The Nation Newspaper

Category: Crime Diary

  • ‘My father was beaten to death inside police station’

    An 18- year- old undergraduate, Ebenezer Israel Inya has accused policemen attached to Kpirikpiri Police Division, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital of beating his father, Israel Inya Aluu to death while in their custody.

    The incident, according to Ebenezer, happened on Wednesday August 28, 2018, after he was arrested alongside his father and some of his friends at the Assemblies of God Church beside their house.

    It was learnt that Ebenezer, who lives on 4 Nri Street, and his friends were playing football on the street when their ball flew into the compound of the church located on No 2 Nri Street.

    The church officials then allegedly invited a policewoman, who is also a member of the church, to arrest the boys and Ebenezer’s father for allegedly disturbing the church programme by playing football around the premises.

    Ebenezer explained that they had earlier quarrelled with the gateman of the church after he seized their ball when it fell into the church premises.

    “I was playing football with my friends when the ball entered the Assemblies of God premises. We met the gateman and pleaded with him to release the ball to us but he refused and started insulting us, we then engaged him in a quarrel”

    “The pastor’s daughter came in and asked us what was happening and we told her that our ball flew into their premises, urging her to get it back”.

    “She promised to plead with the man to release the ball to us. After sometime, we returned to the church and pleaded with the gateman to release the ball to us, but he started exchanging words with us. The senior pastor of the church too came out and started insulting us, while the pastor’s children and worshippers started attacking us. They later asked us to go to our house so that the crisis could be resolved and we went back to our house”.

    He said some members of a para- military outfit attached to the church later lured him into the church premises where a policewoman arrested them.

    “I was about taking my bath in order  to come to our shop at Police Officers Wives Association (POWA) at the police headquarters when two security men came to me and asked me to come with them to apologize to the pastor so that peace could reign. I insisted that I will not go anywhere, but they threatened to call in the military if I don’t resolve the matter their way.

    “When we got to the church we saw a policewoman who was on maternity leave and was wearing mufti came with a handcuff to arrest us and we asked the offence we committed and insisted she must tell us our offence. She refused to give us the reasons and locked the gate. They started beating us inside the church. My dad who was in our house heard about it and rushed to the church. He said they should stop beating us again and that we should all go to the police station to iron things out.

    “They insisted that they were not going to the police station but must do everything inside the church. When they saw that the pressure was high, the policewoman took us out of the gate and started beating us. We got to the station with my dad and they detained all of us including my brother and beat us mercilessly.

    ‘’They (policemen) asked my dad to follow them to a room, and my father went in with them together with the leaders of the Assemblies of God Church. The next thing I saw was when they (policemen) came and released us and asked us to come and carry our father’s body”.

    Contacted, police spokesman, Loveth Odah confirmed the incident, saying: “On August 29, 2018, the Divisional Police Officer( DPO) of Kpirikpiri Division, said that there was a call from the Assemblies of God Church at Nri Street, Kpirikpiri, that (some) children were playing football and they played into the church premises.

    “So the security officer whose name I do not know seized the ball, because he said that it was a regular thing which he said disturbed the occupants during the church hour.

    “So, yesterday unfortunately the ball entered there and the security officers seized it. According to them, children started throwing stones on top of the zinc roof of the church. Along the line, the security officer decided to open the door to see who was doing it.

    “He saw the two children who were doing it. He accosted them into the premises and now called the policewoman who had handled their matter before.

    “The policewoman was actually on maternity leave. She was passing through the church to go and fill her gas cylinder.According to her, she parked her bike and entered inside (the church) to see what was happening.

    “The security man opened the door for her and the access paved the way for their father to enter with her into the church premises. According to the policewoman, they were all judging the matter as children’s play.

    “But the father to the children insisted that since he has accosted the children inside, by so doing, (they were)illegally detaining them, so the police must be aware of it. The policewoman assisted them to the police station and went her own way because she was not on official duty”.

    Contacted, the pastor in charge of the church, Reverend Joseph Nwakpakpa refused to comment on the matter. He instead warned our reporter to stop disturbing him.

     

  • Ekiti woman, three others arraigned for phone theft, robbery

    A 49-year-old woman, Bolanle Adekanmi, has appeared before an Ado-Ekiti Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing a cell phone valued at N55,000.

    The prosecutor, Inspector Caleb Leranmo, told the court that the accused and others at large committed the offence on April 17, 2018, at Enu-Odi market, Odo-Ado in Ado-Ekiti. He alleged that the accused stole one Infinix Note 3 phone valued at N55,000 and the sum of N50,000 belonging to one Chinedu Nwonu. He said that the offence contravened Section 390 (9) of the Criminal Code, Law of Ekiti State, 2012. The prosecutor asked for an adjournment to enable him study the case file and assemble his witnesses.

    The accused pleaded not guilty, and her counsel, Mr Yemi Adebayo, urged the court to grant the accused bail, promising that she would not jump bail.

    In her ruling, the presiding magistrate, Mrs. Taiwo Ajibade, granted the accused bail in the sum of N20,000 with two sureties in like sum. She adjourned the case till September 27 for hearing.

    In another development, three men, Aseki Isaac, Oluwafemi Shina and Usuga Segun, also appeared before the same court for armed robbery.

    According to the prosecutor, the trio conspired to commit felony   we and armed robbery in Ayede Ekiti in Oye Local Government Area on August 8.

    The offence, according to him, contravened Section 516 of Criminal Code, Laws of Ekiti State 2012.

    Leranmo applied for a date to enable him study the case file. Counsel to the accused persons, Mr. Busuyi Ayorinde, made an oral application for their bail describing their offence as bailable.

    Ayorinde argued that Section 115(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law Ekiti State 2012 allows his clients bail since the offence was not punishable by death.

    He added that Section 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution presumes them to be innocent in the eyes of the law until proven otherwise. Ayorinde promised that his clients will not jump bail if granted by the court saying they didn’t have any previous criminal record.

    Magistrate Ajibade granted each of the accused persons bail N20,000 with two sureties in like sum.

    She held that the sureties must be resident within the Ado-Ekiti magisterial district and must deposit their permanent voter cards (PVCs). The case was adjourned till September 4 for further hearing.

     

  • Five held for allegedly raping woman, abducting her son in Anambra

    Men of the Anambra State Police Command have arrested five suspected kidnappers, in Umunze community in Orumba South Local Government Area.

    The names of the suspects are: Emeka Nnorue (44); Eberechi Onyeghara (14) from Imo state; Ekene Obodoako (27) from Ebonyi state, and Chika Obi (28) from Anambra state.

    The suspects were apprehended after they allegedly raped a mentally unstable woman and abducted her 3-year old son at Oye Ihite market.

    One of the suspects was said to have lured the victim and her little baby, with snacks with a promise to buy rice and wrapper for her.

    Narrating her ordeal, the woman who gave her name as Obiuwanne, from Amazu-Ikpaocha, Arondizuogu in Imo state, said they were conveyed on two motorcycles into a bush were she was raped and dumped, before escaping with her baby.

    A relation  of the victims , Mr Marthin Okoro, said he reported the matter to the commander of a vigilance group in the area.

    “As soon as my niece was brought back home by a neighbour and narrated her ordeal, I immediately contacted the Commander of Umunze Vigilante Group(UVG), Jerry Ibeh, who quickly organized a search for the missing child.’’

    A community leader in the area, Mr John Akanyionu, who confirmed the incident, said the community had formed a youth vigilance group to further strengthen the existing one in a bid to fish out perpetrators of such act.

    The police spokesman, Mr Haruna Muhammed, confirmed the incident, saying the victims were rescued from the suspects at about 8.30am, following an intelligence report.

    Mohammed said  that the suspects would be brought to justice at the completion of investigations.

     

  • Boko Haram kills Army corporal few days to baby’s naming

    Army corporal Akeem Akanji  had planned to throw a lavish party to celebrate the arrival of his new baby boy, but he did not live to see the day.

    Cruel fate played a fast one on him, when Boko Haram insurgents killed him alongside his colleagues during an ambush in Borno State on August 11, 2018.

    The 32-year-old soldier, a native of Ikire-Apomu in Osun State, was attached to the Nyangoa Barracks, Lafenwa, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

    Akeem, according to family sources, got married to his wife, Morufat on October 5, 2017.

    It was learnt that he was deployed to the Northeast to participate in the ongoing military operation against Boko Haram insurgents, a few months ago.

    His death was said to have led to the postponement of the naming ceremony for some days.

    His new baby, who incidentally is his first child, was however named Abdulrahaman on Tuesday August 28 at his officials quarters in the barracks.

    The ceremony was witnessed by family members and colleagues of the deceased.

    Akanji’s widow, Morufat battled tears and was consoled throughout the ceremony by guests and sympathisers.

    The late soldier’s  mother also wept uncontrollably at the emotion-laden ceremony and was taken away to unknown destination by the late soldier’s older brother, Muyideen.

    Speaking with our correspondent, shortly after the ceremony, Muyideen said that he was touched by his mother’s tearful condition, hence, he had to move her away from the venue.

    He said: ‘’Our mother wept so much,hence, I had to take her away from the venue of the ceremony when she could not control herself.

    ‘’Akeem was enlisted into the Nigeria Army in 2007. He underwent military training and was initially attached to the Ikeja cantonment before he was redeployed to Nyangoa Barracks, Lafenwa, Abeokuta, Ogun State, where he worked until he was deployed to Borno State to fight Boko Haram.’’

    He added: ’’Akeem attended  Mafoluku Grammar School, Oshodi, Lagos and decided to join the military. Our father too was a soldier and he took part in the country’s civil war and retired in the 70s.’’

     

  • I killed monarch to cliam his throne, says Ekiti murder suspect

    A murder suspect, Omoniyi Ademola, has revealed that he killed a traditional ruler in Ekiti State, Oba Gbadebo Ogunsakin in order to take over his throne.

    Ademola had killed Oba Ogunsakin, the Onise of Odo Oro in Ikole Local Government Area on Monday.

    Oba Ogunsakin, 80,  who was enthroned in 1986, was stabbed to death with a knife in his palace on Monday after chairing a meeting of his of chiefs in the palace.

    The suspect was said to have stabbed the monarch on his chest. Oba Ogunsakin died while being taken to the hospital. The suspect fled to Ado-Ekiti  but was arrested at Ajowa Market in Dallimore area of the city around 4.30 pm same day.

    Speaking while being paraded alongside suspects arrested for various crimes at the police headquarters in Ado Ekiti on Friday, Ademola, who is in his 40s, said he attacked the monarch in order to claim his “right.”

    Ademola, who spoke fluent English, was said to be a member of a royal family in the community. He claimed that his family had nominated him to take over from the late king whom he said was serving as a hindrance.

    The suspect said: “The crown didn’t belong to Oba Ogunsakin because the town last year declared  the stool vacant.

    “They said our Oba was dead and my family nominated me to take over only for him to resurface again and said he remained the Oba.

    “Last December, my family nominated me and since then I have been trying to take over(the throne). That day when I got to the palace, it was the Oba that first attacked me and I attacked him back which led to his death.”

    Earlier, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Bello Ahmed, during a press conference disclosed the recent breakthroughs recorded by the command. The police chief dismissed claims in some quarters that the suspect is mentally unstable.

    Ahmed said: ““I am not a medical expert to know who is mentally unstable or not. “But the fact remains that, how could a lunatic committed murder and ran over 100 kilometers from the scene of the incident?

    “So, common sense dictates that he must have known what he was doing to have fled  from that town to Ado Ekiti.”

    Answering question on the killing of former Commissioner on the board of the Federal Character Commission, Mr. Bunmi Ojo on August 10, the CP said the command was making progress with some arrests made.

    He added: “We are on the trail of the killers, we have reached advanced stage. Some suspects had been arrested and they are helping the police.

    “Efforts are being intensified and we shall feed the public with the right information when we are ready to charge them to court.”

    Also paraded were 25 other suspects, who were arrested for cultism and other murder cases, including a man, Toyin Ajakaye, who allegedly killed a commercial motorcyclist in his farm in Agbado Ekiti on Wednesday.

  • 54-yr-old transporter allegedly rapes 11-yr-old girl

    A 54-year-old transporter, Felix Idehen alias Alaye has been arrested by the police in Lagos for alleged defilement of a minor.

    Idehen was apprehended by policemen attached to Onipanu Division following a report by a group, Child Protection Network (CNP) yesterday afternoon.

    It was gathered that Idehen allegedly defiled the 11-year-old primary school pupil (names withheld) at 8, Imagbon Street, Fadeyi.

    It was learnt that the suspect started the sexual assault on his victim when she was nine-year-old.

    Although the suspect initially denied the allegation, it was gathered that the victim gave a vivid description on how Idehen forcibly pulled off her pants and penetrated her private part.

    According to the police, Idehen had serially abused the minor and turned her into a sex toy.

    “The last times he had sex with the victim were on August 19 and 23. He had three rounds of sex with the minor.

    “He told her not to inform anyone, not even her mother. The victim said the suspect used to fondle her breasts and that he usually overpowered her when no one was around,” said a source.

    Police spokesman Chike Oti, a Chief Superintendent (CSP) confirmed the arrest, adding that the case would be transferred to the Gender Unit of the command.

    Oti said a medical paper was given to the victim so that she could be taken to Mirabel Centre for further investigation.

    While commending the group for bringing the information to the police, and assured that justice would be done in the case.

  • Masquerade beats okada man into coma in Ondo community over N1000 gift

    There was pandemonium penultimate Tuesday in the Itafaaji area of Oke- Igbo, Ondo State, after a masquerade, Olojede, allegedly brutalised a man called Oyewale Isaac during a row over N1000.

    The money was allegedly given to some youths during the masquerade festival held in the community.

    It was learnt that the Isaac encountered the masquerade, while he was begging for money from people.

    Isaac , a commercial motorcyclist popularly called okada and his friends who were at the venue of the festival were said to have jokingly told the masquerade that they had no money, and that they were willing to take money from the masquerade, if he had any.

    Trouble however started after an unidentified man arrived the scene and gave a sum of N1000 to another masquerade identified as ‘Mopol’, who in turn shared the money with Isaac and his friends.

    It was while Isaac was trying to keep the money in his pocket that Olojede emerged and asked him to surrender the money to him.

  • UK-based Nigerian faults police over alleged involvement in attempted assassination

    A Nigerian woman based in the United Kingdom (UK), Augustina(Augusta) Osaigbevo has faulted the police over her alleged attempt to assassinate her sister, Madam Gladys Osigbevo-Omon.

    It will be recalled that the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Edgal Imohimi, on August 6, 2018 paraded one Osaro Okonoboh and Lucky Oboh over alleged attempt to assassinate Madam Gladys Osaigbevo-Omon, at her residence in Benin, Edo State.

    The police boss alleged that the two suspects, who were arrested on July 26, 2018, had attempted to kill Gladys on the instruction of her younger sister, Augusta Osaigbevo.

    The police also alleged that Madam Gladys fell out with Augusta, who lives in the United Kingdom, over a case of human trafficking.

    In a petition dated August 17,2018, addressed to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Osaigbevo denied her complicity in the alleged failed assassination.

    She urged the IGP to order a thorough investigation of the matter against the backdrop of a ‘shoddy’ investigation carried out by the Lagos State Police Command.

    The petition reads in part: ‘’ Sir, I am Augustina Osaigbevo being referred to in this matter by the Lagos State Police command. In the UK, I am known as Tina Osa being the abbreviation of my name mentioned earlier. I am writing this letter of protest and redress based on this press conference and the allegations emanating from it concerning my person as mentioned by CP, Mr. Edgal Imohimi.

    ‘’I am making this complaint with deep wounds in my heart and therefore asking the Inspector General of Police for a comprehensive investigation so that my reputation and integrity severely tarnished by Mr. Imohimi can be restored through your highly respected office.

    ‘’It saddens me that my hard earned reputation and integrity is being rubbished in this ridiculous manner; particularly by the Nigeria Police which is supposed to, by its statutory responsibilities, regulations, professional ethics, have investigated thoroughly before embarking on public prosecution and judgment. ‘’

    Expatiating further on her innocence, Osaigbevo noted that she was too decent and polished to engage in such dastard act.

    ‘’I want to say here, without fear of any contradiction that all the allegations made against me by the Lagos State police commissioner; the prime suspect, Okonoboh and Madam Gladys are farther from the truth. These are just a figment of the imaginations of the police commissioner; the prime suspect, Okonoboh and Madam Gladys.

    ‘’I have never at any point in time, place or through any means of communication contracted either the suspects or any other person or group of persons to harm, kidnap or kill Madam Gladys or any other person, for that matter. I have lived in the United Kingdom for more than 20 years with my husband and children. In the past 22 years, I have only visited Nigeria twice.’’

     

  • Family agonises over 75-yr-old’s mysterious disappearance after shopping

    The family of a 75-year-old woman, Madam Aishat Abdullahi has cried out over her mysterious disappearance shortly after shopping at the popular Orita Merin Market in Ibadan, Oyo State.

    The septuagenarian, a native of Okene, Kogi State, was said to have left her residence at Plot 3 Osunlakin Layout off Ologuneru road, Ibadan, on August 1, 2018, in order to buy some fruits at the market and has not returned home since.

    Recalling how she left home on the said day, one of her daughters, Zainab Yusuf said: ‘’ My mother left the house for her shop at Onireke area near Total Petrol Station on August 1, 2018 around 7:40am. She later left the shop around 8:10am to buy fruits and other items at Oritamerin Market in Ibadan and has since not returned home.

    ‘’We have met with a banana seller, who confirmed that she sold some banana to her. The garri seller also confirmed that she sold some garri to her, leaving us perplexed about her whereabouts to date.’’

    She added: ‘’Usually when she is done with shopping in the market, she goes to the garri seller to buy garri and put all her things together and cross to the other side of the road to board a taxi or commercial tricycle popularly called Maruwa to Mokola, from where she would take a cab to her shop.

    ‘’But her whereabouts remain unknown since she left the garri seller’s stall. We have reported to the police on the same day, we got police report and made announcement on some radio stations to no avail.’’

    Zainab urged anyone with information on the whereabouts of her mother to contact the nearest police station or reach her on her mobile phone number: 07065953444.

  • Three arrested for allegedly killing 105-yr-old in Enugu

    The police in Enugu have arrested three youths for allegedly killing a 105 years old, Chief Eze Nwah Onu.

    The suspects, Onyeka Abugu, 22; Ogbonna Eze, 22, and Nnamdi Eze, 19, were said to have committed the offence at Ekposhi Umudioko, Ogurute in Igbo-Eze North local council.

    The police spokesman Ebere Amaraizu saidý the assailants could not give any reason for their action.

    Amaraizu said : “It was gathered that on that fateful day the  suspects allegedly conspired and strangled the deceased(to death) over a yet- to- be established issues and escaped. But through intelligence information, the suspects were promptly nabbed and they are now helping the(police) operatives in their investigations while the body of the deceased is now deposited in a hospital mortuary for medical  attention.”