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EndSARS: Man Demands N50m Compensation, Unraveling Of Killers Of Father, Uncle, Others From Panel

Published

5 years ago

December 3, 2020

Editor

A 41-year-old Smart Odojie Ofagba, the Edo State Judicial Panel of Inquiry for victims of SARS and related abuses appealed to the panel to unravel the circumstances surrounding the death of his father, uncle, labourer, just as he demanded N50million compensation.

Narrating how his father, a retired army officer, Mr. Samuel Udojie Ofagba, was allegedly murdered by one Divisional Police Officer, Aisabor in Usenu Irrua in Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo State in March 9, 1999, Ofagba also told the panel that his uncle, Mr. Abhulimen Ofagba and his father’s labourer, Kingsley were allegedly murdered alongside his father by the same police officer.

Mr. Smart who said he was 20 years old when the incident happened, told the panel that one Kingsley who works with his father in his farm was accosted by the police officer when he was coming from a night burial and was taken to his father (Mr. Samuel Udojie Ofagba) for identification.

He said when his father saw Kingsley, he identified him as one of his workers.

Narrating his experience further, he said his father (now deceased) asked Mr. Kingsley, the labourer what brought him to his house that early morning in his native language but was stopped by the police man for conversing in his tribe instead of English language that everyone could understand.

“So, the said police officer made an attempt to slap my father (now deceased) but he quickly held his hand and that one argument further led to the other which eventually landed them at the police station”, he said.

Smart said, his father, uncle and his father’s labourer were kept behind the counter and were told to come and bail themselves with the sum of N 40, 000 adding that they were only able to raise the sum of N 23,000 which the police allegedly rejected.

He said he was later told by the Investigative Police Officer to come back the following day to see the DPO since it was already late in the day only for them to hear that they have been shot dead and their bodies dumped at the Irrua Police Division and labelled “armed robbers” by the DPO.

Smart explained that the police claimed that they engaged them in a shoot out with his men at Ewu junction, Irrua, and the police proceeded to produce a cut to size locally made barrel gun and 10 live cartridges alleged to have belonged to his late father and uncle.

He noted that to make the matter worse, their bodies were not released to the family for burial.

Smart prayed the panel to compel Mr. Aisabor to lead him to where his father was buried so that he could exhume him and give him a befitting burial.

He also asked for the prosecution of officers who were remotely involved in the killings of his father, uncle and his father’s labourer.

He further sought for a public apology from the Nigeria Police Force for defaming his father, uncle and his father’s labourer.

Chairman of the panel, Justice Ada Ehigiamusoe (rtd), upon listening to the petitioner, ordered that the said Aisabor be summoned before the panel.

“This is the collective view of the panel that the said police officer named in the petition, one Mr. Aisabor be summoned before this panel to answer to issues as contained in the petition”, Justice Ada said.

News

Edo Promises Effective PHCs In 192 Wards

Published

6 minutes ago

October 13, 2025

Editor

The Edo state government said it is committed to ensuring effective Primary Healthcare Centres across all the 192 wards of the state.

The state deputy governor, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, said this during a federal government-backed supervision and inspection of the Oghede PHC in Ovia North-East Local Government Area.

The visit was part of an oversight function by Members of the House of Representatives Committee on Healthcare to assess the progress of the World Bank and Edo State Government-supported “IMPACT” Project — Immunization Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services.

According to a release by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Friday Aghedo, the deputy governor, said that the aim was to improve access to quality healthcare services, especially in rural areas

He added that it would also improve maternal and child healthcare services

Idahosa declared that governor Monday Okpebholo is committed to fulfilling this promise.

Speaking to his former colleagues in the Green chamber, Idahosa highlighted the administration’s focus on health reforms.

“The Monday Okpebholo led government is determined to deliver on its campaign promises, particularly in healthcare sector.

“The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole and other agency heads are working together for the good of Edo people,” he said.

Idahosa expressed satisfaction with the quality of work at the Oghede PHC, describing the facility as a model for other centres.

“I am very impressed with what I have seen here today. The prototype is good, the health workers are dedicated, and with the team we have in place, Edo people will be happy,” he noted.

He said that the state’s ongoing efforts at upgrading PHCs have significantly strengthened primary healthcare services across Edo.

He commended the Chairman of the House Committee on Healthcare, Hon. Amos Gwamna Magaji, for his support, saying, “From what we are seeing here today, we are not just meeting expectations, we are ahead of the curve nationally.”

Magaji, who once chaired the committee before Idahosa’s transition to state politics, described the visit as “a meeting of fate.”

He said the committee’s oversight focused on evaluating the use of federal government and World Bank funds to improve health infrastructure across states.

“Our mandate is to oversee the basic healthcare provision fund and ensure states like Edo are well positioned to achieve universal health coverage by 2030.

“Universal primary healthcare is the foundation of every nation’s health system, and we can not succeed without it,” he stated.

He expressed satisfaction with the level of government participation and the quality of the Oghede facility, noting that it effectively serves vulnerable groups.

“Nigeria currently faces one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world. To reverse this, PHCs must be well-equipped and staffed,” he stated.

He also called on residents to take advantage of health facilities within their communities, noting that the human resources are in place to serve them.

Providing further insight, Edo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole explained the classification of the “Level 2 PHC.”

According to him, “A Level 2 PHC is one that has two consulting rooms, a labour ward, an operating theatre, male and female wards, immunization areas, and staff quarters — all with access to electricity and water.”

He revealed that 61 such PHCs are being developed across the state; 21 in Edo South, 20 in Edo Central, and 20 in Edo North, and assured that construction would be completed within the next two weeks.

Project Manager of the IMPACT initiative, Dr. Idemudia Osayomore, added that the upgraded facilities would offer key services at no cost.

“Services are free for pregnant women, children under five, and the elderly above 65 years, in order to reduce maternal and child mortality,” he said.

The IMPACT Project, jointly funded by the Federal and Edo State Governments with support from the World Bank and the Edo Health Insurance Scheme (EDOHIS), aims to expand access to subsidized healthcare services and accelerate progress toward universal health coverage.

News

Why I Won’t Attend Gaza Summit In Egypt — Netanyahu

Published

2 hours ago

October 13, 2025

Editor

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not attend Monday’s Gaza summit in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh because it coincides with a Jewish holiday, his office said.

“Prime Minister Netanyahu was invited by US President Donald Trump to attend a conference in Egypt today,” his office said in a statement.

“The prime minister thanked President Trump for the invitation but said he would be unable to attend due to the timing coinciding with the start of the holiday” of Simhat Torah, which begins Monday evening and continues until sunset Tuesday.

Earlier, Egypt’s presidency said Netanyahu had been invited to attend following a call between US President Donald Trump, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, and the Israeli premier.

AFP

News

Fubara Names New Rivers SSG

Published

2 hours ago

October 13, 2025

Editor

The Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has approved the appointment of Benibo Anabraba as the new Secretary to the State Government.

The appointment was confirmed on Monday in a statement signed by Dr. Honour Sirawoo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications.

According to the release, Anabraba is scheduled to be sworn in today, Monday, October 13, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. at the State Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Port Harcourt.

The statement said, “His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, Governor of Rivers State, has approved the appointment of Hon. Benibo Anabraba as Secretary to the Rivers State Government.

“The new SSG will be sworn in today, Monday, October 13, 2025, by 4:00 PM at the State Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Port Harcourt.”

The appointment follows Fubara’s recent reinstatement to office after a period of political and legal turbulence that led to his suspension under emergency rule declared by President Bola Tinubu.

Tinubu had, on March 18, 2025, declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending the governor, his deputy, and members of the House of Assembly. He cited the prolonged political crisis between Fubara and his predecessor and political benefactor, Nyesom Wike, as the reason.

In Fubara’s place, Tinubu appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as Sole Administrator, with a mandate to restore political stability.

Recall that the immediate past administrator, upon assumption of office during the emergency rule imposed suspended all commissioners, special advisers, and assistants appointed by Fubara.

Ibas also dissolved boards and suspended heads of parastatals he met in office.

Since Ibas exited the state on September 18, the fate of Fubara’s appointees had remained uncertain. The Rivers State House of Assembly, at its first sitting after the lifting of the emergency rule, had called on the governor to submit a fresh list of commissioner-nominees for screening, alongside the 2025 budget for passage.

His return to the governorship has coincided with a flurry of administrative changes as the governor consolidates his team.