A STORYTELLER PUBLIC SERVICE
By; Al Humphrey Onyanabo
February 22 , 2024, started like any other day for an Okada man, Vincent Akerah Imoniche, an indegene of Edo state, based in Ibadan, Oyo state.
On that day, he had woken up as usually, done his morning prayers and set out for work. Carrying passengers around the Oluyole/ Apata axis. His park is by the entrance gate of IART( Campus bus stop) on the way to Apata.
Vincent is quite popular. He hails from Edo state, in his 30’s and is very hardworking and respectful. He also has a small barbershop on the side to make ends meet.
On this particular day, at about 12 noon, he was at the park with many other Okada riders discussing. His next move was to go to the police station a kilometer away from the Campus bus stop to spread the goodness that one of his customers, a lady who usually comes from Ijebu igbo to sell ponmo in ibadan and had entered ‘one chance’ bus on her way back to ijebu igbo had been found.
When she got missing, and was not seen by her family Vincent who normally carries her to supply Ponmo in the environs had gone to report at the police station. When news therefore came that she had returned home after losing her phone and belongings to the robbers, an elated Vincent was about leaving the park after sharing the news
With his fellow Okada riders, when a student of the School came to where they all assembled and asked for a ride.
Vincent told him he was not working as he needed to go to the police station to report a matter.
The student said OK, please give me a ride, which Vincent did in the full glare of everybody. Vincent did not charge him nor know him personally.
When they got to the police station about two minutes later, Vincent, parked his Okada and walked into the station to take care of what brought him. The guy also on his on walked into the station as if charmed. According to sources, he had tattoos all over his arms. The policemen called him and asked, who are you? Why do you have so much tattoos all over your body? When they searched him, they found a pistol on him and sign that the gun had been shot that morning.
They arrested him and Vincent and the police claimed they are working together. The boy in question has repeatedly told the police that Vincent has nothing to do with the case, but they refused to bulge.
They both slept in the cell for two nights before they were transferred to the former SARS office at Dugbe, Ibadan where he has been locked up for over ten days until they were charged to court yesterday( Thursday March 14th, 2024)
Vincent and the boy were charged with Armed Robbery and possession of a fire arm. No gun was found on Vincent and there is no evidence he was involved in an armed robbery. Nobody has come forward that Vincent robbed him. Vincent was not seen with a gun, neither are his fingerprints on the gun. Yet, he is charged with Armed Robbery and possession of a firearm.
His fellow Okada riders have also collaborated the account of Vincent as they witnessed when he carried him from their park.
Vincent has maintained his innocence, and the boy continues to say Vincent is not his friend nor his partner in crime, but all the pleading has fallen on deaf ears.
The Storyteller appeals to Gov Seyi Makinde of Oyo State to intervene and free Vincent who has been locked up unjustly and is suffering and might suffer more for a crime he did not commit. He has no family in ibadan but the Okada riders union at IART who have in their own little way stood by him in solidarity and shown support.
Public spirited people have gotten a lawyer to try and sort out his bail, but that will cost a lot of money.
We appeal to indegenes of Edo state and Nigerians in general to come to the aid of one of their own.
Vincent’s motorcycle for which he is still paying hire purchase is presently at the police station. Your guess is as good as mine as to what will happen to his only source of livelihood if the bike remains with the police while he is locked up and far from justice.
The Storyteller passionately appeals for assistance to save Vincent from more suffering and pain.
May we not see evil and be victims of circumstance.
February 22 , 2024, started like any other day for an Okada man, Vincent Akerah Imoniche, an indegene of Edo state, based in Ibadan, Oyo state.
On that day, he had woken up as usually, done his morning prayers and set out for work. Carrying passengers around the Oluyole/ Apata axis. His park is by the entrance gate of IART( Campus bus stop) on the way to Apata.
Vincent is quite popular. He hails from Edo state, in his 30’s and is very hardworking and respectful. He also has a small barbershop on the side to make ends meet.
On this particular day, at about 12 noon, he was at the park with many other Okada riders discussing. His next move was to go to the police station a kilometer away from the Campus bus stop to spread the goodness that one of his customers, a lady who usually comes from Ijebu igbo to sell ponmo in ibadan and had entered ‘one chance’ bus on her way back to ijebu igbo had been found.
When she got missing, and was not seen by her family Vincent who normally carries her to supply Ponmo in the environs had gone to report at the police station. When news therefore came that she had returned home after losing her phone and belongings to the robbers, an elated Vincent was about leaving the park after sharing the news
With his fellow Okada riders, when a student of the School came to where they all assembled and asked for a ride.
Vincent told him he was not working as he needed to go to the police station to report a matter.
The student said OK, please give me a ride, which Vincent did in the full glare of everybody. Vincent did not charge him nor know him personally.
When they got to the police station about two minutes later, Vincent, parked his Okada and walked into the station to take care of what brought him. The guy also on his on walked into the station as if charmed. According to sources, he had tattoos all over his arms. The policemen called him and asked, who are you? Why do you have so much tattoos all over your body? When they searched him, they found a pistol on him and sign that the gun had been shot that morning.
They arrested him and Vincent and the police claimed they are working together. The boy in question has repeatedly told the police that Vincent has nothing to do with the case, but they refused to bulge.
They both slept in the cell for two nights before they were transferred to the former SARS office at Dugbe, Ibadan where he has been locked up for over ten days until they were charged to court yesterday( Thursday March 14th, 2024)
Vincent and the boy were charged with Armed Robbery and possession of a fire arm. No gun was found on Vincent and there is no evidence he was involved in an armed robbery. Nobody has come forward that Vincent robbed him. Vincent was not seen with a gun, neither are his fingerprints on the gun. Yet, he is charged with Armed Robbery and possession of a firearm.
His fellow Okada riders have also collaborated the account of Vincent as they witnessed when he carried him from their park.
Vincent has maintained his innocence, and the boy continues to say Vincent is not his friend nor his partner in crime, but all the pleading has fallen on deaf ears.
The Storyteller appeals to Gov Seyi Makinde of Oyo State to intervene and free Vincent who has been locked up unjustly and is suffering and might suffer more for a crime he did not commit. He has no family in ibadan but the Okada riders union at IART who have in their own little way stood by him in solidarity and shown support.
Public spirited people have gotten a lawyer to try and sort out his bail, but that will cost a lot of money.
We appeal to indegenes of Edo state and Nigerians in general to come to the aid of one of their own.
Vincent’s motorcycle for which he is still paying hire purchase is presently at the police station. Your guess is as good as mine as to what will happen to his only source of livelihood if the bike remains with the police while he is locked up and far from justice.
The Storyteller passionately appeals for assistance to save Vincent from more suffering and pain.
May we not see evil and be victims of circumstance.
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