Uncategorized
Rights groups demand release of soldier who accused officers of sexual harassment
Two Human Rights groups have demanded the immediate release of female soldier Corporal Ruth Ogunleye who is said to have been detained for accusing army officers of sexual harassment.
This was contained in a joint press statement by Olu Omotayo Esq. For Civil Rights Realisation And Advancement Network (CRRAN) and Okechuwu Nwanguma Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Center (RULAAC).
“We hereby demand the urgent and immediate release of Ogunleye, who was reported in the media to have been arrested by the Military Police and flown to Abuja, where she is currently being wrongfully detained without justification.
“Kindly recall that the Army Spokesman, Brig Gen Onyema Nwachukwu had in ignorance of the correct position of the law, stated that the female soldier had not officially exhausted the available institutionalized channels before going on the social media.
“His statement is ottios, misleading and cannot be backed up by any law, practice or procedure in force in Nigeria.”
They called on the Attorney General of the Federation to rightly guide the Nigerian Army authorities by bringing to their attention the current and correct position of relevant applicable laws as enunciated by the court of Appeal and ensure the immediate release of the detained soldier and thereafter investigate the substance of the complaint which is sexual harassment of the person of Corporal Ruth Ogunleye by the said senior officers.
“This matter cannot be swept under the carpet on technical grounds. The hallmark of democracy is the respect for the Rule of Law by all the organs and components of the Federation and we seek to explore all relevant means within the provisions of the law for the release of Corporal Ruth Ogunleye.
“It is pertinent to bring to your notice the clear and unambiguous provisions of Sections 178 and 179 of the Armed Forces Act 1994. The said provisions guide officers and men of the Armed Forces on the procedure for making complaints respectively.
“We hereby state without equivocation that in view of the interpretation of Sections 178 and 179 of the Armed Forces Act 1994 and the combined decision of the Court of Appeal in the case of NWANKWO V. NIGERIA ARMY & ORS (2021) LPELR-56718(CA) at Pp. 22-26 paras. B-B), Corporal Ruth Ogunleye is entitled to lodge a complaint or seek remedy for whatever wrong she has suffered by other means available within the ambit of the Laws in force in Nigeria.
“The Court of Appeal held that the word ‘MAY’ make a complaint with respect to the matter to the Forces Council, used in the provision is not mandatory after the initial report to his commanding officer. The Court of Appeal held as follows:
“Looking at the wordings of Section 178(1) (reproduced once more for clarity):
“(1) If an officer thinks himself wronged in any matter by a superior officer or authority and on application to his commanding officer does not obtain the redress to which he thinks he is entitled, he ‘MAY’ make a complaint with respect to that matter to the Forces Council.”
“The Appeal Court further held that “there is no duty imposed on any public functionary to do any duty. The use of the verb ‘may’ clearly makes the decision to make a complaint to the Forces Council optional under this subsection”.
“Therefore, the female soldier under the law need not exhaust the channels provided under section 179 of the Armed Forces Act. The initial report to the appropriate authority where she is serving suffices. A careful consideration of the above insight reveals the Army Authorities ignorance of the actual position of the law in view of the pronouncement of the Court of Appeal which is not only disheartening but shameful.
“Furthermore, Corporal Ogunleye, has not committed any offence known to the law to warrant her detention unlawfully. The said detention is in contravention of her Fundamental Human Rights as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. See Sections 33, 34, 35, 39, 40 and 42 CFRN 1999 As amended.
“Fundamental Human Rights are sacrosanct and must be respected irrespective of the profession of the citizens. There is no exception to the circumstance of Corporal Ogunleye and the fact that she is a member of the Armed Forces does not preclude her from exercising her rights especially where she has been made to suffer a violation and a wrong. We wish to state at this point that where there is a wrong, there must be remedy and she must not be made to suffer any further for seeking remedy and justice. She is thus entitled to urgent and immediate release from the Military police who have held her hostage under the guise of the Armed Forces.”
No fewer than three septuagenarians and 15 other kidnapped victims have been rescued by Troops of the Three Division Nigerian Army and Operation Safe Haven in Plateau State.
Briefing newsmen about the latest developments in Jos, Operation Safe Haven Information Officer, Major Samson Zhakom, revealed that the rescue operation was carried out between the borders of Taraba and Plateau States while the rescued victims have been reunited with their families after profiling and documentation by relevant agencies.
Zhakom revealed that some of the criminals were apprehended with ammunition and firearms recovered during the counter-terrorism operations.
In a related development, Troops of Sector Five on Golden Peace Operations said they captured five bandits at a criminal hideout in the Tarangol In Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau with several items recovered from the criminals which include fabricated rifles, rounds of 7.62 mm (special), cartridges and daggers.
Similarly, the troops intercepted bandits at Jannaret in Mangu local government area while attempting to cause mayhem in the general area.
He said the released victims have been reunited with their families after profiling and documentation by relevant agencies.
Also, troops of Sector Five on Golden Peace Operations said they captured five bandits at a criminal hideout in the Tarangol In Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau with several items recovered from the criminals which include fabricated rifles, rounds of 7.62 mm (special), cartridges and daggers.
The troops intercepted bandits at Jannaret in Mangu local government area while attempting to cause mayhem in the general area.
The apprehended suspects will be handed over to the appropriate authority for prosecution while investigations are ongoing.
Uncategorized
Alleged N12.3b fraud: EFCC to arraign Chairman of Honeywell Group, Otudeko, ex-First Bank MD, Onasanya
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission will on Monday arraign the Chairman, Honeywell Group, Chief Oba Otudeko, over alleged N12.3bn fraud.
The suit also names a former Managing Director of First Bank, Olabisi Onasanya; an ex-Honeywell board member, Soji Akintayo and Anchorage Leisure Ltd as defendants.
In a suit marked: FHC/L/20C/2025, the anti-graft agency filed 13 charges against the defendants at the Federal High Court in Lagos, bordering on fraud and forgery among others.
They will be arraigned alongside, a former member of the board of directors of Honeywell Flour Mills Plc, Soji Akintayo and a company linked to Otudeko, named Anchorage Leisure Ltd.
All four were listed as defendants in the suit filed by an EFCC prosecutor, Bilkisu Buhari-Bala on Jan. 16, 2025.
According to the EFCC, the four committed the fraud in tranches of N5.2b, N6.2b, N6.150b, N1.5b and N500million, between 2013 and 2014 in Lagos.
In proof of the charge against the defendants, the EFCC intends to call representatives of First Bank including Cecelia Majekodunmi, Ola Michael Aderogba, Abiodun Olatunji, Raymond Eze, Abiodun Odunbola and Adeeyo David all of whom are expected to give evidence of the fraudulent misrepresentation of the Defendants and tender relevant documents.
The EFCC will also rely on the testimonies of representatives of Central Bank of Nigeria, representatives of Stallion Nigeria Limited and representatives of V-tech Dynamics Ltd.
Also included in the EFCC’s list of witnesses are one Farida Abubakar and Adaeze Nwakoby.
According to the Commission, the offences contravene Section 8(a) of Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and were punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act.
Count 1 of the charge says that Chief Oba Otudeko, Stephen Olabisi Onasanya, Soji Akintayo and Anchorage Leisure Limited between 2013 and 2014 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired amongst yourselves to obtain the sum of N12,300,000,000.00 (Twelve Billion, Three Hundred Million Naira Only),from First Bank Limited on the pretence that the said sum represented credit facilities applied * for by V- Tech Dynamic Links Limited and Stallion Nigeria Limited, which representation you know to be false, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8(a) of Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.
In Count 2, it was alleged that the defendants, on or about 26th day of November, 2013 in Lagos, “obtained the sum of N5.2 Billion from First Bank Limited on the pretence that the said sum represented credit facilities applied for by V Tech Dynamic Links Limited which representation you know to be false.”
The 3rd count claims that the defendants, between 2013 and 2014 in Lagos, obtained N6.2 Billion from First Bank Limited on the pretence that the said sum represented credit facilities applied for and disbursed to Stallion Nigeria Limited, which representation you know to be false.”
County 4 reads, that you, Chief Oba Otudeko, Stephen Olabisi Onasanya, Soji Akintayo and Anchorage Leisure Limited on or about 26th day of November 2013 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired amongst yourselves to use the total sum of N6,150,000,000,.00 (Six Billion, One Hundred and Fifty Million Naira Only.), which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of your unlawful activities to wit: Obtaining by False Pretence and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Sections 18(a), 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.
Count 5 accuses Chief Oba Otudeko, Stephen Olabisi Onasanya, Soji Akintayo and Anchorage Leisure Limited on or about 11th day of December, 2013 in Lagos, procured Honeywell Flour Mills Plc to retain the sum of N1.5 billion, which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of your unlawful activities to wit: Obtaining by False Pretence and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(c), 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.
The wife of retired Assistant Inspector General of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, has been kidnapped from her residence in the Arepo area of Ogun State.
The police confirmed that the abduction no occurred in the early hours of Friday when heavily armed men stormed her home and forcibly took her away.
Thr kidnappers shot sporadically into the air while carrying out the attack.
In response to the incident, the Ogun State Police Command has deployed operatives to secure her release and apprehend the perpetrators.
A police spokesperson stated that efforts are underway to gather intelligence and locate the victim, assuring the public of their commitment to ensuring her safe return.
This incident has sparked concern among residents of Arepo, a community known for its relative calm.
Two Supreme Court judges shot dead, gunman kills self
Former Miss Nigeria dies in London
Tinubu administration has no plan, no vision – Bauchi Governor
-
Retired AIG Hakeem OdumosuRetired AIG Hakeem OdumosuUncategorized1 day agoBREAKING: Retired AIG’s wife kidnapped from her residence
-
News2 days ago
Anambra govt shuts brothel, evacuates 10 sex workers
-
Deceased Tartor AyiheDeceased Tartor AyiheUncategorized2 days ago
Man kills self after selling one land to three different buyers
-
The two judges killed in Iran on SaturdayThe two judges killed in Iran on SaturdayInternational6 hours ago
Two Supreme Court judges shot dead, gunman kills self
-
News3 days ago
Reps dep chief whip Adewunmi Onanuga is dead
-
Uncategorized2 days ago
Enugu on the right path of investment under Mbah – Budget Minister, Bagudu
-
News3 days ago
Nigerian woman killed by starving dogs in Italy
-
News23 hours ago
Yahoo Boys shoot EFCC officer dead, injure another in Anambra
