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When the Light Dims: My Painful Elegy for Prof Joseph Ighietseme

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By Mike Osekhome SAN

INTRODUCTION

Shock underestimates my deep anguish and sorrow. Devastation underpins my present state of mind. Melancholy overwhelms me. Words fail me. They have failed me since I first heard of your demise. My thoughts have been benumbed. I have shed buckets of tears (permit the hyperbole, meant only for emphasis), since I received the ugly news of the unexpected and painful exit of Prof Joseph Osikhueme Ugbodaga, on Igietseme 31st May, 2022, at about 10.40am. I had just touched down in Jos, Plateau State, from Lagos, to handle the ongoing case of former Plateau State Governor, Senator David Jonah Jang. My lachrymal effusion has neither balmed my bruises, nor healed the wounds etched deeply in my heart. The mutual crying on the phone for over 30 minutes when I encountered Andrew Adothor (Prof’s cousin resident in the USA), has not in any way assuaged my battered feelings. I weep for me. Yes, me! I weep for my family. Yes, my family! I weep for Usagbe Club of Nigeria (he was the engine room). I weep for Usagbe Americas and the UK (which he had chaired). I weep for Isadus Inc (wherein he was the CEO and a driving force; I am the Chairman). I weep for St Peter’s College Old Students Association (wherein he was an indispensable force).I weep for St Peter’s College Old Students Association (1970-1974, wherein he was our chartered Chairman and a motivator). I weep for Naido ( wherein he was revered). I weep for Weppa and Uvhano Kingdoms (wherein he was a leading light). I weep for the three Etsakos (wherein he was a colossus). I weep for Afenmai land (wherein he was luminous). I weep for Edo State (wherein he was a developer). I weep for Nigeria (which had benefitted immensely from his educational exploits). I weep for Africa (which enjoyed his scientific wizardry). I weep for the black race (which has lost a gem). I weep for mankind in general (which has been short-changed by Ighietseme’s premature exit at 67). God, we cannot question you. Who are we? (Psalm 33:4; Jer. 23:24; Ish. 48:17).

Ha!, DJUI (one of the pet names I called you), meaning Dr Joseph Ugbodaga Igietseme) why did you do this to me and my family ? Why did you go suddenly without as much as leaving a word of “okiakhue”, just one word? Why, without a mere farewell? Just why, why, why? Prof, “ogomoh Unuedegor”, ( “son of Egori Waterside”, another alias I also popularly called you), just why did you do this to me, making me desolate and inconsolable with hot tears, laced with pains, pangs, sorrow, anguish and melancholy? Just why?

Together we started St. Peters College Agenebode, in January, 1970. We finished together in 1974. From form one to five, you were the best student, coming out first. We looked up to you. You were in class A; and I in B. The combined annual results of both classes usually saw you still emerging first. I managed to emerge either second, third, or even a distant fourth. You were simply matchless and unbeatable. It was only during our WASC in 1974, that the unthinkable happened. I came first in Grade one, Aggregate 16. You followed me closely in Grade two, Aggregate 25. You used to tease me, amidst jokes and back-slapping, that I did “juju”, by outpacing you for once in about 16 exams, aside numerous tests. We loved each other dearly.

While I sojourned in OAU, Ile-Ife (1975 – 1980) to read English language (later law, thereby losing one academic year), you attended UNN, Nuska, to read Biochemistry. You worked briefly as a Medical representative with R.T. Brisco, after your NYSC. I, in turn, returned to Ife for my Masters; and also to lecture. You zoomed off to America where you obtained a Ph.D (Georgetown University, Washington DC), in infectious and non-infectious diseases; including a later post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Miami, Florida. You lectured in Arkansas (Little Rock). You got promoted to Assistant Professor (1993); Associate Professor (1998); and full Professor (2002). You later lectured in Immunology, Biochemistry and Microbiology at Moorehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia. Since 2002, you have been Chief of Molecular Pathogenesis at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta; with secondary appointments as a Professor at Moorehouse School of Medicine and Emory Medical School, Atlanta, Georgia. Why did you leave this wicked world further prostrate, running away with these glittering credentials and lucid research in these critical and recondite areas? Just why? During my first ever visit to the USA in 1983, I stayed partly with you (the other, with our mutual friend, Peter Ethumetse).
When you hailed me with your usual AKPA KPA VIGHI VIGHI!, as you always did, at 4.42pm on 20th May, after my post, which you followed up with a missed call at 4.47 pm, but all of which I only saw on 31st May, 2022 after going through our previous chats), why didn’t you just hint me you would be departing forever? Just why, agene?
When you kindly drove my wife and I to the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta airport on the 6th of February, 2022, on our way back to Nigeria, you had stood forlornly by the side, watching us keenly and intensely as we meandered through the ropes at security check points, enroute Nigeria. I had told my wife, “see how DJUI looks sad at our departure; he will miss us greatly and we will miss him terribly”. Was this your tell-tale sign of saying, “you guys will never see me again”, but which we never got?

Only on 31st May, 2022, I had forwarded to you some posts which you didn’t respond to. How was I expected to know you had joined the Lord for good? My heart bleeds. My tears come in torrents. Even now. Ha!!!
So, Joe, who would I now turn to whenever I come to Atlanta? Who will my children literally “invade” his home at Stone Mountain, Atlanta, without invitation, with you always forever threatening to “burst” them? Who, except you, would forget his high ranking status and position in the American and Nigerian societies as a renowned and world-acclaimed author and Professor of immunology, virology and parasitology, and invade Nigerian restaurants on our arrival to buy us Nigerian and Weppa Wanno foods- pounded yam, amala, omhi esegbomhi, omhi isaghue, omhi ukpioi, omhi akphe, orisi orisi, garri, palm oil, tarodo, tatashe, tomatoes, magi; even palm wine? Please, let me know, my dear brother, friend and soul mate (whom I also always jokingly “mocked” by calling you “Professor of ikhuekhue, ivhavha and ibaneda”- “Professor of sunflies, mosquitoes and spirogyra”), who will now always tell me, “Chief Mike, just let me know if you need anything this way. I am always here for you to provide it”. DJUI, did you ever inform me you will not live long enough to fulfill those lofty plans and achieve those beautiful dreams which you confidentially shared with me?  Death, oh death, with your cold hands and hideous monstrous visage, did you ever warn DJUI you would snatch him from us?

Prof, when your aged mother passed on at 101 in December, 2022, and we all jointly and collectively bade her farewell in a one-week-carnival-like celebration, did you hint any of us you would leave us 6 months later? Was that all you were waiting for before joining her?

Osikhueme, when my wife and I hosted you, your friends and now shell-shocked Cross River State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade, in my Atlanta home, on 28th January, 2022, did you ever indicate that was the last time we would be seeing physically? When we had our Isadus meeting by zoom at 10pm Nigerian time on 27th March, 2022, did you let any of us know that was your last outing with us? Ha! DJUI, why?

Igietseme, you were extraordinarily gifted. A master debater, ever indulging in hot arguments and intellectual calisthenics, you could discuss any subject under the sun-whether tradition, history, science (your turf); politics, arts, medicine, law; just any topic. You allowed ideas to clash. I had never for once, seen you angry. You were a phenomenal philanthropist; a man who shouldered the pains of the less privileged; the hoi polloi; the Frantz Fanon’s “wretched of the Earth”. You fertilized them with empowerment as plants are nurtured with manure.
Ha! Death, you have shown your weakness and cowardice by coming stealthily like a thief in the night to snatch away our star.

Death, thou art ashamed!  Death, where is thy sting? Death, you too shall die one day because you can never stop anyone; and least, DJUI, from transmuting from mortality to immortality.

Death, to appreciate your woeful failure, listen carefully to Decius  Brutus, talking about Julius Caesar (extrapolate, Prof Ighietseme), in William Shakespeare’ s Julius Caesar: “his life was gentle; and the elements so mixed in him, that Nature might stand up and say to all the world,  THIS WAS A MAN! (Act V, Scenes iv-v).
Iyokpamhe, you came; you saw; you conquered (vini; vidi; vici).  It is true indeed (and this is why you are being celebrated even in death), that “when beggars die there are no comets seen; the heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes”.

My Prof, remember you played the lead role of “Julius Ceaser”, while mine was a Roman Plebian, when we acted the play, “Julius Ceaser”, by William Shakespeare, in the Secondary School. I can still quote verbatim, over 80% of this play over 5 decades later, starting with “Hence home, you idle creatures…”. Let me take some extracts from this in your memory, to balm my seering pains: “Life is but a walking shadow, a poor player, that struts and frets his hour upon the stage, and then is heard no more. It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing” (Act 5, scene 5). That is your story.

Joe, you faced death squarely, mocking its monstrous visage. You believed that “cowards die many times before their deaths; the valiant never taste of death but once. Of all the wonders that I yet have heard, it seems to me most strange that men should fear, seeing that death, a necessary end, will come when it will come” (Julius Caeser himself in Act II, Scene 2). And death came. And you defeated it by eternally sleeping in the Lord.
With a burdened heart and teary eyes, I say, farewell; Okiakhue soo. Kind soul that is full of humanity, goodbye. Renowned Professor, teacher and mentor, adieu. Accomplished master organizer, team player, community and clubs developer, rest in the Lord. A humble soul, incandescent personality and luminous persona full of panache, gravitas, gusto, nerve and verve, sleep well in the bosom of the Lord, till we meet to part no more. Almighty God, please, grant Professor Joseph Osikhuemhe Ugbodaga Ighietseme eternal rest in your warm bosom, amen, amen and amen.

LAST LINE
My numerous global readers, please, help me mourn and celebrate my departed brother and friend.

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Okuama Massacre: Military Declares Eight Persons Wanted

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The Defence Headquarters has declared eight persons wanted over their roles in the recent killing of 17 military personnel in Delta State.

The military released the list on Thursday at a briefing in Abuja.

Those declared wanted are Prof. Ekpekpo Arthur, Andaowei Dennis Bakriri, Akevwru Daniel Omotegbo (Aka Amagben), Akata Malawa David, Sinclear Oliki, Clement Ikolo Oghenerukeywe, Reuben Baru, and Igoli Ebi.

During the briefing, the Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, called on Nigerians especially residents of Delta and adjoining states to assist the military with credible information that would lead to the arrest of eight persons allegedly responsible for the killing of seventeen soldiers in Okuama community in Delta State.

General Buba says the military remains determined to fish out the perpetrators of the heinous act in Delta State, reaffirming its commitment to rescue all kidnapped and abducted victims in Nigeria.

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How CJMR Has Championed Restoration of Justice to Unjustly Incarcerated, Condemned – Founder, Olujobi

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By Eric Elezuo

“At CJMR, we stand firm on our scriptural foundation: ‘Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice…,” Pastor Olujobi 

Most citizens of the world are endowed with milk of human kindness, and are ever ready to lend a helping hand to folks in need, either for cash or kind. One of these citizens is a Nigerian of special breed, filled with compassion and zeal to assist wrongfully detained persons to regain their freedom. He is Mr. Hezekiah Olujobi, who is leading the fight against wrongful detention and elongated detention without trial with his Non-Governmental Organization, the Centre for Justice, Mercy and Reconciliation (CJMR).

The CJMR as stated, is NGO dedicated to promoting human rights and advocacy within the Nigeria Correctional Service and strengthening the rule of law in Nigeria Criminal Justice System, according to the Founder, Mr. Olujobi.

“Our area of focus are Advocacy, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Investigation, Cases review, Rehabilitation of individual upon freedom and Restorative Justice in Criminal Matter,” he added.

The CJMR as an organization, was established in 1999, and was officially registered in 2009. It has since then accumulated an enviable and proven track record of facilitating the release of individuals from death row, some of whom had been unjustly incarcerated for 18 to 28 years.

“Additionally, over 600 inmates have been freed from illegal detention after 4 to 12 years without trial. The organization has also established a Halfway Home that has benefited over 300 individuals.

“Our activities cut across the Correctional service in South West: Oyo, Odun , Ogun and Lagos States. We still have over 100 cases for intervention including 10 people on death row whom we strongly believed they are victims of wrongful conviction,” Olujobi stressed.

Hezekiah Olujobi, also known as a Pastor, for his vocation as a preacher of the gospel, who is the founder of CJMR, is currently working on two books to project the work of the organization so far.

The first, “Their Stories Behind Bars,” is a collection of narratives from individuals wrongfully sentenced to death and how the organization helped secure their rrlease, while the second book, “Their Hurts and Unforgettable Memories,” delves into the stories of victims and offenders, exploring their deep hurts and the healing process through restorative justice.

The following stories below as told by Pastor Olujobi, carefully epitomizes how far the NGO has gone to put smiles on the faces of individuals, who have otherwise lost hope of ever living their lives among free people again

Olaniyi Emiola’s Wrongful Conviction: My Belief in His Innocence

Olaniyi Emiola was sentenced to death based on witness testimony that was a case of mistaken identity. The armed robber apprehended at the crime scene insisted he was not the person being referred to and claimed he did not know Emiola at all. However, one of the victims, who recognized Emiola by the name “Abija,” insisted that he was the culprit. Emiola was known in the streets as “Abija,” not “Niyi,” yet the robber mentioned a “Femi Niyi,” not “Abija.” The man in question is Olaniyi Emiola, not Femi Niyi. During the trial, it was claimed that the robber identified the house of their leader to them, who is known as Abija,

In this controversial case, the conclusion of judgment of my noble lord, Hon Justice Jimoh of the Tribunal Court, was as follows:

“It is our considered judgment that the discovery of the second accused in the house pointed out by the first accused to the prosecution, and the discovery of the stolen items in the house shown to the police by the first accused, are admissible and well taken. Referencing R. v. Garbett (1847) 2 C & K 474 and R. v. Treacy (1945) 30 CAR 93, with these authorities in view, the second accused has been properly identified and linked with the commission of the crime charged.

Since the prosecution has adduced sufficient evidence to place the second accused at the scene at the material time, his alibi defense is logically and physically demolished.

This was established by the Supreme Court in the cases of Patrick Njovens vs. The State (1973) 5 SC 17 at 65 and Christian Nwosisi v. The State (1976) 6 SC 109 at 112.

It is my considered judgment that since the defense of the second accused has failed and, by the acceptable evidence of the prosecution witnesses, the accused has fallen into the warm embrace of the law, and I so hold.

SENTENCE: OLANIYI EMIOLA – The sentence of the Tribunal upon you is that you be hanged by the neck until you are dead or suffer death by firing squad, as the Administrator of this State may direct. May the Lord have mercy on your soul.”

This was the judgment that sent a man to darkness and anguish, leaving him to await execution in a solitary cell for 11 years without the right to appeal, luckily for him, the abolition of execution was announced in Nigeria.

Reprieve came when we visited Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison in 2007. We investigated the matter by analyzing the entire judgment and all the contents of the case file. We took up his case, amplified his voice of innocence, and refuted all the arguments in light of the existing facts recorded in the judgement.

Olaniyi Emiola was finally set free in January 2011, after 17 years had been wrongfully taken from his life.

One can only imagine what would have happened if execution had not been abolished in Nigeria.

CJMR’s Advocacy visit to the Oyo State Attorney General

The organisation has also taken its advocacy to the Attorney General’s office in Oyo State, and achieved certain parameters as represented in the narrative below:

“On Wednesday, March 20, 2024, the Committee for Centre for Justice Mercy and Reconciliation (CJMR) conducted an advocacy visit to the office of the Oyo State Attorney General. The purpose of the visit was to highlight the plight of numerous inmates who have been denied justice and are enduring the prolonged anguish of indefinite trials for capital offenses.

The primary goal of the visit was to bring to the Attorney General’s attention specific cases of individuals who appear to have been wrongfully accused of capital offenses and have been languishing in detention since 2015 without legal advice. Additionally, there are those who have been repeatedly taken to the High Court since 2017 without the prosecution presenting a single witness.

In a recent development on March 18 and 19, 2024, the Oyo State Chief Judge, Honorable Justice Iyabo Yerima, visited the custodial centers in Ibadan and Oyo. She firmly resolved not to address any capital offense cases, maintaining her stance throughout the jail delivery exercise. Consequently, 32 inmates were released from Agodi and 38 from Oyo, totaling 70 releases from facilities that house 1,250 and 827 inmates, respectively. The data clearly indicates that a significant proportion of detainees charged with capital offenses remain unaddressed.

Pastor Olujobi further noted that “During the CJMR’s visit, seven recommendations were proposed to enhance the efficiency of justice delivery by the Attorney General’s office, and a list of 32 individuals awaiting legal advice was submitted.”

The Attorney General, known for his humility and activism, pledged to collaborate with the CJMR.

He further acknowledged that “It is a profound injustice for individuals, even those apprehended with substantial evidence, to be detained indefinitely, risking the degradation of evidence and waning interest or resolve of witnesses. The slow turn of the justice system’s wheels can erode its very foundation.

“Similarly, it is an injustice for an innocent person to endure punishment due to procedural delays or inefficiencies.

The presumption of innocence until proven guilty is a fundamental principle of democratic societies, yet it is undermined when the process to establish innocence is plagued by excessive delays. The time for change is now.

Olujobi is also of the view that “The judiciary must move beyond a confessionary-based approach to prison decongestion and focus on those unjustly detained for capital offenses.”

From Darkness to Light: The Unraveling of Injustice and the Triumph of Freedom for Olusola Adepetu after 26 years behind bar

In this scenario, the police conducted a comprehensive investigation, and the defense attorney performed admirably. However, despite these efforts, the judge appeared to succumb to public pressure, reminiscent of Pontius Pilate’s historical decision, resulting in Olusola Adepetu being wrongfully sentenced to death.

Tragically, this miscarriage of justice led to the loss of 26 years of Adepetu’s life.

The appellant, a native of Ondo state was 34 years old at the time of his arrest, a father of 4 children with a broken home.

He was the owner of Olusola Naturalist Hospital. He was a Guru in herbal traditional-medicine, very popular with radio and television advertisements.

He cures all manner of ailment, he was a highlife socialite, he was a member of special marshal of Federal Road Safety Commission, due to the nature of his work as herbal traditional medicine healer he was highly connected with people in high places who always patronized him and in the world ravaged with deceases people always throng his office to seek healing for their ailments.

He is not a medical doctor but always referred to as Doctor Olusola.

All of a sudden, the light of his fame and popularity went off, he was enveloped with thick darkness. For a good 26 years he never walks under the moon nor is beaten by rain.

What happened?

His girlfriend was murdered in a mysterious way, three days later, her dead body was recovered by the police at the Express way, Sanyo, Ibadan and deposited at mortuary in Adeoyo state Hospital. Who must have done this?

Nobody knows till today. The relations who were in the shop of the father of his girlfriend who saw him when he came to pick the deceased and the bar man who saw him the previous day with the deceased pointed touch light on him.

Upon his arrest, rumors went round the whole city like wildfire and consumed the heart of men, same Radio and Television stations where his advertisements were being jingled, announced his arrest, all kinds of rumors went round the city, his case became a celebrated case.

He was consumed by the public adverse opinion.

With all kinds of rumors, the death of the lady was attributed to ritual killing, some said he cut the breast of the lady, some said he cut her private part for the ritual purpose.

At every court adjournment the whole court room and the premises will always be filled up with people. The case attracted the public interest. Like Pontius Pilate, the judge has no choice than to deliver the innocent man as a sacrificial lamb not for the world but for his likely hidden sin.

Light shines on his path again, when we unravel the case file documents with the dissenting judgement and the man regains his freedom after 26 years.

The critical question is: Who will advocate for the poor and helpless? It is us;
The Chief Judge, Attorney General, Commissioner of Police, and all stakeholders must be involved. And this where CJMR comes in, and the organization are doing it.

“We therefore call for wholesome assistance from all and sundry to sustain the tempo, and help our people, who graciously need the assistance,” Olujobi concluded.

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Binance Executive Detained in Nigeria Escapes from Custody

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One of the two Binance executives detained in Nigeria for alleged tax evasion and other offences, Nadeem Anjarwalla, has escaped from lawful custody, according to PREMIUM TIMES report.

Our sources said Mr Anjarwalla, 38, escaped on Friday, 22 March, from the Abuja guest house where he and his colleague were detained after guards on duty led him to a nearby mosque for prayers in the spirit of the ongoing Ramadan fast.

The Briton, who also has Kenyan citizenship, is believed to have flown out of Abuja using a Middle East airliner.

It remains unclear how Mr Anjarwalla got on an international flight despite his British passport, with which he entered Nigeria, remaining in the custody of the Nigerian authorities.

Authorities are also said to be working to unravel his intended destination in a bid to get him back into custody.

An Immigration official said the Binance executive fled Nigeria on a Kenyan passport. He, however, said authorities were trying to determine how he obtained the passport, given that he had no other travel document (apart from the British passport) on him when he was taken into custody.

Another source said the two officials were held at a “comfortable guest house” and allowed many rights, including the use of telephones, a privilege Mr Anjarwalla is believed to have exploited to plot an escape.

When contacted Sunday night on the escape of the Binance executive from detention, the Head of Strategic Communication at the Office of the National Security Adviser, Zakari Mijinyawa, said he would enquire and revert. He has yet to do so as of the time of filing this report.

Mr Anjarwalla, Binance’s Africa regional manager, and Tigran Gambaryan, a US citizen overseeing financial crime compliance at the crypto exchange platform, were detained upon their arrival in Nigeria on 26 February 2024.

A criminal charge was filed against the two executives before a Magistrate Court in Abuja. On 28 February 2024, the court granted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) an order to remand the duo for 14 days. The court also ordered Binance to provide the Nigerian government with the data/information of Nigerians trading on its platform.

Following Binance’s refusal to comply with the order, the court extended the remand of the officials for an additional 14 days to prevent them from tampering with evidence. The court then adjourned the case till 4 April 2024.

Also on 22 March, the Nigerian government approached the Federal High Court in Abuja and slammed another four-count charge on Binance Holdings Limited, Mr Anjarwalla and Mr Gambaryan, accusing them of offering services to subscribers on their platform while failing to register with the Federal Inland Revenue Service to pay all relevant taxes administered by the Service and in so doing, committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 8 of the Value Added Tax Act of 1993 (as Amended).

The defendants were also accused of offering taxable services to subscribers on their trading platform while failing to issue invoices to those subscribers to determine and pay their value-added taxes and, in so doing, committed an offence contrary to and punishable under S.29 of the Value Added Tax Act of 1993 (as amended).

Count Three of the charges accused the three defendants of offering services to subscribers on their Binance trading platform for the buying and selling of cryptocurrencies and the remittance and transfer of those assets while failing to deduct the necessary Value Added Taxes arising from their operations and thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 40 of the Federal Inland Revenue Service Establishment Act 2007 (as amended).

The last count of the charges wants the defendants punished for allegedly aiding and abetting subscribers on their Binance trading platform to unlawfully refuse to pay taxes or neglect to pay those taxes and, in so doing, committing an offence contrary to and punishable under the provisions of S.94 of the Companies Income Tax Act (as amended).

The Nigerian government had, in the past three months, been cracking down on suspected money launderers and terrorism financiers, some of whom it alleged are using the Binance platform for criminal activities

The Nigerian government said over $21.6 billion was traded by Nigerians whose identities were concealed by Binance.

Source: Premium Times

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