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Badoo: Lawyer petitions Lagos police command over unlawful detention, harassment of Abayomi Alaka.
AN Ibadan based legal practitioner, Barrister Tunde Ojehomon has petitioned the Lagos State Police Command over the unlawful arrest, prejudicial stigmatization, harassment, false accusation and detention of his client, an oil marketer and owner of Alaka Petroleum, Alhaji Abayomi Alaka for having a link with the deadly Badoo cult.
Contained in a press statement issued and made available to journalists in Ibadan, Barrister Tunde said the actions of the Lagos State Police Command shows that they have no respect for fundamental human rights and the rule of law by detaining Alhaji Abayomi Alaka, saying that the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Section 36 (5) stipulates that a person is presumed innocent until his guilt is proven beyond reasonable doubt in a court of competent jurisdiction which the Lagos State Police Command did not follow.
The legal practitioner said his client was wrongfully arrested, detained, paraded without preliminary investigation to ascertain a reasonable degree of involvement, culpability only for them to release Alhaji Alaka when they realized that they have trampled on his fundamental human rights. He, also noted that he was even released without any surety.
He stressed that the Police Command has no right under the law to parade suspect yet to be tried in the court of law and convicted, adding that his client has never been, he is not and will never be a member of any cult or notorious groups that is disturbing the peace of residence of Lagos State.
Barrister Tunde further argued that the allegation against his client is untrue, baseless and a mere deliberate attempt to damage his hard earned reputation and image.
Barrister Tunde then called on the Inspector General of Police (IG), Ibrahim Idris to caution the overzealousness of his men against baseless stigmatization of innocent citizens via prejudicial parade.
He said as a law abiding citizen, his client has approached the court of law to seek redress to the issue.
He, however requested the Lagos State Police Command to tender an unreserved apology to his client by placing their apology letter in some National Dailies so that members of the public will know that Alhaji Alaka was wrongfully accused, lamenting that the Police has caused a lot of havoc and psychological trauma to him.
The headquarters of Heritage Bank at Victoria Island, Lagos, was besieged on Thursday by members of the labour union, protesting the recent dismissal of 1,000 support workers.
The National President of the National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees, Comrade Anthony Abakpa, led the demonstration, condemning the bank’s management for what he deemed a lack of adherence to due process in the termination of employment contracts.
Speaking during the protest, Comrade Abakpa asserted that the leadership of Heritage Bank failed to follow established protocols before executing the mass layoffs.
He emphasised the union’s commitment to pursuing justice for the affected workers, vowing to escalate their demands until the bank’s management rectifies the situation.
“We will intensify our demands for justice,” declared Comrade Abakpa, urging the bank’s management to take corrective action to address the grievances of the dismissed workers.
The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso, clarified that Nigeria is not utilising its foreign reserves to bolster the naira, despite recent fluctuations in reserve levels.
Speaking from Washington DC, where he is attending the International Monetary Fund-World Bank Spring Meetings, Cardoso highlighted the influx of $600 million into Nigeria’s reserves account within the past two days.
While the naira has experienced a notable appreciation against the dollar in recent weeks, climbing over 40% from approximately N1,900/$ to about N1,000/$1, Nigeria’s foreign reserves have been dwindling. As of April 15, reserves dropped to approximately $32.29 billion, marking the lowest level in over six years.
Cardoso emphasised that the shifts in reserves are typical for any country, where various financial obligations, such as debt repayments, necessitate withdrawals.
He stated, “What you’ve seen with respect to the shift in our reserves is normal in any country’s reserves where, for example, debts are due and certain payments need to be made. They are made because that is also part of keeping your credibility.”
Continuing, Cardoso underscored the dynamic nature of the market, advocating for a system driven by willing buyers, willing sellers, and price discovery.
He emphasised, “The shift in our reserves has really little or nothing to do with defending the naira, and that is certainly not our objective.”
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared Yahaya Bello wanted for an alleged financial crime to the tune of N80.2 billion,” Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency announced.
“Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, is wanted by the EFCC for offences relating to economic and financial crimes to the tune of N80.2 Billion,” the EFCC stated in a Thursday evening Facebook post titled ‘Ex-Gov Yahaya Bello Wanted By the EFCC.’
“Anybody with information as to his whereabouts should report immediately to the Commission or the nearest police Station,” the statement continued.
This declaration follows the absence of the chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Federal High Court in Abuja earlier in the day for a suit instituted against him by the EFCC.
Consequently, Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the suit and called for substituted service and the possible arraignment of Bello for alleged money laundering.
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