Man jailed for stealing in Ibadan Shoprite stores

A 23-year-old man, Wasiu Moshood, was on Tuesday sentenced to two years in prison by an Iyaganku Chief Magistrate’s Court, Ibadan.

The young man, who was convicted of stealing a Blackberry Bold 5 phone from a woman at the newly commissioned Shoprite stores, Ibadan, had pleaded guilty to the one-count charge when he was arraigned last Friday.

According to the Police prosecutor, Corporal Philip Amusan, Moshood picked the phone from Mrs. Falilat Adekoya’s bag within the premises of the new Shoprite branch at Ring Road area, of the town on June 18, the day the store was opened for business. The phone was worth N45,000.

The prosecutor said the offence was contrary to and punishable under Section 390 of the Oyo state Criminal law of 2000.

Despite pleading guilty to the charge, the convict, who was not represented by a lawyer, failed to produce the missing phone in the course of prosecution.

The Magistrate, O.A. Amzat, eventually found him guilty of the offence and sentenced him to two years in prison without option of fine.

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Funso Williams' suspected killers freed

After almost eight years of intense legal battle, suspects in the killing of Funso Williams, former governorship aspirant in Lagos, regained their freedom on Monday.

Justice Ebenezer Adebajo of the Lagos State High Court pronounced the six suspects - Bulama Kolo, Musa Maina, David Cassidy, Tunani Sonani, Mustapha Kayode and Okponwasa Imariebie – discharged and acquitted in a two-count charge of conspiracy and murder of the late politician.

According to the judge, the prosecution failed to provide convincing nexus between the evidences presented before the court and the act of any of the suspects to warrant holding them for the killing.

He described the evidences given by the prosecution witnesses as weak, superficial and, at best, speculative.

“I agree with the defendants’ counsel that the evidence given in respect of the offence of conspiracy to commit murder is weak and unreliable because they are superficial, they amount to speculation when given consideration. There is nothing cogent and compelling to show that any combination of the defendants has acted in furtherance of a crime,” he said.

The judge also ruled that there were insufficient materials to infer that the six defendants conspired to murder and actually murdered the late Williams.

Williams, a governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, was murdered in his house at No. 34A, Corporation Drive, Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos, on the night of July 27, 2006.

In the course of the trial, the prosecution, led by the Director of the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecution, Mrs. Idowu Alakija, presented six witnesses before the court.

Among them was the Lagos State Chief Forensic Pathologist, Professor John Obafunwa, who conducted an autopsy on Williams’ corpse and told the court on April 16, 2014 that Williams died of asphyxia resulting from manual strangulation.

Another witness, Assistant Superintendent of Police Abasi Nseh Udoe, had on May 14, 2014 told the court that Williams’ mobile phone was recovered from the first defendant, Bulama Kolo.

Udoe told the court that the fourth, fifth and sixth defendants were security men responsible for the protection of the life and properties of the deceased. And Alakija had urged the court to convict the accused having failed in their responsibilities.

The police officer further told the court that forensic analysis revealed that a bloodstained shirt recovered from the murder scene belonged to the sixth defendant, Okponwasa Imariebie.

Another witness, Chief Superintendent of Police Shehu Sanni Wazo of the Nigerian Police Forensic Department, had tendered before the court a knife, a rope, a mattress and a cushion as items recovered from the murder scene.

The court had on May 16, 2014 admitted the items as exhibits.

But, as the prosecution closed its case against the accused persons on May 16, the defense filed a no-case submission, urging the court to throw out the case against his clients for want of sufficient evidence.

In the no-case application, the defence, led by Mr. Agbara Okezie, had argued that the totality of evidences given by the prosecution witnesses had established no nexus between the accused and the death of the deceased.

Okezie had argued that the evidences were only circumstantial, not compelling and not irresistible enough to be relied upon by the court.

He had then prayed the court to throw out the case and discharge the defendants as they were not guilty of the offences leveled against them.

On Monday, Justice Adebajo ruled on the no case application filed by the defence.

The judge dismissed the case and discharged the six defendants, saying the witness, Udoe, failed to prove that the Samsung phone recovered from the first defendant actually belonged to the late Williams.

He also said that the witness failed to trace the call log and name the service provider.

Justice Adebajo held that though Obafunwa testified that Williams died as a result of strangulation, the pathologist did not link any of the six accused to the action.

“It is noteworthy to state that the Chief Medical Pathologist of the state in his evidence stated clearly that the deceased was killed by strangulation. The dagger and the rope were distraction. The evidence of the pathologist, PW3, clearly established the cause of death. The prosecution did not make any effort to tie the cause of death to the action of any individual or set of defendants.

“I am satisfied that the deceased has been shown to have died, but it remains at large after the conclusion of prosecution’s case as to the person or persons who caused his death. The pathologist who said the deceased died by strangulation did not allude to any of the defendants as having carried out the act; he was never asked.

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Boko Haram militants kill 56 near Chibok

Gunmen believed to be members of Boko Haram, on Sunday, invaded Kautikari, Kwada and Nguragila villages near Chibok in Borno State, killing at least 56 people.

The militants, dressed in military camouflage, also razed many buildings in the communities.

According to eyewitnesses, the assailants stormed the three villages from 8:45 a.m. when many Christians were at Sunday services. One source said the militants arrived in the villages in a convoy of sports utility vehicles and unleashed terror on villagers for several hours. Their killing spree reportedly lasted till 12:30 p.m.

Ibrahim Musa, a resident of Kautikari village, said the attackers “locked worshipers inside the EYN Church and sprayed bullets on them,” adding that the terrorists killed nine worshipers and later set the church ablaze.

Mr. Musa said the Islamist terrorists killed 38 people in Kwada village and nine in Nguragila village. He added that the attackers set fire to the EYN Church, the Deeper Life Church, and the Church of Christ In Nations (COCIN). In addition, the terrorists burned numerous homes.

Manaseh Allen, a Chibok-based youth leader, also confirmed today’s coordinated attacks on the three villages. “There is confusion everywhere in the Chibok area,” he said, adding, “If the attackers could succeed in day time, what if they come in the night?” He urged the federal government to redouble its commitment to combating terrorism.

He remarked that the three besieged villages are between 10 and 15 kilometers from Chibok, the location where Boko Haram militants seized more than 300 schoolgirls on April 14. More than 200 of the schoolgirls are yet to be rescued.

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Chinese woman docked over fraud, remanded in prison

A Chinese woman, Zhou Jun, was on Tuesday arraigned before a Federal High Court in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, for allegedly obtaining money through false pretense from some Nigerian businessmen.

52-year-old Jun, who allegedly committed the offence in connivance with others, now at large, was arraigned on 16-count charge of conspiracy, stealing, fraud and obtaining money through false pretense.

She was brought before Justice Ayo Emmanuel on Tuesday, who ordered the she be remanded in Agodi prison after taking her plea.

Jun and others at large were alleged of obtaining precious stones that valued about N36.6 million from some businessmen in Ibadan under the pretence of paying on delivery, knowing same to be false.

According to charge number FHC/ IB/39c/ 2014, Zhou Jun connived with other runaway suspects sometimes in 2011 at Ibadan to obtain precious stones valued N5,400,000,00 from one Awokson Dilan Shem under the pretence of paying for the goods on delivery knowing same to be false.

She was said to have committed the offence contrary to and punishable under section 8(A) of the advance free fraud and other fraud related offence act cap. A6 vol. 1 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

The suspects, in count three of the charge, were also accused of obtaining precious stones valued N11,666,140.00 from one Abdulahi Sani Mayanchi, under false pretence of paying for the goods on delivery knowing same to be false.

Again, Jun and others at large were accused of obtaining precious stones valued N17,850,000 from one AbdulRaman Mohammed under the pretence of paying for the goods on delivery knowing same to be false and thereby committing an offence contrary to section 1(1)(a) and punishable under section 1(3) of the Advance Free Fraud and other fraud related offence Act Cap. A6 Vol. 1 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 among others.

The Chinese woman pleaded not guilty to all the counts.

Her lawyer, Korede Oyedele, pleaded with the court that he could not file bail application for his client because he only knew about the arraignment that morning.

He said the accused was given administrative bail before by the police and urged the court to sustain the bail or she should be remanded in the police custody pending filing and hearing of bail application.

But, the prosecution counsel, Funke Fawole, objected to the prayer, saying the police cell was already congested. She asked that the accused be remanded at Agodi prison to ensure better care for her.

The presiding judge later ordered that Jun be remanded in Agodi prison pending filing and hearing of her bail application, and then adjourned the case till May 27.

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School administrator remanded over sexual assault

By OLALEKAN BADMOS

The administrator of Benin-based King of Kings College, Rotimi Olayebi Edwards, was on Monday remanded at the Oko prisons in Benin, Edo state.

Edwards was ordered to be kept in prison custody when a case of alleged defilement of 11 female students of the school was mentioned on Monday before an Egor Magistrate court.

The presiding Magistrate Igho Braimoh, who deferred the bail of the suspect till a later date also adjourned hearing of the case to May 26.

The 47-year-old school administrator got into trouble when some civil right activists, led by Jennifer Ero, last week, protested his alleged sexual abuse of the schoolgirls, vowing to follow the matter to a logical conclusion.

Ero, who was also at the court on Monday, said her organization would ensure that the victims get justice.

One of the parents of the victims who explained how her daughter was defiled called on the security agencies to investigate the matter for her daughter to get justice.

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Ex-prison mates caught robbing in Ibadan

Two middle-aged men, who met at the Kirikiri Medium Prison, Lagos, were among dozens of suspects paraded at the Eleyele, Ibadan headquarters of the Oyo state Police on Monday.

Thirty-six-year-old Uchenna John and twenty-five-year-old Benjamin John were arrested on May 15 at Alakia area of the Oyo state capital.

According to police report, the suspects specialize in robing people of their bank withdrawals.

On the day of arrest, the duo was said to have successfully robbed one Olawoye of a sum of N270,000 around 2.30 pm, but, not satisfied, still went to a filing station to rob them of their sales proceed for the day, as well as attempted snatching a motorbike to aid their escape, before they ran out of luck.

WITNESS NIGERIA gathered that the suspects were challenged and overpowered by a mob within the filing station. They were beaten blue- black before being handed over to the police at Egbeda Division.

While speaking with journalists at the state police command, Uchenna disclosed that they normally come from Lagos to rob their victims in Ibadan, and then go back immediately after the operation.

He said they met when they were both inmates at the Kirikiri Prison in Lagos.

According to him, they have a sponsor in Ibadan, named Asiko, who provide logistics for their operations and give them part of the loot thereafter.

“Asiko has a car. But when we come for operations, he met us at the Toll Gate where he would give us the motorcycle for the operation. After the operation, he would collect the bike from us, give us our share and we go back to Lagos,” Uchenna said.

He also confessed that the operation in which they were arrested was the third they would carry out in Ibadan, adding that apart from targeting people from banks, they also go after people carrying bags suspected to contain valuable items.

In his own confession, Benjamin said he only came out of prison in January, adding that the offence that took him to prison had to do with car snatching.

“We had a master key that time that we used to steal vehicles. I got out of prison in January but had to go back into crime after I went back home and met my mother sick, but couldn’t raise the money to take care of her. I contacted Asiko for money, who introduced me to this business.”

The state Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Indabawa, who paraded the suspects to journalists, disclosed that a locally-made pistol and five catridge were found on Uchenna, adding that an unregistered Bajaj motorcycle was also recovered from the two suspects.

He said the command was on the trail of other suspects indicted in the operation.

The police boss warned criminals to steer clear of the state, pledging the readiness of his men to make life tough for people with criminal intentions.

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Boko Haram writes school, plots fresh abductions (PUNCH)

Thirty-four days after the fundamentalist Islamic sect, Boko Haram, abducted over 200 schoolgirls from Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, it has threatened to kidnap more pupils.

The United States of America, France, Britain, Israel and Canada are among the foreign countries that have pledged to help Nigeria find the schoolgirls that were kidnapped by Boko Haram on April 14.

The pupils were kidnapped in the night and their hostels were burnt. However, while Boko Haram transported them in trucks to its Sambisa Forest stronghold, over 50 of the schoolgirls escaped from the sect.

There have been reports that some of the girls have been seen being moved out of Nigeria. Other reports have said the girls were seen in the northern parts of the Central African Republic where an Islamic militia, Seleka, holds sway.

Last week, the leader of the sect, Abubakar Shekau, in a video asked for the release of Boko Haram detainees in exchange for the pupils. The Federal Government turned down the request.

On Saturday, the Principal of Government College, Makurdi, Mr. Godfrey Ugudu, revealed that the school had received letters from Boko Haram threatening to attack the school.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Ugudu, who announced this at a news conference in Makurdi, added that the school received two letters which had the same content on May 14.

“It is true that we saw two letters informing us of the intention of the sect to invade our school on Friday or Monday by Boko Haram.

“The letters were dated May 14, 2014. The sect stated that they were coming on either of the two days to abduct our boys whom they would marry to the secondary school girls abducted in Chibok.”

The school principal added that in the letter, Boko Haram also threatened to arrest another nearby school.

“In the letter, we were asked to inform the Mount Saint Gabriel Secondary School opposite us to also get prepared as they promised to invade the school too.

“We immediately alerted the police and the commissioner for education. A report has been made to the governor on the issue.

“The two letters, which were written in pidgin English, were sighted inside one of the classrooms and the second one was slipped into the staff room,” he said.

The principal commended the government and security operatives in the state for their prompt response to the issue.

He said measures had been put in place to ensure the safety of the school children, adding that he had informed the Principal of Mount Saint Gabriel.

NAN reports that about 500 out of about 700 students of the college are living in the school while Mount Saint Gabriel is purely a boarding school.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Dan Ezeala, confirmed the report adding that police were on top of the situation.

When SUNDAY PUNCH contacted the Director of Defence Information, Maj. Gen Chris Olukolade, he asked our correspondent to speak to the police and the school authorities.

“I think you should talk to the police and the schools. The security agencies are in the states are supposed to be operating,” he said.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, could not be reached for comments as calls made to his phone failed to connect. A text message sent to his phone was not responded to as of the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, the drones and other surveillance aircraft deployed by the US government to search for the over 200 abducted pupils have yet to locate them.

While promising to intensify efforts to find the schoolgirls, US Defence Secretary, Chuk Hagel, told the Cable Network News, that the pupils had not been seen.

“I have seen no intelligence come back that I am aware of that shows that we’ve located those girls,” he reportedly said on Wednesday.

This came amid reports that the US would not share intelligence data with Nigeria.

Pentagon spokesman, Col. Steve Warren, was quoted to have said the US was disposed to sharing commercial satellite imagery with Nigeria, but not raw military data.

“At this point, we are not sharing raw intelligence data,” Warren said. He did not give reasons for this. But the US is known not to share intelligence with governments its officials adjudge to be careless with intelligence information.

Efforts by SUNDAY PUNCH to find out if there had been any new development did not yield results.

The Public Affairs Officer of the US Embassy, Sani Mohammed, on Friday asked our correspondent to send his question via email, but as of the time this report was filed, he had yet to reply to the mail.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the National Information Centre, Mr. Mike Omeri, has told one of our correspondents that Nigeria will adopt “global best practices” to ensure that the Chibok girls were freed.

Omeri stated this in a telephone interview while responding to an enquiry from SUNDAY PUNCH.

He was asked whether or not the government had changed its position that it would not exchange the girls for the detained Boko Haram members.

The NIC chairman said, “All options are on the table. Nigeria will adopt international best practices to ensure the girls are free.

“The government of Nigeria is going to explore all options to secure the release of the abducted girls.”

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Police arrest ‘Auxiliary’, former Oyo NURTW boss

Former chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Oyo state, Mukaila Lamidi (a.k.a Auxiliary), was, on Saturday, arrested by a team of police detectives believed to have come a division in Ikeja, Lagos state.

Lamidi, who was arrested around his Olodo, Ibadan residence at the early hours of the day, had earlier been declared wanted by the Oyo state police command in June 2011.

While reasons for his latest arrest was not known yet, the driver’s union leader and his former boss and rival, Lateef Akinsola (aka Tokyo), were on the wanted list of the police over the spate of killings in the state, particularly the one in which scores of innocent persons were killed at the Iwo Road, Ibadan motor park around the time.

The arrest, according to information gathered in Ibadan, was hatched without carrying the state command along officially.

When contacted on telephone for comment on the operation, Oyo state Police Public Relations Officer Olabisi Okuwobi-Ilobanafor (SP), denied knowledge, saying "We don't have that information".

However, while reacting to the news of Auxiliary’s arrest, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain and High Chief of Ibadanland, Lekan Balogun, described it as politically motivated, alleging that it was orchestrated by the state Governor Abiola Ajimobi, the Police Commissioner Mohammed Indabawa, and the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu.

"Auxiliary was picked up early this morning at his Olodo residential area in Ibadan. He was immediately driven away to Ikeja in Lagos. But, why Ikeja? Don't we have SARS in Oyo state? It is connivance among Tinubu, Ajimobi and the Oyo state police commissioner ahead of next year election.

"They see him as a threat to them in the 2015 election. That is why they want to get him out of circulation. The man is sick and is likely to die in the police custody if his case is not addressed on time. His NURTW supporters had been driven away from many motor garages.

"Meanwhile, Auxiliary and Tokyo had certain time been taken to the Inspector General of Police in Abuja by Oloye Jumoke Akinjide (FCT Minister of state) and the duo were later set free. Why the arrest now, and why is the Oyo state police command not of the knowledge of Auxiliary's arrest?" he queried.

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Edo traffic officials arrested for manslaughter

By OLALEKAN BADMOS
Two officials of the Edo State Traffic Management Agency (EDSTMA) have been arrested by the state police command for allegedly killing the transport manager of a Benin-based distribution company, Godfrey Imobhio.

Godfrey was allegedly hit against a truck of his company by a towing van believed to be driven by an official of the agency and died instantly.

The state Police Commissioner, Foluso Adebanjo, confirmed the arrest to journalists, adding that the police have since commenced investigation into the case.

Also speaking on the development, Managing Director of the distribution company, Donald Omorogbe, explained that Godfrey was called to the scene where he met his untimely death when one of the company's trucks developed fault at the Five Junction area of Benin.

According to him, the late transport manager, alongside invited traffic police officers and officials of EDSTMA, were offloading the content of the broken down vehicle to another to be able pull the truck off road since it was causing obstruction where it was.

Omorogbe further explained that soon after completing offloading, the head of the EDSTMA at the Okhoro area of Benin, Nosa Aideyan, arrived the scene with a towing van and insisted on towing the vehicle.

He said it was in the process of positioning the towing vehicle that the EDSTMA driver hit the late Godfrey who was standing behind the truck with the towing van, while the police DTO, who was standing next to Godfrey, only managed to escape.

The late Godfrey was confirmed dead at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, where he was rushed to for medical attention.

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Human parts dealer nabbed in Benin, in possession of N4m

By OLALEKAN BADMOS
A man suspected to be ritual killer and human parts dealer was on Tuesday arrested by security operatives in Benin City, Edo state.

According to WITNESS NIGERIA’s findings, the man, who was presumed mad, was arrested at the Upper Sokponba road area of the ancient city.

Operatives reportedly recovered a cut to size gun, different parts of human body and N4 million cash from him when he was arrested at a makeshift apartment where he had lived for almost two years.

One of the landlords in the area, identified as Pa. Onaiwu, who spoke to journalists, said the suspected ritual killer was in the habit of behaving funny especially when it is getting dark.

"In the afternoon, you see him bathing naked, behaving like real madman.

"What really disturbed us was the fact that you constantly found dead bodies almost that same area. The most serious issues is that if these dead body is that of a woman, the head, the breast and the private part would have been removed. Same also applies to man.

"The last person that died around the area was a woman whose head, breast and private part was cut off. Nobody will ever believe that the man is not a madman, the way he behaves unknowingly that he is responsible for all killings in that area,‎" the oldman said.

When contacted on phone, the Edo State Police Commissioner, Foluso Adebanjo, said he was aware of the rumour but that he was yet to be briefed by the Divisional Police Officer at the Ugbekun division. He said he was making effort to confirm from his men on ground.

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Kidnappers abduct two Kogi Speaker’s children

Suspected kidnappers on Tuesday abducted two of the children of the Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly, Alhaji Momoh-Jimoh Lawal.

The News Agency of Nigeria gathered that the abductors invaded the speaker’s residence at about 4am, scaled the fence and broke into the house at Okengwe in Okene Local Government Area.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Mr. Austin Akubo, told the News Agency of Nigeria that three of the abductors entered the house.

“The abductors demanded for the children: Ogirima, 7, and Hafeez, 3, and also made away with other valuables.

“They took television set, generator, Toyota Yaris saloon car belonging to the wife of the speaker and N20,000.

“The incident was promptly reported to the police and other security agencies in the state,” Akubo added.

He said the kidnappers were yet to open communication with the family on their demands.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mr. Emeka Emeh, confirmed the incident.

He said the police would leave no stone unturned to rescue the children.

Emeh assured that the Okene Divisional Police Officer and the Area Commander were on the trail of the kidnappers with a view to apprehending them soon.

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Appeal Court okays Ex-Edo Governor Igbinedion’s trial for money laundering

The Court of Appeal, Benin division, on Wednesday set aside a judgement of a Federal High Court shielding the former Governor of Edo state, Lucky Igbinedion, from answering to misappropriation of state's funds and money laundering charges preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

In a unanimous decision, the panel of three justices led by Justice Helen M. Ogunwunmiju ruled that the former governor should return the Federal High Court to face trial for money laundering, misappropriation of fund and abuse of office. The other justices are Justice M. M. Saulawa and Justice A. O. Lokulo-Sodipe.

The EFCC had approached the Court of Appeal sequel to the judgment of Justice Adamu Hobon, then of the Federal High Court, Benin City who dismissed the fresh charge of money laundering filed against the former governor on the ground that Igbinedion entered a plea bargain with the EFCC and was convicted, that the fresh charge brought against him amounts to double jeopardy.

The panel held that there was no agreement between Igbinedion and the EFCC that he would not face trial on fresh allegations and revelations and therefore ordered that the former governor returns to the High Court to face trial for money laundering and misappropriation of funds.

The EFCC had on February 8, 2011 charged the former governor and six others before a Federal High Court sitting in Benin, on a 66-count charge.

Others charged along with the former governor are his brother, Michael Igbinedion, Patrick Eboigbodin, and  four companies -Gava Corporation Limited, Romrig Nigeria Limited, PMI Securities Company Limited and PML (Nigeria) Limited.

The charge borders on money laundering, illegal transfer of public fund to private account and abuse of office when Igbinedion was governor of Edo State between 1997 and 2007.

“That you Lucky Nosakhare Igbinedion and Patrick Eboigbodin between April and May 2007 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did convert the sum of N250,000,000 (two hundred and fifty million) which you illegally derived from the Local Government Joint Allocation Account (JAAC) Edo State on the pretence that the said amount was for the provision of security during the 2007 local government election in Edo State (which election never took place) and you converted the said fund with the aim of concealing the illicit origin of the funds and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14(1) (a)of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004”, count one of the charge read.

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Nigerian woman caught hiding cocaine in her private part

The Nigerian National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, said it has arrested a woman, Chinelo Okorom Lynnette, hiding substance suspected to be cocaine in her private part.

Chinelo, a Lagos-based food vendor, was apprehended at the Lagos airport while returning from Ethiopia where she reportedly ‘loaded’ the ‘consignment’.

According to the NDLEA report, the items weighing 685 grammes were discovered on the 36-year-old suspect during inward screening of passengers.

She was said to have claimed being deceived into drug trafficking under the guise of importing female bags.

Chinelo told NDLEA officials that she and her four children were abandoned by her husband, adding that she had to work hard to cater for herself, the children and their needs.

She allegedly explained further that sometime, a man appeared in her life and promised to introduce her to importation business.

The man in question reportedly sponsored her trip to Ethiopia where he demanded her to transfer cocaine to Nigeria.

According to her, she initially disagreed, but later caved in when the man threatened to recover his investment at all cost.

The NDLEA has said Chinelo would soon be prosecuted.

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HIV sufferer commits suicide in Ondo

By ENI SAMUEL

The corpse of a 45-year-old man, Abayomi Olarenwaju, believed to have committed suicide, was found behind the New Stadium, Akure, Ondo state early Monday.

The middle-aged man reportedly hanged himself on a tree, using a vehicle fan belt.

The man’s death still remains mysterious as he was said not to have left a note behind to explain the cause.

However, Olanrewaju was said to have tested positive to the dreaded Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) which has led to his wife and children leaving the house for him for fear of being infected.

While confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO), Mr. Wole Ogodo, hinted that the remains of the deceased have been released to his family.

He added that the command got information from neighbours around the stadium and quickly swung into action.

Ogodo added that relevant government agencies were also involved particularly to ensure that the environment was properly fumigated to avoid the spread of the desease.

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Man arraigned for killing Ogun retired judge, pleads guilty

A 21-year-old man accused of killing Mrs. Funmilayo Timehin, a retired judge in Ogun state, has pleaded guilty to the murder charge preferred against him.

David Ndah, a former domestic servant of the 65-year-old retired Chief Magistrate, was arraigned before an Abeokuta Magistrate's Court on one count charge of murder on Friday.

The accused made the headlines last week when he sneaked into the Laderin Estate, Abeokuta, Ogun state residence of the former judge and machete her to death.

He was almost making an escape when the deceased's son arrived, found his mother dead and raised alarm which led to the suspect's arrest.

The Prosecutor, Banji Sangotokun, who prepared the charge sheet upon which David was charged, told the court that the offence was committed at about 3pm on March 28.

“That you David Uche Ndah on the 28th of March, 2014, at about 1500hrs, at Block 11, Flat C of Laderin House Estate, Abeokuta in Abeokuta Magisterial District did unlawfully killed one Funmilayo Timehin, aged 65 by matchetting her to death,” the charge read.

The prosecutor said the accused committed the offence “contrary to Section 316 and punishable under Section 319 of the Criminal Code Law of Ogun state of Nigeria 2006″.

When read to him, the accused pleaded guilty to the offence.

After ordering the prosecutor to duplicate the file and forward a copy to the state Director of Public Prosecution for appropriate advice, the trial Magistrate, Anthony Araba, ruled that the accused be remanded in prison custody pending the DPP's advice.

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3 get death sentence in India gang rapes

Three men were sentenced to death Friday for the gang rapes of two women in the Indian city of Mumbai last year, public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam said.

The men -- Vijay Jadhav, Mohammad Qasim and Salim Ansari -- were sentenced to die under an amended Indian law that sets death as the maximum sentence if convicted of more than one sexual assault, according to Nikam.

The three were found guilty of gang-raping a telephone operator a month before attacking a photojournalist in a deserted Mumbai mill in August.

Five people, including a young boy, were involved in the photojournalist rape case, Nikam said. One of them has been sentenced to life in prison, while the youngest is facing a trial before a juvenile justice board. Those convicted can appeal their sentences to a higher court.

Violent crimes against women have been in the spotlight in India since a 23-year-old woman was raped and beaten by several men on a bus in December 2012.

The victim later died in a Singapore hospital. The shocking attack provoked outrage across India, leading to calls for improved safety and treatment of women.

Since then, the Indian media have intensified their focus on rape cases. Attacks against foreign women have also been reported.

The 2012 case prompted lawmakers to change statutes to fast-track the arrest and questioning of anyone implicated in a rape.

CNN

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SSS arrests car robbers in Anambra

Men of the State Security Service (SSS) have arrested six members of a car-snatching gang in Anambra State.

The Anambra state Director of SSS, Alex Okeiyi, who paraded the suspects on Wednesday, said two of the robbers, Nworah Ibe and Levi Kelechi Eze, were arrested while attempting to snatch a Honda car from its owner in Ajaokuta, Lokoja, Kogi state.

According to him, the two suspects had confessed to the act, which later led to the arrest of other four members of the gang- Joseph Igboji, James Ukoh, Titus Okwudili Duruaku and Victor Ndubuisi.

He said Ukoh and Igboji (alias Onye-Owa), both natives of south-eastern Ebonyi State, were arrested at Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government area of the state in collaboration with men of the Action Eagle Security Solution Limited.

Also, Victor Ndubuisi and Titus Okwudili Duruaku were apprehended for allegedly purchasing a Toyota Highlander jeep with Registration Number Abuja BW851RSH and a Honda Accord car with Registration Number Anambra FGG 918 AG respectively from the suspected robbers, despite knowing that they were stolen.

The suspect told different stories to justify their involvement in the crime.

Nworah, who said he had previously served jail term for crime, confessed to have been snatching cars for the past five years, while Ukoh claimed that he was lured into the crime by Kelechi by putting up with him without disclosing the nature of his job.

The SSS state director said the suspects would be charged to court soon.

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Gunmen attack police squad, kill kidnap suspects in Delta

By OLALEKAN BADMOS

A gang of armed men has attacked operatives of the Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad of the Nigerian Police at Oloh Ogwashi, along Kwale road, Delta state.

The state police command’s spokesperson, Celestina Kalu, confirmed this to journalists on Tuesday.

According to him, the officers were attacked while taking two kidnap suspects, Ogaga Enueme and Efe Edheki, to a Magistrate’s Court in Oleh for arraignment.

The gunmen, who had laid ambush for the police officers, engaged them in fierce gun battle which eventually led to the death of the two suspects and left the police vehicle badly shattered.

Kalu noted that the suspects were rushed to the hospital from the scene where they were confirmed dead.

The two suspects were arrested by the police for allegedly kidnapping 55-year-old Mrs. Vivian Obonyano on her way to church on January 5. Mrs. Obonyano has since been released.

The command’s spokesperson also told reporters that efforts are on to get the gunmen arrested for prosecution.

Also, the police command said on Tuesday that it has arrested three robbery suspects, Oke Omoyibo, Uyomevwa Emmanuel and Felix Nigeria, who allegedly invaded the residence of one Betty Johnson at Isiokolo in Ethiope East local government area of the state and robbed her of the sum of N80, 000.

It was gathered that the suspects invaded the residence of their victim located opposite INEC office in the town on 19 March, 2014, robbed her of the money and locked her in her toilet room before making their escape out of the compound.

The victim later reported the incident to the police, who swung into action immediate and tracked down the suspects.

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$1.69m Scam: Ajudua Loses Bail Bid

EFCC PRESS RELEASE

Justice Kudirat Jose of Lagos High Court, Ikeja on Monday, March 31, 2014 declined to grant bail to Fred Ajudua, who is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for a $1.69million fraud.

According to her, Ajudua's bail application lacked merit as the medical report he brought before the court did not show that he cannot be treated while in prison. Justice Jose also said that  Ajudua's counsel, Charles Edosomwan, SAN, did not convince her that the accused person would not abscond the second time, if admitted to bail.

Besides, she said that the court was also not persuaded that Ajudua would not interfere with prosecution and tamper with evidence.  She ordered that Ajudua be remanded at the Kirikiri maximum prison, Lagos, where he would be coming for his trial and also to receive medical treatment as an out-patient at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja.

Prosecuting counsel, E. A. Sanusi, had objected to Ajudua's bail application citing his antecedents of jumping bail. He reminded the court that, when Ajudua was arraigned in 2006, he was granted bail on medical grounds after he told the court that he was receiving treatment at Grant Medical Foundation, Pane, India. After securing the bail, he failed to make further appearances in court and all efforts to bring him to court was frustrated by his unending applications, a move that warranted the court to revoke the bail earlier granted and to also issue a bench warrant on him.

It will be recalled that Ajudua appeared before Justice Joseph Oyewole on June 11, 2013 to continue with his trial. Justice Oyewole withdrew from the case early this year. This led to his re-arraignment before Justice Kudirat Jose.

Ajudua is facing trial for defrauding two Dutch nationals of the sum of $1.69m.

Wilson Uwujaren

Head, Media & Publicity

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Retired magistrate killed by ex-house hep in Ogun

A retired Chief Magistrate in the Ogun state judiciary, Mrs. Olufunmilayo Timehin, was on Friday killed by her former male househelp, David.

Sixty-five-year-old Timehin was butchered to death inside her private residence at Laderin Estate Area of Abeokuta, Ogun state.

Sources told WITNESS NIGERIA that the suspect was employed few months ago to attend to domestic chores of the retired judicial officer, but was laid off some two weeks ago for stealing his employer’s valuables.

Perhaps in retaliation to the sack, the househelp reportedly scaled the fence of his former employer on Friday, and slaughtered her.

Though the woman was all alone while the act was being carried out, her son, Olumide, arrived the premises when the suspect was about escaping through the back fence into the nearby bush.

The son summoned courage, scaled the fence after the assailant and called the attention of the state Vigilance Service operatives around to the incident.

Wanting to feign madness to evade justice, David had undressed himself when people gathered to arrest him.

He was subsequently arrested and handed over to the police from the Kemta Police Division led by Jonathan Ugwu, the Divisional Police Officer.

People from across all strata have besieged the deceased judicial officer’s home to ascertain the trueness of the strange story.

The State Chief Judge, Olatokunbo Olopade, also led some state’s judicial officials there around 6.02pm. The corpse has been deposited at a mortuary.

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