Policemen reject N1 million bribe, arrest Suspect

The Police Command in Imo has arrested two suspected child traffickers and rescued two stolen children in separate operations.

The command’s spokesman, DSP Henry Okoye, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.

Okoye said in a strong display of professionalism, operatives of the command rejected a N1m bribe to ensure justice prevailed in one of the operations.

“On Feb. 21, operatives of the Safer Highway Unit, while conducting a robust stop-and-search on the Owerri – Aba Express Road, apprehended one Eze Chika, 45.

“The suspect was found with a stolen four-year-old child.

“Initially, she claimed the child was hers but later admitted to purchasing the child from a suspected child trafficking syndicate in Aba for N1.8m,” Okoye stated.

According to him, in a desperate attempt to evade arrest, the suspect offered the officers N1m bribe, which was outrightly rejected.

He said the officers proceeded with the lawful arrest and ensured the safe rescue of the child.

He added that further investigations revealed possible links to a larger trafficking network, adding that more arrests are expected.

Okoye also said detectives of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) arrested a 32-year-old woman, Confidence Odo

for allegedly abducting her ex-neighbor’s son.

He said investigations revealed that Odoh, who was arrested on Feb. 4, stole the child while he was playing in the compound where he resides.

“The child was rescued and reunited with his parents, Mr and Mrs Michael Ududiri, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend possible accomplices.”

He reiterated the command’s commitment to combating child trafficking and other organised crimes in the state.

The police spokesman urged residents, particularly parents, to be vigilant and monitor their children closely.

He urged the public to report suspicious activities to the nearest Police Station or call any of the following numbers: 0803 477 3600 and 08148024755. (NAN)

JUST IN; 36 Lagos Assembly lawmakers react to Obasa’s return, reveal the real Speaker

Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly have faulted the claim by the impeached speaker, Mr Mudashiru Obasa,that he had returned to the assembly as speaker.

A member of the assembly, Mr Stephen Ogundipe, spoke with reporters on Thursday in Ikeja ,on behalf of the 36 members of the assembly who impeached Obasa in January.

Ogundipe said all the 36 lawmakers rejected Obasa’s ” forcible entry” into the assembly complex ,insisting Mrs Mojisola Meranda remained the Speaker.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)reports Obasa had told reporters shortly after he arrived the assembly complex on Thursday that he was not removed .

The impeached speaker also said he was back at the assembly to take charge.

NAN reports that the visit was Obasa’s first appearance at the complex after he was impeached by his colleagues in January over alleged misconduct and financial impropriety.

The impeached speaker returned on a day the security details of Mrs Mojisola Meranda, who was elected by the lawmakers immediately after his removal, were allegedly withdrawn.

Victor Ganzalo,Meranda’s media aide ,who confirmed the withdrawal of his principal’s security aides in a statement, also said all personnel providing security at the assembly complex had been withdrawn.

Ogundipe ,who is the assembly’s spokesman, said the manner in which Obasa entered the complex and his office was not proper.
He alleged that Obasa broke into the Speaker’s office.
Ogundipe said the support of the 36 lawmakers for Meranda was unwavering.
He said: “This is Lagos and this is Lagos State House of Assembly and we were approached by our leaders that we should remain calm and take things easy until they resolve the issue.
“It is an embarrassment that to even enter the gate we were stopped and told by security operatives that we cannot enter assembly. It is an embarrassment and this must stop.

“We are shocked to see what is happening today and we are still expecting our leaders to come and tell us where we went wrong or what really went wrong.
“Before the intervention of our leaders, we won’t take laws into our hand just like I told the assembly’s staff that they should not take laws into their hands.

“This is Lagos and this is the centre of excellence. This is where everything starts and stops. We have been law-abiding and I don’t think the 36 members have gone out of our way.
“So I am appealing to the leadership of our party that we cannot continue this way. We have been taken to court so due process should have been followed”,he said.
(NAN)

Impeached Lagos Speaker Obasa presides over Assembly plenary with four members

The former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has resumed presiding over the assembly’s plenary session, despite ongoing disputes surrounding his impeachment.

The session, which took place on Wednesday afternoon, saw Obasa chairing the proceedings with just four other members present, following a dramatic series of events that included security personnel forcing open the chamber doors.

The plenary began at 3 p.m. and continued until approximately 3:30 p.m. during which Obasa led the session, asserting his position as the rightful Speaker.

However, the majority of the Assembly, with more than 26 members present but not participating in the session, appeared to show solidarity with the current Speaker, Mojisola Meranda.

Obasa, who was removed from office on January 13 while abroad, has repeatedly stated that his removal did not follow the correct procedures.

He emphasised that while impeachment is a democratic and constitutional process, it must adhere to due process and legality.

In his own words, “I’ve never been removed. Impeachment or removal is democratic and constitutional, but in doing that, you must follow due process. I am not against that. If I do that, then I am not democratic.”

Obasa’s return to the assembly and his defiant stance come after Meranda’s swift installation as Speaker in his absence. Despite the turmoil, Obasa maintains that he is the legitimate Speaker and continues to challenge his removal, vowing to reclaim his position.