Man stabs friend to death over woman

26 year old Udoka Ibemesi has been arrested for allegedly stabbing his friend Okechukwu Agbana to death during a fight over a lady named Judith Chukwu.  The suspect is currently being detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department as homicide detectives conduct their investigation.

It has been gathered that the two friends started out verbally assaulting each other. Udoka accused Okechukwu of stealing his girlfriend, while Okechukwu accused Udoka of stabbing him in the back because he was financially buoyant. Verbal assault later escalated to physical assault and Udoka  allegedly stabbed Okechukwu in the neck with a kitchen knife. Okechukwu was rushed to a hospital by neighbours but died before arrival.

Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Fank Mba confirmed the incident and said the body has been taken to a mortuary and an investigation is ongoing.

Vanguard

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Nigerian police out of control according to Amnesty International

A  report by Amnesty International released on Wednesday exposed a shocking level of unlawful killings committed by the Nigerian police force. The director of Amnesty International's Africa Progamme, Erwin van der Borght, made these statements:

"The Nigerian police are responsible for hundreds of unlawful killings every year,"

"Police don't only kill people by shooting them; they also torture them to death, often while they are in detention."

"The majority of the cases go un-investigated and the police officers responsible go unpunished. The families of the victims usually get no justice or redress. Most never even find out what happened to their loved ones."

Amnesty International said that some police officers see the killings of 'armed robbers' in dentention as acceptable practice. The orgianisaiton also pointed out that one of the main issues is 'Nigeria Police Forcer Order 237' under which police officers are allowed to shoot suspects and detainees who try to escape or avoid arrest, whether or not they pose a threat.

"Force Order 237 is so impermissibly broad. It simply gives police officers permission to shoot people. It is against international standards, and is being abused by police officers to commit, justify and cover up illegal killings," said Erwin van der Borght.

"The government must repeal Force Order 237 and publicly announce that the use of lethal force is only allowed when strictly unavoidable to protect life. This simple step could make a big difference to the number of unlawful police killings we are seeing in Nigeria."

Enforced disappearances in Nigeria are rife. Typically, in the first days or weeks following arrest, families are allowed to visit their relatives in detention. Later on, police tell them their loved ones have been "transferred to Abuja". Other times, they simply deny any knowledge of their whereabouts.

The Nigerian government says that they do not condone extrajudicial killings. But they are not doing enough to stop them and bring the police perpetrators to justice. Even on the rare occasions when police officers implicated in an unlawful killing are prosecuted, they are often released on bail or escape custody. Some are simply transferred to other states.

"Ending unlawful killings and enforced disappearances by the police will require serious legal reform and commitment and support from the Nigerian police force," said Erwin van der Borght. "The Nigerian Police Force must introduce a new code of conduct throughout its chain of command – from the very top to the bottom. If not, the cycle of violence will simply continue."

Amnesty International

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Hollywood making Fela movie

The story of the iconic Nigerian artist Fela Kuti will soon be gracing the silver screen. Hollywood's film production company Focus Features will be making the movie in collaboration with new British director, Steve McQueen, who's debut film titled Hunger received critical acclaim and won numerous independent film awards. The screenplay will be an adaptation of the book "Fela:The life and Times of an African Musical Icon." McQueen and  Biyi Bandele will be working on the screenplay together.

Focus Features CEO James Schamus released this statement about the project:

"Fela might be the most globally influential pop artist outside the Beatles in the last 50 years,"

"The Broadway show is pure joy, but Steve and Biyi's vision is very cinematic and distinctive. Fela was a revolutionary figure in world culture, and Steve is an artist who had a strong vision of politics and the world even before he made his first film. They are kindred spirits."

First Showing

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Government failing to provide pension for the elderly

CNN's Chritian Purefoy reports on  the Nigerian government failing to provide pension for the elderly and also how the rapid urbanisation and a worsening economy has eroded the traditional respect given to elders.

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CNN's Christian Purefoy learns respect...The Naija way

On his report on how the Nigerian government is failing to provide adequate pension for the elderly, Christian Purefoy gets a few lessons on how to show respect to his elders in traditional Yoruba fashion.

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