Re-Trial of Nnubia, kidnap baron, rages

(Dr. C Okeke wrote): I'm glad you said that money has not bought justice. (Picture left shows the suspected kidnappers undergoing prosecution. Nnubia, the alleged kidnap baron, is in the middle)

On the other hand, have you considered that innocent men are being held without cause. It seems that you are the judge and jury, you have already concluded that Dr. Nnubia and his staff are guilty.

What kind of news medium are you? Are you not supposed to conduct your own investigation in order to find out the truth? I wonder who is paying you to write this rubbish. Any news article with reference to this case shows that you have already tried and found Dr. Nnubia guilty.

Is it a sin to work hard and become wealthy at an early age, or should Dr. Nnubia pay for employing Mohammed? Surely, the truth will come out in the end. Nothing, I repeat, nothing is hidden under the sun forever. I hope you will write a retraction when Dr. Nnubia and his staff are cleared of this case.

Dr. C. Okeke

Editor's Note

We are, indeed, at a loss at the outrage of Dr. Okeke against our publications on Chief Nnubia so far. Okeke has, as it were, sent us series of reactions concerning our stories on Nnubia. But the story/ies which Dr. Okeke has been complaining about with venom have, incidentally, never been our stories, but the court's.

KlinReports has been reporting the Nnubia stories from the court proceedings. Nobody is sponsoring us to write for or against Nnubia. As a policy, we do not give room for that.

So, may we in KlinReports assure our good friend, Dr. C. Okeke, that we remain steadfast and committed to the ethics of journalism profession, and would take another look at our style of reporting the Nnubia saga so far.

Thanks for being there!

A Chief Judge’s Gaffe

Nothing could be more embarrassing than a judge annulling his own judgment. This is the scenario that played out recently in Abia state when Abia state Chief Judge, Sunday Imo, set aside the consent judgment he gave concerning chairmanship seat of the state chapter of People’s Democratic Party (PDP). (Picture shows Justice Idris Kutigi, Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN)

The Chief Judge had earlier, on January 13, adopted a purported peace agreement brokered by the party’s Board of Trustee (BOT) member, Prince Benjamin Apugo, which recognized erstwhile chairman of the Party, Alfred Awah, as the authentic chairman of the party in the state.

Prior to the judgment, Chief Alfred Awah and his erstwhile executive committee had, in a suit, contended that their tenure had not expired, and prayed the court to declare the tenure of the current chairman of the party, Chief Ndidi Okereke, illegal.

But while the matter was in court, Prince Apugo initiated an out-of-court settlement, a proposal which the parties accepted.

Swiftly responding to the January 13, judgment on the matter by Justice Imo, Okereke obtained a court injunction to stay execution on the consent judgment. Okereke, also, January 14, sent a petition to the National Judicial Council (NJC), accusing Justice Imo of descending into the murky realm of Abia politics. The PDP chairman, further, alleged that the situation led Justice Imo to pursue narrow interests of the People Progressive Alliance (PPA) government in Abia state.

Part of the allegations of Okereke is that the process was inconclusive because Chief Apugo unilaterally prepared a report of settlement, which he presented to Justice Imo’s court to obtain judgment in favor of the Awah – led faction.

Justice Imo, in ruling on the matter that set aside the previous judgment, noted that the court could no longer work with the representations of the parties involved in the case. He further stated that he has returned the case to Justice Agwu Kalu of High Court 4, Umuahia, who was originally handling the matter before he was kidnapped. According to him, the judge would resume hearing on the issue after he has fully recuperated from the bullet shots he received from his kidnappers.

Though Justice Imo expressed shock on the level of reaction the adoption of the controversial peace agreement generated among the political class and lawyers in the state, a section of the people of the state alleges that his action was necessitated by his eagerness to compensate the state government which, in breach of seniority profile of the state judiciary, appointed him Chief Judge.

Moreover, Justice Imo’s situation is made more complex by the memo written to him by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Idris Kutigi, in response to Okereke’s petition.

In the memo, Justice Kutigi directed thus: “I forward herewith a petition, dated 14th January 2009 against you by one Chief Ndidi Okereke, Chairman Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Abia state on the above subject mater. The petition speaks for itself. I shall be glad to have your comments within two weeks from the receipt of this letter”.

Stop Osu caste system

Despite local and international outcries, Osu caste system is still practiced in most communities of Igboland. (Photo shows Emeka Ogbonna,President, People's Participation Front (PPF)

Osu caste takes the form of slavery and slave trade whereby a person(s) is/are bought as a slave(s) and dedicated to a god. The people are, subsequently, viewed as the representatives of the god. This practice is, of course, humiliating and negated both legal and biblical perspectives on individual freedom.

Where it is practiced, an Osu is not allowed by the traditional law to marry a free-born. He or she is neither permitted by the traditional law to keep other forms of relationships or affiliations with those regarded as free-born. The caste had undergone several adjustments during the era of colonialism, had been affected by the decree enforced by the white man to abolish slave trade. Also, some decades ago, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, as premier of Eastern Region of Nigeria, passed a law abolishing the caste system in Igboland. Yet, the practice still thrives.

The treatment meted out to the Osu flouts the provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Article 1 of the declaration states: “All human beings are born equal in dignity and right. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood”.
Article 4 of the same declaration states: “No one shall be held in slavery and slavery shall be against the land”

The practice of Osu cast system is clearly painted in Chinua Achebe’s “No longer at ease” where Obi Clara was vehemently opposed by his people because Clara was an Osu. The annoying thing is that the discrimination persists despite the high presence of Christianity in southeast-Nigeria, and despite the biblical injunction that in Christ there is neither Jew nor Gentile, and neither freeborn nor slave.

It is against this backdrop that a pro-human rights organization, Popular Participation Front (PPF), has embarked on a campaign to abolish this inhuman practice.

The group, based in the southeast-Nigeria, has, in its campaign, visited many communities and local government areas in Imo State which includes Ihitte Oboma, Mbano, Mbaise, just to mention but a few.

According to Comrade Emeka Ogbonna, President of the organization, the campaign is to sensitize the public that in the 21st century such negative practices should not be found among civilized populace of Nigeria.

“Such practice in the 21st century is uncalled for, it is inhuman, it is barbaric and throws Nigeria back to the Stone Age. It should not be found in Nigeria in this era. Besides, Nigeria is a signatory to several legal instruments such as African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and Universal Declaration of Human Rights among others which enforce the observance of human rights”, Comrade Ogbonna enthused.

The president, further, said the group is adopting the approach of advocacy to achieve this aim. According to him, the group is visiting traditional heads to hold dialogues with them. Subsequently, the traditional rulers convene a gathering of opinion molders in the community where this message would be preached to them. The opinion molders later relay this gospel to the citizens.

So far, according to Comrade Ogbonna, the campaign is recording success as all the traditional rulers visited are receiving the message with open hands.

“The campaign seems to be divinely designed. In all the places we have visited, the people receive it with open minds. I specially thank His Royal Highness, Eze Ogwuegbu from Ihitte Oboma, who is like an inspiration to this campaign and many other traditional rulers who have contributed to the success of this program. Negotiations are in top gear to partner with the Imo State Government. The Governor, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, is keen on the program. And he pursues anything he is convinced in with vigour,” Ogbonna posits.

Some phases of the campaign are nearing completion. Such phases are that of Ihitte Oboma and its neighbors. The campaign at the phases would be sealed with a traditional rite, which is performed at the open, preferably the village square. The rite will be performed in the presence of the “Osu Caste” and the freeborn. Comrade Ogbonna narrated that the essence of the rite is too severe any barrier that might have been construed to exist between the “Osu” and the freeborn.

The Osu caste system in Igbo land predates the colonial period. In this practice, sets of people are regarded as inferiors in the society due to their attachments to the community, village deity or personal deities.

According to Elder C. G. Alozie, Administrator of Church of God (Seventh day), Abia state, we find those negative practices among christians because christians read the bible but do not internalize the scriptures.

“There is a problem somewhere, most christians, even church leaders practice christianity superficially and not in truth and spirit”, stated Elder Alozie.
The practice does not only have social implications but economic. According to Comrade Emeka Ogbonna, it inhibits the harness and harmonization of resources between the freeborn and Osu due to the barrier.

He said, “The greatest achievement is that both harness and harmonize their resources for the development of the society”.

Reported by Okechukwu Keshi Ukaegbu/Aba

Iwu is a drowning man

Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State has described as unfounded the report credited to INEC chairman, Professor Maurice Iwu, to the effect that he and Chief Victor Umeh, the APGA national chairman, are sponsoring his removal from office. The Governor, through Chuks Iloegbunam, his special adviser on Communication, described as totally untrue another aspect of the report which claimed that Iwu had approached him with a suggestion on how to resolve the crises in APGA. (Iwu top right and Obi top left)

Iloegbunam admitted that both Governor Obi and Chief Umeh, like other champions of Nigeria’s democracy, have been consistent in calling for Iwu’s resignation or removal on the grounds that the man conducted what are possibly the worst elections in human history.

The Special Adviser maintained that the mess created by INEC under Iwu’s watch during the 2007 general elections is so monumental that only beneficiaries of his failed polls would oppose his been given the boot.

“The gubernatorial “elections” of Idris Ibrahim (Kogi State), Liyel Imoke (Cross River), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Timipre Sylva (Bayelsa), and Magatakarda Wammako (Sokoto) were reversed by the courts, forcing re-runs in those states.”, said Iloegbunam who added that the courts, also, pronounced Adams Oshiomole and Olusegun Mimiko the Governors of Edo and Ekiti states respectively while booting out Osunbor and Agagu whom Iwu’s INEC had brazenly wangled into power.

“In the case of Anambra state , Iwu conducted a gubernatorial election while Governor Peter Obi was yet to conclude his four-year time, thereby letting in a certain Andy Ubah through the back door. In Rivers state, Iwu’s INEC smuggled in the name of Celestine Omehia as the PDP gubernatorial candidate for Rivers State . Fortunately the courts reversed both decisions, for which reason Obi remains the Governor of Anambra State and Rotimi Amaechi was sworn-in as the rightful Governor of Rivers State. Iwu’s “polls” become even more outrageous when the hundreds of cases filed against elections into the various legislative houses across Nigeria come into scrutiny. Even the presidential election was a subject of litigation for upwards of two years”, Iloegbunam continued.

Iloegbunam, authlor of Ironside, wondered why a man responsible for these undemocratic acts should cling on to a post that should belong only to those who go the equity with clean hands.

“Iwu is a drowning man desperately clutching at disreputable straws to escape the proper censure for his disservice to the Nigerian nation. If the man permitted himself some sober reflection on the colossal sums of money and the incredible dislocation caused the judicial system as a result of judges taking up temporary assignments in electoral tribunals, he should be afflicted by pangs of remorse. Instead, he is sitting tight and making false claims on settling the so-called crises in APGA. Which crises?” said he.

Iloegbunam added that in 2007 elections, INEC admitted list of candidates submitted by the National Chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Umeh, when the Governor was on impeachment. He said the moment the court declared the impeachment illegal and the name of the Governor was submitted as APGA candidate Iwu turned round and said that INEC recognized Chief Chekwas Okorie based on a non-existent court order.

Enugu’s rotten teachers' union

Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu state-Nigeria, on Tuesday March 3, said his government would, soon, set up a judicial commission of inquiry to look into the activities of the state’s chapter of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT). The governor’s pronouncement followed allegations of monumental corruption leveled against officials of the state chapter of the teachers’ union, especially, Chiefs Uche Agboeze and Ike Ene, chairman and secretary respectively. (Picture left above shows Governor Chime having a chat with teachers of the state)

Chime hinted that the setting up of the commission followed the request from the state House of Assembly that government should investigate alleged financial malpractices of officials of the teachers.

Governor Chime, meeting with the striking teachers (the strike lasted two days only 13 & 14 March), said preliminary investigations into the activities of the officials revealed certain anomalies in the way they have been running the union.

For instance, Chime stated that the sum of N12.6 million was deducted illegally from teachers’ salaries through the state’s Basic Education Board. The governor maintained that check-off dues collected from the teachers from 2005 were doubled without approval, adding that the teachers were subjected to monthly payment of N2, 000.00 to the union without government’s approval.
The most scandalous of the allegations against the NUT officials is misappropriation of teachers’ property and embezzlement of federal housing scheme fund. Indeed, the union, over time, acquired two property in Enugu, one on Ogui Road (Teachers House) and the other on 11 Presidential Road. The two properties ought to have ideally constituted sources of revenues to the union. But this appear not be so. Hear the teachers: “Millions of naira and pounds sterling accrued to NUT as house rents of these properties are unaccounted for”.

“Government has decided to set up a Judicial Panel of Inquiry to investigate the activities of the union leaders”, Chime said. He stated that his government would not succumb to blackmail by the union leaders, who, he said, called the teachers out on a strike for “purposes of blackmailing the government.”

According to Chime, he took time out to explain to the NUT leaders how it was not convenient for it at this time to pay the new salary structure owing to the current financial crisis, but they were not ready to show understanding. The strike was embarked over the non-implementation of the Teachers Salary Structure (TSS) in the state, in addition to the demand to be paid the 27.5 percent salary increase demanded by the teachers.

KlinReports learnt that the union leaders, Ike Ene, expected the government to lobby them with a certain amount so that they would dissuade their members from embarking on the strike action, but because they were not given money, they declared the strike.

We commend the governor for taking steps to probe Enugu NUT officials. We note that this probe is long over due, as the activities of these union officials, especially, Ene and Agboeze are stinking to high heavens.

Some questions are worth asking concerning the activities of Ike Ene and Uche Agboeze in the union. How come these two musketeers continue to rule the union for over a decade now? Are the offices of chairman and secretary of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Enugu chapter, the union the birthright of Ene and Agboeze? What has become of the constitution of the union? Or does it thousands of teachers in Enugu state are bereft of leaders except Ene and Agboeze?

These questions and more are what this Judicial Commission of Inquiry will ultimately resolve. And Chime’s state will be better for it!

Love is wicked!

This 19 year old lady is not a victim of acid bath. Neither is she a victim of accident of any kind. No!

Obiageli Nnaude, an indigene of Oghe community, Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu state, is wearing this most horrible look courtesy of her live-in lover, Chinedu Nwanmo.

Chinedu, a native of Enugwu-Ukwu in Anambra state, last year, December 31, sprayed a gallon of kerosene on Obiageli, and, subsequently, set her ablaze with the aid of a lighter. Obiageli ran confusedly amidst shouts of agony. By the time rescue came her way, the anguished lady was burnt up. More heart-rending is the fact that Obiageli was a nursing mother at the time of this fire attack by her heartthrob. She had, a year back, fell in love with Chinedu. Love-sick she became that she, subsequently, broke loose from her mother’s control (She is fatherless), and relocated to live with the beast (Chinedu) in his Enugwu-Ukwu home.

KlinReports was told that trouble started when Chinedu, a commercial bus driver, returned home the previous day, December 30, with a lady who Obiageli suspected was his mistress. Obiageli, understandably, protested Chinedu’s action. Reminding the girl that Chinedu was married to her, Obiageli asked the invading mistress to stay away from her spouse.

At this point, Chinedu descended on Obiageli, beating her to a pulp. Thereafter, he went ahead to sleep with his mistress for the night.

And if Obiageli thought the matter was all over, she was dead wrong! Chinedu returned to the house in the morning, and took away the one year old baby Obiageli was suckling. He bathed the child and took him away to his mother in their family house nearby.

Unable to let go of her baby, Obiageli traced the child to Chinedu’s family house. While she was having a chat with Chinedu’s mother over last night’s incident, Chinedu appeared from inside the house where he was having his rest, and demanded to know why Obiageli had trailed him to the house.

Without waiting for an answer, Chinedu ran to their apartment and brought out all the clothes and personal property of Obiageli and set them on fire. By this time, Obiageli had arrived at the scene to witness the burning of her belongings. Chinedu dashed back to the room and brought a gallon of kerosene, poured it all over Obiageli and other sympathizers.

Knowing that danger was afoot, Obiageli took to her heels, but Chinedu’s pace was swifter. He closed in on her, held her by the collar of her dress, and ignited his cigarette lighter on her. Obiageli went ablaze! By the time sympathizers and the neighborhood put off the raging fire, Obiageli had sustained first degree burns all over her body.

Obiageli has, since then, been writhing in pains at a hospital in Enugwu-Ukwu community where Chinedu consigned her to.

Amaoge, Obiageli’s poor and illiterate mother, laments that Chinedu and his family had refused to take her daughter to the National Orthopedic Hospital, Enugu where she could be given the right medical treatment. Amaoge, also, regrets that up until now, no report was lodged to the police regarding the incident. Worse-still, Chinedu and his family members do not show any remorse concerning the fire attack on Obiageli, as they continue to taunt her even on her sick bed.

All in all, Obiageli’s mother calls on members of the public to come to her daughter’s aide through donation of money to commence her treatment at the Orthopedic Hospital. Amaoge says she presently requires about N200, 000.00 for the initial treatments on her.

“I have no hope of saving my daughter’s life except I get financial help from the government and members of the public. Please, I need help”, the distraught middle aged woman cried out while talking to KlinReports.

And unless help comes, Obiageli, according to the doctor, may soon die as the burns are going septic.

Editor’s Note:

KlinReports will be obliged to facilitate any financial assistance to save the life of Obiageli, and, by extension, that of her one year baby. We call on public spirited individuals not to let this lady die. Your little contributions can a whole lot of difference!

For assistance to Obiageli, kindly contact us at editor@klinreports.com. Or, you could use the following bank details to send any amount of money you can for her medical upkeep: Bank PHB Platinum Bank Plc, Okpara Avenue, Enugu-Nigeria; Account Name: Aham Uba Jones;
Account Number: 112100000185.

We can still arrange and bring her to meet with you, however you chose.

Thanks.

Go for second term!

A group of students that goes by the name, Association of Anambra Students, have called on the state governor, Mr. Peter Obi, to go for a second term in office, citing continuity as their reason.(Illustration picture shows Gov. obi with Ambassador of the People’s Republic of Korea, RI Chan Ho, who paid him a courtesy call at Government House, Awka recently)

In a release signed by the students' association's publicity Secretary, Placid Ujumadu, the Group said that Anambra State had never had it so good since Governor Obi became governor.
Part of the statement reads:

“We are appalled by what appear to be reckless and free-for all scramble to become the Governor of Anambra State. Much as we respect the right of any qualified Anambrarian to aspire to become the Governor of the State, we believe there is always the minimum standard. We cannot and do not expect anybody who has the love of the State at heart to be comfortable with the caliber of people that want to contest for the governorship election.”

Speaking, further, the group said that it was a disgrace to reckon with some characters that are aspiring to govern the state of Ojukwus and Ekwuemes of Nigeria.
On their preference for Obi, the students said that he has out-performed all others that had governed the state in the past. They said that under obi, the state is witnessing integrated development as it had never witnessed in the past.

In their words: “It is now clear to even the blind that development is the ability to tackle all sectors simultaneously as the Government of Obi is doing now. There is hardly any sector, ranging from education to commerce and industry that the man is not tackling.”

The people who want to challenge the Governor in the face of his wonderful work do not have the interest of the state at heart, the students concluded.

Trial of Nnubia, kidnap baron, rages

The last is yet to be heard on the on-going trial of Chief Ignatius Nnubia, the alleged kidnap baron, east of the Niger. Nnubia and his kidnap gang had, since December last year, been remanded in prison custody pending outcome of police investigations into their alleged kidnap exploits.(Picture left shows Nnubia)

It would be recalled that it was the kidnap of Dr. Paul Edemobi, younger brother to Nigeria’s information minister that led to the smashing of Nnubia’s kidnap syndicate. Nnubia is an Enugu based oil magnate.

The trial of the suspected kidnappers which commenced last month, witnessed the arraignment, on Monday March 2, of three additional accused persons.
The three new suspects are two police officers, Sgt. Osakaike Dennis, ThankGod Dakashi and one Ali Mohammed, a guard working for Nnubia.

No plea was taken on that day following absence of the three new suspects in court. Incidentally, their absence could neither be explained by the prosecution counsels nor the prison officials that brought the other accused persons to court.

The defense counsel, Dr. Zeph Anyogu told the court that everybody involved in the case was served summons to appear yesterday and wondered why the said accused persons were not in court. He argued that it was the responsibility of the prosecution to liase with the Investigating Police Officer (IPO) to find out the whereabouts of the accused persons. Anyogu applied for a short adjournment since the appearance would be for plea only and suggested Wednesday March 4. While not opposing the adjournment, the state counsel, Mrs. C. N. Malu, requested the court to give them more time to sort things out properly.

Trial judge, Mrs. Scholastica Amanoh, however, adjourned the case to March 17 for plea.

And in the same court, separate applications for the bail of the oil magnate, Nnubia, his manager, Emmanuel Okolie and his driver, Anike Ejike were made to the court by their consel, Anyogu.

The applications which were filed since January 26 this year were last argued on February 19. Arguing the application on behalf of the oil magnate, his counsel, Anyogu persuaded the court to admit the applicant on bail in view of the affidavits and exhibits attached to the application.

In the affidavits and exhibits, the applicant, he told the court has proofs that he would always make himself available while the trial as in progress. He assured the court that, the accused with an asset base of over N2 billion, cannot abscond or pervade the course of justice.

“My Lord, the question is whether the applicant will be attending court or not. He is not concerned whether guilty or not. He had sworn o the police that if after their investigation they find him involved in the offence, let them take every of his assets. His asset base is in the region of N2billion”, argued the counsel.

Anyogu made similar arguments in the applications of the manager and the driver. Trial judge, Justice Scholastica Amanoh reserved March 19 for ruling on the three bail applications.

For once in Nigeria, money has not instantly purchased freedom for the privileged. KlinReports commends the manner in which justice is being dispensed in this Nnubia case.

Tears for Shehu

January 20 this year was a heart-rending day to indigenes and residents of Enugu state. It was on that black day that the Nigeria Police, nay Nigerians, lost a rare gem, Shehu Adamu, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), in a car crash.

Adamu was traveling to Abuja alongside Sani Magaji, former Enugu state police commissioner, and three others including commissioner’s Personal Assistant, visiting brother and driver. Except Commissioner Magaji, Shehu perished with the other occupants of the jeep in which they were traveling.

Painfully, Shehu lost his life while on national duty on the Abuja-Kaduna highway from his Enugu base. He was on his way to Abuja on Magaji’s promptings. Adamu, ‘always loyal and humble to his superiors’, enjoyed very close working relationship with Police Commissioner Magaji.

Born in 1968 at Azare in Bauchi state, Shehu, until his sudden death, was the squadron commander, No. 3 squadron, Police Mobile Force, Enugu during which he did not only distinguish himself but was loved and admired by all and sundry in Enugu State. Shehu so much endeared himself to the people of Enugu state that he jocularly referred to himself as Chairman of Ohanaeze Ndi-Fulani in Enugu state. Wherever he went, he went with unequalled charisma.

It is no understatement that Shehu, when alive, could not enter any gathering without being noticed. Even if at the most Herculean assignment, Shehu carried out his duties jovially. Shehu would tell those in check during assignments, “You know I am the chief Priest of this congregation.” That was vintage Shehu. Shehu used coaxion and not force in crowd control, and he had, most times, succeeded.

Shehu carved out a niche for himself in Enugu state when he served as Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for six years. It is on record that journalists in the state protested his transfer as a Divisional Police Officer (DPO) from the PPRO beat.

As PPRO of Enugu State Police Command, Shehu saw himself as a member of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and he was rightly registered as a member. Shehu was always in the company of journalists, and called himself ‘Pastor’ of the rendezvous where journalists retire to after the day’s job.

To Fidelis Ogarabe, Chief Security Officer (CSO) to Enugu state governor and Shehu’s course mate in the Course 18, 1994/1995, Shehu was a gallant friend, a colleague, a confidant and reliable ally.

“I will say to Shehu: ‘You did not die in vain because your good relationship with all and sundry in Enugu state and Nigeria in general will ever be remembered. Indeed, by your death perishable articles meant for sale have been damaged by rain. I will ever remember that sad day you left us for the great beyond. We will endeavor to carry on with your legacies- that include fighting crime without tears.”

Shehu Adamu was educated at the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria where he obtained a degree in English Education in 1985. He, thereafter, went for his National Youth Service at Imo state. His primary assignment was in Obowo. It was during this one year national service that he developed interest in Igbo language and Igbo people, of whom he never hid his love. Shehu in 1992 bagged his Masters Degree at the ABU, majoring in education.

In 1994, Shehu decided to serve the nation in a more practical way by joining the police force as a cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) and proceeded to an 18 month course at the Police Academy, Kano. He served in Benue state under CP Abubakar Mairamiri as officer in charge of Anti-robbery. Shehu was later in 1999 transferred to Enugu state, again, to serve under CP Mairamiri as his personal assistant.

It was during this period Shehu was appointed the Enugu State command PPRO. He, also, doubled as Chairman, Petroleum Task Force. He variously served as DPO in a number of local government councils in Enugu State from where he was transferred to Distress Call Base (Operation Vigilance).

Shehu stayed briefly at Ekiti state where he took charge of the Anti-robbery squad. He worked with a number of Police Commissioners who are either retired or are still serving. These include AIG zone 7, Ivuoma Okoronkwo, retired AIG Idris Mohammed, and retired CP Morrison Abbe, AIG zone, Suleiman Fakai among others.

It’s unbelievable that Shehu could die so soon. Vivacious Shehu was our friend in KlinReports. He was such a goodly and liberal Nigerian that he found a space in his heart to accommodate all. Death, where is thy sting?
Shehu, so long! May Your Sociable Soul Rest in Perfect Peace. Amen.

What does Ngige want?

Whose project is the pedestrian crossing being built at the junction of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra state-Nigeria? Peter Obi, the state governor, or his predecessor, Dr. Chris Ngige? For reasons best known to him, Dr. Ngige, recently, assumed extra-powers as an indigene of the state, and embarked on project inspection across the state. One of the projects was the UNIZIK pedestrian crossing.

Dr. Ngige claims the project was the brain child of his government, and went ahead to haul instructions at the contractors. By this, the one time governor stirred the hornet’s nest, with well-meaning indigenes calling on him to give Governor Obi some breathing space to optimally carry out his functions as governor of the state. And the scared contractors are, at the moment, complaining that Ngige is distracting them from their job.

One wonders what Dr. Ngige wants from all this. Even if the UNIZIK pedestrian crossing project was envisioned by his administration, so what? Ngige was, once, governor and, today, another person is. Government is supposed to be a continuum. So, why this fuss about who initiated what? The project belongs to Anambra people no matter who initiates and executes it- whether Ngige or Obi.

KlinReports thinks that Dr. Ngige is just being a meddlesome interloper in the present affairs of Anambra state. The whole world rallied round Ngige when the Ubas wanted to snuff life out of him during his own time as governor. Why is Ngige now disturbing Peter Obi’s government, distracting him from concentrating on his hard earned mandate?

Peter Obi might have his shortcomings as a mortal, but the likes of Ngige should let him and his government be. If Ngige forgot his brief-case inside Amawbia/Awka Government House, and wants to be governor again, he should wait, for the election time will soon be here.

But for now, Ngige, Please leave Governor Obi alone!