THE WAYS OF NIGERIAN POLICE

Inspector General of Police, Hafiz Ringim

Augustine Okpara is sad and angry that the Rivers State Police Command illegally auctioned his properties worth millions of Naira for a paltry sum. While Okpara is demanding justice.
On September 10, 2008, Augustine Okpara and five others were arraigned before the Chief Magistrate Court 4, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on a 21-count charge bearing on forgery, stealing and receiving stolen property.

Almost a year after, precisely April 2009, Okpara was discharged and acquitted by the Chief Magistrate E.C. Woke, after the complainant in the matter, the United Bank for Africa, withdrew the case from court.

Okpara then approached the police at the State Criminal Investigations Department, Port Harcourt that investigated his case to release all his confiscated properties. He however got a rude shock when he learnt that his three cars that were impounded by the police had been auctioned.

Okpara was told that his three cars — a black Mitsubishi Pajero jeep with number plate EI 210 ABJ; an ash coloured Mitsubishi Pajero jeep with number plate DQ 557 PHC and a Mercedes Benz CLK saloon car with number plate HH 188 KJA were sold in July 2009 for N5,000 each and it has been impossible for him to have them back.

That was how Okpara started the battle to recover his cars, but this has not been fruitful.

Okpara said that in 2007, the police arrested him for forgery and stealing. “They confiscated my house and office properties together with three of my vehicles.”

He alleged that while his prosecution was going on, the police at the SCID allegedly obtained a false affidavit to sell his cars.

Okpara said, “In the affidavit, the police said that my cars were abandoned by people that were involved in oil bunkering and pipeline vandalisation. The affidavit was false because I was charged to court on Charge Number PMC/ 1335C/2008 for forgery and stealing. Indeed, the policeman who swore to the false affidavit had admitted that his senior officers misled him and thereafter sold the vehicles to themselves for N5,000 each.

“When I eventually approached the police with the court judgment for the release of my properties, the exhibit keeper told us that the vehicles had been disposed off by the order of the Commissioner of Police, Bala Hassan. My office and house properties were however released to me, with the exception of my vehicles that Hassan had sold, as he was then the CP, Rivers State Command.”

Okpara said that he decided to call Hassan to verify if it was true that the CP was the one behind the sale of his cars. “I contacted Hassan on the phone and he said that the Inspector-General of Police authorised the sale through the Commissioner of Police, Sabo Ringim; and that if there is a problem, the IG will also make a statement. This is what Bala told me on phone and it is on record.

“Hassan is a super rich officer. When he wanted to sell the vehicles, the exhibit keeper advised him not to sell them since the case was still in court, but Hassan ordered the detention of the exhibit keeper. It is also on record.

“The female Chief Superintendent of Police who was holding brief as the Officer in Charge of the SCID also advised him not to sell the vehicles, but Hassan threatened to transfer the woman out of the SCID. The OC Legal similarly advised against the sale but Hassan refused to listen to anybody.

“The outgoing IG had earlier directed that Hassan should recover and return my vehicles to me; but rather than heed his superior’s instruction, Hassan advised that I should sue the police so as to get compensation since the IG authorised the sale.

“After the illegal auction, my Benz car was sighted in the compound of Hassan by a policeman on guard duty. Most of the trucks Hassan sold in Rivers State, their cases are still in court and their owners are not aware that the trucks have been sold. I came to know of mine because I was discharged from the court. You can imagine a senior officer falsifying documents, forging newspaper publications, swearing to false affidavits to sell exhibit vehicles of cases that are still in court all in the name of making money.”

At this stage, Okpara said he realised that he could not fight the battle alone and that he would need the police to recover his cars. He then wrote a petition to the Deputy Inspector-General of Police; and the Special Fraud Unit, Lagos, was detailed to investigate the matter.

The SFU in an investigation report about the case which was signed by an Assistant Commissioner of Police, Douglas Agbonleni, wrote, “It is a fact that Okpara Augustine was investigated for a case of fraud reported by the UBA for which you were charged to court in 2008 and eventually discharged and acquitted of all counts in April 2009.

“That it is a fact that your vehicles were impounded from you and registered as exhibits during the period of investigation and trial. That it is also a fact that the said vehicles were indeed sold through auction by the Rivers State Police Command in July 2009.

“Also, be advised that the report has been forwarded to the IG for further necessary action.”

Okpara’s lawyer, Ricky Tarfa and Co., is demanding a return of the cars to their client. In a letter to the IG, the law firm said, “Our client told us that he was arrested and subsequently charged to court on a 21-count charge of forgery and stealing on September 10, 2008 at the Chief Magistrate Court 4, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

“Okpara was discharged and acquitted by his worship E.C. Woke, who also ordered the release of our client’s confiscated properties, which included three cars and household properties, among other valuables.

“It is however unfortunate that our client approached the Police for the release of his properties in their custody only to be emphatically informed by the exhibit keeper that the properties had been disposed by Hassan.

“Our client’s grouse in this case is that due process was not followed in the disposal of his properties, hence he was adjudged innocent in the alleged charges and there was no subsisting court order empowering the police to so act. More so, the time-frame for the disposal of such properties, assuming he was convicted of any charges, had not elapsed.”

In a telephone interview with our correspondent last Wednesday, Hassan, who is now the CP, Abia State, refused to comment on the matter. He said, “The matter is before the IG, so I cannot comment on it.”

A day later.  our correspondent sent him a text message imploring him to reply to the allegations against him but he did not respond.

The Federal Police Public Relations Officer, Shola Amore, in a telephone interview with our correspondent last Wednesday, however, advised Okpara to see the IG personally.

He said, “Okpara should see the IG personally over this matter. The IG operates an open-door policy. I’m not aware of this matter. Please call me tomorrow during office hours so that I can get more details for you.”

Amore, however, did not pick his calls or reply to the text message our correspondent sent to his phone the following day.

OBAMA WILL HOST JONATHAN COME WEDNESDAY

United States President Barack Obama will receive President Goodluck Jonathan at the White House, Washington DC on Wednesday, June 8.

A statement from the Office of the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President on Saturday, said Jonathan would arrive in New York to participate at the summit on HIV/AIDS and the impact of the pandemic on international peace and security.

He will also participate in the inauguration of the Global Plan for Elimination of HIV Mother-To-Child Transmission project with former United States President Bill Clinton on June 9 in New York before returning to Nigeria on Friday, June 10.

Nigeria is currently one of the nine non-permanent members of the UN Security Council and Jonathan is to participate in one of the Security Council sessions that may decide on a second term for the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon.

Twelve foreign leaders mostly from Africa have confirmed their participation at the HIV/AIDS Summit.

However, Empowered Newswire, quoting Nigeria Ambassador to the US, Prof. Adebowale Adefuye, also confirmed the invitation.

The envoy said the invitation was, America’s recognition of the strategic importance of Nigeria to the fulfillment of US global objectives.

He stated that the US President and government had realised that “Nigeria now has a president who delivers on his promises,” recalling that last year when Jonathan met with Obama in Washington DC at the Nuclear Security summit conveyed by the US president, both presidents discussed the need for a free and fair elections in Nigeria.

The visit which is Jonathan’s first to White House will, according to Adefuye, “cement the increasing collaboration and cooperation that is existing between Nigeria and the US since President Jonathan took over last year.”

Although Jonathan visited the US and met with Obama last year during the Nuclear Security summit, the meeting was held at the Washington Convention centre and not in the White House.

WHO WILL TAKE THE MANTLE OF LEADERSHIP FROM DIMEJI

Mrs. Mulikat Akande-Adeola

The battle for the speakership of the House of Representatives has shifted to the Asokoro lodges of governors from the Peoples Democratic Party, in Abuja, where they read the Riot Act to lawmakers-elect to respect the party’s decision by electing Mrs. Mulikat Akande-Adeola as speaker on Monday.

This is even as a rash of meetings of Reps zonal caucuses continued on Saturday to finalise strategies on the election of Speaker.

The life of the House under the superintendence of Mr. Dimeji Bankole ended on Saturday.

The contest for the exalted speakership seat has sharply divided the 360-member House, throwing up Adeola, Messrs Aminu Tambuwal and Muraino Ajibola, as aspirants.

The PDP leadership in league with its governors had endorsed Akande-Adeola as the party’s candidate after a meeting on Thursday in Abuja.

But a group of lawmakers led by Tambuwal, who is also aspiring for the most hallowed chair, has remained defiant, and vowed to contest the seat.

It was gathered that the adamant posture of the Tambuwal group, compelled the party to direct its PDP governors to individually reach out to their repsentatives to make them act in accord with the party position.

Consequently, PDP governors still in Abuja met the legislators last Friday to pressurize them to vote for the anointed candidate of the party.

One lawmaker outside the North, told Sunday Punch on Saturday that the governors called them to appeal and in some cases, intimidate, adding however, that they would still go ahead with the “Tambuwal project.”

He said, “The governors called us on Friday to read the Riot Act; but governors were not the ones that elected us. The electorate elected us.

“Our oath of allegiance is to the Constitution and not to any individual, mindful of the fact that the Constitution has no provision for either North or South, but one indivisible country called Nigeria.

“The important thing is that the Speaker of the House does not belong to the PDP alone, but also belongs to other political parties.

“Therefore, no amount of coercion, intimidation or threat will deter us from going ahead with our plan.”

Earlier, the South-West zonal plank of the PDP, led by former President Olusegun Obasanjo had adopted Muraino as its candidate, but the party in Abuja and the legislators spurned the decision.

The caucuses of South-South zone led by Mr. Andrew Uchendu and North-East zone chaired by Mr. Jerry Manwe, on Saturday, issued a statement, backing Mulikat.

Uchendu, from Rivers State told one of our correspondents on the telephone that the South-South lawmakers believed in the supremacy of the party and that whomever the PDP supported would be adopted.

He said, “After we evaluated the candidates for the contest, we found out that Mulikat’s mien, conduct, educational background and humility prepared her well as a possible leader we need to support.

“We also believe in political compromise for the sustainability of our democracy and our country. No zone should be left out in the political equation of the country and for the stability of the country.

“We have told our colleagues that we should not question the PDP platform that brought us to Abuja.”

Also, Manwe stated, “The North-East caucus stands by the party’s decision. We are loyal party members.”

It is believed that Mulikat is pairing with Mr. Yakubu Dogara from Bauchi State, who until last Friday was the Chairman, House Services Committee.

The House has about 260 new members of the 360-member legislature, and the new lawmakers hold the power loop critical to the emergence of the speaker.

A thrice-elected lawmaker said, “These new members can easily listen to their governors than the ranking members who are supporting Tambuwal.

“If we take cognizance of the fact that the old members are about 100, it will be easy to appreciate that we don’t have what it takes to tilt the balance, only the new lawmakers can.”

Both Mulikat and Tambuwal have met former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu of Action Congress of Nigeria, in a bid to secure the support of the 70-member lawmakers of the party.

The two leading contestants in the race are lawyers, and Mulikat apart from enjoying the party’s support, is also being supported by President Goodluck Jonathan and his wfe, Patience.

FUN AND REST AT LAGOS NEW RECREATION PARKS

Lagosians begin to savour quiet time, relaxation at gardens across the metropolis
IT was once thought that a present-day Lagosian would rather make contact, close deals, hustle from Ojuelegba to Oshodi, the Island to Agege or Badagry to Ipaja to make money than agree to spend that time to take life easy, relax and have fun.
He would rather spend all his time trying to make money and even more money to the neglect of other things.
Yet, there were periods in the annals of the state when Lagosians found time to relax along the Marina Waterfront and the Bar Beach, Badagry and other beaches along the state’s long coastline.
Those days seem to be on their way back, thanks to the efforts of the Lagos State government, especially in the past four years.
When the Lagos State government embarked on demolition of illegal structures to widen roads, create green belts and convert open spaces to places of relaxation, many did not like what was going on because of the effect on the poorer segment of Lagosians.
But, the results have begun to manifest as many Lagosians, especially in the evenings, seek out those parks and gardens to unwind and relax.
A few hundred metres to the right, towards Oshodi from Anthony, attractive scenery of well-trimmed grass, walkways and park seats literally invite motorists and other passers-by to stop, step inside and just relax.
That part of Oshodi, which was once notorious as a haven for miscreants, is now a much-loved park where scores of young and old within and outside Oshodi and the adjoining Ilupaju community come to unwind.
“It is so restful and calming to the nerves. If you have a thing or two on your mind, the park at Oshodi is a good place to sort them out.”
He thanked the Lagos State government for creating the parks and green belts that are already encouraging the people of the state to stop and rest and relax once in a while.”
For Lawson Lawal, “The creation of the garden has given most of us the opportunity to relax.
“I always pass through this place, but each time, I do it in a hurry.
“I thought the garden was meant for government officials alone, because it looked so beautiful, I did not know that ordinary people like us could sit here.”
With a sense of satisfaction, This is a good rendezvous, where people can hang out”.
Inside Alausa Ikeja and close to Lagos House is the very popular Strabag Garden, which has become a place of relaxation for both the old and young.
It is common to see young married couples and those not so young sitting close together, holding hands.
There is also another beautiful park at Alaba Bus Stop, along Orile-Badagry Expressway, which Oke Funsho admits he visits regularly, especially in the evenings.
“ In the past, I used to spend time at beer parlours, but since the park was developed, I now spend such time here.
“This is a better, healthier way to relax and have fun rather than to drink and eat pepper soup.”
At Mile Two, the garden has also proved to be a blessing to hawkers, and other petty traders who now make brisk sales to their customers among the visitors.
A barbecue-meat seller, Hassan Bello, who has a stand near the garden told The Guardian “ I now sell more.
“Before the harden was opened, I could be here till as late as 10.00 p.m., but now, I would have sold all that I prepared before 7.00 p.m., thanks to visitors to the garden who buy my suya, especially on Saturdays and Sundays.”
But, many still complain that the Lagos State government has allowed miscreants and touts to  take control of some areas of Mile Two where one or two gardens should have been most welcome.
A banker, Kayode Adeoye, said the state government should “dislodge commercial bus operators who have taken over the loop in Mile Two and turn it into the garden it had been proposed for long ago.
“That expanse of land will look beautiful, and a haven for relaxation both for passers-by and those planning to travel, especially now that the Lagos-Badagry Road project is a reality.
Another Lagosian, Ajayi Lawal, also believes that  “if more gardens, parks and green belts are constructed, the number of bad spots in Lagos metropolis would be drastically reduced.”
He continued: “The importance of recreation to mental and physical development cannot be overemphasized and I think Lagosians have started to accept that life is not only about running up and down looking for money.
“Lagosians now appreciate the good intentions of the state government, which have given birth to the parks and gardens they now visit with their loved ones.”

Gang kidnaps an india man and got $200, 000 as ransom

The men of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested 34-year-old Bassey Ekpong for allegedly kidnapping Pratish Joshi, a 24-year-old Indian man, residing in Lagos and getting $200,000 (N30.4m) from the victim’s family.

PUNCH METRO gathered that the suspect and Pratish had been friends for about six years until Ekpong decided to conspire with some others on the run to kidnap the Indian.

Ekpeyong, who said he had been a friend to the Joshi family for many years, added that his friend, identified simply as Ubaka, gave him the idea that Pratish should be kidnapped and ransom should be collected from his family before his release.

He said, “I was with my friend, Ubaka, one day when Pratish came around. After Pratish and I exchanged greetings, Ubaka then told me that we could make good money if we kidnapped him and demanded a ransom.

“After I had given Ubaka all the needed information, he along with two others went to kidnap Pratish at Picolomonto Night Club, Victoria Island, Lagos, and he was taken to Ubaka’s house at Ibeju Lekki. He was held there for four days after which we demanded $200,000 ransom.

“The money was dropped at Airport Road, Ikeja, and he was released immediately. Four of us involved in the kidnap shared the money equally; $50,000 (N7.6m) each.”

But unknown to the suspect, the Joshi family had reported to the police that they suspected that Ekpeyong had a hand in the kidnap.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Samuel Jinadu, said, “Detectives from Ajah Division arrested Ekpeyong and the suspect confessed that Ubaka, 27, Koko, 28 and Biggie, 30, were members of his gang.

“The suspect later showed the police the scene of kidnap and the victim’s house. Items recovered from the suspect include three locally-made pistols and $4,000.”

When asked how he spent his own share of the loot, Ekpeyong said he bought a plot of land at Lekki and fenced it.

BOKO HARAM AGAIN

Suspected Boko Haram members late on Wednesday set ablaze the office of the Borno State National Programme on Immunisation in Unguwan Doki, Maiduguri.

Residents told the News Agency of Nigeria in Maiduguri on Thursday that the sect members attacked the building with explosives.

“We were at home watching the Nigeria/Argentina match when we heard large bang around 7.23 p.m.

“Shortly after, we began to hear sporadic gunshots outside, followed by noise of people running helter and shelter-skelte, outside,” a resident, Malam Bello Isa said.

Another resident, Madam Lizzy Umoh, corroborated Isa’s account, saying that the fire subsequently engulfed nearby stores where all items were completely destroyed.

Also, Malam Usman Musa, a security guard, told NAN that some individuals entered the building around 7 p.m. and set the place ablaze.

“They chased out the old security man immediately they got in and planted explosives which went off and set the place on fire,” Musa said.

WHO SHOULD BE A MINISTER

Mr. President, this is the letter you have been waiting for. In an arena filled with pretenders, a wise leader must seek bold people to tell him the unvarnished truth. What you can do is to quickly log out of the celebration mode and search for lieutenants that will help your dream of how you wish to be remembered after 2015.

I know those who should be your ministers, but, sorry, I will not mention names here for the obvious reason of not being accused of doing a hatchet job. But your burden has already been lightened by Nigerians who have drummed in into your presidential ears the characters you should not allowed near your government. Aggregating the opinions of your citizens, THE PUNCH had also run the “Who should not be ministers” series. A little arithmetic plus a push to berth on the good side of history at the end of your tenure, therefore, should guide you on who should be your ministers. The word ‘minister’, perhaps, has its origin in spirituality. A minister, in spirituality, is one authorised to conduct religious veneration. For instance, a person empowered to administer sacraments at a mass is a minister. A minister in the Lord’s vineyard, therefore, should be able to administer healing, counseling and offer hope to the congregation. Rapists, drunks and fornicators are not fit for the office.

As it is in religion, so it is politics. A minister in any political dispensation is a high officer of state appointed to tend to the business of governance in a specific department. A minister of state must come to office with clean hands and be ready to tend to the needs of the people and fired at all times by the progress and peace of the collective. The post of a minister is definitely not for the indolent, nor for looters and killers.

Mr. President, please set the criteria to select those who will serve Nigeria with you in the next four years. Nigerians are tired of recycled politicians. No more inept stooges. We knew it, and you have also confirmed that political contractors, answering all manners of appellations, have turned Aso Rock Villa to their homes. They are mounting pressures on you. They are doing the same to your wife. It is not unlikely too that some would have contacted the president’s mother in Otuoke, asking sweet mother to put in a word or two for them. These are expected at this moment, but always remember, in the words of Harry Truman, the 33rd President of US, that the buck stops at your table.

Who then should be your ministers? Mr. President, look beyond the political parties to attract technocrats and professionals who have no godfathers to worship. One reader of THE PUNCH’s “Who should not be a minister” series said “even President Olusegun Obasanjo” gave Nigeria the likes of Obiageli Ezekwesili and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. Who are you giving Nigeria? Who you give to Nigeria will determine what you will give to the country. There are thousands of Nigerians who are both competent and love this country out there. It is your duty to form your own dream team.

Sadly, the lists from the state chapters of your party are filled with names of people the citizens considered to be misfits at this period. THE PUNCH series, “Who should not be a minister,” had exposed many of them. There are still others in these lists compiled by self-seeking tin gods in their domains. Most of the nominees are lazy, corrupt, political jobbers, killers, thugs and opportunists who have seen in your government a new avenue to once again desecrate our land. Do not bring them on board.

Mr. President, the moment is here. The gaiety of campaign is over. The euphoria of victory should be tempered. We, the electorate, have discharged our responsibility. We have elected a leader. It is time for the leader to fulfill his promise. Though, one must admit that in the course of your campaign you did not promise anything tangible, beyond the mundane pledges the nation’s politicians had made over the years, yet Nigerians look unto you to give us good service. You promised as much at your inauguration.

In anointing His ministers, God does not consider the mundane characteristics. It is your time to play the Nigeria’s little god. Set your sight at the goal post and select the best strikers. You are the judge now. In 2015, you will be judged. Start defending your case now.

NIGERIAN GOVERNORS AND THEIR VARIOUS SECRET BANK ACCOUNTS

The Code of Conduct Bureau on Thursday in Abuja revealed that some public servants particularly ex-governors, legislators and ministers operated foreign accounts using pseudonyms and left hands to append their signatures.

It also stated that the bureau !would investigate the dramatic disappearance of the names of some big politicians which had been sent to the Code of Conduct Tribunal with a view to wielding the big stick on those involved in the complicity.

The Chairman of the CCB, Mr. Sam Saba, who spoke with journalists in Abuja said the case file of a former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, had been transferred to the CCT.

He regretted that only very few ex-governors agreed that they have foreign accounts in Europe and other parts of the world.

Saba said, “Only a few of them are honest that they have foreign accounts. They close it and inform us that they actually operate it. But a lot of them operate foreign accounts using different names. But we don’t have capacity for proof.

“Before my assumption of office, I went to a minister who introduced me to his friend staying abroad and during our discussion, she revealed that many legislators in Nigeria operate foreign accounts. I didn’t know I was coming back to the CCB as chairman, I would have taken her contact and she would have been useful to us.

“She told me that many of them use the names of their wives and other pseudonyms to operate the accounts and append signatures using their left hands. Interestingly, according to her, they do this without the knowledge of their spouses. I believe that there are many public officials in Nigeria operating foreign accounts.”

The CCB boss noted that henceforth the organisation will avoid the disappearance of some names which had been transferred to the CCT for prosecution.

He said, “Some names go to the tribunal and some people are able to get their names out. It is either there is a collaboration between our office, the tribunal and the big names. But this time, all the leakages will be blocked and we are going to investigate it.”

Speaking on the case file of ex-Governor Tinubu, he said, “Why are you people (media) so specific about Tinubu all the time? You people are very particular about Tinubu all the time. As far as I know up till this time that we are talking, his case file is with the Code of Conduct Tribunal.”