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Court Mandates IGP To Compensate Woman With N100m

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A landmark decision unfolded in the Federal High Court, Abuja, as Justice Inyang Ekwo ordered the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun to pay Mrs. Mary Kajo a substantial sum of N100 million.

This ruling stems from the distressing incident involving the arrest, unlawful detention, torture, and alleged death of her husband, Mark Kajo.

The court further directed the police authorities to cover the N500,000 filing fee and imposed a five per cent post-judgment interest until the complete settlement of the judgment debt.

Highlighting a critical aspect of the case, the presiding judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo, pointed out that the police authorities did not contest the applicant’s case.

Emphasizing a legal principle, he stated, “The position of the law remains that affidavit evidence which is not challenged or controverted howsoever, is deemed admitted and can be relied upon by a court.”

Justice Ekwo therefore declared the death of Mark Kajo in police custody as wrongful, illegal, and unconstitutional.

He asserted that this act transgressed Mark’s constitutional rights under Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Article 4 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, CAP.A9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The judge underscored that the deceased held a fundamental right to life, a guarantee enshrined and enforceable under the laws.

“I find that the applicant has established that the fundamental rights of her husband, Mr Mark Kajo, have been breached by the inexplicable cold-blooded extra-judicial killing of the deceased in the custody of the 1st to 3rd respondents.

“Nothing can ever be more barbaric and nastier than this kind of death in the hands of law enforcement agents whose statutory and constitutional duty is to protect lives and property.

“By not filing any process in this case, I presume that the 1st— 3rd respondents are least perturbed about such loss of a citizen’s life in their custody and the outcome of this suit.

“Where it is established that the fundamental right of a citizen has been breached, the law is trite that damages in compensation, legally and naturally follow every act of violation of citizen’s fundamental right.” he added

In the lawsuit with reference FHC/ABJ/CS/600/2023, Mary Kajo took legal action against the Nigeria Police Force, Inspector-General of Police, Benue Commissioner of Police, and the Attorney-General of the Federation as the 1st to 4th respondents.

In an affidavit sworn on May 2, 2023, Mary asserted that her husband, a plumber, faced arrest, detention, and torture by the police, ultimately leading to his execution without a fair trial.

Mary recounted that her husband, Mark, was apprehended by police officers on January 1, 2018, near Wurukum Market in Makurdi.

On that fateful day, Mark left their home to buy medicine for their unwell child, who had awakened feeling unwell. However, he neither returned home nor reached out to inquire about the health of the ailing child.

Mary disclosed that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at the Benue Police Headquarters in Makurdi informed her that a detainee named Aondover confessed to stealing a car and implicating Mark by alleging that he gave it to him.

Subsequently, her husband was transferred to Police Headquarters in Abuja and then directed to the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) at Area 3.

Mary, a mother of five, went on to claim that the police informed the North-Central Zone of the Presidential Panel Hearing on SARS Reform 2018, where a petition was lodged, that her husband was killed in custody by armed thugs.

According to the police account, armed thugs purportedly ambushed the vehicle transporting them to recover hidden arms. In the ensuing exchange of gunfire, three suspects, including her husband, were allegedly shot and died instantly.

The police asserted that the corpses were then deposited at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital Morgue in Gwagwalada.

However, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), in a counter affidavit sworn by Adedayo Adeboye, an official in the office, contended that none of Mary’s assertions were directed against the office.

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‘Celebrate This Poor Man’ – Shettima Defends Tinubu Over Economic Crisis

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Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged Nigerians to celebrate President Bola Tinubu, saying his leadership saved the country from a potential implosion.

Shettima said Nigeria’s economy had been teetering on the edge of collapse before Tinubu’s intervention, adding that the country could have faced a different situation.

“The economy was teetering on the edge of collapse, we were on a cliff edge,” the Vice President said.

ALSO READ: Subsidy Removal, FX Reforms Driving Fresh Oil Sector Investment – Shettima

“So he literally saved the nation from an implosion. That could have been the scenario. So, instead of demonizing him, Nigerians ought to celebrate this poor man.”

Shettima also called for a return to the drawing board, expressing confidence in the leadership’s commitment and the prospects for the 2027 elections.

“I believe on the bottom of my heart that with this presentation I have seen, and with the commitment of our leadership, by the grace of God, we are going to win,” he said.

Speaking about the 2027 elections, the Vice President reminded his audience that social media platforms should not be mistaken for actual polling stations.

“There are no polling stations on Facebook or Instagram,” he said.

Shettima also expressed gratitude for the efforts made towards promoting the cause of the 2027 elections.

 

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FG Withdraws Charges Against ‘Fake Agency’ DG, Adeniyi Adeyemi

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Contempt: Four SANs to be Served by Courier

Following observed mis-steps, the Federal Government of Nigeria has withdrawn the eight-count criminal charge brought against the alleged fake Director General (DG) of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), Adeniyi Adeyemi.

Biztellers reports that the matter, in accordance with the counsel of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, (SAN), the matter will be filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), instead of the Federal High Court (FHC).

Consequently, upon an unopposed application for termination by the prosecution counsel and Director of the Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), on Monday, Justice Mohammed Umar of a Federal High Court, Abuja on Monday, struck out the matter.

READ ALSO: Shell Identifies Keys to Nigeria’s Energy Future

In a motion for the termination of the charges, Oyedepo informed the court that the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice has carried out a review of the case file of Adeyemi and the charge filed by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and found some loopholes.

The DPPF added that the documents allegedly forged by Adeyemi during his operations of the fake agency are those that can be prosecuted by the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

He also informed the court that a new charge has been filed at the High Court of the FCT and that Adeyemi would be expeditiously arraigned afresh.

He therefore urged the judge to strike out the charge as required by law.

Following no objections from Ibrahim Angulu (SAN), who stood in for Adeyemi, Justice Umar subsequently terminated the charge.

Adeniyi, 38, was being tried alongside two others whose whereabouts are unknown, on charges bordering on conspiracy and forgery.

The two others said to be at large were identified as Femi (surname unknown) and Anu (surname unknown).

The charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/25/2025, was entered against the defendant by the DPPF.

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Shell Identifies Keys to Nigeria’s Energy Future

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To secure a bright energy for her teeming population, Nigeria must sustain the momentum of reform, accelerate investment, and deepen partnerships.

This view was expressed by Managing Director, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company of Nigeria Limited (SNEPCo) Ronald Adams in Lagos at the weekend.

Delivering a keynote address at the Africa Energy Conference (AEC) of the Lagos Business School (LBS), Adams called for regulatory certainty through efficient execution of reforms, sustained investment appeal to enable projects to move more swiftly from opportunity to production and partnership by operators, regulators, NNPC Limited and communities to unlock the full value of Nigeria’s resources.

Adams cited Nigeria’s huge oil and gas resources as an advantage but pointed out: “Resources alone do not guarantee prosperity. Prosperity comes when resources are matched with investment, technology, sound policy and disciplined execution. Success will be determined not by the size of our resources, but by our ability to convert them into investment and economic growth.”

Adams pledged the support of Shell towards a bright energy future of Nigerians. He said: “For more than six decades, Shell has been part of Nigeria’s energy journey. Together with our partners, we have helped develop major energy infrastructure, supported Nigerian businesses, invested in talent, and contributed to economic development. Bonga remains a powerful example of what technology, partnership and Nigerian capability can achieve in deepwater operations. Today, that story continues through Bonga North.”

READ ALSO: ADF Targets 5 Million Students, 2 Million Vulnerable Women

Issuing a clarion call for action by all stakeholders, he added: “The world is not standing still. Capital is moving, technology is advancing and competition is intensifying. The countries that attract investment tomorrow are those that improve competitiveness today. Nigeria has begun that journey. Our task is to sustain the momentum and translate reform into projects, projects into growth, and growth into shared prosperity.”

The conference, the 4th in the series had at its theme; “Securing Nigeria’s Energy Future: Policy Reform, Capital Mobilisation, and Pathways to a Sustainable Power and Energy Market” and was attended by top government officials, industry captains, energy professionals, and students.

Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat represented Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu as the guest of honour. SNEPCo was a principal sponsor of the Africa Energy Conference (AEC) and mounted a well-received exhibition on its deepwater operations and social investments across Nigeria.

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