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IIP-SARS: Police Officers Killed Father Of 5 In Delta , Labelled Him Armed Robber

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IGP Muhammad Adamu

 

From Alhassan Bala, Abuja

The Independent Investigative Panel on human rights violations by defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and other units of the Nigerian Police on Thursday ordered the Police to produce the medical records and post mortem report of one Ovoko Godwin Onomrerhino who was allegedly killed by the Police in 2019.

The Investigative panel chaired by Justice Suleiman Galadima (rtd) directed the Investigative Police Officer (IPO), Kambari Tambari to ensure that the said medical records from the Hospital in Delta state (where Ovoko, now deceased was taken for medical treatment before his death) is brought before the panel.

The Police told the panel that Ovoko who was handcuffed jumped off a moving Police vehicle that was conveying him to Abraka Divisional Police Station.

The retired Supreme Court Judge also ordered the four (4) Police Officers who were in the same vehicle with Ovoko on July 3, 2020, the same day he allegedly jumped off the vehicle to be present on the adjourned date of January 28, 2021 for continuation of hearing.

The complainant Mr.Godwin Onomrerhino who is also the father of the deceased, told the panel that his occupation is farming. He testified that he received a telephone call from his son’s landlord informing him that Police Officers have arrested his son.

It was at this point, he stated that he visited Abraka Divisional Police station where he was arrested and detained for two days by the Police after calling him “father of armed robber”.

He informed the panel that he was eventually released from Police detention following a petition written by his family members to the AIG Zone 5, Benin Edo state.

The complainant who told the panel that his deceased son left behind five (5) children, recalled that it was when the Police released him from their custody that they told him for the first time that his son, Ovoko is dead and his corpse was deposited at Medisaj morgue Obiaruko in Delta state.

 

Asked on what he wants the panel to do for him in this circumstance, he said he is demanding N100m compensation from all the respondents including the CSP Hassan Isah (DPO Abraka Police Station), Mr. Odiri Emeni (Igun Vigilantee) in Ethiope East LGA Delta state, Commissioner of Police Delta state and Inspector General of Police.

He also prayed the panel to order that the respondents including CSP Hassan Isah and his men or anyone involved in the death of his son be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

The complainant ealier informed the panel that Ovoko (the deceased) was a pipeline welder and that he was never involved in any form of armed robbery (a crime he was accused of) along Abraka-Igun road as claimed by Abraka Divisional Police station.

On the other hand, CSP Hassan Isah informed the panel that the Igu Vigilantee group arrested Ovoko with the help of a Police team he (the DPO) directed to assist the Vigilantee in the said arrest.

According to him, he got a phone call from Mr. Odiri Emeni, leader of the Vigilantee informing him of an armed robbery incident in Igun community and that one of the suspect was identified by some of the victims of the said robbery case.

The DCP stated that his men succeded in arresting one of the suspects, Ode Godspower whom he noted was immediately identified by some of the robbery victims who according to him were already waiting at Abraka Divisional Police station when the Police team arrived with the suspect.

He also told the panel that in the course of investigation, the suspect, Godspower, made some confessional statements in which he mention four other suspects including Ovoko, whom the complainant alleged was extra-judicially executed by the Police.

It was through the hint provided by Godspower, the DCP noted that guided the Police to fish out Ovoko in a remote village where he was hiding.

He said that when he was arrested and brought to the Police station, he made confessional statements and disclosed that his gang has two (2) cartridges and three (3) cut-to-size short guns hidden inside the bush with which they used during robbery operations.

He said it was on account of this revelation that his men swung into action again and Ovoko led the Police team including IPO Tambari to the spot where the said ammunitions were buried and they were recovered.

Both the DPO and the IPO stated during their cross-examination that while Ovoko (the deceased) wasreturning back to the Police station having recovered the guns owned by the suspects, he jumped off the vehicle in handcuffs and ran away before he was rearrested by the Police.

According to the duo, Ovoko sustained injuries on his arms and legs which informed the decision of the DPO to give the sum of N5, 000 to the IPO who was accompanied by some other Officers to Abraka General Hospital for treatment before the suspect allegedly died.

The DPO told the panel that the General Hospital in Abraka does not have a functional mortuary, being the reason Ovoko’s corpse was deposited to a private morgue, as earlier stated.

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In addition, the DPO informed the panel that Police invited one of their Doctors from Abuja who did autopsy on the body of the deceased and a copy of the autopsy report was admitted by the panel.

The case was adjourned to January 28, 2021 for further hearing.

 

was deposited to a private morgue, as earlier stated.

In addition, the DPO informed the panel that Police invited one of their Doctors from Abuja who did autopsy on the body of the deceased and a copy of the autopsy report was admitted by the panel.

The case was adjourned to January 28, 2021 for further hearing.

IIP-SARS: POLICE OFFICERS KILLED FATHER OF 5 IN DELTA, LABELLED HIM ARMED ROBBER

The Independent Investigative Panel on human rights violations by defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and other units of the Nigerian Police on Thursday ordered the Police to produce the medical records and post mortem report of one Ovoko Godwin Onomrerhino who was allegedly killed by the Police in 2019.

The Investigative panel chaired by Justice Suleiman Galadima (rtd) directed the Investigative Police Officer (IPO), Kambari Tambari to ensure that the said medical records from the Hospital in Delta state (where Ovoko, now deceased was taken for medical treatment before his death) is brought before the panel.

The Police told the panel that Ovoko who was handcuffed jumped off a moving Police vehicle that was conveying him to Abraka Divisional Police Station.

The retired Supreme Court Judge also ordered the four (4) Police Officers who were in the same vehicle with Ovoko on July 3, 2020, the same day he allegedly jumped off the vehicle to be present on the adjourned date of January 28, 2021 for continuation of hearing.

The complainant Mr.Godwin Onomrerhino who is also the father of the deceased, told the panel that his occupation is farming. He testified that he received a telephone call from his son’s landlord informing him that Police Officers have arrested his son.

It was at this point, he stated that he visited Abraka Divisional Police station where he was arrested and detained for two days by the Police after calling him “father of armed robber”.

He informed the panel that he was eventually released from Police detention following a petition written by his family members to the AIG Zone 5, Benin Edo state.

The complainant who told the panel that his deceased son left behind five (5) children, recalled that it was when the Police released him from their custody that they told him for the first time that his son, Ovoko is dead and his corpse was deposited at Medisaj morgue Obiaruko in Delta state.

 

Asked on what he wants the panel to do for him in this circumstance, he said he is demanding N100m compensation from all the respondents including the CSP Hassan Isah (DPO Abraka Police Station), Mr. Odiri Emeni (Igun Vigilantee) in Ethiope East LGA Delta state, Commissioner of Police Delta state and Inspector General of Police.

He also prayed the panel to order that the respondents including CSP Hassan Isah and his men or anyone involved in the death of his son be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

The complainant ealier informed the panel that Ovoko (the deceased) was a pipeline welder and that he was never involved in any form of armed robbery (a crime he was accused of) along Abraka-Igun road as claimed by Abraka Divisional Police station.

On the other hand, CSP Hassan Isah informed the panel that the Igu Vigilantee group arrested Ovoko with the help of a Police team he (the DPO) directed to assist the Vigilantee in the said arrest.

According to him, he got a phone call from Mr. Odiri Emeni, leader of the Vigilantee informing him of an armed robbery incident in Igun community and that one of the suspect was identified by some of the victims of the said robbery case.

The DCP stated that his men succeded in arresting one of the suspects, Ode Godspower whom he noted was immediately identified by some of the robbery victims who according to him were already waiting at Abraka Divisional Police station when the Police team arrived with the suspect.

He also told the panel that in the course of investigation, the suspect, Godspower, made some confessional statements in which he mention four other suspects including Ovoko, whom the complainant alleged was extra-judicially executed by the Police.

It was through the hint provided by Godspower, the DCP noted that guided the Police to fish out Ovoko in a remote village where he was hiding.

He said that when he was arrested and brought to the Police station, he made confessional statements and disclosed that his gang has two (2) cartridges and three (3) cut-to-size short guns hidden inside the bush with which they used during robbery operations.

He said it was on account of this revelation that his men swung into action again and Ovoko led the Police team including IPO Tambari to the spot where the said ammunitions were buried and they were recovered.

Both the DPO and the IPO stated during their cross-examination that while Ovoko (the deceased) wasreturning back to the Police station having recovered the guns owned by the suspects, he jumped off the vehicle in handcuffs and ran away before he was rearrested by the Police.

According to the duo, Ovoko sustained injuries on his arms and legs which informed the decision of the DPO to give the sum of N5, 000 to the IPO who was accompanied by some other Officers to Abraka General Hospital for treatment before the suspect allegedly died.

The DPO told the panel that the General Hospital in Abraka does not have a functional mortuary, being the reason Ovoko’s corpse was deposited to a private morgue, as earlier stated.

In addition, the DPO informed the panel that Police invited one of their Doctors from Abuja who did autopsy on the body of the deceased and a copy of the autopsy report was admitted by the panel.

The case was adjourned to January 28, 2021 for further hearing.

 

 

 

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4th Year Anniversary: Best Medix Honours Staff, Unveils Expansion Plans in Kano

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The Best Medix Pharmacy and Store, a leading pharmaceutical brand in Kano State, has marked its end-of-year activities alongside its 4th anniversary, celebrating four years of uninterrupted 24-hour healthcare service, steady expansion, and commitment to people-centred pharmaceutical practice.

The company, which commenced operations on January 1, 2022, has grown into a trusted healthcare provider, expanding from a single outlet to three fully operational branches, with plans underway to open a fourth branch to further improve access to essential medicines across the state.

Speaking during the anniversary celebration, the General Manager of Best Medix, Pharmacist Ibrahim Muhd Mujittafa, described the milestone as a journey marked by resilience, teamwork, and remarkable growth.

“Best Medix began operations on January 1, 2022, and today we are celebrating four years of uninterrupted, 24-hour service. Within this period, we have recorded tremendous success and notable achievements, with relatively minimal challenges. This is a testament to our planning, teamwork, and commitment to quality healthcare delivery,” he said.

According to him, the company’s 24-hour service model has remained a cornerstone of its operations, ensuring that residents of Kano State have access to life-saving medicines at all times, including during emergencies and late-night hours.

He stressed that the company’s achievements would not have been possible without the dedication and professionalism of its workforce.

“The success of Best Medix depends largely on the contributions of our staff. Their dedication, professionalism, and sacrifice are the foundation of everything we have achieved. That is why we consider it important to honour and motivate them,” he added.

As part of the anniversary programme, outstanding staff members were honoured with awards and commendations for excellence in customer service, pharmaceutical practice, night-shift operations, stock management, and community engagement.

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Also speaking at the event, the Head of Human Resources at Best Medix, Pharmacist Abdulmalik Muhd, highlighted the company’s strong focus on efficiency, staff welfare, and ethical service delivery.

According to Abdulmalik, Best Medix has deliberately invested in creating a supportive work environment that not only improves productivity but also positively changes the lives of its staff.

“At Best Medix, we place high value on efficiency, staff welfare, and ethical conduct. We believe that when staff are well supported and motivated, they are better positioned to provide ethical, compassionate, and professional services to customers,” he said.

He added that the company’s human resource policies are designed to promote fairness, continuous learning, career growth, and a strong ethical culture in dealings with customers and the community.

Best Medix continues to prioritise regular staff capacity-building programmes, aimed at strengthening professional competence and service quality. These programmes cover areas such as patient counselling, drug safety, customer relations, product knowledge, and leadership development.

Management noted that these efforts have contributed significantly to improved service standards and customer satisfaction across all branches.

Meanwhile, the anniversary celebration also featured customer appreciation initiatives, promotional activities, and health-focused engagements designed to strengthen ties with customers and the wider community.

According to the management, building trust and long-term relationships remains central to the company’s healthcare delivery philosophy.

In the same vein, with three branches currently in operation and a fourth branch in the pipeline, Best Medix’s expansion drive is expected to create more employment opportunities and widen access to healthcare services in Kano State.

In addition, the General Manager disclosed that the company is exploring long-term plans to venture into pharmaceutical drug manufacturing, subject to regulatory approvals, as part of efforts to contribute to local drug production and strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare value chain.

As Best Medix enters its fifth year of operation, the management reaffirmed its commitment to ethical pharmaceutical practice, staff welfare, customer satisfaction, and community health development.

Customers, partners, and stakeholders have congratulated the company on the milestone, describing the four-year anniversary as a reflection of consistency, innovation, and a strong people-focused approach to healthcare delivery in Kano State.

The ceremony was in attendance the chairman of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Kano state chapter Pharmacist Murtala Isa Umar, Kano state coordinator of Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria Pharmacist Hasiya Ladan, the chairman of Association of Community Pharmacists in Nigeria, Kano state chapter Pharmacist Muhammad Tukur, representative of MGK Pharmacy, representative from Best Choice Hospital among others stakeholders in the prophession.

The ceremony was co-sponsored by Young Focus Ventures led by Alhaji Nafi’u Ibrahim, PSN, ACPN, PCN and others.

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President Tinubu Returns to Nigeria After State Visit to Türkiye

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu returned to Abuja on Saturday evening, concluding a state visit to the Republic of Türkiye aimed at deepening bilateral relations.

The President’s aircraft arrived at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at 8:55 p.m., as confirmed in a brief statement issued to State House correspondents.

During the visit, which began on Tuesday, President Tinubu held extensive discussions with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The talks focused on enhancing cooperation in areas of shared interest, including defense, energy, and security.

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The presidential delegation included Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, Attorney General and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi, Minister of Defence Gen. Christopher Musa (retired), and National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

The diplomatic engagement culminated in the signing of nine bilateral agreements, covering strategic sectors such as defense, energy, security, and research. These pacts are expected to bolster collaboration between the two nations.

The visit underscores the administration’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s international partnerships and advancing national interests through strategic diplomacy.

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ADC Accuses National Assembly of Delaying Electoral Bill to Sabotage 2027 Polls

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the National Assembly of employing delay tactics in passing the 2025 Electoral Bill.

In a statement signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC highlighted various amendments to the Electoral Act 2022 that carry serious eligibility and compliance risks for political parties if not enacted on time.

The party also noted that new provisions involving mandatory electronic voter accreditation and the transmission of results are minimum requirements on which the credibility of the 2027 elections depends and must not be undermined by unnecessary filibustering.

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“The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is deeply concerned by the continued prevarications of the National Assembly over the 2025 Electoral Bill. Failure to promptly pass the bill for presidential assent raises suspicions that the legislature, which is dominated by the APC, is deliberately delaying key amendments, especially those intended to make future elections more difficult to rig.”

“The ADC also notes that some of the proposed amendments introduce new compliance and eligibility requirements that must be fully understood and met by political parties. Failure to allow sufficient time to study and implement these provisions, beyond what is publicly available, could have serious consequences for both political parties and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Lack of clarity in the electoral guidelines would not only create potential booby traps for opposition parties, but also make it difficult for INEC to prepare and issue clear rules within the required timeframe.

“For example, the provision requiring INEC to publish election notices at least 360 days before the general election remains in effect. This means that even now, there is very little time left for adequate preparation and compliance.

“The ADC therefore calls on the National Assembly to pass the bill without further delay. Any postponement risks the integrity of the 2027 general elections and undermines confidence in the entire electoral process. Nigeria cannot afford another acrimonious or dubious election.

“The ADC also urges civil society organisations, international partners, and all political parties committed to accountable democratic governance to pressure the National Assembly to act swiftly, as Nigerians cannot afford another election cycle without these essential safeguards.”

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