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| Blessing Effiong |
Some of you have heard about Blessing Effiong. I carried her STORY here about a month ago after reading about her in Punch. For those who have never heard about her, let me tell you her story.
Blessing is a 19 year old girl (she will turn 20 in August) who has been incarcerated at the female ward of the Kirikiri Prisons since November 2008. She has been locked up since she was 16.
I've been to Kirikiri prisons. I've seen Blessing. I've hugged her. I've cried with her...and I promised her I will do everything in my power to get her out. I hope to keep that promise..I already have a team I'm working with to make this happen...but we need more people to get involved in her case. (There are some things I can't put out here but we need all the help we can get)
Continue to read what landed Blessing in Prison.
According to Blessing (this is exactly what she told me) on the morning of the 14th of July 2008, she bought a phone from a guy around her area in Ebutte Metta for N800. It was a Starcomms phone worth about N10k which she wanted to use to start phone business. The same evening she bought the phone, she got a call on the phone from some guy who said the phone belonged to him, that he was robbed and dispossessed of the phone, his laptop and money some days before. Blessing offered to return the phone back to the guy on the condition that she will get her N800 back. The man promised her the money back and she gave him her address. The man showed up a few hours later with police. And thus began her hellish journey!
Blessing was first taken to Ilupeju Police station where she was kept for a few days. Then on the 18th of August she was transferred to State CID Panti where she was kept for a while. She was then charged to magistrate court Ikeja, from where the magistrate remanded her in Kirikiri prisons to await advice from the Director of Public Prosecution. The advise didn't come until 2012. And his advice was for her to be charged under section 427 of the criminal code. (Crime about receiving stolen property).
Then her story became public after a Punch reporter accompanied the Attorney-General of the state, Mr. Ade Ipaye, and representatives of the Office of the Public Defender on a visit to the prisons to evaluate the number of awaiting trial persons there. 3+ years awaiting trial. Sad, huh?
Well, some of us got involved and she's finally been charged to court for receiving of stolen property before a High Court of Lagos State sitting at Igbosere. Her case came up today 23rd May 2012, but the prison authorities did not bring Blessing to court, so the Judge adjourned to the 14th of June, 2012.
I will be in court that day, anyone else if free to come. It's the Igbosere high court on Lagos Island.
For those who are curious about her family, Blessing is an orphan. Her father died when she was very young and her mother died just last year. She told me her incarceration led to her mum's death. She was her only daughter. Blessing has two brothers but they are in the East and as helpless as she is.
When she's finally released, Blessing will be needing a lot of help. Will keep y'all posted.
Thanks for reading.
198 comments:
linda, you hv a good heart, God bless you. and i hope the young gal regains her freedom soon. sad story.
I ve tears in my eyez NW! God bless yu Linda. Cnt wait to b out of law sch n start helpin pple
Michelle
Why not post an executive summary of what needs to be done at the beginning of the write-up?
Ds is just all very crazy,wat is a 16yr old gal s'posd to be doin in jail and has bin dia witout trial for 3yrs!! Ds country is just crazy,dt guy dt unleashed d police on her will suffer wasted years 4ds act!wat if she stole d phone,is dt enof reason to take 3yrs of her lyf?GOD has to punish d man,d judges involved,d prison authorities,d extended family members dt care less abt the gal included! I just pray that God in his infinite mercies will direct her path and save her frm ds horrible place. MizBee.
I think she has a right to sue the state at this point,especially if she has spent more than the time the 'acclaimed' offence is due for(oyibo)but I believe she has a right to sue LASG,this is 3years,for a damn mobile phone,govt functionaries have stolen more and they drive the best cars,she only bought it,she didn't steal it herself.
Naija is a f***%@ hell hole.
Bless her and bless you..
Kunle Ladi
This is really sad,politicians steal in millions, sorry billions and r regarded as sacred cows while d innocent languish in prison. may God have mercy.
ONOME says........
Ridinkulous country with their kangaroo courts.They allow Ibori,Dimeji etc to walk freely and keep this girl behind bars?with no proof?s****t.What a sorry state of affairs:(
Do all you can to ensure her prompt release.Naija.Na wa.Will anyone give her anything for punitive damages??Nigeria,I hail o
I feel for her, and dear linda, you have a gentle soul. May God's Love Smile on her Soon!!
When u do stuff like this, that's what makes you a role model. I am happy you are doing what u can to help Blessing. More blessings will continue to come into your life. Keep up d good work.
av got tears on my eyes....Good job linda....
Only good will reward you for you effort
av got tears on my eyes....Good job linda....
for the lyf of me I can't figure out why those accused of petty crimes are remanded while the fat-cat megalomaniac accused get out on bail and continue parading the streets with police escorts.
Ok she ''received stolen property'' and has been charged for it. but hello!! the politicians who received stolen public funds in the name of donations during frivolous launches and campaigns instead get to grace the cover of naija tabloids and mainstream media.
I'm not a lawyer but if the owner of the owner of the phone confirms that she did offer to return it in exchange for getting her =N=800 back, the she should be set free. After-all, d crappy plea-bargain deals they extended to the likes of Alamiyesigha, Igbenedion, Abacha and Aunty Cecilia allowed them walk away with credit for time served.
That she gave her address and was willing to return the fone to me qualifies her for a plea-bargain.
I guess her lawyer should have proposed it to the so-called DPP and the judge so she gets credit for time served.
Economically, it is rather dumb to prosecute this case as the cost to the system and country during the trial and even catering to the accused's feeding/maintenance costs in prison (as if they r even taken care of) is unfavorable. Justice has a cost, but that cost needs to be affordable and justifiable.
D Alamco's, Igbenedions, Ibru's were practically forced to forfeit SOME of their ill-gotten properties and were rewarded with leniency and a scratch on the face which would heal over time(!|). Blessing, somewhat willingly, agreed to return the property and has spent 3 years in kirikiri! Haba
It's high time the judges applied the same levels of strictness or severity to both the lowly and the mighty: what is good for the goose, is good for the gander!!!
How come the people who Ibru, Igbenedion, Alams etc bought houses and cars from have not/were not charged for receiving stolen property and remanded in Kirikiri?
I cud go on with the questions cos lyk I said initially, I can't for d lyf of me figure it out!!!
this is very common in nigeria. For those of you from well-to-do homes, it probably would not happen but poor people have no right to justice in nigeria.
And the police? Don't get me started ... that's why most of them and their children too are wretched. You can't be part of wickedness and expect to thrive in life
Poor girl. The worst thing next to death is to get into police palava in Nigeria. Hope she gets out soon.
Na wa
Infant wish ican do what she is doing....... Helpn ppl is not easy. God bless u Linda
God blessed you Linda. Keep doing the good job and God will continue to strengthen you more in knowlegde. Keep me updated about her and i prayed she would out soon...
Bolaji.
God will surely see her through, i know that someway, somehow, she's going to be fine. God bless you Linda.
And this is jst one case out of several other ones we're yet to hear.ours is a nation where those who wield physical power(guns) or financial power run things without fear of being apprehended.another reason for one to thank God everyday.poor girl!
For freaking phone??.Evil country we live in...People steal millions and are worshiped.. while minors rot in jail for misdemeanors.
http://omoirefo.blogspot.com.au/
I'm speechless!!! Damn! She should be outta dere by June!! Like what the hell? Jesus! Naija is a dead place. This same judges and even the phone owner have done waaay worse I'm sure. Linda God bless u. I'm sure there are a lot more cases like this. Innocent people in prison and the damn! Police and judges that commit worse crimes patrolling the streets scot free. God punish them all. Nonsense!!!!!
And the idiots who steal billions are sitting pretty in Abuja
and Obasnajo Atiku and Bankole walk the streets of NIgeria!?! soo unfortunate
"she bought a phone from a guy around her area in Ebutte Metta for N800" (Where IS this guy now?).
The police will be a failure if d above question is not answered at d end of d day.
May God visit all those responsible. This is an opportunity for d gal n some lawyers to hit d jackpot... Sue d bastard officer, owner of the phone, the judge. They shud pay for damages, d money b used to cater for d gal, cos life wil neva b d same whn u come out of prison. God may all those responsible knw no peace till this corrupt n brainless judge release d innocent gal.
Nice job linda. Wish I could be part of this. Jisie ike.
Dear Linda,
I am here in the USA and my heart is aching for Blessing. May God keep you and those that are fighting for Blessing safe as you all fight the good fight for those that do not have a voice. Those that seek to harm you all shall perish and you all shall triumph. IJN. Amen. FREE BLESSING EFFIONG!!!
God make her story end on a happy note afterall. Dis is just so sad & unfair!
Linda you are a TRUE Christian. If this reminder is to distract ur from the chick that stole ur phone, I don't know if it's working well sha. I would rather we expose her retrieve and auction THE FAMOUS PHONE on ur blog then give the money to Blessing. I fit buy your memorabalia, I guess.
i feel terribly sorry for Blessing and i hope she is released soon, reading this is very touching....thanks Linda for helping this poor chick...more grease to your elbow.
sorry to burst yur "good will ambasador" burbles. this is naija n am a lawyer. she is one of the many cases of innocent people in nigerian prison. the court system is whacked n slow. if yu like carry the whole of lagos to the court nothing will happen just pray that he judge comes to court or the prison officials take her to court. even at that it will take a long time to release her. meanwhile, just pray for her.
wooow what a country we live in i read this article wit tears dropping down my eyes.lynda am with u all d way..God bless u..www.ebonyville.blogspot.com contact me any info pls...
Linda,May God bless you plenty o!! i pray dis child gets out ASAP!!
God willing, i will be there to support her. so sad
God'll surely put a smile on Blessing's face and bless those He has raised to help her. That beast that bro't the police to her will surely regret it.
Weldone Linda, for long hve been reading ur blogpost but dis is worth commenting... Nigeria govt is suck.. Definetely she will b discharge from court dat day..but I must say 2 d girl something is wrong frm her root..she nids prayers..
Lookin 4wd to her release....
Hi linda! I hardly drop a comment here but this is shocking... Will be in nigeria by the court date. Pls post more details about the court. I can pull a few strings and help her out of this situation. She will be suing the govt for wasted years. It might take a while but she will have the last laff.
Now the chelshit girl that stole linda phone now sold it to another unaware person like blessing Effiog,we now ping her to have the phone sent back.wont the innocent person be suffering a similar fate like blessing? Well Linda this is another reason why you need to play that video and let the real thiefs be brought to book.Anyway i pray the girl regain her freedom asap,keep us posted ok
Nigeria is actually a f**ked up country. What should a 16 year old be doing in a prison. The case is so saddening. Its at times like this that I wish that I was reading law. Its simply because she has no money and family to press the issue.
If she were the daughter of a top official,the reverse would have been the case.#smh
How else can one get involved,if you live outside Lagos
Gosh,dis is so terrible.well done linda
Linda, truly short of words with this update on Blessing Effiong. I'd simply say GOD BLESS U.
i rili am nt in d mood 2 vent my anger on nigeria for 107th time....all i'v gt 2 say z big ups 2 miss ikeji 4 her strength....more ororo 2 ur joints...GOD BLESS NIGERIA,GOD BLESS LINDA ,GOD BLESS ME
linda, y say u need help? When i sent u my email a while ago on this matter, u clearly ignored it. So, what help are u calling for again? U re rich, pay a big firm for the case since all u do is see people as insignificant cos u don't know them and then tell a teary story like u are so nice. Bye
Is she represented by a lwyer. If yes why not file a bail application to secure her release.
I think she should be given time off for time already spent, however i fail to agree with the notion of her being innocent, an example has to be set in our society, you cannot buy questionable goods. you are aiding those criminal elements to steal more good from people every time you buy something from them
"Nigeria na our country we must to do better for am" -- what a country we have, with no values. Linda more grace to ur spirit. I foresee triplets for u wen u get married. Thaaaaannnnnkkkksss.
Amen... U can imagine this country.
Hi Linda:
Is there an NGO assisting and will it be possible to let me know their name?
Thanks
Linda God bless U̶̲̥̅̊ just keep us posted wen she s out S̶̲̥̅Æ ̴̴̴̴̴̴͡ Wƺ can contribute smthng Τ̅☺ help her start her life back
Well done Linda, we are here to positively impact lives. That's all. For this, may God bless you.
www.thestunninglady.blogspot.com
May God continue to be with you. Thank you very much. I am based in Kaduna, please what can I do to help?
Sad story. I hope she is not scarred by the trauma of long awaiting-trial incarceration as a result of a long-winded justice system which is most cruel to the poor. Suspects of bigger crimes easily get bail and eventually juggle out of a possible conviction because they can get a smart lawyer, but the poor languish in prison for so long and, as the case of poor Blessing Effiong shows, are the victims of every arm of the criminal justice system: if it is not the police that under-, over-,or mis-investigate the case, it is the prison authorities that fail to produce the accused when s/he is due in court. BTW, Linda, the DPP will be very angry with you for calling her/him Director of Public PERsecution” (instead of Prosecution). Is that an (un)intended misspelling?
Oh thank God almighty for his good works linda pls try and find out my course mate who was said to be missing, patrick from abu more detail I think his been found .....
Dis is why I keep praying and asking God to bless me so I can be a blessing to others. Linda God bless you real good. In d first place she was under age then u dnt lock up someone at dat age in d white mans land dis nigeria is full of crazy pple.
Linda, I must say that this is a very good and positive initiative from you but this is a very, very sad story and for it to be the first thing I am reading on your blog this morning doesn't make it any better.
I can imagine what the memories will be like for her when she eventually, hopefully regains her freedom. Linda, I hope you know getting her out is not the ultimate purpose, helping her get back on track in Life should be the paramount objective.
Can someone please tell me what kind of a country we live in???
I read this with my mouth wide open,I had to remind myself I wasn't imagining it.in a country where the government is supossedly for the people.This is the height.A peaceful protest should be organised for the said date.I'd gladly carry placards for this cause.the justice system should be queried,sued even tho it might not hold water,an awareness would be created.What gives u the right to take 3 years out of a budding life?I'm so mad right now that if I don't stop,I'll begin to type curse words
There's some humanity left in the world after all.Bless you Linda.....
Wish I lived in Naija,I would take her in,send her to school..give her hope for the future.
Not being mean but I think someone should take her in as a nanny. Give her room,and board,food,money for upkeep,send her to school, and make her a part of the family. Give her the same love they would give their own kids. The only reason I suggested she work as a nanny is so she does not feel she is a charity case and she would learn good work ethic. I wish I could do, but I don't live in the country.
This is so sad, young ones left to fend for themselves and survive without any plans from government. What is a mobile phone compared to the senseless looting going on the government in Nigeria. Sad. May she regain her freedom and soon too.It is a hard life experience.
its a pity most legal and security authority enforcement agents are dumb.is it wise for a thief to give u his/her address.?is it new to us that people who steal fones throw d sim card immediately?but this innocent girl failed all d test as a possible thief. we should all ask God for wisdom
lindastic ikejegbih, these are the things u do that wen people insult me as ur voltron i dont even bother to answer. them. u are a sweetheart, an angel.
as u follow up this case God will grant u the strenght n all that is needed to help Blessing. and as her name means blessings shall forever be ur lot in Jesus name.
Nigerians. the man who is said to have the phone is a wicked soul. becos of 10k fone???? if it was a bb porsche nko? he will hang the girl on a tress there n then. useless n wicked things.
Godbless u jare linda. poor orphan.
*sigh*
This is what makes you the best blogger in the country. Often imitated, never duplicated
Nigeria is a very sick state, dis is a country where a 16yr old gal can be arrested and be kept in a maximum prison. We reli need a revolution in dis country...gud job linda. God bless Nigeria
It's sad some of us cant come, but please set up an account for her and we can atleast help in little ways to help her back on her feet
wat happened 2 juvinile prison for unda 18 dis country sef e go beta
Oh Jesus!4 everyone who has judged dis little girl Father in heaven judge them!!!!They may not be in d confines of a prison but they wil 4eva be LIFE IMPRISONED!I can't say more*so down in my spirit(Lind pls publlish dis,let my heavy heart come down small
Linda I hope you know this girl is in prison because of people like the girl who stole your phone that you have refused to expose ? This could be the story of another innocent person soon and it won't be wrong to say u aided and abetted crime...
Hi Linda, if you can set up an official purse whereby people can pay in money for her to start again after she is released, that would be fine . Talk to zenith and first bank and a body can supervise this. This can be done sharpishly.... Even zimmermann had one done for him.
All I have to say is dat our God never sleeps nor slumbers. When it her time everytin will turn for are gud. As for u linda may d gud lord bless u.
Bode gorge stole billions n he was sentenced to 2yrs in prison,then an underage kept 4 3yr 4 a common fone...this is d hight of lack of care in naija..4 god sack she has almost spent d same yrs ibori was given 4 money lundery
God Bless u Linda 4 this... Yet some abaya will say u are not a role model, what have the so called role models they have in this country done for humanities? Please my advice is for you to be in Kirikiri to make sure those useless prison people bring her to court on the said date. If not they might still not bring her that day. Yes they are that Wicked. Very Sad & Pathetic Story
May God punish d owner of d@ starcomms fone! Haba human beings can b wicked sha, plus d justice systems sef! Na wa o! God bless her n bless u too linda.
God help her, I pray she gets out, sometimes...scratch that, most times the system sucks!
Linda, thank you. God bless your kind heart. He will send a helper your way everytime you need one (maybe in the shape of a husband...*wink*). But seriously, thank you, again and again. For doing this. I pray that more people can do stuff like this for the helpless amongst us.
OMG will keep my eyelids peeled for more info, thanks linda
Nigeria is so backwards! You lock a 16yrs old girl up for 3 yrs for unknowingly buying a stolen phone! Yet grown men in power embezzle Billions of Naira and get away with it.. That countrys legal justice system needs a complete overhaul! Shame on you Nigeria and all the useless people involved in this case!
God bless u linda,may your unborn children find favour from above
Stop cursing naijja..miscarriage of justice is rampant everywhere. Especially in yankee!!..
Am just short of words..... I really want to be of help at least in d little way i can. Keep us posted pls.
And May God bless you Linda Greatly...
Thank you Linda. May God almighty favour Blessing and judge all those who have done this to her.God will fight for you Blessing.
I wept as I read dis is quite sympathetic. my God wil fight for u.
When those thieving leaders loot the nations money its usually hard to jail them but when an innocent helpless little girl trying to irk a living comes under their watch,they strike like silly idiots(forgive me for using that word but am pushed to d wall).What sort of a country is this??? Let me give u my own little experience.On the 5th of May,a Saturday I had a birthday party for my 1year old son in our compund,I didnt block the road o.Just a few canopies and chairs in my compound just for some silly miscreants to come drop a notice asking me to go and pay one Meriment and Celebration fee to Agege LGA.Infact I ignored the letter only for me to get home yesterday and be handed over another one by wife.She said they pasted it on our gate and fled,she didnt see anyone.Infact I am so furious right now.
Sad sad sad... This is reason I'm studying law. Our justice system is messed up... I pray she regains her freedom... Linda, thanks a bunch
Blessing's story is a sad one. This is a true picture of what befalls d helpless in our society; may God vindicate her.
The same Nigeria where Public Office holders steal and they are rewarded with national awards and recognition! Judiciary is no longer the last hope of the common man. Ride on LindA THAT'S A GOOD CAUSE YOU ARE PURSUING
And politicians are stealing billions?? Ehnnnn
How unfair is this life? And they still want to charge her to court.
Did she know the phone was stolen?? Ehnnn
God punish all of them.
GOVERNOR FASHOLA where are you o. PLs help like UDuaghan helped Oke.
serzly this is vy annoying..am irked wit ds news....naija govt is fucked up....linda God bless ur soul...and i pray God in his infinite mercies will see blessing thru wit ds case..
so sad...
May God continue to give u(Lindy) the strength to dis in Jesus name! Amen
Nothin wud happen to a man in this world without a reason, God has a plan 4 her cos dis story is somehow wield, watch her out, she's goin to be a great woman in the nearest future, all dis is just 4 her to tell a story.
Hw can u lock sum a young lady up for 3 yrs cos of mobile fone! Insane. I wish i cld cum support @ d court bt am in d UK. Bless u linda
The Nigerian system is completely messed up, in the first place u dont place a minor in a prison when we hv juvenile facilities for dt purpose. It was completely wrong for her to have been tried as an adult and consequently incarcerated. We lawyers have failed in dispensing our responsibilities and duties and I hope God will forgive us.
Nigeria's judicial system is a fucking joke. On second thoughts, what isnt a fucking joke in this country.
This is just sad. To think that a minor will be detained for that length of time and they are still thinking of charging her to court? this is just wrong. what kind of country are we living in? as for the man that got her arrested, may GOD forgive him. He should have known that this poor young girl had nothing to do with his being robbed. what a wicked country we live in!
Jesus take d wheel of her life.
Linda may God Almighty continue 2 bless u.pls kip us informed in ny way we can help,May God punish d idiot dt arrested d poor gurl 4 a rubbish starcomms fone n all d authorities involved.only God will help Naija,real criminals r dere stealing n killing dey cnt do nytin bout it buh jst cos of a 10k fone,dey put Blessing in prison 4 3 gud yrs!!!!!!God will defintely fight dis battle 4 her n i pray she gains her freedom.Welldone Linda....Lisa.
May the good lord continue to use u to help other.
This is nothing short of a disgrace to our criminal justice system.
She deserves to be acquitted immediately because the case was based on fraud ab initio by the prosecuting team.
She also deserves adequate compensation with proper rehabilitation.
De world is wicked but Nigeria as A̶̲̥̅̊ country is been killed by ignorant & intimidation... God help us.
Sharon
May God continue to be wit her,d wanted her to die in prison,bt thnk God she is alive n God divinly made her story public.
Linda u re a kind hearted person, i can imagine wat Blessing went through in dat prison. i am willing to assist her but am staying in Edo state. how can i reach you?
please in whatever way, I am ready to help. God bless you linda.
This is m first time of posting a comment here... Am touched by ur good heart. God Bless U
This countrys judicial system is a shit hole.i know the girl must have pass through alot like rape and all
Linda may God strengthen and fortify you and give you grace to do more, becos in only giving we receive bountifully.Your wisdom faculty will never know lack,your purse will never run dry and God's favor upon you will always be ur guide.
I pray that whomever is part of this breakthrough in her life will always be shown the grace of God.
Keep us posted on,so we can contribute our own quota.
Naija judiciary and law enforcement is as useless as a house rat, d rat is even more useful. How can u lock-up a minor in prison and 3years after she is still a minor and still locked-up. I wonder what lawyers and judges are tought in law skull.
May God deliver her. Amen!
Yemi
Pls abeg even if she stole d fone, she's tryin 2 mk a life out of it, unlike d big gal tiff dat stole lindas fone just 2 feel among...dis country na wa oo n linda u don't want 2 upload d gals pics abi see wat dis small gal has suffered even on top her 800...God dey!
Linda,May the good lord continue to bless you abundantly....Please do all you can to save this little girl...Nigerian police and the idiot that locked her up will get their punishment from God. Cant even begin to imagine the trauma d girl is going through for what she did not do and also lost her mother to this. God will surely vindicate her.
God bless you Linda. I believe the end will be worth it.
God will proof himself during the trial. best wishes to you both
Dis is really sad...three wasted years but she should ve directed d police to the guy she bought the phone from, except it was just a roadside thingy... I pray she is released soon, she deserves some sort of compensation,like a scholarship
Well we hope she leaves d place.but she shld hav suspectd since she knws its more xpensv dan dat.and d man dat sold d phne shuld b apprehended.tnx!
this is great Linda, thank you for your helping hand.
i kept wondering if i were blessing, what would i do? it means she has a kind heart to have given the guy her home address and was ready to return the phone. Linda pls keep us posted cos i wld like to be at the court on that day and see if there's little assistance i wl offer. God bless u linda buh u've neva posted my comment and u unfollowed me on twitter, why linda? 8sad face* sorry about ur lost phone. @vivamature on twitter
Linda u are a role model,God will reward 4 ur kindness towards dis girl..
God blesss your heart sweetie! As for those involved, (the man, the police & LASG), God will judge them. Yoruba says "eni ti a le mu, olohun ni a fii fun" Olohun a mu yin o
Tears in my eyes.
God bless her and will see her true.
Welldone Linda.
Linda, thanks for this great work. God will bless you plenty. I will definitely be there bcos its close to my office and i will also have the opportunity to meet you.
Smh...The guy dat unleashed the police on her has no single conscience. I weep for this country
Linda, thanks for this great work. God will bless you plenty. I will definitely be there bcos its close to my office and i will also have the opportunity to meet you.
I'm so annoyed just thinking about this. How on earth can they incarcerate a 16 year old for 3 years for buying a stolen property and without even a trial? I think this should go beyond just setting the girl free. All the officers involved should be arrested and punished. Even if she actually stole the phone, at that age she is at the very least entitled to a fair trial.
Sad indeed.. May you help her regain her freedom.
I'm so annoyed just thinking about this. How on earth can they incarcerate a 16 year old for 3 years for buying a stolen property and without even a trial? I think this should go beyond just setting the girl free. All the officers involved should be arrested and punished. Even if she actually stole the phone, at that age she is at the very least entitled to a fair trial.
This is so unfair :( God bless you Linda and God bless and guide her too. U.
Linda God bless u,pls continue with ur good works. Maybe u shld set up an acct for her that people can send money into for her upkeep cos she will be in need of it after all dis trauma. She needs 2 go back 2 school and all that.
-Abimbola O
pple steal millions in dis country n will nver ever b convicted why a poor girl who never stole plzzzzzz pple of lagos run to her rescue
Linda Ikeji you have a good heart,and for you to blog this alerting us that had no idea of this going on,you are a sweet lady,unlike the other bloggers i see,that only care about stardom example:bloody e4pr,stella dmokokus,and other stupid bloggers who rant about rubbish,and low quality magazines and been on covers,when there are important issues to talk about here in nigeria,i will try to be in that court that day,and get in touch with people i know,that girl is innocent,and may her mothers spirit protect her,God always helps the orphans,keep doing what you do linda.
Terrible country, Horrible Law enforcement Agents with a crippled Justice System. I weep for the death of this country...Its needs total redemption & resurrection...which can only be done by spilling the blood of all those eating up the country from within
@willadebo
While we sympathise with the girl, let's not lose sight of the fact that she was in possession of stolen a stolen good. The main problem I see hear is the delay in our justice. In this case, I can only ask for justice to be tempered with mercy.
God bless u Linda. What greater service, than Service to humanity?!!! until our judiciary, legislative and all other sectors in Nigeria sit up, all we have are ourselves to help ourselves.
God is watching everyone that has a hand in the sorrow of this poor girl from d owner of the phone to the prison officials, God is not one to be mocked he hears d cry of the afflicted and comes to there aid. They will all suffer for what they've done to this poor orphan. had it been she stole the phone she wouldnt have giving the bastard her house address.oh how i weep for her, thank u Linda for this act of kindness u n ur generations to come will never suffer harm, keep us posted on how to help her. And to blessing's Mum may her berieved soul find rest
there is too much frustration in this land.
those days after standard six, work wld be waiting for u. but today , we do all manner of jobs to get by while the thieves loot our collective wealth and live in opulence
I CRY FOR BLESSING, AM ANGRY WITH THE SYSTEM THAT CRUCIFIES THE ONLY THE INNOCENT POOR, WHILE RICH THIEVES ARE ALLOWED TO FLAUNT THEIR ILL-GOTTEN WEALTH ALL OVER THE PLACE.
I CAN'T EVEN BEGIN TO THINK OF WHAT SHE HAS BEEN SUBJECTED TO, IN THIS WORLD OF DOG EATS DOG.
MAY GOD PROTECT AND KEEP, TEAR MAY LAST THE NIGHT BUT JOY WLD DEFINITELY COME IN THE MORNING.
LINDA, GOOD BLESS U N MORE POWER TO UR ELBOWS.
Things that happens only in Nigeria....... Pathetic!
OMG, i thot those who committed any national offence who were below d age of 18yrs were suppose to b in a juvenile prison for counselin, hw com dis is a diff case. Aniway may God help her. Nd God bless u Linda. Mehn Nigeria has a lng way to Go.
-Huxi.
so sad,for 800naira she has spent close to 4years in jail,meanwhile our so called criminal leaders steal billions of naira and they re roaming all around the world free,God will judge the man who called policemen and the good for noting judge
Great job linda! May God Himself reward your kind gesture towards this poor girl. There is nothing like justice and fairness in this nation, its so unfortunate that it is in part of the world you see the righteous suffering and the wicked merrying. Anyway, God is there to judge every deeds of man even if justice is not done here. Can't wait to get more post about the proceedings. Once more God bless U real good. Ayindarule.....
Don't forget to remind us of the date so we will all be there to support her and also meet u...lol. linda pls post my previous comment1
Linda i dey wait make u wake up u con wake up u no post my comment awww
God bless you Linda.You have a good soul.
So sad.God is watchn oooooooo.God will bless u Linda
Linda, pls can you find out the name of the judge handling this case at Igbosere High court. Am a lawyer practising in Lagos. May not be in the country on the said date but will see if I can send someone from my office to get more facts about this case. really pathetic.
Dis's so annoying! All i can say is, dis country is so fucked!!!! May God in his infinite mercy see ha tru. God bless u Linda
Thumbs up Linda..
http://personalstuvs.blogspot.com
Buh is it right 2 even jail an under aged person?
this is a very sad story and illiteracy is the primary cause of her woes. firstly upon recieving the owner's call, she should have gone to the person she bought from and not go into negotiaitons with the original owner of the phone. even when the guy came with police she should have directed them to the seller of the phone.
secondly why would she think she would get such a phone at that price? she obviously knew it was stolen.
i will not blame the owner of the phone for calling the police, afterall linda is ready to post the video of her phone thief.
blessing's case is not peculiar, majority of the inmates in our prisons have not been tried. this action should be against the unjust system and not for blessing in isolation. trust me there are innocent people wallowing in the prisons for even more than 3 years.
it is a worthy cause linda, God bless u
You do some things that amaze me Linda. God will reward you. Keep us posted and we will see how we can assist, and so sorry for the loss of your phone. Pele dear. I'll email you.
Bimbyladsx
Keep it up Linda. God will definitely see her through. Guys, it's not Enough to go to court, pls don't go empty handed. It's Gud we plan on how to wipe her tears and give her better life. One thousand, two, ten, five hundred it will go a long way. Lin we can open a trust account for her. And God will continue to bless us all. Am not in lag so I won't be there but will contribute wen d time comes.
Halles
Thumbs up Linda..
http://personalstuvs.blogspot.com
the government of dis country has failed us all,for a 16 year old girl to been in prison and forgotten just bcos of a phone which she didn't even steal while our gov't official keep stealing millions and billions of Naira witout any fucking of dem having to go to jail.NIGERIA JUDICIAL SYSTEM IS DEAD AND GONE.9JA a country where d rich uses police to oppress d poor and NOTIN GO HAPPEN.#GODISWATCHIN
hunnnnn linda God bless you as soon as she out let us know pls.
Linda, may the good Lord bless ur kind heart. The poor girl has gone through alot. She's probably not the only one in such a predicament. There are several others like her. Meanwhile those BASTARDS in government are busy looting and killing innocent people.. The bloods of all the innocent are on their heads. Where is Uncle Jo, who claimed he had no shoes once? Where is the dolt who promised to help the helpless and fight for people like Blessing?
Has anyone even though of contacting the man who claimed Blessing stole his phone. I understand he would have been distraught after a robbery, but what he did was senseless and cruel. He should be man enough to come out now and hel this young girl gain her freedom.
and the guy that took the police to her house to recover the phone and has since forgotten about it - please how does he sleep at night?
I really wish I am a lawyer right now. If Blessing had/has someone to represent her, the money she will get from suing the NPS/LASG/Court will set her up for life. Imagine someone stealing billions in Nigeria and the Minister of Justice has the guts to say that the evidence submitted is not sufficient! Nigeria, we hail thee!!!! But we won't lose hope...
The man that got her arrested is evil. Would a thief give u their home address? Also how could he watch a child get arrested? Nigerians shock me daily with their thought process and mentality. God help Nigeria and Blessing Effiong
The man that got her arrested is evil. Would a thief give u their home address? Also how could he watch a child get arrested? Nigerians shock me daily with their thought process and mentality. God help Nigeria and Blessing Effiong
we will not be in trouble in this country in Jesus Name. people like ogun state govr (gbenga daniel) that stolen huge amount of money was not detain in prison but the poor girl that have good hearth to return the phone she bought. knowingly and unknowingly God will PUNISH the man (owner of the phone)
May God be with d girl and see her thru...
linda i dont leave in lagos ,so i cant be there with you,pls let me know how i can help now and i would also like to help when she is freed.
This is just somehow! How can she have been in jail for this long for just how much naira!!? All these money hungry politicians are stealing billions everyday and they are still our 'leaders'. God help Nigeria!
Tears rolling...very sad story in reality,ds is wickedness of d highest order........ds man will suffer on earth and in heaven to have waisted 3yrs of d poor innocent blessing's destiny..lots of divine purnishment awaits u man. Linda, may God continue to bless u,u are a rare blessing.
may God interven in this whole matter. things like this makes my heart bleeds for this country. for goodness sake where is your face oh Lord, please come to the aid of your daughter! this is unfair and unjustified. well i pity the guy who actually was the cause of what this innocent girl is going thru. i know the girl was honest enough to have offered to get the phone back to him,though she bought it from someone, but she could oh the other hand refused to pick the guys call and thus aggree to return the phone to him. anyway may God see her thru. please linda keep us update on the girl. i know we have good nigerians who are kind hearted and will be ready to assist the poor girl once she is out.
Just like we had occupy Nigeria for fuel subsidy, we must have occupy courthouse for this girl. Linda post the address jare and let as many people.as possible dhow up for this girl
Interesting considering the fact that government theives who stole billions are roaming the streets of Lagos free of judgement, yet sn innocent girl was convicted of a senseless minor crime. God hep Nigeria, the nation with fucked up priorities
LINDA AS YOU HAVE STEPPED INTO BLESSINGS CASE TO VINDICATE HER SO SHALL THE LORD STEP INTO EVERY MATTER THAT CONCERNS YOUR LIFE PLS REMEMBER TO GLORIFY HIS NAME AFTER WINNING THIS CASE FOR BLESSING
Do we have any good lawyer in Lagos representing this case?
Please my beautifull pple, can some good lawyer take up this case as a Pro-Bono?
You may not get a good deal/payment doing it but be sure that God will bless u for it.
She needs a good defense lawyer to help her with the case and maybe a perscutor to sue the pple responsible for keeping this minor behind bars.
I pray that the light of God will shine upon Blessing and her two living brothers. May God strengthen them and lead them in the right path with joy, peace and prosperity and may the souls of their parents rest in peace. I pray in Jesus name...Amen!
Adaeze O.
Anonymous@may 24 2012 7.56am, my prayer for u is dat what happened to blessing do not happen 2 ur child at age 16. Nigeria or abroad, no child shld go thru what blessing has gone thru under the pretends of bad judiciary.
Dearest Linda, May God Almighty crown your effort soonest. God shall surely free Blessing and shower abundant blessings on you. I'm readily availbale for this project.
&d@s d apparent reason u don't know d difference btw 'am' and 'I'm'.. Hilx!!! Lawyer muyiwa
i cried abt the ways our leaders are jeopardizing with the futures of the youth. 40% of Nigerians youth are in Kirikiri panti for unknown crime.
Just last week, i was told a guy has been in dis same plc for 4year with any reason. this is so unfair.
God, pls help ooo.
linder u re such a wonderful lady u kie so much on pple.may almighty god c tat gal tru nd i bliv she wil be set free so soon by his grace....
Heeeeeeeeeeewwooo,what was the man whose phone got sold to Blessing thinking. For crying out loud she gave her home address for the guy to come and collect his phone and asked for 800k back. IT means she actually bought the phone, how was she to know it was stolen? The bible says he who shows mercy will receive mercy, i KNOW that for years, to come the guy who got her arrested will have his concience judged for returning evil for the good blessing was willing to give back. LEts be a bit more compassionate. I pray she gets out on the june date. Linda please, get a lawyer who knows the judge who is going to sit over the case, so she can be released on that day, she has already spent time in prison for nothing. Linda, may God bless and cause his face to shine upon you. May he continually give you His wisdom. please, post this.
Linda Ikeji....I can't love you enough
Linda, ur not jus a blog owner but sent at such a time as this.Do keep up dis work and Gods favour will forever shine on you. PLS i will give you a ring or send an email to you on how we can help financially since some of us live outside nig. God bless you.
Re: Blessing Effiong
Hi Linda! How can one get to contact you in respect of this subject? I mean your email add or so. If possible, kindly send to PhilipsAkpoviri@gmail.com. Weldone madam.
Even if she stole a starcomms phone. WHAT INJUSTICE!!! Nigerian politicians are stealing and embezzling billion, nobody is doing anything about it. May God save us in this country.Amen
WOWWW na wa o . 3 yrs for just phone??? Abeg Linda keep us posted on her developmnts and how we can assist be it financially or whatever. this is very sad story. we need to do something!
i am crying as i read this story now, it is sad.... i do not know wat to say, God bless you Linda and give you the grace to pull this through
What sort of a country is this? the tears just can't stop.may GOD bring the wickedness of the wicked (police and judges) to an end. FREE BLESSING EFFIONG!!!
only in naija do things like dis happen only i naija..nonsensical country...if its one rich man's daughter she wnt even spend a night in jail... there are even many more young helpless girls like blessing lavishing away in prison like blessing causing untimely death for there families...so sad mahn so sad
my oh my, a 16years old Kid trying to help out herself is thrown into prison for buying a stolen cell phone?
Sometimes, i think Nigeria really need to advance .
Dis is very outrageous, dd she buy the fone wv d man's sim card or wat? Cos wvout dt dres no way d man culd v been able to reach, wat a very senseless thn o do, using sum ones sim on a one u bought fr 800naira which UNO sells fr 10,000naira,d gal was a dunce mehn
hmmmmmm, Naija has done it again, wat an injustice. God bless you plenty Linda, silverbird wont see pple like you 4 dia Award na those wey go dash dem money dem go see. I know God will award u 4 giving back life to dis Girl.
Linda thank you very much for updating us with the info. wat i want to find out is has she been released this is July.is she out.or is she still incarcerated.
we have the office of public defense, we have have the of the first lady there is the office of women right defense and advancement so none of dem saw this girls plight especially the office of lagos state first lady.Its so sad dat she ahs been in jail to compound the issue is dat her offense is a bailable offense.the magistrate judge dat st on the case is a very wicked law dispenser the magistrate did not dispense law with euity and fairness the girl should have been granted bail.it was not armed robbery..in law there is wat we call utmost legal volution which means that the trial judge can squash any case he or she deems irrelevant and absurd this girl was not the one that committed the offense how was she to know that what she was buying was stolen
after all otedola, and farouk are walking free all the past governors and bank md,s are free linda the thruth remains dat this country is a country of injustice.if ur not rich and connected u are a nobody. the poor girl had nobody hence the stupid judge locked her up instead of setting her free at least the phone was recovered
Linda pls if u get such a case that has injustice written all over it call us out for a match or a demonstration we will join u.u need to understand dat u are an apostle of change u have followers dat will hit the street with you to protest injustice.how did the arab spring uprising start it started with just 3 university student in the internet pls linda this country needs a change call us out and we will join u and carry placard and match.
Hi Linda,may God bless u alot and i pray for the speedy relief of dis young innocent girl,lots of our so called leaders will loot millions and de will be free just luk at dis poor girl. Wat do u think we can do to help? mail me .
We live in a fucked country where everything is going down the hill.....wonder how many people with similar cases in Nigerian prisons,it only shows the decay in our system......
Linda good job. But let us all not forgot the hidden lesson. Pls dont buy second hand phones. Most are stolen phones. Am presently on trail of robbers who came to my house, took all the could,almost shot me if not for God. Now someone using my PIN . Am sure whoever bought that fone will end up like this cos,my experience was fatal and near death. So beware all.
Dis is a very pathetic 1 Linda, av always followed ur post but neva posted a comment, but moved by dis 1 seriously. I wish dat Girl all d best in anything she do after her release. y not create an A/c where volunteers can giv anything dey can afford for dis poor girl. akowaba adwaba, ki olorun oba maje ka ri........Amen.
Dis is a very pathetic story Linda nd i can't believe dis could happen in a country where there re laid down rules dat govern d affairs of tins. y Wld she had 2 stayed dat long in Kirikiri when it was confirmed she is a criminal? Na God go punish al dose dat were in 1 way or d oda involved in dis case. I Wish dat poor girl d best. I believe d best is around d corner for her nd she wld definately get 2 her point of destination. BLlessing, sorry!
Thank God for you Linda and other people, God bless you all. Its so sad, my brother was in a similar situation and spent 3 years there. He's been out 7 years now, but he is just not the same person, he is always angry and so distrustful of everyone. What she really needs is a psycologist and a counsellor to let her know that God still loves her despite all. How can i help? need to give in whatever means i can
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oook, so i might be a bit late with this posting.... buh seriously alot needs to be done as regards to the nigerian Criminal Act... it definately needs to be freaking reviewed............ der r politicians who embezzle millions nd millions of naira, how many of them ve been incarcerated? ordinary phone, u jail her and ruin her chances of becoming somebody, jailed from the age of 16years.... and even the person that got the police is madding! if i may use dat word... someone u suspect that stole your phone agrees to return it back to you.... does dat realli happen, i mean would a thief ever agree to return ur stolen possession... nd offcourse the nigerian police who are so incompetent would attend to such nuisance! and as for the judge...... der r far more serious cases out there, than a stolen phone! poor girl.. i do hope she regains her respect in wteva community she finds herself... and God raise helpers for her. but pls Nigerian government pls nd pls review the Criminal Act and stop doing things in d old testament ways... esh! Glad she has been realeased sha!
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