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Bishop Bans Catholic Priests From Priestly Duties Over Insubordination

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Bishop of Nnewi Catholic Diocese in Anambra State, Bishop Jonas Benson Okoye, has withdrawn the faculty of five Spiritans priests, otherwise called Holy Ghost Priests.

Rev Fr Hyginus Aghaulor, former Director of Communications of the diocese who spoke to journalists said withdrawal of faculty meant the priests would not be able to perform any duties within the diocese, and even when they do, such functions would be considered a nullity.

“If they baptize someone, conduct a wedding, the wedding and baptism is a nullity. They can not even celebrate mass because their faculty has been withdrawn by the bishop,” he said.

Recall that reports had it earlier the sacking of five holy ghost priests from their parish, St Martin of Tours, Ihiala, by the Bishop, and protests by some members of the parish against the Bishop, over the action.

READ ALSO: 2023: ‘I Have Nigeria’s Solution, Many People Wasting Their Time’ – Fr. Mbaka

But Aghaulor while speaking with journalists on Tuesday said: “The priests were not sacked, they were rather re-deployed. In Canon Law, which the church operates, the Bishop has the powers to redeploy priests, and that was what he did.

“Besides, the Spiritans have been frustrating the efforts of the bishop in the creation of a new parish in Ihiala. Our diocese has grown, with over 400 priests, and there is need for new deployments, so the bishop created a new parish and deployed some of our priests there, and now transferred the Spiritans to the juniorate.

“The Spiritans have refused to leave, trying to frustrate the genuine efforts of the bishop.

“The Spiritans claim that Archbishop Heerey gave it( parish) to them in 1967. That was under 1917 Code but canon 6 of 1983 Code abrogated 1917 Code unless such matters are renewed in 1983 Code but there is no evidence that such happened. Thirdly, 1983 Code abolished making a moral person now juridic person a pastor. Now to be appointed a pastor, the person must be a physical person and be in priesthood.”

But in Tuesday’s briefing, Aghaulor said there was no question of the priests being sacked, just that the bishop who is in control of the diocese decided to move them to new roles.

He lamented the disobedience of the priests, saying that such was not the training of priests.

“There is consequences for disobedience, and we all know it. The Spiritans have disobeyed the Bishop, and it is not good. The Bishop is in charge of the diocese and has right to deploy people on the tasks he wishes them to undertake.”

He likened it to the recent transfer of the spiritual director of Adoration Ministry Enugu, AMEN, Rev Fr Ejike Mbaka, who was recently moved to the monastery by the Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese.

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Cyber Security: NCC Advises Telecom Users On Ways To Beat Hackers

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The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has advised telecommunications subscribers to opt for strong passwords to prevent unauthorized access to their mobile devices.

The NCC gave this advice through its official Facebook page,

Cyber security remains one of the big problems confronting Nigeria’s digital space but NCC believes that with conscious efforts, the security threat could be managed.

Government and its relevant agencies are also making efforts to effectively check the menace.

NCC is the leading organization dedicated to fostering a conducive environment for industry stakeholders and ensuring that telecom subscribers stay protected from cyber threats.

READ ALSO: FULL LIST: Rivers CP, Disu, Others Bag Police Awards

The Commission regularly shares valuable insights with Nigerian telecom subscribers, offering tips on how to stay safe in digital space.

The NCC shared a recent update, focusing on how cyber-attacks could be prevented, emphasizing the importance of creating strong passwords to safeguard online accounts.

The Commission urged subscribers to ensure that they have a password to log in securely.

The NCC wrote on its official Facebook page, “Protect your online accounts (such as banks and digital media) by using strong and complex passwords.”

It believes that by opting for strong passwords, individuals could defend themselves against cyber attacks.

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President Tinubu Declares April 7 As National Police Day

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President Bola Tinubu has declared April 7 as National Police Day.

Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, made this known on Monday night during the maiden edition of the Nigeria Police Awards and Commendations ceremony held in the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.

The president identified a complete overhaul of institutional mentality and memory of police officers as fundamental in his administration’s ongoing bid to transform the force into a modern, professional and accountable institution.

According to Tinubu, his administration had initiated wide-ranging reforms to revitalize the nation’s police force since assuming office in 2023.

READ ALSO: US-based Nigerian Bodybuilder Dies 18 Days After Being Shot By Wife

He, therefore, stressed the need to engage men and women of the force in training and capacity-building to equip them with the expertise required to carry out the arduous task of modern policing.

He also disclosed that the Federal Government had approved the first week of April as police week and the last day of the week as the National Police Day.

“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, in our tradition of honouring the Police Force in the life of this great nation, we have approved the adoption of the first week of April as Police Week.

“Furthermore, the last day of the week, April 7th, is hereby declared National Police Day in Nigeria.

READ ALSO: Soldier Arrested For Allegedly Stabbing Motorcyclist In Lagos

“Tonight, I must remind you that we don’t see you as just the shields of the nation, we don’t see you as robots.

“This is why we are here; we are here to humanise you.

“At a time in Nigeria’s history, when the nation’s security architecture is being stretched beyond elastic limits, the citizens have been able to endure in the face of security threats as well as attacks on their lives and livelihoods due to the commitment of the police.

“Your exemplary valour doesn’t only represent the pinnacle of patriotism that binds us but also instils confidence that brighter days lie just beyond the horizon,” he said.

The president listed part of the comprehensive reforms by his administration to rejuvenate the police force to include investment in training and capacity-building.

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Oromoni: Father Kicks As Coroner Blames Parents, Doctor For Teenager’s Death

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Mr Sylvester Oromoni Snr, the father of the late 12-year-old student of Dowen College, Lekki, Sylvester Junior, who died under controversial circumstances after allegedly being bullied and forced to drink a substance, has rejected the judgment of the Coroner Inquest which indicted him, his wife and the family doctor for their son’s death.

He said it was not the end of the case, as the medical expert did not give them a concluding result of the black substance that was found in their son’s stomach.

The Coroner Inquest that looked into the findings of the death of Sylvester Oromoni Jnr, had, on Monday, exonerated Dowen College and the five students who were accused of bullying, beating, and forcing the deceased to drink a substance that allegedly caused his death and indicted the deceased’s parents and family doctor of negligence.

Oromoni died on November 30, 2021.

The coroner, Magistrate Mikhail Kadiri, in his judgment at the Ogba Magistrate Court, held that Dowen College, its staff members, and the five students namely, Favour Benjamin, 16; Edward Begue (16); Ansel Temile (14); Kenneth Inyang and Michael Kashamu, 16, son of the late Senator Buruji Kashamu, did not play any role that led to the death of Oromoni.

READ ALSO: Sylvester Oromoni’s Death: Coroner Inquest Releases Report

He cleared the school of any negligence and the five senior students accused of bullying the deceased and administering a poisonous substance to him.

He said, “The alleged suspects played no part in Sylvester’s death but were victims of their past misdeeds. They were falsely accused, and no staff of Dowen College played any role in the death. The school has improved its facilities since the incident.

“The claims of chemical intoxication were never proven, and the faces of those allegedly bullying the deceased weren’t seen. The alleged confession of Sylvester was denied by several witnesses. Even if he was beaten, it didn’t lead to his death.”

He said that the deceased played football on November 20, 2021, and his leg was massaged by his roommates and the school nurse.

Magistrate Kadiri, who conducted the inquest while revealing his findings, said the death was avoidable.

READ ALSO: Sylvester Oromoni’s Death: Coroner Inquest Releases Report

Kadiri, who stopped at intervals to weep about the death of Oromoni, said the teenager‘s death was avoidable and as well as caused by the negligence of the parents and the family doctor, Aghogho Owhojede, who didn’t take him to the hospital until the day he died on November 30, 2021.

The coroner broke down in tears several times while reading his findings and even rose at a point to comport himself, saying the case was touching but needed objectivity.

The deceased went through an avoidable and excruciating pain and was made to suffer needlessly,” Kadiri said.

The Magistrate, while delivering his findings which lasted for more than six hours, said 32 witnesses testified in the coroner’s inquest which started sitting in January 2022.

Among the evidence the coroner relied on included the findings of two autopsies conducted on the deceased at the Central Hospital, Warri, Delta State, with only the family present, and at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, where about 10 pathologists representing various parties including the family, Lagos State Government and Dowen College took part in.

READ ALSO: Sylvester Oromoni’s Death: Coroner Fixes Date To Release Inquest

“He said that the autopsy conducted on December 14, 2021, in the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital by Dr. Sunday Soyemi and the toxicology report of post-mortem samples of the Central Hospital, Warri Delta State conducted by Pathologist Consultant Dr Clement Vhriterhire were in agreement as to the cause of death namely, Septicemia, Lobar Pneumonia with Acute Pyelonephritis, Pyomyositis of the right ankle and Acute Bacteria Pneumonia due to severe Sepsis.

“Death was caused by Septicaemia (a life-threatening health condition caused by a patient’s body’s response to an infection), following infections of the lungs and kidneys arising from the ankle wound,” he said.

According to him, “No evidence of blunt force trauma in this body. The findings in the oesophagus and stomach are not compatible with chemical intoxication. Death, in this case, is natural.”

Dr Sunday Soyemi, who led the Lagos procedure, stated in the autopsy report that sepsis, which led to the death of the boy, could have been treated with “massive doses of intravenous antibiotic, intravenous fluid and blood transfusion”, but which was never done.

From the evidence, Sylvester was said to have sustained an injury on his ankle between November 20 and 21. Following first aid treatment, the school contacted his parents to come and pick him up for further treatment.

READ ALSO: Sylvester Oromoni: Pathologist Reveals Real Cause Of Dowen College Student’s Death

The deceased’s guardian, Mr Clifford Tejere, was sent on November 23, 2021, to the school to pick him up and took him for an X-ray, but no fracture was detected.

The family doctor, Aghogho, was also lambasted for not providing the required duty of care for the patient whose home care treatment was “trivialised”.

“I do not believe the version of the family doctor, Aghogho’s evidence.

“Despite early diagnosis, the doctor (Aghogho), was found to have abandoned the deceased for more than 32 hours and didn’t carry out an X-ray and scan early enough which would have revealed his deteriorating condition,” he said.

The coroner also recommended that parents should not treat their children’s health with levity, as well as ensure better synergy between police and medical teams in such matters.

He also called for proper psychological evaluation for the five students suspected to have bullied the deceased.

READ ALSO: Dowen College: Group Demands Timely Justice As Late Sylvester Oromoni Is Buried

Immediately after the judgment, the deceased’s father in an interview with journalists said the medical expert did not give them a concluding result.

“They said they saw a substance inside the body of the deceased. Was it tested, it wasn’t tested. This is not the end of the case. As far as I am concerned it does not represent a true proceeding of the evidence taken,” he said.

When asked about his next action and if he would appeal the judgment, he said, “Don’t worry, I will consult my lawyer.

“If you send a child to school, a distant school, who is to take care of the child in the school? Is it not the principal and the doctor of the school?

“if you say that it is the doctor after five days that is supposed to take care of the child and that the doctor here and the school principal are exempted, who is the immediate parent of the boy?” he queried.

READ ALSO: Police Arrest Suspected Killers Of Sylvester Oromoni, Dowen College Student

The deceased’s family lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), while reacting to the judgment of the Coroner, stated that it was curious that the coroner ignored the evidence of the government pathologist that the “black substance” found in the stomach of the deceased was not subjected to toxicological examination. The allegation was that the deceased was forced to drink a poisonous substance.

According to him, the acting Director of Public Prosecution of Lagos State at the material time had recommended that some staff and students be prosecuted for criminal negligence over the bullying of students in the school. Four days later, the acting DPP turned around to say that there was no case to answer without any fresh evidence from the police investigators. The coroner ruled that the acting DPP had the power to withdraw her recommendations at any time!

The doctors who testified stated that the deceased died of sepsis and that the sepsis could have been caused by excessive massaging of the leg of the deceased.

“The coroner conveniently overlooked the fact that the school doctor and the nurses massaged the leg of the deceased for two days before inviting his parents to take him home.

“In an attempt to exonerate Dowen College, the coroner was silent on the overwhelming evidence of the bullying of the deceased, his sister, and other students by the same set of students.

Dowen’s lawyer, Anthony Popo, said what had happened was an unravelling of atupostriry of life and painstaking attention to details by the Coroner, who spent so much time, over 900 pages of records of proceedings and that he produced the truth in line with logic, and in line with science.

“It is unfortunate that innocent young boys almost had their lives irreversibly destroyed because of lies. It is a good thing that we all had the opportunity before the Coroner and the verdict has come strong, exonerated Dowen College of over 23 years and all the Dowen students,” he said.

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