SOS TO MR PRESIDENT, AGF AONDOAKAA, IGP, LAGOS STATE GOVERNOR & HIS STATE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, NATIONAL ASSEMBLY (SENATORS & REPRESENTATIVES) & NIGERIAN MEDIA, LABOUR & CIVIL RIGHTS GROUPS.

Presented by: Prophet Folayan Osekita MBA, UK – 05 November 2007

• Your Excellency, Mr President, Alhaji Umar Musa Yar’Adua
• Your Excellency, Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola
• Distinguished Senate President David Mark & Colleagues
• Honourable Leader, House Of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole & Colleagues
• The AGF, Michael Aondoakaa, IGP, Mike Okiro & Lagos State Commissioner Of Police
• Media, Labour & Civil Rights champions of the common man

My Brothers/Sisters & Leaders/Representatives of our people, fellow Nigerians,

I am taking this unusual step to draw your attention to one of the horrific incidents we hear about in Nigeria. Your urgent action is required in this matter as a matter of course, with due process and the rule of law expected to actually WORK for the common man.

I am taking this unusual step to draw your attention to one of the horrific incidents we hear about in Nigeria. Your urgent action is required in this matter as a matter of course, with due process and the rule of law expected to actually WORK for the common man.

I host/present the most widely listened to “Live” Nigerian programme ever on Nigerian radio, “NIGERIA CALLS”. An all night vigil / programme that promotes the oneness of Nigeria – by encouraging positive reflection on Nigeria & continues to impact positively on the lives of Nigerians worldwide (especially in diaspora).

We pray for Nigeria, Share any and everything positive about Nigeria, speak and Prophesy positively with regard to Nigeria & encourage Positive Criticism, as our little contribution to helping to rebuild Nigeria. Feel free to tune in: www.naijafm.com, every Tuesday & Friday, from 11:30pm & 12 Midnight respectively. Contact nigeriacalls@yahoo.co.uk; +447961342919.

I received a call during the live programme on 31 October 2007 from a man, Alhaji Fatai Owodunni Abimbola. He was in tears as he told the whole world how his brother, Alhaji Hammed Funmi had been killed by the Police in Lagos State, whilst visiting from having lived in the UK for the last 13/14 years.

He was arrested, accused of armed robbery whilst in the process of updating his passport at the British Embassy at Walter Carrington Avenue,  Lagos Island and taken to  Alagbon Police Station. He left England no more than two months ago. I was informed that this young man, Funmi had been told to go and find 1.5 million Naira, which he could not possibly raise.

This predicament was brought to the attention of the family members by a friend of the family, an Inspector of Police, who happened to see Funmi’s relative, Alhaji Titi Kuku. Apparently, Alhaji Hammed Funmi had been arrested prior to the  arrest of Alhaji Titi Kuku and his wife, Idowu Jagun.

As I write, Alhaji Titi Kuku is being held at Alagbon Annexe, Adeniji Adele, Lagos. We understand that Titi was asked to go and find 250,000 Naira for his release. The family are now running all over the place to look for this money so that Titi will not also be killed.

A regular Lagos resident, Titi was arrested with his wife, Idowu Jagun, at their Gowon Estate shop, whilst struggling to make ends meet on 12 October 2007, accused of armed robbery.

Both young and struggling Nigerians were beaten silly and tortured relentlessly; apparently expected to confess to an offence they never committed and possibly trumped up and without any justifiable basis.

She was later released after a sum of money was taken for her release. She is currently very unwell at home. Surely there is need for a full investigation for justice to prevail, following due process and the rule of law.

The deceased, Alhaji Hammed Funmi has lived continuously in the UK since 1994, supported by his brother, Alhaji Fatai Owodunni Abimbola, who has supported him since, until he travelled out in the last couple of months, looking to find ways of improving his and his family’s lot.

Naturally, a member of the family, Alhaja Sidikat Ayoka (his sister) had asked the police when the alleged offence was
supposed to have been committed, she was told that it has been about three years.

Funmi was definitely not in Nigeria then, having lived in the UK since 1994. Alhaja Sidikat also confirmed that Titi was born and bred in Nigeria and has always lived in Lagos and never travelled out of Nigeria at all; yet, at no time was Titi ever accosted, arrested, interrogated at all with regard to this allegation of armed robbery.

Titi was beaten with his wife. We understand that Alhaji Hammed Funmi died as a result of the beatings/torture or may have been secretly shot.

WHAT WE WANT:

[b]1. Immediate and unconditional release of the deceased body of Alhaji Hammed Funmi to the family for a decent burial.

2. Immediate & unconditional release of Alhaji Titi Kuku.

3. A full scale investigation into the circumstances surrounding the arrests, beatings/torture and death of an innocent man.

4. Full and maximal coverage from our brothers & sisters in the media worldwide for the awareness of all that will hopefully lead to a concerted effort at ending such extra judicial killings in our beloved Nigeria.

5. Legal action against all responsible, so they are brought to book and the Police Force rid of such.

6. Full assurance from all above mentioned lead stakeholders in the course of the Nigeria Project that we are safe to return home and that Nigerians are safe at home.

7. A full refund of all monies taken so far.

8. Maximum support for the affected family; both as an encouragement that tomorrow will be better and assurance that the Federal Republic of Nigeria cannot continue with such attitudes.[/b]

Due process and the rule of law must begin with the common man. An accused person must be presumed innocent until proven otherwise. However, the benefits of legal freedom and security must be felt by the common man before we can move forward.

We have heard much but cannot accept this mode of operations from our nation’s security forces.

HELP!!! “NIGERIA CALLS”

Please note that apart from the deceased, all the above mentioned accused persons can be contacted. In the first instance, please feel free to contact the author of the article. May God Bless you as you help in any capacity at all.

Thanks in advance.

Prophet Folayan Osekita MBA; UK
nigeriacalls@yahoo.co.uk; +447961342919