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Willie Stokes freed after 37 years in prison due to ‘sex-for-lies’ false witness

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3 years ago

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An American man was freed from prison Tuesday after 37 years in a case marred by detectives who allegedly offered a witness sex and drugs at police headquarters in 1983 in exchange for false testimony.

The trial witness was charged with perjury just days after Willie Stokes was convicted of murder in 1984. But Stokes didn’t learn about that perjury plea until 2015, decades into a life sentence.

Stokes, 61, walked out of a state prison near Philadelphia eager to get a hug from his mother and a corned beef hoagie. His mother was too nervous to come after several earlier disappointments, so he greeted other family members instead.

“Today is a tremendous day. We’re all very thankful,” said his lawyer, Michael Diamondstein. “However, it’s also a sad day, because it reminds us of how lawless, unfair and unjust Philadelphia law enforcement was for so long.”

Both detectives who allegedly offered witness Franklin Lee a sex-for-lies deal to help them close a 1980 murder case are now deceased. Lee was in custody on unrelated rape and murder charges at the time, and said he was also promised a light sentence.

“I fell weak and went along with the offer,” Lee told a federal judge in November, recalling his testimony at a May 1984 preliminary hearing when he claimed Stokes, a neighborhood friend, had confessed to killing a man during a dice game named Leslie Campbell.

Lee recanted the story at Stokes’ murder trial in August 1984, but Stokes was nonetheless convicted and sent to prison for life. Days later, Philadelphia prosecutors charged Lee with perjury — not over his trial testimony, but over the initial testimony he’d given at the preliminary hearing. Lee pleaded guilty, admitting he’d made up the confession, and was sentenced to a maximum seven-year prison term.

“The homicide prosecutors that used Franklin Lee’s testimony to convict Willie Stokes then prosecuted Franklin Lee for lying on Willie Stokes. And they never told Willie Stokes,” Diamondstein argued at the November hearing in federal court.

Stokes’ mother, now elderly, has been planning for his homecoming as his appeals gained traction, only to face repeated setbacks, she told The Philadelphia Inquirer, which first reported on the case.

But Lee’s mother also played a role early on.

In federal court testimony last November, Lee said his girlfriend — who detectives summoned to have sex with him at police headquarters back in 1983 and who was allowed to bring marijuana and a few dozen opioid pills — told his mother about the deal he’d struck.

His mother told the woman not to go down to the station again. Instead, police secured him a sex worker the next time, Lee said.

“Once I talked to my mother, she told me, ‘I didn’t raise you like that, to lie on a man because you got yourself in a jam,’” Lee testified, according to the transcript. “She said, ‘I couldn’t care if they give you 1,000 years. Go in there and tell the truth.’ And that’s what I did.”

One surviving prosecutor, now in private practice, did not immediately return messages seeking comment Tuesday. However, he has given a statement saying he doesn’t remember either case, according to court files.

Philadelphia police offered no immediate comment on the case.

The U.S. magistrate who heard the appeal called the omission an “egregious violation of (Stokes’) constitutional rights,” and a U.S. district judge agreed, overturning the conviction last week.

As for Lee, he ended up serving 35 years on the rape, murder and perjury charges. He got out of prison two years ago and now works as an assembly line supervisor.

He apologized to Stokes in court “for the problem I caused.”

“I’m going to take his tears to indicate he’s accepting the apology,” U.S. Magistrate Judge Carol Sandra Moore Wells said.

Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, whose office has championed about two dozen exoneration cases, supports Stokes but has not yet formally decided whether to retry him. That decision should come before a scheduled Jan. 26 hearing in state court, a spokesperson said.

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Oluremi Tinubu asks market women not to hike food prices during festive season

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6 hours ago

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November 18, 2024 10:04 am

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Oluremi Tinubu, the first lady, has appealed to market women not to hike the prices of food items during the festive period.

In a statement, Busola Kukoyi, the senior special assistant on media to the first lady, said Oluremi spoke on Saturday in Abakakili, the capital of Ebonyi, while addressing women for their 2024 Women’s Day celebration.

Oluremi inaugurated the 3.1 kilometres runway at the Wilberforce Chuba Okadigbo International Airport in Ebonyi.

The first lady commended Francis Nwifuru, the governor of Ebonyi, for completing the project, noting that the airport will usher in more socio-economic development for the state.

“His deputy governor is a woman; same for the secretary to the state government and many down the line.

“Now I want to announce that he has decided to empower 130 people with businesses with N1 million each as business recapitalisation grants.

“As RHI, we did not come empty-handed. We are donating a sum of N50 million, 20,000 wrappers, shoes, and bags to support businesses of women in that line, in this state.”

On his part, the governor thanked the first lady for the visit and the support received by the state through the renewed hope initiative.

He commended the women of the state for their contributions to the development of Ebonyi.

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Accountability: IGP Declares Public Relations Officers Conference Open In Asaba

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1 day ago

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November 17, 2024 9:59 am

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Harps on Robust Human Relations

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, will, on Monday 18th November 2024, officially declare open a 4-day Police Public Relations Officers (PPROs) Conference in Asaba, Delta State.

The Conference is organized in partnership with the Delta State Government and in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and International Alert.

The event is part of the ongoing efforts to advance police reforms in Nigeria. The conference, which will run from November 18 to 22, 2024, is themed *”Strengthening Nigeria Police Force Oversight and Accountability,”.

The gathering will bring together over 150 participants. These include Command Public Relations Officers from the 36 states and the FCT, Zonal Public Relations Officers, Liaison Officers from various Police departments and formations, Staff Officers from the Force Public Relations Department at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, and strategic communication experts.

The Conference focuses on enhancing communication strategies within the law enforcement sector to bridge gaps between the Nigeria Police Force and the public. It also seeks to equip PPROs with advanced skills necessary for fostering positive relationships with the public.

Reaffirming the NPF’s commitment to capacity building, the IGP emphasized the importance of continuous training and retraining of officers to ensure they are equipped with the essential skills for effective service delivery. He also encourages the public to support the police in fulfilling their mandate of maintaining law and order.

ACP OLUMUYIWA ADEJOBI, mnipr, mipra, fCAI,
FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,
FORCE HEADQUARTERS,
ABUJA.

17TH NOVEMBER 2024.

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Nnamdi Emeh: Suspect Facing Charges In Court, Process Independent Of Police Influence

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2 days ago

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November 16, 2024 10:46 pm

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The attention of the Nigeria Police Force has been drawn to recent reports circulating in the media concerning one Mr. Nnamdi Emeh, who is currently facing trial for alleged criminal offenses.

The NPF wishes to clarify that Mr. Emeh was lawfully apprehended following credible allegations against him, which were thoroughly investigated and presented before a competent court of law.

The charges preferred against him were duly filed, and he was arraigned before the Federal High Court, Awka, in line with due process.

It is important to emphasize that the judiciary operates independently, and the court retains the exclusive prerogative to evaluate the evidence presented, determine bail conditions, and take any further necessary actions as guided by the law.

Mr. Emeh was granted bail on terms established by the court. It therefore behoves on the suspect to take steps to meet such conditions and not resort to unecessary media rampage.

The NPF reaffirms its commitment to upholding the rule of law, ensuring justice, and maintaining the highest standards of professionalism.

The Force is also mindful of its duty to investigate allegations against all persons, including its officers, and to subject any suspect to the established legal process.

While the case against Mr. Emeh continues in court, we appeal to the public to allow the judicial process to take its full course without undue speculation or interference.

We urge all stakeholders, including members of the media, to present information responsibly and to allow the legal process to determine the outcome of the matter in the interest of justice.

The Nigeria Police Force remains steadfast in its resolve to enforce the law impartially and to safeguard the rights of every individual as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution.

ACP OLUMUYIWA ADEJOBI, mnipr, mipra, fCAI,
FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,
FORCE HEADQUARTERS,
ABUJA.
16TH NOVEMBER, 2024

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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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