Ewunmi, transferred the corpse to Ikorodu General Hospital mortuary.

However, the deceased’s colleagues were insisting that the LASTMA officials killed Osaka.

The Igbo community in the state has taken over the case and was also alleging foul play.

President General, Igbo Speaking Community in Lagos, Chief Ebere Ubani, said it was the strong belief of the group that the deceased was murdered by LASTMA officials.

Ubani, in a letter addressed to the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, urged the police authorities to ensure that justice was done; saying that investigation by the Iponri Police Division was summarily conducted.

Ubani argued that the division should have transferred the case to the SCID since divisions had no power to investigate such cases.

In response, the IG, in a letter dated July 25, 2013, and signed by his Principal Staff Officer, DCP Murtala Mani, ordered that the case be transferred to the SCID for further investigation.

Investigations at the SCID, however, hit a brick wall when it was discovered that nearly six months after the alleged murder, no autopsy had been conducted.

It was also gathered that the corpse had decomposed considerably.

Osaka’s boss, John Nwachukwu, said he was surprised that the police at the Iponri station did not take the corpse for an autopsy despite the fact that he had paid for it three days after Osaka’s demise.

He said, “Three days after his (Osaka’s) death, the IPO, Adelakun Ewunmi, collected N30, 000 from me for an autopsy. It was not until August 15, 2013, after the matter had been transferred to the SCID, that he hurriedly demanded that an autopsy be carried out.

“The corpse was not well preserved at the general hospital and due to its decomposed state, we were told that the test  was inconclusive.

“I strongly believe that the IPO had an ulterior motive because he did not go to nearby government hospitals to conduct the autopsy. He did not go to Lagos University Teaching Hospital, or Gbagada General Hospital which are not too far from Iponri. He chose to go to Ikorodu and dumped the corpse there, thereby undermining investigations.”

Nwachukwu said the deceased was not sick prior to his death and alleged that LASTMA officials assaulted Osaka in the presence of his colleagues before his death.

He said he suspected that Osaka was beaten up in LASTMA custody shortly before his demise.

When our correspondent visited the SCID last week, it was observed that the team of LASTMA officials had been arrested.

It was, however, learnt that they had been released on bail following intervention of the state government.

It was gathered that the corpse would be transferred to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, for a second autopsy.

When contacted on the telephone, the spokesperson for the state police command, Ngozi Braide, said she would call back.

Boy orphaned at nine wins Shell varsity scholarship

Ayolu

At nine years, Master Lucky Ayolu, from Ekeni in Southern Ijaw Local Government of Bayelsa State, lost his father and mother.

Expectedly, life became cruel to him as he learnt to fend for himself. He told our correspondent that he took to fishing to pay for his fees in primary and secondary schools, as his grandmother, whom he stayed with, did not have enough.

However, as someone who is destined to succeed in life, Ayolu, now 17 years, has become a beneficiary of Shell Petroleum Development Company’s overseas scholarship.

The scholarship scheme, whose yearly budget is about N120m, and managed by Bassan West Cluster Development Board, saw Ayolu as one of the 14 beneficiaries.

Ayolu, said his life was a testimony that “absolute faith in God and hard work are very important in life.”

He said, “Life has been unkind to me. But today, I have every cause to glorify God for lifting me up beyond my imagination.

“At a point, I lost hope completely and started nursing the idea of taking my life. It was so bad that when I heard about this scholarship, I could not raise transport fare to the venue of the examination.”

Ayolu said one of his cousins assisted him financially to obtain the scholarship form and also gave him transport fare from Ekene to Yenagoa where the test took place.

“At the end of the test, I was successful. I am going to read Computer Science at Wisconsin University, Ghana. The discipline has been my lifelong ambition and I am grateful that God has used my community and Shell to make the dream a reality.”

He advised other youths in difficult situation not to give up, saying that with hard work and trust in God, they would achieve their desires.

He also urged the governments at all levels to look into the plight of the orphans in the country.

“Governments should look into the plight of orphaned children in the country. They should not abandon them. The government should institute a scholarship scheme for the orphaned,” Ayolu said.

Corpse of nine-year-old flood victim recovered

The body of Gbenga Gbadamosi, the nine-year-old boy said to have been swept away by flood in Oke-Ekoro, Sango area of Ogun State, has been found.

He was found dead on Wednesday afternoon, under a bridge in Ilo Awela, some distance away from where the water overpowered him.

According to the community leader, Emmanuel Keshiro, the youths in the area found his corpse around 4pm.

He said, “We intensified our search for his body last week Wednesday, a day after his sisters told us they saw him being swept away by the flood. After much effort, we found his body logged between tires under a bridge in Ilo Awela, where the water had taken him. He was dead.”

Keshiro said the community reported its discovery to the police and obtained a report in order to bury him.

Lawal Monsour, a resident who was part of the search party, said the youngster was buried same day, near the water at Toll Gate.

It was reported last week how young Gbadamosi fell into the canal after a heavy downpour in his area.

He was said to have attempted recovering his sibling slippers that had fallen into the water, when the tragedy happened.

The spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, Muyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the recovery of the corpse,  adding that the remains had been buried by the family.

Rivers crisis: Police declare Amaechi’s ADC a deserter

Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi

THE Rivers State Police Command, on Monday, declared Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s Aide De Camp, Seimeikumo Debewari, a deserter.

The state police command said Debewari had seized to be the ADC to Amaechi since his disappearance and refusal to obey directives from the force.

Debewari, who is an Assistant Superintendent of Police, was said to be involved in the free-for-all that took place in the State House of Assembly on July 10, 2013.

A statement by Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Administration, Mr. Augustine Sanomi, on behalf of the State Police Commissioner, Mr. Mbu Joseph Mbu, indicated that the governor’s ADC had refused to report to Mbu or the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, as instructed.

The statement read, “The Rivers State Police Command wishes to inform the general public that AP/No. 100659, acting ASP Seimeikumo Debewari, who has ignored all lawful directives to see the Commissioner of Police and the Inspector General of Police has not been seen either in Rivers State Command or at the Police headquarters since 10th July, 2013.

“As the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command, and by the powers conferred on me by Section 398 [1] of the Police Act and regulation cap 359, Law of the Federation of Nigeria 1990, the officer is hereby declared a deserter from Nigeria Police Force subject to the approval of the Inspector General of Police.’’

According to the statement, Amaechi’s ADC has been implicated in the Rivers assembly crisis.

It said the video clips captured the governor’s ADC assisting Leader of the House, Mr. Chdi Lloyd, to hit a member, Mr. Michael Chinda, with a mace.

“While the House Leader, Chidi Llyod, turns  himself up to the police authorities in Abuja, the governor’s ADC refused to honor the invitation,” the police statement added.

Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike, has accused Amaechi of being responsible for the circulation of posters bearing his photograph and name for the 2015 governorship election in the state.

In a statement signed by Wike’s Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Simeon Nwakaudu, the minister said, “It is unfortunate that Governor (Rotimi) Amaechi and his allies are still playing an uncivilised and vengeful politics, using primitive tactics in trying to destroy someone who is building a united, peaceful and progressive Rivers State.”

Reacting to the allegation that the Amaechi administration was responsible for the circulation of the Wike’s posters, the Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt, Mr. Tony Okocha, said the governor had no hand in such act.

Okocha said, “A man who is busy setting up campaign outfits cannot pretend not to be aware that his overzealous supporters are responsible for the circulation of his governorship posters.

“A man who was declared the next governor of the state during an event in Ahoada East and he did not refute it should know the real source of the posters.

“Those supporting him (Wike) are overzealous and are doing this to impress him. We are too busy to be involved in such an inconsequential act.”

PDP crisis gets messier … as faction sues Tukur, Chikwe, others • Jonathan, govs continue meeting today • Party elders to parley on Thursday

PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur

In spite of the troubleshooting efforts of President Goodluck Jonathan and former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the  faction of the Peoples Democratic Party led by  Alhaji Abubakar Baraje  has  said it will  not  abandon its mission to salvage the PDP.

To prove its seriousness, the faction known as the New PDP, has gone to  a Lagos High Court in Ikeja,  seeking to stop  officials of  the National Working Committee of the  Bamanga Tukur-led faction  from parading themselves as members  of  the National Executive Committee of the party.

Besides the suit which was  heard on Monday  by Justice Ganiyu  Safari, and adjourned till Monday, September 9, the New PDP will on Tuesday (today) open a parallel secretariat at the Maitama District of  Abuja.

In the suit, the plaintiffs – Baraje, Dr. Sam   Jaja, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola and the PDP –   asked the court to restrain Tukur, Prince Uche Secondus, Mrs. Kema Chikwe, Olisah Metuh and others from parading themselves as PDP NEC members.

 The plaintiffs, according to  a  statement by Oyinlola, who is the national secretary  of the faction, also sought a motion exparte, asking for the  leave  of the court to serve the defendants outside their  jurisdiction.

They said in the statement which was made available to journalists in Abuja on Monday, that the  court  granted them  leave to serve the defendants in their various locations.

 On the claim by the faction that the NWC officials    parade themselves   as NEC members,  the court said  there was no urgency as to the fact of who should hold what office. It then  directed that the status quo  be maintained  till  September 9 when their  arguments on  the motion on notice would be heard.

“What this means is that in the meantime,  both executive committees are to remain until the court resolves the matter,” the statement explained.

Before the statement was made public, the Baraje faction which has  a former Vice-President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and Governors Sule Lamido (Jigawa);  Babangida Aliyu (Niger); Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto);  Abdulfatai Ahmed (Kwara);  Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers);  and Rabiu Kwakwanso (Kano) as some of its key leaders, had said that it  was  encouraged by the overwhelming support it had  been receiving  across the country.

 Because of this, the group said  in another statement by Oyinlola, that it would not abandon its mission of rescuing the party.

The statement reads in part, “Alhaji Baraje and other leaders of the party appreciate the overwhelming outpouring of support and encouragement from genuine members and leaders of the party across the country. We assure them that we will not disappoint them in the mission to make the PDP work again in the interest of Nigeria and its people.

“We also appreciate the efforts of leaders of the party, particularly President  Jonathan and former President Obasanjo who, we note, have scheduled a meeting of the party elders for this week.

 “We respect the elders and will be guided by them.”

Baraje had earlier on Monday  told an online news agency on the telephone that the parallel  secretariat of the New PDP  was    equipped with “the needed paraphernalia of office” ahead of its opening on Tuesday.

“Our plan is   to address the media and announce the names of other members of our National Working Committee at our own secretariat,”  he  added, declining to give the exact address of the secretariat in Abuja.

If the faction  opens  the secretariat, it would be the second time in PDP’s history that  it  would split into two groups, each operating from separate secretariats.

  A group led by   Lar, and a former Deputy National Chairman, Shuaib Oyedokun,  had on June  9, 2006   formed  a parallel faction after accusing the  then Ahmadu Ali-led leadership of sidelining many founding members.

The group then proceeded to open a new secretariat  in the Jabi District of Abuja. The Obasanjo administration   promptly deployed security agents to  seal the  secretariat.

A  meeting  on Sunday night between Jonathan and the PDP governors, including Aliyu, and Ahmed over the factionalisation of the party had  ended in a deadlock.

A top source in Abuja, who disclosed this, said   the meeting, which would  continue  at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday  (today), might also end in a deadlock.

“This is  why the  elders or  leaders   would  meet  in Abuja on Thursday to chart a new course and see if they could achieve anything new,” he  stated.

It was learnt that the elders’  meeting which is being convened by Obasanjo would have among others, a former  Vice-President, Alex Ekwueme, a former Chairman of the party, Chief Solomon Lar, and  former military President Ibrahim Babangida in attendance.

Obasanjo had  on Sunday implored the two  factions to “maintain the status quo” while efforts were being made  by the elders to broker a truce.

The  Tukur-led faction  however said on Monday that  it would make   its position on the action of the G-7 and Abubakar  known at the end of its consultations.

Its  National Publicity Secretary , Chief  Metuh, said   after the inaugural meeting of the newly constituted NWC in Abuja  that,  “Consultations are  going on at the highest level of this party. The President, national chairman of our party,  the chairman BoT and the   PDP governors are meeting on this and their discussions so far have been very encouraging.”