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Criminal Justice Law: ‘No Security Agent Has Right To Torture You’ EDOCSO Tells Nigerians

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Edo Civil Society Organisations (EDOCSO) says no security personnel under whatsoever guise has right to torture or victimise any citizen of the the country.

Coordinator-General, EDOCSO, Comrade Agho Omobude, gave this revaluation on Saturday in Benin City while embarking on a sensitisation rally on the existence of Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) of Edo State and the protection it provides for an average Edo citizen.

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Members of EDOCSO during the sensitization rally on Saturday in Benin City.

The enlightenment rally which was supported by CLEEN Foundation took members of EDOCSO to some major streets within the popular King’s Square, Benin.

READ ALSO: Coronavirus: Turkey Detains 64 For Spreading Misinformation On Social Media

Enlightening the public further, Omobude said under the ACJL, no security personnel has right to beat or harass any citizen just because such citizen is under detention, stressing that being in detention does not deny such person his or her fundamental rights as citizen of Nigeria.

Comrade Agho Omobude leading his members during the rally

While disclosing that ACJL gives security agencies power to arrest and investigate, Omobude noted that the same law restricts them (security personnel) from beating, harassing anybody either in the detention or under any condition, adding that this, the same security agencies do not want Nigerians to know.

He said, “Administration of Criminal Justice law says no security agent has right to beat or harass anybody either in detention or the person is carrying tattoo on his body, or have any haircut. The law forbids them (security men) from searching your phone. The law says no citizen should be under detention for more than 48 hours. If they do any of these to you, take them to court, they will pay for it.

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READ ALSO: Police Arrest 75-year-old Man For Allegedly Defiling Two Siblings

“As a citizen of this country, you are the highest office holder. This is what the law stipulates for you, so you must be aware of this law. I am aware and I know that security agencies do not want you to know about this law that had been passed into law since 2018, and that is why we are out here to enlighten the citizens.”

EDOCSO members chanting solidarity songs

The Coordinator-General advised those who have knowledge of the ACJL to reach out to members of the public on how they can access and activate the law for their own benefit particularly in terms of protection.

On her part, Annie Iroro, Deputy Coordinator-General, EDOCSO, said the organisation has been holding meetings with stokeholders on the need to fully implement the ACJL, stressing that though some are claiming to be complying, the compliance is very low hence the rally to enlighten the public.

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Iroro noted that there are basic things all citizens need to know about the law which according to her are in favour for the average man and also provide protection to him.

READ ALSO: 38-year-old Driver Remanded For Allegedly Impregnating Minor In Edo

She said the full implementation of the ACJL is a process that need to be followed, adding that EDOCSO is on the front banner until it is fully implemented and all security agencies comply.

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$1bn Fraud: Court Refuses Detained CBEX Operators Bail

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The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday refused to grant bail to three detained promoters of Crypto Bridge Exchange accused of involvement in a fraud exceeding $1 billion.

In his ruling, Justice Emeka Nwite held that, based on the affidavit evidence presented by both parties, the case against the defendants appeared strong.

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The judge, on April 24, had previously granted the application of the EFCC to arrest and detain six CBEX operators in connection with the alleged fraud.

The order followed an ex parte motion filed by the EFCC’s counsel, Yusuf, which sought detention pending the conclusion of investigations and possible prosecution.

READ ALSO:CBEX: Investors Will Get Their Money Back – EFCC Assures

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The six defendants include Adefowora Abiodun, Adefowora Oluwanisola, Emmanuel Uko, Seyi Oloyede, Avwerosuo Otorudo, and Chukwuebuka Ehirim.

In the motion ex parte, filed on April 23, the EFCC outlined four grounds for its application, including its statutory duty to prevent and detect financial crimes through investigation.

Yusuf argued that some defendants were at large, necessitating a warrant of arrest to enable proper investigation and prosecution.

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According to the EFCC, the defendants, through their company ST Technologies International Limited, promoted CBEX by advertising investment opportunities and luring members of the public to invest cryptocurrencies on the CBEX platform.

READ ALSO:CBEX: EFCC Declares Foreigner Wanted

The agency alleged that the defendants promised unrealistic returns of up to 100%, requiring victims to convert their digital assets into stablecoin (USDT) and deposit them into the suspects’ crypto wallets.

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Initially, victims had full access to monitor their investments. However, once deposits surpassed $1 billion, the CBEX platform became inaccessible, and withdrawals were blocked.

Investigations revealed that the scheme was fraudulent and that ST Technologies International Limited, although registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission, was not authorised by the Securities and Exchange Commission to offer investment services.

The EFCC further disclosed that the defendants had vacated their last known addresses in Lagos and Ogun States. A warrant of arrest was thus necessary to trace and apprehend them.

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READ ALSO:CBEX Resumes Operations Despite SEC Ban, N1.2tn EFCC Probe

During a hearing on 11 June, counsel for the defendants, Babatunde Busari and Justice Otorudo, argued for bail, citing Section 35(1) and Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and sections of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.

They sought to vary the court’s earlier order permitting the EFCC to detain their clients, requesting bail pending the conclusion of investigations, arraignment, and trial.

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However, the EFCC opposed the bail application, arguing that the defendants were implicated in a fraud exceeding the budgets of several Nigerian states combined. The commission also noted that new petitions from victims continued to emerge.

READ ALSO:CBEX Fraud: EFCC Declares Two More Wanted

In delivering his ruling, Justice Nwite acknowledged that a formal charge had been filed against the defendants and was awaiting assignment to a court.

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He rejected claims that the 1st defendant, Abiodun, required urgent medical attention, stating that the EFCC could provide necessary healthcare.

In view of the foregoing, and considering the nature of the case, as well as the fact that a formal charge has been filed, I hold that the interest of justice will be best served by transferring this application to the court where the charge is pending for simultaneous arraignment and hearing of the bail application,” the judge declared.

The application was subsequently refused.

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Panic As Bees Invade Central Mosque In Edo

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There was panic at the Central Mosque in Auchi on Friday afternoon when a swarm of bees invaded the prayer hall, abruptly disrupting Jumaat (Friday) prayers.

Eyewitnesses said the incident occurred just as worshippers had gathered for their weekly congregational prayer, only to be met with a sudden influx of bees that forced them to flee in confusion.

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Some described how the swarm descended rapidly into the mosque, prompting an immediate halt to the proceedings.

READ ALSO: Edo Police Arrest Four Suspected Cultists

Amid surprise and apprehension, men and women quickly abandoned their prayer mats, some running outside to avoid potential stings.

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Videos shared on social media platforms captured worshippers scattering in alarm as the bees buzzed densely within the closed space.

Local observers noted that this rare occurrence sparked widespread curiosity and concern across the community. Some interpreted the incident as a possible spiritual sign.

One Instagram user expressed the sentiment, questioning whether “this is a sign that Allah was angry? “

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READ ALSO: Edo PDP Expresses Concern Over Okpebholo’s ₦100bn Loan, Says ‘It’s Another Conduit Pipe’

However, others cautioned against speculative interpretations, urging calm and practical responses.

A beekeeper explained that such unexpected bee swarms—especially in urban or semi‑urban settings—can naturally occur when hives split and scout bees seek new nesting sites.

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“Once a queen is found by scouts, the swarm may cluster temporarily in unusual locations, including buildings. In this case, the Central Mosque—as a large, enclosed space—likely appeared suitable”, he argued.

Meanwhile, the Central Mosque management is expected to clean and inspect the premises before coming Friday prayers.

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BREAKING: Emir’s Palace, NDLEA Office Set Ablaze As Protest Rocks Kwara

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Residents of Lafiagi in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State took to the streets on Monday in protest against what they described as worsening insecurity in their communities, including repeated cases of terrorism, kidnapping and killings.

The protesters, predominantly youths from the area, voiced frustration over what they termed government inaction in the face of continued violence.

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They were seen in a video clip chanting solidarity songs and waving placards, demanding urgent intervention to curb the bloodshed and abductions disrupting daily life.

READ ALSO: Troops Nab 8 Kidnap Suspects, Rescue 2 Victims In Kwara

The irate youths set fire to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, office in Lafiagi and vandalised the palace of the Emir of Lafiagi, smashing windows and damaging parts of the building.

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We have been crying and dying in silence,” a resident said in the video clip. “People are being kidnapped every week. We don’t sleep with both eyes closed anymore, and nobody, neither the governor, the chairman, nor even the Emir, is doing anything about it.”

The protest, sources said, was triggered by accumulated anger over persistent attacks and lack of effective response from local and state authorities.

READ ALSO: Six Kwara SUBEB Officials In Court For Alleged N96m Fraud

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The youths are exhausted, and there has been no concrete action from the government,” a source stated. “The frequency of attacks has increased, which is why the protest erupted today.”

The unrest reportedly escalated as protesters moved toward key government buildings, including security agency offices. According to eyewitnesses, the NDLEA facility was set ablaze during the demonstration.

Lafiagi and neighbouring communities have experienced several abductions in recent weeks, with multiple residents still being held captive.

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Families of the victims have reportedly paid substantial ransoms to secure the release of their loved ones.

DAILY POST reports that three Fulani women were abducted in the area on Sunday.

 

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