Security
Police parades 14 impostors who invaded Justice Odili’s residence as prime suspect claims working for Malami
Police High Command on Thursday paraded 14 suspects over the invasion of the Abuja residence of a Supreme Court Justice, Mary Odili, describing them as impostors who were unknown to any of the nation’s security forces.
Parading the suspects at the Force Headquarters Annex, Abuja, the Force Spokesman, Frank Mba, a Commissioner of Police, CP, said that the 14 suspects and seven other now at large conspired to raid the residence following information provided by self acclaimed whistle blower that the Supreme Court Justice was keeping a large sum of money in foreign currencies at her residence.
This came just as the prime suspect Lawrence Ajodo the fake CSP insisted that he was working for the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Mallam Abubakar Malami, but was not sent to forge the signatures and the documents found on him.
Mba stated that following the failed unlawful attempt to raid the residence of the Supreme Court Justice by some people who presented themselves as security agents and members of Asset Recovery Panel from the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, AGF, Abubakar Malami, the Inspector General of Police IGP, Usman Alkali Baba ordered the Federal Investigation Bureau, FIB, of the Nigeria Police Force to carry out a comprehensive investigaton into the matter.
He added that AGF, also petitioned the IGP over the unfortunate incident in which he called for a thorough investigation as to identities of those behind the illegal act and their motives.
Mba further explained that during the course of investigation, it was discovered that the act was perpetrated by a syndicate made up of characters from various field of endeavours including journalism, law profession, Clerk with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and the military amongst others.
According to him, “it has been discovered that the failed raid was a well conceived one with many actors and actresses drawn from various endeavors, the man who claimed to be a CSP with the Nigeria Police Force was never a police personnel, the Identity card he was parading was a forged one, the identity card he claimed to have been issued by the AGF was also forged, there is a journalist, two lawyers and those who conspired to carry out the illegal operation.
He said that the prime suspect, one Lawrence Ajodo who claimed to be a Chief Superintendent of Police, CPS, who led the illegal operation purportedly to be operating under Asset Recovery Panel from the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, was not an officer of the Nigeria Police Force, but an impostor.
According to him, the fake CSP and his syndicate succeeded in obtaining security search warrant from the court after swearing to an affidavit by one Ali Ibrahim, a member of the group who claimed that a huge sum of money in foreign currencies was being kept in the building.
He added that, after this, the syndicate contacted some operatives of the EFCC, two Soldiers from the Lungi Barracks , Asokoro, Abuja, a Journalist with a leading newspaper in the country for the illegal operation after series of meetings were perfected for the illegal act.
According to Mba, the syndicate however met the brick wall when the security operatives attached to the residence of Justice Mary Odili put up resistance and demanded for their true identities and later raised the alarm.
He commended the resistance put up by the security personnel attached to Odili’s residence for not allowing the suspects access to the building on the day of the incident, saying that it would have been a greatest embarrassment to the nation before the international community if the operation had succeeded.
Mba who further said that efforts were being stepped up to track down the fleeing members of the syndicate including two military personnel declared that the suspects would be charged to court on the completion of the ongoing investigations for criminal offences ranging from conspiracy, trespass, forgery to accessory amongst others.
However, speaking with newsmen, the prime suspect, Lawrence Ajodo the fake CSP insisted that he was working for the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakarkar Malami but not sent to forge the signatures and the documents found on him.
According to him, “I work for Malami as a consultant of recoveries, I was given 18 accounts to recover. Though, Malami did not send me to this mission, but I am a banking expert with specialty in finance and forensic.
On his own, the Journalist claimed that he was following a story lead on that day based on the clue given to him by one of the arrested lawyers that a raid was going to be carried out by an Asset Recovery Panel under the Office of the AGF and that he was not part of the syndicate as being alleged.
Also speaking, the whistle blower Ali Umar Ibrahim, said he was the whistle blower, and that he sworn to an affidavit that there was millions of money in various foreign currencies being starched in the house.
The suspect who claimed to be a prayer warrior said that he was introduced to the godson of Justice Odili and he prayed to know if the story was through and he decided to go through the EFCC as a formal channel, he said he later ended in the Ministry of Justice. He asked to show the address and that he directed them to Justice Odili’s residence after surveillance.
However, reacting to the prime suspect’s claim that he was a consultant to Abubakarkar Malami, the Minister dismissed the claim, describing it as “a case of a drowning man scavenging for a dying partner.”
In a statement made available to news men in a swift reaction to the claim by the Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations, Dr. Umar Jibrilu Gwandu, he said that “it only takes the imagination of the evil minds to assume or think that the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice will descend so low to engaging a quack or fake police officer to serve as his consultant”.
The statement reads, “The attention of the Office of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice has been drawn to a confession of a suspect during interrogation in the investigation of the recent invasion of the residence of the highly respected Justice of the Supreme Court; Justice Mary Peter Odili.
“With all the competent, high level professionals and capable human resources available at the disposal of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, it only takes the imagination of the evil minds to assume or think that the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice will descend so low to engaging a quack or fake police officer to serve as his consultant
“This is a case of a drowning man scavenging for a dying partner.
“We are happy to note that investigation has commenced to unravel the circumstances and personalities behind the invasion and sponsored campaign of calumny against the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.
“It is our desire and we hope that the investigation would also disclose those after the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, those dragging his personality, his name and his exalted office in the dirty politics of disrepute. This is an orchestrated attempt to stir unnecessary controversies and public apprehension.
“We asked the suspect to present documents of engagements where he worked as a consultant to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, whether in past or now.
“Consultant for what? Which activity or assignment? When was he engaged? What were the terms of references for the alleged consultancy service? When was he engaged? Where was he engaged? Which work has he executed for the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and the Ministry of Justice? For what duration? And for how much?
“We boldly and unequivocally challenge the fake consultant/police officer to come out with answers or responses to these questions to the general public.
“The Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice superintend over and respects the rule of law who will not do anything to undermine the sanctity of his office and that that entire judiciary and Justice sectors”
The Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG Abubakar Zubairu has reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to fostering community-driven security solutions.
He stated this while addressing a cross-section of Stakeholders at the Okene engagement programme and further re-echoing the call for community participation in security efforts, noting that manpower limitations and resource constraints necessitate an inclusive Policing approach.
He commended the Commissioner for his proactive leadership and stressed that “security is everybody’s business, and together, we can ensure stability and peace.”
In his remarks, CP Dantawaye reaffirmed the Command’s unwavering commitment to fostering the implementation of Community Policing project as a key approach for effective Policing.
He emphasised the importance of synergy between Law enforcement Agencies, Traditional Institutions, Local Communities, as well as other Security stakeholders in combating crime, particularly kidnapping and other security threats.
He further commended the unwavering dedication among various security formations, including the NSCDC, Local Vigilante, Hunters, as well as NYSC members.
He urged the community members to play an active role in intelligence gathering, stating that, Policing cannot be done by the men on uniform alone. We need every citizen to be our eyes and ears to ensure a safe society.
He cautioned the officers on discipline, professionalism as well as respect for Human rights. He disclosed that Police Officers are undergoing continuous training to improve the operational capacity and to also equip them with the needed skills for investigation.
The event witnessed the presence of respected traditional rulers, local government representatives, transport unions, and various ethnic and community groups, all of whom pledged their commitment to strengthening security collaboration.
As part of ongoing efforts to curb crime, the Nigeria Police Force in Kogi State will intensify intelligence-based operations, enhance police-community relations, and continue engaging stakeholders to ensure lasting peace and security in the region.
Lt. Cynthia Akor, a Navy officer attached to Defence Headquarters in Abuja and two others have been abducted with their abductors demanding for N100 million ransome for their release.
The officer and others were reportedly kidnapped from their residences in the Mpape area of the Federal Capital Territory on Friday night and by Saturday their abductors called their families and demanded for N100 million ransom for the victims to be freed.
Our correspondent learnt on Saturday that their abductors have gotten in touch over ransom.
A source said: “Anong the three people that were kidnapped on Friday night in the Mpape area is a DHQ official, Akor.
“The kidnappers have already reached out to their families and are demanding N100m ransom,” the source said.
Efforts to reach the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Markus Kangye, and the Director of Defence Information, Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau, were unsuccessful, as they had yet to respond to messages as of the time of filing this report.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Federal Capital Territory Police Command, Josephine Adeh, said she would confirm the incident and provide further details.
“I will confirm and get back to you shortly,” she simply stated.
She has not reverted as of the time of filing this report.
The Security Adviser to Kogi State governor, Commodore Jerry Omodara (retd) has said security operatives are on the trail of abductors of 18 passengers on a bus belonging to the ABC Transport.
The passengers were kidnapped on Sunday.
Mr Omodara disclosed this on Thursday in Lokoja.
The bus, reportedly heading to Abuja on Sunday, March 16, from the South-East was reportedly hijacked by gunmen suspected to be kidnappers at Oloma in the Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi, a border town between the state and Enugu State.
Reliable sources said that all the bus passengers including the driver were abducted by the gunmen.
However, Mr Omodara, who confirmed the incident, said that a combined team of security operatives had launched a manhunt for the abductors.
He said the operatives in Kogi State, including the military, police, SSS, NSCDC and vigilante groups were in synergy to rescue the victims.
He stated, “Just on Wednesday, all the security heads met twice to see that we get the kidnappers and rescue the victims.’’
According to him, this kind of synergy and cooperation from residents provide security agents useful information that helps them to succeed.
He said that Kogi State had recorded a drastic drop in kidnapping incidents and crimes due to synergy and cooperation from residents.
The state security adviser said though they might not be able to completely eradicate crime in the state, they were making efforts to tackle any that reared its ugly head.
He assured families of the abducted passengers that they would be released unhurt.
He added, “We want Kogi to be a haven for all residents and passers-by alike.”
(NAN)
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