News

Ataga: Chidinma must not die in detention, Reps tell IGP

Published

3 years ago

July 13, 2021

House of Representatives has called on the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali, to prevail on all police personnel to stop releasing Chidinma Ojukwu, suspected killer of Super TV Chief Executive Officer, Usifo Ataga, for media interviews.
It said the IGP must provide adequate protection for the suspect and ensure she does not die in custody or commit suicide while in detention.

The House asked the police to conduct a proper investigation into the alleged killing, stressing the need to ensure that there was no violation of Human rights and media access to arrested persons in the future to avoid compromising the case in a court of law.
The resolutions were sequel to a motion titled “Call for the Compliance of the Police Force with the Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Proper Investigation into the Death of Late Mr Usifo Ataga”, moved under matters of urgent public importance at Tuesday plenary by Hon. Tolu Akande-Sadipe.
Ojukwu, a 300-level Mass Communication student of the University of Lagos was arrested on Wednesday 23rd June, 2021 over the murder of Ataga, in a service apartment in the Lekki area of Lagos State.
Presenting her motion, Sadipe said that “since the arrest of Ms. Chidinma Ojukwu, she has been paraded around, granting interviews to various several news platforms, including the
Nigerian Television Authority, on the matter, causing the internet and news media to be agog with the discussion and dissecting the matter. This is despite the fact that the police have already launched an investigation into the matter.
“The law of Nigeria does not allow for social media trials and matters that are sub judice (meaning before the court or not yet judicially decided) are not to be discussed by the media.
“Section 36(5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) provides that every person who is charged with a criminal offence shall be presumed to be innocent until he is proved guilty.
“Thus, so long as Ms. Ojukwu has not been proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction, she is not to be labeled a criminal, or paraded about to conduct series of interviews on a case currently under investigation. Rather, the police are to conduct a proper investigation and allow the court to consider the matter and make an informed judgment.
“If Ms. Ojukwu continues to be paraded about for a social media trial, it could affect the determination and outcome of the case, as well as amount to a breach of her fundamental right to fair hearing, especially where she is labelled or treated as one guilty of a crime.”
The motion was roundly supported when subjected to a voice vote by Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila and was adopted by the House.

News

IGP orders withdrawal of police attached to Yahaya Bello

Published

20 hours ago

April 19, 2024

Trends Admin

IGP orders withdrawal of police attached to Yahaya Bello

Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun has withdrawn all police officers attached to former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello.

This is contained in a police wireless message obtained on Friday.

The document with reference number: “CB:4001/DOPS/PMF/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.48/ 34 read, “IG has ordered the withdrawal of all policemen attached to His Excellency and former Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has also placed Bello on its watchlist after he evaded arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged N80 billion financial crime.

The notice to this effect comes a few hours after the EFCC declared the former Governor wanted.

Bello is being wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged corrupt practices while in office as Kogi Governor.

News

Tinubu’s aide under fire over comment on Yahaya Bello arrest

Published

24 hours ago

April 19, 2024

Trends Admin

Bayo Onanuga, special adviser on Information & Strategy

Tinubu’s aide under fire over comment on Yahaya Bello arrest

The internet users has bombarded the twitter page (X) of the Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga over his comment on former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, who resisted arrest by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Recall EFCC declared the former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, wanted for alleged misappropriation of funds while in office. The development has been attracting mixed reactions from members of the public, and one of those who reacted was the Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Information and Strategy.

On Thursday, the EFCC had declared Yahaya Bello wanted in connection with an alleged case of money laundering to the tune of about 80 billion naira.

Sharing a photo of the former governor online, the anti-graft agency said that anyone with useful information about his whereabouts should contact them.

Tinubu’s aide under fire over comment on Yahaya Bello arrest

News

Updated: More trouble for Yahaya Bello as Immigration places him on watch list

Published

1 day ago

April 19, 2024

Trends Admin

Updated: More trouble for Yahaya Bello as Immigration places him on watch list

The Nigeria Immigration Service has ordered the arrest of former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaha Bello, if found at any entry/exit point of the country.

The NIS said on Thursday night that Yahaya Bellowas placed on its watchlist after evading arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegation of N80 billion fraud.

This notice came a few hours after the EFCC had declared the former governor wanted.

The NIS, in a letter addressed to the Director-General, Department of State Services (DSS), the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency as well as other formations declared that Bello had been placed on its watch list.

The letter was signed by the Assistant Comptroller of Immigration (Suspect Index), D S Umar, on behalf of the Comptroller General of the Immigration Service.

Part of the letter read, “Suffice to mention that the subject is being prosecuted before the Federal High Court Abuja for Conspiracy, Breach of Trust and Money Laundering vide letter Ref: CR: 3000/EFCC/LS/EGCS.1/TE/V 1/279 dated 18th April 2024, if seen at any entry or exit point, he should be arrested and referred to the Director of Investigation or contact 08036226329/07039617304 for further action.”