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APC chairman, 25 others arrested over recent killings in Ebonyi
No fewer than 26 suspects have been arrested over the recent killings and arson in Ekoli Edda Community, in the Afikpo South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
Among those arrested were the state Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Stanley Okoro-Emegha and a former chairman of the Afikpo South LGA and Federal House of Representatives candidate for Afikpo North/South Constituency in the 2023 general election, Eni Chima.
The suspects were paraded at the police headquarters in Abakaliki on Monday, January 23, 2023.
The State Commissioner of Police, Aliyu Garba through the Command’s spokesperson, SP Chris Anyanwu said the suspects were arrested in connection with the killings and razing of houses on 26th of December 2022. Also, for conspiracy, armed robbery, arson, unlawful possession of firearms, malicious damage and murder of three persons; Esien Kalu, Inspector Festus Akpan and Emu Orji.
According to the police, the suspects must face the wrath of the law, inspite of the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry set up by Governor David Umahi, of the state.
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“The key actors among the suspects arrested, volunteered useful ‘confessional statements’ that exposed the aggregate of overwhelming findings hereunder outlined,” the PPRO stated.
“The fracas that engulfed Ekoli-Edda on 26/12/2022 ignited at about 1600 hours during a face-off between the security aides of Hon Stanley Okoro Emegha versus a faction of Ekoli-Edda youth believed to be loyalists of Hon Eni Uduma Chima.
“The protracted political rivalry/supremacy struggle between the duo, is the cause of the showdown that took place. Interestingly, the two political stalwarts hail from same community, belong to same political party and even live in close proximity.
“The visit of the APC chairman to his village on the fateful day, with his aides, infuriated the fragment of the youths in the area who are purportedly adherents of Eni Uduma Chima, hence the showdown that ensued.
“The war songs chanted by Egwu Famous Chinedu, the town crier, amidst hitting/blowing of his gong/trumpet, respectively, galvanised the youth into further action, hence, the rampage and escalation of the brouhaha.”
He added, “The investigation further revealed that an attempt to arrest one Aruah said to be the leader of the Ekoli-Edda youth warriors, brought in the warriors who were reserved for the purpose of fighting in the boundary dispute between them and a neighbouring community in Cross River State. The said warriors wielded sophisticated prohibited firearms and their actions further degenerated the situation.
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“The prompt intervention of His Excellency, Dave Nweze Umahi, as the father and Chief Security Officer of the state, went a long way to abate the hostilities.
“Without minding whose ox is gored, the governor ordered that the two political stalwarts be arrested and detained, even as the duo are key members of his political party. He further enhanced and facilitated the arrest of the perpetrators cum recovery of arms/ammunition.
“Also in his quest to restore peace in Edda Clan, the governor visited the area more than three times and eventually constituted a Board of Enquiry and Reconciliation headed by distinguished Senator Sunny Ogbuoji.
“It is crystal clear that the supremacy tussle raging between Hon Stanley Okoro Emegha and Hon Eni Uduma Chima is the cause of the ill-fated December 26th conflict at Ekoli-Edda, Afikpo-South of Ebonyi State.
“Fourteen out of the entire suspects arrested (some still at large) will be arraigned immediately in court as prima facie case of conspiracy, armed robbery, arson, unlawful possession of firearms and malicious damage have been established against them.” the spokesperson added.
Items recovered from the suspects include; one AK 47 rifle, and its live ammunition, 2 pump-action rifles, 1 Dane gun, 1 village gong, 1 trumpet and 3 AK 47 magazines.
metro
Leadership dispute: NURTW cautions AGF, IGP against aiding Baruwa
Leadership dispute: NURTW cautions AGF, IGP against aiding Baruwa
The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has urged the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to resist efforts to drag them into the leadership dispute in the union.
Reacting to a recent letter by lawyer to Alhaji Tajudeen Baruwa, calling on the AGF and the IGP to help enforce a judgment, the NURTW claimed that the said judgment was allegedly obtained by misleading the court.
Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday, a National Officer of the NURTW and immediate past National Financial Secretary, Comrade Uwem James said it was prejudicial of the court for Baruwa to seek to enforce a judgment when cases relating to the dispute over the union’s leadership were still pending in court.
James claimed that Baruwa’s tenure, in which he (James) served as National Financial Secretary) lapsed in August 2023, adding that Baruwa was only seeking to come back through the back door by allegedly concocting a case in which he claimed to have got a favourable judgment.
James, who gave a background to the whole leadership dispute in the union, accused the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) of wrongly taking side with Baruwa without seeking to understand the root of the dispute.
He said cases relating to the question of the union’s leadership were still pending before the National Industrial Court in Lagos and Abuja, adding that applications are still before those courts that yet to be determined.
James added: “Alhaji Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa, in defiance of the order of injunction that parties maintain status guo ante belum and the application to restrain him pending in courts, both in Lagos and Abuja, still went ahead to declare himself President at a place in Lafia on 23rd, August 2023 despite all the suits against him.
“As at then, he showed very clear disregard for the rule of law, court order and pending litigations; and now he wants to enforce court orders in his favour, forgetting that he who comes to equity must come with clean hands.
“We are constrained to bring this matter to the public domain in order to clarify some misconceptions among members of the public due to Alh. Baruwa’s outcry of victimization.
“We know as a common order that ‘it is one who is cheated that cries to the court of public justice for redress,’ but the reverse seems to be the case here, where Alh. Baruwa is the one who had heated but seems to be crying the loudest.
“Be it noted that the two cases filed against Alhaji Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa are pending before the National Industrial Court cill date.
“It will therefore prejudice us and the path of justice should Alhaji Ibikunle Baruwa be assisted in any way to enforce any court judgment that we believe he fraudulently obtained by challenging the wrong parties on divergent issues, while cases bordering on his election and constitution of the union, which were first raised and filed in court by us are still pending and yet to be determined.
“Moreso, it will render our cases useless and may lead to chaos, with the possibility of breakdown of law and order in the union and society at large,” he said.
James prayed the court, where the cases are pending, particularly the one marked: NICN/UY/27/2023 between Comrade Uwem James & six others vs. NURTW, Tajudeen Baruwa & two others, “to expedite action for a speedy trial and determination of the case, which we believe, will bring a final settlement on this matter.”
metro
Tinubu appoints Jami’u Abiola as Senior Special Assistant
Tinubu appoints Jami’u Abiola as Senior Special Assistant
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Jami’u Abiola, son of the late MKO Abiola, as the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Linguistics and Foreign Matters.
Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), announced the appointment, which takes effect on November 14, 2024.
Akume’s statement, issued by Mr. Segun Imohiosen, Director of Information and Public Relations, highlighted that the appointment aligns with the Certain Political and Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances, etc) Act 2008, as amended.
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Before this role, Jami’u Abiola served as the Special Assistant to the President on Special Duties in the Office of the Vice President.
President Tinubu has instructed Abiola to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and leverage his expertise in his new responsibilities.
Jami’u Abiola is the son of Chief Moshood Abiola (MKO), the acclaimed winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, and Kudirat Abiola, who was tragically assassinated during her efforts to restore her husband’s mandate.
Tinubu appoints Jami’u Abiola as Senior Special Assistant
metro
Hoodlums beat police officer to death in Adamawa
Hoodlums beat police officer to death in Adamawa
Some hoodlums in Adamawa State have reportedly beaten a policeman, Ibrahim Maizabuwa, to death.
Two persons, Ezekiel Kefas and Stephen Zabadi from Wamsa Suwa Ward in Lamurde LGA of the state, have been arrested in connection with the murder.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Suleiman Yahaya Nguroje, confirmed the incident in a statement on Wednesday.
He stated that the suspects were arrested on November 19, 2024 after the deceased’s son, Danlami Ibrahim Maizabuwa, reported the incident to the police.
According to him, investigations revealed that the police officer was killed and buried in the community.
The deceased was said to have visited his friend, Ezekiel Kefas, in the community.
The police command’s spokesman said during interrogation, Kefas claimed that the officer was killed by a group of thugs after he destroyed property and assaulted people in his (Kefas’) house.
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“My friend came and started destroying property including a pot of soup and water in my house and assaulting people as a result of which women and children raised the alarm which attracted thugs who beat him up.
“Those who killed him include Yakubu, Suleiman and Kilyobas. They beat him up with sticks to death.
“Yesterday, we went to the houses of those who killed him, but we didn’t meet any of them,” Ezekiel was quoted as saying.
The state Police Commissioner, Morris Dankombo, has ordered an investigation into the incident and prosecution of the suspects
Hoodlums beat police officer to death in Adamawa
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