News

EndSARS: Family Demands N50m Compensation, Apology, Others Over Murder of Son In Edo

Published

5 years ago

November 3, 2020

Family members of a police brutality, Mr. Ibrahim Momodu, have petitioned the chairman of the Edo state Judicial Panel of Inquiry on the EndSARS protest, Hon. Justice Ada Ehigiamusoe (Rtd), over the gruesome murder of their son by policemen in 2013 in the state.

They are demanding for an urgent invitation, investigation and prosecution of one Mrs. Carol Afegbai, a Chief Superintendent of Police and others at large over alleged murder.

The Momodu family in a petition through their lawyer, Jefferson Uwoghiren, Esq. dated 27th of October, 2020, a copy of which was made available to newsmen yesterday, urged the panel to invite Mrs. Afegbai and others now at large for alleged complicity and conspiracy to murder, obstruct Justice and conducts prejudicial to public peace.

They are also asking for N50m compensation for loss of affection, emotional distress and grave injustice done to them by “agents of government, sworn to protect lives and properties.

Jefferson Uwoghiren, in the petition stated that the criminal complicity of Mrs. Afegbai, a senior police officer and former Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Ogida police division, Siluko road, Benin City and others, “have caused our client untold emotional distress, loss of affection and grave injustice.”

He explained that on 27th May, 2013, at Obayuwana Junction, along Siluko road, Benin City, one Mr. Amadin Idahosa, a Corporal with the Nigeria Police and orderly to then CSP Carol Afegbai (DPO), Ogida police station at about 7pm, without provocation, legal justification, illegally and wrongly shot and killed Mr. Ibrahim Momodu.

“They subsequently in attempts to cover up, buried the said Mr. Ibrahim Momodu in a shallow grave in a public cemetery in Benin City.”

“On the 5th of June 2013, on the order of Court, the body of Ibrahim Momodu was exhumed from a shallow grave at the Third Cemetery,New Benin, Benin City for autopsy.

“The result of the autopsy showed that late Momodu was shot in the chest, lacerating his heart and embarrassed by the circumstances of the killing the police arrested Mr. Amadin Idahosa, subjected him to orderly room trial, dismissed him from the force and charged him to court for murder on charge No. B/CD/24C/2014.”

Uwoghiren appealed to the panel chairman to “invite, demand, request and clarify from Mrs. Carol Afegbai, immediate steps she took to arrest and abate the callous killing by her Orderly right in her presence, as a senior law enforcement officer, paid with tax payers money to protect lives and properties.”

He also requested the panel to find out from the former DPO and others, “Whose initiative it was to attempt to mislead Nigerians with the provision of a Q-Link Motorcycle, purporting it to belong to late Mr. Ibrahim Momodu, and whose initiative it was to attempt to mislead Nigerians with the provision of a cut to size Russian made barrel gun and five live cartridges alleged to belong to late Momodu, when in fact from evidence it was a planted gun to destroy the image of Mr. Ibrahim Momodu.

He continues, “The location of phones and personal properties of Mr. Ibrahim Momodu carted away by the police,after the killings but ordered returned to our client by the court.”

“Who ordered the post-killng cover ups of complicity, murder of Mr. Ibrahim Momodu, as noted by the trial judge, in his Lordship’s judgement.

Uwoghiren further demanded for a public apology from the Nigeria Police for defaming parents of the deceased as armed robbers and criminals as well as renaming of the Administrative block at Ogida police station after Mr. Ibrahim Momodu.

“I’m in addition demanding for the arrest and prosecution of all police officers who were and present during the killing of Mr. Ibrahim Momodu, for complicity in his murder.

News

BREAKING: Tinubu Nominates New Defence Minister

Published

16 minutes ago

December 2, 2025

Editor

President Bola Tinubu has nominated former Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa, rtd, as the new Minister of Defence.

In a letter to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Tinubu disclosed Musa’s nomination as the successor to Alhaji Mohammed Badaru, who resigned on Monday.

Musa served as Chief of Defence Staff from 2023 until October 2025. He won the Colin Powell Award for Soldiering in 2012.

Born in Sokoto in 1967, Musa received his primary and secondary education there before attending the College of Advanced Studies in Zaria.

He graduated in 1986 and enrolled at the Nigerian Defence Academy the same year, earning a Bachelor of Science degree upon graduation in 1991.

News

Edo Govt Bars Journalists From Covering Event In State House

Published

31 minutes ago

December 2, 2025

Editor

Journalists invited by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to cover the declaration of Edo as the official hosts of the 2026 NDDC Sports Festival were on Tuesday barred from covering the event inside the Government House in Benin City.

The journalists had sat at the venue of the event named Presidential Villa inside the Government House at around 11:00 a.m. for the official kick off of the event.

After waiting for over one hour in the Presidential Villa, information came that the venue for the event had been changed to the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) office, prompting both the journalists, NDDC officials and other dignitaries to move from the Presidential Villa to the SSG office.

Not too long had both the journalists and other dignitaries seated at the conference hall of the SSG that one of the protocols of the governor popularly known as Pikolo arrived at the hall and announced that the government was informed that only 27 persons were invited for the programme, hence anyone whose name was not in the government list would not be allowed into to the programme when it commences.

A few minutes after Pikolo made the announcement, Chairman of the Edo State chapter of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, Kehinde Osaigede stood up to announce that he had been sent a message that the venue had been changed to the initial venue (Presidential Villa).

Moving out of the SSG section of the Government House to the Presidential Villa, journalists came across the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Fred Itua, and when he saw them (journalists) he asked after exchanging pleasantries, “were you invited by the organisers? No, I will not allow you in, this is strictly for State House reporters. The governor is personally attending the programme, so it is strictly for the State House. Presidential Villa? No!”

Shortly after uttering the above words near the Deputy Governor’s section inside the Government House, Itua moved hurriedly to the Presidential Villa section and the gate was shot for screening of persons.

When journalists and others invited got to the gate of the Presidential Villa they were subjected to screening. While some dignitaries were screened in, some journalists and some staff members of the NDDC were shut out of the venue.

News

Otuaro Felicitates Tompolo On Honorary Doctorate Award

Published

16 hours ago

December 2, 2025

Editor

Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr Dennis Otuaro has congratulated High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, on the conferment of an Honorary Doctorate of Laws (LLD) by the E.K. Clark University.

Otuaro described the recognition as well-deserved and befitting, noting that Tompolo has, over the years, demonstrated uncommon commitment to the peace, progress, and stability of the Niger Delta and Nigeria at large.

According to him, Tompolo’s role in sustaining peace in the region, particularly through his steadfast support for dialogue, community engagement, and nonviolent approaches to conflict resolution, has made a significant contribution to national security and economic stability.

He further noted that, beyond his contributions to peacebuilding, Tompolo has demonstrated extraordinary compassion, philanthropy, and devotion to humanitarian causes.

He added that his investments in youth empowerment stand as clear evidence of a man whose heart is truly with his people.

“Tompolo’s good heart, generosity, and love for humanity distinguish him as a leader of rare character,” Otuaro said.

The PAP Administrator commended E.K. Clark University for identifying and honouring a personality whose impact continues to resonate across the Niger Delta and beyond.

He urged other institutions to emulate such gestures that celebrate individuals advancing society through selfless service.

Dr Otuaro prayed for God’s continued guidance, long life, and strength for High Chief Ekpemupolo as he continues to serve the Niger Delta and Nigeria with dignity, wisdom, and compassion.