Crime
Woman Accuses Lagos Police Of Detention,Torture In Brother’s Case
In Lagos, a women named Mrs. Ruth Inobi Adaji, has accused the police of detaining, harassing, and intimidating her regarding an alleged conspiracy to defraud Tonia Chichi, an Uber driver.
Adaji reported that the police raided her Festac home, and arrested her based on allegations made by the Uber driver against her brother in Abuja.
She appealed to Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, urging justice against those responsible.
Describing her experience Mrs. Adaji stated: “She (Chichi) informed me that she had given N3,336,000 to my brother to invest for her and pleaded with me to appeal to my brother to give her back the money.
“That was the first time I heard about any money exchanging hands between them. She didn’t inform me before giving my brother money since there was no form of communication.
“After hearing from her, I called my brother immediately in her presence and he confirmed receiving money from her due to her pressure to join the cryptocurrency trade. He expressed his displeasure over her coming to my place to bother me on this issue between them which wasn’t my business.
“In March, she called me wanting to know if I was at home. I said I was and agreed for her to come around as she requested for my audience. She informed me that she was at my gate.
“I opened the gate and policemen led by one Inspector James Owunebe, a lady police, and an armed uniform policeman who accompanied them, charged into my house and placed me under arrest. They accused me of conspiracy to defraud Tonia Chichi. I protested vehemently against the accusation.
“I told them I wasn’t aware of the transaction and did not participate in it. I informed them of my health condition and pleaded with them to let me report to their station the next day.
“But, this was to no avail as I was marched to FESTAC police station when my close chairman made an observation of them not passing through due process. I was moved from there to Alagbon that night since the officer on seat then; gave them the go ahead as Insp.
“James Owunebe put it to my lawyer, who was insistent on the issue of my health and leaving my little children alone in the house. Notwithstanding, they forcefully removed me from there and detained me at Alagbon police station until I was bailed by my estate chairman and kept reporting at the station for days as dictated by the police after my bail; until my brother came to the station with his lawyer.
“I’m appealing to the IGP to bring these wicked and evil men in uniform to justice. They have shown by actions and conduct that they do not deserve the trust given to them by the Nigerian Police to execute their duties accordingly to the citizenry. No citizen deserve to be treated so inhumanely as I have been treated. I have instructed my lawyers to sue the police.”
The police spokesperson at Alagbon, ASP Mayegun Amina, mentioned that proper procedures would be followed if the victim came to lodge her complaints, emphasizing that the police had nothing to hide.
Amina stated “I have told the lady to come to my office, let me hear her complaints, invite the officers and if found guilty, we will follow police procedure in handling such cases. We have nothing to hide. She can also come with journalists.”
Crime
N1.3trn Fraud: EFCC Arrests Ex-Delta Gov, Ifeanyi Okowa
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.
Crime
Court Orders Arrest Of Dana Air CEO In N1.3bn Fraud Case
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.
Crime
Gunmen Attack Police Facility In Owerrinta, Female Detainee Killed
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.
READ MORE: Edo Deputy Gov, Omobayo Ordered To Court Over Refusal To Vacate Office
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.