Crime
ActionAid, WACOL, condemn Abiola for assaulting police woman
By John Danjuma
Two human rights frontline organizations, ActionAid Nigeria, (AAN), and Women’s Aid Collective, (WACOL), have condemned Prof Zainab Abiola over alleged assault on a police woman, Teju Moses, for refusing to carry out house chores.
The two organisations held a joint media conference in Abuja over the alleged action by Prof. Abiola.
They called on the Nigeria Police Force to as a matter of urgency review and clearly define duties of police orderlies and also for better welfare package.
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The Country Director, AAN, Ene Obi, commended the effort of the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba for for acting quickly in the arrest of Abiola, alleged to have ordered the assault on her police orderly, Inspector Teju Moses, through her domestic staff.
Obi said: “You may recall that in 2020, ActionAid Nigeria, in solidarity with the Nigerian Youths, called for an end to police brutality across Nigeria.
“However, with the same energy, we have been following with keen interest the continued rise in citizens’ brutality against security officers across Nigeria.
“Although, it is saddening that the perpetrator is a Lawyer and a human right Activist who should be advocating against all forms of abuses”
Obi explained that this will serve as a deterrent to all those abusing the rights of both male and female officers attached to them, that the eyes of the law are very active and justice will be served.
She maintained that one of AAN’s objectives is focus on protecting women and girls from violence and create opportunities for economic independence and decision making.
She called on the Inspector General of Police to Review as a matter of urgency, the welfare of the officers assigned on special duties as well as other police officers to avert future occurrences.
Also, the Founding Director, Women’s Aid Collective, WACOL, Prof Joy Ezeilo, asserted that the plight of Nigerians who are recruited by military and para-military organisations are attached to elites in the country including foreigners who do not only abuse them physically and psychologically, but use them in manners inconsistent with their line of official duty.
“The reported ugly and nefarious act of brutality is despicable and condemnable without equivocation. And to have been perpetrated by supposed civil society actor makes it far more reprehensible and exposes both the legal profession, the academia and the human right family to odium and embarrassment, considering the peculiar background of the suspect, Prof Zainab as a supposed trained and commissioned defender of human rights in the society” Ezeilo said.
She also maintained that WACOL in partnership with ActionAid remains committed to ensuring that human rights are safeguarded in Nigeria.
Prof. Zainab, was allegedly reported to have assaulted her police orderly on Tuesday, 20th day of September 2022, at her residence in Garki, Abuja, following refusal by her said orderly to carry out menial and domestic chores at her residence.
“The trending and viral audio clip available all over the social media showed the orderly, Inspector Teju Moses, bleeding profusely on her face, and which the media reported to crystalize ‘overwhelming evidence of culpability on the part of Zainab’.
“We must bear in mind that an inhuman act to one remains inhuman treatment to humanity and to all”, she stated.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa over allegations of diverting N1.3 trillion in 13% derivation funds intended for Delta State during his tenure.
Okowa, who served as governor from 2015 to 2023, was detained after he voluntarily appeared at the EFCC’s Port Harcourt Directorate on Monday in response to an official summons.
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According to an EFCC source, Okowa is accused of failing to account for the N1.3 trillion derived from the federation account, as well as an additional N40 billion he allegedly invested in shares of UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).
The investigation suggests that Okowa acquired an 8% stake in a major Nigerian bank to support the offshore LNG venture, with funds purportedly misallocated from state resources.
Beyond the LNG shares, investigators are probing whether Okowa redirected state funds to acquire high-value properties in Abuja and Asaba.
Okowa is currently held at an EFCC facility in Port Harcourt as the inquiry continues.
The high-profile arrest comes as Okowa, who was the vice-presidential running mate to Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general election, faces scrutiny over his financial conduct in office.
Amid repeated absences from court, the Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an arrest warrant for Hathiramani Ranesh, Managing Director of Dana Air, who faces charges of fraud and conspiracy tied to alleged misappropriations totaling N1.3 billion.
The ruling, handed down Monday by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, calls for Ranesh’s immediate arrest following his failure to respond to multiple court summonses.
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Justice Egwuatu cited Section 184 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), empowering the court to issue an arrest warrant against defendants who evade appearance.
“The defendant is legally obligated to appear, and the court is authorized to issue a warrant for arrest if he does not,” Justice Egwuatu said, setting January 13, 2025, as the next court date, adding that no objections will be considered unless Ranesh is present.
Ranesh and two Dana Group subsidiaries—Dana Group PLC and Dana Steel Ltd—face serious allegations from the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF).
Prosecutors claim that between 2014 and 2018, Ranesh and his companies engaged in fraudulent activities, including the unauthorized sale of industrial generators valued at N450 million, which had been pledged as collateral in a debenture agreement.
Additional charges allege the misappropriation of N864 million from bond funds meant for operations at the Dana Steel Rolling Factory in Katsina, and a N60.3 million transfer to an external account without authorization.
The charges, filed by Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Moshood Adeyemi, cite violations under the Criminal Code Act.
In court, government lawyer Mojisola Okeya-Esho argued for the arrest warrant, stating that Ranesh had disregarded court orders to appear for arraignment.
Defense counsel B. Ademola-Bello challenged the prosecution, contending that jurisdictional issues must be addressed before proceeding with the case.
Justice Egwuatu dismissed these objections, underscoring that Ranesh’s presence in court is required before other arguments can be entertained.
The matter is now adjourned until January 13, 2025, with the warrant remaining active until the defendant is brought to court.
In a shocking act of violence, armed assailants targeted the Police Rapid Response Squad facility in Owerrinta early Monday morning, resulting in the tragic death of a female detainee.
The attack occurred shortly after midnight along the Umuahia-Aba Federal Expressway.
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State Commissioner of Police Danladi Isa confirmed the incident, revealing that the gunmen arrived in three Hilux vehicles and opened fire on the police facility.
“Our personnel successfully repelled the attack,” Isa stated.
However, the attackers resorted to using dynamite, causing significant damage to the building and exposing the detainees inside.
During the chaos, the gunmen attempted to free detainees, leading to the fatal shooting of the female suspect.
Unconfirmed reports suggest she was in custody related to a child trafficking case.
In the aftermath of the attack, police swiftly initiated a manhunt for the perpetrators, employing advanced technical methods to track their movements.
Commissioner Isa announced the arrest of one suspect, who is currently undergoing interrogation to uncover the identities of additional accomplices.
“We are making significant progress in our investigation,” he affirmed.
Authorities are calling on the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities as the investigation continues.
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