News
PANEL: Man Testifies Against Police Officer, Benjamin Peters Who Shot His Sister In Abuja


The Independent Investigative Panel (IIP) on allegations of human rights violations against the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and other units of the Police force on Thursday told how Inspector Benjamin Peters allegedly shot a 23-year-old female youth corps member, Miss Linda Igwetu on 3rd July, 2018 in Abuja.
Led by Counsel to the National Human Rights Commission, Afolabi Olawole, who stood in for Chino Obiagwu (SAN), the complainant, Miss Chinenye Igwetu, elder sister to the deceased testified before the 11-member panel headed by retired Supreme Court Judge, Justice Suleiman Galadima that “on the 3rd of July 2018, her younger sister was gunned down by Inspector Benjamin Peters of FCT Police Command Area 11, Abuja”.
Continuing, she said “on 3rd of July 2018, the deceased went out after work to celebrate her passing out from National Youth Service which was supposed to be the next day, 4th July 2018.
“Prior to her death, she was living with me while working at Outsource Global Company, Mabushi Abuja and she works between 1pm and 11pm everyday”, she stated.
The complainant who broke down while narrating the ordeals of her late sister following the gun shot, informed the panel that the deceased sent a Whatsapp message informing her that she was going out with some friends to have drinks and celebrate her passing out from the NYSC programme which was then slated for 4th July 2018.
“At about 4.35 am, I got a distress call from an unknown number and it was Mr. Bamidele Tobi asking me to come quickly to Garki Hospital, that something happened on coming home from Ceddi plaza and I got to hospital and was informed my sister was shot by Inspector Benjamin Peters”, she stated
She informed the panel that Mr. Tobi narrated that on their way home, driving, he heard a loud sound and thought it was tyre burst and the next thing, the victim tapped him from the seat that something hit her below her breast and that they found my late sister panting in a pool of her blood and that it was then they realised it was a gunshot.
According to the complainant, Mr. Tobi who was in the same car with her deceased sister told her that while they were heading to Garki Hospital for a medical attention, another squad of the Police accosted and trailed them to the hospital while her sister passed on about 6am, the very day she was supposed to pass out from the NYSC programme.
Following the absence of some parties in the two cases called up during (today) Thursday sitting, the Chairman of the panel emphasised the need for fair hearing as a prerequisite for effective hearing in the dispensation of justice at the ongoing investigative hearing.
According to the Chairman, respondents must be properly served and hearing notices conveyed appropriately to avail all parties the opportunities to state their positions appropriately.
In another case which is about arbitrary arrest, degrading treatment, seizure of property belonging to the complainant, Bala Mohammed, the NHRC Counsel, Olawole informed the panel that parties are not present, even though he briefed the panel on the particulars of the case.
The panel adjourned to 16th November, 2020 and ordered fresh hearing notices to all the parties to enable them to appear on the adjournment date.
Meanwhile, the Secretary of the panel, Mr. Hillary Ogbonna Thursday pleaded with the complainants and other members of the public to bear with the panel over the delay in hearing the cases already slated for hearing on 4th November and today, 5th November, 2020.
He disclosed that after sitting tomorrow, 6th November, 2020, the panel will not sit for one week and within that period it would have sorted out some institutional challenges with the Police and other parties which tend to affect the speed at which the panel had intended to move.


Digital solutions provider, Globacom, has congratulated Christians in Nigeria on this year’s Easter celebration, and urged them to emulate the noble qualities of Jesus Christ.
The company, in a goodwill message to the Christian faithful in the country, lauded their perseverance through the Lenten period which preceded Easter. It enjoined them to always promote the ideals of selflessness, love and peace among all as a way of demonstrating the virtues of the exemplary life of Jesus Christ.
“Peace, love and sacrifice are the central message of Easter. Christ offered himself in atonement for the sins of the world and he lived a life which made Him an eternal symbol of peace and goodwill for mankind”, Globacom added.
The company enjoined all Nigerians to share in the lessons of promoting selflessness, a necessary ingredient in the growth and development of every society. It also enjoined all Nigerians to join hands to make Nigeria a better place for all.
Easter is celebrated yearly at the end of the Lenten season of fasting and prayer considered as a ritual of purification for the Christian faithful. It also precedes the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ on Good Friday and His eventual resurrection on Easter Sunday.
The company assured its customers of seamless voice, data and Short Messaging Service (SMS) during and after the Easter celebrations, while urging them to avail themselves of the various data and voice offerings on the network.


The Guild of Private Broadcast Managers has extended its heartfelt congratulations to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) as it celebrates its 70th Anniversary.
In a congratulatory message signed by the Guild’s National President, Ambassador Patrick Uzoyi-Peters, JP MNGRM, the guild described the milestone as a testament to the NUJ’s unwavering commitment to upholding press freedom, journalistic integrity, and the advancement of democracy in Nigeria.
“For seven decades, the NUJ has played a pivotal role in shaping the media landscape, advocating for the rights and welfare of journalists, and ensuring that the voice of the people remains strong and unyielding. Your resilience, professionalism, and dedication to ethical journalism have been instrumental in fostering transparency, accountability, and national development”.
Celebrating this historic achievement, the Guild’s President, Uzoyi-Peters recognized the sacrifices and contributions of journalists across the nation who work tirelessly to inform, educate, and empower society.
The Guild reiterated it commitment towards collaborating with the NUJ in promoting responsible journalism and strengthening the media industry for the greater good.
While wishing the NUJ continued success, growth, and greater impact in the years ahead, President Uzoyi-Peters prayed that the anniversary serve as a renewed call to uphold the principles of truth, fairness, and press freedom in our collective pursuit of a more informed and just society.
News
Family Marks one-year Memorial of Late APC Chieftain, Ojougboh with Charity Outreach
By Ikenna Oluka


The family of the late chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, led by his wife, Mrs. Bose Ojougboh, marked his one-year memorial anniversary with a series of charitable initiatives aimed at honoring his legacy of philanthropy and service to society.
The memorial activities included the donation of school books and bags to pupils of Erigbe Primary School, in Agbor within the Ika South Local Government Area (LGA) of Delta State, where Dr. Ojougboh had received his early education.
The outreach also included extension of financial assistance to patients at Central Hospital, Agbor, and the provision of toiletries, cash, and food items to children at the Salve Regina Children’s Home, Agbor.
The outreach was carried out under the ‘Dr. Cairo Ojougboh Foundation’, a family-led initiative established to immortalise him and continue his lifelong commitment to education, healthcare, and social welfare.
Speaking during the event which took place recently, Mrs. Ojougboh reaffirmed the family’s dedication to sustaining the ideals of the late APC chieftain, describing him as a man who strongly believed in education and giving back to society.
“We are here to celebrate the life of my husband, Late Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, who passed on a year ago. In his honour, we decided to give back to society. He was a man who valued education and was always willing to help others. It is only fitting that we continue his legacy through acts of generosity,” she stated.
Honouring his passion for education
The first visit was to Erigbe Primary School, where Dr. Ojougboh had received his early education. The Foundation distributed school bags, writing materials, and food packs to the pupils. The family encouraged the pupils to take their education seriously and strive to become responsible citizens.
Supporting patients at Central Hospital, Agbor
At Central Hospital, Agbor, Mrs. Ojougboh and her entourage moved through the medical wards, offering financial support to patients to assist with their treatment costs. The hospital staff and beneficiaries responded with prayers and words of gratitude for the kind gesture.
Reaching out to orphaned children
The outreach team also visited Salve Regina Children’s Home in Agbor where they donated cash, food items, and toiletries to the children.


The Matron of the home expressed her deep appreciation to the Ojougboh family, commending their commitment to sustaining the late politician’s legacy of compassion and social impact.
Dr. Cairo Ojougboh’s enduring legacy
Reflecting on her late husband’s contributions to society, Mrs. Ojougboh emphasised that his legacy of generosity and service to humanity would not be forgotten.
“Dr. Cairo was a selfless man who touched many lives. His contributions to the Nigerian political landscape, his mark in Agbor Kingdom, Delta State, and the country at large, will always be remembered. He may be gone, but his impact will continue to be felt for generations,” she said.
The Dr. Cairo Ojougboh Foundation has pledged to continue supporting education, healthcare, and social welfare initiatives in his memory, ensuring that his vision for a better society lives on.
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