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  • Bishop Kukah Donates 30 Room Hotel For Isolation Center In Sokoto

    Bishop Kukah Donates 30 Room Hotel For Isolation Center In Sokoto

     

    Curled From Punch

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    The Bishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese, Mathew Kukah, has handed over a 30-room hotel to the Sokoto State Government as an isolation centre for suspected coronavirus patients in the state.

    Announcing via Twitter on Monday afternoon, the Sokoto State Ministry of Health, said Kukah acted on behalf of the Catholic Diocese in the state.

    The ministry also confirmed that he handed over a 15-room hospital for the treatment of infected persons in the state.

    “The Catholic Diocese in Sokoto headed by Bishop Mathew Kukah has handed over a 30-room hotel for isolating suspected cases at Aliyu Jodi Road and a 15 rooms hospital for COVID-19 management at their Gidan Dare Clinic,” the state Health Ministry tweeted.

    It said a total of 66 cases have been confirmed in the state while 57 are active, eight fatalities, and one recovery have been reported.

    Meanwhile, Governor Aminu Tambuwal has called on the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), for Federal Government’s assistance in overcoming the pandemic.

    He stated this in an address to the state on Sunday.

    He stressed the ban on interstate movement, compulsory use of facemasks and the imposition of daily 8 pm to 6 am curfew, effective Monday, May 4.

    “Due to the rising statistics in Sokoto State, I wish to appeal to Mr President and the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 to intervene in our state, through the provision of logistics and technical support, with a view to stemming the disturbing trend,” the governor said in a statement published on the state government’s Facebook page.

  • Breaking: Ayade Directs Civil Servants To Resume Work Tomorrow

    Breaking: Ayade Directs Civil Servants To Resume Work Tomorrow

    By Elijah Ugani – Calabar

     

    The Cross River State Governor, Sir Ben Ayade Sunday began to relax some of the restrictions he put in place in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak by directing all categories of civil servants to return to work.

    The governor in the last two weeks recalled civil servants from grade level 10 and above back to work, has now directed all civil servants to return to work tomorrow, Monday, May 4th, 2020.

    A release issued by Mr. Christian Ita, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity/Chief Press Secretary to the Governor and sighted by THELUMINENEWS reminded all returning civil servants that the “no mask no movement order was still in full force and must be observed by them.

    “Consequently, all the returning civil servants are therefore, to wear nose mask as they resume in their various offices,” the statement emphasized”

    The release further maintained that “other restrictions such as border closure and ban on large gatherings, be it social or religious, remain in place”

  • Inyang Asibong Doles Out 69 Happy Cheers To An Epitome Of Excellence, Elder Prof. Ivara Esu (OFR)

    Inyang Asibong Doles Out 69 Happy Cheers To An Epitome Of Excellence, Elder Prof. Ivara Esu (OFR)

    By Elijah Ugani

    Like the popular eye-catching, elegant double stemmed purple orchid, he came to the world with a clear vision. A vision with a great deal of symbolism like the orchid, that always shines at every opportunity given to radiate in a widespread family of flowering plants, with blooms that are often colourful and fragrant, like the orchid in him.

    He was born great from a humble background in Agwagune, Biase, in the then South Eastern Nigeria.

    Excellence is his second name, from Elementary to College to University, it was Distinction all the way as he sorjourned in his Academic pursuit from Agwagune to Itigidi, Abakaliki, Ugep and Okpoma in Yala, the Quality radiated at every point. Then to Ile-Ife in the then Western Nigeria and Zaria in the Northern part of the country, the legacies of Excellence imprinted his every step like a collosus.

    Coming back to the first Capital of Nigeria’s Southern Protectorate, where he again Excelled to become the no 1. citizen of the revered Ivory Tower, the University of Calabar, no wonder, why HE Sen. (Prof.) Ben Ayade, still calls him the Vice Chancellor of Cross River State.

    A Professor of Soil Science with records of research all over Nigeria and beyond, who has produced legends and academicians shining bright beyond the shores of Africa.

    An adherent and lover of Culture, Tourism and Development of African Arts and artifacts. Little wonder he was appointed to serve Nigeria at the highest decision making body in the country, The Federal Executive Council as a Minister of the Federal Republic.

    His trademark of Excellence has made him serve as a Federal board Chairman and member of different Federal boards and parastatals. He also became a Commissioner of his state at a very tender age of 31 and performed Excellently.

    Now, Excellent performances have made him The Excellency of a beautiful state in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, a State Governed by two erudite Professors.

    Together with his Digital Boss, these two Professors have pushed boundaries, created new frontiers, broken records and set them again, all in a bid to take CRS to greater heights

    A trustworthy, reliable, and hardworking servant- leader of the people. As you celebrate you birthday today, I can only say your best is yet to come because you have produced many children both in Academics and Leadership.

    Happy Gallant 69th Birthday to the Qunitessential Deputy Governor Of Cross River State.

    God Bless You Sir.

    Inyang Asibong
    Commissioner, Ministry of International Development Cooperation (MIDC)
    May 3rd, 2020

  • EKpenyong Eulogizes Deputy Governor @ 69

    EKpenyong Eulogizes Deputy Governor @ 69

    By Simon Ushie

    The Director General,Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Janet Ekpenyong has described the deputy Governor of Cross River State, Professor Evara Esu as a phenomenon character and a goal driven personality as he marks his birthday today May 3rd 2020.

    Dr Ekpenyong who described professor Esu as one of Nigeria’s most enlightened and exposed deputy governors with vast knowledge in Agriculture, Economy and Health with his achievements distinguished as a lecturer, a researcher,a commissioner, a minister in the federal republic and now the deputy governor of Nigeria’s most beautiful and industrious state, says the primary Healthcare sector will continue to cherish his experience for an improved service delivery to the greater populace.

    She further described him as selfless leader who’s love for the state has made him worked for the collective interest of the state, championing activities in the health sector especially the Primary Healthcare Agency, which is considered most grassroot friendly and accessible to all Cross Riverians and residents in the state in order to achieve Universal Health coverage.

    “As Chairman of our state immunization taskforce, I am pleased to work with you, you have consistently shown great passion for the Cross River State primary Healthcare development agency, the experience and commitment you show daily has not gone unnoticed, as all along in the last 5 years, our state have continuously improved upon its immunization index, as children under 5 across the urban and in hard to reach areas have always been captured as a result of some of the policies and strategies you made the agency adopt in order for the state to achieve Universal Health Coverage in few years to come.
    I feel so delighted and overwhelmed that in my first major outing as the Director General for the Primary Healthcare Development Agency, you honoured my invitation to flag off the 2020 National Immunization Plus Days exercise in Uchu, Yala Local government Area, that sacrifice from you was a moral booster to all of our foot soldiers across the 18 LGAs, as it spurred them to give in their unreserved strength and efforts to achieve 100% coverage for our children, an effort that was commended by both national and international monitoring bodies.

    “Today as you mark the anniversary of your birth, on behalf of my family ,management and staff of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, I want to wish you our ever dedicated Deputy Governor, Health friendly, passion driven, a human with a phenomenon and exceptional characteristics, a recipient of various national and international awards including being merited with the title of An Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR), an erudite scholar and professor of Animal Science, a former Vice chancellor of the prestigious University of Calabar ,an achiever and a lifetime coach, a beautiful birthday celebration and more fruitful years ahead in sound health and wealth”.

  • DG BORDERCOM Felicitates Deputy Governor On His Birth Anniversary

    DG BORDERCOM Felicitates Deputy Governor On His Birth Anniversary

    By Admin

    The Director General, Border Communities Development Commission, Mr. Noel Ugbong felicitates the Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Prof. Ivara Esu on his birthday anniversary.

    The DG described the Deputy Governor who also doubles as the Chairman, Border Community Development Commission, as a man of impeccable characteristics who has been a role model to him and as well as all young people who are desirous of good leadership.

    The DG noted that “my stint in the Governor’s Office and Event Management Department brought me closer to this fatherly role model and humane personality. The Deputy Governor is a dependable pillar and a pool of wisdom.

    “He is one of the best brain in the state, the state needs to adequately explore his content to sustain his wealth of knowledge and experience in the development of the state”

    “Sir, we are very proud of you, the best is yet to come, the future is even brighter, enjoy your day as you remain a blessing to us” The DG added.

    Mr. Ugbong used the opportunity to ask God Almighty to grant the Deputy Governor his heart desires, bless and prosper him as well as preserve him for generation unborn.

  • Femi Adesina: ‘We caught the evil mole who leaked President Buhari’s speech’

    Femi Adesina: ‘We caught the evil mole who leaked President Buhari’s speech’

    By : Damaris Onyendi

    President Muhammadu Buhari’s spokesperson, Femi Adesina, has revealed that the mole in the presidency who leaked a draft copy of the president’s speech on Monday, April 27, 2020, has been apprehended.

    He detailed how the culprit was apprehended in an article which he wrote and titled ‘Enemy of the State’.

     

    “You have possibly watched the 1998 action-thriller film with the above title, starring Will Smith. It was the box office hit story about a group of people plotting to kill an American congressman, and the tape of the plot was discovered,” he began.

    “Well, an Enemy of the State struck in Nigeria on Monday, but this time, it was no fiction. It was real life act of sabotage from somebody who does not wish his own country well at all, and who derived a sinister kind of pleasure from undermining the system.

    “President Muhammadu Buhari was to broadcast to the country by 8 p.m, to give an update on the battle against COVID-19, and what becomes of the lockdown that had lasted four weeks, particularly in the Federal Capital Territory, Lagos and Ogun States. Kano was also a point of heavy interest, with the strange deaths ravaging the state. Was it COVID-19 or not?

    “As the country waited for the president with great expectations, a purported copy of the broadcast began to circulate on social media from about 4 p.m. Whodunnit?

    “I took a look at the circulating document, and within one minute, I knew that it was a rogue copy. What immediately gave it away was the paragraphing. It was completely different from the one I had been part of producing, and which had been recorded for broadcast by the president.

    “Another tell-tale to the dubiousness of the document was the date it gave. It said the lockdown in the affected states and the FCT would be eased from May 2, while the authentic copy bore May 4.

    “There were some other discrepancies. Paragraphs that had been excised from the final copy were still intact, and the document was riddled with spelling and grammatical errors, which you would rarely find in a presidential broadcast, which would have passed through a number of select and trusted hands.”

    The president’s aide said he had to work the phones as panic spread within the Aso Rock media office.

    “I made a few phone calls to those of us involved with the script, right from origination, which was from outside the presidency, to final editing, which I did, and the conclusion was easy to reach. Somebody had spirited out the original draft, which had gone through many stages of fine-tuning in terms of content and language, and thinking that it was a world exclusive in terms of artifice and underhand action, he fed it into the social media.

    “Who would do such a thing, except an Enemy of the State, someone who wants to ridicule the government, cause utmost confusion in the polity, and smirk his lips in malevolent pleasure, as the government, and possibly the media handlers of the president were flagellated, and taken to the cleaners.

    “Yoruba people talk of ‘ba ase je.’ Somebody who spoils the feast. Everybody is rejoicing and making merry, and he comes to pollute their joy. He could bring extremely bad news that sends everyone scurrying home, or looking for cover.

    “He could even urinate in the big pot of soup in the full glare of the merrymakers. Or he could pour sand in the big pot of rice on the fire. Ba ase je (spoiler of the feast) can strike in many ways. That was the same thing the Enemy of the State did.

    “Igbo people speak of the proverbial lizard that ruined his own mother’s funeral. That was what the hidden hostile hand did. But he forgot that in these days of technology, almost everything leaves a trail. Before the end of that evening, computer evidence had narrowed down the suspect, and he was already answering for his evil action.

    “If that person had got the final, authentic copy, that is the same way he would have leaked it. To what end, to what purpose? Sinister. Sneaky. Hateful.

    “Some people hate their own country, and ironically would be the first to complain that things were not going well. Every act of the government (any government) they would undermine. If they can stick a knife into the soft underbelly of government in any way, they do it with relish, and would be the first to grumble that things were not going right. Enemies of the State.

    “If the person that leaked the unedited draft of the broadcast had access to more sensitive national documents, he would do the same thing. If he cottons on information that could sell Nigeria to the enemy, he would gladly do it. Thou art in the midst of foes, watch and pray.

    “I am surprised that a large number of people, including newspaper houses, fell for the gambit. They took their information from the wrong source, and ended up publishing falsehood. That was what the Enemy of the State wanted. Cause maximum confusion. And he succeeded to some extent.

    “The social media is being used for every purpose: good and bad. It is the bastion of fake news, hate news, concoctions and all sorts of conjurations. Will the users and consumers be more discerning? It is said that the person that stole a keg of palm oil from the rafter is not the only thief. The person that collected the keg from him is also a rogue. Those who began to share an obvious leak, rebroadcasting it, are also not guiltless. Be quick to hear, and slow to speak.”

  • Like Egbonna, Like Akpagu: How APC Can Win C’River North Bye-election

    Like Egbonna, Like Akpagu: How APC Can Win C’River North Bye-election

    By Z-Effect Media

    In the past few years, the Cross River State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC have been brewing in serious crisis that culminated into the operation of two secretariats; one at the Barracks road, Calabar led by Sir John Ochala and the other at Ndidem Usang road led by Hon. Etime John.

    While the Etim John faction enjoyed the support of the former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Dr. Usani Uguru Usani, the Ochala’s faction has the support of the National Vice Chairman South/South, Ntufam Hilliard Eta and the National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

    In the last general election, APC presented two candidates in almost all the elections including the Governorship which has Sen. John Owan-Enoh, a candidate recognised by the Ochala’s faction and the National Secretariat and Dr. Usani Uguru, the then Minister of Niger Delta who was preferred by the Etim’s faction. Both candidates even went to the tribunal to challenge the PDP victory but lost.

    It’s an open secret that the infighting and division in the APC gave PDP a smooth ride in all the elections. With the calibre of people now in APC in the State, even the worst critic of the party agrees that its performance in the last election wasn’t a true reflection of its strength. Much more was expected of a party that boost of the a former Governor, former Senate Leader, a Minister, a serving Senator and numerous federal appointees.

    While the gladiators in APC spend more time strategising against themselves, fighting over who control the party, the opposition PDP was busy planning on how to win it’s common enemy which is anybody presented by APC. From State Assembly election to the governorship, PDP won APC except for just one election that all factions decided to come together.

    There’s no doubt that Hon. Alex Egbonna is loved and adored by his people, this advantage wouldn’t have worked smoothly for him in the Abi/Yakur federal constituency if the APC didn’t sheath their swords to work together. His election was almost the only election in the state that all the stakeholders came together and the result was a resounding defeat of the then Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. John Gaul presented by the PDP.

    The Alex Egbonna story is a classical example of what unity can do and what it would have done for APC in other elections should the stakeholders worked together.

    As many have asserted to, the decision by all waring parties to drop their guns to work for just a candidate in the overall interest of the party was also largely informed by the choice of Chief Egbonna who was undoubtedly not just the right man but the only person in the federal constituency in the ranks of APC that enjoys massive goodwill across factions and party lines.

    With the last week Appeal Court judgement that authenticates Sir Ochala led executive as the authentic leadership of the party in the state and the willingness of the winning faction to extend a hand of fellowship to the Etim factions, it appears for the first time in over two years, there’s hope insight for APC to return to a great indivisible and united family that it once was.

    It’ll be foolhardy for anybody to believe that the matter has completely been resolved just by the Appeal Court judgement. While it is said that both factions are making sincere efforts for reconciliation, the wounds are also still fresh and alot more need to be done to bring all together. People will grumble, others because of pride or what they benefit from the fight will never want APC to be one. But with the commitment shown by the major players, there’s hope insight.

    APC cannot afford to go into the next election which is the Northern Senatorial District beyelection with a divided house and expect magic. The surest thing that can guarantee APC ‘s victory is when all key players collapse their structures in complementary to other efforts to field and sincerely work for a candidate who enjoys similar goodwill like Alex Egbonna.

    It’s an open secret that among all those who have indicated interest for the northern senatorial district bye-election, Prof. Zana Akpagu, a former Commissioner, two times Special Adviser and the incumbent Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar fits the cap.

    Prof. Akpagu like Egbonna enjoys massive goodwill across the factions and party lines. He is celebrated across the five local government in the north because of how much impact he has created. Beyond the zone and the state, his name is everywhere. His acceptability knows no bounds.

    From religious, Students organisation, transport unions and even the traditional institution in the entire northern Senatorial District hold him in high esteem. He holds highly revered titles in almost all the local government. The entire state Traditional Rulers Council has also recognised his good works and have honoured him with “Eto Nkori” Chieftaincy title which is the highest traditional title that can be conferred on anybody in the state.

    The implication of this is that even the gods of land recognise and appreciate what Akpagu has done for the entire state.

    What makes Akpagu a compelling choice for the APC is that although, unarguably an old APC member who sits at number 19 in his Ipong ward membership register, he was never really involved in the factional politics in the state therefore would be more acceptable by all and sundry. He has the Alex Egbonna kind of followership because of what he has done for people.

    APC cannot afford to repeat the mistakes that made the party perform poorly in previous elections when they have opportunity to make their 2023 takeover plan easier by using a charismatic leader, a proven performer and a sterling achiever like Akpagu to win the senatorial district with the highest voting strength in the state for the party.

    Like Egbonna, if APC fields a cerebral leader like Akpagu, the chances of winning the bye-election and by extension the 2023 elections against the divided PDP which is today a house at war against itself is very huge!

    If Egbonna did it for APC, Akpagu can and will do it.

    Z-Effect Media

  • It is not a must for every state in Nigeria to have Covid-19 – Edu

    It is not a must for every state in Nigeria to have Covid-19 – Edu

    By Elijah Ugani – Calabar (more…)

  • I will Defend my Staff to any level with my blood – Undiandeye

    I will Defend my Staff to any level with my blood – Undiandeye

    By Blessing Enagu

    The Chairman of the Cross River State Forestry Commission, Chief Tony Undiandeye has stated that he will defend his staff with his blood, should any body interfere or intimidate them in the discharge of their duties.

    Chief Undiandeye, disclosed this at the inaugural meeting with Staff within the Directorate cadre in the Commission recently in his office, also stated that the meeting was to familiarize himself and seek understanding from the top echelon of the Commission on ways of achieving their mandate.

    The Chairman assured staff that he will operate an open- door policy and an administration that gives priority to workers safety and welfare, stressing that “I will defend my staff to any level with my blood” adding that he would confront any person who interferes with staff unduly in the line of duty.

    He however encouraged them to be transparent in discharging their duties, as actions capable of undermining the position of the Commission shall not be condoned.

    The Forestry Commission Chairman while addressing salient issues, maintained that his administration will work towards providing office accommodation, vehicles and other provisions that will create good working environment for maximum productivity of Staff.

    Chief Undiandeye also maintained that the vacuum created by a retired director in the Commission would be filled according to the Civil Service rules and warned that agitation and animosity should not be generated because no Department is superior to the other.

    The new Chairman commended staff on the declaration and compoundment of timber exercise recently carried out across the State, noting that despite the many challenges encountered, it recorded huge success to the extent that it mitigated the last scale of people carrying forest products without corresponding revenue to the government.

    In his response, the Permanent Secretary of the Cross River State Forestry Commission, Mr Ogbang Akwaji congratulated the Chairman on his appointment and confirmation as Chairman of the Commission describing him as the right choice for the position.

    Mr. Akwaji conveyed the confidence reposed in the Chairman by Staff who had yearned for a passionate leader with so much capacity to reposition the sector in a sustainable development path and pledged the cooperation of Staff to the new leadership.

    He restated the need for a re-invention, re-orientation and more interface with Veteran Foresters whose wealth of knowledge can be utilized and called on the Chairman to use his position to influence the review and lifting of ban on logging so that the Commission can be well positioned to regulate and ensure a sustainable forest management in the State.

    The Permanent Secretary further lamented that the embargo have made the government financially castrated and have also disconnected the forest bearing communities from government because the government through the Commission is no longer getting revenue and the communities are equally not getting their benefits.

  • Justice: Late SP Amawu’s family writes IGP, demands for thorough investigation

    Justice: Late SP Amawu’s family writes IGP, demands for thorough investigation

    culled from forefront news

    The family of late Police officer, Superintendent Amawu Gabriel Anang, has petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, demanding justice in the alleged murder of their son and bread winner in highly controversial circumstances in Obudu, Cross River State

    In a 48-paragraph petition cited by Theluminenews with copies sent to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice as well as Executive Secretary, Human Rights Commission, Abuja, among others, the family claimed that Anang was shot and gruesomely murdered on Tuesday, March 10, 2020 inside the Obudu Police Station in Cross River State.

    Accordingly, the petition, written on behalf of deceased family by Benedict Obuo Amawu, Esq of Lawstars Advisors & Solicitors, said; “we are desperately in need of justice. Justice is all that we demand at this point.”

    The petitioners, who are also suspecting official complicity and mishandling of the case by Cross River State Police Command so far, have therefore pleaded with the Police high command to order a thorough and full scale investigations into circumstances surrounding the officer’s death.

    Listing the names of some police officers and persons allegedly involved and responsible for the gruesome murder and untimely death of their son, the family said; “We seek that the real truth be unravelled with the perpetrators arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the laws.”

    Prior to his death, the deceased was a Superintendent of Police and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Nigerian Police Force, Obudu Police Division, Cross River State.

    Below is the petition addressed to the IGP, and dated Friday, March 20, 2020:

    The Inspector-General of Police, 20th March, 2020.
    The Nigeria Police Force,
    Force Headquarters,
    Louis Edet House,
    Garki, Abuja.

    Atten: The Officer in-Charge, IGP Intelligence Response Team (IGP- IRT)

    Dear Sir,

    PETITION:

    MURDER: EXTRA-JUDICIAL KILLING AND UNLAWFUL SHOOTING OF SP AMAWU GABRIEL ANANG (DIVISIONAL POLICE OFFICE, OBUDU), BY SUSPECTED POLICE OFFICERS ATTACHED TO THE OBUDU POLICE DIVISION, CROSS RIVER STATE.
    THE SUSPECTED POLICE OFFICERS INCLUDE:

    1. INSP. OMINI IBIANG (Station guard)
    2. PC. EDET ANSA (Orderly to the deceased officer)
    3. ASP. EGBELA SUNDAY (Station DCO)
    4. INSP. Angelina Baggie (The officer who was co-opted to falsely represent that she was the person who took the deceased officer to the Hospital)
    5. Tony Odu (Station Chief Clerk)
    6. INSP. ARAH SUNDAY (SO)

    INTRODUCTION:

    This petition is undertaken on behalf of the entire Family of Ukani Felix Amawu; the family of the slain Police Officer, SP. Amawu Gabriel Anang shot and gruesomely murdered on the 10th March, 2020 inside the Obudu Police Station in Cross River State.

    Prior to his death, the deceased was a Superintendent of Police and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the Nigerian Police Force, Obudu Police Division, Cross River State.

    For the records, we shall humbly and unequivocally state that the speculated Report with Ref: “DTO: 110700/03/2020, POLZIB CALABAR and AIGPOL FIB/COMPOL FIB ABUJA” circulated by the Cross River State Police Command is amply false. Thus, the report is a hasty conclusion aimed at hiding the killers of the late Officer as well as concealing the truth behind the unlawful shooting and extra-judicial killing of an innocent Officer, who had during his life time dedicated his ALL to the advancement of the good image of the Nigeria Police Force.

    We wish to further state that any information paraded in the media which found reliance on such reports is in itself untrue, unverifiable and baseless. Hence, the report was released and circulated without any form of investigation whatsoever. For the avoidance of doubt, the Report is herein attached as Annexure 1.

    FACTS OF THE CASE:

    The fact surrounding the death of SP Amawu Gabriel Anang is as follows:

    1. The late Officer was shot at the Obudu Police Station, specifically inside the Station counter on 10th March, 2020.

    2. The shooting is reported to have taken place at about 21:00hrs (9pm).

    3. To clearly establish the fact that the Police officer was shot, we have attached herein Annexure 2 Series, evidently showing an entry point of a straight bullet directly on the right hand chest, beside the breast of the deceased officer.

    4. The bullet from the gun shot went straight into the deceased officer’s chest and exited at his right arm/region; it would not have been possible for the officer to shot himself from that point and speculated in some quarters.

    5. The damage occasioned by the bullet at the exit point is so grave and grievous to the extent that the deceased armpit is badly damaged, thus showing the force and effect of the straight bullet.

    6. Independent findings have revealed that upon being shot, the deceased was left in the pool of his blood.

    7. Findings also show that all the men and officers on duty had abandoned the officer to die in the pool of his blood.

    8. The above is a clear indication that the act of annihilation, murder and ungodly killing orchestrated by the act of shooting was premeditated and neatly carried out with the intention to ensure that the life of the Officer was completely terminated.

    9. In support of the above fact that the deceased officer was abandoned to die, it is on record that it was an innocent civilian who later rushed the deceased Officer to the Hospital, by this time he had passed on.

    10. To put records straight, while driving along the street of the Police Station in Obudu, the innocent civilian had noticed the commotion at the Police Station.

    11. Thus, he rushed inside the Station and noticed the deceased DPO was in the pool of blood, without being attended to.

    12. It was this innocent civilian who had packed his vehicle at the road side, that later rush the deceased Officer to the Hospital with the lone support from a female Police Officer identified as PC Monica.

    13. Further findings reveal very that the good Samaritan female police PC Monica who aided the innocent civilian to rush the deceased officer to the Hospital was not even on duty on the date/time of the incidence.

    14. The aforementioned Officer merely rushed to the scene of the incidence upon hearing the sudden and unfortunate sound of the gun that was released on the late officer.

    15. She (Monica) was able to hear the gunshot sound since her apartment (Police Barracks) is directly behind the Police Station, where the Officer was brutally shot and allowed to die like a common criminal by men who should ordinarily protect the lives of Nigerians including that of their superior (deceased DPO).

    16. To show how the Police in Obudu are complicit and desperately seeking to hide the truth, they have suddenly gone ahead to instruct one Inspector Angelina to pretend and act that she was the one that rushed the deceased Officer to the Hospital contrary to the facts as stated above. We request that this fact be thoroughly investigated for the avoidance of doubt.

    17. Assuming without conceding that Angelina was the person that rushed the deceased to the Hospital, the question that is begging for answer is why could it have been a woman’s responsibility to rush a dying Officer to the Hospital? Amidst the presence of able Police men on duty.

    18. It is on record that several men were available the night the act was perpetrated, some of these men include the deceased orderly (Edet Ansa), a Police constable who has overtly stated that when the incidence happened, he took the gun away to his house.

    19. Why was Edet too in a hurry to take the gun away, even when a man’s life was at stake? Besides, from the information that was hurriedly circulated after the death of SP Amawu, the deceased allegedly took the gun from the Station guard, who should have hurriedly taken possession of same from the deceased after the incident, what was Edet’s business with the said rifle at that material time?

    20. The above are some of the questions; we feel are necessary for investigation. We would later make reference to other men who were at the station.

    21. Interestingly, when some of the family members were contacted on the night of the event, they rushed to the Police Station that night at about 23:00hrs (11pm), only to discover that the Police had hurriedly washed and were cleaning the blood stains at the counter where the Officer had been shot.

    22. Again, why were the Police officers who are presumed to know the nitty-gritty of investigation in a hurry to wash and clean the blood area which ordinarily should form the first point of investigation?

    23. Despite the glaring facts revealing that the deceased DPO, SP Amawu Gabriel Anang was deliberately shot, the Cross River State Commissioner of Police in the person of CP Uwem Akpang is completely adamant on the matter and has refused to sniff facts outside his preconceived notion of the facts surrounding the deceased’s murder and has flagrantly refused to direct swift, prompt and proactive investigation into the matter.

    24. The Commissioner of Police has overtly resorted to upholding mere speculations. Thus, relying only on hearsay testimonies disclosed by the very same Police Officers in Obudu who are prime suspects in the unlawful shooting and extra-judicial killing of an innocent Police officer who has meritoriously served with clean records which now speaks for him.

    25. To lend credence to the fact that the CP is merely acting on hearsay, on 16th of March, 2020 in a meeting session with the Commissioner of Police, other Senior Police Officers alongside immediate family members and community representatives of the deceased Officer, the CP raised unprofessional and rather baseless issues that have no nexus whatsoever with the death SP Amawu Gabriel Anang.

    26. Interestingly, the CP admitted that prior to his death, SP Amawu Gabriel Anang had informed him one-on-one that in one of their operations in Obudu, his men had withdrawn and left the deceased officer alone in the middle of an operation.

    27. It is clear that when this matter was reported, the CP had treated same with kid gloves and till date, no reasonable findings/discipline has been meted on the officers directly affected. The CP has refused to summon and sanction the officers who had withdrawn and left the DPO to his fate in the course of that operation.

    28. It is important to mention very pointedly that at the said meeting; the CP had admitted and informed all who were present that the deceased SP Amawu Gabriel Anang had on several occasions, requested and pleaded that he be transferred from Obudu. Hence, he was sensing danger to his life.

    29. The CP merely said he was reluctant about the requested pleas for transfer, since according to the CP, he wanted to first seek and obtain the consent of the Executive Governor of Cross River State before the transfer.

    30. One thing that is unclear is as to whether the transfer of a DPO and/or a Police Officer ought to have been subjected to an Executive consent as in this case especially when the deceased had communicated the danger of his life.

    31. The life of the deceased Officer may have been used to trade personal and pecuniary gains/benefits. We humble request that this too be thoroughly investigated.

    32. For the deceased Divisional Police Officer’s men to withdraw in an operation leaving their superior to his fate, it is a clear indication that plans were already on-going to ensure that his life was completely terminated. He saw it, he suspected it, as a fine officer, the poor man alerted his superior and requested for immediate deployment, but he was left to die as a common criminal without any justification whatsoever.

    33. Notwithstanding the seriousness associated with this matter, the corpse of the deceased officer is still lying in Obudu despite the family request that an independent Autopsy vis-à-vis a Ballistic analysis be carried out to ascertain the reason behind the unlawful shooting and extra-judicial killing of the deceased Officer.

    Despite the clarity of facts, the Police Officers in Obudu are determined to conceal the truth with a view to hiding the killers of the deceased DPO, SP Amawu Gabriel Anang. In an attempt to deceive the general public as well as the deceased family, the Police in Obudu through their DCO (ASP. EGBALA SUNDAY) have comically alleged as follows:

    i. That the deceased shot himself, in another twist, they have also alleged that the deceased died as a result of accidental discharge. Thus, hiding the picture which clearly reveal that death was occasioned by a straight bullet which was directly shot at the deceased’s chest.

    ii. Further, they have concoctedly alleged that there was a protest in Obudu Police Station on the night of the incidence, without arresting the protesters till date.

    iii. That the said protest was led/masterminded by the Student Union Government (SUG) President of the Federal College of Education (FCE), Obudu.

    iv. That the student came in that night and demanding for the release of their students who were detained at the Police Station.

    v. They have deceitfully alleged that in order to disperse the crowd of the protesting students, the late deceased DPO hurriedly came out that night, collected a rifle from the station guard and shot into the air.

    vi. In their hilarious narrative, they have also said that upon shooting into the air, the deceased DPO went inside the counter and after proving the rifle, the (deceased) removed the magazine (firearms) into his pocket.

    vii. According to their contradictory testimonies, they have also said that the deceased DPO dropped the gun after he had removed the magazine, but that the gun subsequently exploded with a bullet coming out of same.

    viii. Further to the paragraph above, they have also alleged that the exploded bullet went and hit a wall first and thereafter erupted into the deceased body. To every reasonable person, this line of testimony is amply deceitful and ornamentally untrue; the narrative is far from reality when considered in practical terms.

    ix. For the records, the Police in Obudu have shown a cracked wall on the picture attached as Annexure 3, wherein, it is alleged that the bullet first hit and cracked the wall before exploding and thus, harming the deceased body.

    x. It is important to state emphatically and contrary to their analysis that the height of this wall is less than 2.9ft tall. How a bullet would have hit such wall and proceeded upward to pierce the upper region of a man who is over 5.9ft tall is completely a mystery. Unfortunately, that wall is not a stone wall which one may have assumed that the bullet could not have penetrated same.

    xi. The damage and injuries on the body of the deceased are so severe, the effect could not have been that heavy assuming without conceding that the exploded bullet actually hit the purported cracked wall before touching the deceased body.

    xii. The testimony of the various Police Officers is a bundle of lies in every respect, unfortunately, this is what the Cross River State Police Command had hurriedly published vide Annexure 1 above, expecting the whole world to believe that a seasoned/competently trained Police Officer with a United Nations emblem had unprofessionally killed himself. This is totally fictional. As a family we contend and contest this false representation in its entirety.

    CONCLUSION

    We are desperately in need of justice and demand that the truth be unravelled with the perpetrator arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    It is rather worrisome that despite that allegation of protest, no student and/or student leader(s) have been arrested in connection with the death of SP Amawu Gabriel Anang. At least one would have expected that the alleged protesting students/their leaders be arrested and thoroughly investigated with a view to uncovering the whole truth.

    The students purported to have been detained have since been released. In less than 24hours after the incidence, a picture attached as Annexure 4 was taken. Thus, same clearly show that there was no detainee as at 11th March, 2020. From the attached picture, the detention board had carefully been cleaned up.

    Based on the above, the testimony of Police Officers in Obudu vis-à-vis the publication (Annexure 1) by the Cross River State Police Command is totally untrue and unverifiable, same is a product of hasty conclusion. As a family we contend and contest same in their entirety, the false representation as per the report and all testimonies.

    Once again, we are desperately in need of justice. Justice is all that we demand at this point. We seek that the real truth be unravelled with the perpetrators arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the laws.

    To this end, we appeal very respectfully that you use your good office(s) to arrest, investigate and prosecute all Police Officers in Obudu, particularly, officers mentioned above and same include: Inspector Insp. Omini Ibiang (Station Guard), PC Edet Ansa (Orderly to the deceased Officer), ASP. Egbala Sunday (Station DCO), INSP. Arah Sunday (SO), ASP I. Egwa (Station 2 IC), Inspector Angelina Baggie (co-opted to falsely represent that she was the person who took the deceased officer to the Hospital). Other suspected officers Tony Odu (Station Chief Clerk), Sergeant Itoro etc., as well as every officer connected to the matter.

    From the facts and circumstances of this case, these named persons have information as to the unlawful shooting, extra-judicial killing and gruesome murder of our deceased son, husband, father and brother – late SP Amawu, Gabriel Anang. Apart from the joint act of conspiracy, one of them should be able to reveal the fellow that released the trigger on the late officer.

    Other personnel and officer in the Police Division should also promptly be investigated and interrogated with a view to ascertaining the whole truth.

    We also demand that the SUG President of the Federal College of Education Obudu and all the students linked with this murder should be arrested, investigated and prosecuted where a prima facie case is made out against them. Their arrest and timely investigation will give preliminary insight into the unfortunate incidence. The students said to have been detained on the night of the incidence should as well be arrested, investigated and prosecuted where necessary.

    The Commissioner of Police (CP Uwem Akpan) should be questioned and disciplined for the act of monumental neglect and laxity in this matter and above all, we demand that an independent Autopsy and Ballistic Analysis be conducted in this case. Those responsible for the hasty publication of Annexure 1 and misleading the general public without necessary verification and prior investigation of the matter should be disciplined as well.

    Sir, we hold the view in accordance with our extant criminal laws that a case of Murder of this nature, especially, a case where a serving Police Officer was shot and murdered in cold blood at his own division, should not be treated with kid gloves. Truth be told, it is a direct confrontation on the integrity/prowess of the esteem institution of the Nigeria Police Force.

    We demand for JUSTICE and request very respectfully that this matter be given accelerated and prompt attention.

    On your request, we shall avail necessary information and further clarification as may be required.

    Thank you and accept our warm regards.

    Yours faithfully,

    BENEDICT OBUO AMAWU, ESQ
    (On behalf of the deceased family)
    07031846089

    Cc:
    1. The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abuja.
    2. The Executive Secretary, Human Rights Commission, Abuja.
    3. The President of Senate, through the Clerk of the National Assembly, Abuja.
    4. The Director General, State Security Service (SSS), Abuja.
    5. The Director, Amnesty International, Nigeria.
    6. The Ordinary President Ahmed Isah, Human Rights Radio, Brekete Family, Abuja.