TheNewsGuru

Tag: KOLADE JOHNSON

  • Court sentences ex-policeman to life imprisonment for killing football fan at viewing centre

    Court sentences ex-policeman to life imprisonment for killing football fan at viewing centre

    A dismissed police officer, Olalekan Ogunyemi, has been sentenced to life imprisonment by a Lagos High Court, Ikeja, for killing a football fan, Kolade Johnson.

    Ogunyemi, who was attached to the Special Anti-Cultism Squad of the Nigeria Police, shot Johnson in the lower abdomen on March 31, 2019, at a viewing centre at Mangoro, Ikeja, Lagos.

    The victim was watching a football match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur when he was shot by the convict.

    Justice Adenike Coker found the defendant guilty of the charge and accordingly sentenced him to life imprisonment with the caveat of serving a minimum of 25 years’ imprisonment.

     

    Court sentences ex-policeman to life imprisonment for killing football fan at viewing centre

    At the resumed hearing of the matter on Thursday, the Lagos State prosecution counsel, Jubril Kareem, announced his appearance, while Abayomi Omotubora appeared for the defence.

    The judge also sentenced the dismissed policeman to life imprisonment for manslaughter.

    Olalekan was originally charged with murder but the court found him guilty of manslaughter.

    During trial, the prosecution called seven witnesses, while the defence called two witnesses.

    At trial, a pathologist, Dr Oluwaseun Williams, testified that Johnson, 35, suffered six gunshot injuries.

    TheNewsGuru.com recalls that sometime last year, the Lagos judicial panel awarded the sum of N10 million to the family of late Kolade Johnson.

    During the trial, Johnson was said to have been shot during a raid by police officers at Onipetesi area in Lagos, while watching an English premiership match between Tottenham and Manchester United on March 31, 2019.

    The incident sparked outrage on social media, after which the police authorities identified Ogunyemi Olalekan, a police inspector, and Godwin Orji, a sergeant, as the officers involved in the shooting.

    Following an orderly trial, Olalekan was dismissed from the force after he was found guilty, while Orji was acquitted.

    Doris Okuwobi, chairman of the Lagos panel, announced the compensation at the sitting on Friday.

    The award sum was received by the mother of the deceased.

    Thirteen petitioners, including Johnson’s family, were compensated with a total of N83 million at the sitting on Friday.

  • Lagos panel awards Kolade Johnson’s family, 12 others N83m

    Lagos panel awards Kolade Johnson’s family, 12 others N83m

    The Lagos judicial panel has compensated 13 victims of police brutality with N83million.

    One of the beneficiaries was the family of the late Kolade Johnson, who was killed in 2019.

    Panel chairman, Justice Doris Okuwobi, handed over a cheque of N10 million to Johnson’s mother.

    Johnson, 36, was shot by members of the police anti-cultism unit during a raid at the Onipetesi area of Lagos on March 31, 2019.

    The father of one and a friend were leaving a soccer viewing centre in the area where they had gone to watch an English Premiership league match between Tottenham and Manchester United when a stray bullet hit him.

    He died at the hospital while waiting for treatment, according to his sister Toluwani Lukman.

    Johnson’s killing provoked widespread anger among Nigerians, following which the police authorities identified Ogunyemi Olalekan, a police inspector, and Godwin Orji, a sergeant, as the officers involved in the shooting.

    Following an orderly trial, Olalekan was dismissed from the force after he was found guilty while Orji was acquitted.

  • Kolade Johnson: Court remands killer inspector in prison

    Kolade Johnson: Court remands killer inspector in prison

    An Ebute Meta Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, on Friday ordered the remand of Olalekan Ogunyemi, ex-police inspector charged with murdering 36-year-old Kolade Johnson.

    The magistrate, Mrs A.O. Salawu, ordered that Ogunyemi, be remanded at Ikoyi Prisons, pending advice from State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

    Earlier, the prosecutor, Insp. Kehinde Olatunde, had told the court that the defendant committed the offence on March 31, at 5.10p.m., at Onipetesi Estate, Idi-Mangoro, Lagos.

    Ogunyemi, 45, who resides at No. 17, Alhaji Ede St., Igando, was docked on a count charge of murder

    He said that Ogunyemi used his Ak47 rifle to gun down 36-year-old Kolade Johnson.

    The prosecutor said that the offence contravened the provisions of Section 223 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    Section 223 stipulates a death sentence if convicted.

    Olatunde, informed the court that he had a remand application order by the police to remand the defendant for the next 30 days.

    The plea of the defendant was not taken by the court.

    Counsel to the defendant, Sola Adeyemi, had urged the court to instead remand the defendant for the next 14 days as against the application of the prosecutor.

    Magistrate Salawu granted the application of the prosecutor and ordered 30 days remand and adjourned the case until May 6.

    Recall that Kolade, father of one, was shot dead by Ogunyemi, who served in the Anti Cultism Unit of Lagos State Police Command.

     

  • Police dismiss inspector who shot, killed Kolade Johnson

    Police dismiss inspector who shot, killed Kolade Johnson

    The Nigerian Police have announced the dismissal of Ogunyemi Olalekan, an inspector, who the police said shot and killed a 36-year-old man, Kolade Johnson, in Lagos on Sunday.

    The Police also discharged and acquitted another officer, Godwin Orji, a sergeant, who was also tried alongside Mr Olalekan, but found not guilty of the offence.

    A statement by the police spokesperson in Lagos, Bala Elkana, said Mr Olalekan was found guilty of killing Mr Johnson.

    Police said the officer was guilty of “discreditable conduct by acting in a manner prejudicial to discipline and unbecoming of members of the Force by shooting and killing Kolade Johnson; Unlawful and Unnecessary exercise of authority by using unnecessary violence, by using AK 47 rifle on the deceased in total neglect to the provisions of Force Order 237b on the use of Firearms.”

    The statement added that the culprit has been handed over to Police Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba in Lagos for prosecution in a conventional court of law.

    Messrs Olalekan and Orji were named suspects in an incident that has reignited public outcry against the conduct of the Nigerian Police.

    A public protest had also informed a statement issued by President Muhammadu Buhari promising prosecution of whoever is found guilty of the crime.

    The full statement is posted below

    UPDATE ON THE TRIAL OF THE POLICE OFFICERS ALLEGED TO BE INVOLVED IN THE SHOOTING OF KOLADE JOHNSON…SUSPECT HANDED OVER TO CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DEPARTMENT, PANTI FOR PROSECUTION

    The two Police Officers alleged to have been involved in the shooting of Kolade Johnson on 31/03/2019 were apprehended and subjected to internal disciplinary proceedings, known as Orderly Room Trial by the Command.

    The Orderly Room trial commenced on Monday 01/04/2019 and ended on Thursday 04/04/2019.

    They were tried on three-count charges: (1) Discreditable Conduct (2) Unlawful and Unnecessary Exercise of Authority and (3) Damage to Clothing or Other Articles contrary to Paragraph E (iii), Q (ii) and D (i) First Schedule, Police Act and Regulations, Cap 370 LFN 1990. The Trial started with the reading of charges and taking of plea.

    Five witnesses testified.

    At the conclusion of the trial, the first defaulter, Inspector Ogunyemi Olalekan was found guilty of discreditable conduct by acting in a manner prejudicial to discipline and unbecoming of members of the Force by shooting and killing Kolade Johnson; unlawful and unnecessary exercise of authority by using unnecessary violence by using AK 47 rifle on the deceased in total neglect of the provisions of Force Order 237b on the use of Firearms.

    The Adjudicating Officer, CSP Indyar Apev, awarded the punishment of dismissal from service and prosecution to the first defaulter.

    There was no evidence linking the second defaulter, Sergeant Godwin Orji, to the shooting. he was, therefore, found not guilty and discharged and acquitted.

    The First defaulter, Inspector Ogunyemi Olalekan, is handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, for prosecution in conventional Court.

  • Buhari reacts to killing of Kolade Johnson by SARS officials

    President Muhammadu Buhari has regretted the recent unfortunate action of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) operatives from the Lagos State Police Command, which led to the avoidable death of Mr. Kolade Johnson.

    In a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, the President commiserated deeply with the family of the deceased.

    He acknowledged the genuine outrage regarding the activities of SARS and reassured the public that swift actions have already been taken.

    “Suspects are in custody and an orderly room trial is set to commence immediately, following which indicted officers will be prosecuted in court.

    “Government will not tolerate in any way the brutalization of Nigerians or the violation of their rights. Any officer of the law enforcement agencies or any other government functionary caught in this act will certainly be visited with the full weight of the law.”

    Recall that following directives from the Presidency in 2018 to overhaul the management and activities of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, steps were taken by the Police leadership to restructure and reform SARS.

    The President recognized that a lot more remains to be done and this effort must be sustained.

    He reassured that this administration will continue to ensure that all officers in the Police and other law enforcement agencies conduct their operations in strict adherence to the rule of law and with due regard to International Human Rights and Humanitarian law.

     

  • Parade suspects responsible for Kolade Johnson’s death – Ruggedman declares

    Veteran rapper and entrepreneur,Michael Ugochukwu Stephens, popularly known as Ruggedman, has stated that officers attached to the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (F-SARS) publicly parade suspects over the death of Kolade Johnson.

     

    The Lagos Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bala Elkana, in, a statement said suspects have been arrested and investigation had begun into the matter.

    TheNewsGuru recalls that Kolade was alleged to have been shot by a member of a police team, while he was watching a Premier League fixtures between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur in Lagos on Sunday.

    Ruggedman reacting to the statement made by Police on the incident stated that the suspects be ‘paraded just like criminals”

    He wrote on Twitter: “Parade the officers like you parade other criminals. You even parade “suspected” criminals. The ones that killed Mr Kolade are confirmed criminals.

    “Police kill innocent people publicly & u say u will discipline them internally (privately)? I am sorry but we do not accept this excuse anymore.

    “If your internal disciplinary actions were working they wouldn’t be out here kidnapping, torturing, extorting and killing innocent people.”

     

  • BREAKING: Police reveal identities of officers who ‘killed’ Kolade Johnson

    BREAKING: Police reveal identities of officers who ‘killed’ Kolade Johnson

    The Lagos State Police Command have provided the names of the three officers arrested with links to the fatal shooting of Kolade Johnson in Lagos.

    Recall that Johnson, 36, died after being hit by a stray police bullet near a football viewing centre on Sunday evening.

    The officers involved were taken into custody as part of the initial police response to the killing that has gripped the country and sparked nationwide outrage.

    The officers were identified as Ogunyemi Olalekan (an inspector), Godwin Orji (a sergeant), and Ojiawuna Samuel ( a corporal).

    The police said the aforementioned officers are part of a patrol team of the Special Anti-Cultism Squad that shot Johnson on Sunday.

    The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Zubairu Muazu, gave the names during a condolence visit to Johnson’s family in Mangoro, Lagos, the neighbourhood where he was killed.

    The police chief condemned the action of the officers and assured the family of a thorough investigation and sanctions.

    More details later…

     

  • Kolade Johnson murder: Davido, Burna Boy, Falz demand for justice

    Kolade Johnson murder: Davido, Burna Boy, Falz demand for justice

    Nigerian pop stars and celebrities have called on President Muhammadu Buhari to put an end to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), in seeking justice for Kolade Johnson.

    TheNewsGuru recalls that Kolade was allegedly shot dead by a member of a police team, while he was watching a Premier League match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur in Lagos on Sunday.

    Speaking on the development, the Lagos Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bala Elkana, in a statement said suspects have been arrested and investigation begun into the matter.

     

    Sadly, Johnson’s death has since sparked widespread disapproval from Nigerians and celebrities with a renewed call on the Federal Government to end the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (F-SARS) unit of the police.

     

    Here are reactions gathered by TheNewsGuru

    @Davido “Rip Kolade Johnson, All this nonsense must stop ! F*cked up my week up ! End SARS ASAP!! Rest In Peace Angel, God is alive !

    @Simi “An innocent person dying because of the recklessness of an organization that only exists because of lack of value. They do not care at all! I’m actually fed up, I’m tired.

    “Buhari please let someone pay for this. They can’t keep doing this to your people and getting away with it.”

    @Banky W “This post is for our leaders: Buhari,Osinbajo, Akinwunmi Ambode, Sanwo-Olu… Dear Sirs, Kolade Johnson, an innocent, young citizen of Nigeria is dead. He was the only son of a widow, a husband and father.

    “ His only crime was being in the right place at the wrong time watching a football match when SARS operatives who allegedly came to arrest someone, started shooting sporadically.

    “Kolade is not the first innocent victim of reckless behaviour by SARS operatives, and he will almost certainly not be the last. It is sickening, frustrating, and unfair.

    “We are tired of hearing about victims of police brutality, but never hearing about the criminal, reckless police officers being brought to justice.

    “ We are tired of screaming and tweeting End SARS while our innocent young people are being extorted, bullied, maimed and killed by the very same officers who are meant to protect them.

    “And we are tired of our leaders remaining silent, incident after incident.
    We’re going to track down Kolade’s family, pray with them and raise money to assist them through this terrible tragedy.

    “We hope that our leaders will use this opportunity to actually show that they care about our lives and wellbeing, by tracking down the reckless officers responsible for this murder and bringing them to justice for their vicious crime.

    “We will not let this go. Kolade was innocent and did not deserve to die. Kolade could have been anyone of us. Please show us that you care about us. Please.”

    @Falz “So called police killing young people, abruptly ending our dreams and ambitions. How many more lives are we going to lose?

    “What’s the difference between these SARS guys and armed robbers / assasins ?

    “This administration is the most insensitive ever in our history. So we voted another 4 years of this bullshit?

    @Burna Boy “This May be too much for some of you pto understand but until we are really ready to fight SARS and the powers that be I’m not talking about any aimless protest or marching. I mean really fight, nobody should include me in any hashtags. Until then let’s continue to pray that our turn to die at the hands of SARS never comes.”

    @ Timi Dakolo “Another day another senseless killing yet no one is held accountable Another innocent Nigerian gunned down, a promising life snatched for no reason.

    “To them it is fine as long as e no reach their house.senseless killings,End SARS.

    “With all due respect Nigeria police, Show us a picture of them and let people that were there identify them as the officers that committed the crime.”

     

  • Police team arrested over killing of Kolade Johnson

    Police team arrested over killing of Kolade Johnson

    A police team under the Lagos State Police Command had been arrested over the alleged killing of a youth, Kolade Johnson on Sunday.

    The command’s spokesman, DSP Bala Elkana, confirmed the arrest in a statement on Monday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) had reported on Sunday that some residents of Mangoro/Onipetesi community in Lagos went on a rampage blocking the Oshodi/Abeokuta expressway in protest against the killing of a youth in the area.

    The angry residents blocked the major roads with tyres and woods after a youth was allegedly shot dead by policemen from Anti-Cultism Unit of Lagos State Command.

    NAN learnt that an unmarked commercial bus occupied by the policemen had visited the community on Sunday afternoon in search of youths dressed wildly and wore dreadlocks.

    It further gathered that one of the police operatives allegedly shot dead the youth from behind in an attempt to disperse a crowd which had gathered during the raid.

    According to Elkana, on March 31, at about 5.05p.m., the Command received a distress call that Lagos- Abeokuta Express Way has been blocked by some angry youths who were protesting the shooting of one Kolade Johnson of No.1 Beco street, Onipetesi, Mangoro Bus Stop.

    He said the shooting was done by a team of policemen from Anti Cultism unit, stressing that a team of policemen from the Rapid Response Squads and Metro Patrol were promptly drafted to the scene.

    Elkana said the account of eye witnesses helped in identifying the team which fled the scene immediately after the incident.

    “Members of the team suspected to be involved in the shooting have since been arrested and are currently in police custody undergoing interrogation.

    “They will be subjected to internal disciplinary procedures, and may be prosecuted in conventional court if implicated by ongoing investigation.

    “Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, CP Zubairu Muazu calls for calm, assuring that justice will prevail in this case.

    “The CP also condoles with the family, friends and well wishers of Kolade Johnson,” he said.

    The spokesman said that the CP has promised to initiate far reaching reforms to help in repositioning the Anti Cultism Squad for effective service delivery, particularly in areas of respect for Human Rights and proficiency in the use of firearms.

    “Members of the public who have complaints on the activities of Anti Cultism Squad or any of our Police teams should call the following numbers 08063299264, 08065154338 and 08060357795,” he added.

  • Adesua Etomi condemns alleged FSARS murder of Kolade Johnson

    Nollywood actress, Adesua Etomi and other well meaning Nigerians have taken to social media to condemn the alleged murder of a young man who has been identified as Kolade Johnson.

    TheNewsGuru reports that Kolade was murdered by FSARS operatives who had reportedly visited his residential area on Sunday afternoon, to arrest one of the boys of a major music producer who was wearing dreadlocks.

    Happenings soon took an extreme turn as the operatives reportedly fired on Kolade, leading to his death before he could receive medical attention.

    The incident happened around Mangoro/Onipetesi community in Lagos State.

    Reacting over the murder of Kolade, Adesua wrote: “I am SO SICK of the abuse of power by SARS. I am SO SICK of a government that turns deaf ears to the cries of it’s people.
    @muhammadubuhari @profosinbajo @akinwunmiambode @jidesanwoolu
    HOW MANY MORE PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE before something is done about this?
    Every other day, we hear stories of how citizens are beaten, killed, robbed, kidnapped by SARS.

    If a tree is producing rotten fruit, CUT IT DOWN.
    This is Kolade. His only crime was watching football. That was all he was doing when a stray bullet hit him yesterday. A bullet fired by a SARS official. They fled the scene btw. So who do we hold responsible?

    He has a son who now has to grow up without a father, all because some irresponsible official was trigger happy.
    P.s I didn’t know Kolade. This could have been anyone. Kola is the face (today) of the many that have gone. Who will it be tomorrow?
    #EndSars #justiceforkola #thishastostop
    Ps: Pls if you have Kolade’s wife’s contact details or his mums contact details, pls send a dm to As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official response from the F-SARS, even as the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bala Elkana, told our correspondent that the Command will investigate the matter”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BvtVtBqAJvN/

     

     

    As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official statement from the F-SARS.