May 21, 2022

[GIST] BREAKING: Nigerian High Court Jails Ex-President Jonathan's Godson, George Turnah, Four Years

[GIST] BREAKING: Nigerian High Court Jails Ex-President Jonathan's Godson, George Turnah, Four Years

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Justice A.T. Mohammed of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Friday, convicted and sentenced a godson of former President Goodluck Jonathan, George Turnah, to four years imprisonment.

Turnah is also a former Special Assistant to Mr. Dan Abia, erstwhile Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.

George Turnah

Turnah, who was prosecuted by the Port Harcourt’s Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, between 2017 and 2022, for obtaining money by false pretences, money laundering and abuse of office, was jailed for failure to make full disclosure of his assets in his disclosure to the EFCC. 

He was arraigned, together with his wife, Jennifer Tinipre Turnah, on four-count amended charges, a statement by Wilson Uwajaren, EFCC's spokesperson said on Friday.

One of the count charges reads: “That you George Turnah Alabh on or about 15th March, 2017 at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, South/South Zonal Office, No, 6A Olumeni Street, Old GRA Off Forces Avenue, Port Harcourt within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court knowingly failed to make full disclosure of your assets to wit: your interest in one of the Director and majority shareholder of Ashford Consult and Events Nig. Ltd in the Asset Declaration Form you filled at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission  and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 27 (1) & (3)(a) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Establishment Act 2004 and punishable under Section 27 (3)(c) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Establishment Act 2004."

Count three reads, “That you George Turnah Alabh on or about 15th March, 2017 at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, South/South Zonal Office, No, 6A Olumeni Street, Old GRA Off Forces Avenue, Port Harcourt within the Jurisdiction off this Honorable Court failed to furnish information of your interest as one of the Directors and major shareholder of Ashford Consult and Events Nig. Ltd in the Asset Declaration Form you filled at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission  and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 27 (1) & (3)(a) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Establishment Act 2004 and punishable under Section 27 (3)(c) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Establishment Act 2004.”

Justice Mohammed found him guilty on counts 1 & 3  bordering on non-disclosure of assets, but discharged Jennifer on counts 2 and 4 on the grounds that the amended charge was not served on her properly in line with the law.

Turnah Alabh was sentenced to two years each on counts 1 & 3 for failure to make full disclosure of assets contrary to section 27 (1) & (3)(a) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Establishment Act 2004 and punishable under Section 273)(c) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Establishment Act 2004.

Turnah Alabh and his wife, Jennifer were first arraigned on   May 16,  2018, and re-arraigned on June 18,  2019, by the EFCC on four count charges bordering on failure to make full disclosure of assets and they pleaded “not guilty”.

In the course of the trial, prosecution counsel, I. Agwu called several witnesses and presented several documents in court.

In his judgment, Justice Mohammed said that the prosecution established that the convict did not fully disclose his assets in the Asset Declaration form he filled out at the EFCC. Against his declaration,  the court found out that he was one of the Directors and majority shareholder of Ashford Consult and Events Nig. Ltd.

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[GIST] Armed Herdsmen Invade Benue Community, Kill Five Residents

[GIST] Armed Herdsmen Invade Benue Community, Kill Five Residents

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At least five people were confirmed dead when Fulani herdsmen attacked a community in the Guma Local Government Area of Benue State on Friday.
According to Punch, the incident occurred around 1pm.
“The Fulani herders invaded Tse Alashi, Kaambe community in Guma local government around 1:00 pm today (Friday).

File photo used to illustrate story. Guardian Nigeria
“They killed four people who were on their farm and also moved to a place where some people were moulding burnt bricks and killed two people,” a source said.
The Chairman of the Guma local government, Caleb Aba, also confirmed the incident when he was contacted.
He revealed that the suspected herders stormed the community in the afternoon and killed three people who were on their farm.
“The incident happened around 1pm this afternoon. Some Fulani herders invaded a community called Tse Alashi and killed three people who were working on their farms. They also moved to a place where people were laying burnt bricks and killed two people,” he said.
The chairman said he had informed police about the invasion and added that there were no injured ones.
The Security Adviser to the State Governor, Lt. Col. Paul Hemba (retd.) also confirmed the killing, saying some people were killed.
“It was an unprovoked attack, the people were on their farm working when the herders surrounded them and killed them,” the security adviser said in a telephone interview.
Meanwhile, the State Police Command spokesperson, SP Catherine Anene, confirmed the attack but said she had yet to receive a report of the killing.
“We have information on the attack but I have not heard of any killing until the team drafted to the place arrives,” Anene said.

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[GIST] Falana Sues Amaechi, Malami, Nigerian Railway Corporation Over Attack On Kaduna-Abuja Train, Seeks Order To Stop Resumption Of Services Along Route

[GIST] Falana Sues Amaechi, Malami, Nigerian Railway Corporation Over Attack On Kaduna-Abuja Train, Seeks Order To Stop Resumption Of Services Along Route

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Human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), has instituted a suit against the Minister of Transportation over an attack on a train heading for Kaduna from the nation’s capital city, Abuja.

 

SaharaReporters had reported that on March 28, 2022, terrorists planted explosives devices along the rail track and when the Abuja-Kaduna bound K9 train approached the point, the device exploded, causing the train to derail.

At least, eight persons were killed in the attack while many others were kidnapped.

 

Aside from the transportation minister, other respondents include the Attorney-General Of the Federation (second) and Nigerian Railway Corporation (third).

 

In the suit, Falana told the Federal High Court in Abuja the Respondents are bound to secure the railway lines linking Kaduna state to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja (and indeed all other railways lines in Nigeria) against armed attacks by Boko Haram terrorists, kidnappers and other dangerous armed groups before the resumption of services but failed.

The suit is also asking the court to stop the Respondents from “recommencing railways services on the Kaduna- Abuja route until adequate security and requisite gadgets are provided to ensure the safety and protection of lives and properties on the route”.

Muhammadu Buhari’s government has directed that train services along the route should resume on Monday, May 23.

Train services had been suspended on the route after terrorists attacked a train, fatally shot several persons, and abducted scores of passengers in March.

Most of those abducted are still in captivity.

The suit is also seeking an order mandating that the Respondents’ officials whose criminal negligence caused the bomb attack should be investigated and prosecuted.

The reliefs sought by the lawyer include, “A DECLARATION that every person living in Nigeria is entitled to the protection of their fundamental right to life guaranteed by Section 33 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 and Article 4 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act (Cap A9) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

 

“A DECLARATION that every person living in Nigeria is entitled to the protection of their property by virtue of Sections 15 and 43 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended and Article 14 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act (Cap A9) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

 

“A DECLARATION that the Respondents are bound to secure the railway lines linking Kaduna state to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja (and indeed all other railways lines in Nigeria) against armed attacks by Boko Haram Terrorists, kidnappers and other dangerous armed groups before the recommencement of railway transportation services.

 

“A DECLARATION that the brutal killing of unarmed passengers in the Abuja – Kaduna bound train by armed gangs/Boko Haram terrorists on the 28th day of March, 2022 is illegal and unconstitutional as it violates the fundamental right of the deceased to life guaranteed by Section 14 (2) (b), 15 (3) (b), 33 and 43 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

 

“AN ORDER mandating the Respondents to protect the lives and properties of every passenger plying the Kaduna- Abuja Railway lines (and indeed all other railway lines in Nigeria) by recruiting adequate security personnel and security gadgets to guard and protect every of such passengers utilizing the public railway transportation system in Nigeria.

 

“AN ORDER mandating that the Respondents’ officials whose criminal negligence caused the bomb attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train on March, 28, 2022 should be investigated and prosecuted.

 

“AN ORDER mandating the Respondents to forthwith secure the release of all the persons kidnapped in the Abuja to Kaduna bound train who were kidnapped by suspected Boko Haram terrorists/kidnappers on the 28th day of March, 2022 and to give weekly reports on the progress of rescue.

 

“AN ORDER mandating the Respondents to investigate and prosecute the perpetrators of the chilling attack on the Abuja- Kaduna bound train on March 28, 2022.

 

“AN ORDER PROHIBITING the Respondents from recommencing railways services on the Kaduna- Abuja route until adequate security and requisite gadgets are provided to ensure the safety and protection of lives and properties on the route.

 

“And any other order (s) this Honourable Court may deem fit to make. By virtue of Sections 33 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 4 of the African Charter, every person living in Nigeria is entitled to their right to life.

 

“By virtue of Section 14 of the Constitution, the Defendants are under a duty to defend and protect the life and property of every person living in Nigeria.

 

“The failure of the Respondents to prevent the reckless and incessant killing of Nigerians by armed gangs/herdsmen is a flagrant violation of Sections 33 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 4 of the African Charter which guarantees their right to life.

 

“The failure of the Respondents to prevent the wanton destruction of lives and properties of Nigerians and foreigners plying the Abuja Kaduna train is a flagrant violation of Section 43 and 44 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 14 of the African Charter which guarantees their right to life and security of the person.”

Also, a letter signed by Mrs Funmi Falana of the Falana & Falana Chambers, dated May 20, and sent to the Minister of Transportation notified him of the “pending suit and demand to suspend the proposed reopening of the Abuja-Kaduna train services pending the hearing and determination of the said suit in line with the doctrine of lis pendens”.

“TAKE NOTICE that the issue as to the recommencement or otherwise of the Kaduna to Abuja train services is now subjudice, in the same vein, the courts in Nigeria have always condemned any interference with the judicial process and have repeatedly frowned on any action of the parties that is capable of affecting the subject matter of pending suits,” the letter said in part. 

 

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[GIST] How Police Authorities Harassed Me As Licensed Gun Owner For Defending Myself Against Killer Herdsmen — US-based Doctor And Farmer, Dr. Mabayoje Explains Why He Sued Oyo CP, SARS Commander

[GIST] How Police Authorities Harassed Me As Licensed Gun Owner For Defending Myself Against Killer Herdsmen — US-based Doctor And Farmer, Dr. Mabayoje Explains Why He Sued Oyo CP, SARS Commander

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A farmer in Oyo State, Dr John Mabayoje, has explained why he sued the state Commissioner of Police, Ngozi Onadeko; the defunct SARS Commander in the state and one officer identified as Inspector Julius.

SaharaReporters had last week reported that Mabayoje dragged the trio before the Oyo State High Court over an alleged invasion of his property and threatening of his workers.


Mabayoje, a large-scale commercial farmer, had stated that the legal action followed constant police harassment he suffered over his resistance to Fulani herdsmen who invaded his farm worth N2billion. 
The case was heard on Thursday and had since been adjourned to Tuesday, June 7.
Giving further details in a statement issued on Friday, the farmer said he had restrained the police from gaining access to his estate since October 2021 when armed Fulani terrorists invaded the Abolongo prison in Oyo town, which is a few kilometres from his estate.
Mabayoje explained that the escapees had invaded the estate looking for clothes, shoes and other items to steal to aid their escape. 
He said he immediately instructed his security staff, who included firearm licensed hunters to engage the intruders, particularly with the overwhelming firepower and explosives of the Fulani terrorists.
He stated, “On Thursday morning, I was in the High Court in Oyo town. I have restrained the police, especially the SARS from coming to my estate. The reason for my court action started from their coming to my estate on the night of the jailbreak by 30 Fulani terrorists armed to the teeth. 
“They invaded the Abolongo Jail which is just about 750 yards from my Southernmost boundary; they made their way into the federal low-cost housing estate which borders my compound looking for clothes, shoes, motorcycles, cars and money to discard their prison clothes as well as aid their escape. I instructed my security men who include firearms licensed hunters to engage them.
”With the overwhelming firepower and explosives the Fulani terrorists had, I had no choice but to protect my family, investment and staff. The hunters did what they had to do and saved the estate and the eastern end of the federal low-cost housing estate from invasion. The Western end of the low-cost housing was not so lucky. 
“We survived that harrowing experience by a whisker because for 30 minutes it was very unpredictable how this all would end. That Friday was a day that will go down in infamy in the Eastern Oyo town area.
”The Public Safety and Military lost at least seven men. After that, public safety started coming around our estate along the A1. They now came to report to the General Manager that the night security men smoked Indian Hemp in the front area of my compound near the entrance.” 
Mabayoje said in January 2022, while he was away in the United States, security operatives visited the estate and informed the General Manager that there was a petition against him.
The GM, a woman, had insisted on seeing the petition so she could brief her superior but was not permitted. The officers further claimed that they saw three SUVs in front of Mabayoje's house, and “passed comments that Dr has this big place and hasn’t breathed on them.” 
He noted that the officers returned on May 5, 2022, with a search warrant, which had not included the name of who it was addressed to and the address to be searched, no name of any magistrate or judge on it and had no date whatsoever.
He said the GM noted these discrepancies but immediately, three of them cocked their rifles and made for the main residential area 120 yards away “where they assumed I would be.” 
”They stopped at the edge of a 40-yard walkway leading up to the main pedestrian gate demarcating the private quarters. A call went out to their Supervisor and after the GM spoke to him, he told them to withdraw. I was in another part of my farming estate during this drama. I was oblivious to what happened. 
”When I returned to the security/main gateway area, I was briefed and like a responsible citizen asked my GM to call the “SARS Commander” as he referred to himself.
”On my instructions, he was told to expect me the next day. The next day after my lawyer sent two experienced legal hands, we all went to the Police Headquarters at the Old Oyo Division at Durbar. 
“The SARS commander started the conversation around a petition against me in January, three months after they started surveillance on my property after the Abolongo attack where seven security agencies personnel lost their precious lives to the terrorists.
”The first thing he did was mention that there was a petition against me and that the Commissioner of Police in Ibadan Hq had directed him to investigate the petition. When I asked for a copy of the petition now that my lawyer was with me, he lied to us that the petition was in the office of his Administrative Officer who was in Ibadan. 
“It left us no doubt about his mission for extortion. With this picture he painted, if you add the fact that he insinuated to me that he would decide which of my firearms I would keep and which I could lose, depending on his discretionary powers even if licensed.”  
Mabayoje added, “As he clearly showed, my ownership of licensed firearms bothered him more than our safety. His unprofessional utterances showed that he is disgruntled with his Superior officers for starving him of funds and he insinuated that he needed financial contribution to make up for that ’Financial Shortfall’. 
“It is time to let the lawyers take my prayer to the Court of law to see that my fundamental rights as a law-abiding licensed gun-owning citizen farmer are upheld. Returnees from overseas who have gone into commercial rural agriculture have been the preferred target of murderous terrorists, rapists, bandits and armed robbers. 
“It is only logical for me to seek that my right to bear firearms responsibly be respected while I search for recouping my investment and preparing to leave Nigeria. That is my prayer before the legal system.” 

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[GIST] Nigerian Police Parade Six Members Of Mob Which Allegedly Killed Lagos Sound Engineer

[GIST] Nigerian Police Parade Six Members Of Mob Which Allegedly Killed Lagos Sound Engineer

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The Lagos State command of the Nigeria Police Force, on Friday, paraded six persons alleged to be among the mob which lynched and burnt a sound engineer, David Imoh.
David was lynched and burnt, allegedly by some people due to a misunderstanding with a commercial motorcyclist, popularly called Okada rider, over N100.

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