Connect with us

NEWS

#EndSARS:  Counsel Argues Against Complainant’s Compensation Demand

Published

on

Share

A lawyer, Mr Malik Taiwo, representing the Nigeria Police at the Independent Investigative Panel on #EndSARS, kicked against a petitioner’s prayer for the police to pay N100 million compensation to the petitioner.

The National Human Rights Commission panel has been investigating alleged human rights abuses by the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad and other police units.

The Petitioner, Mr Emenike Umezuruike, alleged before the panel in Abuja on Monday that the police arrested him unlawfully and detained him under inhuman condition.

In his petition marked 2020/IIP-SARS/ABJ/219, Umezuruike named the Divisional Police Officer of Cameron Barracks Police Station in Aba, Abia, whose name was given simply as Rotimi as violating his fundamental human rights.

Umezuruike also named the officer in charge of crime at the Umuagwo Police Station in Imo, identified simply as Sgt. Emma and the Divisional Police Officer at the station, Mr Ikembuchukwu Abugu, Umuagwo as having dealt with him ruthlessly.

According to him, others are one Insp. Chinyere, Insp. Ebini, and the commissioner of police in Abia; the commissioner of police in Imo and the inspector-general of police.

But Taiwo told the panel in his address that the petitioner should not be awarded any compensation because he was not detained by the police as he claimed and that his evidence was not convincing enough.

He argued that the testimony given by the complainant should be dismissed, citing the fact that no independent witness had corroborated the testimony before the panel.

Taiwo said that the complainant was not unlawfully arrested or detained for 58 days as he claimed, saying that he made the allegations simply to tarnish the image of the police.

“What did he suffer as a result of the detention? Did he go to hospital? Where was he detained? There is no clarity.”

After listening to the submissions of the counsel, Mr Garba Tetengi, (SAN), who represented the Chairman of the panel, retired Justice Suleiman Galadima, adjourned the petition.

Umezurike had earlier, while narrating his ordeals in the hands of the police, said that he was unlawfully detained for 58 days at the Cameroun Barracks Police Station, Aba, where the police tried to extort N5 million from him.

He told the panel that while he was trying to market a landed property, the police arrested and detained him at Umuagwo Police Station in Ohaji Egbema community in Imo.

Umezuruike told the panel that the property he was trying to sell came through one Johnbosco.

He disclosed that unknown to him, Johnbosco was into illegal business of framing charges against innocent people and using the police to detain and extort money from them in the name of bail.

According to him while at the police station, “a lady surfaced and claimed that I duped her sometime in 2007”, which he said made the police to prolong his detention.

He stated further that he tried to defend himself by telling the police that he did not know the lady, let alone duping her to the tune of N5 million but that his defence was not considered by the police.

The petitioner alleged further that he was tear-gassed and beaten with rope and cane by Insp. Ebini at Cameroun Barracks Police Station in Aba.

He pleaded with the panel to order compensation of N100 million in his favour, following the alleged human rights violations meted out to him by the police. (NAN)

NEWS

Tinubu Honors Buhari, Renames University of Maiduguri after Late President

Published

on

Share

By David Torough, Abuja

President Bola Tinubu has approved the renaming of the University of Maiduguri, Borno State as Muhammadu Buhari University.

“May we now adopt the University of Maduguri as the Muhammadu Buhari University,” Tinubu said at the close of a special session of the Federal Executive Council held to honour Buhari at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja on Thursday.

The President paid a glowing tribute to Buhari, describing him as “a good man, a decent man, an honourable man” whose legacy of discipline, patriotism and moral uprightness would endure for generations.

Tinubu said although the late president was not without flaws, his unwavering commitment to national service set him apart.

“President Buhari was not a perfect man, no leader is, but he was, in every sense of the word, a good man, a decent man, an honourable man.

“His record will be debated, as all legacies are, but the character he brought to public life, the moral force he carried, the incorruptible standard he represented, will not be forgotten.

“His was a life lived in full service to Nigeria, and in fidelity to God,” he said.

Reflecting on Buhari’s time in office and his long military and civil service, Tinubu praised the late leader’s simplicity, humility, and stoic resistance to the trappings of power.

He said, “He stood, always, ramrod straight; unmoved by the temptation of power, unseduced by applause and unafraid of the loneliness that often visits those who do what is right, rather than what is popular.

“His was a quiet courage, a righteousness that never announced itself. His patriotism lived more in action than in words.”

Tinubu also recounted their political alliance, which culminated in the historic 2015 elections that marked Nigeria’s first democratic transfer of power from one ruling party to another.

“We stood together, he and I. Alongside others drawn from across the political spectrum, regions and tongues, we formed an alliance that enabled Nigeria to experience its first true democratic transfer of power from one ruling party to another.

“When he was sworn in as our party’s first elected President, he led with restraint, governed with dignity, and bore the burdens of leadership without complaint,” he said.

The President expressed admiration for Buhari’s post-office modesty, noting that he returned to his hometown, Daura, without seeking to wield influence behind the scenes.

“When his tenure ended, he returned to Daura; not to command from the shadows or to hold court, but to live as he always had, never seeking to impose his will but content to let others carry the nation forward.

“Even in death, he maintained the serenity that defined him in life: not a sigh, not a groan, just a quiet submission to the will of God. Such was the man Nigeria has lost. Such was the man for whom our nation now mourns,” he added.

Tinubu thanked the Inter-Ministerial Committee and Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, for organising a befitting state funeral within 48 hours, describing it as a “profound honour” to lead the burial procession in Daura.

He concluded his tribute with a prayer: “Mai Gaskiya, the People’s General, the Farmer President, your duty is done. May Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him Aljannah Firdaus. May his life continue to inspire generations of Nigerians to serve with courage, conviction, and selflessness. President Buhari, thank you. Nigeria will remember you.”

Buhari died on Sunday, July 13, at the age of 82.

Continue Reading

NEWS

C’River First Female NUJ Chairman Describes Tenure as Trial Period

Published

on

Share

The first female Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Cross River, Archibong Bassey has said that her first tenure in office was a trial period.

Bassey, who was returned unopposed in council’s election, made the assertion in an interview on Thursday in Calabar.

The Bassey- led executive was first elected on 9th May 2025, to complete the tenure of Nsa Gill, who was then appointed as Chief Press Secretary to Gov.

Bassey Otu.

The chairman, who thanked the members for keeping faith in her and her team, said that she would improve on her achievements while correcting any mistakes she might have made in her first tenure.

She pleaded that any member who she must have offended in the course of her leadership should forgive her as she was not perfect and called for unity among members.

“Let’s leave any form of rancour behind, I need all your support;push me from the back, support me as you can.

‘’Tell me your ideas of moving the council forward and not what someone told you about me; I am asking God for the spirit of humility and love, to enable me lead the council well.’’

Earlier in his goodwill message, Dr Erasmus Ekpang, Cross River’s Commissioner for Information, had commended the union’s unity in electing its new executives.

According to Ekpang, they will continue as a government to give the Cross River Council of NUJ what it needs and all the necessary support to enable it carry out its functions objectively.

“I want to thank you for your unity, it’s better to come unopposed, I believe one day, the Cross River Council will emerge as the best in the nation,” he said.

Other executive members who were returned unopposed are Mr Sunday Inah of the Cross River Broadcasting Corporation (CRBC) as Vice Chairman, Michael Abang of Business Day as Secretary.

Others are Kingsley Agim of the Cross River Ministry of Information as Assistant Secretary, Mrs Achiane Adams of the Ministry of Information, Treasurer, and Benedine Tete Anam of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Auditor.

Continue Reading

NEWS

Gov Makinde Confered With Prestigious Chieftaincy Title of Aare Omoluabi of Akure Land by Akure Kingdom

Published

on

Share

The Akure Kingdom will today bestow a prestigious chieftaincy title, Aare Omoluabi of Akure Land, meaning President of the Respectable People, upon His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State.

The conferment ceremony, which will take place in Akure, Ondo State, marks a significant recognition of Governor Makinde’s exemplary leadership, integrity, and contributions to the advancement of Yoruba culture and national development.

The title, one of the highest honors in the Akure Kingdom, celebrates individuals who embody the virtues of respect, dignity, and service to humanity.

Governor Makinde’s conferment reflects his outstanding commitment to good governance, infrastructural development, and fostering unity across Nigeria.

The ceremony will be attended by traditional rulers, dignitaries, and government officials, underscoring the significance of this historic event.

This honor further strengthens the bond between Oyo and Ondo States, fostering mutual respect and cooperation for the progress of the Yoruba nation and Nigeria at large.

Continue Reading

Read Our ePaper

Top Stories

POLITICS2 days ago

Anambra: INEC Registers 96,085 New Voters, Extends CVR by Three Days

ShareThe Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it has registered 96,085 new voters in nine days and extended the exercise...

NEWS2 days ago

Tinubu Honors Buhari, Renames University of Maiduguri after Late President

ShareBy David Torough, Abuja President Bola Tinubu has approved the renaming of the University of Maiduguri, Borno State as Muhammadu...

NEWS2 days ago

C’River First Female NUJ Chairman Describes Tenure as Trial Period

ShareThe first female Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Cross River, Archibong Bassey has said that her...

NEWS2 days ago

Gov Makinde Confered With Prestigious Chieftaincy Title of Aare Omoluabi of Akure Land by Akure Kingdom

ShareThe Akure Kingdom will today bestow a prestigious chieftaincy title, Aare Omoluabi of Akure Land, meaning President of the Respectable...

POLITICS2 days ago

PDP Stakeholders Olorunda Pass Vote of Confidence on Gov Adeleke

ShareFrom Ayinde Akintade, Osogbo The Olorunda Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, Stakeholders has passed vote of confidence on Governor Ademola Adeleke...

NEWS2 days ago

Town Planners Task Benue Govt on Regional Devt, Master Plans

ShareBy David Torough, Abuja The President, Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), Dr. Chime Ogbonna, has urged the Benue State...

NEWS2 days ago

Illegal Detention: Court Awards Bauchi Accountant General N100m

ShareBy David Torough, Abuja In a decisive rebuke of official impunity, the Federal High Court sitting in Bauchi has declared...

NEWS2 days ago

Military Cracks Down on Terror Collaborators, Exposes Arms Trafficking by Transport Union Members

ShareBy David Torough, Abuja The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced multiple breakthroughs in its ongoing counter-terrorism operations, revealing that Nigerian...

NEWS2 days ago

Peace, Order Return to Niger LG after Series of Banditry Attacks

ShareFrom Dan Amasingha, Minna Rijau Local Government Area, one of the Frontline Councils under sustained banditry attack is now heaving...

NEWS2 days ago

LG Pensions/Gratuities: Bayelsa Warns Principal Officers Against Sabotage of Quick Payment Policy

ShareFrom Mike Tayese, Yenagoa Bayelsa State Government has warned principal officers of local government councils in the state to desist...

Copyright © 2021 Daily Asset Limited | Powered by ObajeSoft Inc