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Tag: NPF

  • #EndBadGovernance: 10 Protesters charged with attempt to overthrow President Tinubu, remand in prison

    #EndBadGovernance: 10 Protesters charged with attempt to overthrow President Tinubu, remand in prison

    Nigeria Police, Monday, arraigned ten #endbadgovernance# protesters before a Federal High Court in Abuja, on charges of attempt to overthrow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu between July 1 and August 4 this year.

     

    The accused persons were said to have committed the treason offence during their one week nationwide protests when they allegedly levied war against Nigeria.

     

    The offences were said to be contrary to sections 96, 410 and 413 of the Penal Code.

     

    Inspector General of Police (IGP) who brought the charges against them alleged that the accused persons broke into the Abacha Army Barracks and openly called on the military to take over the constitutional government of President Tinubu.

     

    According to the police, they attempted to force their way into the seat of power during which they allegedly burned down police station and injured police officers.

     

    They were also said to have incited the Nigerian public against the government and destroyed several public properties comprising Police station, High Court complex and National Communication Commission (NCC) facilities.

     

    Police also claimed that a 70- year old British citizen, Andrew Martin Wynne now at large was largely responsible for instigating mutiny against the Nigerian government.

     

    The alleged offences were said to have been committed in Abuja, Kano, Kaduna and Gombe among others.

     

    However, all the accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges when read to them.

     

    The accused persons are Michael Tobiloba Adaramoye, Adeyemi Abiodun Abayomi, Suleiman Yakubu, Comrade Opaluwa Eleojo Simon, Angel Love Innocent, Buhari Lawal, Mosiu Sadiq, Bashir Bello Nurudeen Khamis and Abduldalam Zubair.

     

    Sequel to not their guilty plea, Counsel for the IGP, Simon Lough, SAN, asked the court to remand the accused persons in prison pending their trial.

     

    Responding, counsel to four defendants, Marshall Abubakar, however, moved an oral applications for bail of the accused persons.

     

    He cited authorities to justify his oral application for his bail adding that the Federal High Court in the treasonable charges against a politician, MKO Abiola allowed oral application and admitted him to bail.

     

    He continued that his clients were presumed innocent in law until proved otherwise by the IGP adding also that bail is Constitutional rights of the defendants.

     

    He submitted that the defendants had been held in custody for close to a month by police who he said, have completed investigation into the allegations against his clients before bringing them to court.

     

    Concluding, he assured the Judge that the defendants would not jump bail if granted and that they will also not tamper with witnesses in the matter.

     

    Another lawyer, Deji Adeyanju who appeared for three of the defendants faulted the treason charges against the defendants insisting that they only participated in a lawful and legitimate protests against hardships facing them.

     

    Adeyanju argued that police ought to have entered the locations of bandits, kidnappers and terrorists, arrest and charge them with treason offence instead of innocent protesters.

     

    He drew the attention of the court to the proof of evidence attached to the charges adding that no evidence pointed to the direction of treason, mutiny and incitement as alleged by police.

     

    Insisting that bail is discretionary, Adeyanju pleaded with the Judge to exercise his discretion in favor of the defendants by admitting them to bail in liberal terms.

     

    However, counsel to Police, Simon Lough SAN vehemently objected to the bail requests on the ground of gravity of alleged offences the accused persons were charged with.

     

    He specifically cited mutiny aimed at changing democratic government by force through incitement and involvement of a British national against the Nigerian nation.

     

    In a brief reaction, Justice Nwite ordered that the defendants be remanded at Kuje prison in Abuja and Suleja prison in Niger State and

    adjourned ruling in their bail applications till September 11

     

    The Judge ordered that the nine males defendants are to remain in Kuje prison while the only female defendant said to be pregnant, Angel Love Innocent was ordered to be taken to Suleja prison.

     

    Justice Nwite said that he needed time to consult the retinue of authorities cited by lawyers to back up bail applications.

     

    Although lawyers to the accused persons led by Marshall Abubakar had requested

     

    Also Justice Emeka Nwite rejected the request for police custody for four defendants made by Abubakar.

     

    He instead ordered that they be taken to prisons.

  • Police summons Ajaero again

    Police summons Ajaero again

    A little over 24 hours after his return from an earlier invite, the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero has again been summoned by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) for questioning.

    This time he is to report in company of Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja the General Secretary of NLC.

    Both leaders of the Congress are scheduled to turn up at Force Headquarters on September 5, 2024.

    Recall that on August 29, the NLC President complied with a previous summons to appear before the police on allegations of criminal conspiracy, financing of terrorism, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime.

    In the latest summons, the police is demanding that the NLC President and the General Secretary answer to questions on allegations bordering on criminal intimidation, conducts likely to cause a breach of the public peace and malicious damage to properties.

     

     

  • Alleged terrorism: DIA gets court order to detain policeman, 19 others

    Alleged terrorism: DIA gets court order to detain policeman, 19 others

    Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has approved the request of the Defence Intelligence Agency, DIA, to detain an Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP, and 19 others for 30 days.

     

    The police ASP, named A. A Babangida, was ordered to be detained along with other suspects for 30 days order is following their alleged involvement in banditry, kidnapping and terrorism activities.

     

    The order is to enable DIA operatives carry out thorough investigation into their alleged involvement in the heinous crimes.

     

    ASP Babangida who was arrested in June and had since been in DIA custody, was alleged to have been helping Boko Haram, bandits and ISWAP members in carrying out terrorism activities in some parts of the country.

     

    In the ex-parte application, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1146/2024, Counsel to the security agency, S.A Aminu requested for permission of the court to detain the suspects for 90 days.

     

    According to her, the involvement of the suspects in terrorism activities was so complex because the bomb experts for the gang have just been apprehended based on information being volunteered by the detainees.

     

    She explained that DIA intends to carry on critical investigation into the unlawful activities of Babangida and others before handing them over to the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, for prosecution.

     

    The ex-parte application of the DIA was supported with a 21 paragraph affidavit which chronicled how the agency obtained hints that led to the arrest of the suspects in various locations and at different times.

     

    After scrutinizing the documentary exhibits placed before the court, Justice Lifu ordered the agency to detain the suspects till the conclusion of investigation.

     

    The judge declined to grant the 90 days requested by DIA on the ground that the suspects have been in custody for three months and the fact that the Constitution presumes them innocent until the otherwise is established against them.

    Justice Lifu also ordered that the DIA should do everything within its powers and within the ambit of the law to complete its investigation into the allegations against the suspects so as not to run foul of the law.

    Others ordered to be detained along with the Police ASP Babangida are Usman Idris, Abu Safiyanu, Alhassan Idris, Sahada Ishaka, Abubakar Ibrahim Sani Bello, Yahaya Abdullahi, Haruna Salisu and Mohammed Muazu.

    Other Respondents in the matter are Nura Idris, Alhaji Manu Mohammed, Umar Mohammed Lamu, Abubakar Mandara, Suleiman Musa Mohammed, Alhaji Madayi, Alhaji Amodu Bukar Prince Oghewe and Uzoma Aghaoyibo.

  • Ajaero summon: Labour prepares for a showdown with the NPF

    Ajaero summon: Labour prepares for a showdown with the NPF

    The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has directed all national officers and 54 affiliate unions to accompany President Joe Ajaero to the Force Headquarters tomorrow, Thursday in response to the police invitation.
    It should be recalled that the Labour leader is facing allegations of involvement in terrorism financing.
    The police invitation, which was extended to Ajaero through the Office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Intelligence Response Team (IRT), alleges “criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime.”
    In response, Ajaero’s lawyers, Femi Falana’s chambers, requested an extension of the invitation till Thursday, August 29.
    Meanwhile, in a fresh circular signed by NLC General Secretary, Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja, the union called on members to mobilize and assemble at the National Headquarters in Abuja or their respective state secretariats.
    From there, they will embark on a peaceful procession to the State Police Headquarters, where they will hold a prayer session until Ajaero’s interaction with the police is concluded.
    The circular added, “This peaceful march is a united stand against the unjust actions aimed at intimidating our leadership and stifling the voice of Nigerian workers. We urge all members to remain peaceful and orderly throughout the procession and prayer session.
    “If for any reason, the President is detained, all workers nationwide shall proceed on indefinite strike. Your unwavering support and solidarity at this critical time are crucial to defending Civic rights and the integrity and rights of the labour movement.”
    “Together, we shall overcome these challenges and continue to uphold justice, fairness, and democracy in our dear nation.”

  • Kidnapped Corps Members Regain Freedom

    The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has confirmed that eight corps members who were kidnapped earlier by unidentified gunmen while travelling from Uyo in Akwa Ibom State to Sokoto State have regained their freedom.

     

    The Director-General of NYSC, Yushahu Ahmed, confirmed this to newsmen on Friday, cautioning Corps Members to avoid nighttime travels.

     

    Ahmed emphasized that the welfare and security of all members will remain the foremost concern of the organization.

     

    “You will remember when these four members were travelling from Uyo in Akwa Ibom to Sokoto.

     

    “They were kidnapped on 17 August 2024 on Funtua Bisau Road in Zamfara State.

     

    “While in Zambara, we collaborated with the Army, Police, DSS and traditional rulers.

     

    “We also had a meeting with the governor of Zambara State regarding the kidnapping of the prospective corps members.

     

    “Consequently, through the combined effort of the security agencies, especially the Nigerian army and the NYSC, the mission started yielding results with the rescue of the first set of prospective four members,” Ahmed stated in a statement issued today.

     

  • Terrorism Financing: ‘Stop Ajaero’s Invite,

    …Don’t Create Confusion For Tinubu – Reps Tells Police

     

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Comrade Joe Ajaero

    The member representing Ideato North South Federal Constituency of Imo State in the House of Representatives, Ikenga Ugochinyere, has urged the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) to withdraw its invitation to the President of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Joe Ajaero.

     

    The invitation letter, signed by Assistant Commissioner of Police, Adamu Mu’azu, indicated that Ajaero is expected at the intelligence response team (IRT) complex in Abuja.

     

    Ajaero was invited for questioning over “a case of criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime”.

     

    Reacting, Ugochinyere, the spokesperson of the opposition coalition lawmakers, stated that “it’s clear to everyone that the NLC President didn’t commit any terrorism or murder”.

     

    He told the police to withdraw the invitation and avoid creating confusion for President Bola Tinubu, stressing that any move by the security operatives to detain Ajaero might lead to another nationwide protest.

     

    While recalling that he had been through similar situations, Ugochinyere urged the Police to channel their energy to curb the country’s worsening insecurity.

     

    He said: “Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC President didn’t commit any terrorism or murder challenge, drop it, so you don’t bring people back on the street and create confusion for the President. If you want to help President Tinubu go and chase out these bandits in the forest. Find out why crude oil is still being stolen.

     

    “You don’t help the President by inviting the NLC President and accusing him of murder and treason. Stop it!!!!! The President needs help, there’s insecurity, that’s why there’s economic hardship, that’s why food products are high. That’s the real terror that you need to deal with, not Comrade Ajaero.

     

    “I have to advise the Nigerian police, there’s no basis for this now, what Nigerians need now is more enhanced security, more involvement of security agencies in quelling security challenges across all parts of the country instead of inviting the President of Nigerian Labour Congress for a chat over his involvement in terrorism.

     

    “These are old strategies that people can decode, from someone that has been through it, this same police force invited me multiple times and charged me multiple times. Based on my personal experience, I think this invitation should be withdrawn, the country is at a difficult moment now.

     

    “I know Comrade Ajaero and I know he’s not involved in any terrorism. We are trying to find a way to maintain stability and navigate these economic challenges, the Nigerian police should Channel their energy on oil production, what the oil thieves are doing etc. they should focus on wiping out the bandits and criminal elements. I’m urging the Inspector General of Police, don’t let your era be known with what you used to have, don’t get involved in that. The biggest thing I know you can do for the President that I know you love is to find a way to energize the police force to go after all these criminal elements in different parts of the country.”

     

  • Police invite NLC President Joe Ajaero over alleged terrorism financing

    Police invite NLC President Joe Ajaero over alleged terrorism financing

    In a move described as fascist and targeted to cow him, the Nigeria Police Force has invited the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, Joe Ajaero for questioning over an alleged link to terrorism financing and other allegations.
    The invite was contained in a letter issued from the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Department of Force Intelligence.
    The letter, which was signed by Adamu S. Muazu, threatened that failure to honour the invitation would lead to arrest.
    According to the letter, the IRT is investigating a case of criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion and cybercrimes.
    Reacting to the letter, a former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, AAC, Omoyele Sowore, in a post on his official X handle, called for action against President Bola Tinubu’s government.
    He wrote: “The Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu regime is going completely fascist, and we must all together and stop him now! See a letter from @PoliceNG summoning @NLCHeadquarters President @JoeAjaero94024 practically accusing him of treason, terrorism financing and all sorts of heinous crimes.
    #FearlessInOctober #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria #RevolutionNow”.
  • Humanitarian Worker Killed In Benue

    Humanitarian Worker Killed In Benue

    An incident observers described as one more death too many has occurred as a humanitarian worker and Executive Director of Concerned Youth Development Initiative (CYDI), Chris Terfa, has been reportedly killed by yet-to-be identified gunmen near Logo 1 axis in Makurdi metropolis, Benue State.

    The deceased was said to have been gunned down Friday evening by the assailants who allegedly traced him to his office within the Logo 1 vicinity in Makurdi.
    Terfa’s killers also reportedly shot at the security man on duty while trying to gain access into the office premises.
    The assassins reportedly covered the deceased’s mouth with a pillow before shooting him.
    Witnesses said that Terfa was rushed to the hospital after the gunmen fled but was confirmed dead on arrival.
    His corpse was said to have been deposited at the morgue of the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH) in Makurdi.
    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Catherine Anene, had yet to confirm the incident as her telephone line was not reachable.
    Lamenting the spate of killings in Benue state, Joseph Anawah, a community leader and former aid to Sen Gabriel Suswam, erstwhile Governor of Benue state said, “I lost more than 100 relations, very close to me, to Fulani herders. There was a time when they invaded my settlement at Chembe, out of the 43 people killed in just one night, 23 of them were my blood relatives.”
  • Ned Nwoko warns legal action against rumor mongers

    Ned Nwoko warns legal action against rumor mongers

    Politician and prolific polygamist, Senator Ned Nwoko has spoken out against rumours that he passed away while overseas.
    The maverick businessman also responded to recent allegations that he bought a car for a teenage YouTuber, describing the allegations as baseless and misleading.
    “Whether this is a misguided joke or a deliberate act of malice, it has gone too far and will not be tolerated,” he said, expressing his disgust.
    The senator threatened to make arrests and warned those responsible for disseminating these lies to prepare for the repercussions as he declared his determination to take swift legal action against them.
    He made it clear that his approach is to make people responsible for their damaging behavior rather than to use influence.
    Nwoko threatened, saying, “I will not tolerate any attempts to malign my character or to downplay the seriousness of this situation.” Those who engaged in these actions should immediately get ready for possible legal ramifications.

  • Gunmen Attack Police Checkpoint, Kill Officer 

    A Nigerian police officer has been killed and another injured during a suspected gunmen attack at a checkpoint on Nnewi-Oba Road in the Idemili South Local Government Area of @AnambraState.
    The incident occurred around 9:20am on Friday when gunmen threw explosive devices at the officers stationed at the Omata Junction.
    In a statement released on Friday, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the attack and stated that the Commissioner of @NigeriaPolice, Nnaghe Itam, had ordered an intensive manhunt for the assailants.
    “The Commissioner of @NigeriaPolice, CP Nnaghe Itam, has ordered a manhunt operation for the gunmen who attacked the police team at about 9:20 am today, 9/8/2024,” Ikenga said.
    He added that the operation, led by the Assistant Commissioner in charge of Nnewi Area Command, is already collaborating with local residents to track down the attackers.
    During the exchange of fire, one @Nigeriapolice officer was fatally struck by an explosive device, while another officer, who sustained serious injuries, is currently receiving treatment in the hospital.
    “The police team has secured the area, and further details will be communicated,” Ikenga stated