National News
POLICE WITNESS TELLS IIP-SARS HOW PETER EKWEALOR SLUMPED AFTER ALLEGEDLY CONFESSING TO KILLING ASP AKOH UDE
POLICE WITNESS TELLS IIP-SARS HOW PETER EKWEALOR SLUMPED AFTER ALLEGEDLY CONFESSING TO KILLING ASP AKOH UDE
By: Our Reporter
A Police witness, Abdulmumuni Mohammed on Wednesday told the IIP-SARS that one Peter Ekwealor, a member of Odekpe Community in Anambra state slumped after his confessional statement that he participated in the killing of ASP Akoh Ude when he (Akoh Ude) led other policemen on a peace mission in June, 2020.
Peter Ekwealor (now deceased) was arrested and detained alongside Chief Peter Ikechi and Mr Ekene Okona from the same Odekpe Community.
Testifying before the 11-Member panel presided over by Dr. Garba Tetengi (SAN) on behalf of the Chairman, Justice Suleiman Galadima (rtd), the Police witness said that Peter Ekwelor (now deceased) confided in some police officers to reveal that it was some members of the Odekpe Community that killed ASP Akoh Ude when he led a Police team on a peace mission to the area.
According to Abdulmumuni, the late Peter informed the police in his statement that he and some other members of Odekpe Community took an oath of secrecy at Attah Okakwu’s palace (the paramount Ruler of the Community) not to reveal to anyone the death of ASP Akoh, (whom they allegedly killed).
“After making the confessional statement while he was in police detention with his casemates, Chief Ikechi Peter and Ekene Okona, he (Peter Ekwealor) slumped”, the witness stated.
He told the Panel that the attention of the team investigating the matter was called and he and some other investigation officers rushed Peter to Asokoro General Hospital but due to the strike action as at that time, the victim was taken to University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH), Gwagwalada and that few minutes later, the Doctors on duty confirmed him dead.
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On account of the above, he said that Peter’s body was deposited at UATH for the purpose of post mortem examination and that a Police wireless message was immediately sent to DIG Force Investigation Department (FID) informing him of the death of the suspect.
He told the panel that the family of late Peter was contacted and informed about the death of their relation.
“Two weeks after, Anambra state governor, His Excellency Willie Obiano sent a delegation led by the Permanent Secretary Office of the Secretary to the state Government (SSG) to the IRT Office to meet with the Police authority and appeal for the release of the other two detainees, Ikechi and Ekene on bail.
Narrating further, he told the panel that the duo of Ikechi and Ekene were released to Hon. Ekene Obiajulu and that two weeks after, he called the Permanent Secretary, Office of the SSG who confirmed to him that the Governor summoned the people involved in the alleged attack and killing of ASP Akoh Ude and they refused to honour the summons and rather said that the police should give them more time, only for them to say that the Police can go ahead and take whatever action they deem fit in the circumstance.
Thereafter, he said that the family of late Peter started writing petitions, through one Barrister Adekole to the Police to release the corpse unconditionally.
He informed the panel that on April 2020, Patrick Ude of Ogbadigbo Local Government Area of Benue state had written a petition to the IGP alleging criminal conspiracy, attack on Policemen while on peace mission in Odekpe Community, abduction, murder of ASP Akoh Ude attached to N0. 29 Police Mobile Force, Awka, Anambra state.
In the said petition, the witness stated that the petitioner who is elder brother to the late ASP Ude had alleged that he never heard from his brother since 23rd April 2020, after he led 14 Policemen to Odekpe Community on a peace mission.
The panel also admitted several exhibits including statements of the trio of chief Ikechi, Ekene and Ekwealor and photographs of the skulls and bones purporting the killing of Ekwealor by Odekpe Community etc. which were tendered by the police lawyer, Fidelis Ogwobe.
The case was adjourned to 26th of November, 2021 for cross-examination of the witness and defense.
Meanwhile, another petition of alleged torture, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment of Mr Linus Godwin was adjourned to 26th November, 2021 for adoption of addresses by all the parties.
POLICE WITNESS TELLS IIP-SARS HOW PETER EKWEALOR SLUMPED AFTER ALLEGEDLY CONFESSING TO KILLING ASP AKOH UDE
National News
President Tinubu Storms Jos Today To Commiserate With Residents Of Angwa Rukuba Massacre
President Tinubu Storms Jos Today To Commiserate With Residents Of Angwa Rukuba Massacre
By: Bodunrin Kayode
President Bola Tinubu will today visit the Plateau state capital Jos to commiserate with residents who lost loved ones during the Palm Sunday shooting spree by criminals that took place at Angwa rukuba area of the city.
The President who was scheduled to visit Ogun state postponed his scheduled trip to Iperu, meant to flag off operations at the Gateway International Cargo Airport.
From the Plateau, the President is expected to travel to Lagos to observe Good Friday public holiday which ushers the beginning of the Easter public holiday which rounds up the lent period.
A state house release signed yesterday by the Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga noted that President Tinubu will travel to Ogun State for the commissioning of the Cargo Airport and the inauguration of two commercial aircrafts for the export and import of goods, aimed at boosting the state’s economic growth on Saturday April 4th.
“He will also inaugurate the new edifice of the Federal Operations Unit of the Nigerian Customs Service and its operational vehicles.
“He will return to Lagos to continue the Easter holiday, during which he is also expected to commission infrastructural projects undertaken by the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
“These projects include: the iconic Ojota/Opebi Link Bridge; the Lagos State Geographic Information System Building; the Multi-Agency Complex named after the President, and a school Complex.
“Before returning to Abuja, President Tinubu will visit Bayelsa State on April 10 to commission some of Governor Duoye Diri’s completed projects.” Said the release.
Sadly several residents lost their lives during the black Palm Sunday shooting spree which is suspected to have been carried out by auto bike riding bandits following after their patterns in the hinterlands of the state.
These bandits who had tormented, killed and destroyed homes of residences of the Jos north axis of the state for several years after September 7th 2001
This damnation let loose on innocent residents is resurfacing after hundreds of killings had occurred in the Jos North council area of the state from September 7th 2001 till date.
And because of the myriad of challenges creeping into the federal security system sub regionals have geared up to manage their on police and Intel services which would assist greatly because they are masters of their territories.
The Federal government is fast tracking the process of state police to ensure that each sub nationals take charge of their environment to ensure that they support the center in the maintenance of internal security.
President Tinubu Storms Jos Today To Commiserate With Residents Of Angwa Rukuba Massacre
National News
NiMet predicts 107 to 138 days of rainfall in Gombe
NiMet predicts 107 to 138 days of rainfall in Gombe
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has said that in 2026, the length of the rainy season in Gombe State is expected to be between 107 and 138 days.
This is contained in the Agency’s 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) document, which Gayus Musa, the meteorological manager for Gombe State, made available to Our Correspondent in Gombe on Tuesday.
The total amount of rainfall across Gombe State in 2026 is predicted to be between 701 mm in the northern part of the state (Nafada) and 1089 mm in the South (Shongom).
The onset of the rainfall is expected to commence in the state on May 29 (Shongom) and cease by October 22 (Yamaltu/Deba).
Similarly, in the prediction, four local government areas of the state, namely: Nafada, Yamaltu/Deba, Dukku and Funakaye were likely to be impacted by a severe dry spell (21 days and above) between June and August.
Musa while speaking to Our Correspondent on the first rainfall experienced in some communities in Akko, Gombe and Yamaltu/Deba Local Government Areas of the state on Monday urged farmers to resist the temptation of early planting of crops.
He described the first rain as false onset, explaining that the rainfall was false because it would not support any germination as seeds planted with such rain would not survive.
“This (first rain) is a false onset because the precipitation cannot carry any germination and so any seed planted would not survive.
“So farmers should not engage themselves in planting but to prepare their farmlands while getting their seeds and other inputs ready,” he said.
Musa advised farmers in the state, to make use of the prediction in carrying out farming activities towards avoiding losses in view of the impact of climate change on agriculture.
He further urged relevant authorities in the state to take proactive measures towards tackling environmental issues associated with the rainy season.
NiMet predicts 107 to 138 days of rainfall in Gombe
National News
Tuggar Resigns from Tinubu’s Cabinet, Sets for Bauchi Governorship
Tuggar Resigns from Tinubu’s Cabinet, Sets for Bauchi Governorship
By: Michael Mike
The rumoured interest of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar in becoming the governor of Bauchi State come 2027 may have been confirmed he resigned on Monday to prepared ground for actualization of his political ambition.
The resignation was ahead of the deadline set for political appointees seeking elective positions in the forthcoming general elections.
In a resignation letter submitted to the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Tuggar expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the opportunity to serve the country and contribute to the implementation of the administration’s Four-D foreign policy strategy.
The former minister also appreciated the management and staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and members of the diplomatic community for their cooperation and support throughout his tenure.
During his time in office, Tuggar was credited with advancing Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives through initiatives focused on people-centred diplomacy. These included humanitarian evacuations, facilitation of scholarships for Nigerians abroad, and sustained support for citizens in the diaspora.
His tenure also witnessed increased diaspora engagement, including efforts to develop a structured database of Nigerians living abroad aimed at strengthening their participation in national development.
In addition, Tuggar strengthened bilateral and multilateral relations through strategic engagements with traditional partners and regional alliances, particularly across the Global South. His leadership also promoted regional security cooperation and supported the formation of the Regional Partnership for Democracy initiative.
He also prioritised economic diplomacy, positioning Nigeria as an attractive destination for foreign investment, especially in the energy sector, while facilitating diplomatic interventions that secured the release of detained Nigerians in foreign countries and improved bilateral relations.
The resignation letter was received on behalf of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation by Dr. Abubakar Kana, Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, ahead of the March thirty-first deadline directed by President Tinubu in line with provisions of the Electoral Act.
Tuggar’s resignation was conveyed in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy, Alkasim Abdulkadir.
Tuggar Resigns from Tinubu’s Cabinet, Sets for Bauchi Governorship
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