Tag: Police

By Biola Lawal
Abuja (Flowerbudnews): President Bola Tinubu has appointed DIG Hashimu Argungu (Rtd) as the Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC).

A statement by Chief Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President,
(Media & Publicity) said that the President has also approved the appointment of Chief Onyemuche Nnamani as Secretary and DIG Taiwo Lakanu (Rtd) as Member of the Commission.

The appointments are subject to confirmation by the Senate.

‘:Other members of the Police Service Commission will be appointed in due course.

‘:Furthermore, the President has approved the appointment of Mr. Mohammed Sheidu as the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF) with immediate effect.

‘:The President expects absolute demonstration of integrity, diligence, and patriotic zeal in the discharge of these important functions for the overall wellbeing of the Nigeria Police and the nation,” Ngelale said in the statement. Flowerbudnews

 

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Flowerbudnews

The police authorities have sued a lawyer, Everestus Ugwuowo, and three others over allegation of defrauding a woman the sum of N29 million and forging documents to sell Abuja house.

In the amended charge number: FHC/ABJ/CR/121/2018 presently before Justice Obiora Egwuatu of a Federal High Court, Abuja, the Inspector-General (I-G) of Police is the complainant

The I-G, in the amended 11 counts dated and filed on April 29, 2019 by ACP Simon Lough, SAN, also joined Umar Sanda Adamu, Usman Audu and Adole Christopher Oche, a staff of Bureau of Public Procurement as 2nd to 4th defendants respectively.

The defendants, who were arraigned in 2018 and granted bail, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

They were alleged to have committed the allegations in connivance with Damian Audu, Joseph Omale, Kingsley Awodi, now at large on or about September 2017 in Abuja.

In count one, Ugwuowo, who is said to be practising under the name Evaruth Solicitors, was alleged to have conspired with others to commit felony by obtaining money under false pretence and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8 of the Advance Fee Fraud and other related offences Act 2006.

In count two of the charge, they were alleged to have, while acting in concert and with intent to defraud Mrs Grace Awajash Dauda, forged letters of authority to sale; consent to assign House 11, 62 Road, Gwarimpa Estate with No. FHA/OCE/GWA II OWU C; Irrevocable Power of Attorney and Deed of Assignment.

The letters were purported to have been signed by Grema Mohammed Umar with three Federal Housing Authority (FHA) receipts, letter of offer, letter of allocation, letter of checking in of owner occupiers in respect of the house.

These were alleged to have been used to deceitfully collect the sum of N29 million from Mrs Dauda on the pretence that they had authority to sell the property.

“And having collected her money, you shared it among yourselves, when you know or had reason to believe that you do not have the authority to sell the house and all the documents you gave to her were forged.

“You thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other related offences Act 2006,” it read.

In count 10, the lawyer was accused to have issued Mrs Dauda a UBA dud cheque number: 77703052 on December 1, 2017, for the sum of N29 million “in repayment of the money you deceitfully collected from her

“Which was presented for payment on the 6 December, 2017 and returned dishonoured for lack of sufficient funds In your account.”

The offence is said to be contrary to Section 1(1) of the Dishonoured Cheque Act CAP Dil LFN 2004.

Upon resumed hearing in the matter, the 1st prosecution witness (PW1), Ismaila Bana, after his evidence, was cross-examined by Ugwuowo’s lawyer, Patrick Otsima.

Bana, an in-law to nominal complainant, while being cross-examined, told the court that Ugwuowo only gave Mrs Dauda photocopies of the house documents for verification at FHC.

Although the 2nd defendant (Sanda Adamu)’s lawyer, Ebuka Aneke-Agu,’did not cross-examined the witness, the PW1 was also cross-examined by the 3rd defendant’s lawyer before Justice Egwuatu adjourned the matter until July 22 for trial continuation.

Says, PSC Cannot Achieve its Mandate Without Equipping its Staff with Adequate Knowledge on Police Oversight

 

By Biola Lawal
Abuja (Flowerbudnews): The Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), Former IGP, Solomon Arase has declared open a training workshop on international Human Rights based policing and effective oversight for PSC Staff.

The training workshop, which began on Tuesday in Abuja workshop was organised by the International Committee of the Red Cross, a statement by Ikechukwu Ani, Head, Press and Public Relations (PSC), disclosed.

Arase said that the workshop was important to the PSC as it would enhance the capacity of the commission to optimally discharge its duty as the statutorily empowered executive body of government to oversight the Police.

Dr. Arase noted that ”the Commission cannot effectively deliver on its mandate if its Staff are not properly equipped with requisite knowledge on Police oversight and accountability.”

Dr. Arase, who was represented by his Special Assistant, ACP Ogbonna Nwota, said the training programme would help in repositioning the Commission towards greater efficiency and effectiveness in the discharge of its duties.

He observed that the Nigeria Police Force as the primary Agency of Government empowered for the maintenance of law and order in our society “in the course of performing these statutory functions had often times been accused of corruption, high-handedness, biased investigation and infractions of human rights of the people”.

The PSC Chairman said that the Commission appreciated the need to be effective as the essence of an oversight body over the Police in Nigeria as it is obtainable in other climes in line with international best practices.

Dr. Arase said ”oversighting the Police aimed at ensuring transparency, effectiveness, legitimacy, responsibility and accountability of the Police to the Policed”.

He implored the staff to be attentive during the training and ensure “you learn, re-learn and unlearn (if need be) different issues and nuances on human rights and policing in our contemporary society.

He expressed appreciation to the International Council of Red Cross for collaborating with the Commission and assisting “us train our staff. ”

” Your collaborative efforts in the Commission, in rebirthing a Police Force in Nigeria that is accountable, responsible and carries its duties in adherence to global best practices and respect for human rights is commendable and appreciated,,” the PSC Chairman stated. (Flowerbudnews)

 

By Flowerbudnews
The Police Command in Enugu State says it arrested a total of 195 suspects and rescuesd 19 abducted persons in the state within one month.

The police also recovered: 10 AK-47 rifles, one sub-machine gun, 37 locally fabricated and other firearms
as well as 67 live ammunition of different calibres, 78 live cartridges, 25 motor vehicles, 15 tricycles and 25 motorcycles among others.

The state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Kanayo Uzuegbu, said in a press briefing on Friday in Enugu that the one month under review covered operational successes from the whole of April to May 3.

Uzuegbu said that the 195 suspects included: 29 suspects arrested for kidnapping/abduction; 28 suspects arrested for armed robbery; 25 suspects arrested for robbery and stealing; and seven suspects arrested for murder and culpable homicide.

He said that other suspects are: 20 suspects arrested for unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition; four suspects arrested for rape/defilement; 37 suspects arrested for cultism and related offence and 45 suspects arrested for vandalism, breaking and other offences.

The state police boss noted that a majority of the suspects arrested had been arraigned in court and remanded in correctional custodial centre, while others are still being investigated.

“Interestingly, two male suspects involved in conspiracy and abduction were arraigned, convicted and sentenced to three years imprisonment already,” he said.

The commissioner said that Enugu State had generally remained relatively peaceful, secured and safe enough for law-abiding residents and visitors to continue to carry out their legitimate businesses.

He said: “I, however, urge our citizens, particularly media practitioners and netizens, to always tow the path of discretion, objectivity and accuracy when reporting sensitive security issues.

“This has become necessary to avoid creating an atmosphere of chaos, fear and unnecessary tensions in the minds of unsuspecting citizens. Additionally, such acts could also lead to the violation of the law, particularly the cybercrime Act which attracts legal consequences.”

Uzuegbu also highlighted efforts being made to tackle the issue of the seemingly intractable herders-farmers-induced cases of murder and other violent crimes recently experienced in some parts of the state.

According to him, a case in hand being the recent senseless and unwarranted attack and gruesome murder of four persons at Ugwuijero Village in Nimbo community of Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area, by armed men suspected to be herders.

“You will recall that upon receiving report of the unpleasant incident, I immediately ordered the deployment of the operational and intelligence resources of the Command to hunt-down the criminal elements said to have escaped thereafter.

“These operations will be sustained until the perpetrators, and others involved in similar crimes, are arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law.

“Furthermore, I have also ensured that both kinetic and non-kinetic means are used to tackle this ugly menace.

“Accordingly, I have directed Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) to ensure the maximum utilization of the Police Special Constabularies in their policing activities, in line with the community policing guidelines.”

He noted that in addition, he had ordered them to effectively partner and work with the Neighbourhood Watch Group, Forest Guards and members of the community to frontally tackle this manner of crime, and violent crimes in their respective areas of responsibility.

The state police boss thanked Gov. Peter Mbah, for his immense support and pragmatic commitment to a safer, more secured and peaceful Enugu State.

“Similarly, I sincerely appreciate the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, for his leadership direction, guide and support, which have continued to make our policing activities less cumbersome and productive.

“The collaborative support from sister security agencies and the entire security stakeholders of Enugu State, is such that I am immensely grateful for, and I say thank you.

“The generality of the law-abiding citizens including you the members of the press, that have continued to be supportive, are not left out. I greatly appreciate you all, and plead that you do not get tired of supporting us by doing and/or saying something to us when you see or hear something.

“I also commend officers and men of the Command for the diligence, resilience and commitment shown towards the actualization of these operational successes.

“I encourage them to remain steadfast, professional and committed, as we relentlessly and unwaveringly work towards maintaining maximum law and order, as well as ensure the security of lives and property in Enugu State,” he added.

 

By Flowerbudnews
The Police Command in Enugu State has arrested two kidnap suspects while rescuing an expectant mother unhurt along Eke-Egede Road in Udi Local Government Area (LGA) of Enugu State.

The Command Spokesman, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, said in a statement on Saturday in Enugu that police operatives acting on intelligence-guided discreet investigations had arrested two male kidnapping suspects in connection to the incident.

Ndukwe noted that the identities of the suspects had been withheld for investigation reasons, for the alleged abduction of a heavily pregnant woman along Eke-Egede Road in Udi LGA, around 9:45 p.m., on April 22, 2024.

According to him, this was after the state’s Commissioner of Police, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, swiftly led a crack team of police operatives, complemented by Neigbourhood Watch Group and Forest Guards, to rescue the woman on April 23, 2024, around noon, barely 24 hours after her abduction.

He said: “Providentially, the woman, later identified as Mrs Chinwendu Igwe and already in her expected period of delivery, delivered a male child and, upon her rescue, was taken to the hospital.

“She and the baby were medically attended to and are in good condition courtesy of the Enugu State Government, which has undertaken to foot the medical bills of the mother and newborn.

“A preliminary investigation into the incident has revealed that the woman, unaided and for reasons yet-to-be ascertained, knowing that she was within her expected period of delivery, embarked on a journey by land with two of her children from Lagos to her paternal home in Egede, Udi LGA.

“She got to 9th Mile around 9 p.m. Lacking a convenient means of conveyance, she boarded a commercial motorcycle, with the motorcyclist electing to transport her and her two children due to her state of pregnancy.

“However, while on their way, the abductors attacked them, beat up the motorcyclist, and abducted the woman into the forest, leaving the rider and the children behind, before a team of police operatives responded upon intercepting information on the incident, could get to the scene.”

The Command Spokesman said that the Commissioner of Police had ordered the manhunt of other members of the kidnapping gang at large.

Ndukwe said that the commissioner enjoined media houses to always maintain accuracy and objectivity when reporting security information of this nature to avoid misinforming the unsuspecting public and violating laws and ethics of media practices.

“The commissioner, however, bemoans the fact that Mrs Igwe decided to embark on such long-distance travel by land and unaided, considering her heavy pregnancy and the time of movement to her final destination.

“Neither did she consider stopping by and having her husband, who resides in Enugu metropolis, take her to the said paternal home at a later time. Hence, he urges all and sundry to exercise discretion and caution in such circumstances.”

 

Flowerbudnews
The Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, has decorated eight newly-promoted police officers to their new ranks of Superintendents of Police (SP) from the ranks of Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSP).

Addressing the officers during the decoration on Wednesday in Enugu, Uzuegbu noted that promotion engenders the motivation to work harder.

The commissioner charged them to see their promotion as an opportunity to take higher responsibility and exhibit higher levels of wisdom in the discharge of their duties.

He said: “I congratulate you on your promotion. But you must know that the higher the rank, the greater the responsibilities and wisdom required to function at that rank.

“Therefore, you must be more careful, show higher levels of wisdom, and always act in line with the existing laws and ethical codes of the Nigeria Police Force.”

The Deputy Commissioners of Police in-charge of the Department of Operations and the State CID, DCP Olasoji Akinbayo and DCP Adebowale Lawal respectively, took turns to congratulate the newly-decorated.

They charged the newly-decorated officers to be more responsible and live up to the responsibilities of their new ranks.

“You have to be alive to your duties and live up to desired expectations,” they said.

Responding on behalf of the newly-decorated officers, SP Patrick Anike, thanked the Police Service Commission and the Inspector-General of Police for finding them worthy of the promotion.

Anike, who is a Divisional Crime Officer in 9th Mile Police Division,
appreciated the commissioner for his support and words of encouragement.

“I will assure you that we will redouble our efforts and be responsible and responsive to the demands of our new ranks,” he said.

Those newly-decorated to the new rank of Superintendent of Police (SP) included: Rita Iroegbu, Officer-in Charge of the Command’s Communications Unit; and Bethel Chinyere, Administrative Officer in Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD)/Bomb Squad Base 3 Enugu.

Others are: Alele Ann, Divisional Traffic Officer in Awkunanaw Police Division; Ohakwe Ikechukwu, second-in-command in SWAT Tactical Squad of the Command; and Julius Musa, Administrative Officer Special Protection Unit (SPU) Base 21 Enugu.

The rest are: Hanis Micah, Divisional Crime Officer in Amechi-Idodo Division; and Ojo Odion serving in the Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) Base 10 Enugu.

The event was witnessed by the spouses, friends, and close associates of the newly-promoted officers.

 

By Flowerbudnews

AIG Kwazhi Dali, the Assistant Inspector General of Police in-charge of Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department (FCIID) Annex Enugu, has called on citizens to continue to be law-abiding and cooperate with police.

 

Kwazhi made the call in an Easter goodwill message issued on his behalf by the Police Public Relations Officer for FCIID Annex, Enugu,
CSP Chika Elom, on Sunday in Enugu.

 

The AIG, whose office covers the South-East and South-South regions, also urged citizens to partner with the police by providing prompt, relevant and actionable information regarding crime and criminality to the nearest police station this festive season.

He assured prompt and unbiased investigation of all criminal matters brought to the FCIID Annex, Enugu.

 

According to the AIG, FCIID Annex Enugu stands for truth and justice for all irrespective of social status.

 

He said: “I want to use this Easter celebration to congratulate the good people and residents of the South-East and South-South regions.

 

“I also felicitate with Christian faithfuls, particularly those resident within the South-East and South-South regions of the country as they join others globally, on the occasion of the Easter celebrations 2024.

“The FCIID Annex enjoins all to celebrate in accordance with the principles of sacrifice, love, forgiveness and humanity enunciated in the teaching and character of Jesus Christ whose death, burial and resurrection is the reason for this public commemoration.”