Premium Times reporter violated official secret Act, Police allege

Adelani Adepegba, Abuja

The police have alleged that the Premium Times Security reporter, Samuel Ogundipe, violated the Official Secret Act and the Cyber Crime Act, adding that he was also being tried for theft of classified document.
The Force insisted that Ogundipe’s action was “detrimental to national security,” noting that it could jeopardise peace and was capable of causing crisis in the country.

Ogundipe was arrested on Tuesday by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad operatives over the publication of the report of Police investigation into the invasion of the National Assembly by the Department of State Services, and a Kubwa magistrate court had ordered he be remanded in Police custody till August 20.

In a statement in Abuja on Thursday, the Force Spokesman, acting DCP Jimoh Moshood, also stated that the accused journalist had volunteered statements and he is standing trial.

It said, “The Force is categorically stating that Ogundipe is being investigated and prosecuted for the offences of theft and unlawful possession of restricted and classified documents inimical to State/National Security that can jeopardise peace, breakdown of law and order capable of precipitating crisis in the country.

“Ogundipe is also being investigated and prosecuted under other offences which violate Official Secret Act, Cyber Crime Act, and the Penal Code for which he has volunteered statements and is standing trial.”

Moshood stated that Ogundipe was arraigned in court in less than 24 hours of his arrest, adding that the police “as a law abiding organization will continue to ensure that the Rule of Law and its supremacy which are essentials of democracy prevail at all times.”

“The Nigeria Police Force and the media are veritable partners in ensuring peace, law and order in the country, but the Force will not compromise or allow an offender to go scot free or pervert the end of justice,” he added.

A coalition of civil society groups, #OurMumuDondo, had earlier in the morning stormed the force headquarters, Abuja to demand the release of the Premium Times reporter.
Led by popular musician, Charlie boy, the protesters insisted on the release of the reporter, noting that they would not leave until he is freed.

The activists briefly barricaded the Shehu Shagari Way, forcing motorists to ply alternative routes.
Presidential aspirant, Omoyele Sowore, knocked the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris for pressurizing Ogundipe to disclose his source.
Another activist, Ralph Adebayo described the IG as “ignorant,” noting that “he has been transmitting confusion since he became the police boss, stumbling from one controversy to another.”

The convener, Concerned Nigerians, Deji Adeyanju said the group would continue to besiege the police headquarters daily until their demand is met.
Addressing the protesters, Moshood said the detention of the journalist was not a punishment, a claim that annoyed the campaigners who objected loudly.

Asked why Ogundipe’s bank account was frozen,the force spokesman said,

“It is part of investigation; We should try to educate ourselves. The Judges’ rule permit the police if an offence is committed in Abuja to go far to Lagos to get anywhere to get evidence in resolution of the matter.”

Punch

LASG Education District 1, Agege Spearheads Sensitization of Deceased Staff Kinsmen Over Death Benefits Claim

Undoubtedly, the number one tag of the Lagos State Education District 1, Agege goes beyond mere nomenclature, the District under the leadership of TGPS/Permanent Secretary, Dr. Yinka Ayandele, has over years proven beyond reasonable doubt to be moving ahead of her contemporaries in unfolding epoch events.

The district took another first recently, spearheading the state’s sensitisation programme for the kinsmen of staff who lost their lives while in active service in the year 2016. The programme was part of the resolve of Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode that all death benefits accrued to any deceased employee of the state is duly and promptly paid to their next-of-kin.

Not less than 14 beneficiaries out of the 18 deceased staff recorded by District 1 in 2016 attended the unprecedented event tagged; “Sensitisation Programme for Beneficiaries of Deceased Staff of Education District 1, Agege”, held at the district’s secretariat in Agege. 

Delivering Governor Akinwunmi Ambode message to the beneficiaries, Dr. Ayandele reiterated the state government’s commitment to take staff welfare sacrosanct whether alive or otherwise. An emotional Ayandele was closed to tears while informing the gathering that the sensitization is to give valuable information to the deceased families on how to approach documentation for the LASG insurance welfare scheme for deceased staff.

Shortly before her speech, special prayers and a minute silence were rendered in honour of the deceased staff. It was an highly emotional moment for the entire gathering most especially the beneficiaries who marveled at how much their deceased loved ones are appreciated by the district even in death.

Expressing her concern and sympathy for the deceased families, Dr. Ayandele eulogised the deceased staff of the District saying they had worked meritoriously and contributed immensely to the growth of education in Lagos, hence the government's resolve to alleviate the burden that their losses would have placed on their families.

While explaining all the documentation processes involved before claiming the insurance death benefits, GM Cosmic Insurance Broker, Mr. Tunde Sanda stated that the beneficiaries must provide the deceased appointment letter, confirmation of appointment letter, Medical certificate of cause of death, death certificate from the National Population Commission, Obituary poster amongst others. Mr. Sanda assured the beneficiaries that the documentation should be processed and sent to their office for claim of benefits within 30 work days.

Representative of Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Olabode Akintunde revealed that the state government has set aside huge amount of money as death benefits in case of any occurrence, adding that ministry of finance is fully ready to assist the beneficiaries with verifiable documents. He stressed that he had never attended this kind of event with such magnitude and importance before while appreciating Dr. Ayandele's foresight for initiating the sensitisation. 

On his part, Mr Segun Osifako, Director, Administration and Human Resources in the district, who spoke in the capacity of Dr. Ayandele, lamented the demise of the district’s staff. He however urged people to be very proactive whenever nature takes its course in this regard by assisting the district through swift submission of necessary documents after the death of any staff for instant processing and claim of the deceased benefits.

Mr Ojo Samuel, the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers, Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government, commended the government for the initiative, stressing that it will reduce difficulties faced by kinsmen of dead colleagues in accessing death benefits. One of the beneficiaries, Miss Sholanke Moyosore couldn't hide her mixed feelings while speaking to AgegePulse. She said; "as a teenager, this sensitisation is most important to me because prior to now, I didn't know where to go regarding my late father's benefits. Today is highly emotional for me. I have always looked forward to accessing my daddy's benefits from the government but I don’t know how to go about it. I am very delighted for this opportunity. 

The sensitization will go a long way to help next-of-kins access those lying down benefits for the deceased. I Thank Governor Ambode and I appreciate the TGPS for her inestimable motherly care, impressive dispositions, a role model, a leader, mentor and God sent".

Other beneficiaries present at the event include Mr. Akeem Kayode Isiaka, Alhaja Akintunde Lateef, Mr. Adebayo Adekunle, Mr. Kupoluyi E.O, Mr. Anifowoshe Rahman O, Mr. Beckley Babatunde, Sholanke Moyosore O, Mr. Amadi Felix Uche, Olajire Dare and Mr. Fadogba Oluwadare.

NUT Chairman, Agege, Comrade Popoola Amos, NUT Chairman Alimosho, Comrade Ogunwomoju Olusesan, Chairman, ANCOPPS Ifako-Ijaye Zone, Mrs. Alabi Folashade among others were some of the Dignitaries who marked attendance at the event.

Dr. Ayandele later presented cash gift to the beneficiaries of the 18 deaths recorded in 2016 to assist them in processing the death benefits of their loved ones from the state.