ANAMBRA ELECTION: POLICE BANS VEHICULAR MOVEMENT

Less than 24 hours to the Anambra State Governorship Election, the Inspector General of Police the, Alkali Baba hashas banned vehicular movements in and out of the state from 11:59pm friday till 11:59pm on Saturday.

The Force spokesperson, CP Frank Mba, disclosed that the restriction order was to protect the sanctity of the electoral process following election security threat assessments conducted by the Force which indicate a high likelihood of infiltration by criminally-minded individuals to the state, before, during and after the election.

The measure, according to him, would also avail security forces a firm grip of the state to checkmate movement of political thugs and touts and as well prevent the free flow, circulation and use of illicit arms and hard drugs throughout the period.

He advised Nigerians, motorists and travellers to seek alternative routes, emphasizing that the inconveniences was part of their contribution to democracy.

While urging people of the state to go out en-masse on the election day and exercise their franchise without fear or apprehension as the Police and other security agencies will be on ground to ensure a safe and conducive environment for the conduit of the election.

The Force spokesperson also urged INEC officials, accredited observers and journalists and other authorised officials to go about their lawful duties while visibly displaying their accreditation tags and observing relevant rules guiding their deployment for the election.

According to Mba, Police Officers and other security personnel deployed for the election will be appropriately supervised to ensure they carry out their duties professionally, especially to emergency service providers such as fire-fighters and ambulance services.

CORPSE OF COLLAPSED 21-STOREY BUILDING DEVELOPER RECOVERED FROM RUBBLE

Femi Osibona - Lagos collapsed building — Osibona

The dead body of the developer of the collapsed 21-storey building at Gerrard Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, Mr Femi Osibona, was retrieved from the rubbles on Wednesday.

A reliable source told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that Osibona’s body was among dead bodies exhumed from the collapsed building on Wednesday and taken to public mortuary at Yaba.

NAN gathered that more than 39 dead bodies had so far been retrieved from the rubbles as at Wednesday evening.

Many people are still believed to be trapped in the rubble, including a pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Mr Ola Ogunfuwa.

The RCCG pastor in-charge of Living Water Parish in Ibafo, Ogun State, was working as a contractor on the project, but had been missing four days after the building collapse.

The South-West Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, earlier confirmed that 32 dead bodies had been recovered, and nine others rescued alive with injuries. (NAN)

POLICE NABS SUSPECTS WITH LOCALLY MADE BOMBS

The Anambra Police Command says it has recovered locally fabricated Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) from group suspected to be members of ESN.

The police said the explosives, including RPG Bomb and a hand grenade, were recovered at Afor Nnobi, Idemili South Local Government Area of the state, location of the fierce exchanges between security agencies and the suspected insurgents.

Mr Aderemi Adeoye, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, said the items which included telephone were contained in a bag abandoned at the scene of the attack.

Adeoye said command’s Bomb Disposal Squad was immediately deployed to the scene and the explosives were carefully defused.

He said other items including the telephone handset was being analysed to elicit useful intelligence on the gang.

“The Command recovered a locally fabricated RPG Bomb and a hand grenade at the scene of the shootout between gunmen suspected to be ESN militants and the Joint Security Convoy led by the Commissioner himself.

“Detectives were deployed to process the scene of the shootout for clues that could aid investigation aimed at unravelling identities and mission of the gunmen.

“These items were found in a bag which also contained a mobile phone that was found to be loaded with one locally made hand grenade and a Rocket Propelled Grenade Bomb.

“Command Bomb Disposal Squad was deployed to the scene and explosive ordinances were defused and being analysed while the handset is being processed for vital intelligence,” he said.

Adeoye said the command under CP Echeng Echeng would stop at nothing in the effort to ensure security was stabilised in Anambra.

He assured that the directives of the IG-P to protect the people of Anambra and create a conducive environment for a free and fair election on Nov. 6 would strictly be implemented.

The DCP commended the synergy between the Military, the Police, DSS and other paramilitary agencies, noting that such synergy is unprecedented. (NAN)

IGP ORDERS INVESTIGATION INTO INVASION OF JUSTICE ODILLI’S RESIDENCE

PRESS RELEASE

REPORTED INVASION OF JUSTICE ODILI ABUJA RESIDENCE: IGP ORDERS INVESTIGATIONS

· Says perpetrators would be made to face the wrath of the law

The Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc (+), NPM, fdc has ordered detailed investigations into the reported invasion of the Abuja residence of Justice Mary Odili, an incident that occurred on Friday, 29th October, 2021. The IGP, who noted that the leadership of the Force is not aware and did not at any time order Police operatives to carry out such assignment, described the reported violation of the sanctity of the residence of the Justice of the Supreme Court as unfortunate and unacceptable.

Consequently, the IGP has directed the Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB) to conduct a discrete investigation into the incident. He assured the commitment of the Force to the safety and security of the members of the Judiciary and Nigerians in general. He further called for calm, promising that the Force will do all within its powers to unravel the perpetrators and motives behind the breach with a view to bringing all indicted persons to book.

Meanwhile, the IGP has directed the Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to strengthen security around the street and residence of Her Lordship, Justice Mary Odili JSC to ensure her safety and also to prevent a reoccurrence of the unfortunate incident. The IGP assured that the details of Police investigations would be made public on conclusion of investigations.

CP FRANK MBA
FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
FORCE HEADQUARTERS
ABUJA

HOUSE OF REPS CONDEMNS SIEGE ON JUSTICE ODILLI’S RESIDENCE

Hon. Justice Mary Odili

The Chairman, House Committee on Judiciary, Rep. Luke Onofiok (PDP-Akwa Ibom), has decried the recent siege on Justice Mary Odili’s residence by security agencies.

In a statement on Sunday, in Abuja, Onofiok condemned the action and pledged to ensure that the sanctity of the nation’s judiciary was upheld.

The lawmaker described the siege as an assault on the sanctity of Nigeria’s Judiciary, an action that should not be allowed.

“It is mind-boggling that at dusk on Oct. 29, 2021, the Judiciary was once again exposed to public opprobrium.

“This is due to the uncanny manner in which the residence of Justice Mary Peter-Odili of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, was invaded by law enforcement officials, purportedly on an assignment to execute a search warrant, issued by a Magistrate.

“Also disturbing is the fact that the said warrant was revoked by the issuing Magistrate, who had discovered that it was procured by the applicant on the premise of misrepresented facts.

“As a committee, we are currently interfacing with the Judiciary for judicial reforms and improved justice system.

“We wish to lend our voice once again, to the repeated call by His Lordship; the Honourable Justice Tanko Muhammed, CJN, on all Judicial officers on the need to exercise caution in issuing ex-parte, conflicting and questionable orders that are capable of bringing disrepute to our Justice system,” he said.

Onofiok added that the development was a wake-up call to tighten administrative and supervisory control over the operations of law enforcement agencies.

The rep said that the Committee on the Judiciary was calling for discreet investigations, to unravel the persons behind the act, because it was capable of straining the existing relationship between the Judiciary and the Executive arms government.

Onofiok recalled that in a 2016 incident, security agencies invaded private residences of judicial officers, which subsequently turned out to be underserved.

He said that the judiciary harps on due process in the dispensation of justice and that the committee on the Judiciary would collaborate with the judiciary and other relevant stakeholders to secure the nation’s democracy.

According to him, the confidence and respect of citizens for the judiciary may likely wane if incidences of this nature continued unchecked.

“We, therefore, condemn in totality such an ignoble act and pledge every effort at ensuring the sanctity of the nation’s judiciary, as well as our continuous support to the independence of the judiciary,” he said. (NAN)

FRAUDSTERS, FAKE eNaira SOCIAL MEDIA HANDLES ON THE PROWL -CBN

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has advised Nigerians to be wary of fraudsters who have been posting fraudulent messages relating to the eNaira launched recently.

Mr Osita Nwanisobi, Director, Corporate Communications, said in a statement posted on the bank’s website on Wednesday, that the bank was not disbursing eNaira currency to citizens as claimed by the fraudsters.

“Following the formal launch of the eNaira on Monday, Oct. 25, the attention of the Central Bank of Nigeria has been drawn to criminal and illegal activities of some individuals and a fraudulent twitter handle, @enaira_cbdc purported to belong to the Bank.

“The impostor handle and fraudulent persons have been posting messages related to the eNaira with the intent of wooing unsuspecting Nigerians with claims that the Central Bank of Nigeria, among other falsities, is disbursing the sum of 50 Billion eNaira currency.

“These impostors are bent on defrauding innocent and unsuspecting members of the public through the links attached to their messages for application to obtain eNaira wallets and become beneficiaries of the said 50 billion eNaira currency.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Central of Nigeria is not the owner of that twitter handle (@enaira_cbdc) and indeed suspended its presence on Twitter following the Federal Government’s ban. In effect, the Bank is not disbursing eNaira currency to citizens,’’ Nwanisobi said.

He urged Nigerians to always endeavor to seek clarifications on information about the eNaira either by visiting the eNaira website: http://www.enaira.gov.ng or calling the eNaira contact centre on 080069362472 or visiting any CBN Branch nearest to them.

He also advised anyone seeking clarity to visit the enaira current official social media handles: www.facebook.com/myenaira; http://www.instagram.com/myenaira and www.youtube.com/myenaira.

Nwanisobi urged that suspicious activity by members of the public should be reported to the CBN using helpdesk@enaira.gov.ng or to relevant law enforcement agencies. (NAN)

HEAVY GUNSHOTS AROUND BENIN PRISON

There was tension around the Sapele Road, Benin City, as heavy shootings erupted around the Benin Prison facility.

Though the cause of the shootings could not be ascertained as at Press time, staff of the nearby State High Court complex scampered for safety, while the gunshots lasted for about 20 minutes.

It took a combine team of the Army and other security forces, who blocked part of the Sapele Road to calm the situation.

70-YEAR-OLD MAN CAUGHT DEFILING 7-YEAR-OLD GIRL

The Zonal Police Public Relations Officer (ZPPRO), Zone 12 Command, Bauchi state, SP Thomas Goni, has confirmed the arrest of a 70-year-old man, who allegedly defiled his neighbour’s 7-year-old daughter.

According to the ZPPRO, the suspect, Umaru Daira, allegedly committed the act on Tuesday, at Kawo Rauta Village in Toro Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

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The zonal Police Image Maker in a statement disclosed that one Alhaji Habu, who is father of the victim reported that the suspect was caught red-handed defiling the little girl.

Thomas Goni also disclosed that the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 12 Bauchi, AIG Audu A. Madaki, has directed that the suspect be charged to court upon completion of investigations.

SUSPENSION AND BAN OF FORMER OMUADA STANDS -BENIN TRADITIONAL COUNCIL

The Benin Traditional Council has again announce the suspension of former Omuada of the Palace, Roland Omo-Ekhoe Ogbebor who was discharged in November, 2018.

The Benin Traditional Council made the position known during a Press Conference in Benin City.

A statement issued by Secretary to the Benin Traditional Council, Frank Irabor, and four other high ranking Chiefs of Benin Kingdom, says the Press Conference became necessary to inform the people of all the earlier suspension of Roland.

The statement reads, ‘It seems as if many communities are not aware of the announcement of the suspension of Roland.

“Hence, it became imperative to convene this Press Briefing.

“Therefore, Benin Traditional Council would like to state emphatically that there had been several verbal and written reports bordering on land grabbing and other fraudulent activities including extortion by the said Roland.

“Benin Traditional Council has reports that Roland allegedly gave express directives for Enogie, Ohen and Okao to be installed, giving a false impression that they were directives from the Palace.

“The general public is informed that the permission for Enogie, Odionwere, Ohen and Okao to be installed is giving directly by the Oba of Benin with the chiefs, Palace functionaries and members of the relevant community present in a small ceremony in the Palace of the Oba of Benin.

“The Ohen and Okao involved must present themselves in the Palace if they are innocent and pray to be exonerated.

“Furthermore, he paraded himself as deputizing for
Palace Authority to the extent of being addressed in an abominable manner as the second in command to His Royal Majesty.

“This is sacrilege and an abomination punishable by customary laws of our tradition.

‘This manner of address is tantamount to equating himself to the God King.

“Ovientaba, Ovienzowoba, Aiguobatakpen, Ovienrioba.

Ovientaba- A subject does not imitates the King.
Ovienzowoba A subject does not toe the footsteps of the King.
Aiguobatakpen – No one engages in rivalry with the King.
Ovienrioba- A subject cannot be crowned an Oba.

“He has also behaved in treacherous ways to the Throne that is akin to
being a traitor.

“He has been able to do this by disguising himself as a wolf in sheep clothing and confidence trickster.

“He was of the opinion that his services to the Throne were indispensable.

“He started behaving like what the Benin called “Okpokha Nemoba” who thought that the system cannot function without him.

“Few years ago, before the coronation of Oba Ewuare ll in 2016, there was a similar case of Okpokha Nemoba whereby an Ihogbe Chief thought that he was indispensible.

“He was known to be presiding over communities disputes in his house also give the impression that he had the approval of the Throne at that time.

“He was known to have shown disrespect to the
Chiefs, believing he was very close to His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba Erediauwa of blessed memory.

“He attempted to extend his disrespect to the then Edaiken of Uselu, now the present Oba of Benin. Shortly before the coronation of the present Oba of Benin in 2016, he abstained from the
traditional lhogbe duties, claiming that the coronation may not be able to take place without his active participation.

“The lyase cautioned him at that: time, that the Edaiken he was dealing with, was quite vast in Benin tradition and customs; and strongly advised him to quickly retrace his anti-Palace ways.

“The Ihogbe Chief apparently did not heed the lyase’s advice.

“The rest is history.

“Still on the matter of unacceptable behavioural pattern in the Palace, such
as the case of Roland, which is currently being handled, there was a Chief in the past, before the coronation of Oba Ewuare ll, who arrogated to
himself, the position of second in command to the Oba.

“In another case, a chief even paraded himself outside the Kingdom, as the Oba of Benin.

“This abominable nonsense must stop, henceforth.

“In any case, the on-going overhauling of the Palace administrative system
should put an end to all these.

“In view of these litany of abominable acts, Roland is hereby banned from Palace traditional and spiritual activities.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the ban is extended to his participation at all Oba Palace traditional establishments and functions, including spiritual groups, activities, festivals, shrines and, oguedion in Benin Kingdom.

“Finally, any person or village or community that has issue with Roland especially on land grabbing, extortion, intimidation, impersonation and fraud, is strongly advised to send written complaints to the Secretary Benin Traditional Council, or the Police, or Department of State Services and, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, copying Benin Traditional Council.” The statement added.

MAN LANDS IN HOSPITAL AFTER MOB ATTACK FOR ALLEGEDLY KILLING SISTER-IN-LAW, 2 OTHERS

One Chibuike Ochie has allegedly killed his sister-in-law, a younger sister and a labourer, who was hired to work on their farmland in Obegu, Uburu community of Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi.

Confirming the incident, the Ebonyi Command Police Public Relations Officer in Ebonyi, DSP Loveth Odah, in a statement disclosed that the deceased were working on the farmland, about 25km from Uburu town, on Sunday 24th October 2021 when the middle aged man suddenly took a matchete to commit the offence.

“He succeeded in macheting Ogechi Ochie, 32, and wife of the elder brother and the younger sister, Margaret Ochie, 35 years old and the said labourer.

The PPRO disclosed that while trying to process of fleeing the scene, some irate youths of the area apprehended him and gave him the beating of his life to the extent that he was hospitalized and currently placed on a life support machine.

While assuring that Investigation was ongoing and will be properly done when the Suspect survives, the PPRO, however, discouraged youths from taking laws into their hands whenever an offence is committed.

“If they had brought the person to us, he would have told us the reasons he had to do this to his family members and he would have faced the law.

“But in this case, a lot of money is being spent to revive him.” The PPRO stated