by admin | Apr 9, 2025 | crime, criminal cases, criminal justice, news, women
Ibiamina Igbiri, the 78-year-old mother of Deborah Erema—who is among the 15 individuals imprisoned since 2019 for allegedly stealing Mrs. Patience Jonathan’s jewelry—spoke with CHUKWUDI AKASIKE and TEMITOPO ADETUNJI regarding the suffering she has endured because of her daughter’s incarceration since 2019.
How
old are you?
My name is Ibiamina Igbiri. I am 78 years of age.
Where are you from?
I hail from Okirika in Rivers State.
What is your connection to Deborah Erema, who is presently incarcerated?
She is my daughter.
Do you recall when she was taken into custody and sent to jail?
My daughter got arrested in 2019.
What had you been informed was her crime?
It was claimed that she was one of those who took possession of Mrs Patience Jonathan’s belongings, the spouse of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.
Can you guarantee that your daughter is not a thief?
Certainly, I can. My daughter isn’t a thief. On the very day they claimed the jewelry was taken, she wasn’t present as she had gone on a mission.
What is the age of your daughter and how is she related to the former president’s spouse?
She is 57 years old. Previously, my daughter worked for Mrs Jonathan until she got arrested on accusations that she was involved in stealing jewelry from the ex-first lady. However, I firmly believe that my daughter would not take someone else’s possessions.
Don’t you believe she has had any chance to speak for herself?
In court, she stated that she had no knowledge of the jewelry theft, yet her claims were disregarded. Like I mentioned earlier, my daughter could not have participated in something like this. On the day the incident occurred, she was attending a church crusade in Mgbidi.
What reasons do you believe led them to disregard what she had to say?
I don’t know.
How was she arrested?
Prior to her return from the church crusade, several arrests had already occurred. Upon coming back from the church event, she traveled to Bayelsa State. There, in 2019, she was detained and transferred to Port Harcourt.
Was legal representation provided for your daughter through hiring an attorney to appear in court following her arrest and prosecution?
Yes.
Do you believe the proceedings were managed correctly in the courtroom?
The handling of the case did not proceed as it ought to have. From the start, whenever they brought my daughter and the others before the court, proceedings would be postponed repeatedly without resolution. There were just a couple of instances where those involved got an opportunity to address the court directly. Following these rare occasions when my daughter and the rest had their say, the court then proceeded with testimonies presented by witnesses aligned with Madam Patience’s faction. Eventually, after all this, my daughter along with the group was returned once more to incarceration.
What has your experience been like since Deborah went to jail in 2019?
Several individuals attempted to persuade Madam Patience, but she refused to heed their pleas. My granddaughter, Deborah’s eldest child, passed away while Deborah was incarcerated. This absence significantly impacted our family dynamics. Life has proven challenging for us all. Additionally, I almost met my end due to my daughter’s prolonged detention. For this reason, I relocated to my son’s home, hoping he would look after me.
Is your daughter married?
She isn’t legally wed.
In what ways has this influenced your well-being, feelings, and everyday life?
Ever since she was taken away, I haven’t felt like myself. I’ve had to beg for meals. Illness led me to be brought to my son’s home in Rivers State.
Have you managed to go see her in jail?
No, my son took care of that task for me once. I myself have never set foot there. Ever since my daughter was incarcerated in 2019 following her arrest, things have been extremely tough for me. Occasionally, I purchase some provisions and deliver them to her, or at times I transfer funds instead. Ensuring she gets enough to eat hasn’t been simple.
What steps has your family taken to secure Deborah’s freedom?
My son visited the King of Okrika and talked about it with him. The king agreed to summon several chiefs, and along with my son, they planned to travel to Abuja for an audience with ex-President Jonathan. The king provided my son and his relatives with a specific date to visit, which they adhered to. However, after this meeting, the king stopped paying attention to their concerns. He instructed them to inform my sister to hand over anything under her control; however, my son and others argued that my daughter didn’t possess anything and wasn’t content being incarcerated. They claimed she wouldn’t want to remain locked up if she held anything valuable.
They informed the king that she was not guilty of the accusations made against her. Additionally, my son and several other family members advised the king that she had attended a church mission in Mgbidi and was unaware of the incident.
What could have prompted the king to alter his decision regarding talks with the ex-president, leading to the release of your daughter?
I’m unsure. So far, my son along with the others haven’t managed to get an audience with the king to discuss their request for my daughter’s release. When my son talked to the king’s assistant seeking guidance, the assistant asked for some time to consult the king regarding this issue.
Subsequently, an assistant of the king contacted my son and instructed him to provide the names of our family members, mentioning that the king would reach out to them for a meeting. My son complied with this request. However, until now, none of us have been contacted by the king. This remains the current state of affairs.
At what point did you encounter the king to seek assistance?
It was approximately two years back.
Have you contacted any human rights organizations or government officials regarding the ongoing detention of your daughter in prison?
No.
Is it because you lack the ability to contact them?
I am unable to handle this situation myself. My son encountered one of his younger siblings, who happens to be a legal professional. During their conversation, the sibling committed to reaching out to another attorney based in Bayelsa. This was intended to facilitate moving the case to Port Harcourt for potential appeals. However, the lawyer failed to follow through on this commitment, possibly due to being occupied with other responsibilities.
Is there additional proof to demonstrate that the accusation against your daughter was unfounded, aside from her statement that she undertook a mission on the date of the alleged event?
Every time my daughter planned to travel, she first sought approval from Mrs. Jonathan. Only after receiving this consent could she proceed with her journey. Occasionally, Mrs. Jonathan instructed her to leave the key with Mama F. Upon returning, she always went to Mama F to retrieve the key again. This routine was consistently followed.
I recall that occasionally Mrs. Jonathan would entrust some money to my daughter, yet she would never dare to use it. My daughter was so cautious about handling this money that she wouldn’t even leave it in her possession. Instead, she would promptly contact Mrs. Jonathan to inform her to come and retrieve her funds.
Mrs. Jonathan would subsequently ask someone else to collect the money from my daughter. If my child had been dishonest, she might have kept that money. However, my daughter has always refrained from taking her PIN. Therefore, I felt distressed when such an accusation was made against her.
Was Mama F one of those detained in 2019?
Number 1: No arrest took place. She is friends with Mrs. Jonathan (Madam).
Given what has transpired since the incident occurred, have you managed to contact ex-President Jonathan for his intervention in this issue?
In reality, this hasn’t been accomplished yet. We are unaware of the procedure required to contact him.
What scares you most if your daughter stays in prison for an extended period beyond what she has already endured?
I’m most afraid that if she remains incarcerated, it will cause me greater pain. This situation is also having an ongoing impact on all of us at home. When she first went to jail, her younger daughter was still very young. Just think about how much time has passed; the child has grown up and finished secondary school without her mother being present. They haven’t seen each other since she was removed from their lives.
What is the age of the daughter?
She is 16 years of age.
How many children does she have?
She has four kids, and she was the sole individual providing for them until her arrest.
What do you want to tell the government regarding this issue?
The authorities should assist the family in getting my daughter freed from jail. We genuinely require support.
What are your thoughts on the repeated postponements of the case since 2019?
In my view, Mrs. Patience Jonathan seems to be exerting her influence over them, which is why the courts aren’t functioning properly. Every time my daughter and the others attempt to attend court hearings, their cases get postponed.
Do you have anything else to add regarding this issue?
Her actions amount to an act of injustice. It is crucial for justice to prevail in this situation. The court is aware of what the appropriate course of action is, and thus, it ought to take the necessary steps.
Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. (
Syndigate.info
).
by admin | Apr 3, 2025 | arrests, crime, criminal cases, drugs, smuggling
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Another Kenyan woman has been arrested in Mumbai for allegedly trying to bring banned substances into the Asian nation.
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The illegal items were found hidden within a concealed section of her rolling suitcase upon her arrival from Nairobi.
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The authorities are looking into potential previous participation in drug trafficking and her connections to a smuggling network.
The SANGGRALOKA.co.ke correspondent Ivan Mboto boasts more than three years of expertise in covering political and contemporary issues within Kenya.
India —
Customs officials at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai apprehended a Kenyan national for allegedly attempting to smuggle prohibited drugs into India.
The suspect, identified as 43-year-old Emily Rodha, was intercepted by customs officers shortly after she arrived from Nairobi via Doha on Qatar Airways flight on Tuesday, April 1.
Based on a mix of intelligence reports and targeted profiling, officials identified her for additional scrutiny, which resulted in finding the illegal shipment.
An inspection of her luggage showed that drugs were cleverly hidden inside a secret compartment of her rolling suitcase, apparently aiming to avoid being caught, according to The Indian Express.
As reported by The Times of India, the four packages containing a white powder believed to be illegal substances had a total weight of around 1,789 grams. Their approximate market value was estimated between Rs 15 to 20 crores based on their purity (which is roughly equivalent to KSh 300,000).
Officials promptly arrested Rodha under the strict terms of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, which imposes harsh punishments for drug trafficking violations.
What amount was Emily Rhoda supposed to be paid for smuggling drugs into India?
In the following questioning, Rodha confessed to serving as a courier in an extensive smuggling scheme.
She admitted that a different woman from Nairobi gave her the illegal shipment and assured her a payment of KSh 100,000 once she successfully delivered the narcotics to an accomplice in Delhi.
Nevertheless, she refrained from revealing the identities of those behind the operation or offering more information regarding the extensive network engaged in smuggling drugs into India.
Investigators are currently carrying out a thorough examination of her travel background to ascertain if she has engaged in previous drug-smuggling activities.
The authorities are likewise investigating her potential links to an extensive drug cartel active across multiple countries.
A Kenyan woman has been condemned to death due to offenses related to narcotics.
In March, Kenyan national Macharia Margaret Nduta received a death sentence in Vietnam for drug trafficking charges. She was arrested at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City when authorities discovered more than two kilograms of narcotics hidden inside her luggage.
Reports indicate that Nduta, aged 37, was approached by an individual from Kenya to carry a suitcase to Laos for a payment of $1,300 (roughly KSh 167,000), including full coverage of travel costs.
Because of a flight delay, airport personnel helped her reschedule her journey to Laos; however, standard security screenings uncovered the narcotics concealed in her baggage.
On March 6th, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Court reinforced Vietnam’s strict approach to drug offenses by condemning Nduta to death, showcasing the country’s zero-tolerance policy towards such crimes.
by admin | Mar 30, 2025 | crimes, criminal cases, judiciaries, politics, politics and law
In celebration of Eid Al-Fitr, King Mohammed VI has issued a royal pardon for 1,533 people who were sentenced by different courts throughout the country, as stated by the Ministry of Justice in an official announcement.
Out of those granted pardon, 1,203 individuals are still serving their time in prison, whereas 299 have been released. The act of mercy encompasses various measures such as reducing sentences, granting full or partial pardons, and converting life terms into fixed durations for selected inmates.
Furthermore, 31 prisoners who were found guilty of extremism and terrorism-related crimes have received pardons from the king after they pledged allegiance to national values, disavowed extremist ideologies, and revised their belief systems.
by admin | Mar 27, 2025 | crime, crimes, criminal cases, criminal justice, government
MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Justice (DOJ) has brought forth accusations of tax evasion against five individuals from China for their alleged involvement in not paying PHP 5.7 billion in taxes related to an illicit cigarette trading operation.
The Department of Justice submitted the case to the Court of Tax Appeals (CTA), following the complaint from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) as well as the police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.
This case originated from the confiscation of 21,000 master cases of illicit cigarettes across six sites in Valenzuela and Bulacan last year.
The DOJ stated, “It is anticipated that warrants of arrest will be issued by the CTA against the Chinese nationals.”
The Department of Justice stated that the participation of foreign nationals in the unlawful cigarette trade came to light during a coordinated operation conducted in Valenzuela and Bulacan.
“The documentation provided by the BIR indicated that the tax debt owed by the Chinese individuals exceeded PHP 5.76 billion,” stated the DOJ.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla stated that the submission of the charges demonstrates that “offenses threatening our economy can be thwarted provided government agencies combine their resources and step up their efforts against tax evaders.”
by admin | Mar 27, 2025 | business, controversies, courts, criminal cases, judiciaries
The High Court at Nairobi’s Milimani Commercial Courts rejected a case brought forth by Davidson Ivusa against Safaricom Limited.
Ivusa alleged that Safaricom took his groundbreaking “Jichomoe” idea, claiming this was the inspiration behind their popular Reverse Call Feature.
The ruling, issued by Judge F.G. Mugambi on February 27, 2025, concluded a legal dispute that started in April 2021.
The lawsuit filed by the plaintiff against Safaricom
Davidson Ivusa, the claimant, initiated lawsuit number Civil Case E562 of 2021 on April 20, 2021. He sought various forms of relief against Safaricom, such as an order to prevent the firm from utilizing or promoting its Reverse Call service. Additionally, he requested compensation for breaches of confidence, misrepresentation, and lost commercial prospects.
Ivusa asserted that he presented a submission to Safaricom on May 10, 2010, under the title “Jichomoe.” He explained this as an answer designed to help Safaricom subscribers place calls irrespective of their economic limitations.
He claimed that the firm maintained his concept under examination for an extended period, continually assuring him of their consideration, before eventually debuting a remarkably comparable feature, the Safaricom Reverse Call Service, on June 18, 2019, without including or consulting him.
Ivusa contended that this was a violation of trust and charged Safaricom with appropriating his idea and presenting it as their own creation.
Safaricom’s defense
In their defense statement submitted on January 17, 2022, Safaricom refuted Ivusa’s claims, stating that its Reverse Call Service was a distinct invention created in June 2018 and introduced on April 26, 2019.
The firm stated that the service was created to cater to the requirements of subscribers who couldn’t make calls because they lacked sufficient airtime. It enabled them to start reverse calls using a specific code.
The telecoms company highlighted that reverse call technology wasn’t new, having preceded Ivusa’s suggestion and being present in different formats long before mobile communications were common.
Safaricom emphasized notable distinctions between its offering and Jichomoe: whereas the Reverse Call Service only covers voice calls, Jichomoe includes voice calls, text messaging, and mobile internet. It operates as an installed module within handsets instead of being a network-based feature.
What was the outcome of the lawsuit involving Safaricom?
Judge Mugambi’s ruling tackled three main points: whether Safaricom violated a trust, if it had misappropriated Ivusa’s concept, and whether Ivusa was justified in seeking the remedies proposed.
The court discovered no proof of a clear pact or shared comprehension between the involved parties. It highlighted that Ivusa’s presentation of the Jichomoe idea was unrequested, with nothing suggesting that Safaricom consented to keep it confidential or utilize it for his advantage.
Regarding the allegation of passing off, where one entity falsely presents another’s goods as their own, the court necessitated that Ivusa demonstrate that Jichomoe possessed goodwill and brand recognition. Additionally, Ivusa needed to show that Safaricom’s services were misleading about their source and that this misrepresentation caused damage to Ivusa.
Mugambi stated that Ivusa did not provide any proof of Jichomoe’s market position, brand awareness, or financial harm resulting from Safaricom’s activities.
Even though Ivusa didn’t directly accuse anyone of copyright infringement, the court examined whether his intellectual property had been violated. According to Kenya’s Copyright Act, software receives protection as a form of literary work; however, this law safeguards only the expression of an idea rather than the concept itself.
The court determined that since Jichomoe did not provide concrete details like source code or prototypes, Ivusa was unable to demonstrate that Safaricom had replicated his distinctive creation instead of separately devising a comparable idea.
Justice Mugambi dismissed the suit with costs awarded to Safaricom after finding no merit with the lawsuits claims.
by admin | Mar 25, 2025 | automotive industry, business, crime, criminal cases, lamborghini
PETALLING JAYA: The owner of a Lamborghini emerged victorious in a lawsuit filed against negligence and an alleged plot to harm him at the Sessions Court. This precedent-setting case involves a firm that had issued approval permits for importing vehicles but allegedly employed deceptive paperwork to understate the car’s value.
As a result, the customs department impounded the vehicle – a 2018 Lamborghini Huracan Performante valued at RM1.3 million.
Judge Sazlina Shafie stated that businessman Yew Chin Teck successfully demonstrated his claims against BHU Autologistics Sdn Bhd based on the preponderance of evidence.
The judge mentioned that Yew, who was being represented by attorneys David Gurupatham and Thej Eashen Previndran, demonstrated that he was a genuine buyer of the vehicle.
Last week, during her verbal judgment, Sazlina stated that the firm had altered the tax papers and reported a reduced levy for a previous version of the vehicle.
Nevertheless, she mentioned that the firm, led by Jarrett Ong and Elora Ng, charged Yew more than they should have.
She stated that the customs department uncovered the fraud due to carelessness and confiscated the vehicle.
Sazlina instructed the firm to compensate Yew with RM830,000 for the inability to use the car starting September 13, 2021.
She additionally instructed the firm to pay an extra RM2,300 each day (as compensation for not being able to use the vehicle) starting from September 14, 2021, continuing up till the realization of the judgment amount.
The payment includes an additional 1.5% interest, along with Sazlina granting Yew RM25,000 for expenses.
Gurupatham informed FMT that the total amount of the judgment stood at RM5.8 million as of last week.
Nevertheless, the judge permitted the customs department and the government to file a countersuit against Yew for failing to pay taxes, levies, and duties totaling approximately RM1.35 million.
Yew was additionally required to pay RM10,000 in expenses to the government, which was represented by federal counsel Nurul Akhilah Rosmi.
The details of the case showed that around 2019, Yew consented to purchasing the vehicle from the firm. Nevertheless, the following year, the customs authority confiscated the car due to suspicions that all applicable taxes, tariffs, and dues had not been settled completely.
Later, Yew initiated a lawsuit against the firm for negligence as well as conspiracy to harm him.
