The Nation Newspaper

Category: Crime Diary

  • Cele priest butchered to death in Lagos

    A clergyman, Superior Evangelist Peter Kolawole Gandaho has been gruesomely killed by unknown persons suspected to be hired assassins.

    The incident, according to sources, happened at about 4 am at the residence of the deceased in the Ajah area of Lagos State, last Sunday.

    The deceased, according to sources, was butchered by the hoodlums, who stormed his residence in the morning of the day.

    Gandaho, until his gruesome death, was the Shepherd in Charge of Celestial Church of Christ (CCC), Ileri Ayo Parish, Ajah in Eti Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State.

    According to information, it was not clear if the late priest’s wife and children were at home when the incident happened.

    It was said that members of the church, who were exasperated that the deceased had not shown up in church, stormed his residence, and discovered their priest’s mutilated body in his room.

    A source said:’’ Prophet Gandaho was butchered by unknown persons in his home. He was rushed to a hospital where he died.

    ‘’He was one of the leading priests in Celestial Church of Christ(CCC) where he served as Chairman of Evangelism Committee of Area B as well as chairman of sports committee,’’ said a source, who asked not to be named.

    ‘’Prophet Gandaho is an easy going priest. He was a lover of sports. We don’t know why he was subjected to this kind of gruesome  death. But everything is open to God and He would ensure retributive justice for his killers,’’ said another source.

    Confirming the incident, the spokesman of Lagos State Police Command, Mr Chike Oti , said two suspects had been arrested in connection with the incident.

    He said the suspects had been handed over to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) Panti, Yaba, Lagos, for further investigation.

    ‘’The incident happened at about 4 am last Sunday December 2, 2018. An alarm was raised and our men (from Ajah Division) raced to the scene and arrested two suspects , while the victim ( Gandaho) was rushed to a hospital.

    ‘’Unfortunately, the priest died a few hours later, while the suspects have been transferred to the Homicide Section of SCID, Panti, Lagos.’’

  • Ogun community gets magistrate’s court

    A magistrate’s court built and donated by the Olu of Itori, Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State, Oba Fatai Akamo, has been inaugurated.

    The new court complex was opened on Thursday by the Chief Judge of Ogun State, Justice (Mrs) M.I. Dipeolu.

    Speaking during the ceremony held in Itori, Justice Dipeolu said the new magistrate’s court would enhance justice administration system in the state.

    She thanked Oba Akamo for donating the court complex to the state government and urged other well-meaning indigenes to emulate the monarch.

    In his welcome address, Oba Akamo noted that the need to ensure quick dispensation of justice triggered his resolve to build and donate the new complex to the state government.

    Oba Akamo admonished indigenes and residents to assist the state government in its bid to ensure provision of basic amenities and infrastructural development of the state.

  • Two brothers remanded for cutting off teenager’s head

    An Ebute Metta Chief Magistrate’s Court has ordered that two brothers, Saheed Obadimeji,25, and Ayodeji Obadimeji,20, be remanded in prison for allegedly cutting off the head of a 13- year- old teenager, Joseph Makinde.

    The two brothers were said to have allegedly killed Joseph on November 28, 2018 at about 7pm at Shapati Town, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos.

    It was said that the duo allegedly slit the JSS3 student throat with a knife.

    It was learnt that the accused were employees of the deceased’s father Kayode Makinde (a welder).

    They were said to have deceived the victim by sending him on errand in the night.

    They were arraigned for conspiracy, felony and murder. Their plea was not taken.

    It was said that the duo conspired with three others, Sodiq, Don and an unnamed agent (now at large) who knew the buyer of the body parts.

    The prosecuting policeman, Kehinde Olatunji, asked the court to remand the defendants in prison for 30 days, pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).

    Olatunji said: “The suspects have committed an offence punishable under section 223 and 233 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State ,2015.”

    The presiding magistrate, Mrs O.A.Salawu ordered that the two brothers be remanded in prison for 30 days pending DPP’s advice.

    The case was adjourned till January 8, 2019 for DPP advice.

  • Offa robbery suspects pleaded not guilty

    An Ilorin, Kwara State High Court yesterday took the pleas of April 5 bloody Offa robbery suspects.

    The five suspects arraigned in court pleaded not guilty to the five count of armed robbery and illegal possession of firearms preferred against them.

    The suspects were physically present in court and were represented by Mr. Mathias Emeribe.

    They are Ayoade Akinibosun, Ibikunle Ogunleye, Salawudeen Azeez, Adeola Abraham and Niyi Ogundiran.

    The five charges against them include conspiracy to rob banks in Offa; possession of gun and explosives and robbery of the staff and premises of Zenith, Eco Bank, Union Bank, GT Bank et al; conspiracy to murder nine police officers and other innocent souls on the said date including women; commission of culpable homicide resulting in the death of nine police officers and others and illegal possession of firearms (two AK47) on the said day.

    Taking their pleas one by one, they all swore not to know anything pertaining to the bloody robbery incident on April 5 this year, which claimed scores of lives including those of police officers.

    All the suspects claimed not to be in Offa on the day of the robbery incidents. Two of the suspects, Adeola Abraham and Salawudeen Azeez, when asked of their involvement in the murder of nine police officers, retorted: ‘Auzubillahi.’

    Salawudeen Azeez added: “I have not touched a gun in my life time.”

    Earlier, the prosecution led by the Kwara State Attorney General Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN) said the case was adjourned from November 21 till yesterday to amend the charge based on the “information as to the death of the first accused person, one Michael Adikwu.

    “We have filed out application to that effect. We are ready to move our harmless application dated and filed 23rd of November, 2018 and brought pursuant to Section 207, 208 subsection one and two of criminal procedure.

    “We pray for an order granting the complainants/applicants to amend the charge deleting the name of the first accused and an order for the application to be properly filed.”

    Presiding Judge, Justice Halimat Salman, granted the prayers of the prosecution for the deletion of the name of the first accused person, Michael Adikwu, reported by the police to have slumped and died in their custody.

    Before the commencement of pleas, suspects’ counsel Mr. Emeribe had asked the court to give him more time to interact with the suspects, adding that he was just seeing them for the first time in court.

    Said he: “I was just served with the court processes this morning. I won’t blame the prosecution as they may not know. I was briefed about the matter yesterday by the families of the suspects.

    “I stand on the Provision of Section 36 which talks about adequate time. It is, however, within the power of the court to do justice, taking cognizance of the sensitivity of the matter.

    “The only thing that can save them from the hangman’s noose is the constitution. I don’t know the kind of pleas they are going to make now that will not work against them.”

    But, Justice Salman said in order to save time, “I will take their pleas this morning.”

    The counsel to the accused also brought to the notice of the court that he was yet to be in possession of the CD and confessional statements of the suspects attached to the charge sheet.

  • 20-year-old dies in Hotel Swimming Pool in Aba

    A 20-year-old boy identified as  Chidiebere David has reportedly died inside a swimming pool of a new popular hotel located in Margret Avenue, GRA Aba, Abia State.

    The incident our reporter gathered took place when the deceased and his friends said to be numbering over 16 went to the hotel to celebrate a yet-to-identified friend’s birthday at the hotel.

    The deceased said to be an indigene of Imo State met his untimely death at the pool when he had gone to swim.

    All efforts made by his friends and other persons including security unit of the hotel to rescue him were unsuccessful.

    Read also: Abaribe, Nkwonta, Wabara and battle for Abia South

    A source within the hotel told our reporter that the remaining friends of the deceased were arrested and moved to police custody same night at Aba Area Command to unravel the mystery behind the death of the deceased.

    When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of Abia State Police Command, Mr. Geoffrey Ogbonna confirmed the incident.

    “The boy is about 20 years old. His name is Chidiebere David. He accompanied his friends for a birthday party in the hotel and got drowned there. That was a exactly what happened.”

  • 16-yr-old kills 32-yr-old girlfriend for dating his brother

    A teenager, Idrisu Muhammadu has allegedly killed his girlfriend, Fatima Isah, after she abandoned him and dated his brother.

    The incident happened at Evutagi village in Katcha Local Government Area of Niger State.

    The late Fatima,32, was said to have told Idrisu that he was too young for her to marry, and instead started dating his elder brother.

    Speaking with The Nation, Idrisu confessed that he had been struggling with his elder brother over who should marry Fatima, before killing her.

    He explained that he was driven by jealousy to kill Fatima with a matchete, during which his elder brother who was with the deceased at the time of the attack fled ran for his dear life.

    Read also: Ochanya: Benue justice ministry transfers case against Ogbuja to High Court

    Idrisu said: “I have told my elder brother to leave her (Fatima) for me, because I have made marriage proposal to her. But my brother would not listen to me and he kept on seeing her.On the day of the incident, I saw them (his elder brother and Fatima) together and I lost my temper and killed her.

    “Look at what it has resulted to, I am now a murderer, I am going to spend all my life in jail at the age of 16, it is unfortunate. If I had known, I would have allowed Fatima to be, after all marriage is not by force.If care is not taken, I am going to be executed and I will rot in hell for trying (to forcibly) take what is not meant to be mine,” he lamented.

    Contacted, the police spokesman, Mohammad Abubakar, confirmed the incident, noting that the suspect had confessed to killing the late Fatima.

    ‘’The suspect’s threat to Fatima to stop seeing his brother or be killed had been going on for three years, sadly, no one took him serious. Now, this is the result,’’ Abubakar added.

    He said the suspect would be arraigned in court after the completion of investigation.

  • Angered by victims’ absence from home, suspected robbers leave a note:’We’re coming back o !!! Goodluck’

    Frustrated by the absence of their victims from home, suspected robbers penultimate Saturday left a note threatening to come back.

    The incident happened at Grace Estate, in Iyesi area of Ado Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State, after the robbers broke into a three-bedroom apartment when the occupants were away from home.

    The robbers were said to have made attempt to enter the apartment through the main entrance to the building, but they could not open the main door.

    It was said that the robbers broke into the building through the ceiling of an adjoining flat and carted away one of the electronic gadgets in the house.

    They were also said to have made attempt to break into the rooms, but the doors were too strong for them to unlock or vandalise.

    Apparently frustrated over their not too successful operation caused by the absence of occupants of the building, the hoodlums were said to have left a note promising to return at no given date.

    The note sighted by our correspondent reads: ‘’We are coming back o !!! Goodluck.’’

    The incident was reported to the Obasanjo Farm Police Division, Ota.

    It was learnt that policemen from the division visited the scene, while the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the station had directed his men to embark on constant patrol and surveillance of the community to keep the gang in check.

    Read also: Robbers loot two ATMs at IBB varsity

    Speaking with The Nation, the owner of the building, Mr Dare Ogunyombo explained that he was away from home for some days with his family, when the gang visited his residence.

    He said: ‘’ The suspected robbers visited my residence while I was away from home with my wife and children. They ransacked the house and scattered everywhere.

    ‘’I noticed that they fruitlessly tried to force their way into my apartment through the main door to the building. They however broke the ceiling of the next flat and entered my apartment through the roof, while they carted away a satellite television decoder in the living room.

    ‘’They also made attempt to enter my room but the door was too strong for them to unlock or break. I guess they were in a hurry to rob and because they were frustrated, they left a note on the table threatening to come back for me and my family.’’

    Contacted, the spokesman of Ogun State Police Command, Mr Abimbola Oyeyemi promised to revert to our correspondent. But he was unable to so at press time.

  • Suspected kidnappers of customs officer nabbed

    The police have arrested seven men who allegedly kidnapped an Assistant Controller of Customs, Mrs Justina Tanko, in Onne, Rivers State.

    The suspected kidnappers were apprehended by operatives of the Inspector General of Police Special Intelligence Response Team (IRT).

    The suspects are:  Zigabari Voonu, 32; Maxwell Barindom, 32, Dele Kunewo-liaga, 35; Tordi Barinaa, 27; Godspower Keenom a.k.a. Immortal, 23; Justice Afangide a.k.a. Max P, 33, and Oludofin Yakubu, 26.

    It was said that Tanko was kidnapped at an unnamed restaurant about 5:30 pm on November 13, and taken to an unknown destination.

    The suspects were identified through technical intelligence deployed by IRT operatives.

    Items recovered from the suspects included, two Ak47 riffles, one pump action gun, operational vehicle and the VW Golf belonging to one of their victims, Chibuike Ezenkwu, who was kidnapped in May 2018.

    Read also: Murder of 20-year-old under-graduate that shook Bayelsa

    It was learnt that Ezenkwu was killed and thrown into a river, shortly after the suspects collected unspecified amount as ransom from his family members.

    Tanko was said to have been released at about 11:30pm on November 15, 2018, after a ransom of N5million was paid by her family members.

    The suspects were rounded up shortly after the customs woman was freed.

    The suspects, according to police sources, confessed to carrying out robbery operations in Eleme and Gonna Local Government Areas of Rivers State, while they also maintained a stronghold in Biara town in Gokana Local Government Area and Trailer Park in Eleme.

    Zigabari, a member of Degbam cult group, who hails from Ogu-Gbolo council area, was a security guard in the restaurant where Tanko visits regularly, and he was the one who initiated the abduction with his gang.

    Maxwell from Gokana Local Government Area, is also a member of Degbam cult group and a close ally of the gang’s leader. His phone was said to have been used to negotiate ransom with family members of their victims.

    Dele, also from Gokana area of Rivers State, was the one who brought numerous kidnap ‘jobs’ for “Bobo” and his gang.

  • There are no blood-sucking demons on the road – FRSC

    The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has cautioned against the belief by some people, including commuters, of the existence of blood-sucking demons that kill travellers on the road during the yuletide.

    Mr Samuel Obayemi, FRSC Zonal Commanding Officer, Zone RF9 Enugu, gave the caution in Owerri on Thursday, during the flag-off of this year’s “ember month” campaign.

    Speaking on the theme, ‘Safe Driving, Safe Arrival,’ the zonal commanding officer described such belief as erroneous, and said human factors were responsible for most of the road crashes in the country.

    “There are no blood-sucking demons on the road to kill you; stop believing that someone from your village wants to send accident to you through the air.

    “If you drive safely, you must arrive safely.

    “That is why we are sensitising the public, especially for this year’s yuletide, which is fast approaching,” he said.

    Obayemi gave the number of road crashes in the zone for September and October as 26 and 34 respectively.

    He said 51 persons were injured in road crashes in September while 108 were injured in October.

    “In addition, 44 lives were lost in September, while October claimed 206 lives,” he said.

    According to the road safety boss, the campaign is targeted at reducing road crashes by 15 per cent and fatality by 30 per cent.

  • 28-yr-old suspected notorious burglar nabbed in Lagos

    The police have arrested a suspected notorious burglar in Ebute Metta area of Lagos State.

    The 28-year- old suspect, Rilwan Olanrewaju, was said to have forcibly entered the apartment of one Olasunkanmi Igboye, on November 20, 2018.

    It was said that he entered through the roof of the building, when the owner of the property caught him.

    The suspect, who hails from Igbaja, Kwara State, was said to have committed numerous thefts and burglaries in recent times.

    He was subsequently arraigned before an Ebute Metta Chief Magistrate’s Court.

    He pleaded guilty to a two- count charge of felony and falsely entry.

    It was learnt that the suspect has a case bordering on stealing of electrical meter, pending at the aforementioned court,

    Police prosecutor, Inspector, Kehinde Olatunji, told the court that the offender broke into the apartment of one Olasunkanmi Igboye on November 20, around 1:30pm at 3, Sharkliford Street, Apapa Road, Ebute-Metta, Lagos.

    “He was found right inside one of the rooms ransacking valuables .When he was approached, he couldn’t explain himself. They searched the building and discovered he had entered the apartment through the roof.’’

    Olatunji added that the offence was punishable under Section 307(a) and 406(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    The presiding magistrate, Mrs O. Kushanu adjourned the case to November 26, for fact and sentencing.