Families of 8 Apo victims killed in Abuja in 2013 finally get compensation as FG releases N135m

The federal government has finally released N135 million for the compensation of the family members of eight persons killed in an uncompleted building in the Apo/Gudu district of Abuja by men of the nation’s security forces.

Also to benefit from the compensation are 11 persons who sustained injuries when the indicent occurred. It was claimed that the victims were killed and injured by men of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Army in September 2013

The compensation came years after the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) made the recommendations to the federal government on April 7, 2014.

The report said the commission had, through its three-man panel headed by its former chairman, Chidi Odinkalu, on April 7, 2014, made the recommendation following an inquiry into the incident.

According to the recommendation, the commission wanted the families of the eight deceased paid the sum of N10 million each while the 11 injured victims would get N5 million each.

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami (SAN), reportedly presided over a brief ceremony to officially present the cheque to the representatives of the victims at his office in Abuja.

The report noted that the victims were aged between 18 and 25 years at the time of the incident on September 20, 2013, and were said to be members of the Tricycle and Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association in Abuja, who squatted in the uncompleted building.

They were attacked by the security agents who were on a mission for the search of Boko Haram members.

“I am glad to inform you that the National Human Rights Commission has received the payment from the Department of State Services and the process of payment of the money to the beneficiaries starts today,” Malami said after the presentation just as he described it as the “the first of its kind in Nigeria, coming from President Muhammadu Buhari, which is confirming his commitment to the rule of law, upholding justice and respect to human rights.

"This gesture also confirms his (the president’s) enduring legacy of ensuring that justice is seen to be done by every Nigerian," he said.

Recalling that the victims were shot in a raid by the security agencies following an alleged intelligence report of a possible attack on Abuja by Boko Haram, Malami added: “On September 18, 2013, the Department of State Services allegedly received intelligence report that there was to be an attack on unspecified targets in Abuja.

“Acting on the intelligence report, the Department of State Services arrested three persons, who, under interrogation, disclosed that they had a leader in Abuja, called Suleiman (R. Kelly) who is the arrowhead of a planned terror attack by Boko Haram.

“The three suspects claimed they could lead the Department of State Services to the named Suleiman.

“One of the suspects also confessed that they had weapons buried in the cemetery in Gudu, Apo, Abuja, FCT.

“On September 20, 2013, a joint security operation conducted by the DSS with the assistance of the Nigerian Army shortly after midnight along with two informants, went to the cemetery in Gudu but were unable to recover any weapon.

“The informants led the security agents to an uncompleted residential building where they claimed Suleiman (R.Kelly) resided.

“Seven men died during the operation from gunshot-related wounds, another died in the hospital for wounds sustained during the operation, and 11 other men were hospitalised from injuries sustained in the encounter. All the victims were aged between 18 and 25 years.”

 Nigerian Army, the Directorate of State Security and the attorney general were indicted by the Nigerian Human Rights (NHRC) Commission in Abuja for the killing of the eight civilians.

Ooni on 10-days historical visit to Brazil

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja II, will embark on a 10-day historical visit to Brazil in June, to strengthen the cultural ties between both countries.

The visit would strengthen the cultural affinities between the blacks in Brazil and Yorubas in Nigeria with a view to using cultural heritage to harness an economic partnership that will benefit the two countries.

Moses Olafare, the director, media and public affairs of Ooni’s palace, made this known in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday, April 26, in Ile-Ife.

Olafare said the trip would also strategically enable the African foremost monarch to showcase tourism potential of Nigeria to attract Brazilians to the country under the diaspora programme.

“The visit will open an heritage house as an export point for Nigerian businesses under the Nigerian Diaspora Exchange of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC).

“As the spiritual head of Yoruba race globally, Ooni Ogunwusi is saddled with the responsibility of uniting African descendants of Yoruba extract throughout the world estimated to be more than 500 million in over 80 countries.

“Ooni Ogunwusi recently honoured the outgoing Brazilian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mrs Maria Auxiliadora Figueiredo with Oodua Descendant Award of Excellence in recognition of her efforts in promoting cultural exchange between Nigeria and Brazil.

“Fuggueiredo attaches utmost importance to the South American country recalling that over 13 million people, most of whom were Yoruba were taken from Africa to Brazil via Bahia, many centuries ago.

“The population has greatly increased as we today have about 80 million Brazilians claiming their ancestral root back to Ile-Ife in Yorubaland and still keeping our heritage intact till date in their country.

“This also informed Ooni’s choice of States of Bahia, Rio De Janeiro and Minas where the Yoruba cultures are being proudly showcased to be the historical visit destinations.”

Olafare said that Ooni Ogunwusi would be in Salvador de Bahia to declare the City of Bahia as the spiritual Capital of all Yorubas in the Americas.

“He will be in Rio de Janeiro to present a message on religious tolerance and peace at the State Parliament and also meet with the business community.

“The monarch will deliver lectures at some Universities alongside Professors Wole Soyinka, Wande Abimbola, Sophie Oluwole etc.”

He said that traditional ruler’s visit would mark a new beginning with giant strides capable of strengthening the age long diplomatic ties between Nigeria and Brazil.

“This will allow cultural, economic and spiritual exchanges that will yield revenues for our people" (NAN).

Speaker of Oyo state House of Assembly, Michael Adeyemo is dead

Honourable Michael Adeyemo, speaker of the Opt House of Assembly, is dead.

Tribune Online reports that some members of the House of Assembly confirmed this on Friday, April 27.

TVC news also reports that Adeyemo died of heart attack.

Adeyemo, in his lifetime represented Ibarapa east local government area. He emerged speaker of Oyo assembly in 2015.

"Let partisanship give way to patriotism,” Adeyemo had said in his acceptance speech.

“We must be prepared to sacrifice in the face of financial and economic crises as have been witnessed,” he added.

He was born at Adeyemo Family of Alaarun compound, Lanlate, Ibarapa east local government area of Oyo state and he is the first child of the family.

Adeyemo attended IMG, Oke Ado, Ibadan for his primary school education and Celestial Church High School, Oke Ado, Ibadan for his secondary school education.

He bagged two University first degrees at University of Port Harcourt major in Education Management with second class upper and the prestigious University of Ibadan (UI) major in Law in 2004 and worked with Olujinmi and Akeredolu law firm as a lawyer.

Adeyemo who joined politics in 2007 was the deputy chief whip of the House and a member of committees of fund allocation, works and transport, Agriculture, trade and investment, appropriation and public finance in the the 7th Assembly.

Until his death, he was member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and International Bar Association (IBA), he served in the executive committee as an auditor and Assistant Secretary of NBA, Ibadan branch.

Liverpool fan stabbed before Champions League kickoff against Roma

Liverpool fan has been reported stabbed few minutes before their Champions League semi final clash against AS Roma at Anfield Stadium on Tuesday, April 24.

According to police report, the incident occurred near The Albert pub a little before kick-off, but he is currently being attended to by paramedics.

Meanwhile, Police officers and an ambulance have already arrived at the scene of the even but are yet to disclose any information about the development. Police and ambulance in attendance at the Albert pub next to Anfield.

Daily Star reporter Jeremy Cross tweeted: He said: "Hearing reports of a serious incident behind the Kop end following clashes between rival fans.

"Paramedics treating the stabbed victim. Incident occurred close to the Albert. Believed to be a Liverpool fan."

In a different incident, a group of Roma thugs were reported to have beaten Liverpool supporters outside of the stadium.

According to Sunday Times football correspondent Jonathan Northcroft claims one elderly Liverpool supporter was set upon and left needing treatment on the floor.

Police authorities cordoning the crime scene where a Liverpool fan was stabbed; pix by Getty Images

Footage has emerged online showing home fans chasing a bunch of balaclava-wearing Roma supporters down the street.

Police arrived at the scene afterwards but were criticised for being too slow.

Dino Melaye escaped and rearrested - Police

The Nigerian police have have explained how embattled senator, Dino Melaye, escaped from police custody and how he was rearrested immediately.

In a press statement made available Force public relations officer, ACP Jimoh Moshood said the senator representing Kogi west escaped from a lawful custody when hoodlums and miscreants in two Toyota Hilux vehicles blocked the police vehicle conveying him around Area 1 Round About, Abuja.

He said the senator jumped out of the vehicle in the process and was traced to an Abuja hospital where he was rearrested.

"At about 1200Hrs of today Sen. Dino Melaye while in lawful custody of the Nigeria Police Force and being taken for arraignment in Federal High Court, Lokoja from Abuja, escaped from lawful custody when hoodlums and miscreants in two Toyota Hilux vehicles blocked the police vehicle conveying Senator Dino Melaye around Area 1 Round About, Abuja and in the process the senator jumped out of the police vehicle through the window and was rescued from the police men by hoodlums and miscreants to an unknown destination.

"The police team re-enforced and trailed Senator Dino Melaye to Zankli Hospital, Abuja where he was re-arrested. The senator would be arraigned in court without further delay.

"Meanwhile, one of the Toyota Hilux vehicles used by the hoodlums and miscreants in aiding the escape of the senator has been recovered by the police investigation team.

"The inspector general of police has therefore directed a thorough investigation into the circumstances leading to the rescue and escape of Senator Dino Melaye from lawful custody," the statement read.

Earlier report has it that the Kogi state police command on Tuesday, April 24, failed to parade Dino Melaye, the embattled Senator representing Kogi west over allegation of supplying arms to criminals.

Mr Aremu, the deputy force public relations officer, force headquarters, Abuja, told journalists in Lokoja that the senator was in police custody in Abuja.