gidgiddy: In July 2021, chinonso Onyibe, a final year student of Computer Science, Ebonyi State University, was arrested along with 30 others, including a Lawyer, Barrister Pius Awoke, in Kogi State as they returned to the East from Abuja after attending the trial of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.........
I hope you and everyone illegally detained intend to sue the government and reap from their foolishness! You are all entitled to a public apology and compensation by Law - Section 35 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Section 35 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria ▢ Every person shall be entitled to his personal liberty and no person shall be deprived of such liberty save in the following cases and in accordance with a procedure permitted by law - ▶ in execution of the sentence or order of a court in respect of a criminal offence of which he has been found guilty; ▶ by reason of his failure to comply with the order of a court or in order to secure the fulfilment of any obligation imposed upon him by law; ▶ for the purpose of bringing him before a court in execution of the order of a court or upon reasonable suspicion of his having committed a criminal offence, or to such extent as may be reasonably necessary to prevent his committing a criminal offence; ▶ in the case of a person who has not attained the age of eighteen years for the purpose of his education or welfare; ▶ in the case of persons suffering from infectious or contagious disease, persons of unsound mind, persons addicted to drugs or alcohol or vagrants, for the purpose of their care or treatment or the protection of the community; or ▶ for the purpose of preventing the unlawful entry of any person into Nigeria or of effecting the expulsion, extradition or other lawful removal from Nigeria of any person or the taking of proceedings relating thereto: Provided that a person who is charged with an offence and who has been detained in lawful custody awaiting trial shall not continue to be kept in such detention for a period longer than the maximum period of imprisonment prescribed for the offence. ▢ Any person who is arrested or detained shall have the right to remain silent or avoid answering any question until after consultation with a legal practitioner or any other person of his own choice. ▢ Any person who is arrested or detained shall be informed in writing within twenty-four hours (and in a language that he understands) of the facts and grounds for his arrest or detention. ▢ Any person who is arrested or detained in accordance with subsection (1) (c) of this section shall be brought before a court of law within a reasonable time, and if he is not tried within a period of - ▶ two months from the date of his arrest or detention in the case of a person who is in custody or is not entitled to bail; or ▶ three months from the date of his arrest or detention in the case of a person who has been released on bail, he shall (without prejudice to any further proceedings that may be brought against him) be released either unconditionally or upon such conditions as are reasonably necessary to ensure that he appears for trial at a later date. ▢ In subsection (4) of this section, the expression "a reasonable time" means - ▶ in the case of an arrest or detention in any place where there is a court of competent jurisdiction within a radius of forty kilometres, a period of one day; and ▶ in any other case, a period of two days or such longer period as in the circumstances may be considered by the court to be reasonable. ▢ Any person who is unlawfully arrested or detained shall be entitled to compensation and public apology from the appropriate authority or person; and in this subsection, "the appropriate authority or person" means an authority or person specified by law. ▢ Nothing in this section shall be construed - ▶ in relation to subsection (4) of this section, as applying in the case of a person arrested or detained upon reasonable suspicion of having committed a capital offence; and ▶ as invalidating any law by reason only that it authorises the detention for a period not exceeding three months of a member of the armed forces of the federation or a member of the Nigeria Police Force in execution of a sentence imposed by an officer of the armed forces of the Federation or of the Nigeria police force, in respect of an offence punishable by such detention of which he has been found guilty. More: https://jurist.ng/constitution/sec-35
In July 2021, chinonso Onyibe, a final year student of Computer Science, Ebonyi State University, was arrested along with 30 others, including a Lawyer, Barrister Pius Awoke, in Kogi State as they returned to the East from Abuja after attending the trial of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.........
How did you end up at Wawa Military Cantonment?
On July 26, 2021, we were returning from Abuja. On reaching Muritala Mohammed Bridge, Kogi, we saw a military checkpoint. They stopped us and asked us to wait patiently, that DSS officials were coming from Abuja and were looking for one Sienna. We waited for about 30 minutes, and when they arrived, they asked us to return to our vehicles. After we obeyed them, they asked us to bring our phones. We gave them, and they started dialling some numbers on the phones, because they came with a piece of paper with certain phone numbers written on it. But I didn’t see it well enough to pick out the actual numbers written on the paper.
They dialled these numbers on all the phones, and when they didn’t find anything, they returned them to us. They left, discussed amongst themselves and returned to request our phone a second time. They conducted their search again but still did not find anything. The officers returned our phones and held another brief conversation among themselves. They returned to us and asked us to surrender our phones. This was the third time. They still did not find anything, and this time, they asked if any of us had an extra phone, but we told them no one did. They then proceeded to search the entire vehicle, our pockets and our bags. While searching our bags, they found an extra battery in one person’s possession. This was Ojima Kenneth.
They asked Kenneth about the device using the battery, and he told them he was with the extra battery because of power issues as the current battery had a short lifespan. However, the officers said this was a lie, claiming he had either thrown the phone using the battery away or hidden it in the vehicle.
Almost immediately, the officers started to beat him, hitting him with cassava sticks. They claimed he had an extra phone, but he insisted he had none. And actually, he was not with any other phone, because we slept next to each other, and we didn’t see him with one. From there, they tied our hands like common criminals and took us from the spot to the DSS office in Lokoja. We were in their cell till the next day, July 27, when they placed handcuffs on our hands and took us back to the DSS office in Abuja.
Before we got to the DSS office in Abuja, they blindfolded us, and we didn’t even know we were heading there. When we got there, they took us inside and collected everything we had: our phones, clothes, jewellery, money, etc.
They took us to an underground cell called ‘Basement 2’. We were in the cell for close to a week before interrogations started. They asked several questions to confirm if we were Eastern Security Network (ESN). But how could we agree to what we were not? After much interrogation, on the eve of September 22, they came to our cell. There were about 30 of us or more in the cell, and as they called some people and took them out of the cell, they brought more people. By the time they brought more people, there were 26 of us.
The next day, September 23, before dawn, they came with handcuffs and leg cuffs. They opened the cell, called us in twos, chained us together with the cuffs and led us outside. They said we were going to the military for investigation and when we were done, they would bring us back. They took us to Wawa Military Cantonment, Niger State, and we were there until we got our freedom. Our actual offence was not made known to us, because I kept asking and they never stated it. Another thing they told us was that the person who asked them to arrest us would tell us our offence when we got to Abuja, but that never happened.
What took you to Abuja at the time?
I only went to Abuja to attend the trial of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). I was a 400-level student who just wanted to witness the proceeding and hear what they were talking about. The matter was of public interest, and I wanted to see what was going on.
How did this arrest affect your academics?
It affected me badly because I have been out of school for so long. I have missed many things that I wouldn’t like to remember right now. There are many losses. I just want to look for a way to fix myself and get things under control again.
What was life like for you in Wawa?
Life in Wawa is not something to talk about. People are being maltreated without help there. As we speak, some people left there are completely emaciated. There is no food, no water. Not that there is no water, but they purposely starve inmates just for punishment. And when they do serve food, the quantity is ridiculous.
Besides the food, people are also not allowed to step out of their cells for sunning. One could stay inside for weeks, months or even years without being allowed to step into the sun. Many unjust things are happening in the facility. Nigerians are being treated like ordinary animals. Life there is hard, and many citizens are being dumped there unjustly. Lots of destinies and careers are being wasted there. They can’t charge people to court but would continue to keep them there, even for an offence that if the person should appear before a judge for, the suspect would be released immediately. People are suffering there, and a lot of them need help.
I heard you were mixed up with Boko Haram suspects. Could you talk more on this?
Yes, we were mixed with Boko Haram suspects. The cell I was in, we were 15, and only two of us were Igbos. The other guys were Boko Haram suspects. If you divide the number of inmates there into two, half of them are BH suspects.
We were over 4000 inmates at the detention facility, because when I got there, my roll number was around 200, and this was in 2021. But then, they bring new suspects to the facility every time. Around June, they still brought over 38 new suspects. It was like new people joined us every three months.
What was a typical day in the cell like for you?
It was very boring in the cell. At Wawa, you just have to be your own adviser and hold yourself together, or else the whole thing will break you down. When you wake up in the morning, you sit in your position and wait until they bring whatever they want to serve for that day, and you have to take it like that because you don’t have options. When you sit, you keep thinking and waiting to see if anything will happen or if they will call your name for your release or if help will come from anywhere. At some point, I even lost hope completely. It is such a boring place. Sometimes you discuss with people, and when the thinking is too much, you relax. Sometimes you sit, other times you stand. Sometimes you lose sleep and just become restless.
Could you say anything kept you going while in detention?
The only thing you can do to help yourself is to gather courage. Sometimes, you will talk to people in your cell. If there are games like Ludo – because sometimes they make it available – you play it and try to forget your sorrow.
Do you have any unforgettable memories or events from your time in detention?
There are many of them. In May, they starved us of water completely. They denied us of it. For two weeks, we didn’t see any water. It is something I can’t forget. There was no food or water. We were saying they didn’t give us food, and they added water to it. At that point, we forgot about the food and were just begging them for water. We had no help but kept praying. You would stay like this and watch your life crawl out of your body and you wouldn’t be able to help yourself. It is something I won’t forget in a hurry
Can you describe how the military officials treated you?
The officers have no regard for anyone. They also do not regard the fundamental human rights. They treat people like animals. When you greet them, it is hard to see any of them respond to your greeting. Greeting them could even cause problems. They would just open the door and hand over whatever they came to give you. They treat people like they are not humans.
When it comes to medical issues, the experience is almost indescribable. When you complained of a headache, they would give you Flagyl, commonly used for a runny stomach. If you complained of a small problem, they would give you Paracetamol. They would claim there were no drugs, that you should wait until the following day or the next time they would get drugs.
People die there every day, almost every time. Sometimes, in the middle of the night, someone could fall seriously ill and we would shout “emergency, emergency”, but nobody would respond to us. If they liked, they would come, and if they didn’t, they wouldn’t even bat an eyelid. If the person survived till morning, luck was on the person’s side. If the person didn’t, in the morning, they would just come and take the person’s corpse and bury it. Nothing would happen. The military officers’ way of life is nothing to talk about.
Was there a medical practitioner there?
We had, I think, one doctor or so, but there were many nurses there. However, I don’t know about their certification or what they studied in school, because they mixed issues together. You would complain of one thing and they will treat you for another. Often, their carton of drugs is empty. For instance, if you complain of an ulcer, they will say they don’t have anything now, that maybe when they come back, they will give you one. If you look at the carton, the only drugs you will find there are Paracetamol and Flagyl. And we heard some rumours that they were probably selling the drugs given to us. Just like criminals holding another person and calling him a criminal. The medical situation is terrible. They will wait until you are seriously ill before taking good care of you, maybe then take you to another block they use as a hospital. That is when you will get something like good medical treatment. But if there are no signs that you are dying, nobody will help you. They will keep saying they will come tomorrow.
Also, they bury people there. If you die, your people do not know where you are. We were in the detention house, we had not gone to court, and our name was not on any list to say that when we died there, they would include our names in the list of those who had died. When you die there, they will bury you there. Nobody asks them questions. Highest, they will do an autopsy and send to the federal government that this was what happened to you, not that they will reach your people; those ones don’t even know where you are. They will just send the report to the government to notify them that their goods have been reduced. As we were there, we were goods. If you complain of sickness too much, they will tell you to die. “We still have a place to bury you.”
Were you ever sick throughout your time in detention?
Yes, I was. In 2022, I had severe malaria and typhoid. What saved me was that I had collected malaria drugs from them even before I fell sick. The way it works there, they do not give you what you want when you request it, and sometimes, inmates collect these drugs and keep them. You will have begged them for a long time before they give you the drugs, and when they do, you just keep them.
So, when I fell ill, it was a drug I’d collected earlier that saved me. If you don’t do it like that, by the time you are seriously ill, they will tell you they don’t have drugs, and there is nothing you can do. So, all of us there turned to doctors just to control some issues.
Did you have beds there? What about your personal hygiene? How did you manage it?
There were no beds, but we had mats. The fifteen of us in one cell had to share between 10 and 11 mats. It is just that we slept in a way that everybody got to sleep on them. They also gave us blankets, and with them, you could mark your position and that was where you would sit anytime you woke up. That place is your position. If you want to discuss with someone, you can shift to the person’s position, but otherwise, you will have to stay in your position from morning to evening. You will sit there, you will stand there, except you have to use the toilet, because we had the convenience in the same cell.
On personal hygiene, they gave us soap, but it was once in three months. Sometimes, it came once in five months or whenever they liked. We kept managing it, and anytime it finished, you would wait until they shared another one. We would bathe without soap. This was anytime they allowed us to bathe, because it was not every time we got water. But when they allowed us to take our bath, if you had soap, you would use it; if you didn’t, you’d take your bath like that.
They also gave us powered detergents. The 15 of us would get one small Nittol pack and share it in bits amongst ourselves to wash our clothes. If it finished, you would keep wearing your clothes until they shared another one, or you would just put your cloth in water and squeeze it.
Did you get new clothes?
They share singlets, boxers, three-quarter shorts and polo shirts. But polo, not every time. Like this year, they might decide to give you a three-quarter short and a polo, and then next year, you would get singlets and boxers. You would only get any of these once in a year.
Sometimes, we didn’t even get it in a year. There was a year we did not get it. I spent three years but have only two singlets, which means that there was a year they didn’t give me. In 2022, we got boxers and polo shirts. In 2023, we got three-quarter singlets and then polo shirts. They don’t ever share the four at a time. They selected the ones to give us.
Does this mean you wear one singlet, boxer and polo every day for one year?
Yes.
I see that you have been able to recall some dates that are significant to you. How were you able to keep track of time in detention? You had a radio you listened to?
No, we didn’t get a radio. There was nothing like it. The only thing that helped me is that, since the day of my arrest, I kept tracking the dates until we got to Wawa Barracks. Another thing I did was that the pea-size toothpaste they gave us, I opened it and used charcoal to write some dates on it. I got the charcoal from the food they served to us. This food, they wouldn’t even wash the pots used to prepare it, and you would see pieces of charcoal in it. I used the charcoal to write on the slivery insides of the toothpaste pack; sometimes it was not clear, but that was how I could track dates until my release.
In a statement released on Friday and shared with FIJ, NBA said Awoke was released from custody alongside one Onyiba Emmanuel chinonso, a computer science student at Ebonyi State University.
“I am pleased to inform you that I have, today, 21 June 2024, secured the release of our colleague, Pius 1. Awoke, Esq of Abakaliki Branch from the custody of the Department of State Security (DSS). He was released alongside one Onyiba Emmanuel chinonso, a computer science student of Ebonyi State University, who was arrested and detained with Mr. Awoke,” the NBA statement reads in part.
FIJ reported on May 23 that Awoke, who was arrested by the DSS while traveling from Ebonyi to Abuja on July 21, was still being held. A source had revealed that the agency refused to charge him in court or grant him bail as prescribed by the constitution.
“[b]Awoke was travelling from Ebonyi to Abuja when officials of the DSS stopped his commercial vehicle and arrested him. They arrested all the men who were on the bus, including him, thinking they were of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) sect,” [/b]the source told FIJ.
When they say may Nigeria never happen to u, na big prayer o.
3 years of people’s life wasted just like that. 😳
I’m sure the school would’ve rusticated the student after he didn’t register for courses nor pay school fees for 3 session. Not knowing he’s languishing in DSS detention .
Pius Awoke, chinonso Onyibe DSS detention, IPOB lawyer clatifies issues
The lead counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra Sir Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor has made clarifications on Barr. Pius Awoke and Emmanuel chinonso Onyibe continuous detention at the Department State Service DSS. Ejiofor in a statement on Monday made available to our correspondent said Awoke and his co-travellers were victims of the state security agents' cruelty, specifically by the lawless State Security Service. According to him,over thirty of Bar. Awoke's companions still remain in detained at the Wawa military detention facility, without any valid charges.
He said they were apprehended in Lokoja, Kogi State, while returning to Ebonyi State after attending a court hearing on Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s resumed trial on July 26, 2021, describing the action as the height of gross violation of human rights. "It is important to clarify that Bar. Awoke and his co-travellers are victims of the state security agents' cruelty, specifically by the lawless State Security Service (SSS). These innocent Nigerians were apprehended in Lokoja, Kogi State, while returning to Ebonyi State after attending a court hearing on Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s resumed trial on July 26, 2021. Their only "offence" according to the overzealous security agents, was their decision to travel from Ebonyi to witness this significant proceeding. If the NBA leadership endorses the SSS' ludicrous defence related to logistical issues, then keen watchers will safely conclude that they are complicit in the crimes against humanity perpetrated by the SSS. Additionally, it is crucial to highlight that over thirty of Bar. Awoke's companions remain detained at the Wawa military detention facility, without any valid charges. This is the height of gross violation of human rights. Furthermore, we must address the NBA President's stance on the logistical constraints in securing justice for these innocent Nigerians as they conspicuously alluded to. The Federal High Court in Abuja, coram; Hon. Justice M.O. Olajuwon, had in a Ruling delivered pursuant to our application, discharged Emmanuel chinonso Onyibe on July 13, 2023, after the SSS failed to bring forward the evidence in proof of the baseless and frivolous one count charge filed against him. Emmanuel chinonso Onyibe was the second individual released alongside Bar. Awoke, almost a year after he was discharged by a court of competent jurisdiction. Despite our numerous letters to the Director General of the State Security Service and the Attorney General of the Federation, requesting compliance with the court order, both the SSS and AGF ignored these appeals. Attached for public reference is a certified copy of the relevant proceedings. The narrative presented by the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association requires a thorough reassessment. The Nigerian Bar Association has also not addressed the numerous petitions I have submitted concerning personal attacks by state agents and the illegal abduction of my wards from my home in Oraifite. These individuals remain in illegal detention at the same Wawa military detention facility, with no visible attention so far given by the NBA leadership. While the NBA’s acclaimed intervention in the release of Bar. Awoke and Emmanuel chinonso Onyibe is nonetheless acknowledged as a good step in the right direction, it is evident that significant human rights violations against the citizens by the Nigerian security agencies still persist. The plight of those still detained without charges, the unaddressed petitions regarding personal attacks, and the ongoing illegal detentions, demand urgent and more robust action from the NBA. It is imperative that the NBA intensifies its efforts to safeguard the rights of citizens and holds state security agencies accountable for their actions and/or inactions. The fight for justice and human dignity must remain paramount, and the NBA's leadership must rise to this challenge with unwavering commitment, in defence of its motto which is "Promoting the Rule of Law".
The Department of State Service (DSS) has released Pius Awoke, the Ebonyi-based lawyer who was arrested on July 21, 2021.
This is happening one month after FIJ’s publication on the matter.
Kelechi Anwu, a colleague of Awoke, who first spoke to FIJ about the issue in May, said that the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) was triggered to look into the case after FIJ’s publication.
“The NBA responded to the case because they read your article, which I made sure to circulate,” he told FIJ on Saturday.
“It is the link they got from the WhatsApp platform, even though they are refusing to acknowledge they got it from your article. I am grateful to God that they were able to acknowledge the issue and that they made efforts.
“Thank you, FIJ. You are the only media channel that agreed to hear our story and published the continued detention of Barr. Pius Awoke.”
In a statement released on Friday and shared with FIJ, NBA said Awoke was released from custody alongside one Onyiba Emmanuel chinonso, a computer science student at Ebonyi State University.
“I am pleased to inform you that I have, today, 21 June 2024, secured the release of our colleague, Pius 1. Awoke, Esq of Abakaliki Branch from the custody of the Department of State Security (DSS). He was released alongside one Onyiba Emmanuel chinonso, a computer science student of Ebonyi State University, who was arrested and detained with Mr. Awoke,” the NBA statement reads in part.
FIJ reported on May 23 that Awoke, who was arrested by the DSS while traveling from Ebonyi to Abuja on July 21, was still being held. A source had revealed that the agency refused to charge him in court or grant him bail as prescribed by the constitution.
“Awoke was travelling from Ebonyi to Abuja when officials of the DSS stopped his commercial vehicle and arrested him. They arrested all the men who were on the bus, including him, thinking they were of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) sect,” the source told FIJ.
“No one said anything to us for a long time; then later, they said he was being held for terrorism. But even this was a rumour; we had no official statement about the charge against him from the DSS, as lawyers and relatives were barred from interfacing with it.”
The lawyer was released on Saturday after spending about three years in detention.
Eweduses: Edo people are drug business sha, all their men and women are drug peddlers.
Meanwhile, from the report:
Sonia chinonso Ezumezu and Risikatu Tijani were arrested during the intelligence-led operation on Tuesday, June 18, 2024 after the big black snake guarding the shrine was demobilised.”
“In the same vein, two suspects: Obi Ferguson,45, and Ernest Abanum, 46, were arrested on Saturday, June 22 when NDLEA operatives raided the Usen forest in Ovia South West LGA, Edo state where 209kg cannabis and a motorcycle were recovered.”
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA raided a snake guarded shrine used to store illicit drugs in Igor community, Benin city, Edo state and arrested two female suspects.
NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, who disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, June 23, 2024, said operatives raided the shrine after detecting a specially constructed large hole storage in a wall covered with wallpapers and fetish objects.
Different quantities of illicit substances such as methamphetamine, Loud, Colorado and Arizona, all strong strains of cannabis with a total weight of 8.743 kilograms, were pulled out from the deep hole dug in the wall of the shrine building,” the statement read. At least, two ladies: Sonia chinonso Ezumezu and Risikatu Tijani were arrested during the intelligence-led operation on Tuesday 18th June 2024 after the big black snake guarding the shrine was demobilized.
“In the same vein, two suspects: Obi Ferguson,45, and Ernest Abanum, 46, were arrested on Saturday 22nd June when NDLEA operatives raided the Usen forest in Ovia South West LGA, Edo state where 209kg cannabis and a motorcycle were recovered.”
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency said its operatives, during an operation in Edo State, uncovered a shrine, guarded by a snake, being used for storing illicit drugs.
The NDLEA added that its operatives discovered a specially constructed large hole in a wall, hidden behind wallpapers and fetish objects used for drug storage.
A statement on Sunday by the NDLEA’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, noted that methamphetamine, Loud, Colorado and Arizona, all strong strains of cannabis with a total weight of 8.743kg among others, were recovered from the shrine.
The statement read, “A snake-guarded shrine used to store illicit drugs in Igor community, Benin city, Edo state, has been raided by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, who detected a specially constructed large hole storage in a wall covered with wallpapers and fetish objects.
“Different quantities of illicit substances such as methamphetamine, Loud, Colorado and Arizona, all strong strains of cannabis with a total weight of 8.743kg were pulled out from the deep hole dug in the wall of the shrine building.”
Babafemi said two ladies were arrested and the snake was demobilised.
He said, “At least, two ladies: Sonia chinonso Ezumezu and Risikatu Tijani were arrested during the intelligence-led operation on Tuesday, June 18, 2024 after the big black snake guarding the shrine was demobilised.”
In a separate operation in the state, Babafemi said another two suspects were arrested with 209kg of cannabis.
Babafemi stated, “In the same vein, two suspects: Obi Ferguson,45, and Ernest Abanum, 46, were arrested on Saturday, June 22 when NDLEA operatives raided the Usen forest in Ovia South West LGA, Edo state where 209kg cannabis and a motorcycle were recovered.”
In Lagos, Babafemi said NDLEA officers intercepted a carefully packaged consignment of 8.2kg of methamphetamine at a motor park in Mazamaza, Ojo area of the state.
“The highly addictive illicit substance, also called ice or crystal meth, was packed in imported Dunkin’ turtle love chocolate wraps and then concealed in the casing of three loudspeakers.
“A 39-year-old suspect, Michael Odiomume who was sending the consignment to Owerri, Imo state was promptly arrested on Wednesday 19th June at the park,” the statement added.
Babafemi stated that a 76-year-old grandfather, identified as Francis Omofa, was arrested in Abuja in connection with 340.8 kg of cannabis sativa.
He said, “In Abuja, operatives on Tuesday, June 18th intercepted a white Nissan Frontier pickup vehicle with amber lights and fake registration number of a security agency at Kiyi village in Kuje area of the FCT.
“The vehicle was loaded with 454 compressed blocks of cannabis sativa, weighing 340.8kg procured at Uzeba, Edo state.
“A 76-year-old grandfather, Mr Francis Omofa, linked to the consignment, was arrested. He claimed to have been in the illicit drug business for 10 years.”
Iceland Afrobeat artist, NonyKingz just released a new music single titled “TI AMO” which translates from Italian word to English as “I LOVE YOU”, featuring a Spanish artist from Venezuela who goes by the name Hazz Cat.
This is a love song filled with so much love and Melodies. And this song consists of three different languages, English, Spanish & Italian, Thereby showcasing the diversity in music and culture.
“Ti AMO” was produced by JOMANE.
Nonykingz also known as chinonso Emmanuel Odigbo is an Anambra native but presently based in Europe.
Enjoy ”Ti Amo” by Nonykingz ft Hazz Cat and share your thoughts,
Pro Biafra militant group, Dragon Fighter Marine has eliminated the Atabong East commander of the Cameroonian Rapid d'intervention Battalions, BIR in Idabato subdivision of Bakassi Peninsula.
The separatist were reportedly hiding near the residential house of the BIR commander with their Bikes, drove into the arena and threw explosives killing five Soldiers and the commander who was about entering his boat.
A CCTV footage around the army quarters showed the residential building of the commander.
New separatist commander chinonso alias General Kill and Dry has issued 7 days ultimatum to Nigeria oil firm Universal Energy to quit Bakassi.
Desperate Woman follows the tumultuous journey of a woman. A woman consumed by her own insecurities and disregard for her husband. Her constant gossiping and nagging push her husband to the brink, leading him to seek solace elsewhere. Amidst her chaotic behavior, he finds solace in the company of a dignified and worthy woman, whose presence brings harmony and balance to his life. As she grapples with the consequences of her actions, she must confront her own demons and find redemption before it's too late.
caleboxylic: METRODemolition of visually impaired man’s house: Police alleged compromise upsets Enugu communityPublished on May 11, 2024 By Emmanuel Ugwueze
An Abuja-based lawyer, Barr Ejike Ugwu has accused the police of compromise in their handling of a case involving a visually impaired man, Elder Anibueze Nnadi Ozor, an indigene of Enugu State.
Ugwu said if the actions of the police officers involved were not checkmated, peace was under threat in the victim’s community.
Anibueze is from Ihekwuenu-Aku Autonomous Community, Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu State.
DAILY POST recalls that Anibueze’s house was demolished on the alleged orders of the former traditional ruler of the community, Chief Christopher Okwor.
The incident, which attracted outrage in 2021, led to the suspension of the traditional ruler by then Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
The house, which was later rebuilt by some good Samaritans, was brought down again by the same people.
However, three years after, the case is yet to make any appreciable progress despite several letters written by the victim’s counsel to the police hierarchy.
DAILY POST equally recalls that in November 2023, the Enugu State chapter of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, JONAPWD, demanded justice over the demolition of the 66-year-old visually impaired man’s house.
They made the demand during a press conference addressed by the chairman of JONAPWD, Enugu State, Comrade Onyebuchi Mba.
In a recent letter addressed to the Deputy Inspector General of Police, the lawyer accused the team working under the Commissioner of Police, Admin, PSFU, of compromising investigation on the matter.
He recalled in the letter that in a petition dated 20/09/2021, a case of alleged “Cultism, Burglary, Unlawful Possession of Firearms, Malicious Damage to Dwelling House and Attempted Murder”, was filed against Messrs. chinonso Okwor, Ifunanya Okwor, Kenechukwu Ani, One Sammy and others, as well as Mr. Christopher Okwor, the suspended Traditional Ruler.
The lawyer claimed in the petition that one Kenechukwu Ani was arrested at the scene and he confessed to the following:
“That he was contacted by one Sammy, who works with the two sons of the suspended Igwe.
“That he was at the scene when the demolition was carried out and he mentioned some names, including the sons of the suspended Igwe.
“That they were all armed, and that they maliciously damaged the dwelling house of the visual impaired man.”
Ugwu, however, expressed regret that despite having the knowledge of the confession of the suspect arrested at the scene of the crime, “the officers after arresting the alleged sponsor, Mr. Christopher Okwor released him inside Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.
“The officers played down on the investigation to enable the suspended Igwe to send his children outside the country and enable the suspended Igwe to commence different cases within your watch leaving the main case unattended.
“Mr. Christopher Okwor was suspended by the Enugu State Government upon discovery of his role and involvement in the case and asked that a diligent investigation be carried out.
“There are two different cases before the FCIID Annex, Enugu currently by Mr. Christopher Okwor. He has been harassing our client and anybody perceived to be against his action.
“There is also another petition before the Police Special Fraud Unit on the same subject matter at Area 10, Abuja.
“The duplication of the case file should be frowned at, condemned and be discontinued as it is a strategy deployed by the suspended Igwe to frustrate investigation and find a way of lifting his suspension by all means.
“The visually impaired man till date is left to be sleeping outside and exposed to danger as the target of the suspended Igwe is to send him to an early grave and take over his land.”
The lawyer told the Deputy IGP that “the action and inaction of the men of CP Admin if not checked may lead to parties resorting to self-help and that will lead to breakdown of Public Peace.”
He urged the Police Chief to “use your good offices to order an immediate harmonization of the case file to a team that will be neutral to all parties and conclude investigation and ensure that all culprits are brought to book.”
Efforts to obtain reaction from the police did not yield result as of the time of filing this report.
METRODemolition of visually impaired man’s house: Police alleged compromise upsets Enugu communityPublished on May 11, 2024 By Emmanuel Ugwueze
An Abuja-based lawyer, Barr Ejike Ugwu has accused the police of compromise in their handling of a case involving a visually impaired man, Elder Anibueze Nnadi Ozor, an indigene of Enugu State.
Ugwu said if the actions of the police officers involved were not checkmated, peace was under threat in the victim’s community.
Anibueze is from Ihekwuenu-Aku Autonomous Community, Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu State.
DAILY POST recalls that Anibueze’s house was demolished on the alleged orders of the former traditional ruler of the community, Chief Christopher Okwor.
The incident, which attracted outrage in 2021, led to the suspension of the traditional ruler by then Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
The house, which was later rebuilt by some good Samaritans, was brought down again by the same people.
However, three years after, the case is yet to make any appreciable progress despite several letters written by the victim’s counsel to the police hierarchy.
DAILY POST equally recalls that in November 2023, the Enugu State chapter of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, JONAPWD, demanded justice over the demolition of the 66-year-old visually impaired man’s house.
They made the demand during a press conference addressed by the chairman of JONAPWD, Enugu State, Comrade Onyebuchi Mba.
In a recent letter addressed to the Deputy Inspector General of Police, the lawyer accused the team working under the Commissioner of Police, Admin, PSFU, of compromising investigation on the matter.
He recalled in the letter that in a petition dated 20/09/2021, a case of alleged “Cultism, Burglary, Unlawful Possession of Firearms, Malicious Damage to Dwelling House and Attempted Murder”, was filed against Messrs. chinonso Okwor, Ifunanya Okwor, Kenechukwu Ani, One Sammy and others, as well as Mr. Christopher Okwor, the suspended Traditional Ruler.
The lawyer claimed in the petition that one Kenechukwu Ani was arrested at the scene and he confessed to the following:
“That he was contacted by one Sammy, who works with the two sons of the suspended Igwe.
“That he was at the scene when the demolition was carried out and he mentioned some names, including the sons of the suspended Igwe.
“That they were all armed, and that they maliciously damaged the dwelling house of the visual impaired man.”
Ugwu, however, expressed regret that despite having the knowledge of the confession of the suspect arrested at the scene of the crime, “the officers after arresting the alleged sponsor, Mr. Christopher Okwor released him inside Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.
“The officers played down on the investigation to enable the suspended Igwe to send his children outside the country and enable the suspended Igwe to commence different cases within your watch leaving the main case unattended.
“Mr. Christopher Okwor was suspended by the Enugu State Government upon discovery of his role and involvement in the case and asked that a diligent investigation be carried out.
“There are two different cases before the FCIID Annex, Enugu currently by Mr. Christopher Okwor. He has been harassing our client and anybody perceived to be against his action.
“There is also another petition before the Police Special Fraud Unit on the same subject matter at Area 10, Abuja.
“The duplication of the case file should be frowned at, condemned and be discontinued as it is a strategy deployed by the suspended Igwe to frustrate investigation and find a way of lifting his suspension by all means.
“The visually impaired man till date is left to be sleeping outside and exposed to danger as the target of the suspended Igwe is to send him to an early grave and take over his land.”
The lawyer told the Deputy IGP that “the action and inaction of the men of CP Admin if not checked may lead to parties resorting to self-help and that will lead to breakdown of Public Peace.”
He urged the Police Chief to “use your good offices to order an immediate harmonization of the case file to a team that will be neutral to all parties and conclude investigation and ensure that all culprits are brought to book.”
Efforts to obtain reaction from the police did not yield result as of the time of filing this report.
chinonso Arubayi who was originally known as chinonso Ngozi Ijomah is a very beautiful and talented actress, mental health advocate, ex-model, filmmaker, entrepreneur, TV presenter, and the CEO of "Look Art Me" a skincare brand and FilmCity Studio.
chinonso is one of the few actresses who has made a name for herself and is still reserved and collected while focusing on her goals and achieving greater feats. She stays in her lane and minds her business while paying attention to only the things that matter.
The voluptuous actress kick-started her career in modeling when she emerged as the winner of "Miss Teen Nigeria" in 2005. This enabled her to work with several brands before she ventured into TV presenting and show hosting.
While at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University studying Mass Communication, she was her school's campus radio presenter. She has always been an all-round entertainer and had a zeal to explore the Entertainment industry.
She was a presenter for Filmhouse TV where she interviewed a Director who saw her fit for the project he was working on and decided to include her in the project.
Read more https://nollywoodcorner.com/chinonso-arubayi-boyfriend-husbandbiography-sonsiblings-parents-height-real-age-net-worth/
A Federal High Court sitting in Onitsha, Anambra State, and presided over by Justices S. M Shuaibu and Hauwa Inuwa has convicted and sentenced Forty-one (41) internet fraudsters to one-year imprisonment, each.
The convicts were jailed after they pleaded guilty to one-count separate charges bordering on obtaining by false pretence, possession of fraudulent documents, personation and aiding in committing an offence upon arraignment by the Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
The convicts are; Douglas James, Raphael Chikezie Uwakwe, Paul Chidera Kalu, Chisom Linus, Chiemezie Nweke, Eze Ugochukwu Stanley, Ndubuisi Nwafor, Ifeanyi Samuel, Nwosu Chukwuemeka, Madueke Emmanuel, Edozie Daniel Timothy, Ahmed Fredrick Lukman, Godwin Chukwuemelie Julius, Okafor Vincent Chiemerie, Ugochukwu Raphael Ena, Chukwuemeka Franklin Obiji, Chimaobi Emmanuel Gabriel, Abonyi Chibuike Jude, Chiemelie Igboekwuna Christian and Okafor Chukwuma Desmaond.
Others include; Jezreel Arihiakamah Chinwendu, Paul Okereke Chiadi, Peter Chidera Iwu, Onyeji Victor Chinecherem, Tochukwu Eze Solomon, Fred Chidera Okoye, Ezema Chiemerie Stanley, Emeka Ogbonna Daniel, Obinna Stanley Okafor, Udochukwu Peter Nnaewezie, Ebuka Johnson Olu, Okochi Ebuka Stanley, Promise Ogbodo Echezona, Ebuka Chukwu Joshua, Chisom Henry Udeagwueze, Ihechi Okechukwu Bright, Chibueze Maxwell Stephen, Ebuka Lucky Nwankwo, Isah chinonso Peter, Ifeanyi Oguoke Kingsley and chinonso Eze Innocent.
One of the separate charges reads: “That you, Uwakwe Chikezie Raphael sometime in 2024 in Onitsha, Anambra State within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court in Nigeria, fraudulently impersonated the identity of Everly Ruby, a female foreigner through a Google account, via your iphone X with intent to obtain money from unsuspecting foreign nationals and in order to gain advantage of yourself and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (3) (a) (b) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention etc) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (4) of the same Act”.
All the 41 defendants pleaded “guilty” when their charges were read to them separately, and in view of their pleas, Michael Ikechukwu Ani, counsel to the EFCC prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.
However, defence counsel, Wisdom Ogbonna, Bernard Okeke, James Nwatarali and Arinze Anyigo pleaded the court for leniency and to temper justice with mercy in sentencing their clients adding that they have shown enough remorse for their actions.
Justice Inuwa, on Thursday, May 2 2024, convicted and sentenced 27 of the convicts while the rest 14 were convicted on Friday, May 3, 2024. Those convicted on May 3 are: Chiadi, Samuel, Chinecherem, Timothy, Stanley, Bright, Iwu, Lukman, Nweke, Chukwuemeka, Okafor, Stephen, Chiemerie and Christian to one-year imprisonment each with an option of fine of N100,000.00 (One Hundred Thousand Naira).
The Justices also ordered that the convicts should be involved in Community Service in line with Section 462 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act and ordered that items recovered from them, which include their mobile phones and laptops be auctioned through the EFCC and proceeds paid into the Treasury Single Account.
All the convicts bagged their imprisonment when they were arrested for their involvement in internet fraud. They were charged to court and convicted.
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SonofLagos: see them 😂 chinonso why can’t you be proud of Anambala? This village dweller is talking about ibo language being most used in the market places😂 that must be in onitcha and not Ragos….this Una greed and covetousness over another man property don they drive Una mad. Even the thread talks about Lagos having a week for Yoruba day and not ibo day but here you are shamelessly displaying inferiority
See them … Go n do yoruba week in oyo, ogun ondo etc… Lagos is a no man’s land…
I'm Igbo alright but from Delta so you don't insult South Easterners on my account
SonofLagos: typical of your type, i would also be Ashamed to also be associated with sad yeast if was in your shoes so I am not surprised that’s why your ancestors have been so obsessed with Lagos even Azikiwe wanted to be premier😂 well I’m proudly Omo eko and I don’t need to prove anything to you just direct your frustration to your the failures you elect in your region, we are doing so much better here in Lagos and Sw and the migration trend from east to west proves that fact, so chinonso you can focus your strength making your region more attractive and maybe you can have something like Lagos is sad yeast other Nigerian too will like be proud of and like to claim that gets you Igbos so obsessed about ragos😂
DMerciful: Not all Igbos are from SE. I'm not from SE!
You're not an indigenous Lagosian and if you're, you have Stockholm syndrome.
What is the Yoruba word for Lagos?
The Slave Coast will eventually be ruled by the Aboriginals eventually.
typical of your type, i would also be Ashamed to also be associated with sad yeast if was in your shoes so I am not surprised that’s why your ancestors have been so obsessed with Lagos even Azikiwe wanted to be premier😂 well I’m proudly Omo eko and I don’t need to prove anything to you just direct your frustration to your the failures you elect in your region, we are doing so much better here in Lagos and Sw and the migration trend from east to west proves that fact, so chinonso you can focus your strength making your region more attractive and maybe you can have something like Lagos is sad yeast other Nigerian too will like be proud of and like to claim that gets you Igbos so obsessed about ragos😂
You're not an indigenous Lagosian and if you're, you have Stockholm syndrome.
What is the Yoruba word for Lagos?
The Slave Coast will eventually be ruled by the Aboriginals eventually.
SonofLagos: you even seem to know Yoruba history than your Igbo history chinonso this obsession with Yoruba and Lagos is really getting worked up😂 and since you have the birth certificate of all past Lagos governors, pls tell us where fashola is from and the rest of them with verifiable link and not hear say and please when did the aborigines of Lagos which I belong to complain to you that we don’t want our brothers from other Yoruba states elected in positions of power in Lagos? chinonso you have bigger problems like erosion, insecurity and Fulani herdsmen killing your people in sad yeast but you seem not bothered about that, but rather a region doing better than your cursed land is your problem….indeed this is no more obsession but witchcraft😂
Politics / Re: DSS Detained Me For 3 Years Without Charge For Attending Kanu's Trial - Student by Lampy336: 11:21am On Jul 05
typical of your type, i would also be Ashamed to also be associated with sad yeast if was in your shoes so I am not surprised 