Connect with us

Crime

NBA Demands Release Of Dele Farotimi, Condemns Police Actions

Published

on

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has demanded the immediate release of human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi, following his arrest over allegations of libel.

The NBA also condemned the reported invasion of Farotimi’s law firm, describing the actions of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) as a violation of the rule of law and an assault on the independence of the legal profession.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, NBA President Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN) criticized the police for allegedly harassing lawyers and staff at Farotimi’s office and confiscating their phones during the operation.

READ ALSO: 26 Injured As Protests Against Georgian Gov’t Intensify

“These actions constitute a troubling breach of the rule of law and the sanctity of the legal profession,” Osigwe said.

The NBA emphasized that libel is no longer a criminal offence under Lagos State law.

According to the association, the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011 repealed the criminalization of defamation, aligning with international best practices that classify defamation as a civil matter.

“We must reiterate that the alleged offence of libel, for which Dele Farotimi was reportedly arrested, is not recognized as a criminal offence under the laws of Lagos State,” the statement read.

The NBA also referenced a 2021 Supreme Court decision in Aviomoh v. Commissioner of Police & Anor, where Justice Helen Ogunwumiju affirmed that defamation ceased to be a criminal offence following the enactment of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011.

“This authoritative pronouncement leaves no room for doubt,” Osigwe added.

The NBA accused the police of acting beyond their legal authority by arresting Farotimi for an alleged non-criminal matter.

It cited the Police Act, 2020, which limits law enforcement actions to recognized criminal offences.

“Arresting individuals for non-criminal matters, such as defamation in Lagos State, is not only unlawful but also a blatant violation of the principles of legality and the rule of law,” the statement said.

The NBA also condemned the reported invasion of Farotimi’s law firm, describing it as an attack on the constitutional rights of lawyers and their clients.

“Of equal concern is the reported invasion of Dele Farotimi’s law firm and the harassment of lawyers and staff within the premises.

Reports that phones were confiscated from lawyers and staff during this invasion highlight a severe disregard for the sanctity of legal practice and the constitutional rights of individuals,” Osigwe stated.

The NBA demanded Farotimi’s immediate release and called for an investigation into the alleged misconduct by the police.

The association insisted that those responsible be held accountable and urged law enforcement agencies to prioritize fairness and respect for human rights in their operations.

“The legal profession is a cornerstone of justice and democracy, and any attempt to undermine its independence is a direct assault on the rule of law,” Osigwe said.

 

 

Crime

Oyo Police Arrest Suspected Serial Burglar, Recover Stolen Items Worth ₦16.2m

Published

on

The Oyo State Police Command has arrested a suspected serial burglar, Nasiru Abiodun, over multiple burglary incidents in the Ejiooku/Iyana Offa area of Ibadan, recovering stolen property estimated at ₦16.22 million.

The Command disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday, November 1, 2026, by its Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka.

According to the statement, the suspect was arrested on October 31, 2026, at about 9:45 a.m. following a report from concerned residents of Oyewole Zone 2, Ile-Igbon, in the Ejiooku/Iyana Offa area.

SEE ALSO: Ebola: IGP Warns Nigerians Against Contact With Suspected Patients’ Body Fluids

Operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), Maku Base, reportedly apprehended Abiodun at a residential apartment with a sack containing house cables and other valuable items estimated at ₦3 million.

During interrogation, the suspect allegedly confessed to burgling four different residential apartments within the area, carting away house cables, mobile phones, motorcycle batteries and other household valuables.

The police put the total estimated value of items stolen from the four apartments at ₦16.22 million, adding that some of the stolen property had already been recovered from the suspect.

Following his confession, operatives visited the identified crime scenes to establish relevant facts and advance the investigation.

The Command said efforts had been intensified to recover the remaining stolen items and apprehend other individuals suspected of receiving the stolen property.

It also appealed to residents of Ejiooku/Iyana Offa, Ile-Igbon and adjoining communities who may have experienced burglaries recently to report such incidents to the nearest police station or the Maku Base of the VCRU.

The appeal, according to the police, is aimed at identifying other possible victims and facilitating the recovery of additional stolen property.

The Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, reiterated the Command’s commitment to tackling criminal activities through proactive policing, intelligence-driven operations and collaboration with members of the public.

He also urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly provide credible information that could assist the police in preventing and detecting crime.

The police provided the Oyo State Call Response Centre toll-free number, 615, and the Command’s control room numbers, 08081768614 and 07055495413, for emergency reports.

Continue Reading

Crime

Navy Uncovers 132,000 Litres of Stolen Crude Oil in Bonny

Published

on

The Nigerian Navy has uncovered 132,000 litres of stolen crude oil in Allison community, Bonny Local Government Area, Rivers State.

This was detailed in a statement by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, in which he disclosed that the Forward Operating Base Bonny discovered the stolen crude oil under Operation Delta Sentinel, following actionable intelligence.

He said the operation uncovered 10 dugout pits, adding that the site and the recovered products were handled in accordance with extant regulations.

“The operation reinforces the importance of intelligence-led action in identifying concealed petroleum stockpiles and disrupting the infrastructure that enables crude oil theft and the unauthorised movement of petroleum products.

“The Nigerian Navy will sustain efforts to locate and dismantle illegal refining infrastructure and disrupt the networks facilitating crude oil theft across the Niger Delta,” the statement said.

READ ALSO: FCT Motorists, Commuters Divided over NNPC Petrol Discount

The Navy urged community leaders, residents, traditional institutions and other stakeholders to promptly report crude oil theft, illegal refining, suspicious petroleum storage and the unauthorised movement of petroleum products to the nearest security agency.

Timely, credible information, the statement said, could enable swift intervention and prevent illicit activities from expanding.

“Safeguarding the nation’s critical petroleum assets requires vigilance and active cooperation between security agencies and the communities they serve. The Navy therefore urges the public to remain alert and support lawful efforts to protect national resources,” Folorunsho concluded.

Continue Reading

Crime

Delta Police Arrest School Bus Driver Over Alleged Kidnap, Rape of 14-Year-Old Student

Published

on

The Delta State Police Command has arrested a 28-year-old school bus driver, Onome Lucky Ughagha, over the alleged kidnapping and sexual assault of a 14-year-old female student in Sapele, after reportedly collecting ₦503,000 in ransom from the victim’s father.

The suspect was arrested on October 23, 2026, following investigations into the incident, which was reported to the Sapele Area Command on October 20 by the victim’s father.

The statement was signed by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Delta State Command, SP Bright Edafe, and dated October 25, 2026.

SEE ALSO: JUST IN: Ex-Delta Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan Is Dead

According to the police, the father alleged that the suspect abducted his daughter while she was preparing to leave for school. The suspect reportedly contacted him afterward, demanded ₦503,000 and threatened to kill the minor if the ransom was not paid.

After the payment was made, the victim was allegedly abandoned along Oton Road in Sapele, where she was reunited with her family in a traumatised condition, with indications of sexual assault.

Following the report, operatives of the Sapele Area Command commenced investigations, while the victim was taken to a medical facility for examination and treatment.

The police also invited the school’s principal and vice principal for questioning as investigations continued.

The suspect reportedly abandoned the school bus and fled after the incident. However, acting on credible intelligence, police operatives traced him to his hideout in the Ajimele area of Sapele, where he was arrested on October 23.

During preliminary interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed to his involvement in the crime, according to the police.

The command said arrangements were underway to transfer him to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Asaba for further investigation.

Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police in Delta State, CP Samuel E. Erale, condemned the alleged crime and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting children from violence and exploitation.

The commissioner reiterated the command’s commitment to “protecting children from all forms of violence and exploitation.”

He also assured the public that “investigations will be thorough and that anyone found culpable will be brought to justice.”

Erale further called on school authorities, parents and transport operators to exercise greater vigilance in safeguarding children, stressing that “the safety of every child entrusted to their care must remain paramount.”

 

 

Continue Reading

Copyright © 2022. Biztellers, powered by Alphaxristi.

0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x