Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 49

PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

Rivers Crisis: Governor Dissolves Court Reinstated Council

A Port Harcourt High Court, on Monday, ordered the immediate reinstatement of the suspended officials of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council of Rivers State. The re-instated Chairman of Obio/Akpor, Honourable Timothy Nsirim, Vice-Chairman, Mr. Solomon Eke, and the 17 councillors of the council were last April suspended by the state House of Assembly over allegations of financial impropriety and breach of security. Justice Adanma Iyayi- Lamikanra, in its judgment, said the suspension of Nsirim and other elected officers of the council was illegal, unconstitutional and uncalled for. She declared that the elected officers of the council were entitled to three years in office and could only be dissolved by the state governor. Iyayi-Lamikanra also ordered that the sum of N50,000 be paid to each of the claimants for inconveniences. But in a twist of events, the governor, exercising his powers, promptly dissolved the council.

Imo State Revokes Licences of Orphanages over Sale of Babies

Worried by activities of owners of ‘baby homes or factories,’ in the society, the Imo State Government, Monday, revoked the certificates of all motherless babies and foster homes in the state. Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Nma Onyechere, who announced this in Owerri, warned that any staff of the ministry found to have established such homes would be summarily dismissed from service. According to her, although the issue of ‘baby factories’ or sale of babies was not only an Imo State affair, it had sadly turned into a national problem that must be tackled urgently.

Court Remands Eight for Conspiracy, Theft

An Enugu Magistrate’s Court on Monday remanded seven men for allegedly robbing some residents of the state of their property and money. The Police Prosecutor, Emmanuel Ajogwu, said the matter was reported to the Central Police Station on November 13. He told the court that the accused persons robbed the complainants of their property and cash of N62,000. Ajogwu alleged the court that one of the accused Oge Nwaeze was responsible for receiving and keeping the stolen items for the gang. The prosecutor said the accused men were found with machetes, knives and guns allegedly used in terrorising unsuspecting persons along the railway crossing. The Magistrate, Ifeoma Oruruo, transferred the matter to the state High Court, saying that the court had no jurisdiction over the matter.

Cholera Outbreak in Ebonyi Claims Four Lives

Four persons have been reported dead following the outbreak of cholera in Ikwo LGA of Ebonyi State while one other person was said to be hospitalised. The state Deputy Governor, Chief Dave Umahi, who confirmed the death toll on Wednesday, assured the people that modalities had been put in place by the state government to ensure that the outbreak is contained. Umahi enjoined the people to always ensure they keep their environment clean and drink portable water provided by the state government to ensure that the state does not record any more case of cholera and other diseases.

Ex-Footballer’s Father Abducted, Kidnappers Demand N50m

Kidnappers have abducted the 83-year-old father of a former Super Eagles player, Chikelue Iloenyosi, in Njikoka LGA of Anambra State. The octogenarian, James Iloenyosi, was on his way back from the church on Monday when he was abducted. The kidnappers are reportedly demanding a ransom of N50m. The former Nigerian defender said the incident was more painful as his father’s twin brother had only recently died.

Family of Murdered Man Alleges Police Ploy to Shield Killers

Bereaved family members of Frank Moses, an employee of the Federal Polytechnic Ekowe, Bayelsa State, have raised the alarm over alleged plot by the police authorities to shield his killers. The 35-year-old, who was the Financial Secretary of the Bayelsa chapter of the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics, was killed by gunmen at his residence on November 8, 2013. In a position paper issued after an emergency meeting between the association and his family, the relatives asked the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to take over the matter. They asked the Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, Hillary Okpara, to explain to the public the rationale behind the release of the prime suspects despite glaring evidence of their culpability in the murder. They also demanded that the police be more civilized in their intelligence gathering as those who volunteered to give information were allegedly being harassed and intimidated.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

Police Corporal Shoots Inspector in Benin City

A police corporal, Ozeigbe Omobunde, said to be attached to Oregbeni Police Station in Benin City, Edo State has allegedly killed his colleague, an Inspector. The suspect was alleged to have committed the act Monday night in Benin. It was gathered that the Inspector was killed on his way to work by the corporal who remains on the run. The suspect was also alleged to have shot and injured another corporal simply identified as Ayinla.

SSS to Arraign Kidnap Kingpin Before Federal High Court

The State Security Services (SSS) has withdrawn the charge it filed at an Abuja Chief Magistrates' Court against suspected kidnap kingpin, Kelvin Eziegbe, and two of his gang members, Frank Azuekoh and Haruna Momoh. The trio was arraigned for allegedly masterminding highly coordinated kidnapping activities in the Edo and Delta states, and Abuja. Prosecutor, Cliff Osagie, informed the court that further investigation by the SSS had shown that the accused were involved in acts of kidnapping and murder, which did not fall under the jurisdiction of the magistrates' court. Osagie stated that the SSS had approached the Federal High Court and had secured an order to further detain the suspects for another 90 days pending the conclusion of investigation. Osagie's application to withdraw the charge was granted by Magistrate Usman Ahmed Shuaibu. Kelvin and others are to be remanded in the custody of the SSS until their arraignment at the Federal High Court.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Killer Policeman Dismissed, to Face Trial

The Lagos State Police Command has dismissed a police sergeant, Razaq Alowonle, for shooting and causing the death of a nine-year-old boy, Timilehin Ebun, in the Ketu area of the state. The deceased was killed in his father’s vehicle on June 13, 2013, by a stray bullet suspected to have emanated from Alowonle’s rifle. Following the incident, a police delegation, led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Damilola Adegbuyi, promised the slain boy’s parents that justice would be served. The police authorities subsequently ordered that Alowonle should be given an orderly room trial on July 29, 2013.

Centre Treats 124 Sexual Assault Victims in 5 Months

A total of 124 victims of sexual assault and domestic violence were attended to in the first five months of operation of the Mirabel Centre for Rape Victims, the first sexual violence and referral centre in Nigeria, located at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos. Disclosing this, yesterday, in Lagos during the official opening of the centre, Executive Director/Managing Partner, Partnership for Justice, Mrs. Itoro Eze-Anaba, said Oshodi, Mafoluku, Ikeja, Mile 12, Ketu and Ojodu areas of Lagos, were flashpoints for assault and sexual violence because the highest number of incidents reported at the centre, were recorded at these places. Most of the clients we have attended to were young girls between 11 and 15. About 80 per cent of victims were minors referred by the Family Support Unit of the Police.

NSCDC Parades Pipeline Vandals

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Oyo State Command, has paraded five suspected pipelines vandals. The suspected vandals, according to NSCDC Public Relations Officer, Oluwole Olusegun, were arrested with 125 pieces of 35-litre kegs in an 18-seater bus at the NNPC pipeline right of way. The Oyo State Commandant of the NSDC, Shem Obafaiye, while parading the suspects, disclosed that four of the suspected vandals were apprehended on the 13th of November, 2013 at Idi-Araba Village in Ogbomoso South LGA of Oyo State.

Man Kills Alleged Homosexual Boss

A 22-year-old man, Eji Emmanuel, has been arrested by the Lagos State Police Command for the alleged murder of a 39-year-old trader, Sylvanus Okoye. According to the police, the suspect stabbed the deceased to death at his home in August. The suspect, however, explained that he killed the deceased in self-defence. He alleged that on the day of the incident, Okoye had attempted to rape him. Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ngozi Braide, confirmed Emmanuel’s arrest. Braide added that the police were still working to establish it the victim was a homosexual or not as alleged by the suspect.

Man Remanded for Killing with Fist Blows

A 30-year-old man, Folarin Adetokunbo, has been remanded in prison by an Ebute Meta Magistrate’s Court, for allegedly killing one John Ansah, 45, with fist blows. The police said the incident occurred at Itamaga Plank Market, Imota Ikorodu area of Lagos on November 4, 2013. The prosecutor, George Nwosu, filed application for the remand of the defendant pursuant to Section 264 of the Administration of Criminal Justice, Lagos State, Nigeria, 2011. The defence counsel, Spurgeon Ataene, said the defendant did not commit the crime. But the magistrate, Tubosun Abolarinwa, said the police had shown enough evidence that Ansah died from fist blows. He observed that since Adetokunbo did not deny pummelling the deceased, he was culpable. Abolarinwa remanded the defendant in prison and adjourned till December 23, for DPP’s advice.

Police Investigate Killing of Osun Monarch

The police in Osun State have begun investigation into the killing of Oba Adesina Anibijuwon of Ilase Ijesa in Obokun LGA of the State. The 85-year-old monarch was strangled before hoodlums, who carried out the act, set his residence ablaze. While the housemaid living with the monarch escaped the inferno, the remains of the   monarch, who had been blind for about nine years, were charred in the fire. The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Folasade Odoro, said that the command had started investigation into the matter. The Commissioner for Information, Sunday Akere, has appealed to the people of the town to remain calm, saying the state government would get to the root of the matter.

Soldier Killed During Robbery Operation

Operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Lagos, smashed a robbery gang in the Ilasamaja area of Lagos State, killing two and arresting one other. According to Police authorities, the suspects were about to embark on a robbery operation around 7pm on Wednesday when the Officer-in-Charge of SARS, Abba Kyari, deployed his men in the area. The suspects, on sighting the police, were said to have opened fire on the policemen after which the policemen fired back, killing two of the suspects while the third suspect, Chinonso Egbuzobi, was arrested. Police Spokesperson, Ngozi Braide, said ammunition and a vehicle were recovered from the suspects. She confirmed that two of the suspects, including one with Nigeria Army Identity Card, were fatally wounded.

Man, 45, Rapes 75-Year-Old Woman in Ekiti

A 45-year-old farmer, Lawrence Adedapo, has been arrested by the police in Ekiti state over the alleged rape of a 75-year-old woman. Adedapo was said to have invited the septuagenarian to his house on November 7 claiming that he brought some plantain from his farm for sale, but rather forced himself on her. Upon interrogation, the suspect confirmed that he had carnal knowledge of the woman but denied forcing her, claiming that she was his mistress. However, the police spokesman, Victor Babayemi, insisted that the investigation carried out by the police revealed that the old woman was actually raped by the suspect as medical report showed that there was a violent sexual assault on her. She was also said to be distressed with her genital smeared with fresh blood.

Speaker Condemns Attack on School Principal

The Speaker of Osun House of Assembly, Mr Najeem Salaam, has condemned the mob attack on principal, teachers and students of Baptist High School, Ejigbo, Osun, by Muslim youths, describing the attack as unnecessary and uncalled for. Muslim youths had on Tuesday invaded the Baptist High School, Ejigbo, and beat up the Principal, Layi Oguntola, as well as some teachers and students. It was alleged that the attackers, mobbed the principal because the school authorities had stopped some Muslims pupils from wearing ‘hijab’. Meanwhile, the principal, recovering from his injuries, has denied sending away the hijab wearing pupils.

Nursing Mother Stabs Husband to Death

The police in Lagos have arrested a 33-year-old woman, Biola Gbadamosi, for allegedly murdering her husband, Jamiu, in the Ikorodu area of the state. According to the police, the suspect, who is a nursing mother, stabbed her husband with a knife during an argument over rice. It was learnt that the suspect and her husband had a history of domestic violence prior to the incident. Biola said she had no intention of killing her husband, adding that she only stabbed him once on the thigh. According to her, their neighbours assisted her to take him to a hospital. At the hospital, I was told that my husband’s injury was not deep, so neighbours said I should take my baby home. She was surprised when she was told that he had died. Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide, who confirmed the incident, said the matter had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba for further investigation.

Man, 32, Remanded in Prison for Murder

A 32-year-old man, Olowose Razak, has been remanded in prison by an Ebute Meta Magistrate’s Court, Lagos State, for the alleged murder of one Ejimofor Clifford. The police said Razak killed the deceased by hitting him with a plank on the head after a disagreement led to a fight. Although the defendant confessed to committing the crime and an exhibit was recovered from him, investigation was still on-going on the matter. The police prosecutor, Iyobosa Onaiwu, applied for the remand of Razak in line with Section 264 of the Administration of Criminal Justice, Lagos State, 2011, pending legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecution. The magistrate, FJ Adefioye, granted the request, and remanded the defendant in the Ikoyi prison.

Man in Court over Rape of Toddler

A family court sitting in Ikeja Magistrate Court, Lagos, has resumed hearing in the charge of defilement of a two and half-year old child against one Kehinde Layode. According to the family, the mother of the girl had kept the child with the defendant and his wife to go and buy drugs for the toddler as she was running a fever. Subsequently, she took the toddler home but noticed that there was a thick white fluid coming down her laps at which point she raised an alarm. The alarm attracted neighbours, who insisted that she report the matter to the police and take her for medical examination, which she did. The case was reported to the Igando Police Station and the police, after investigations, launched a prosecution against the defendant.

Police Arrest Beninese Gunrunner in Ogun

A Beninese gunrunner, John Bonu, and his assistant, Segun Adebayo, have been arrested by operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Ogun State Police Command. The police said the suspects were arrested at the Agbara area of the state where they had gone to receive a stolen vehicle from a suspected armed robber, Charles Ogwuzor, as payment for two double barrelled pistols, which Bonu sold to Ogwuzor. Four other armed robbery suspects -Ogwuzor, Chinedu Emuneke, Uche Etiti and Matthew Idowu– were also arrested on their way for an operation. The State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Muyiwa Adejobi, disclosed that Bonu had been in the business of gunrunning for several years, selling arms to robbery gangs. According to him, Ogwuzor, after his arrest, named Bonu as his supplier. He further disclosed that Ogwuzor and his gang had opened fire on the policemen, who returned the fire, leading to the death of one of the suspects, while the rest were critically injured. The SARS team recovered two double-barrelled pistols, one pump action, 15 live cartridges and two expended cartridges.”

GENERAL

ICC Declares Conflict in Northern Nigeria Civil War

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has determined that the conflict between Boko Haram insurgents and the security forces in northern-eastern Nigerian is a civil war. In a report released last weekend from the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP), the ICC said after a careful review of the situation, the violence in Nigeria qualified as an armed conflict of non-international character. Under the Geneva Conventions, a "non-international armed conflict" (NIAC) is the technical name for a civil war. This brings the ICC into line with a similar determination made by the International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) earlier this year. The determination that the situation is a NIAC also means that the norms of international humanitarian law are formally deemed to be applicable to the theatre of conflict. ICC, however, acknowledged that the information available at this stage does not provide a reasonable basis to believe that killings and other abuses attributed to the Nigerian security forces in their response to Boko Haram constituted crimes against humanity.

32 Killed in Renewed Attacks in Jos

At least 32 people were killed in the early hours of Tuesday in Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau State when gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen invaded three communities in the council. The incident came less than 72 hours after five people were similarly murdered in Kukah in Shendam LGA. It was gathered that the assailants attacked Gura Bwok, Fan, Heipang and Foron districts, killing some of the residents and burning some houses. It was further gathered that nine people were killed in Gura Bwok, seven in Fan, 11 people in Heipang and five people in Foron. Several houses were also said to have been razed down in the attack, suspected to be a reprisal against last week’s theft of more than 200 herds of cattle belonging to the herdsmen by some unidentified persons. It was also gathered that two Fulani herdsmen were killed by the cattle thieves as men of the Special Task Force (STF) tried to intervene. The state Police Public Relations Officers, Felicia Anselm, said that the police had intervened by deploying units of men of the anti-terrorist squad in the area.

Court Sentences Undergraduate to Death for Armed Robbery

A Makurdi High Court on Tuesday sentenced, Jacob Atongo, a 100-level sociology student of Benue State University, to death by hanging for armed robbery. Justice Adam Onum held that he was satisfied with the confession of the accused to the charges and therefore found him guilty. Atongo had allegedly conspired with two others to rob one Stephen Akuma of his car, and had also robbed others at gun point in June 2012. He also allegedly attacked Judges’ Quarters in Makurdi on July 3, 2012. The offences contravened the Robbery and Firearms Laws. The accused had pleaded not guilty to the charges and testified for himself along with one witness called by his counsel. Prosecution called seven witnesses and tendered exhibits, which included two statements made by the convict to the police. But counsel to the accused, Mr. E.Z. Agbakor, said that the accused did not make the statement tendered in court voluntarily, insisting his client was tortured and forced to confess to the offences.

Senate Clears Security Agents of Alleged Extra-Judicial Killings of Apo 8

The Senate, Wednesday, cleared the security agencies of the allegations of extra-judicial killings in an operation which resulted in the death of eight persons in an uncompleted building in Apo area of Abuja on September 20. The decision followed the presentation of the report of the Joint Committee on National Security and Intelligence; and Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters on the floor of the chamber. The Chairman of the joint committee, Senator Mohammed Magoro, who described the incident as regrettable, noted that since January 2013 till that day, security forces in FCT had carried out about 153 operations and arrest without firing any bullet. According to him, the security forces embarked on the operation acting on intelligence report with a view to pre-empting a planned attack on some places in Abuja on September 22, adding that the planned attack would have boosted the morale of Boko Haram sect if the agents had not succeeded in foiling it.

40 Killed in Renewed Attacks on Boko Haram Stronghold

Over 40 suspected members of the Boko Haram sect were, on Monday, killed in an offensive air and land raid of the sect's hideouts in Borno State. It was gathered that the military recorded the major success in its war on terror when they launched the air and land raid on Bita village general area, believed to be hideout of the terrorist group. About a fortnight ago, over 20 suspected terrorists were reportedly killed in the same village. The town had witnessed series of attacks from the sect in recent times. Meanwhile, Governor Kashim Shettima has warned members of the youth vigilante group popularly called Civilian JTF, currently undergoing training in character re-orientation to desist from establishing illegal cells. The governor said the youths have no power to arrest or detain people, advising that they should work with security agencies in the hunt for members of the outlawed Boko Haram sect.

Police Threaten Plateau Monarchs over Attacks

The Plateau State police command on Wednesday threatened to arrest traditional and tribal leaders in the state whose domains continued to record attacks by unknown gunmen. The Commissioner of Police, in the state, Chris Olakpe, said this at a stakeholders’ meeting with various tribes in Plateau North senatorial zone. Olakpe debunked the claims by the leaders that the attacks were carried out by unknown gunmen, saying that the police had resolved to arrest the leaders as accomplices. The command gave the Berom and Fulani traditional leaders in Barkin Ladi seven days within which to produce the perpetrators of the recent killings in their areas. The Berom leaders must produce the 120 cows rustled. The police commissioner said after the expiration of the seven days and the criminals were not produced, the traditional rulers would be arrested and charged to court. Olakpe condemned the situation where the traditional rulers and the parents had failed to expose the perpetrators of the nefarious acts in the area.

Navy, Air Force Promote 237 Officers

The Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Air Force, on Wednesday, announced the promotion of 237 of their senior officers. While the promotion approved by the Nigerian Navy board affected 130 senior officers, the Nigerian Air Force promotion affected 107 senior officers. Under the promotion in the Navy, six commodores were elevated to the two-star flag rank of rear admirals, 44 captains to commodores, 50 commanders to captains and 30 lieutenant commanders to the rank of commanders. For the Air Force, 15 air commodores were promoted to the two-star rank of air vice marshals, 39 group captains were elevated to air commodores, 31 wing commanders to group captains and 22 squadron leaders to wing commanders. Director of Naval Information, Commodore Kabir Aliyu, said that the new admirals will be decorated jointly with their Army and Air Force counterparts while the other officers will be decorated by their administrative authorities on a date to be communicated in due course.

Ombatse Sues Nasarawa Government for Defamation

The Ombatse cult group has taken the Nasarawa State government to court demanding for N500 million as compensation for damaging its reputation. Ombatse is said to be responsible for the killings of scores of security personnel, said to be on a mission to arrest the chief priest of the dreaded cult group in Alakyo, where they met their death earlier in the year. Addressing newsmen in Lafia, legal adviser to Ombatse, Zamani Allumaga, denied knowledge of government proscription of the group, which he said was only a prayer group contrary to claims in some quarters that Ombatse was a violent cult group. However, State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Innocent Lagi, said he was not aware of the development, as his office has not officially received any summons in respect of the claims of the legal adviser to Ombatse.

Plateau Governor Raises the Alarm over Planned Terrorist Attacks

Plateau State Governor, Chief Jonah Jang, has raised the alarm over a fresh plot by terrorists to disrupt the forthcoming Christmas celebration in Jos, saying security reports indicate that the state may be under serious attack during the festival. The governor urged the people and security agents to be on the alert and watch out for strange faces and report them to appropriate security agencies. Jang spoke at the 2013 harvest and thanksgiving service of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) headquarters, Jos on Sunday. He called on the people to protect the hard-earned peace in the state, adding that they should not allow it to be truncated by enemies of the state.

Register to be Opened for Convicted Rapists

Sponsor of the Sexual Offences Bill, Senator Chris Anyanwu, has said that registers would be opened for rapists and other sex offenders across the country when the bill is signed into law. The bill, which passed for second reading recently, enjoys the support of most of the senators, who advocate stiffer punishments for rapists and paedophiles, in order to serve as deterrents and to curb the criminal act. Anyanwu, disclosed that novel ideas had been injected into the bill to ensure sanity in relationships. The senator also said the bill had a provision to protect witnesses and victims of sexual abuse.

Farmer Arrested for Beheading 11-Month-Old Baby

A 24-year-old farmer, Danladi Abubakar, who allegedly beheaded an 11-month-old girl for rituals, has been arrested by the police. Danladi, after being arrested by the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, confessed that the deal was to fetch him N20,000. He was allegedly contracted by a man in Bida, Niger State, who is said to be on the run. The farmer was said to have sneaked into the room of the baby’s father, Malam Mohammed Worogi, where he smuggled the baby to a hidden place and beheaded her. He also severed her genitals. The sudden disappearance of the child soon aroused the parent’s curiosity. Danladi later came out and confessed to the crime. The incident was immediately reported at the police divisional office in Lemu town leading to Danladi’s arrest.

Police Kill Suspected Highway Robbers in Zaria

The Kaduna State Police Command on Tuesday confirmed the killing of three suspected armed bandits believed to be terrorising road users on the Kano-Zaria expressway. The Police Public Relations Officer, Aminu Lawal, confirmed the killing but refused to give further details. The incident reportedly occurred on Monday night at Hawan Maimashi, near Maraban Gwanda in Sabon-Gari Local Government Area. One of the suspects died instantly during an exchange of fire with the police at the scene.

INTERNATIONAL

Ethiopia Send Nationals Back Home over Killings in Saudi Arabia

Ethiopian Government has urged Saudi authorities to investigate circumstances surrounding the killing of three of its nationals allegedly by Saudi security personnel. Ambassador Dina Mufti, spokesman for Ethiopia’s Foreign Affairs Ministry, said that the matter required swift investigation by the Saudis. Mufti said Ethiopia had begun the repatriation of its nationals in Saudi Arabia, adding that 14,957 citizens had so far been brought back. The Ethiopian government had set up a national task force to speed up the process of repatriating its nationals in Saudi, projected to be more than 40,000 persons. To fund the operation, the government released 50 million Birr (about $300,000) and the money is also expected to be used in the rehabilitation of the repatriated people. The deceased Ethiopians were allegedly killed during an encounter with Saudi security authorities who were deporting foreigners without valid permits to stay in the country.

Moscow Police Arrest Armed Islamists in Raids

A group of radical Islamists has been arrested in Moscow with bombs, hand grenades and guns seized, Russian police say. They claim the 14 arrested are members of At-Takfir Wal-Hijra, an Islamist group originally founded in Egypt. Police say the arrests were made during early-morning raids in the east of the Russian capital. Officials said three homemade bombs, detonators and fuses for making more devices were also found. At-Takfir Wal-Hijra was banned by Russia’s Supreme Court in 2010 for “inciting interethnic and interreligious enmity”, according to reports.

Protesters Force Evacuation of Thailand’s Crime Agency

Anti-government protesters in Thailand, on Wednesday, forced the evacuation of the country’s top crime-fighting agency. It was reported that the protesters, who want the government to step down, also targeted a complex of government offices outside the city.  The protest leader said they wanted to shut down government ministries in a bid to cause disruption.  They accused the government of being controlled by the prime minister’s brother, Thaksin Shinawatra. Reports from Bangkok indicate that the mood of the protesters was very friendly, as they and the government side shadow-box around each other. Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s secretary general, Suranand Vejjajiva, said that there were no plans to use the army. The protests are being led by former opposition Democrat Party lawmaker, Suthep Thaugsuban, for whom police have issued an arrest warrant.

Berlusconi Expelled from Legislature, Faces Arrest

The Italian Senate has voted to expel former Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, from parliament with immediate effect over his conviction for tax fraud. Berlusconi, who has dominated politics for 20 years, could now face arrest over other criminal cases as he has lost his immunity from prosecution. Ahead of the vote, he vowed to remain in politics to lead his Forza Italia in a "fight for the good of Italy". A defiant Berlusconi told supporters gathered outside his Rome residence that "no political leader has suffered a persecution such as I have lived through". Berlusconi, 77, said his struggle would continue outside parliament. He urged his supporters not to despair.

Mali’s Ex-Coup Leader Detained over Troop Abuses

The man who led a March 2012 coup in Mali, Amadou Sanogo, was detained Wednesday for questioning by a judge investigating alleged abuses committed by his followers. It was reported that several dozen Malian soldiers forcibly entered Sanogo’s residence in central Bamako, escorted him outside and drove him away. Sanogo led a group of mid-level officers to overthrow then-president Amadou Toumani Toure on March 22 last year, upending what had been considered one of West Africa’s flagship democracies. The coup precipitated the fall of northern Mali to militants linked to Al-Qaeda, but an intervention by French and African troops in January chased the rebels from the region’s main cities. In May last year, Sanogo and his former junta were granted a general amnesty and the captain received the status of former head of state, with all the accompanying benefits.

ICC: Kenyatta Must Attend Trial

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has reversed a ruling that allowed Kenya’s President, Uhuru Kenyatta, to attend only parts of his trial, saying the African leader “as a general rule must be present” in court. Kenyatta’s trial on charges of masterminding some of the 2007-8 post-election violence in Kenya that left over 1,000 people dead and several hundred thousand displaced is set to start on February 5. Judges on October 18 partially excused Kenyatta in order for him to deal with the aftermath of a Nairobi mall siege in September in which at least 67 people died. ICC judges, on Wednesday, ruled that Kenyatta’s absence is “only permissible under exceptional circumstances and must be limited to what is strictly necessary.” Kenyatta, who was elected president in March, has long said that the trial in the Netherlands would hamper his running of the country. Prosecutors however argued Kenyatta’s situation was the same as that of fellow accused and Kenyan Vice President William Ruto, who was instructed last month to be present at his own trial. Both Kenyatta and Ruto face crimes against humanity charges in separate trials. They were political opponents at the time of the post-poll violence that shattered the east African country’s image as a beacon of stability in the region.

NDLEA Nabs Man with N81m Cocaine at Kano Airport

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has paraded a drug courier, Maduagwu Nnaemeka Charles, who was nabbed with three kilogrammes of cocaine worth about N81 million. The suspect was arrested at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano with the cocaine as he arrived at the airport from Brazil en route Egypt. The commandant of the agency in charge of MAKIA, Ambrose Umoru, said the dangerous drug if diluted could make up to nine kilogrammes of the substance. The 28-year-old suspect confessed before reporters that he was in possession of two loudspeakers where the cocaine was neatly concealed, but denied knowledge of being the owner of the dangerous substance. The high-grade pure cocaine, according to Umoru, was neatly factory-sealed in the body-hollow of two   loudspeakers brought by the suspect. He said the suspect would remain in the custody pending the conclusion of investigation.

Policeman Commits Suicide in Government House

A policeman, Corporal Samuel Milar, on Thursday morning, shot himself dead inside the Taraba State Government House, Jalingo. Milar, who was one of the security detail attached to Governor Danbaba Suntai, shot himself at about 6:15 am with his rifle shortly after signing for the rifle. Confirming the incident, the state Commissioner of Police, Jibril Olawale Adeniji, said the command had commenced investigations to determine whether Milar was killed as a result of accidental discharge or whether he actually took his own life. Meanwhile, the remains of late Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon Haruna Tsokwa, was on Thursday laid to rest in Takum, his hometown amidst pomp and outpouring of eulogies and tributes.

Security forces pound Boko Haram strongholds in Borno, Yobe

Security forces have carried out several land and aerial bombardments of Boko Haram strongholds in Borno and Yobe States. The Director Army Public Relations, Brig. General Ibrahim Attahiru, said that several insurgents were dislodged in their camps at Sambisa Forest and Bita Village in Damboa LGA of Borno State and Guijba in Yobe State. Attahiru said that the combined land and aerial attacks which he described as largely successful resulted in the death of several insurgents and the recovery of large cache of arms and ammunition recovered from them. He said that security forces were intensifying an operation that was designed to prevent the insurgents from ‘freedom of action’ in the area. Attahiru added that security forces had also responded through effective aerial and land patrol and bombardments to the tricks of the insurgents to attack soft targets and the mounting of road blocks along major roads in the north east.

India Arrests Three More Suspects over Murder of Nigerian

The police Monday arrested three more people involved in the murder of a Nigerian national in Goa, in India. A police spokesperson said Ashish Gaonkar, Sagar Naik and Rohan Palyekar were arrested and remanded in custody. The arrest brings to five the number of people arrested over the case. The trio was part of a drug gang that killed Obado Simeon on October 31. The incident resulted in a conflict between Nigerians on the one hand and the police and residents of the area on the other. A crackdown on Nigerians triggered a diplomatic standoff with Nigeria threatening action against Indians in the country.