AFTERMATH OF POLICE BRUTALITY IN ABA, CALL FOR JUSTICE 2

 

Press Statement

For immediate release

July 21, 2021.

 

 

 

 

                                                             

The Abia Civil Society Network (ACSON) is an umbrella platform of over 30 Pro-democracy and Human Rights groups based in Abia State. The network is committed to upholding respect for the Rule of Law and protection of Human Rights in Abia State, cum Nigeria as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and other international human rights instruments which Nigeria is a signatory to.

It would be recalled that ACSON in a previous Press Release captioned 'Police Brutality and Chaos in Aba' on October 2, 2019, had condemned the fracas that ensured during which both officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and civilians were killed, several residential buildings razed and children and women abused and rendered homeless at the Degema/Oko-Jombo area of Ndiegoro community in Aba South LGA. This incident and other police/military brutality-related cases on October 23, 2020, impelled the Executive Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu to inaugurate a 21-man judicial panel of inquiry on Police Brutality, Extrajudicial Killing and other related Matters to investigate allegations of extrajudicial killings and brutality by security agents in the state and offer possible recommendations for victims.

ACSON, however wishes to commend the Executive Governor of Abia, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu for such great initiative which has been concluded and at the same time appreciate members of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry, the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the media for their various roles that led to the successful conclusion of the panel within a 15-week timeframe. During this period, the panel claimed it received a total of 86 petitions, of which 40 petitions were either dismissed or struck-out, while the remaining 46 petitions were fully heard. Hence a total of N511 million (five hundred and eleven million naira) was recommended by the panel as compensation to the various affected victims of police brutality and other human rights abuses within the state.

 

Following the official hand-over of the five-volume recommendation report to the Executive Governor by the panel, we at ACSON urge the Governor to meticulously study the said report, make it available to the public and implement the panel’s recommendations promptly. This will help to revive the hopes and lives of affected victims, some of whom have gone through hard times and severe pains, especially those whose source of income and livelihood were affected. The release of the white paper and implementation of such recommendations will also go a long way to speak volumes as an accomplishment for the present administration under the leadership of Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu. Hence the report would always serve as a guide and reference document to strengthen and promote civil/security agencies relationship in the future.

 

Finally, we at ACSON urge the Abia State Government, the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) and other relevant agencies to prosecute perpetrators of these rights abuses accordingly as most cases heard by the panel involved lost of lives and properties. We for that reason demand that justice should be served to both living and dead as to forestall future reoccurrence of such abuses in our God’s own state.

 

Signed:                                                           

Amaka Biachi, Convener, ACSON

Chuka Okoye, Secretary, ACSON

Cassius Ukwugbe, Co-convener, ACSON

Nnamdi Kanu, IPOB leader arraigned in Abuja after re-arrest

Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra,  was on Tuesday arraigned at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

This followed his arrest, which was announced by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, earlier in the day.

According to Malami, the IPOB leader was arrested on Sunday, but he did not give further details on  where and how Kanu was apprehended.

Kanu was brought before the Federal High Court in Abuja where the judge ordered an accelerated hearing in the matter.

Malami accused Kanu of instigating violence in the South-East geopolitical zone using various social media platforms.

The IPOB leader faces 11 charges including terrorism, treasonable felony, managing an unlawful society, publication of defamatory matter, illegal possession of firearms, and improper importation of goods.

The case has been scheduled for July 26 and July 27 2021 for resumption of hearing while Kanu has been remanded with the Department of State Services. This is a continuation of his trial which ended when he jumped bail some years ago.

Kanu has been the face behind IPOB and its military wing, the Eastern Security Network. Although has repeatedly denied its involvement in the series of attacks on military and police personnel and facilities in the southeast, all fingers have always pointed at them.

They have been accused of being the attackers who became branded as Unknown Gunmen that attacked and killed at will in the southeast and South-South regions. 

SOURCE: Huhuonline

Man admits raping 10-year-old in Kwara, victim’s family wants no-case

 

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kwara State Command, has announced the arrest of a suspected rapist, Muhammadu Mailemu.

The Public Relations Officer, Babawale Afolabi, in a statement on Tuesday, said the report was received from its Outpost office in Banni, Asa Local Government Area.

Usman Mojana complained on behalf of his daughter who was allegedly raped. The victim was on the farm, with her younger sister plucking locust beans, when the suspect ordered her down from the tree and held her. The sibling ran away.

Mailemu removed her clothes and raped her. One Sheu Garba, who responded to her cries, rushed in to rescued. The suspect was apprended after Garba called the attention of others.

Afolabi said the girl was taken to the Basic Health Centre, Banni, for examination. The victim and witness confirmed Mailemu’s action. The suspect confessed to have committed the act but pleaded that it was the work of the devil.

The family of the victim said they do not want any case, but for the suspect to treat their daughter. “The girl was taken to hospital for treatment and the suspect’s family paid the hospital bill.

”The family of the victim refused to come back to our office, for fear that we might force them to take the case to court,” Afolabi said.

SOURCE: Daily Post

Governors, leaders canvass unity at Obiozor’s election

 

Southeast governors and leaders on Sunday called for unity among Ndigbo. They pledged to continue to protect their interest.

They spoke at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri, the Imo State capital, after the election of former Nigerian Ambassador to the United States, Prof George Obiozor, as President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. He succeeded Chief John Nwodo, whose tenure expired midnight on Saturday.

Chairman of Southeast Governors Forum and Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi and his Imo State counterpart Hope Uzodimma, led eminent Igbo citizens to the election. It was the turn of Imo to produce the President-General, which is rotated among the Southeast states and Igbo-speaking parts of the Southsouth.

Delegates from Abia, Anambra, Delta, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo and Rivers states arrived at the stadium as early as 10 am. The accreditation started at 11 am. The leaders were permitted to leave their VIP stand to identify with delegates from their various states in preparation for the elections. The election was by Option A4, with voters queuing behind their preferred candidate.

    

Prof Obiozor scored 304 votes to beat Dr Valentine Oparaoche, who polled 15 votes, and Uju Okoro, who got three votes. Chief Goddy Uwazuruike stepped down for Obiozor. Other contestants – Prof. Chidi Osuagwu, Dr Chris Asoluka and Dr Joe Nworgu – obtained nomination forms, but were said not to have returned them. Obiozor got 47 votes from Abia delegates, 41 from Anambra, 17 from Delta, 53 from Ebonyi, 40 from Enugu, 42 from Imo and 21 from Rivers. There were 43 votes from Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Diaspora for the former Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) Director-General.

The position of Deputy President-General, which was unopposed, went to Obi Wali from Rivers State. Okey Emuchay from Abia State polled 265 votes to win the position of Secretary-General. Those elected for other offices are Beatrice Eze from Ebonyi State (National Treasurer), Batholomew Okorie (Financial Secretary), Alex Ogbonna (National Publicity Secretary) and Joseph Obinama (National legal Adviser). Other candidates for President-General were Valentine Oparaocha, Prof. Eze Chukwunyere Nwebo and Uju Saviour.

 

The governors of Abia, Anambra and Enugu states were represented. Three ministers, Dr Chris Ngige, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu and Dr. Uche Ogah, were present. Also present were former Senate President Adolphus Wabara, and former Governors Sam Egwu (Ebonyi), Dr Okwusilieze Nwodo (Enugu) and Chief Ikedi Ohakim (Imo).

Other dignitaries included Senator Andy Uba, Senator Osita Izunaso, Senator Ben Obi, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Prince B.B. Apugo, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, Prof ABC Nwosu, Chief Chekwas Okorie, Chief C.C. Okeke, among others. The Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe and the former Chairman of Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Samuel Ohiri led other traditional rulers to the event.

Archbishop of Enugu Anglican Ecclesiastical Province, Rev. Emmanuel Chukwuema, led religious leaders to the election. Umahi praised Nwodo for conducting a successful election, despite distractions. He said the Southeast governors endorsed the process and would stand by the outcome. He urged the incoming executive to sustain the spirit of love among Ndigbo and to work for the country’s unity while protecting the interest of Ndigbo. According to him, Southeast governors have been singled out for castigation because “we’ve always supported the unity of this country”. Umahi added: “One thing we hold very dear is our love for Ndigbo. That comes first before political party. We don’t care what people say about that.”

Uzodimma thanked Southeast governors for playing an important role in uniting Ndigbo. “My happiness is that Igbos are together against the wishes of some people who don’t wish us well. “We’ve always come first in everything. Why we are behind is because the spirit I’m seeing here today was absent. We must go back to history to find our roots,” he said.

Nwodo thanked Ndigbo across the world for the support given to his executive and urged them to back his successors. He said those absent at the election were out to destroy the organisation, saying they did not mean well for Ndigbo. He called on “our dissenting brothers to please, sheath your swords and come back to the family”.   

SOURCE: The Nation          

Ohanaeze Ndigbo elects George Obiozor as new President-General

 

A new President-General of the apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has emerged.

Ambassador George Obiozor was elected after polling the highest votes.

Obiozor won the contest with a total of 304 votes.

His emergence follows the tenure expiration of the Chief Nnia Nwodo-led executive of Ohaneze Ndigbo

Details later…