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BREAKING: Police arrest human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi

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• My life is under threat – Dele Farotimi raises alarm

Operatives of the Nigerian Police Force have reportedly arrested human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi, over allegations of defaming the Chief Executive Officer of the United Bank for Africa, Tony Elumelu.

Farotimi’s arrest was revealed by the 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, in a post on his X handle on Tuesday.

Sowore disclosed that Elumelu filed a petition accusing Farotimi of defamation.

He called for the lawyer’s immediate release, emphasising that the police should not be used to settle personal disputes.

Sowore wrote, “I just learned that Dele Farotimi was arrested by the Nigerian Police over a petition by Tony Elumelu of UBA Group alleging Dele defamed him.

“It is pertinent that the Nigerian police are notified that the institution cannot continue to be used to settle personal scores, and we, the citizens of Nigeria, would no longer tolerate such a situation.

“Therefore, the police at Zone 2 in Lagos are advised to release Barrister Dele Farotimi immediately.”

My life is under threat

Earlier on Tuesday, Farotimi alleged that some powerful Nigerians and legal experts are colluding with the security agencies in the country to get him abducted.

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He alleged that his life and that of his close associates are currently under threat, stating that the undisclosed individuals want to silence him.

In a statement he personally signed and made available to journalists on Tuesday, Farotimi narrated how he got information on November 11 that an invitation letter from the Zone 2, Police Command, was delivered to his office.

According to the lawyer, the letter requested that he should report to the police station on November 13, at 10:00 AM.

On the said date, he said he was accompanied by his legal counsel and arrived at the station at 9:45am.

The politician claimed that, at the station, he was presented with a petition written by a lawyer on behalf of Tony Elumelu, Chairman of the United Bank for Africa, UBA, accusing him of defamation.

Farotimi said, “Despite finding the petition baseless, I addressed its content”.

“Subsequently, I met with the Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP and the Assistant Inspector-General in charge of Zone 2. After discussions, I was released on bail on self-recognisance and asked to return to the station on Thursday, the 21st of November 2024.

“Following this, I informed my friend, Pastor Sam Aiyedogbon of Realm of Glory International Churches, about the incident.

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“On Saturday, the 16th of November 2024, Pastor Sam informed me that one of the pastors in his church, John Ntekume, had been abducted by the police, interrogated, and then returned to the church.

“He was coerced to write a statement along with another pastor, Obiorah Ochokwu.

“The police showed them a petition written by Chief Afe Babalola in Ekiti State, addressed to the Ekiti State Police Command, and demanded that they lure me to the church to facilitate my arrest.

“The pastors informed the police that they had no means of doing so, as I am not a hidden person and do not have a direct relationship with them.

“They explained that I had preached at their church as a guest of their senior pastor and left. From their accounts, it became evident that the officers were from the Ekiti State Police Command.

“I found it perplexing that the police would attempt to lure me through such means, especially since I had already reported to Zone 2 on the 13th of November 2024 and was scheduled to return on the 21st of November 2024.”

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Former Miss Nigeria dies in London

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Former Miss Nigeria, Edna Ibru
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Ex-Miss Nigeria and former First Lady of Delta State, Mrs Edna Ibru (nee Park) is dead.

Edna Ibru, wife of Olorogun Felix Ibru, the first civilian Governor of Delta State between 1991 and 1992, died in her 80s on Wednesday, in a London hospital after a brief illness.

The deceased, who was Miss Nigeria 1964, and the first Nigerian/African to represent Nigeria at Miss Universe, had two children for Ibru.

The Ibru family of Agbarha-Otor Kingdom in Delta State confirmed the death of the former first lady in a statement issued by her son, Dr Paul Ibru, copies of which were made available to journalists in Warri on Saturday.

“Our amazing mother passed onto glory on Wednesday 15, January 2025 after a brief illness”, the statement partly read.

It continued, “Until her death, she was full of life and we never expected her to leave us so soon but we cannot question the will of God in her precious life.

“She was a lover of people, a mediator, a mother to many, outrageously humorous, deeply caring, down to earth, full of stories all of the time, and we will miss her very dearly.”

Paul added that arrangements for her burial would be announced by the family later.

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Tinubu administration has no plan, no vision – Bauchi Governor

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Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has expressed disappointment with President Bola Tinubu’s administration, stating that while he initially celebrated Tinubu’s victory, he has since observed a lack of clear vision and effective policies that are hindering national progress.

Mohammed, who was an opposition governor during the 2023 elections, admitted to having high hopes for the new administration due to Tinubu’s successful tenure as Lagos State Governor.

However, he now believes that freedom and development remain elusive under the current leadership.

Speaking at a courtesy visit by Apostle Johnson Suleiman, the founder of Omega Fire Ministry, in Bauchi, Mohammed emphasized that President Tinubu appears to have entered office without a concrete plan or manifesto.

He also criticized the president for surrounding himself with individuals who he described as “misfits,” and warned that the administration’s direction is likely to lead Nigeria down a path of destruction.

The Governor clarified that he holds no personal animosity toward Tinubu, but expressed concern over the impact of the current policies, particularly those that he believes could negatively affect Nigerians.

He urged the president to be more inclusive and develop a comprehensive, well-thought-out vision for the country.

Mohammed called for reforms that would be beneficial to all citizens, stressing the need for unity and respect for Nigeria’s diversity.

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He cautioned against divisive policies and practices of impunity, urging for governance that prioritizes the welfare of the people and ensures their aspirations are not stifled.

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Yahoo Boys shoot EFCC officer dead, injure another in Anambra

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Armed internet fraudsters fatally shot an officer after opening fire on a team of anti-graft operatives in Anambra on Friday.

The officers were on a mission to corner a cluster of suspected cybercriminals, widely known as Yahoo Boys, when they were met with lethal violence on Friday morning.

One officer was shot dead on the spot and another sustained serious injuries and remained hospitalised in critical condition as of Friday night.

The officers had travelled to Anambra on the assignment from their zonal headquarters in Enugu.

A male suspect has been taken into custody for the murder, an official said. His identity was not immediately disclosed just as the motive of the attack is yet to be ascertained.

A spokesman for the EFCC said he would find out about the incident when contacted.

A police spokesman in Anambra did not immediately comment on the development.

The attack came as chairman Ola Olukoyede was recalibrating the agency’s protocol on raiding white-collar criminals. Yahoo Boys were hitherto largely known to be unarmed and, therefore, easily to take into custody.

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The deceased officer was identified as an assistant superintendent who had recently completed a promotional examination.

It was learnt that the identity of the officer was kept secret to allow time for his family to be officially notified.

Anti-graft agents expressed apprehension over the development saying the agency’s personnel insurance had been moribund for years.

“We no longer have life insurance,” an officer said under anonymity to discuss internal administrative policies.

“The last time family members of an officer who died on duty were compensated was under Farida Waziri.”

“So the families of the officer that died today won’t be getting anything,” another officer added. “So can we say he died for nothing?”

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