Metro
Petitioner Slaps Lawyer In The Presence Of Police Officers, Goes Scotfree Despite Complaints

A Nigerian slogan says the Police is your friend and Nigerians wonder if that is true when what they do most times is to embarrass, intimidate and oppress the citizens.
Earlier in the year ,a lawyer who is also an activist was unlawfully detained. Kudos to the new CP who saw to it that justice was served to the DPO involved.
There was a protest march by the Nigerian Bar Association over the issue of police brutality towards lawyers .
It is unfortunate that the police do not have a good relationship with the profession that is supposed to be their closest friend in the case of friendship as they say.
Just yesterday March 4th, 2024, Barrister Olumide Sonupe went to the police station at Ajah to represent his client and upon getting there he met with the petitioner, upon hearing what happened, he saw that it was a civil matter and explained to the police officer that the case was a purely civil matter, the petitioner ordered an inverter from Barr Sonupe’s client with solar panel and batteries which was worth 11.5 million Naira and everything had been delivered fixed He had instructed the petitioner not to let anybody else touch the equipments if there was an issue with the solar system.
The petitioner should call the company directly since the solar system had warranty on it. But the petitioner acted otherwise and as requested by the police since the petitioner reported the case at the police station , Barr Sonupe’s client called the supplying company and they agreed that all the equipment be brought for examination .
Barrister Sonupe further revealed to us in a voice note that he tried to explain to the police officer who incidentally was the DCO at the police station (Officer Femi ) that he should understand that the issue of chain of custody is a problem apart from the fact that the matter is a purely civil matter and the police had no jurisdiction.
Barr Sonupe explained that his client was ready to indulge the petitioner since the supplying company said they should bring everything, examine and fix whatever needs to be fixed but the chain of custody had changed and a new engineer had tampered with the system so the petitioner’s engineer should take it to the supplier and his client will meet them at the supplier’s office to examine it and decided if they are going to refund or repair to make it durable for the petitioner.
According to Barr Sonupe who said that he is seriously disappointed in the Nigeria Police force and the system, the DCO insulted his person by telling him not to speak and that he doesn’t recognize the lawyer’s presence.
The petitioner and his friends started calling the lawyer all manner of names and right inside the police station and in front of the DCO ,Barr Sonupe was slapped and Barr Sonupe expected a reprimand and none came from the DCO, he complained and according to him the DCO just shrugged.
He decided to take his client to the DPOs office and his client was also assaulted by the petitioner stating that he stole 11.5 million Naira he wanted to run away, to the surprise of Barr Sonupe and his client ,the police officers refused to reprimand the petitioner again, with my money and according to the lawyer, the DCO just shrugged again saying that Barr Sonupe wanted to abscond with his client whom they kept describing as a suspect.
The officers then threatened to arrest Barr Sonupe but the DCO stopped the arrest as Barr Sonupe reminded them that he was a lawyer and they wouldn’t dare arrest a lawyer.
Barrister Sonupe decided to go to the gate where their phones had been dropped before going into the police station but to his surprise the DCO followed him and collected all their phones which were wrapped with a tape and they were given a tag number 100 .
They entered the station at around 11am and left around 6pm, every plea to get their phones back fell on deaf ears, the phone remained in the police custody.
Metro
Armed herdsmen kill Benue traditional ruler

The District Head of Odugbeho in Agatu Local Government Area, LGA, of Benue state, Chief Anthony Adejoh has been murdered by suspected armed herdsmen.
Reports have it that the royal father and one Jerry John were gruesomely murdered Wednesday afternoon by the marauders at Otobi-Akpa in Otukpo LGA.
The duo were said to be working in their farms in Otobi when the marauders stormed the area and opened fire on them.
They were later discovered dead when the people who heard the sound of gunshots dashed to the scene and found them dead.
Confirming the development, the Chairman of Agatu LGA, Mr. Marvis Ejeh, said Chief Adejo was gruesomely killed on his farm at Akpa-Otobi by armed herders who invaded the area at about 10 am.
He described late royal father as a peace builder, an astute community builder and a community leader who would be greatly missed by all.
The Chairman said, “I can confirm to you that the district head of Odugbeho, Chief Tony Adej,o has been killed. He was killed by some armed herdsmen while working on his farm at Otobi in Otukpo LGA of the State.
“Despite hearing this ugly news, Odugbeho community is calm, our people are calm because we will not take law into our hands.
“Nobody is taking the law into their hands, there is no need for a reprisal attack because the incident did not happen at home. Agatu is calm and peaceful.”
The Agatu Chairman, who enjoined the people to be security conscious wherever they find themselves said “Agatu people residing and farming in other LGAs should be careful and watchful.
“They should liaise with the local authority and know the areas that are safe to work for now, since the government is trying to curb the issue of insecurity in the entire Benue South District or Zone c.”
Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent, CSP, Chatherine Anene said she had yet received reports of the incident.
Metro
Lagos govt to prosecute 74 for environmental violations

The Lagos State Government has announced plans to prosecute 74 individuals apprehended for violating environmental regulations within the state.
According to the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, the suspects were arrested during a coordinated enforcement operation by the state’s Taskforce in the early hours of Tuesday around 1 a.m., targeting key locations across the Lekki axis of Lagos Island.
The enforcement sweep covered areas including the Falomo Bridge, Eko Hotel Roundabout, Oniru Beach, Lekki Phases 1 and 2, and the 1004 Estate. A total of 72 men and two women were taken into custody.
Wahab explained that the operation aimed to restore order and sanitation in the affected areas.
He added that the suspects will face prosecution in accordance with state laws and urged residents to remain law-abiding and committed to maintaining a clean, orderly environment for all.
Metro
Police arraign 30 for alleged murder, cultism in Edo

The police in Benin City, Edo State, on Tuesday arraigned 30 persons before a Benin High Court for alleged murder and cultism.
The 30 persons are standing trial on a seven-count charge bordering on conspiracy, murder, cultism, armed attack, and belonging to unlawful society.
The defendants were arraigned in three batches with the same seven-count charges.
The defendants arraigned in the first batch are Paul Elekun 25, Muetinyan Osagbovo 25, Opkala Bernice 22, Nnajiofor Francis 23, Imuetinyan Osanogara 21, Christian Augustine 22, Aniyea Choice 33, Saturday Umukoro 20.
The second batch are Gmogbo Ufoha 22, Emoh Emmanuel 29, Olavwola Gchinamen 32, Eriator Osaihon 44, Isaac Michael 32, Festus Arihian 37, Tedius Jude 25., Emmanuel Okhie 29, Daniel Oyakhilome 29, John Umoren 28.
The third batch are Ogoigbe Richard 33, Omokwua Cliton 32, Solomo Peisi (No specific age), Ezebuke Bright 29, Okoloagu Chicks 45, Ajuja Frank 25, Onemu Oghenekome Michael 19,
Jerry Lazarus 27, Patrick Arneka Joshua 22, Daniel James 28, Moses Peter 37, and Ewalefoh Prosper Osamudiahen 20.
The Prosecutor, Polycarp Odion told the court that the defendants and others, allegedly on May 1, did conspire to commit a felony.
Mr Odion alleged that on the same day within Benin City, without lawful authority, the defendants allegedly carried out armed attacks against a section of residents of the Benin metropolis.
The defendants were also alleged to have conspired among themselves to commit murder.
According to the prosecutor, the defendants and others at large, at different dates within Benin City did conspire and belong to an unlawful society.
He said the offences contravened Sections 412 (2), 64, and 247 of the Criminal Law of Edo State Law, 2022.
The prosecutor urged the court to remand the defendants in the Correctional Centre for an initial 14 days, pending the advice of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).
Counsels to the defendants prayed the court to grant them bail as they were presumed innocent until proven otherwise.
According to the counsels, the defendants were picked in indifferent areas in the metropolis, which includes Ugbowo axis, Sapele road axis and Garrick Memorial College axis.
They said some were picked while they were eating, some inside the bus on their way home from work, some were arrested while driving and their vehicles impounded.
They said that the judge has the right to grant the defendants bail, urging the judge to exercise the same to grant the defendants’ bail.
They added that they all have reasonable surety to stand for their bail and ensure their presence in court on an adjournment date.
Among the defence counsels for the defendants who spoke were a former Chief Magistrate, Peter Asemota (retd), Ede Asenoguan, a former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Benin City Branch, Paul Badaki, J.E. Igunma, A.D.Ajeka, O.J.Odi, E.B.KiKa, among others.
The presiding judge, Justice Williams Azeigbemhin, however granted the defendants bail in the sum of N1 million each with one surety in like sum.
Mr Azeigbemhin said both the defendants and surety must produce their NIN card, valid ID cards, and three passport photographs each.
He said that the surety must be a senior staff member of a recognised establishment.
He added that the surety must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and all information must be verified by the court registrar.
He then adjourned the case until May 19.
(NAN)
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