News
IIP-SARS: Police Officers Killed Father Of 5 In Delta , Labelled Him Armed Robber
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.
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.
News
Gov. Adeleke Warns Tinubu Against Rigging, Violence in Osun Election
By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa
Governor Ademola Adeleke has declared that Osun residents will resist any attempts to rig the August 15 governorship election, invoking the potential repeat of the political violence that erupted in the Old Western Region and culminated in a military putsch.
Mr Adeleke, who made the remarks on Monday while addressing his supporters at Orita-Sabo in Olorunda council area, said residents would actively participate in the election and do everything possible to protect their votes.
Citing his personal support and the Accord Party’s endorsement of President Bola Tinubu for a second term in 2027, Mr Adeleke stated, “President Tinubu, I’m passing this message to you. What do you want Osun to do? We have endorsed you. What happened? They are killing us. They are killing Yoruba people. The police have been compromised. The kidnappers are there, (but) the police are not doing anything about it.
“President Tinubu, I am using this medium to tell you, so you would not say I did not make an outcry. I am the chief security officer of Osun state. President Tinubu, I am passing this message to you, Osun will not accept any rigging. We will go out en masse and vote and defend our votes. I am repeating it. Don’t let what happened in 1983 repeat itself.”
In 1983, a political crisis in the old Ondo state snowballed into deadly riots and arson in Akure, Ibadan, and Ondo, with government buildings, Federal Electoral Commission (FEDECO) offices, and properties belonging to National Party of Nigeria (NPN) politicians set alight because Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) Governor Adekunle Ajasin was controversially declared defeated by Akin Omoboriowo of the NPN. Amid the conflagration, the military gang of Muhammadu Buhari toppled the civilian government of President Shehu Shagari.
Mr Adeleke alleged that former governor Adegboyega Oyetola was responsible for obstructing the disbursement of funds meant for Osun.
Mr Adeleke stated, “President Tinubu, Osun people and Accord Party have endorsed you as our presidential candidate. Why are we suffering? Why is our money being kept? Oyetola needs to be called to order. We all gave birth to children. Over the innocent blood of other people’s children being killed, God will take revenge.
“What happened? President Tinubu: he (Mr Oyetola) is fighting with everyone. He is the one who is making you fight with everyone. Oyetola needs to be called to order.”
The governor’s appeal for a credible and violence-free election comes 11 days before the off-cycle governorship election. Fourteen political parties are expected to participate in the contest.
News
FG Asks Nigerians to Submit Memoranda, Policy Proposals on State Police Creation
By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa
The Presidential Working Group on the proposed National Policing Bill has invited Nigerians to submit memoranda and policy proposals as part of efforts to establish a comprehensive legal and operational framework for state policing.
Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, in a statement on Monday, said the call was made by Chief of Staff to the President and chairman of the Working Group, Femi Gbajabiamila, after the Working Group’s meeting at the State House, Abuja.
“Submissions will be reviewed and integrated into the draft bill, which will then be subject to further national consultation before being finalised and sent to the National Assembly,” he stated.
Mr Onanuga noted that the working group is reviewing the Police Act 2020, the Police Service Commission framework, police regulations and other relevant laws to support the development of an effective, modern policing system.
According to him, the proposed framework will set national minimum standards, define state readiness and grant certification, clarify jurisdictional responsibilities, ensure independent oversight, uphold human rights, and guarantee sustainable funding.
Mr Onanuga added that call for memoranda will run for two weeks, allowing citizens, professionals, civil society, security agencies, state and local governments, academics, and other stakeholders to contribute.
Mr Onanuga explained that the draft Executive Bill was scheduled for presentation to President Bola Tinubu on September 3, 2026, with national consultations to follow before the final approval.
“The new National Policing Bill will set out requirements for recruitment, training, oversight, funding, and transition arrangements to ensure credible, effective, and accountable policing nationwide,” the presidential spokesperson added.
“A proposed State Police Service must demonstrate that it has credible arrangements for recruitment, vetting, training, pay, pensions, equipment, custody, complaints, discipline, data, firearms control, independent oversight and financial sustainability before it begins policing.”
In his remarks, representative of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, described the state police as one of the defining reforms of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The invitation came weeks after the National Assembly passed the bill following its transmission by Mr Tinubu.
News
Gov. Uba Sani Reinstates Kaduna Workers Disengaged By El-Rufai Administration
By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa
Governor Uba Sani has approved the reinstatement of 37 Unified Local Government Service workers disengaged during the immediate past administration of former Governor Nasir El-Rufai..
Chairman, Kaduna State Local Government Service Board, Prof. Aminu Suleiman, announced this during the presentation of reinstatement letters to affected workers in Kaduna.
Mr Suleiman said the reinstatement followed recommendations of a committee constituted by the previous administration after complaints by the affected workers.
He said the committee established the workers were unjustly disengaged and recommended their reinstatement, but the recommendation was never implemented.
According to him, the workers petitioned the present administration, prompting the board to review their case and forward its recommendations through appropriate government channels.
He said Gov. Sani approved their immediate reinstatement after confirming they were wrongly disengaged.
Mr Suleiman said some of the 37 affected workers had died, while others had retired before the approval was granted.
He said serving officers would return to their respective local government councils with immediate effect.
The chairman added that retirement benefits for retired workers would be processed, while entitlements due deceased workers would be paid to their families.
He described the governor as compassionate and committed to justice, saying the approval reflected responsiveness to genuine grievances.
Mr Suleiman commended the Head of Service, Secretary to the State Government, Ministry for Local Government Affairs and other stakeholders for supporting the process.
Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress in Kaduna State, Ayuba Suleiman, described the reinstatement as evidence of the governor’s labour-friendly disposition.
He said the labour movement had consistently assured workers that the administration remained committed to fairness and justice.
According to him, the Unified Local Government Service workforce declined from over 16,000 workers in 2014 to slightly above 3,000 currently.
He expressed concern that about 800 additional workers were expected to retire before the end of the year.
The labour leader urged government to address manpower shortages and sustain reforms to strengthen local government administration.
Chairman of the Trade Union Congress in Kaduna, Abdullahi Dan Fulani, welcomed the reinstatement and urged prompt payment of outstanding entitlements.
Speaking on behalf of the reinstated workers, Michal Anga thanked the governor for approving their return after years of pursuing the matter.
Mrs Anga said the affected workers rejected calls to seek legal action, choosing instead to follow due process.
She said their perseverance eventually yielded positive results, describing the approval as a victory for justice and patience.
The workers also appreciated the Local Government Service Board and other officials for facilitating the reinstatement process.
Gov. Adeleke Warns Tinubu Against Rigging, Violence in Osun Election
FG Asks Nigerians to Submit Memoranda, Policy Proposals on State Police Creation
Gov. Uba Sani Reinstates Kaduna Workers Disengaged By El-Rufai Administration
JUST IN: Tinubu Approves 80% Increment of Military Salary
Al-Manan Academy Marks Prize-Giving Day, Encourages Entrepreneurship and Academic Excellence
Alhaji Tijjani Rabiu Spikin: A Neighbour, Philanthropist, and Friend of Children
Is N100,000 Worth the Risk?’ Nigerians React to Soldiers’ Salary Increase
Goodwill, Visibility, and Operational Security: A Strategic Communication Reading of Senator Ahmad Lawan’s DIA Post
Kano Governor Yusuf Shortlisted for Africa’s SANKOFA Award of Excellence in Infrastructural Development
MAAUN Clarifies Status of Former Visiting Lecturer, Reaffirms Zero-Tolerance Policy on Sexual Harassment
Gov. Adeleke Warns Tinubu Against Rigging, Violence in Osun Election
FG Asks Nigerians to Submit Memoranda, Policy Proposals on State Police Creation
Gov. Uba Sani Reinstates Kaduna Workers Disengaged By El-Rufai Administration
JUST IN: Tinubu Approves 80% Increment of Military Salary
Al-Manan Academy Marks Prize-Giving Day, Encourages Entrepreneurship and Academic Excellence
Alhaji Tijjani Rabiu Spikin: A Neighbour, Philanthropist, and Friend of Children
Is N100,000 Worth the Risk?’ Nigerians React to Soldiers’ Salary Increase
Goodwill, Visibility, and Operational Security: A Strategic Communication Reading of Senator Ahmad Lawan’s DIA Post
Kano Governor Yusuf Shortlisted for Africa’s SANKOFA Award of Excellence in Infrastructural Development
MAAUN Clarifies Status of Former Visiting Lecturer, Reaffirms Zero-Tolerance Policy on Sexual Harassment
-
Opinion4 years agoOn The Kano Flyovers And Public Perception
-
Features5 years agoHow I Became A Multimillionaire In Nigeria – Hadiza Gabon
-
Opinion6 years agoKano As future Headquarters Of Poverty In Nigeria
-
History5 years agoSheikh Adam Abdullahi Al-Ilory (1917-1992):Nigeria’s Islamic Scholar Who Wrote Over 100 Books And Journals
-
Opinion5 years agoMy First Encounter with Nasiru Gawuna, the Humble Deputy Governor
-
History5 years agoThe History Of Borno State Governor Professor Babagana Umara Zulum
-
History5 years agoThe Origin Of “Mammy Market” In Army Barracks (Mammy Ochefu)
-
News4 years agoFederal University Of Technology Babura To Commence Academic Activities September