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Group Calls For Investigation into Journalist’s Death By Police

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The Socialist Workers and Youths League, SWL has called for in depth investigation into the killing of a Journalist, Mr. Alex Ogbu during a protest by the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, IMN.

The statement titled “We Demand Justice for Alex Ogbu”, signed by the National Secretary, SWL, Lai Brown, and made available to the Informavores! read as follows,

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SWL said, “Again the Nigeria Police Force has acted unprofessionally and took the life of a journalist, and activist, Alex Ameh Ogbu in a coldblooded manner.

“In the miss-guided engagement of the officers of the Nigerian police force with members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria known as Shiites on Tuesday at the Berger roundabout, the life of Alex Ogbu was cut short as trigger happy police shot him on the forehead while another person, a Vehicle Inspection Officer, despite identifying himself, was shot in the leg. adsbygoogle || []).push({});

“The Socialist Workers and Youth League (SWL), condemn this perpetual act of barbarism, senselessness, cruelty, and unprofessionalism of Nigeria Police force that has continued to end the lives of defenceless people.

“While the police have continued to deny killing Alex. Information from eyewitnesses and media reports showed that Alex was hit by the bullet shot by the police. This was further confirmed by the FCT Police PRO in another media report that their men fired shots that led to the death of the deceased.

‘We are quite concerned by the ugly fact that the police again used live ammunition against unarmed protesters. We recall that this is not the first case of police brutality and unprofessionalism in engaging groups of peaceful protesters. In 2019, in similar engagement between the police and the Shiite, a serving corps member who was also a journalist was murdered by state security operatives.

“This is one-death-too-many and Nigerians have now become endangered species in their own country. The death of Alex Ogbu is one that will not be allowed to go the ways of others slain by officers of the Nigerian police force.

“We demand justice for Alex, we demand thorough investigations into the incident that led to his death. Nigerians need to know why the police continue to use live ammunition against unarmed citizens to the point of taking their lives.

“Nobody has the right to take the life of another, not the Nigerian police, not anybody. The right to life is both natural and fundamental and is protected by Nigeria Constitution. It is important to reiterate that section 20 of the Nigerian Constitution as amended mandates the government to protect the lives and properties of every citizen.

“It is, therefore, a gross act of irresponsibility for the police to use live bullets against unarmed citizens who are only expressing their constitutional rights through protest. Security operatives should maintain law and order at all times and not kill innocent citizens.

“We call on the Federal Government to be more responsible in its approach to addressing the agitations and the demands of any group. The government should be more responsive to the citizens regardless of their religious affiliations or political views.

“We, therefore, call on the retired General Buhari led-government to be more responsible in addressing the needs of all citizens especially when it comes to securing their lives and properties.

“We also call on the state apparatus to desist from taking further steps and actions that could lead to the breakdown of law and order or result in the deaths of more citizens within the Federal Capital Territory and the country at large.

“We demand that the killers of Alex Ogbu be brought to book. We demand an end to the use of live ammunition on unarmed citizens. We demand that the police be more responsible in their engagement.

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Abdulrahman Obaje
Abdulrahman Obaje
Prince Abdulrahman Obaje is a Media and ICT Consultant, Journalist, online marketer, social media strategist, Mathematician and Computer Scientist based in Abuja, Nigeria. He is the Founder and the Publisher of The Informavores!. You can reach me on +234 805 939 5252 or send i-witness report directly to me on news@informavores.com.ng.
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Organ Trafficking: Ekweremadu, Wife, Doctor Sentenced To Various Prison Terms

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The duo of Ekweremadu, former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, his wife Beatrice, and Doctor Obinna Obeta has been senenced to various jail terms for bringing a 21-year-old Lagos street trader to London to exploit him for his kidney.

A judge at The Central Criminal Court, [ Old Bailey], announced the sentence friday.

At a sentencing hearing on Friday, Ekweremadu was jailed for nine years and eight months, his wife Beatrice was sentenced to four years and six months imprisonment while Obeta received a 10-year prison term.

The sentencing follows their conviction in March for organ trafficking, The Ekweremadus’sick daughter, Sonia was cleared of any wrongdoing.

1rem;">The three were found guilty after arranging or facilitating a young Nigerian man’s travel into the United Kingdom in a bid to obtain his kidney on behalf of Sonia.
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The jury said Ekweremadu, his wife and their doctor criminally conspired to bring the 21-year-old Lagos street trader to London to exploit him for his kidney.

The conviction is the first under the UK’s Modern Slavery Act 2015.

The sentencing comes after pleas from multiple prominent personalities and institutions, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

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Other petitioners included both chambers of the National Assembly, the Chairman/CEO, Nigeria in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Erewa Dabiri, and the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC).

The charges were preferred on the Ekweremadus on June 23, 2022, when their arrest was announced. Obeta was later arraigned on July 13, 2022. While his wife was granted bail, the senator was refused.

After months of a pre-trial, the trial commenced on January 31, 2023 and lasted about six weeks, culminating in a guilty verdict against Ekweremadu, Beatrice, and Obeta.

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Reps Seek UK Government Clemency for Ekweremadu

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The House of Representatives  has write to the government of the United Kingdom seeking mercy in sentencing the embattled Ike Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice.

This is contained in a resolution reached following a motion moved by Toby Okechukwu, a lawmaker from Enugu State.

A UK court found the duo guilty of conspiracy of organ harvesting of another Nigerian. The Ekweremadu couple will be sentenced in the coming days.

Moving the motion, Okechukwu said diplomatic intervention in this kind of case is normal.

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“It is a common practice in international relations for nations, including the UK, to seek relief for their citizens involved in situations such as that of the Ekweremadus,” he said.

Speaking on the motion, Femi Gbajabiamila, the Speaker of the House, said intervention by the House is not a justification for the charges against the Ekweremadus. He urged the UK government to consider Ekweremadu’s years of public service.

Consequently, the House resolved to urge the UK government and the court to temper justice with mercy in sentencing Ekweremadu, his wife and the doctor.

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Also, they urged the Federal Government of Nigeria to take all diplomatic steps and other necessary interventions regarding the travails of the Ekweremadu family.

Author Profile

Abdulrahman Obaje
Abdulrahman Obaje
Prince Abdulrahman Obaje is a Media and ICT Consultant, Journalist, online marketer, social media strategist, Mathematician and Computer Scientist based in Abuja, Nigeria. He is the Founder and the Publisher of The Informavores!. You can reach me on +234 805 939 5252 or send i-witness report directly to me on news@informavores.com.ng.
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HYPPDEC Donates Food Stuff, Clothing to Locals in Kogi to Tackle Cashless Policy Effect

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By Joseph Amedu, Lokoja

The Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPDEC), on Tuesday, donated 400 bags of rice, 250 gallons of vegetable oil and some packaged women rappers to ten Local Government Areas in Kogi State under the agency to cushion the effect associated with the new cashless policy.

Making the presentation to Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State at the Lugard House, Lokoja on Tuesday, a Board Member of HYPPDEC, Alhaji Isah Ozi Salami, said that the gesture is part of the agency’s intervention in times of natural disaster or any hardship situation on citizens.

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Salami expressed the commitment of HYPPDEC in tackling the prevailing economic hardship on Nigerians as a result of the Cashless Policy.

“We owe it as a duty to take adquate care of the people in the 10 Local Government Areas belonging to HYPPDEC communities in Kogi

“Our concern under the present economic hardship is to alleviate the sufferings of the people within HYPPDEC communities in Kogi” Ozi Salami told Governor Bello.

He commended Governor Yahaya Bello for the provision of logistic supports that have facilitated smooth operation of the agency in Kogi.

He also told the Governor that HYPPDEC will soon begin the construction of 50 housing units in Kogi for resettlement of last year’s flood victims in riverine communities.

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“I appreciate Governor Bello’s magnanimity in providing land for the housing project. The Governor is expected to perform the foundation laying ceremony of the project” Ozi Salami disclosed.

The Chief of Staff to Governor Bello, Jamiu Asuku who received the food stuff on behalf of his boss, hinted that Kogi will key into HYPPDEC’s intervention initiative in the areas of provision of food and security of lives and property for citizens.

Governor Yahaya Bello appealed to HYPPDEC to focus more on Ibaji Local Government Area in its intervention programme as a result of the bad terrain of the area.

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