Faceless military group releases statement, warns of “dangerous trend in the Nigerian Army”

A DANGEROUS TREND IN THE NIGERIAN ARMY
There is a new dangerous trend in promotions and recruitment in the Nigerian Army, which should be firmly and promptly checked before it destroys the military and the country. This trend is clearly visible in the manner in which the current Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Azubuike Ihejirika is handling these two important aspects of running an effective army institution, which is very critical to the survival of any state. It appears that the Chief of Army Staff is on a specific mission, most probably, sponsored by some sinister dark forces bent on destroying the army and setting the country on the path of serious conflagration. From all indication General Ihejirika is deliberately and recklessly pursuing a plan to destroy the career of senior non Igbo officers while at the same time embarking on a massive recruitment of soldiers of Igbo stock in order to eclipse all other ethnic groups in the Nigerian Army. This is raising serious concern within the army.
Let us, first, examine the promotion exercises carried out in all the formations since the elevation of Lieutenant General Azubuike Ihejirika to the office of Chief of Army Staff. We begin with the Ordinance Corps.
THE ORDINANCE CORPS
In 2010, the Ordinance Corps presented the following brigadiers for consideration for promotion to the rank of Major General:
1. Brigadier Kachallah of NDA Course 22
2. Brigadier Oginni of NDA Course 23
3. Brigadier Martins of NDA Course 24
4. Brigadier Ugwu of NDA Course 25
It is instructive to note that of these four officers it was only Brigadier Ugwu, the most junior who was promoted. As is well known Brigadier Ugwu was of NDA Course 25 but was eventually relegated to course 26. This promotion was cynically effected in order to elevate Brigadier Ugwu above the others who by this act, automatically lost their seniority. Thus Brigadier Ugwu is today, Ordinance Corps Commander ahead of all his seniors.
THE ARMOURED CORPS
The situation was no different in the Armoured Corps. In 2010 the following officers were promoted.
1 Brigadier Oshonowo of NDA Course 24
2. Brigadier Nwaogbo of NDA Course 25
3. Brigadier Awala of NDA Course 25
In appointing the Corps Commander, Lieutenant General Ihejirika sacrificed the vaunted military tradition of respect for seniority and competence. He by-passed Brigadier Oshinowo, who was the most senior and the overall best in NDA Course 24. Instead, General Ihejirika appointed Brigadier Nwaogbo Corps Commander. Obviously this happened because Nwaogbo is Igbo. Let us examine the Supply and Transport Corps.
SUPPLY AND TRANSPORT CORPS
A similar situation presented itself in the Supply and Transport Corps which recommended the following Brigadiers for promotion in 2011:
1. Brigadier Baidon of NDA Course 25
2. Brigadier Magaji of NDA Course 26
3. Brigadier Nienger of NDA Course 26
4. Brigadier Agha Okoro of NDA Course 28
It is astonishing that of these officers, only their junior Agha Okoro of NDA Course 28 was promoted. Clearly, this was done in order to give Brigadier Okoro undue advantage to take over from Major General Gana as Corps Commander.
CORPS OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL ENGINEERS
This dangerous trend was also noticeable in the Corps of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. In 2011 the following Brigadiers were presented for promotion.
1. Ariende ( of Edo State)
2. Labaran
3. Amao
4. Adekanye
5. Chioba.
Since Labaran was already in the Defence Industry Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), where a Major General vacancy existed, he was lucky but Chioba was also promoted. Chioba’s promotion was to pave the way for him to emerge as Corps Commander of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.
NATIONAL DEFENCE COLLEGE COURSE 18
Let us also consider the case of officers of the National Defence College Course 18
Of all the officers of NDA Course 33 who attended the National Defence College Course 18, only one officer was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General. His name is Duru. The Igbo boy. This officer’s grade on the course was a High C. Many other officers on the course came out with C+ grades but were not promoted last year.
Col Oyekan who was outstanding in the course and even had an award was not promoted. Similarly Col Shodunke who also got an award, was not promoted. He only got promoted this year having lost seniority by one year. The scheme was to deliberately slow down Col Shodunke to give Duru seniority. What is even more diabolical about this terrible scheme is that the award-winning Col Oyekan is still languishing for a second year without promotion. The treatments meted out to these two officers become even more disturbing given the fact that both Shodunke and Oyekan were Directing Staff (DR), at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, an appointment reserved for only the most outstanding officers. The question that arises from all this, is, what should an officer do in the Nigerian Army led by General Ihejitika to get recognition? Mediocrity?
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE AS A CURSE
It appears that it is a curse for an officer to perform outstandingly and professionally in the Nigerian Army headed General Ihejirika. This can be exemplified by the case of Colonel Soleye, one of the finest officers of his generation.
Two officers from the same state , Ogun, attended the National Defence College, Course 18. Both of them hail from Abeokuta. They were Colonels Soleye and Fadunsi. The former came out of that course with C+ grade. He had a High C in his Senior Division Staff Course and C+ in his Junior Division Staff Courses. The other officer, Fadunsi had a High C grade in the NDC Course and a C grade in both his Senior and Junior Staff Courses. Yet this officer was promoted ahead of Soloye who has a National Honour for Gallantry in Liberia as a platoon commander. Col Soloye also had various awards from the then Chief of Army Staff. But he is now languishing for a second year without promotion. Reason? his outstanding personal and professional records. The plan here, just as in the case of Oyekan, is to slow down this rising star that might get in the way of Igbo officers “destined” by General Ihejirika to rise above him. By the way, Soleye’s type of gallantry in Liberia was not the cash and carry type. He almost lost both of his legs in trying to save his soldiers’ lives. Investigation has also revealed that he has so far no disciplinary case against him. Lieutenant General Ihejirika is still not done. He pursued his fiendish scheme with NDC Course 19.
NDC COURSES 19 and 20: EXCELLENCE AS DAMNATION
Let us again examine the case of NDC Course 19. Two officers excelled in that course: Col Unuigbe and Adefarati. Col Unuigbe not only came third, but also had an award for his performance. He was also given a commendation by the Chief of Army Staff and recommended to return as Directing Staff. He is still a Colonel!! Colonel Adefarati was also outstanding. Although he came 5th in that course, he was also denied promotion.
This deliberate destruction of the careers of diligent officers has continued with NDC course 20.
Col Olu who came 1st in the course, was for some strange reason not promoted. Of all the officers on the course who were due for promotion, only two were promoted. These are Colonels Egbudon and Okonkwo who coincidentally happen to be Igbo.
The most shocking was the case of Colonel John Enenche who is Idoma. Enenche had two Chief of Army Staff commendations, one National Honour and very strong C+ in the course. Yet he was denied promotion in order to, just like in the case of Col Soleye, to slow him down for General Ihejirika’s kinsmen to catch up,with them in the Corps of Engineers.
CRUDE MANOEUVRES
Let us go back to the Corps of Supply and Transport where two Brigadiers were retired, thus creating two vacancies for promotion. The two officers retired were Magaji and Baidom. The Corps had only one officer to present for promotion to Brigadier. This officer is Colonel Jidda who is a former Directing Staff at the Command and Staff College, Jaji. Col Jidda also graduated from the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies Kuru with a B Grade. Colonel Jidda was not promoted in the last promotion exercise. The point here is that there were vacancies for two but only one was available. A good officer at that, but he was denied promotion. The only reason for this is that the other officer , Col Anene, an Igbo, who could have been presented alongside Jidda for promotion could not be presented because he was in NIPPS, Kuru on a course. If Jidda had been promoted, he would have automatically gained seniority over this Igbo officer. The idea is for Jidda to wait for the Igbo boy to graduate from NIPPS so they can be presented next year with other officers from NDC course 21. Most likely, some Igbo officers would then edge out Jidda who will then suffer the faith of Col Oyekan and Col Soleye.
Similarly in the Finance Corps, a Brigadier General was retired thereby creating vacancy for promotion. So far only one officer has been presented for promotion for two consecutive years without success. This officer is Colonel Rufus Adejoro who graduated from NDC with a C+. It is obvious that Col Adejoro who is on his last lap is being deliberately kept for age to catch up with him, so that when next he is presented along with a suitable “Kith and Kin” he will be edged out.
Furthermore, there is the case of Brig. Gen M. L. Raji of the Artillery Corps. This officer was wrongfully accused of releasing a Boko Haram terrorist from detention. Although Raji was court martialled he was cleared of all charges and acquitted. As is well-known, this officer’s record has always been outstanding. He was clearly heading to the top but had to be slowed down for others. Having been cleared of all charges, he was presented for promotion in 2011 but was denied. The idea was to stigmatize him. He was again denied promotion in 2012. This means he is now in a precarious situation.
PROMOTING MEDIOCRITY AND NEPOTISM
In some instances it appears that Gen Ihejiriaka is not only interested in advancing the interests of his kith and kin but is also hell bent on promoting mediocrity in the army. We can illustrate this by taking the case of NDA Course 29. This course has many outstanding officers but pre-eminent amongst these is Brigadier General Oyebade.
Brigadier Oyebade not only had a B grade in his Senior Staff Course in Pakistan, he achieved an A Grade in National Defence University in Pakistan. Brigadier Oyebade was a Directing Staff (DS), in the Staff College, Jaji and Defence College, Abuja. However the officer was denied promotion in the just concluded exercise.
Still on NDA course 29. Brig. Odunukwe of the Corps of Signals had to be promoted at all costs during the last promotion, otherwise age would have caught up with him on the rank. He just had to be promoted. This explains why he was promoted alongside two other signal officers. Out of the three promoted, two are Igbos, the other being Brig Orji. Again for Orji, he was in a tight spot. This was his last chance, but because Ihejirika did not want his calculations to appear obvious, he inserted a Yoruba officer, Ologundudu, to smoke up people’s vision.
It should be mentioned that many Igbo officers who have an age problem were not presented with letters of retirement unlike others who have since been eased out without a chance to progress. A case in mind is that of Brig Gen U.M Danko from Bauchi who was never presented for any promotion board since he was promoted in 2008. Nefariously, the officer was blocked from being presented three times so that age will catch up with him.

In course 30 of NDA, four (4) officers were presented but none was promoted. These officers include Brigadier P.A.T Akem, S. Abubakar, Ebenebe and Okoh. The reason is that if any were to be promoted, it would have to be an Igbo officer. It would difficult to drop Akem, a Tiv officer or, Abubakar an Igbirra officer, both with very good records. General Ihejirika therefore preferred to sacrifice Ebenebe and Okoh, who in any case did not have age on their side, for officers from junior course (SS 26). The idea again being that for every promotion he must insert an Igbo. For example, he picked Duru from course 33, leaving behind Akem whose records are outstanding or Abubakar who did very well in NDC.
SINISTER MOVES
Gen Ihejirika’s entrenchment of mediocrity and nepotism in the Nigerian army becomes clearer when we consider the promotion and postings of Brigadier Onoeveta. This officer was the ADC to the late President Umary Yar’adua, who was central to the scheme to deploy soldiers at the airport when the late Yar’adua was flown into the country from Saudi Arabia. He did so by disobeying the Chief of Defence Staff, National Security Adviser and the acting President. He prevented Acting President Goodluck from functioning until the death of President Yar’adua. Curiously after the death of President Yar ‘adua, Brigadier Onoeveta’s colleagues were summarily retired or denied promotion. For example, Brigadier Mustapha, the Commander Guards Brigade is still a Brigadier years after the death of President Yar’adua. However, not only was Brigadier Onoeveta a crafty never-do-well Officer promoted, he has also been elevated above all his seniors who are known in the army to be far more solid and diligent officers than him. Mention should also be made here of Brigadier S.D Bala, Dadan Garba, D.E. L Yakubu, Oyekan, Akem and S. Abubakar, Soleye, Adefarati, Olatunde and Jidda, Marmoni, A.M Aliyu etc. all officers who have made their mark in the army as we mentioned above. The question that arises is: what explains the retention and the preferential treatment being given to Brigadier Oneveta, who is notorious for mediocrity. One plausible explanation for this elevation of mediocrity is that it is a calculated attempt to achieve certain sinister or diabolical objective perhaps known only to General Ihejirika and the dark forces behind his actions.
DISREGARD FOR ARMY COUNCIL DECISIONS
The pursuit of General Ihejirika’s evil agenda also manifest themselves clearly in his disregard for decisions of the Army Council. As the table below shows the Army Council approved the retirement of 11Major Generals but General Ihejirika retired 12. Similarly, 26 Brigadiers were retired instead 25 approved by the Council while 13 Colonels were retired instead of the 12 approved.
Analysis of Retirement in the Nigerian Army
Rank                             Retirements Approved by Army Council                Retirements Carried Out
Major General                                            11                                                                                12
Brigadier General                                     25                                                                               26
Colonel                                                        12                                                                                13
Total                                                           48                                                                                 51
The unauthorised officers retired were:
Major General O. Akinyemi                    N/6071                                                              South West
Brigadier General U.M Dank                  N/7178                                                             North East
Col F.C. Adaka                                            N/8876                                                            South South
IHEJIRIKA’S IGBO ARCHITECTURE
General Ihejirika’s Igbo architecture becomes very clear when we look at the disposition of Brigadiers holding strategic positions in the Nigerian Army today. Just consider this:
Brig OKORO is the sector commander in UNAMSIL( Liberia).
Brig DURU is the Director of Logistics in NDC, being prepared for a higher position.
Brig CHIOBA is the de facto oga in AHQ Policy and Plans.
Brig EGWUAGU is the Director at AHQ in charge of recruitment, positioning and promotion of all soldiers in the NIgerian Army!
Brig EBENEBE is the Director of operations in AHQ.
Brig OKOH is the Acting Chief of Logistics in AHQ. His three Directors are all Igbos.
Major General BUZUGBE is the Military Secretary in charge of postings, retirements etc.
RECRUITMENT OF SOLDIERS INTO THE NIGERIAN ARMY DEPOT, ZARIA
This attempt to Igbonise the Nigerian Army becomes clearer when we look at the pattern of recruitment of soldiers into the Nigerian Army Depot, Zaria, under General Ihejirika. As the table below shows, there has been a massive recruitment of soldiers from his ethnic group to the disadvantage of others.
For example, Abia state, the home state of General Ihejirika, with a population of only 2.8 million has so far had the largest share of recruits, 450, far above Kano with a population of 9.3 million and Lagos with a population of just over 9 million and Kaduna with a population of just over 9 million. These states have so far had 259, 255 and 382 recruits respectively. The case of Ebonyi is also symptomatic of this glaring lopsidedness in the recruitment figures. Thus although 377 were recruited from Ebonyi with a population of just 2.2 million, Oyo State with a population of 5.6 million had only 282; Katsina with a population of 5.8 million had only 248; Lagos State with a population of just over 9 million had only 255 and only 271 was recruited from Plateau state with a population of of 3.2 million.
When the same table is analysed on zonal basis, General Ihejirika’s bias in favour of his zone also becomes patently clear. The South east geopolitical zone with a population of 16.3 million has so far had the highest recruits – 1925. The North West, which is the largest geopolitical zone with a population of 35.8 million, double that of South East, has only 1949 recruits. Similarly, the South west geopolitical zone with a population of 27.6 million has only 1561 recruits. Thousands of qualified recruits from these states have had their applications turned down by a kangaroo selection group set up by General Ihejirika.
GEOPOLITICAL ZONES          STATES      POPULATION  66 RRI   67 RRI   68 RRI    TOTAL
SOUTH EAST                              ABIA             2,833,999           155           143          152           450
ANAMBRA    4,182,032            93            105           115            313
EBONYI          2,173,501            126           141           110           377
ENUGU           3,257,928           114           129           110           353
IMO                3,934,899          153           129           152           432
TOTAL             16,382,359          641          647           639         192
SOUTH SOUTH                AKWA IBOM         3,920, 208           90          101              116          307
BAYELSA                1,703,358             67          144             105          316
CROSS RIVER            2,888,966           128          115             152         395
DELTA                   4,098,391             85          122             121          328
EDO                       3,218,332           90            103           108           301
RIVERS                      5,185,400           72           102            95           269
TOTAL                       21,014,655         532         687           697          1916
SOUTH WEST
EKITI                        2,384,212             52          87            93             232
LAGOS                       9,013,534             65         102           88             255
OGUN                        3,728,098            66          98            96             260
ONDO                        3,441,024            68          100           99            267
OSUN                         3,423,535             71          98             96            265
OYO                           5,591,589            77          102            103         282
TOTAL                      27,581,992         399         587           575         1561
NORTH WEST
JIGAWA                        4,348,649               68           82             101           251
KANO                           9,383,682                76           72              111           259
KATSINA                      5,792,578                71            80              97           248
KEBBI                          3,238,628                91           77              99            267
KADUNA                       6,066,562              138         100             144          382
SOKOTO                       3,696,999               67          92              90           249
ZAMFARA                        3,259,846               72          117              94          283
TOTAL                             35,786,944             583        620           736         1939
 DailyPost

18 Killed As JTF Bombs Boko Haram Training Camp In Borno

By Sani Tukur

The Joint Task Force, JTF, Operation Restore Order, in Borno State said it has bombed training camps allegedly used by members of the Boko Haram sect in the state.
A statement by Sagir Musa, spokesperson of the JTF, on Friday, said the agency used a Nigerian Airforce Helicopter Gunship to dislodge what it called ” Boko Haram Terrorists’ Camps located in Sambisa Game Reserve in Bama Local Government and Farin – Ruwa Forest South West / East of Demboa Local Government Area of Borno State on Wednesday 30 and Thursday 31 January, 2013.”
Mr. Musa said “the camp was properly sighted and fortified and had training facilities; armoury, accommodation, drugs store/medical, kitchen, vehicle holding area, latrine and water points (River)”.
He said the camp was used to conduct training for members and to carry out recent attacks, killings and bombings in “Maiduguri, Musari, Konduga, Biu, Bama, and Demboa communities”.

Gun battle and casualties
The statement also said efforts by JTF troops to destroy the camps led to fierce exchange of fire that resulted in the death of 17 Boko Haram members and one JTF official.
Mr. Musa said the camps were destroyed and are being monitored.
He listed some of the items recovered from the camp as six AK 47 rifles, two G3 rifles, three pistols, one Rocket Propelled Grenade Bomb (RPG), one RPG Tube, twenty RPG Chargers, two double barrel rifles, and 2, 543 assorted ammunition.
The statement also called on local communities to give credible and timely information to the Task Force and other security agencies.
Saharareporters

Mikel, Cleared By CAF, Ready For AFCON Q-Final

Mikel Obi

By SR Sports

Super Eagles and Chelsea of England midfield star, John Mikel Obi, was a relieved man on Friday afternoon after the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the continental soccer ruling body, cleared him for the quarter final duel against the Elephants of Cote D’ Ivoire.
Looking relaxed and in the company of roommate Victor Moses, Mikel said he was hurt when it was reported that he had picked up two yellow cards. “I am the one that is always at the receiving end of hard tackles and I knew that I had only one yellow card but the media was going about it that I have two.”
He said he had become a little confused but was happy and relieved following the official confirmation of his status, and ready for the match.
“I know that Africa wants the best of both countries in the quarterfinal and personally I’m looking forward to the midfield battle against Ivorien Yahya Toure, that will be one good spectacle that Africans will like to see and I know that Toure is also relishing it,” he added.
Team Coach, Stephen Keshi, also said he was a bit alarmed by reports that Nigerians have already written off the Super Eagles in that game against the Ivoriens.
“It’s at this point that we need the total support of all Nigerians and I must urge them not to detract from that,” he said.  “Names don’t play football and our players are ready to give their all in the game against Ivory Coast.”

We "Settle" Police With Sex Prostitutes

The popular claim by the police in Nigeria that they are friends of the people has been confirmed by commercial sex workers at a brothel around the Railway Police Station, Agege area of Lagos state, Southwest Nigeria.

The brothel, which is just a name to cover up the sex-for-money business that takes place in the old one-storey building, parades pretty women between 25 and 35 years old who said they offer sex and money to policemen so that they could remain in the world’s oldest profession. The brothel, it was learnt, has been in existence for several years without any disturbance from its neighbouring Railway Police divisional headquarters as well as two churches, one located directly behind it and the other located two houses away from it.
Parading 19 ladies of different sizes and shapes, some of the prostitutes confessed  that the rapport between them and policemen force has remained very cordial. "I’ve been doing ashawo (prostitution) business here for over three years now and I can tell you as a customer not to fear because the police will never come here to harass anybody. They know what we do here and also know how we operate. In fact, they are our best friends here," one of the commercial sex workers, a Benin girl who refused to mention her name, said.
Another prostitute in the brothel told said that to keep the relationship between the brothel and the police "in good shape", they cough out N3,000 monthly to bribe law enforcement agents. "Whenever you see the police here, it is either they are here to drink or to collect their "settlement" or even to have a feel of us which we willingly give to them free of charge as we have agreed among ourselves."
While confirming what her colleagues had said earlier, another commercial sex worker in the brothel explained that apart from visiting at the end of every month to collect their bribe, the police officers had become more of a shield for them. "Whenever them come here, we dey give them do for free except say them no wan do. We know say na one of the ways to keep the relationship be that. If we no allow them and them come vex, you know say business no go move again be that," she said in pidgin English. She confirmed that these "friends" of theirs come from the different police stations around them.
"As we are here drinking now, they can come, but they won’t harass anybody. If it is sex they want, we give, if it is money, we give since the understanding is there," another sex worker explained. To keep business running, each of the 19 prostitutes pay a monthly fee of N6,000 as rent for the dingy rooms where patrons sleep with them. They said even though each of them cough out this N6,000 monthly, they make far more than that amount in a week. For them, business begins from 7.30 p.m. when it is getting dark and patrons could hide under the cover of darkness to visit and satisfy their sexual urge. Starting from this period, each of the ladies "dresses to kill" with very skimpy dresses that barely cover their breasts and buttocks apparently to attract customers.
"The fee is not fixed and it depends on the impression we have of a customer. We can ask for between N800 and N1,500 for a round of sex. For guys who don’t release on time, we ask them to add a little extra to whatever they have paid," one of the prostitutes explained. A police officer at the Pen Cinema Police Station, who preferred to speak anonymously, confirmed that they know that the brothel exists. Denying that his colleagues get bribe to look the other way, he explained that the prostitutes have not done anything to warrant arrest. "They operate in that place like a hotel and they are big girls. Did you see any under-aged prostitute in that place? They also don’t allow small boys in there. So why should we suddenly become overzealous for selfish reasons?" he asked.
Naij

AFCON 2013: Ghana Involved In Match-Fixing Scandal

The Ghana Football Association has emphatically denied allegations of match-fixing levelled against them by the media.
Several reports accused the Ghanaians of staging their game against Nigeria, but the country’s association has labelled the stories as a mischievous campaign as the Black Stars.
“Our attention has been drawn to a report carried by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) and Radio Gold claiming that Ghana attempted to bribe a Nigerien player before Monday’s Africa Cup of Nations clash against Niger,” read a statemen published on the Ghana FA website.
“The report was filed by GNA and Radio Gold who are represented in Port Elizabeth by Veronica Commey and Nana Darkwa respectively.
“We wish to state emphatically that report is false, irresponsible, reckless and mischievous.

 

“The Ghana Football Association (GFA) would like to state emphatically that there is not iota of truth in the report and it is the reckless imagination of the authors of the report.
“GFA is extremely disturbing that at a time that the country is solidly behind the Black Stars to bring the Africa Cup of Nations trophy home, a tiny minority of journalists would engage in such nation-wrecking activity.
“In as much as the GFA will strive to create opportunities to enhance the work of the media during this tournament, we will not condone acts meant to tarnish the image of the country.
“We want to assure the people of Ghana that the team is focused on the campaign at the Africa Cup of Nations and with God on our side we will secure victory against Cape Verde on Saturday.”
Naij

Execution halted for first woman sentenced to die in America since 2010 (PICTURED)

A state judge has decided to halt the execution of a woman in Texas.  Kimberly McCarthy, a 51-year old, would have been the first woman in the US to be put to death since 2010.   State District Judge Larry Mitchell gave the woman a reprieve just five hours before she was set to be killed for the murder of a neighbor back in 1997.
Dallas County Assistant District Attorney Shelly Yeatts says McCarthy’s execution date is April 3.  The woman’s attorneys argue that McCarthy was prosecuted on the basis of race.  She is black, but 11 jurors were white, with only one black person.   Her case shines a light on racial disparities across the nation, where people of color are regularly convicted by juries that have few or no African Americans.
McCarthy was a former nursing home therapist and the judge delayed her execution so that her attorneys would have more time to appeal her case.   The woman was convicted of stabbing, beating and robbing a 71-year old neighbor.   When she found out about her reprieve, she was in a small holding cell near the death chamber, preparing for the execution.
“I’m happy right now over that,” she told prison agency spokesman John Hurt. “There’s still work to be done on my case.”
Her attorneys are happy to see that McCarthy might have a chance to get more justice in her case.
“We are very pleased that we will now have an opportunity to present evidence of discrimination in the selection of the jury that sentenced Kimberly McCarthy to death,” said Maurie Levin, a University of Texas law professor and McCarthy’s lawyer.
“Of the twelve jurors seated at trial, all were white, except one, and eligible non-white jurors were excluded from serving by the state. … These facts must be understood in the context of the troubling and long-standing history of racial discrimination in jury selection in Dallas County, including at the time of Ms. McCarthy’s trial,” Levin said.

McCarthy was linked to three murders, all of which took place while she was addicted to crack cocaine.    She would have been just the 13th woman to face the death penalty in the history of the United States.

YNaija.com

Forget it, you must hang: Appeal court affirms the death penalty for Rev King

by Rachel Ogbu

It’s hopes dashed for Chukwuemeka Ezeugo, the notorious Lagos preacher popularly known as “Rev. King” according to new reports .
We reported this morning that he was to know his fate today after the Court of Appeal in Lagos was scheduled to announce its decision on the death sentence given to him by a Lagos High Court, Ikeja on January 11, 2007.
The appeal court in Lagos unfortunately for him, affirmed the death penalty, a panel of judges at the court today said the lower court acted in the interest of justice by sentencing the preacher to death.
YNaija.com