The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Female

  • Man uses nude pictures to blackmail female victims

    Man uses nude pictures to blackmail female victims

    A 35 -year- old man, Michael Atanda, who has been extorting money from four ladies with threat to expose their nude pictures on the social media has been arrested in Lagos.

    Atanda, a computer science National Diploma holder of a popular computer school based in Ikeja, was arrested on Thursday by the surveillance Team of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of Lagos State Police Command after about five days of baiting and monitoring.

    The Police in a press statement said the accused, ex – convict and father of three, had collected N121,000:00 from his four girlfriends with the threat but wanted the ladies to pay more or have their nude pictures leaked on social media.

    The suspect who bears Segun Bayo on facebook and a graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University Ile – Ife, reportedly said he usually adds several ladies on Facebook and after two weeks, he would start chatting with them.

    “The profile picture on my facebook account is that of a guy based in London, and so as part of my introductions to ladies, I tell them that, I am a Construction Engineer as well as that my parents and I are living in Europe” the suspect said.

    ” After sometime, I would lure them into sexual conversations during which, I persuaded them to send their nude pictures to me. They would send and I would send mine to them too.
    ” Before that I would pretend that I was seeking a serious relationship with them, and that very soon, I would be coming to Abuja on a business trip, during which I would see them.
    “I would again feign my seriousness by calling them with the aid of computer software that transforms my Nigerian line into an international line. Meanwhile, I would warn them that I was calling through a public phone booth.
    ” As soon as they have sent their nude pictures, I would come up with all manners of stories. And begin to extort and blackmail them. Through this means, I have collected over N121, 000:00 from my latest victims.
    ” I was jailed last year in a similar circumstance after fraudulently collected N700, 000:00 from a lady I met through a dating site. I was eventually bailed but the case is still pending in the court” he confessed .
    ” I have collected only 10,000:00 from Funmilola, Motunrayo, N6,000, Joy, N5,000 and Lizzy, N100,000:00” .
    Apart from Lizzy, who reported the incident but declined to press charges, three other suspects, who were discovered during investigations, acknowledged on phone calls they have been paying the suspect so that he doesn’t leak their nude photographs online.
    Though, investigators have reached out to more victims after checking the suspect’s facebook conversations with a number of ladies, all of them have reportedly refused to come forward, after confirming they were paying the suspect through his bank statement.
    Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer, Suprintendent Dolapo Badmos, said that the Police were carrying out a thorough investigation on the case to aid prosecution.
    The suspect has been transferred to SCID for further investigations.

  • EFCC quizzes female judge’s brother over N69m deposit

    EFCC quizzes female judge’s brother over N69m deposit

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC) has quizzed Donald Ofili, a brother to one of the judges under probe, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, over a strange deposit of N69 million ($150,000) into the judge’s domiciliary account.

    According to a top source in the anti-graft commission, Donald was interrogated on Saturday at the Lagos office.

    The source said: “We have asked him to explain the source(s) of the cash in question and for what purpose. We may invite others connected with the said cash.

    “The judge’s account records indicated that the cash was paid into the judge’s account in 2014.

    “This is coming barely a week after we stumbled on another  N18 million wired into the foreign account from her domiciliary account for the purchase of a property in the United Kingdom.”

    The National Judicial Council (NJC) had in February sanctioned Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia for misconduct on the bench.

    The council barred her from elevation to the Court of Appeal or taking any judicial appointment.

    A statement by the NJC Acting Director of Information, Mr. Soji Oye said: “The NJC, under the chairmanship of Justice Mahmud Mohammed, at its meeting on February 24 and 25, 2016 decided to warn Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia and put her on the “watch-list” of the council for the next four years.

    “The judge will also not be considered for any elevation to the Court of Appeal or any ad hoc judicial appointment till her retirement from the Bench.

    “The decision was sequel to the petition written against her by Victoria Ayeni, alleging misconduct and injustice on the part of Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia for failing to deliver judgment in suit No FHC/AB/CS/31/2011, a pre-election matter between Victoria A. A. Ayeni and Olusola Sonuga and two Ors…”

  • Imo first lady decries high rate of female genital mutilation

    Imo first lady decries high rate of female genital mutilation

    The wife of Imo State governor, Nneoma Okorocha, yesterday decried the high rate of Female Genital Mutilation/ Cutting in the state, which, according to her, is the highest in the country with 68 percent.

    She disclosed that as part of her vision to promote and empower women and children, especially the needy and the vulnerable, the Women of Divine Destiny Initiative (WODDI), her pet project, will be partnering with the United Nations Population Fund Agency (UNFPA) to tackle the trend.

    Mrs Okorocha, who disclosed this while addressing newsmen in her office, noted that the ugly trend is rampant in Ikeduru,Oguta, Ngor Okpala and Ohaji/Egbema Council Areas of the State.

    She hinted further that part of the measures she has adopted to eliminate the menace in the state is to criminalize the practice through a bill that she will present to the state House of Assembly.

    According to her, “Female Genital Mutilation is a form of violence against women which is perpetuated by unfounded myth and baseless traditions. It is a practice that is very rampant in our region, and unfortunately Imo State was found to have one of the prevalence rate of 68 percent.

    “In Imo State, intervention by UNFPA through the Ministry of Health, Women Affairs and Social Development has focused on four local government areas of Ikeduru, Ohaji /Egbema, Ngor-Okpala and Oguta.

    “In spite of this intervention, it is noted that this practice is undertaken in our communities throughout the state and has been continuing unabated, parents especially mothers have been secretly indulging in the act, leaving the victims in perpetual agony and regrets.

    “This can no longer be allowed to go on.  It has therefore become imperative to end this harmful traditional practice.”

    The state Attorney General, Barrister Miletus Nlemedum, while commending the governor’s wife for the initiative, assured that the judiciary will take the matter seriously.

    He promised to assist and  make the war against FGM a success in the state.

    Similarly, the State Chairman of the Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Sam Ohiri, represented at the occasion by Eze  G.N Ejiogu, assured of the support of traditional institution in eradicating the practice in the state.

  • Experts seek end to female genital mutilation

    Experts seek end to female genital mutilation

    There was high euphoria across the country when former President Goodluck Jonathan signed the bill outlawing Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) into law on May 5, last year.

    In spite of the widespread optimism that the law will save millions of Nigerian girls and women from the myriad health implications of FGM, concerned observers insist that the age-long practice is still very much in existence.

    According to the United Nations Fund for Population (UNFPA), Osun State has the highest prevalence of FGM in the entire South-West geo-political zone.

    Mrs Ratidzai Ndhlovu, UNFPA Country Representative in Nigeria, said this at a meeting organised by UNFPA, in collaboration with Shericare Foundation (SCARF), the pet project of the wife of Osun State governor, Mrs Sherifat Aregbesola.

    “The prevalence rate of female genital mutilation in Osun State stands at 76.6 per cent,’’ she said.

    She stressed that all hands must be on deck to eradicate the age-long practice.

    Speaking on the high prevalence of FGM, Mrs Aregbesola, who is an ambassador of the anti-FGM campaign, warned perpetrators of tradition to desist from the act or face the full wrath of the law.

    She decried the prevalent rate of female circumcision, insisting that urgent efforts should be made to stamp out the practice.

    She moaned that Osun State ranked number one on the list of the six states where FGM was most endemic in the country, adding that this compelled her to lead an intensive advocacy against FGM and sensitise the citizens to the dangers of the tradition.

    Mrs. Aregbesola emphasised that the reasons adduced by those engaging in the removal of external female genitalia were not tenable, saying that the perpetrators were only inflicting unwarranted lifelong trauma on the circumcised females and denying them sexual pleasure.

    “Investigations have revealed that none of the reasons adduced by perpetrators has any link to any medical objective, in which case the genitals of a female child or woman is just altered for a reason not aimed at saving her life.

    “The UNFPA, through a study, has confirmed that the practice of FGM in the endemic states in Nigeria was only anchored on various traditional beliefs and social pressures to conform to culture.

    “Documented studies have revealed that the health implications of FGM range from dangerous infections arising from unsanitary conditions, in which the practice is carried out to death through severe bleeding,’’ she said.

    Mrs. Aregbesola, who described FGM as a violation of fundamental human rights, said she would ensure that the practice was completely eradicated.

    Sharing similar sentiments, Dr Kayode Oguniyi, the Director of Primary Health care and Disease Control, said the government would henceforth ensure strict enforcement of the law against FGM.

    He also said it was worrisome that Osun State still had the highest prevalence of female genital mutilation in the Southwest.

    Oguniyi said the law prohibiting FGM in Osun, which was signed by Governor Rauf Aregbesola, stipulated two years imprisonment without an option of fine for anyone caught engaging in the practice.

    “Let me agree that Osun is still one of the places where this old tradition is still being practised.

    “As regards the prevalence of female genital mutilation in the Southwest, Osun has the highest figure with about 76 per cent.

    “We do not like it and we are working very hard to remove the tradition from our state,’’ he added.

    Oguniyi said as part of the campaigns, the agency was also training some people as anti-female genital mutilation ambassadors.

    He said the ambassadors carried out house-to-house campaigns to sensitise people to the ills of the harmful tradition.

    Medical experts, nonetheless, insist that government at all levels ought to embark on a more aggressive public awareness campaign on the health implications of FGM, while strictly enforcing the law banning the practice.

    Dr Banke Popoola, a gynaecologist, said since there was an extant law criminalising FGM, offenders should be punished accordingly, adding that such punishments should also be publicised to serve as deterrent to others.

    She also said the cruel practice of cutting the clitoris of young females should be discouraged by everyone, particularly those in the rural communities.

    Nevertheless, Dr Grace Adanri, the Research Director, Better Life Africa, called on the government to enforce all laws prohibiting violence against persons, as part of efforts to secure a better future for the Nigerian girl-child.

    She said FGM, in some cases, could lead to the opening of passages between the vagina and bladder or anus, thereby triggering Vesico-Vaginal Fistula (VVF), a condition more commonly associated with obstetrics complications such as obstructed labour in teenage pregnancy.

    Besides, Adanri said there was a possibility of the failure of the wound to heal, leading to excessive growth of scar.

    “This could also lead to hepatitis and other blood-borne diseases, reproductive tract infections, infertility, obstructive labour, painful menstruation and painful sexual intercourse, among several other health issues,’’ she said.

    Adanri also said FGM could, as well, lead to Recto-Vaginal Fistula (RVF) particularly when “the pelvis and birth canal of the pregnant woman are not fully developed’’.

    She, however, underscored the need to stage intensive awareness campaigns on the ills of FGM.

    Observers insist that since the World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared FGM as a violation of human rights, government should enforce the extant laws on FGM to the letter.

    • Victor Adeoti writes for News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

     

  • Female and furious

    Femininity is second nature to gentleness, sensitivity and kindness. This soft side is more so when it comes to matters of children. Children anywhere, irrespective of their parentage ought to find succur and favour in the lush laps of fair gender. On the contrary, Hardball would probably get into trouble if he delves into what may be termed a generalised assertion to the effect that women seem to possess an uncanny capacity to become soulless, even ruthless in maltreating the other woman’s child.

    Two examples in The Punch of last Tuesday will suffice. The first report says: “woman tortures five-year-old step-daughter for bed-wetting” and the second reads: “Policeman’s wife batters 10-year-old niece for N30.00″.

    The two stories on facing pages of 4 and 5 have graphic photographs to illustrate what Hardball would describe as feminine stone-heartedness. The five-year-old little girl has her tiny, tender back scalded and pock-marked feminine vile and hatred.

    What could be the offence of this tot? The step-mother accuses the little girl of being obstinate. “She is very stubborn. If I give an instruction, she will not follow it. She is bed-wetting and I have cautioned her several times. She is also fond of stealing meat from the pot of stew. I only beat her with brooms; I don’t use any other object on her.”

    This is the blabber of the woman known as Kudirat Oyediran. The little girl’s mother had died only three months after her birth and her father had married Kudirat to take care of her. But all Kudirat seems to have inflicted on the child are pains and psychological trauma that is bound to linger into her adulthood.

    On the other story, the picture shows the back and buttocks of the 10-year-old girl with various degrees of gashes and patches of wounds. Mrs. Caroline Akanwa was said to have brought the 10-year, old from the village to help out with her petty trading. It happened that Caroline, mother of three, beats this little girl at every excuse that her back and buttocks are riddled with scars, some very fresh.

    The little girl’s school teacher had noticed the wounds and taken her to hospital for treatment. The hospital requested for a police report before treatment and the matter was referred to the Lagos State Office of the Public Defender (OPD). The two women are in ‘dialogue’ with the police.

    But the point to be made here is that what would prompt a mother to act in such furious wickedness towards another woman’s child?

    The matter of the other woman’s child obviously needs some interrogation; too often we read stories of extreme callousness like the above. Recall also, biblical King Solomon and the two women: one wanted the baby in dispute split into two! Do certain fiends overtake some women when they are charged with another woman’s child?

  • First female president for Ikeja Rotary

    Plans have been concluded for the investiture of the 50th President of Rotary Club of Ikeja, Rotarian Olaitan Ojuroye and the induction of the Board of Directors for the 2016/2017 Rotary Year.

    In a press statement, the Directorate of Public Relations, Rotary Club of Ikeja, District 9110 Nigeria, also announced that the event is important because the new president doubles as both the first female president and the 50th president of the club.

    The event, which will have Sir Festus Oluremi Omotoso, Chairman, Standard Chartered Bank Limited as guest speaker will hold on Sunday by 2: 00 p.m.  at Sheraton Hotels and Towers, Mobolaji-Bank Anthony Way, Ikeja, Lagos.

    Other special guests include Mrs. Olufunke Iyabo Osibodu, Managing Director, Benin Electricity Distribution Plc. as mother of the day and His Royal Majesty (HRM) Oba Adedapo Tejuoso, Karunwi III, Oranmiyan Osile of Oke-Ona, Egba will be the royal father of the day.

    The Chairman, Investiture Planning Committee, Rotarian Goke Olayinka said: “The entire Rotary family is excited about this event. This is because the investiture is remarkable in the history of Rotary Club of Ikeja, District 9110. Rotarian Ojuroye will be our first female president and also the 50th President of the District.

    “We are also happy that touching lives runs in her blood. Her father was one-time president of Rotary Club. Her younger brother was also a past president of the Club.”

    In line with its promise to continually offer humanitarian services and advance goodwill around the world, Rotary Club of Ikeja, District 9110, had donated gift and relief materials worth one million naira to special Nigerians.

    The beneficiaries of the gesture included the Nigerian Air Force Officers Wives’ Association, (NAFOWA), six artisans and one disabled person.

    Expressing gratitude at the maiden visit of the District Governor, Rotarian Pat Ikheloa, to the Rotary Club of Ikeja, the beneficiaries praised the club for its gesture. Some of the items donated to beneficiaries included sewing machines, shoe making/maintenance equipment and grinding machines.

    The beneficiaries included Amaechi John who came to the event on crutches. He got the shoe-making equipment. He  appealed to other special people not to go to the streets begging. Admas Aina received grinding machine, Temitope Akinduyite received vocational materials and equipment on behalf of NAFOWA, among others.

    According to the Acting President of the District, Rotarian Olaitan Ojuroye, the club will continue to execute programmes designed to touch lives positively.

     

  • Rotary gets female president

    Rotary gets female president

    The Rotary Club of Omole Golden has decorated Rotarian Titilayo Sunmonu as its 13th President for the 2016/2017 Rotary Year. The event took place on Friday at Excellence Hotel, Ogba Lagos.
    Mrs Sunmonu is the first woman President of the club which received its chartered certificate on June 4, 2004. She took over the mantle of leadership from the immediate past President of the club, Mr Idowu Afelogun.
    The handing over ceremony was performed by the club’s council of past presidents led by its Charter President Mr Olutimi Adeleye, Barrister Michael Akamo and Prince Aderemi Ajose, among others.
    At the brief event, the immediate past President Mr Afelogun urged the new President to continue to unite members of the club and to build a synergy in the club.
    He said: “A lot would be achieved if you carry out the affairs of the club without fear or favour, especially if you do not have favourites among the members.”
    In her remarks, Mrs Sunmonu thanked members of the club, particularly all former Presidents for giving her the privilege to lead the club.
    She said as the first woman to occupy the exalted office, she would do everything possible to provide quality leadership for the benefit of all the members and humanity.
    She assured that her tenure would do nothing to undermine the height to which the club has attained in the last 12 years.
    Mrs Sunmonu, who said she is irrevocably committed to serving humanity, urged all members, as well as other philanthropic individuals and organisations to join her in the onerous task of serving to improve the cause of the less privileged.

  • Female and furious

    Femininity is second nature to gentleness, sensitivity and kindness. This soft side is more so when it comes to matters of children. Children anywhere, irrespective of their parentage ought to find succur and favour in the lush laps of fair gender. On the contrary, Hardball would probably get into trouble if he delves into what may be termed a generalised assertion to the effect that women seem to possess an uncanny capacity to become soulless, even ruthless in maltreating the other woman’s child.

    Two examples in The Punch of last Tuesday will suffice. The first report says: “woman tortures five-year-old step-daughter for bed-wetting” and the second reads: “Policeman’s wife batters 10-year-old niece for N30.00″.

    The two stories on facing pages of 4 and 5 have graphic photographs to illustrate what Hardball would describe as feminine stone-heartedness. The five-year-old little girl has her tiny, tender back scalded and pock-marked feminine vile and hatred.

    What could be the offence of this tot? The step-mother accuses the little girl of being obstinate. “She is very stubborn. If I give an instruction, she will not follow it. She is bed-wetting and I have cautioned her several times. She is also fond of stealing meat from the pot of stew. I only beat her with brooms; I don’t use any other object on her.”

    This is the blabber of the woman known as Kudirat Oyediran. The little girl’s mother had died only three months after her birth and her father had married Kudirat to take care of her. But all Kudirat seems to have inflicted on the child are pains and psychological trauma that is bound to linger into her adulthood.

    On the other story, the picture shows the back and buttocks of the 10-year-old girl with various degrees of gashes and patches of wounds. Mrs. Caroline Akanwa was said to have brought the 10-year, old from the village to help out with her petty trading. It happened that Caroline, mother of three, beats this little girl at every excuse that her back and buttocks are riddled with scars, some very fresh.

    The little girl’s school teacher had noticed the wounds and taken her to hospital for treatment. The hospital requested for a police report before treatment and the matter was referred to the Lagos State Office of the Public Defender (OPD). The two women are in ‘dialogue’ with the police.

    But the point to be made here is that what would prompt a mother to act in such furious wickedness towards another woman’s child?

    The matter of the other woman’s child obviously needs some interrogation; too often we read stories of extreme callousness like the above. Recall also, biblical King Solomon and the two women: one wanted the baby in dispute split into two! Do certain fiends overtake some women when they are charged with another woman’s child?

  • Female cook, others in police net over kidnapping

    Female cook, others in police net over kidnapping

    A 20-year-old female cook, believed to be a member of a kidnapping gang terrorizing Aba in Abia State and other parts of the southeast, has been arrested by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of Nigeria Police, Aba Area Command.

     The Nation gathered that, while the male members of the gang were in-charge of trailing and kidnapping their victims, the cook was charged with the responsibility of cooking and feeding the abducted victims in their camp.

     The Abia State Police Commissioner, Joshak Habila, who made the disclosure while briefing the press at the Aba Area Command, said that apart from the female cook, other members of the gang fled before the police stormed the kidnappers den at Eberi Omuma Community in Rivers State.

     Habila, who said that a female victim and her child, who were earlier kidnapped in Aba by the gang, were rescued unhurt, added that the rescued victims were in good health condition.

     He disclosed that the SARS team carried ut a search operation in the area after rescuing their victims and recovered a pistol, filing and welding

    machines and about 25 pieces of yet-to-be expended live ammunition, which were abandoned by other members of the gang while fleeing the scene.

     The CP stated that police investigation shows that the gang, whose members cut across other locations in southeast and south-south, has been linked with several kidnappings and robbery operations within the zones.

     According to Habila, the group is also allegedly linked to bank robbery operations and breaking of Automated Teller Machine (ATM) vaults in the southeast and some south-south states, where they carted away millions.

     The police boss also used the opportunity to restate the commitment of his personnel and the command to ensure that Aba and other parts of the state remain peaceful.

    He, however, warned criminals contemplating to come into the state to carry out their nefarious activities to think twice, saying the command would continue to make the state unsafe for hoodlums.

    Also speaking, the Aba Area Commander, ACP Peter Wagbara, who explained how his team stormed the kidnappers den, said the hoodlums had abducted two persons at Clifford and Ngwa roads in Aba.

     Wagbara stated that the police, who were working on a tip-off, stormed the place where victims were kept in a village, called Umuakwu in Eberi Omuma, Omuma Local Government Area of Rivers State.

     According to him, “We stormed the community, but the hoodlums had advance information that we were coming and they fled. But we were able to rescue the victims.

     “When we searched the house, we found this young lady, believed to be the one who was cooking food for the victims. Other things found were a welding machine, 22 rounds of ammunition and a filing machine. They used the equipment to break into ATM and bank vaults.”

     He added that the police have launched manhunt for other members of the gang that are still at large.  In a rated development, a three-man kidnapping gang that has been terrorizing residents of the southeast has been bust by personnel of the Aba Area command.

     The gang members, it was learnt, were arrested after they abducted a victim in the Aba area of Abia State.

     The police, however, would not disclose the identity of the suspects, saying they were still investigating the matter.

    It was gathered that one of the suspects had been on the wanted list of the police for a long time.

    The police said the suspects would be arraigned in court after investigations into the matter were concluded.

  • Mob lynch suspected female kidnapper in Lagos

    A suspected female kidnapper was on Monday beaten to stupor by an angry mob for allegedly abducting a child.
    The woman who was stripped and almost set ablaze was alleged to have attempted to kidnap a school pupil before she was discovered.

    It was alleged that children have been missing in the neighbourhood for about a month, the last being a pupil of Wisdom School who was kidnapped not far from the school premises.

    The irate crowd which descended on the woman at the market beat her until she was bleeding and confessed that she sold the last child she stole at Ilorin.

    At that point, the crowd, it was gathered assembled fuel and tyres to set the suspect ablaze but policemen from the division intervened.

    The police team was however attacked while trying to rescue the woman, with the patrol van’s windscreen allegedly shattered.

    Angry that the police stopped them from killing the woman, the crowd moved to the police station threatening to set it on fire.

    When The Nation visited the scene, an Armoured Personnel Carrier  (APC) of the Rapid Response Squad  (RRS) and several police vehicles were stationed on the road to disperse the crowd.

    RRS Commander, Olatunji Disu, an Assistant Commissioner of Police  (ACP) and the Divisional Police Officer  (DPO) in charge of Owode Oniri, Alao Segun, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) were both on ground to avoid attack on the station.