The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Beninoise

  • Beninoise bags six years for N40m jewellery theft

    An Igbosere Magistrates’ Court has sentenced a Beninoise food vendor, Janet Kenu, to six years imprisonment for being an accessory to burglary.

    Magistrate A. T. Omoyele convicted her for being an accessory to the theft of jewellery worth N40 million,  $5,250 and £5,000 cash belonging to the complainant, Mr Ajisola Yomi.

    She sentenced Kenu to two years imprisonment each on three separate counts of accessory to burglary and accessory to stealing.

    But the court did not find him guilty of failure to prevent house breaking and stealing.

    The sentences, which were without an option of a fine, will run concurrently, meaning Kenu will spend two years in jail.

    Kenu, of Otodo Gbame community, near Lekki, Lagos, was arraigned last July 21 on four counts of accessory to burglary and stealing and “deliberate neglect to prevent the commission or completion of house breaking and stealing.”

    Prosecuting Sergeant Cyriacus Osuji said Kenu and her accomplices, who are at large, committed the  offences around midnight on March 10, 2016 at A19, NICON Town Estate, Lekki.

    He said Kenu’s accomplices burgled Yomi’s home while he was away and carted away his properties including jewellery and foreign currencies.

     

     

     

  • Beninoise food seller charged with stealing N40m jewellery

    A 42-year-old food vendor, Janet Kenu, was yesterday arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for alleged theft of N40million worth of jewellry.

    Kenu, from Cotonu in Benin Republic, is standing trial on a three-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and breaking and entering.

    Prosecuting Corporal Cyriacus Osuji said the defendant committed the offence on March 10 at A10, Nicon Town on Lekki Expressway, Lekki, Lagos.

    He said the defendant broke into the house of Ajisola Yomi, to steal the jewellery.

    The defendant pleaded not guilty.

    Magistrate A. G. Omoyele granted her N1 million bail with two sureties in the like sum.

    She adjourned the case till April 26.

  • Beninoise singer Angelique Kidjo held sway at Lagos concert

    Beninoise singer Angelique Kidjo held sway at Lagos concert

    Sunday night, was another testimony of the silent passion Nigerians have for African music. It was the 4th edition of the popular ‘Love Music Love Life Luxury Concert’, put together by Jazz-inclined radio station, Smooth FM 98.1.

    The Eko Hotel venue of the concert swelled with crowd that may have stemmed from the hype built around 10-time Grammy award winner, Chaka Khan, who was the headliner act of the show. But, with Angelique Kidjo mounting the stage before the lead act, and engaging the crowd in a seemingly unending thrill, many had wondered if the American singer will be able to match the tempo already created.

    Kidjo’s spontaneous performance with Nigeria’s Soul singer, Asa, appeared to have set a perfect mood for the evening. Then, with amazing energy, the singer brought her fire to the stage, performing timeless hits like ‘Wombolobo’, ‘Agolo’ and several other hits of the 90s.

    “It has been a long time coming, and I’m happy to be back home,” said Kidjo, after her fifth song on the night; a Yoruba language tune which the UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador did, on the right of the child to education. Then she did another homely one in which she eulogised the memory of Aruna Ishola, the legendary ‘Apala’ maestro.

    Like South African Miriam Makeba’s voice, Kidjo’s was one of Africa’s, which trended in their heydays. Engaging a section of the audience on stage, together, they danced, reminiscent of the yesteryear, as the Beninoise singer reeled out one song after another, combing enchanting rhythm with afro-centric dance steps.

    Although the reception for Chaka Khan was loud during her entry, the excitement of the crowd soon waned, with the natural tendency to relax for the night. Such was the mood in which the show gradually ended, as the music buffs trooped out.

    Perhaps another talent of note was 25-year-old soul singer and pianist, Kaline Akinkugbe, who opened the show, as the supporting act of the night. Typical of her style, she fused jazz, funk and afrobeat to arrest her listeners.

    High point of the three-hour concert which was anchored by Smooth FM’s OAP The Genie, was when Chaka Khan and Angelique Kidjo sang together. They had performed Chaka Khan’s 1983 smash hit song ‘Ain’t Nobody’, giving the late crowd the excitement which others may have missed.

     

  • Beninoise, Ghanaian arrested for pipeline vandalism

    Beninoise, Ghanaian arrested for pipeline vandalism

    Operatives of the Inspector- General of Police (IGP) Special Task Force on Anti-pipeline Vandalism have arrested three Beninoise and a Ghanaian for alleged involvement in vandalising the pipelines of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) located at Akaraba Atlas Cove, Lagos.

    The suspects, Fufo Soglo, a Ghanaian, Christopher Suso, Matilda Idowu and Yovo Itoh, all from the Republic of Benin, were arrested on May 24 following a tip-off. Police sources told The Nation that the suspects and their leader, Mr. Chukwuma, now at large, approached somebody at the pipelines location to help them convince the police officers on duty to allow them operate that night.

    It was learnt that the suspects agreed to give the policemen N520,000 if they allowed them operate.

    We gathered that the informant allegedly played along with the suspects and agreed to bribe the police officers and also asked them to come so that he could introduce them to the policemen.

    The sources said it was when the informant took them to the police with the N520,000 that the suspects were apprehended.

    Confirming the incident, the officer in charge of the IG Special Task Force, Mr. Friday Ibadin, said the suspects were arrested with valves that had 12 holes.

    Said he: “With this kind of technology connection, the vandals can siphon over 50,000 litres in less than 30 minutes.”

    Ibadin said the task force is determined to curb the activities of vandals.

    “We are determined, with the assistance of the residents of the communities where these pipelines are located, to reduce the activities of the vandals. I urge Nigerians to desist from patronising them as anyone caught will be regarded as an accomplice,” he added.

    Ibadin hailed the efforts of the Sector Commander, Lagos, Onaghise Osayandein and those of his men in the fight against vandals.

  • Beninoise remanded in prison over murder

    A Yaba Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on Wednesday remanded a Beninoise, Kaliso Tofiko, in Kirikiri Prisons for allegedly stabbing his co-tenant to death.

    The News Agency of Nigeria says Tofiko, a 23-year old mechanic, who resides at No. 26, Eran road, Ijanikin, is facing murder charges.

    The magistrate, Mrs. S. K Matepo, ordered that the accused be remanded in prison custody, pending advice from the State Director of Public Prosecutions.

    The Prosecutor, Insp. Chris Takim, told the court that the accused committed the offence on January 5 at No. 10 Surulere Street, Afromedia Okokomaiko, Lagos.

    He said the accused stabbed one Mr. Ikoponwonsa Osadola, 22, with a broken bottle on his head and neck.

    “The accused and his business partner, who allegedly dealt in fairly used foot wears, entered into a heated argument, which lead to a fierce battle.

    “The deceased attempted to seperate the fighting duo, when he was warned to stay off.

    “The accused, infuriated by the intervention, stabbed Osadola fatally and he later died,’’ Takim said.

    The prosecutor said the offence contravened Section 221 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State, 2011.

    The case was adjourned to February 25 for further hearing.