The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Sanusi Lamido Sanusi has been conferred with the maiden International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Gender Champion Award in recognition of his pioneering effort and the sustainability of women empowerment, particularly in Nigeria.

 

Presenting the award to Sanusi at a ceremony held at the International Conference Centre, Yaoundé, Cameroon, the President of FIDA, Worldwide, Sheela Anish, commended him for consistently championing the cause of the womenfolk.

 

She said FIDA, the renowned body of women lawyers elected to confer the award on the apex Bank Governor because his actions portrayed him to be an advocate of mainstreaming gender issues in the country.

 

While noting that Sanusi was recognised for the promotion of women in business and leadership, she urged other men in position of leadership to emulate the sterling example set by the multi-award winning Central Bank Governor.

 

In his keynote address prior to receiving the award, the CBN Governor noted that the only realistic way to arrest the high incidence of poverty in the world was by focusing more resources on women.

 

This, according to him, was because women not only make up 50 per cent of the world’s population, but are also at the bottom of the demographic pyramid and the closest to the children.

Speaking further, Sanusi observed that womenfolk, especially career women, do far more work as they continue to do massive work at home after long office hours, for which they were not properly remunerated.

 

He pointed out that the CBN would continue to support global initiatives aimed at empowering women.

 

He noted that only four women had ever been able to make it to the rank of director at the Bank prior to his assumption of duty as CBN Governor. Today, he said there was now a reversal as seven females now occupy director positions in the Bank.

Going forward, Sanusi called for the dismantling of several impediments, such as long hours at work and the patriarchal, which make it difficult for women to compete fairly with their male counterparts.

 

The CBN Governor was accompanied to the event by the Nigerian High Commissioner to Cameroun, Mrs. Hadiza Mustapha and top Management staff of the Bank.

Over N3billion worth of drugs have been confiscated and destroyed since the government of Kano state initiated war against the sale and consumption of fake and substandard drugs in the state, the state governor, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso has revealed.

Disclosing this while setting ablaze a huge consignment of illicit and counterfeit drugs at Farawa, in the outskirts of Kano city, Kwankwaso said since the battle started nearly one year ago, assorted substandard and adulterated food items worth over N500 million were also destroyed.

 

The governor reiterated that his administration was determined to get rid of all kinds of fake drugs and adulterated food items because of the threat they pose to healthy human survival and development.

 

He expressed happiness that the committee set up by the government, in collaboration with relevant authorities prosecuting the anti-drug war, were now impounding vehicles transporting bad drugs, announcing that such vehicles will also be destroyed to discourage commercial drivers from assisting illegal drugs dealers.

 

Kwankwaso directed the committee responsible for the confiscation of illicit drugs and adulterated food items to put in more effort to arrest the drug dealers and expose them to the society.

Earlier the state Commissioner of Health Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf explained that the illicit drugs set ablaze by the governor were worth N413 million, adding that they were impounded at various locations in Kano city.

 

Abubakar added that two Opel Vectra saloon cars involved in the transportation of the unwanted drugs were also part of the destruction exercise.

 

Also speaking, chairman, Kano Consumer Protection Council, Alhaji Nuhu Bello said 316 contaminated bags of rice, ten adulterated containers of sorrel cocktail drinks, locally called zobo drink as well as large a consignment of cigarettes worth N98 million were part of items destroyed during the exercise.

 

In a goodwill message, the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero represented by Alhaji Abbas Sunusi pledge the Emirate council’s support and cooperation in fighting retailing and consumption of illicit drugs. 

 

Determined to boost steady power supply, the   Delta State government said it  has so far spent  N48.4billion  on 391  power projects in  the state.  State Commissioner for Energy, Hon. Charles Emetulu, who stated this while briefing journalists in Asaba Friday said   the state required about 1008 Megawatts (MW) of electricity to meet its daily needs but about 100MW, representing 10 per cent of its requirement was available from the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).

 

He said that the state was being served from five different 132/33kv transmission sub-stations, two of which were located in Sapele and Ughelli axis of the state and three outside it.

 

Emetulu pointed out that there were five power plants in the state that deliver power into the national grid – two  at Sapele, two at Delta IV power station, Ekakpamre and one at Okpai, which was the only one operating at full capacity.

 

According to him, the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) recently commenced the installation of a 330/132/33kv sub-station with 1X150MVA power transformers to be connected to the existing 330kv Benin-Onitsha transmission line.  He said from the N48,415,002,663.31 spent on power projects in five years by Governor Uduaghan’s administration, the state had a portfolio of 95 projects valued at N29,707,519,570.92 for the period May, 2011, to date.

 

“These include on-going projects that commenced before the period under review, such as the Delta State Independent Power Plant (IPP), which phase 1 (acquisition and installation of the power plant) was awarded in June, 2009, at a contract sum of N23,207,826,566.00 that has progressed to an advanced stage”, the Commissioner explained.

 

According to him, the sum of N5,874,695,939.60 was paid from May 2011, to date for the engineering and procurement of the 2Nos Rolls Royce Trent 64MW, product Nos.80A58001 and 80A58002 with S/N:A7788 and A7163 Gas Turbines and 2Nos 64 MW Brush Generators with Machine S/N: 921028010 and 921027010, including the civil works, administrative building, fencing and pile foundations for the turbines.

 

He however said the prohibitive cost of renewable energy technologies and inadequate Technological-Know-How on Renewable Energy, deregulation, huge investment cost of power projects, vandalisation of electricity projects and monopoly of generation, transmission and distribution by PHCN continued to pose serious threat to improved energy supply in the state.

“This is the only country in the world where roads are blocked with sticks, drums and all sorts of things in the name of police check points,”  The opening statement was made by  the Inspector-General of Police, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar some two years ago at an interactive session he had with traditional rulers, leaders of thought, businessmen and town union executives in Awka, Anambra State.

 

Abubakar also said then that with the abolition of police road blocks, Nigerians have been saved about N6.43tn in terms of police extortion, losses and time management.

 

He added also that with the removal of the road blocks, 70 per cent of the corruption in the police force had been removed.

The police IG cannot be faulted; his arguments too were very sound because given the realities on the ground then, Nigerians couldn’t have asked for more from the police chief.

 

At the time Abubakar came on board, Nigerians were sorely faced with the Boko Haram challenge in parts of the north and pockets of kidnap cases in parts of the south east. But the times and the realities on the ground as I write this piece have vastly changed.

First, the task of fighting the insurgents have been largely removed from the shoulders of the police; now the Defence Headquarters coordinates every counter attacks aimed at dislodging the insurgents. Second, kidnapping has since spread to almost every state in the south and parts of the middle belt. When the order to dismantle police check points was given, the police hierarchy will agree with me that a certain Kelvin, the kidnap kingpin from one obscure area in Delta State, would ever emerge on the centre stage of crime taking people hostage with little or no difficulties. It was also not envisaged that the same gang could boldly raise cells across the south and parts of the middle belt.

 

Third, the issue of trafficking in persons was then not placed on the front burner of national security discourse. All these have come out boldly to challenge our collective resolve as a nation to fight crimes and criminality.

 

Today, because of the manifest absence of the police on the highways, these criminal activities are thriving. Children are now trafficked from all corners of the country to centres of commercial activities. Today, babies are born and sold without the fear of God to couples who have been facing the trauma of childlessness. They do this with reckless abandon and the next day, lavish ceremonies are staged to celebrate their new baby and testimonies offered in churches.

 

Today, again, many Nigerians have difficulties visiting their villages because of the fear of being kidnapped. Beyond taking a trip to one’s village, those who have been blessed by God with economic prosperity now face the challenge of putting up buildings in their home towns. Chances are that if you could not be kidnapped, a close relative of yours could become an easier prey. Those who have been visiting their villages and also have succeeded in putting up houses there without any molestation, should count themselves extremely lucky.

 

These criminal activities are blossoming today in the society because our roads have been left unmanned or adequately not patrolled by the police. The truth is that the mere presence of the police on any route acts as deterrence to criminal activities. The stop-and-check activities of the police form an integral part of modern policing all over the world. Nothing stops the police, if not for the IG’s order, from embarking on the stop-and-search. They must remain mobile and given their knowledge of flash points in parts of the country, they have the capacity to put the criminals in our midst to flight.

 

Last month, I visited the southern part of Africa with journalist-colleagues from the United States, the Great Britain and Finland. We also had colleagues from South Africa, Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, Zambia. Mozambique, Ghana, Tanzania and Namibia on the trip. We rode on a bus from Johannesburg to Botswana and then to Namibia. We went through the Kalahari desert. I saw policemen on the highway; they did not extort money from the driver, but were very friendly and polite.

 

The truth is that if we’re to go the Abubakar way, Nigeria is clearly an exception to the rule. Here, the police manpower has been massively depleted by the demands of the ever evil-inclined politicians and businessmen.

 

It is only in Nigeria that a local government counsellor would apply for and gets the services of police orderlies. It is only in Nigeria a politician would buy spaces in newspapers crying wolf over the withdrawal of his police orderly. At the end of the day, a policeman that was trained with the tax payers’ money finds it extremely uninteresting to handle the normal police duties after he has been exposed to the evil associated with some politicians and their cohorts in the business world.

 

Why should a policeman opt to be a brief case bearer for his politician boss rather than accept to serve in Borno, Yobe or Adamawa States. Why should a police man threaten civil unrest if posted to those areas, as if they are not part of Nigeria? Have heard the military officers bickering over postings to war zones? They crave for it and at the end of the day, they are decorated. Medals mean little or nothing to an average Nigerian policeman.  I remember my days as a war reporter in Liberia and Sierra-Leone as the best moments of my career. I loved the camouflage given to us, the trenches dug for us for safety reasons and the highly mobile nature of our activities. Many times we landed on the Lungi International Airport, Monrovia at the wee-hours of the night without landing aids. It was fun being driven in APCs in market places and in other flash points.

 

So my solemn appeal to the IG Abubakar is for him to be courageous enough and mop up his personnel doing briefs with the politicians, except those that are constitutional permitted to have such services. Nigeria will not collapse if politicians and other dubious persons in our midst do not have the services of the police, but the country could bleed to death if our roads are not safe; if our homes are not safe and if our neighborhoods are not adequately policed.

 

I’ll prefer a situation where I could be extorted, experience some delays on the roads by reason of a police stop-and-check to not having them on the highway and possibly fall into the hands of kidnappers who will at the end of the day, want my account closed; God forbid!

 

The stop-and-check policy of the police should not be Brought back. This is because the average Nigerian sees himself as a VIP who can run foul of any law without being possibly caught or punished. He would like to drive his car without valid papers; he prefers jumping the gun where orderliness has been the norm. This is sad. So, Mr. IG firm up your acts and do the needful, not the needful that pertains to the politicians but that which ensures safety of life and property for the citizenry.

 

Balckspot watch

Police Tips against Kidnapping…

 

WHILE  AT HOME:

• Know your surroundings well to detect strange faces.

• Install CCTV cameras at home or office to monitor movements of people around.

• Keep emergency numbers within reach at all times.

• Create speed dial numbers in your mobile phones in case you find yourself in difficult situations.

• Avoid giving out any personal information such as phone numbers and home addresses on social network, website or to unknown persons.

• Create a peep hole in your door where u can check-out visitors at your door before letting them in.

• Opt for clear glass windows to observe any person from a distance if you do not have a gate or fence, lock all doors at all time.

• Watch what and where you speak especially on the phone outside your house.

• Do not discuss financial matters within the hearing of domestic staff and neighbours.

• Inform only trusted neighbours of your movement out of town

• Do not keep huge sums of money at home.

• Always ask for identity of persons who pose as utility staff, security officer before you open your door.

 

WHILE  DRIVING:

• Ensure all doors are locked.

• Make good use of your side and inner mirrors.

• Ensure that a reasonable gap is giving to vehicle in your front.

• When you observe a vehicle following you behind persistently give away, but when danger is anticipated drive to a safe place like a populated area.

• While driving close to your house and you notice unfamiliar faces around your premises keep moving and drive to a safe place.

• Observe the movement of persons while driving in and out of your home.

 

WHILE  TREKKING:

• Enter vehicle only at recognised motor packs.

• Do not board a vehicle with only a few passengers inside, they may be kidnappers.

• Avoid night journey except when it becomes necessary.

• Avoid lonely routes.

 

EDO STATE

Distress call numbers…

• Commissioner of Police    08028913040

• 2 i/c                08123827280

• DCP (Operation)        08166202333

• DC State CID          08036289547;  08081768791

• AC (Admin)        08081776923;  08034034345

• AC State CID          08035975219

• AC (Medical)          08035073372;  0803326646

• AC (Operation)          08081774232

• O/C Mopol 5          08033761677

• O/C Conflict Resolution 08037199694;  08127557770

• O/C Anti -kidnapping      08033332412

• O/C SIB              08058491658;  08036060867

• PPRO              08035870909

• 2 i/c PPRO          08023595111

• O/C (Thunderstorm)      07034140590;  08123829146

• O/C (Communication)    08027475830;  08053843157

• O/C SARS              08086653309;  08035482540

• O/C Anti Robbery    08035054365

• O/C Central JWC      08035704715

• O/C Anti-Bomb          08036326576;  08123673637

• O/C SARS (Auchi)    08037719403

• O/C X-Squad          08020800769;  08034238546

• O/C Highway Patrol      08024753134;  07030624565

• O/C Anti-Human Trafficking Unit          08083024641

 

 

 

 

Benin Area Command:

*Benin            0806211992

*DPO St. Saviour          08033172939

*DPO Abudu          08123825175;  08033332412

*DPO Ugbowo          08078072805;  08081777438

*DPO Ugbor          08053327494

*DPO Oba Mkt        08028715326

*DPO Iguobazuwa    08060889631

*DPO New Etete          08034053493

*DPO Ologbo          08064220769

*DPO Aideyan          08023038315;  08032459602

*DPO Okhoro          08035624223

*DPO Adesuwa          08023614339

*DPO Ugbekun          080034300923

*DPO Evbotubu          08060389004;  08123827890

*DPO Airport          08066932440;  08126288160

*DPO Esigie            08037084376

*DPO Ugo              08077921651

*DPO New Benin          0835936368

*DPO Ekiadolor          08037460360

*DPO Iguelaba        08075377080

*DPO Textile Mill        08124815987;  08057654370

*DPO Ogida          07033152382

*DPO Ikpoba-Hill          08081772047

*DPO Ehor              08062995212

*DPO Okhuaihe          08065377570

*DPO Egba              08035011357

*DPO Okada          08036617428;  08078008827

 

Auchi Area Command:

Area Command (Auchi)  08123385977

*DPO Sabongida-Ora      08037180188

*DPO Okpella          0806390908

*DPO Ibillo              07067469914

*DPO Auchi            08028979432/08036721261

*DPO Igarra            08038657711

*DPO Aganebode      08180503898

*DPO Fugar            07032432426

*DPO Afuze            08139169264

 

Irrua Area Command:

*Area Command Auchi – 08057817704

*DPO Irrua              07060859188

*DPO Ekpoma          08033980247

*DPO Igueben          08033559357

*DPO Uromi          08033588985

*DPO Ewohimi          08036666636

*DPO Ubiaja –        08033892664

 

Control Room Emergency Numbers

*08037646272;  0807777372;  08123827225;  08056776365;  08067551618; and 080339402

 

The youth wing of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the South-West zone of the country yesterday declared support for the second term bid of Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun state.

 

 

The youths made their declaration in Osogbo, the state capital, afout at Gbongan, Iwo, Ede, Ilesa, Ibokun and other towns as the youths, led APC South-West Youth Leader, Enilolobo Abdullahi, told residents that only the APC has demonstrated a commitment to changing the conditions of the ordinary man through purposeful administrated as demonstrated by Governor Aregbesola and other APC governors in the country.

 

Former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant and current chairman, contact and mobilization committee of the party in Imo State, Chief Jerry Chukwueke has predicted a landslide victory for the party in the 2015 general elections.

 

Chukwueke said that since the Imo electorates had now realised the blunder they committed in the 2011 governorship election, the party was optimistic to regain power in the next general elections. He made the observation during the conferment of  chieftaincy title of Ohamadike Owerri on him by the traditional rulers from the Owerri federal constituency comprising Owerri North, Owerri West  and Owerri Municipal for his development strides in the area.  

 

Chukwueke, urged Imo electorates to be wary of politicians who cry wolf where there was none and who promise to build bridges where there was no river, stating that  Imo was  in dire need of a visionary and pragmatic leader, desirous to leave lasting legacies in governance.

The Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro, has said that the opposition party will never benefit from the crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

 

Moro stated this Friday during the courtesy visit of the PDP National Youth Vanguard to his office in Abuja. He said that the opposition parties should not be too quick to rejoice as the issues bedevilling the ruling party would be resolved as soon as possible. According to him, "the crisis going on in the party is a handiwork of distracted people who are only pushing on making the crisis more than it is for their selfish reasons. "The crisis would be resolved before hand. I assure you these crises would be resolved and the party would stand". Earlier, the National Coordinator, PDP National Youth Vanguard,  Hon. Beke Apere commended the Minister, describing his appointment as a recognition of contribution towards youth  mobilisation in his home state of Benue.

 

He said: "The appointment of the minister, as zonal patron (North Central) of PDP Youth Vanguard, stands to typify the long outstanding efforts in mobilising the youths of Benue State, into various forms of youth empowerment endeavours and into other fruitful engagement", he said. "These kind gesture has gone a long way in making the youths of the state more self reliant, thereby bringing democracy to its fore", he added.

 

He also thanked the minister for his works in the Ministry of Interior and "prayed that more grace would be given to him to continue the mandate of the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan".

Ahead of the governorship election scheduled for November 16,  2013 in Anambra state, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that it would deploy six National Commissioners and 15 Resident Electoral Commissioners to supervise the election.

 

Twenty three political parties are fielding candidates to contest the Anambra state governorship.

In a statement signed by Nick Dazang, Head of INEC Publicity Division, the commission further said the election would take place in all the twenty one local government areas with 1,784,506 registered voters.

 

The INEC statement said that the state has a total number of 4,608 Polling Units and 326 Registration Areas.

Also, Anambra state has 120 Super Registration Centre (RACs) and 6,851 Voting Points.

 

Dazang said that INEC is deploying a total number of 12,622 election officials (Permanent and Ad hoc) to conduct the election.

Giving details, the commission said, “There shall be one Returning Officer for the governorship election; 21 Local Government Collation Officers; 326 Registration Area Collation Officers; 326 Supervising Presiding Officers; 120 Registration Area (RA) Supervisors; 4,608 Presiding Officers (NYSC/FTI); and 6,851 Assistant Presiding Officers.       

 

                                           

“The number of supervisors (including National Commissioners, Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) and Director are as follows; National Commissioners, 6; RECs, 15; Registration Area (RA) cluster supervisors, 120”, INEC said.

Dr. Amos Kayode Fayeun, is a man of many parts. referred to as a ‘supermarket proffesonal’, the principal consultant, Amos International Consultancy Services, is a lawyer and a certified Immigration consultant. He shows his humanitarian side in his quest to assist young nigerians to relocate to canada in this interview with  ‘LANRE ODUKOYA

 

WHAT SPURRED YOUR INTEREST IN CONSULTING FOR INTENDING IMMIGRANTS TO CANADA?

 

The issue of developing nations is of serious concern to me. I’ve been in the banking industry for about twenty six years of my life. I have PhD in Finance and I’ve been a senior lecturer in a university. I’ve asked myself several times, what exactly is the real problems of developing nations, Nigeria in particular? I had a great opportunity in my life to relocate to Canada with my family (wife and children). That was a rare opportunity to have to homes to compare. When I compared Nigeria to Canada, I realised there are so many similarities. The day break as usual like everywhere else around the world. I discovered that what Nigeria lacks is human resources. You may have gold and diamond, but if you lack human resources, you will be a wretched nation. Nigeria has oil and gas, Canada has too, so why is Canada developed and Nigeria is under-developed? The answer is human capital. This what motivated me to make a resolve that when I get to Canada, I’d use the last time of my life on earth to help the Nigeria youths. Our youths suffer because of the knowledge gap. Most of our graduates are not adequately informed.

 

HAVE YOU NO FEAR THAT MOST OF THE YOUTHS MAY DECIDE NOT TO RETURN IF THEY MIGRATE TO CANADA?

 

That’s a wrong notion. God is wonderful; the blood is thicker than water. My children are in Canada and do you know that the 23-year-old one among them is investing in Nigeria now? So, what I’m getting at is that where they decide to use the skills they acquire after the exposure is secondary. Half-baked bread is dangerous to health, that’s the same way half education is also harmful for the development of the country. Half-educated youths will not be useful to Nigeria and will not be useful to themselves. The good news is that they may decide to stay there for a while, but when they’re about 50 years of age, the yearning to return home will naturally set in. I’ve seen so many people who clock that age and the next on their mind is ‘why don’t I return home and better my community?’ And they will come back with wealth of experience from around the world to better this country.

 

CONSIDERING THE FACT THAT THERE’S QUITE A NUMBER OF PERSONS PLYING YOUR TYPE OF TRADE, HOW AFFORDABLE IS YOUR CONSULTANCY SERVICE TO INTENDING IMMIGRANTS?

 

Let me be honest with you, I know only two recognised and registered immigration consultants in Nigeria. There are so many fake consultants out there. The business is just like church where everybody starts saying they got God’s calling because one in their neighbourhood is booming. When people are not employed now and they’re a little read, the next thing they say is, ‘I’m a consultant’ The law says Caveat Emptor, Buyers Beware. Many claim to be Canadian Immigration Consultants when they’ve not been to Canada all their lives. Ask them for their ID cards. Nigerians are very gullible. To confirm the authenticity of a consultant’s claim; go to Google, it will lay the truth bare right before you.

As for how affordable my services are; I glorify God for my life and that of my family. My motive of returning to Nigeria is to help the youths. I’m not back home to pursue money. Our rates are highly reasonable. When I look at some situations where applicants are qualified and dedicated to their cause but do not have money, I help with my own money. My target with destiny is that, one day, I can line up names in my data base and say, ‘these are the people I’ve helped in my life’ and these young persons would also say, ‘oh, this is daddy that helped me’. That is more than money to me.

 

THERE SEEMS TO BE MANY SIDES TO YOU, HOW DID THEY EVOLVE?

 

I’m a ‘supermarket professional’ with so many compartments. I’m willing to touch lives and I believe knowledge is the key tool to achieve this. That’s why I have a part of me that is banking, law, lecturing, consultancy and so on. I bagged B.Sc in Banking, M.Sc in Economics and PhD in Finance. I’m an immigration lawyer. I was a visiting lecturer in a university and to conclude my PhD, I had to go and lecture in Babcock University, Ogun State. I returned to the banking industry again before I went to Canada. So, Canada gave me another lease of life. The first chance I got there was to train as a stock broker. I was trading in Toronto Stock Exchange as a stock broker. In finding a way to understand the problem of developing nations, I trained as a Human Resources Consultant. I recruit and train for multinational companies in Canada. I went to train as an internal auditor in the US and returned to train in Canada as an immigration consultant in one of the universities.

 

HOW DO YOU RECREATE AFTER THE DAY’S JOB?

 

The consulting business is not enviable at all unless someone decides to be lazy. Do you know that I work in the midnight when some people are sleeping? The only joy in being an entrepreneur is that you’re the owner of your time. You can schedule it as you want. But if you’re a problem solver, if your mission in life to save people or help humanity in any way possible, you have little time for your life.

My only way of relaxation which was my social life has been negatively affected by this job. I belong to some clubs but I don’t even have the time to hang out with friends anymore.

 

HOW DID YOU MEET YOUR WIFE AND WHAT FOND MEMORIES DO YOU HOLD?

 

I met my wife when we were doing National Youth Service. I studied in the UK and returned for the service. So, we met in Abeokuta where we were posted. Then, when you come from overseas, girls will be dotting over you here and there. She never sought my attention and hardly ever noticed I was around. By the time I came closer to her, I saw contentment and naturalness. I remember an occasion when I went to see her at home, she was grinding pepper with the local stone and when they told her I was around, she could hide what she was doing but she dragged me there and gave me a seat to watch her continue her grinding. That really touched my heart.

A Nigerian man Ben Igbinedion, 43, has been found guilty of killing his 3 year old nephew, Daniel Evbuowman, in London after the young child wet a bed(urinated).

 

Ben, of Bromley, southeast London, reportedly assaulted the little child in the early hours of March 2, 2013, after discovering Daniel wet the bed he and his uncle were sharing. After the assault Igbinedion put the child in a different bed, but when other family members tried to wake Daniel in the morning, they found him unresponsive. Daniel was taken to a hospital where he died.

 

During his trial, the court heard that Daniel was put in the care of Igbinedion, who was also left in charge of his three children while his wife was at work.

 

 He told Daniel and his youngest son that they should sleep in his room, while his other two children sleep in their own room.

 

 One of Igbinedion’s children was woken by him telling off Daniel for wetting the bed, the jury was told.

 

A post-mortem found that Daniel died from major trauma to his ribs and pelvis, and established the injuries could not have been caused by a fall from a bed.

 

Igbinedion’s testimony of the events of that night were contradicted by the accounts his children gave to police.

 

Speaking after the guilty verdict, detective chief inspector Graeme Gwyn said: “Ben Igbinedion's violent actions resulted in the death of a three-year-old boy who had no chance of defending himself and devastated the lives of two families.

 

“Throughout the time since Daniel's death, Igbinedion has continued to deny any involvement.

 

 However, a jury has seen through his story and convicted him of murder.”

In a statement read to the court, Daniel’s mother Augustina Kunu said: “How do I describe the loss of my only child Daniel? Daniel’s death has left me empty, heartbroken, lonely, lost, devastated and confused.

 

“I cannot concentrate or focus on my studies, I am unable to sleep and when I am able I wake up in tears because I can no longer see him lying by my side. I cannot get over Daniel’s death because of the bond we had.”

 

She added: “He was a brilliant son, a friend, a star, a hero and a help-mate. He would look into my eyes and say, ‘Mummy how are you?’ His death has affected my marriage, leaving it empty because Daniel was our dream, the pride and crown of our marriage.

 

“His dad, Victor, has been left broken-hearted, confused, lonely and empty. This whole matter has pulled our family apart. My prayer is that God will restore peace to our families.”

 

Igbinedion will be sentenced at the Old Bailey on November 22nd.