News

Restraint probably contributed to death of black man in Leicester, jury finds

A jury has found that restraint contributed to the death of a 29-year-old black man who was held down for 17 minutes in the street after an attempted robbery of a Leicestershire supermarket.

Shane Bryant, 29, a father of two young children, died due to global brain ischaemia, multiple organ failure, cardio-respiratory arrest and a period of physical restraint, a jury in Loughborough concluded.

Along with members of the public, one of the men restraining Bryant during the incident in July at a Co-op store in the town of Ashby-de-la-Zouch was an off-duty police officer known only as officer L, another was a retired police officer known as person 20.

The jury found that Bryant’s involvement in the incident and his resistance to being restrained contributed to his death. They found that much of the force used to detain him was reasonable but aspects were unreasonable and “more likely than not” contributed to his death.

They also found there were missed opportunities from the off-duty police officer in the management of the restraint that more likely than not contributed to Bryant’s death.

During the incident, Bryant was arrested, handcuffed, and arm and leg restraint straps were applied to him. Officer L applied his knee to Bryant’s back during the incident. When he was cautioned during the incident, Bryant did not reply. Paramedics began CPR before Bryant was taken to Queen’s medical centre in Nottingham, where he was pronounced dead two days later.

One unnamed witness told the inquest that while holding one of Bryant’s arms he became concerned Bryant was “struggling to breathe”.

HM assistant coroner for Rutland and North Leicestershire, Michael Auty QC, heard the three-week case, which opened on 4 October at Loughborough town hall.

Bryant’s brother, Dean Bryant, paid tribute to his sibling, who was a construction worker: “Shane was hilarious to be around. He was a fun, caring, protective person and had a smile that would light up a room.”

He said his brother, who had difficulties at school and was diagnosed with ADHD, left behind two much-loved children.

“We’ve learned from the inquest that there was a catalogue of wrongdoings in the course of the attempt to restrain Shane,” he said. “Then we’ve had the unfairness of the court process, where police officers have been able to hide behind screens and the footage that has been shown [to] the jury has been hidden behind screens as well.”

He called on Leicestershire police to reopen their criminal investigation into the actions of some members of the public involved.

“We are discussing with our lawyers bringing a civil claim against the police for their failings in relation to the restraint that killed Shane,” he said.

“Shane deserved to end up in prison for his role in an attempted crime that night. He did not deserve to end up in a coffin. We want justice for Shane and accountability for any failings that contributed to his death.”

Sarah Ricca of Deighton Pierce Glynn, the family’s solicitor along with Elliot White, said: “Shane’s family is very aware that black men disproportionately die at the hands of police during restraint. They want to shine a light on the continued dangers posed by police restraint and they want to know why lessons supposedly learned from previous restraint deaths are repeatedly forgotten by the police, individually and institutionally.”

Leicestershire police have been approached for comment.

News

Anambra bans public almsgiving, street begging, loitering

The Anambra State Government has banned the distribution of food items and other gifts to street beggars in public spaces, particularly under the Aroma Bridge in Awka, the state capital, and other locations.

The state government also banned all forms of public begging, loitering, and street trading beneath the bridges in Awka, insisting that the move became necessary to uphold the dignity and order of the capital city, which is the face of the state.

In a statement on Thursday, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the state Capital Territory Development Authority, Mr. Ossy Onuko said that the directive is part of the state government’s efforts to sanitise the capital city and maintain public order.

He said that anyone found violating this new directive will be arrested and prosecuted.

He, however, cautioned content creators, philanthropists, and charity groups against distributing food, cash, or any form of alms to street children and beggars in public spaces, particularly.

While acknowledging that some of the ‘charitable acts’ were for good intentions, he expressed concerns that they are inadvertently contributing to the continued loitering and congregation of destitute individuals in dangerous locations.

Onuko said: ‘The government has closely observed the activities of some content creators, philanthropists, and charity groups who encourage and sustain the indiscriminate roaming of children under the Aroma Bridge by consistently giving out food, drinks, and cash gifts to these kids.

‘Although their intentions may be noble, they ultimately contribute to the degradation of the capital city and put the lives of these children at risk. These children are exposed to potential harm, such as being knocked down by vehicles, abused by unruly adults, or even recruited into criminal activities.

‘Such actions are illegal and we hereby warn that any individual or group found engaging in them will be seen as promoting civil disorder and will face legal action’.

He also advised that all charitable activities be conducted through accredited institutions, such as orphanages, care homes, and registered non-governmental organisations, where support can be provided in a more structured and secure manner.

Onuko further urged the general public to work with the state government to uphold the dignity and order of the capital city, which represents the face of Anambra State.

‘Charitable acts should be channeled through accredited organisations such as orphanages, care homes, and registered NGOs, where support can be professionally administered to those in need.

‘Alternatively, donations can be made to private homes and spaces that do not create public nuisances’, he added.

News

Final year student of Michael Okpara University slumps and dies

The management of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, has announced the de@th of Nwachukwu Omiko, a final year student of Mechanical Engineering.

In a statement released on Wednesday, May 15, the Chief Public Relations Officer of the institution, Ubadire Agua, said the incident occurred while Omiko was playing football at the campus.

“Information available to the university authority has it that Omiko slumped in the pitch and his co-players tried to resuscitate him before alerting the University Health Services.

He was immediately rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia in the University’s oxygen-equipped ambulance in a neck-breaking speed,” the statement said

The school authority mentioned that despite the efforts to keep the Omiko alive, it lost him to the cold hands of death.

“The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Maduebibisi Iwe, extends deep regrets and condolences of the university to the parents and family of Omiko as well as his colleagues in the College of Engineering and Engineering Technology,” the statement said.

The management also appealed to the students to check their health status with the services upon arrival on the campus, and avoid strenuous exercises if they have underlying health challenges

News

Oyebanji Seeks Deployment of More Police Personnel to Ekiti

….Wants State Borders Fortified

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has called on the Nigeria Police Force to deploy additional personnel to the state to further enhance security and address criminal activities particularly at the border towns.

Governor Oyebanji, who made the call on Thursday when he received the new Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Zone 17 (comprising Ondo and Ekiti States), Ajani Musubau Omolabi in his Office in Ado-Ekiti. He also urged the Police force to intensify efforts at enhancing security as the state would soon enter election season.

While saying that Ekiti remains one of the safest states in the country, the Governor also noted what he described as inadequate security coverage in many the rural areas of the state, leaving residents vulnerable to criminal activities which undermine public safety.

The Governor appealed to the AIG not to deplete the current strength of the force in the state, stressing that any reduction would further weaken the already strained security apparatus.

While commending the leadership of the force in the state for displaying a high sense of professionalism in securing lives and property, the Governor said the activities of police force had helped reduce the spate of criminality in the state, as well as creating a conducive environment for investors.

Governor Oyebanji assured the Police authorities that his administration will continue to support the force to assure adequate security of lives and property across the state, adding that his administration is committed to ensuring that the state remains one of the safest in the country and that his government would continue to invest in resources, infrastructure, and partnerships to strengthen security measures in the state.

“ You said you are here to work, we are also ready to work with you and we will continue to partner and support the police force because they have added value to us, we are lucky in the state that the rate of kidnapping, banditry, and criminality has gone down tremendously and that speaks to the hard work and the cooperation we enjoy together and I must thank the Commissioner of Police for that.

“I will just plead with the AIG to also help us, I know that the police force is stretched in respect to manpower, but I have to say this since you are here, we are underserved, a lot of communities have no police formation and I have discussed with the Inspector General of Police himself and he told me the problem but even if you cannot add to our numbers do not deplete us”. The Governor asserted.

Earlier in his remarks, AIG Ajani Musbau, said the purpose of the visit was to familiarize himself with the Governor and express his gratitude to the Governor for his consistent support of the police force which had significantly improved the effectiveness of security operations in the state.

While commending Oyebanji for creating an enabling environment that has facilitated the smooth functioning of the police in the state, the AIG assured the Governor of his commitment to working tirelessly to sustain the peace and security, emphasizing that it has ensured the safety of residents and maintaining public order would remain a top priority under his leadership.

Also at the meeting were, the Chief of Staff, Mr Oyeniyi Adebayo, Special Adviser on Security Matters, Brigadier Gen Ebenezer Ogundana, Special Adviser Media, Mr Yinka Oyebode, Commissioner of Police, Joseph Eribo among others.