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.
. . . As Operatives Recover Dangerous Weapons, Other Assets
As part of the efforts of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to emplace peace and public safety across Nigeria, operatives attached to the Imo State Police Command achieved a significant milestone in the ongoing battle against terrorism.
The feat saw operatives neutralised three deadly terrorist kingpins associated with the Eastern Security Network (ESN), destroyed their camps and recovered weapons.
In a statement on its verified handle on micro-blogging site, X, on Saturday, the NPF wrote, “On January 24, 2025, operatives from the Command’s tactical Unit following credible intelligence launched a coordinated operation aimed at locating and dislodging the terrorist hideouts.
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“The police operatives located the terrorists’ hideout in a forest within Ihube, Okigwe LGA. Upon approach, the operatives came under heavy fire from suspected IPOB/ESN terrorists but demonstrated exceptional courage and engaged the attackers in a fierce gun battle.
“The operation resulted in the neutralization of 6 members of the terrorist group, with 3 being ESN kingpins identified as Ifeanyi Anayo a.k.a. Zuma De Rock (28), Chukwuemeka Odionyenfe a.k.a. Nmimi (22), and Kingsley Sunday (21)— all natives of Ogube, Ihube in Okigwe Local Government Area, and the recovery of five AK-47 rifles, 552 rounds of live ammunition, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), several communication equipment, along with 8 operational motorcycles used by the group.
“Prior investigations had revealed the involvement of the group in several high-profile crimes, including the attack on the Owerri Correctional Center on April 5, 2021, the killing of five policemen in Umunna, Okigwe, on December 12, 2022, and the burning of Arondizuogu Police Station on February 8, 2022.
“The group was also involved in multiple kidnappings, including those of WAEC staff on June 5, 2023, four reverend sisters on August 21, 2022, and four Chinese nationals on December 6, 2023.
“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM., has commended the gallant operatives for their exceptional display of bravery and coordination.
“The IGP charges police operatives across commands and formations to sustain the tempo and implement the Force’s action plan aimed at reducing crimes drastically in the first quarter of the year 2025.
“The Nigeria Police Force remains unyielding in its goal towards ensuring national security and public safety.
“Members of the public are hereby urged to remain vigilant and work collaboratively with the Nigeria Police Force to promote peace and ensure a safer environment for all citizens.”
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has withdrawn the arrest warrant issued against Ezekiel Thankgod, the former manager of renowned gospel singer, Mercy Chinwo.
Biztellers reports that Thankgod is facing allegations of involvement in a $345,000 fraud case.
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The arrest warrant had been issued by Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court on January 16, 2025, following an ex parte application by the EFCC seeking to compel Thankgod’s appearance in court.
During a court session on Friday, EFCC counsel, Mrs. Bilikisu Buhari, applied to withdraw the warrant, stating that the charges had already been served on Thankgod’s lawyer, Mr. Monday Ubani, SAN, during open court proceedings.
She argued that the warrant was no longer necessary.
Justice Owoeye granted the application and formally vacated the bench warrant.
Oba Otudeko, Chairman of Honeywell Group, appeared in the Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday to challenge charges of N12.3 billion fraud.
Biztellers reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had filed a 13-count indictment against Otudeko, along with Olabisi Onasanya, former Managing Director of FirstBank Plc., Soji Akintayo, a former board member of Honeywell, and Anchorage Leisure Ltd.
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During the proceedings, the defendants’ lawyer, Mr. Bode Olanipekun (SAN), raised an objection, stating that the charge had not been properly served to Otudeko or his co-defendants.
Olanipekun emphasized this issue as a reason for protest in court.
The EFCC has accused the individuals and the company of fraudulently obtaining N12.3 billion under false pretenses.
More to follow………..
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