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Meet The Man Who Spends 15 Years In Jail For A Crime He Didn’t Commit (Read Story)

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9 years ago

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A 40-year old man has narrated how the poor legal system in Nigeria confined him behind bars for good 15 years of his life after being accused of the murder of politician, Alfred Rewane and later found innocent.

A 40year old man identified as Effiong Elemi-Edu has narrated how he was imprisoned for 15 years for the murder of politician, Alfred Rewane, which was later discovered that he was innocent off.
Narrating his ordeal to Aljazeera, Effiong  who is from Cross Rivers, said on October 6th 1995 in the Ikeja part of Lagos state, he had gone out to buy suya for himself and his wife when suddenly he heard gunshots. According to him, he took cover and later decided to run to his house. As he made the move to run home, he was halted by an order from a police officer.
“I stopped. There were police officers, lots of them.”
They asked him where he was going and he told them but instead of letting him go on his way, the officers pushed him into their vehicle and accused him of being an armed robber.
“I didn’t understand what they meant because I was not carrying any weapon on me, just the money I was going to use to buy suya. They took us, myself and one other guy to SARS [Special Anti-Robbery Squad] at Ikeja, where they kept me under a tree. Later, they came and took me to the ‘theatre’. There, there were two drums filled with sand. I was tied like a goat, two of my hands at my back; they crossed an iron rod at my back, and then hanged me”. He said he hung in that position for One hour, 20 minutes.
“They tried to force me to admit I was an armed robber – they even shot me in the leg. I have never robbed anyone in my life. I was just a young man struggling to save money to get admission into a higher institution to further my education.”
Effiong who had a dream of becoming a mass communicator had his hope dashed because an influential politician Delta state, Alfred Rewane, had been assassinated that morning by unknown gunmen at his residence in Ikeja GRA, a few hundred metres from Effiong’s home.
Effiong was in the wrong place at the wrong time
“They held me for days. There was no phone at that time and there was no way for me to get in touch with my family. It was my wife who learned about it. I think the people who saw me when I was taken away told her. Then she travelled home to inform my mother. They wanted me to copy a statement they had written to say that I am an armed robber and that‎ I conspired with the others in the murder of Rewane. I refused.
They beat me till my face was covered with blood which was pouring from my left ear.‎ I didn’t want to die, so I recopied the statement in my own handwriting. The statement is what they used in implicating us. As I was recopying the statement, the only thing on my mind was that I didn’t do anything and that my God will let everyone know the truth.
It was later that one of the‎ policemen came to tell us that he was sorry, that it was an order from above.‎ Later, they charged eight of us with the murder of the man. I don’t know the man, never heard of him. Those that I was charged with murder with, I had never seen any of them in my life.” he said.
After being tortured and forced to admit guilt, seven of the men were arraigned before a high court, and sent to Kirikiri prison to await trial. But when the men arrived at the prison, prison officials insisted that the police take them to hospital to have their wounds treated. Instead, they took them to a police station – where four of the men subsequently died, reportedly due to the injuries sustained while being tortured by the police.
“The torture and suffering were too much,” Effiong reflects.
Rewane’s killing was later linked to the military junta of Nigeria’s then dictator, the late Sani Abacha. But Effiong and two other men – Elvis Irenuma and Lucky Igbinovia, who had both worked for Rewane – continued to languish in prison.
Then, after 15 years, more than 200 adjournments and the prosecution’s inability to produce any evidence linking the suspects to the crime‎, the trial judge discharged the case and acquitted the suspects, upholding a ‘no case submission’ made by the defence counsel.
“It appears to me that all the police did was to visit the venue of the incident and arrest the workers,” the judge declared in her judgement.
So it was that, 15 years after they were arrested, three of the seven arraigned men – Effiong Elemi-Edu, Lucky Igbinovia and Elvis Irenuma – walked out of prison.
But gone was the fit 25-year-old who was picked up that night. In his place was a balding 40-year-old man who walks with a limp,  a constant reminder of the torture he endured.
“I spoke with Lucky recently, he’s in Switzerland now,” Effiong says. “I don’t know what he is doing there. We speak but not regularly. [And] I saw Elvis in June this year. I am supposed to call him, only I don’t have enough units in my phone.”
As for Effiong, things are not going according to plan.
“I’ve been facing a lot of challenges, accommodation-wise, money-wise. I need to get my own place. Right now I’m squatting with my brother and his wife in a one-room apartment. That’s why I’m praying to God to help me get a place of my own.
“When we were over there [in prison] … at times these churches [would] … come over to visit. Immediately [when] you … come out and say you want to go to church and give a testimony, they will look at you and say ‘Where is this guy going?’
Once, somebody came out [and] they accommodated him. [But] … the guy packed everything away [stole from them]. So they [the churches] stopped helping other people.”
Early on in his imprisonment, his wife would visit him. But the visits stopped without warning, and when Effiong was released, he heard that she had remarried. He had no idea where to begin looking for her.
Two years later, Effiong also remarried. His new wife, Juliet, lives in Cross River, where Effiong is originally from.
“My daughter is one year and four months now. I’m yet to set my eyes on [her]. Her name is Rose. They sent her picture to me. [But] I haven’t travelled home to Cross River since 2013 because financially I’m not okay‎.
I’m so down. If I see money now, I will travel home today, today, today. I can’t tell you a lie, life has not been easy. What will I do? It’s only by the special grace of God that one is surviving and living. Things are really so tough in the sense that I just leave everything to God.
These days I watch football. Then listen to gospel songs. If I’m alone, I just go through my Bible. They wasted my time.
They wasted the talent that God gave to me. At times it pains me, when I look at the way things are going. I know the level my friends are at now. Is it not my classmate in secondary school that is a commissioner in Cross River? The other one is working in Central Bank.
The other one is a lawyer in Port Harcourt. But I don’t dwell on those things. If I do, one day I’ll just be struck down by a stroke. So I have to put all those things behind me [and] let the will of God be done.” he said
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Tyla praises Tems for opening door of global recognition for female artistes in Africa

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14 hours ago

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April 23, 2024 9:40 am

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Tyla, the South African singer, says Tems, the Nigerian songstress, paved the way for global recognition of female African artistes.

The music stars recently joined forces on ‘No.1’, a song off Tyla’s self titled album.

In a recent interview on Kiss Fresh FM, Tyla described Tems as an “amazing” singer who opened doors for African female artistes globally.

She also expressed gratitude for the opportunity to collaborate with her.

“Amazing. Tems is so talented. She is literally a force. I am so honoured to have worked with her. She has opened so many doors for us,” she said.

“We made such a beautiful song with such a beautiful message. It is a song for the girls and it is made by the girls.”

In 2023, Tyla revealed Tems inspires her as an African artiste.

In response, Tems graciously accepted the accolades, and expressed confidence that Tyla is similarly empowering young South African girls through her music.

“Man, it is an honour, I am very very, 100% sure that she’s inspiring many many many many South African babe, many girls around the world as well”, she said.

Both artistes have continued to enjoy fame globally for their talents.

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Celebrities

Music producer Dr Roy calls out Mercy Chinwo over unpaid debt (Video)

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2 days ago

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April 22, 2024 10:33 am

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A Nigerian music producer identified as Dr Roy in a video breaks into tears as he narrates his ordeal while working with gospel singer Mercy Chinwo.

The middle-aged Nigerian music producer tearfully calls out gospel singer Mercy Chinwo over unpaid debt.

Dr Roy made this call out while featuring as a guest on the audio-visual podcast “The Honest Bunch: hosted by media personality Nedu and co-podcasters.

According to Dr Roy, he used to work with gospel singer Mercy Chiwno till 5 am then wake up by 7 am everyday in a back to back manner.

Speaking further, Dr Roy asserts that he produced, Excess Love, Omekannaya, Regular, Receive it and more for Mercy Chinwo and she never paid him.

Dr Roy further breaks into tears while on the podcast as he stressed that he was working hard while with Mercy Chinwo thinking he would make millions to feed his family but she left her with nothing but unpaid debt.

He noted that there was a time he informed Mercy Chinwo that his father had a stroke and she should assist him but she responded by saying “Make I no worry, he would be fine.”

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Celebrities

Uche Ogbodo claims Adanma Luke is not culpable for Junior Pope’s death

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2 days ago

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April 22, 2024 9:19 am

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Uche Ogbodo has spoken up for Adanma Luke, the producer of the forthcoming movie that Junior Pope, the late actor, was supposed to feature in.

Pope died in a boat mishap on April 10 while being ferried across the Asaba end of the River Nigeria in Delta state.

It was stated that the actor, a father of three, was on his way to a movie set when he drowned.

He passed away alongside four other crew members in the boat accident.

Footage from the ride had showed him in the boat without a life jacket.

Pope’s demise spurred discussions about the general disregard for safety protocols on movie sets.

Adanma Luke, in the heat of public backlash, was suspended by the Association of Movie Producers (AMP).

In a series of posts via her Instagram story, Ogbodo condemned those who suggested she remain silent on the matter.

The actress described Luke as a “friend” and added that the producer is not culpable for the tragedy that befell the boat riders.

“Do not tell me not to support my friend who has always supported me!” Ogbodo wrote.

“I am a loyal friend! Show me through your love and I will follow you through hell if I have to! Adanma Luke is innocent.

“All the people saying it is the wrong time! I have one question for you.

“When is the right time? Huh? When she is already arrested and sentenced for what she knows nothing about?”

Earlier, Blessing Ebigieson, the AMP president, also defended Luke against accusations of negligence.

She claimed that the producer had provided life jackets for the crew but Pope refused to wear one, saying it was “dirty”.

Ebigieson added that Pope had the option to leave the set if he did not like the life jacket.

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Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others

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