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NBA Demands N5bn For Slain Lawyer’s Family, To Monitor Trial
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has said it will demand at least N5billion compensation for the family of slain Lagos lawyer Mrs. Omobolanle Raheem.
It will also monitor the trial of Assistant Superintendent, Drambi Vandi, who shot and killed Raheem in Lagos on Christmas Day.
NBA Lagos Branch member and rights activist, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN), in a statement, yesterday, said he was appointed to lead the monitoring team.
Raheem, an expectant mother, was in her car in the Ajah area of Lagos on her way back from church with her family when she was shot.
Adegboruwa said: “The NBA Lagos in conjunction with the NBA President, Mr. Y.C. Mikyau, SAN, has decided to be part of the prosecution of the policeman as part of its efforts towards securing quick and effective justice for the family of the deceased.
“In this regard, the NBA will be partnering with the Ministry of Justice during the trial.
“Mr. Adegboruwa has in turn obtained relevant briefing from the Hon. Attorney-General of Lagos State and has secured the assurances of an accelerated prosecution once the case file is received from the police.
“The NBA is also seeking monetary compensation for the family of Mrs. Raheem from the government of Lagos State, the Federal Government, and indeed the Nigeria Police Force and the Police Service Commission, through its Human Rights Committee.
“The NBA will seek for payment of damages not less than N5billion in addition to the prosecution of the killer cop.”
Adegboruwa urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to follow the model that he adopted during the #EndSARS Judicial Panel to “pay compensation to the family of Mrs. Raheem immediately since it is an established fact that her life was terminated illegally by a policeman.”
The SAN called for the immediate implementation of the #EndSARS Judicial Panel Report in which far-reaching recommendations were made in relation to:
“1. Psychological orientation for all police officers in the handling and use of weapons;
“2. Training for police officers on basic human rights observance and enforcement;
“3. Improving the welfare of all police officers in terms of their take-home pay, conditions of service, their places of work, and residences in order to make them more conducive;
“4. Recruitment of more police officers to reduce the pressure upon the existing officers whose number is not adequate to effectively police the country.”
Adegboruwa believes it was unacceptable that the issues that led to the 5 for 5 demands of the youths and the #EndSARS protests in 2020 had not been addressed despite repeated promises from the government.
He urged the government and the relevant authorities to “go beyond mere press statements of lamentations on the gruesome murder of Mrs. Raheem and to accelerate the prosecution of the killer and payment of compensation to the family of the deceased and all other victims of police brutality”.
However, the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba has assured that there will be no cover-ups in the investigation and trial of the killer of Lagos lawyer, Mrs. Bolanle Raheem.
He spoke when Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu visited him, yesterday.
Raheem was shot by an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Drambi Vandi at Ajiwe in Ajah on Christmas Day.
She was in the company of her family on their way from church.
The governor promised to ensure an open investigation and prosecution of the culprits.
Sanwo-Olu, who said the outcome of investigations was very important to the government and people of Lagos, stressed that the process leading to justice for the victim must be transparent.
He spoke, yesterday morning when he visited the IG at the Police headquarters in Abuja.
The governor said: “We have come here to extend season greetings to the Inspector-General of Police and also brief him on the security situation in Lagos State, especially the very recent unfortunate death of Mrs. Bolanle Raheem in the hands of a policeman.
“We really need to get a sense of security architecture in the state and ensure that incidents like this are reduced to the barest minimum.
“We also need better collaboration because we did not have any other police force.
“It is also important for us to come here and get a sense of how soon the offending officer can be charged to court.
“And we have gotten a positive response and engagement from the IG himself.
“We are hopeful that this meeting will be very useful. There are a lot of things we are taking back home.
“We called the Commissioner of Police and he briefed us as to what they are doing in Lagos.
“Essentially, it is to continue to work with the Police, what we can do around providing some additional equipment, and ensuring we can jointly have advocacy programmes that can enhance and improve public and police communication…”
Usman assured Sanwo-Olu there will be no cover-up in the murder case.
He said: “Governor Sanwo-Olu is here to find out how far we have gone in investigating the incident that happened on Christmas Day.
“I have assured him that this incident will be investigated.
“The state Attorney-General will intervene in the case for him to take over the prosecution from the police.
“I can assure you there will be no hanky-panky.
“We are saddened about the incident and again extend my condolences to the bereaved family, Lagos and Nigeria at large.
“We will continue to improve on our officers’ handling of firearms, and we also appeal to Nigerians to be responsible.”
The Rivers State Chief judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi has granted pardon to six inmates standing awaiting trial at the Port Harcourt maximum correctional center.
The six lucky inmates granted pardon on Tuesday by the state Chief Judge included Nwekeala Chizoba, Samuel Emmanuel, Aniete Kelvin, Ebube Fubara and Goddey Okpara who were on awaiting trial as murder suspects and have all spent between 10 years to seven years in the custody without a proper information filed against them in the court.
Justice Amadi during a special gaol delivery exercise last Tuesday at the Port Harcourt Maximum Correctional Centre opined that the special gaol delivery was part of activities lined up to commomerate the 2024/2025 legal year in the State and restated the commitment of the state judiciary in decongesting the correctional centre and ensuring that those inmates who are not supposed to be there are removed from the custody.
The state chief judge stressed the need for all stakeholders to work together to build a society that supports rehabilitation and gives a second chance to anyone or group of people who have fallen short of the expectation of the law and have been punished accordingly.
He stressed that the National Judicial Council(NJC) encourages judges to pay more attention to criminal matters to enable them to decongests the correctional facilities, noting that since his assumption into office, his administration has been able to reduce the number of inmates in Nigerian Correctional Centres and the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre in particular, to less than 2,000 as against the over 4,000 inmates previously in the faculty.
According to him, “as they release the deserving inmates, they affirm their commitment to justice, compassion and rule of law but that they must not forget the fundamental principles of justice delivery system which is truth and fairness, integrity and equality before the law.”
I encourage you all the released inmates to return to your families and become better citizens. You must not engage in action that will return you all back to prison. Let me say that while the judges show empathy to you all, it does not absolved individuals from being held accountable for actions against individuals, corporate organisations and state which the law frowns at, ”he stated
The Chief Judge thereafter stood down the exercise to enable the DPP to intervene to case files following the fact that majority of the persons listed to benefit from the exercise are facing murder charges and adjourned to a date that will come before December.
Earlier in his goodwill message, the outgoing state Comptroller of Nigerian Correctional Centre, Port Harcourt, Felix Lawrence, who was recently promoted to the rank of Assistant Controller General, commended the state judiciary led by Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi for their continuous effort aimed at ensuring justice and decongesting the facilities.
Other activities lined up for the event included special church service at St Paul’s Cathedral , Anglican Communion, Rebisi Port Harcourt, inspection of guard of honour by the state Chief Judge mounted by officers of the Nigerian police and a special court session held at the ceremonial court hall.
By: AkujobiAmadi
The Director General of Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement (RBoPP), Dr. Ine Briggs, has explained that the Sir Siminalayi Fubara administration plans to enforce transparency in governance through public procurement.
Speaking at a one-day Public Procurement Enlightenment workshop organised in collaboration with the State Local Government Service Commission for newly elected chairmen, vice chairmen, secretaries and leaders of legislative assemblies, Dr. Briggs said it is key for grassroot development.
She stated that the Sir. Fubara administration plans to reduce wastage and at same time infuse efficiency in public expenditure.
The RSoPP DG said the local government political office holders remain key drivers in the new vision hence the workshop is to arm them with knowledge on how to execute projects in tandem with needs of the people.
“ Your role in the prudent management of public resources is, therefore, not just administrative it’s the cornerstone of delivering the dividends of democracy. Every procurement decision you make must reflect a commitment to fairness, transparency and accountability” Dr. Briggs submitted.
One of the key goals of the administration she further reminded the participants was to use their offices to foster economic growth through public procurement.
She warned that the law establishing the agency empowers it to penalise defaulters, but that what is more important is voluntary compliance to the laws.
In addition to that, she said urged the local government council leaders that champion the practice and implementation of public procurement law.
On his part, Acting Chairman of Local Government Service Commission, Pastor GoodLife Ben Iduoku averred that the aim of the workshop is to arm key stakeholders in the local government system to generate new ideas, innovation and strategies in tandem with government policies and programmes.
The workshop dealt on various topics on procurement planning, methods, Understanding Bid Process, including types of Construction Contracts and law.
Some participants were awarded excellence and meritorious awards as part of the programme.
By: Kevin Nengia
The 19th anniversary of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Rivers State Chapter, recently ended in Port Harcourt in grand style, with participants from various schools including proprietors, the academia, civil society groups and top government functionaries charting the way forward for educational improvement.
The 19th NAPPS anniversary christened, ‘Innovation and Adaptation: Transforming Challenges Into Opportunities’ was held at Casoni Hotels, Port Harcourt.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of the association, Dr. Jaja Adafe Sunday expressed gratitude to the members and executives for their untiring efforts towards the achievements of the body.
He sought the intervention of government on the lingering crisis on the economy as it is affecting the running of schools.
He decried high cost of things including fuel and raw materials which has adversely affected the running of schools and payment of teachers.
Dr. Sunday hinted that the current economic situation in the nation is biting hard on the operations of schools, saying inflation, removal of fuel subsidy, fuel scarcity, poor electricity supply, tariffs and lack of government grants are some of the challenges faced by schools, and urged the members to brace up to the challenges, as it is the panacea to building a brighter future.
Guest speakers from the health sector and the academia thrilled the gathering on the essence of basic education which they said is the key to national development.
Former Dean of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Professor Azuru and the Chief Medical Director of Meridian Hospitals, Dr. Odo Iyke were some notable guest speakers who delivered lectures at the occasion.
Some distinguished proprietors also got special recognitions and awards.
The 19th anniversary cake was cut by the Rivers State NAPPS Chairman with representatives of the state government assisting.