society
NUPENG Suspends Indefinitely 12 Members for Breach of Peace… Drags them to court for prosecution
*NUPENG Suspends Indefinitely 12 Members for Breach of Peace… Drags them to court for prosecution*
Information emanating from the National Secretariat of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), the Petroleum Tankers Drivers Branch has slammed an indefinite suspension on some members of the union over their anti-union activities and actions that may lead to breach of peace in the country.
In a circular made to members of the union, it reads that the members lend their support to the executives led by the current president Comrade Augustine Egbon, the circular reads, “This is to inform all our members that the President, the Deputy President of NUPENG, General Secretary and the National Chairman Of PTD are greatly doing well.
“But Lucky Osesua and Dayyabu Garga who before now were members of the union has been arrested over activities that nearly caused breach of peace, they were reported to the police who arrested them and will prosecute them in the court where their fate will be decided.”
The circular further employ the members to disregard any contrary information coming from any other source other than the recognised structure of PTD headed by the National chairman, Comr. Augustine Egbon.
Those placed on indefinite suspension are Peter Moudebelu, Dayabu Garga, Musa Dennis, Osesua, Walter, Tiamiyu Ojo, Osahon Osamuyi, Humble Obinna, Dele Nwaka, Sylvanus Idanwekhai, Akinlolu Olabisi, Gambo Ibrahim Tuge.
In the letter of suspension cited they were accused of conducting illegal congress to elect new national leaders of the union in disobedience to the order of the court nullifying such.
Below is a sample of the letter sent to the suspended members;
LETTER OF INDEFINITE SUSPENSION FROM THE UNION
The National Secretariat of the Union is in receipt of documentary, audio and video evidences of you and some other individuals illegally organizing and conducting elections for the national offices of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers Branch of the Union in Abuja, in the early hours of Tuesday,3lst October, 2023 in disobedience and in contempt of the
judgement of Hon. Justice Bashar A. Alkali of the National lndustrial Court of Nigeria, in the Yenagoa Judicial Division, holden at Yenagoa on Suit No. NICN/YEN/L/2022 that
nullified the Petroleum Tanker Drivers Branch of NUPENG’s election held on 30th June, 2022 in lbadan, Oyo State, dissolved the former executive and mandated the National Secretariat of NUPENG to conduct a fresh elections for the national offices of the
Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) Branch ofthe Union.
Your actions, conducts and utterances were totalviolations of the Union Constitution and the Bye Laws of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) Branch including the resolutions
taken at the Branch Executive Council meeting of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers Branch on 20th September 2023 in Asaba, Delta State.
It was on the basis of the above that a resolution was taken and adopted at the Special Delegates Conference of the Branch on Tuesday, 3L’t of October,2O23 recommending
LETTER OF INDEFINITE SUSPENSION FROM THE UNION
The National Secretariat of the Union is in receipt of documentary, audio and video
evidences of you and some other individuals illegally organizing and conducting elections
for the national offices of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers Branch of the Union in Abuja, in
the early hours of Tuesday,3lst October, 2023in disobedience and in contempt of the
judgement of Hon. Justice Bashar A. Alkali of the National lndustrial Court of Nigeria, in
the Yenagoa Judicial Division, holden at Yenagoa on Suit No. NICN/YEN/L/2022 that
nullified the Petroleum Tanker Drivers Branch of NUPENG’s election held on 30th June,
2022 in lbadan, Oyo State, dissolved the former executive and mandated the National
Secretariat of NUPENG to conduct a fresh elections for the national offices of the
Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) Branch ofthe Union.
Your actions, conducts and utterances were totalviolations of the Union Constitution and
the Bye Laws of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) Branch including the resolutions
taken at the Branch Executive Council meeting of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers Branch
on 20th September 2023 in Asaba, Delta State.
It was on the basis of the above that a resolution was taken and adopted at the Special
Delegates Conference of the Branch on Tuesday, 3L’t of October,2O23 recommending your expulsion from the Branch and the Union to the National Executive Council of Nigeria
Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG).
your expulsion from the Branch and the Union to the National Executive Council of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG).
To worsen the matter, on Wednesday, 1’t November 2023, the President of the Union,
Comrade Williams Akporeha and the General Secretary of the Union together with the
Chairman of the Caretaker Committee set up after the dissolution of the former executive
by court and six principal officers of the newly elected executive of the Branch were
brutally and viciously attacked at the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) Branch office at 50
Moses Majekodunmi Crescent, Utako , Abuja by you and co- conspirators ably assisted by
some assailants, thugs and arsonists.
These actions are definitely condemnable and heinous crimes and cannot be condoned
in any way by the Union and in any decent Society.
ln the light of the above, you are hereby immediately placed on an indefinite suspension
from the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) Branch of NUPENG and from the Union
generally pending when the National Executive Council of the Union shall take
appropriate actions and measures on the matter.
You are hereby directed to hand over all the Union properties in your possession to the
Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) Chairman of your Zone and by a copy of this letter all
relevant Security Agencies, Government lnstitutions and all Stakeholders in the Oil and
Gas lndustry should not transact business or have any official union relationships with this
ma n.
Thank you.
Yours faithfully,
FOR: NIGERIA UNION OF PETROLEUM AND NATURALGAS WORKERS
BI OLAWALE
General Secretary
P resident – NUPENG
Trustees – NUPENG
State Commissioner of Police – Nigeria Police Force, Kaduna State
State Director of DSS – Department of State Services (DSS), Kaduna State
State Commandant – NSCDC, Kaduna State
President and Executive Secretary – NARTO, Abuja
Chairman/Secretary – Kaduna Zonal Councll of NUPENG
Chairman/Secreta ry – PTD Branch of NUPENG
Chairma n/Secreta ry – PTD Kaduna Zone of NUPENG
society
Enhancing public safety and security: The Halo Trust, US Govt partner to provide ammunition handling and accounting training at Ikeja Lagos, Nigeria
Enhancing public safety and security: The Halo Trust, US Govt partner to provide ammunition handling and accounting training at Ikeja Lagos, Nigeria
The Nigeria Police Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal – Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear (NPF EOD-CBRN) has successfully completed the first batch of training for 19 personnel on Ammunition Handling and Accounting Course. The training, held in Ikeja, Lagos, from December 3-20, 2024, was organized by The HALO Trust and sponsored by the United States Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs.
According to The HALO Trust’s Country Director for Nigeria, Prince Ganiyu Otunba, this training is part of aholistic NPF-HALO developed project aimed at supporting personnel capacity building, addressing equipment needs, and enhancing the operational readiness of the NPF EOD-CBRN Command to mitigate explosive ordnance threats in Nigeria. A second batch of 22 personnel is scheduled to undergo the same training in January.
The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun PhD, NPM, through the CP EOD–CBRN CP Patrick Atayero expressed gratitude to the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs andThe Trust HALO for their support.
The training aimed to equip NPF EOD-CBRN personnel with the knowledge, skills, and best practices necessary to handle and account for ammunition and explosives safely and securely. The course also focused on ensuring proper accounting and record-keeping, preventing theft and diversion, reducing the risk of unplanned explosions at munitions sites, and promoting international best practices.
The NPF appreciates the support provided by the United States government, which will have a profoundly positive impact on the society.
CP Patrick Atayero emphasized the importance of responsible ammunition management in preventing the proliferation of illicit weapons and reducing the risk of unplanned explosions at munitions sites. He urged all stakeholders to collaborate with the Police in efforts to prevent the diversion, misuse, and unauthorized handling of explosive and other hazardous materials.
About HALO
The HALO Trust is the world’s largest humanitarian organization engaged in the field of Mine Action and weapons and ammunition management. With over 35 years’ experience, The HALO Trust is the most experienced organization in the field of Weapons and Ammunition Management, rehabilitating and constructing armouries and ammunition stores to international standards, disposing of unsafe and unserviceable weapons and ammunition, and building national capacity to allow for the safe, accountable and secure management and control of weapons and ammunition.
The HALO Trust presently implements Mine Action and weapons and ammunition management projects in 30 countries and territories. In 2024, HALO trained a total of 106 Nigeria security forces personnel in weapons and ammunition management.
society
“Sentenced to Death for Stealing a Fowl: The Shocking Case of Segun Olowookere Sparks National Outrage”
“Sentenced to Death for Stealing a Fowl: The Shocking Case of Segun Olowookere Sparks National Outrage”
The Nigerian social media space was thrown into an uproar on Tuesday as news spread about Segun Olowookere, an only child, who was sentenced to death by hanging for stealing a fowl in Osun State. The case, which dates back to 2010, has raised serious questions about justice, fairness, and the Nigerian judicial system.
Olowookere, now 31, was arrested alongside Sunday Morakinyo in Oyan, Odo-Otin Local Government Area, when he was just 17 years old. Accused of robbing a police officer of two fowls and eggs worth ₦20,000, the duo was convicted in 2014 by Justice Jide Falola of the Osun State High Court.
The Arrest and Trial
According to Olowookere, his ordeal began when a group of minors, allegedly involved in theft, named him as their gang leader. Despite his denial, he was subjected to severe torture by police officers and detained without immediate legal recourse.
“The police demanded ₦30,000 for my bail, but my father could only raise ₦20,000. Before he could return with the full amount, I was transferred to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad in Osogbo,” Olowookere recounted.
At trial, six witnesses testified against him. Although he pleaded not guilty and claimed innocence, the court relied heavily on a controversial confession reportedly obtained under duress. Justice Falola sentenced both Olowookere and Morakinyo to death for armed robbery, life imprisonment for robbery, and three years for theft.
Public Outcry and Calls for Justice
The harsh sentence, perceived as disproportionate to the crime, has ignited widespread criticism. Human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) condemned the ruling, arguing that the trial was unlawful since Olowookere was a minor at the time of the offence.
Falana stated, “The Osun State High Court lacked jurisdiction over the case. The matter should have been handled by the Family Court, which would not impose the death penalty on a child.”
Governor Adeleke’s Intervention
Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has ordered an investigation and initiated steps for a pardon. “I assure the public that this case is receiving urgent attention. Justice and fairness must prevail,” the governor announced on X.
Lingering Appeal and a Tarnished Legacy
The case is still pending appeal at the Court of Appeal, Akure, 13 years after it began. Meanwhile, Justice Falola, who presided over the trial, was recently retired by the National Judicial Council following a separate scandal involving professional misconduct.
The Human Toll
Olowookere, who has spent over a decade on death row, dreams of becoming a doctor. He has trained under medical practitioners at his custodial center and hopes to prove his innocence and contribute to society.
“I pray to God to set me free. I am not a criminal. I’ve never stolen anything in my life,” he said.
Morakinyo, his co-convict, was not as fortunate. Following years of torture, he has developed severe mental health issues and is now unrecognizable, according to Olowookere.
What’s Next?
As the public awaits the conclusion of the appeal process, Olowookere’s story has become a rallying point for advocacy against systemic injustice. Many Nigerians are calling for comprehensive judicial reforms to prevent such cases in the future.
The tragedy of Segun Olowookere is a grim reminder of the cracks in Nigeria’s justice system—cracks that have left a young man’s life hanging in the balance for over a decade.
Nigerian Man Returns ₦5 Million Mistakenly Sent to His Account Amid Economic Hardship
A Nigerian man, Ben Kingsley Nwashara, has become a symbol of integrity after returning ₦5 million mistakenly deposited into his bank account during a time of widespread economic hardship in the country.
Nwashara shared his experience on X (formerly Twitter) on December 20, posting a screenshot of the unexpected transaction alert. He expressed astonishment at receiving such a large amount during challenging financial times.
“Someone mistakenly sent me ₦5,000,000 (Five Million Naira) to my Fidelity Bank account. In this hard time? I’ve been getting calls from different persons because of this,” he wrote.
Determined to resolve the situation lawfully, Nwashara immediately contacted the police to report the incident, explaining his intent to protect himself from potential fraud accusations.
“I will be headed to the police station to make a statement. Let the bearer of the account come and confirm he or she sent it with evidence,” he added.
In a follow-up post, he shared evidence of his integrity—a receipt showing the successful return of the funds to Sliding Towers Global Limited, the original sender. Additionally, he documented his visit to the Ogui Police Station in Enugu to ensure transparency and accountability.
“Let it be on record that I’ve returned the sum of ₦5Million mistakenly sent to me by one Sliding Towers Global Limited. I’ve also made an entry at the Ogui Police Station, Enugu, to this effect,” Nwashara stated.
His actions have garnered widespread praise on social media, with many commending his honesty and strong moral compass, particularly during Nigeria’s current economic challenges.
“This is the kind of integrity we need in our society. He didn’t succumb to the temptation to keep the money despite the hardship,” one user wrote.
Ben Kingsley Nwashara’s exemplary behavior has sparked conversations about ethics and accountability, proving that integrity still thrives in unexpected situations.
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