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.
Crime
Policeman Feared Dead As Gunmen Attack Checkpoint In Abia
A police officer is reportedly dead and another injured following an attack by unknown gunmen on a police checkpoint in the Ohafia area of Abia State.
The incident, which occurred on Wednesday at Ugwu Abba Asaga, has sparked concerns over the rising wave of insecurity in the region.
The Abia State Police Command has yet to release an official statement regarding the attack. However, when contacted, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Maureen Chinaka, assured reporters that she would provide updates, but no further details had been shared as of the time of this report.
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This incident is the latest in a series of violent attacks in Abia State. On Monday, the Abia State government accused unnamed politicians and external parties of fueling kidnappings and violence targeting security personnel and civilians since May 2024. In a statement signed by Ferdinand Ekeoma, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, the government vowed to hold the perpetrators accountable.
“The promoters of violence and insecurity in the state will pay a heavy price,” the statement read.
However, John Okiyi Kalu, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Commissioner for Trade and Investment, criticized the government’s position. He argued that insecurity in the state should not be politicized but rather addressed through actionable measures.
The attack has heightened tensions in the state, with citizens calling for swift action to restore peace and ensure the safety of residents and security personnel alike.
Crime
Ebonyi Police Crackdown Leaves Labourer Dead, Three Others Injured
A yet-to-be-identified labourer was reportedly shot dead on Wednesday, while three others sustained critical injuries, during an altercation involving the Crack Squad of the Ebonyi State Police Command at Ugwuechara Junction in Abakaliki.
Witnesses say the incident began when members of the Crack Squad stopped a motorcycle rider, accusing him of fraud and attempting to seize his motorcycle.
The rider reportedly identified himself as a member of the military but was allegedly assaulted by the operatives.
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An eyewitness recounted, “As the policemen removed his cap and started hitting him with their guns, the bike man tried to resist them, possibly to snatch one of their guns.
“One of the team opened fire, which killed one of the labour seekers, who usually gather at the junction to look for daily jobs. Three persons were wounded and were rushed to the hospital.”
The deceased, a labourer waiting for work at the junction, was struck by the gunfire. Among the injured are a young apprentice at a barbershop and a female passer-by.
Witnesses say the police operatives took the body of the deceased and the motorcycle rider to their station after the incident.
Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer in Ebonyi, Joshua Ukandu, were unsuccessful as he did not respond to calls or messages.
However, Obinna Mbam, the Special Assistant on Internal Security to Governor Francis Nwifuru, confirmed the incident.
“Normalcy has returned to the area,” Mr. Mbam said. “The state government will ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.”
The incident has sparked outrage among residents of Ebonyi State, who have raised concerns about the increasing cases of police brutality, extortion, and indiscriminate arrests.
Many residents also expressed dissatisfaction with the Crack Squad, which was established as part of police reforms following the disbandment of the controversial Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in 2020.
Crime
IGP Files Fraud Charges Against Ex-Senator, Two Others Over N400m Scam
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has filed criminal charges against former Nigerian senator Andy Uba and two others, accusing them of defrauding a complainant, George Uboh, of N400 million.
The charges, which include two counts, were brought before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Uba, who represented Anambra South in the Senate from 2011 to 2019, along with Crystal Uba and Benjamin Etu, is alleged to have conspired with Hajiya Fatima, who remains at large, to defraud Uboh in 2022.
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According to the charges, the accused individuals falsely claimed they could secure the appointment of the managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for anyone who could pay N400 million.
“The accused persons collected the N400 million from Mr. Uboh and converted it into their personal use,” the police said, describing the actions as a violation of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offenses Act of 2006.
The police also revealed that six witnesses would testify against the accused parties.
The case was officially filed on 10 October 2023 by Abdulrashid Sidi from the Police Legal/Prosecution Section.
During a hearing on 13 November, the prosecution informed the court that the defendants had been evading the service of court documents despite being granted administrative bail.
“The defendants obtained a fundamental rights enforcement order, which had prevented the police from bringing them to court,” said M.L. Anthony, a lawyer for the prosecution.
“It was only after the order was lifted that the defendants were finally charged before the judge.”
The trial, presided over by Justice Inyang Ekwo, was adjourned until 18 February 2025.
This delay allows time for the defendants to appear in court and take their plea, following the prosecution’s efforts to ensure they are properly served with legal documents.