‘N200k for bail, N40k for mobilisation’ — petitioner narrates how SARS officers ‘extorted him’ in Lagos

 

Francis Osajiokweh, a 41-year-old man, says officers of the now-disbanded special anti-robbery squad (SARS) in Lagos, allegedly collected N255,000 from him for bail and mobilisation fee.

Osajiokweh, who narrated his experience in the hands of the officers when he appeared before the Lagos judicial panel on Saturday, said he was arrested on August 14, 2020, over alleged theft of a car he bought.

The petitioner explained that despite showing the officers the documents for the purchase of a Toyota Yaris saloon car from one Afeez Asogba, he was beaten for allegedly stealing the vehicle.

“I work as a driver with Flour Mills. On 12 August, I was arrested and taken to Olosan police station with respect to the car I bought from Mr. Afeez Asogba. I was later taken to the orderly room, where they asked questions relating to the car,” the petitioner said.

“One Mr Taiwo kept beating me, after which CSP Phillips Arogba asked me how I got the car. He started hitting me with a baton to the extent that I dislocated my arm. After beating me for about 30 minutes, he instructed the officers to lock me and my mechanic.

“On the 16th of August, I was transferred to SARS Ikeja. When we got to SARS Ikeja, we (referring to him and his mechanic) were taken to the officer-in-charge of the SARS office. Sincerely, he acted professionally. He asked me how I got the car. I told him the same story from the other police station. He then asked the officers to detain me pending investigation.

“On Wednesday, August 19, my family paid N255,000 to them — N40,000 for mobilisation; N15,000 given to one Matthew James a.k.a. Altanta, who said it was for personal assistance, N200,000 for bail, making it a total of N255,000.”

When asked by Sheriff Are, his counsel, what happened after he was released, the petitioner said he was called by his brother about a publication where he and his driver were presented as “hoodlum and criminal” arrested by SARS.

“On 19th August, 2020, after my release from SARS detention, I had to seek medical attention from a local traditionalist. My brother called from the US that they saw a publication on the internet portraying me as a criminal and hoodlum,” he said.

“He directed me to check Punch newspaper of August 17. I wondered how that happened and I remembered that DCO at Olosan police station took my pictures. I asked him why he was taking my pictures and he said it was the DPO who instructed him to do that

“He called the DPO in my presence to confirm to me that indeed the DPO gave him such instruction.”

When asked what he wants from the panel, he asked for apology and compensation from the police.

“I want an apology letter from the police to me as regards this story. The apology letter should be from the same Punch newspaper that was published,” he said.

“Money compensation. I have gone through a lot on this. Friends had to leave me on seeing this story of me being published as an criminal. CSP Arogba must face disciplinary action, to serve as a deterrent to other police officers. I want justice.”

During cross-examination, Joseph Eboseremen, police counsel, asked the petitioner questions on the authenticity of the car, and how the alleged payment for bail was done.

“I was there when my surety came. They told him to bring the money. When my surety came, the team in charge of my case went for an assignment,” he said.

“Around 7pm, I was taken upstairs to an office. When my surety brought a bag with money inside, because there was CCTV camera, they went to the back to go and count the money. One Mr Matthew Alanta laughed and said he was only helping me.”

The case was adjourned till February 2, 2021, to enable the police officers mentioned in the petition to appear before the panel.

- THECABLE

COVID-19 not a hoax, Sanwo-Olu warns Lagosians again

 *Govt. vows to prosecute revelers at Surulere night club

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu sounded another bugle on Sunday, pleading with Lagosians to follow COVID-19 safety guidelines.

“Lagosians #COVID19 is not a glamorous disease, neither is it a hoax. You need to follow the safety guidelines to safeguard your friends and loved ones”, he tweeted on Sunday.

He gave the warning as he also announced the activation of an oxygen plant at the state’s Infectious Diseases Hospital in Yaba.

“We have activated a new oxygen plant which will help by providing much needed oxygen to patients.

“The plant will supplement oxygen supply to about 300 cylinders per day and 6 cylinders per hour.

“We are working to ensure patients receive the best care at our state facilities”, Sanwo-Olu said.

The Lagos governor took to Twitter to sound the fresh warning amid reports of the arrest of scores of revelers at a night club in Lagos.

Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso said law enforcement agents will continue to arrest and prosecute residents who violate COVID-19 guidelines and directives issued to curtail the spread of the deadly virus.

A combined enforcement team of the Lagos State Police Command and the Lagos State Safety Commission arrested youths partying at a Lounge located at 38, Bode Thomas Street, Surulere, in the early hours of Saturday, 9th January 2021.

The team, led by the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Police Command, Mr. Hakeem Odumosu, arrived at 38, Bode Thomas Street, Surulere, about 1a.m and found scores of people clubbing – in contravention of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s directive on the closure of clubhouses.

The culprits also violated the 12midnight to 4a.m curfew imposed by the Federal Government to stem the spread of COVID-19.

All those arrested will be prosecuted. The enforcement will continue across the State to stop the virus, which continues to kill”, Omotoso warned.

Residents are advised to avoid large gatherings and ensure strict adherence to COVID-19 guidelines.

The second wave of the pandemic has continued to spread faster among Lagosians with increased cases of patients being admitted at isolation centres.

“COVID-19 is real. The second wave is deadlier and spreads faster. People should observe the practices of physical distancing; wearing of face masks; regular washing of hands and use of hand sanitisers always”, he added.

Arrested for partying in Lagos

Arrested for partying in Lagos

PM NEWS

Nguroje, former deputy speaker, loses 7 family members in road crash

 

Babangida Nguroje, former deputy speaker of the house of representatives, has lost seven family members in a road accident.

TheCable gathered that the accident happened along Akwanga-Keffi road in Nasarawa state on Saturday night.

The family members were reportedly returning to Abuja from  a trip to Taraba when the tragic incident occurred.

Two sisters of Nguroje, their four children and one of the in-laws of the former lawmaker all died in the accident.

In a statement, President Muhammadu Buhari condoled with the family of the deceased.

“I am lost for words to describe such multiple deaths in a single car accident in which family members perished,” the president said in a statement, Garba Shehu, his spokesman, issued on his behalf.

“I received the news of this tragedy with deep shock and grief, and wish to express my heartfelt sympathy and solidarity with you at this trying and painful moment.”

He prayed to God to forgive the gentle souls of the deceased persons and comfort those they have left behind.

- THECABLE 

Fire guts Nigeria Immigration Service headquarters in Abuja

 

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) headquarters in Abuja was razed by fire on Sunday morning.

NIS disclosed this in a tweet via its Twitter handle on Sunday morning.

The Service said the fire affected some of the offices in the headquarters.

“A fire incident occurred in our Service Headquarters this Morning. It affected some of our Offices,” NIS tweeted.

“The fire has been put out by our Federal Fire Station&support from other agencies around the Airport.

“The cause of the fire is being investigated. We assure the public that the incident will not in any way affect the discharge of our services.”

-DAILY POST

SERAP to Buhari: Borrowing dormant account balances, unclaimed dividends illegal

 

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sent an open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari regarding his government’s move to borrow unclaimed dividends and dormant account balances owned by Nigerians in any bank in the country.

President Buhari has signed a Finance Act, last December, which would allow the government to borrow unclaimed dividends and dormant account balances owned by Nigerians in any bank in the country.

Reacting to the move, SERAP has called on Buhari “to promptly drop the plan by the Federal Government to borrow about N895bn of unclaimed dividends and funds in dormant accounts using the patently unconstitutional and illegal Finance Act, 2020, and to ensure full respect for Nigerians’ right to property.”

SERAP in a letter dated 9 January 2021 and signed by its deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare said: “The right to property is a sacred and fundamental right.

“Borrowing unclaimed dividends and funds in dormant accounts amounts to an illegal expropriation, and would hurt poor and vulnerable Nigerians who continue to suffer under reduced public services, and ultimately lead to unsustainable levels of public debt.”

“The right to property extends to all forms of property, including unclaimed dividends and funds in dormant accounts. Borrowing these dividends and funds without due process of law, and the explicit consent of the owners is arbitrary, and as such, legally and morally unjustifiable.”

According to SERAP: “The borrowing is neither proportionate nor necessary, especially given the unwillingness or inability of the government to stop systemic corruption in ministries, departments and agencies [MDAs], cut waste, and stop all leakages in public expenditures. The borrowing is also clearly not in pursuit of public or social interest.”

The letter, read in part: “The security of property, next to personal security against the exertions of government, is of the essence of liberty. It is next in degree to the protection of personal liberty and freedom from undue interference or molestation. Our constitutional jurisprudence rests largely upon its sanctity.”

“Rather than pushing to borrow unclaimed dividends and funds in dormant accounts, your government ought to move swiftly to cut the cost of governance, ensure review of jumbo salaries and allowances of all high-ranking political office holders, and address the systemic corruption in MDAs, as well as improve transparency and accountability in public spending.”

“The borrowing also seems to be discriminatory, as it excludes government’s owned official bank accounts and may exclude the bank accounts of high-ranking government officials and politicians, thereby violating the constitutional and international prohibition of discrimination against vulnerable groups, to allow everyone to fully enjoy their right to property and associated rights on equal terms.”

“SERAP is concerned that the government has also repeatedly failed and/or refused to ensure transparency and accountability in the spending of recovered stolen assets, and the loans so far obtained, which according to the Debt Management Office, currently stands at $31.98 billion.”

“SERAP notes growing allegations of corruption and mismanagement in the spending of these loans and recovered stolen assets.”

“We would be grateful if your government would drop the decision to borrow unclaimed dividends and funds in dormant accounts, and to indicate the measures being taken to send back the Finance Act to the National Assembly to repeal the legislation and remove its unconstitutional and unlawful provisions, including Sections 60 and 77, within 14 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter.”

“If we have not heard from you by then as to the steps being taken in this direction, the Registered Trustees of SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel your government to implement these recommendations in the public interest, and to promote transparency and accountability in public spending.”

“The government cannot lawfully enforce the provisions on Crisis Intervention Fund and Unclaimed Funds Trust Fund under the guise of a trust arrangement, as Section 44(2)[h] of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] is inapplicable, and cannot justify the establishment of these funds.”

SERAP notes that while targeting the accounts of ordinary Nigerians, the Finance Act exempts official bank accounts owned by the federal government, state government or local governments or any of their ministries, departments or agencies.

“Our requests are brought in the public interest, and in keeping with the requirements of the Nigerian Constitution, the country’s international human rights obligations including under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights to which Nigeria is a state party, and which has been domesticated as part of the country’s domestic legislation.”

“According to our information, your government has reportedly completed plans to borrow an estimated N895bn of unclaimed dividends and funds in dormant accounts using the Finance Act 2020 you recently signed into law.”

“Under the law, the government will be able to access and take without consent unclaimed dividends and funds in dormant accounts in any bank, on the basis of the vague and undefined ‘Crisis Intervention Fund,’ and patently unlawful ‘Unclaimed Funds Trust Fund’.”

“The government is justifying the borrowing on the ground that it would improve access of the Federal Government to much-needed funds, and remove the burdens of foreign exchange and punitive loan conditions imposed by multilateral lenders.”

According to the Finance Act, the operation of the trust fund is to be supervised by the Debt Management Office (DMO) and governed by a governing council chaired by the finance minister and a co-chairperson from the private sector appointed by the President.

“The Nigerian Constitution in Section 44(1) provides that, ‘no moveable property or any interest in an immovable property shall be taken possession of compulsorily and no right over or interest in any such property shall be acquired compulsorily in any part of Nigeria except in the manner and for the purposes prescribed by a law.’”

“Similarly, Article 14 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and Article 17 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights guarantee the right to property, and prohibit the arbitrary deprivation of the right. Thus, everyone is entitled to own property alone as well as in association with others.”

“Respect for the right to property is important to improve the enjoyment of other basic human rights, and to lift Nigerians out of poverty. The Nigerian Constitution and international human rights law limit the ability of any government to interfere with private property without any legal justifications.”

The letter is copied to Mr Abubakar Malami, SAN, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, and Mrs Zainab Ahmed, Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning.

- PM NEWS

Offices burnt as fire breaks out at immigration headquarters

 

Some offices were affected in a fire outbreak at the headquarters of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) in Abuja on Sunday.

The NIS confirmed the incident in a post on its Twitter handle, saying the incident has been brought under control.

The fire has now been put out, while the NIS says it has launched an investigation into the incident.

“A fire incident occurred in our Service Headquarters this morning. It affected some of our offices,” the tweet reads.

“The fire has been put out by our Federal Fire Station & support from other agencies around the airport. The cause of the fire is being investigated.”

This is the first major fire incident in 2021 involving the headquarters of a government agency.

In 2020, as Nigeria battled the first wave of coronavirus infections, several government buildings were razed by fire.

Some of the buildings affected included the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), as well as the office of the accountant-general of the federation.

- THECABLE

Give Nigerians same COVID-19 vaccine brand with VIPs – Shehu Sani warns

 

Shehu Sani, a former Kaduna lawmaker, has condemned the plans by President Muhammadu Buhari and government officials to receive COVID-19 vaccine on live Tv.

Recall that Faisal Shuaib, the Executive Director of National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), disclosed that President Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and other prominent Nigerians had expressed readiness to receive the vaccine on live television.

Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti state also disclosed that governors of 36 states have agreed to take the vaccine on live Tv.

Shehu Sani, reacting, said there is no need to vaccinate the President and governors on live Tv.

According to him, it was only necessary that the government ensures that the same vaccine given on Live Tv to VIPs is the same given to ordinary Nigerians.

On his Twitter page, the former lawmaker wrote: “No need to Vaccinate the VIPs on live TV. Just do the right thing. When you vaccinate the leaders with Pfizer, make sure the people are also vaccinated with Pfizer.

“When you vaccinate the People with Russian or Chinese vaccine, make sure the leaders are also vaccinated with same brand.”

Meanwhile, Nigeria intends to get 42 million COVID-19 vaccines to cover one-fifth of its population through the global COVAX scheme.

- DAILY POST