The Nation Newspaper

Tag: life imprisonment

  • Life imprisonment for man who defiled minor

    Life imprisonment for man who defiled minor

    An Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court has sentenced a printer, Emmanuel Lakehinde, to life imprisonment for conspiring and defiling his 11-year-old neighbour’s daughter (name withheld) in the bathroom.

    Justice Rahman Oshodi sentenced Lakehinde on the two-count charge of defilement and conspiracy brought against him by the state.

    The convict was initially arraigned alongside one Sesan Oluwole before a Magistrates’ Court, sometime in 2015.

    The second defendant, Oluwole, however, ran away after he was granted bail.

    The first defendant, Lakehinde, thereafter appeared alone in court on July 14, 2022 for arraignment during which he pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    Justice Oshodi, in his judgment, held that the court was satisfied that the prosecution proved the charge against the convict beyond reasonable doubt.

    According to him, the charge of defilement, which is punishable with life imprisonment, reflects the gravity with which the law views the sexual violation of children, who

    are among the most vulnerable members of our society and who are entitled to protection from predatory conduct by adults.

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    The judge said the convict exploited his proximity to the survivor who was living in the same compound where he worked to commit the dastardly and heinous crime.

    He therefore held: “You breached the trust that should exist between adults and children.

    “The survivor, whom the prosecution observed during sentencing, is present in court today with her grandfather and was only 11 years old at the time you committed this heinous offence.’’

    “According to the prosecution, the survivor  and her family rejected your request for a plea bargain, reasonably so, because your actions have caused irreparable harm to her, and the trauma resulting from your conduct will stay with her for the rest of her life.

    “While I have considered all matters presented on your behalf, I must weigh these factors against the importance of protecting children, punishing offenders, deterring others from similar offences and sending a firm message that the sexual exploitation of children will not be tolerated in our society.”

    The judge consequently convicted Lakehinde, of the two-count charge and sentenced him to life imprisonment for defilement and10 years jail term for conspiracy.

    The judge, however, said that the sentencing should run concurrently.

    The court also ordered that the convict’s name be entered into the Sex Offenders Register of Lagos State in accordance with sections 33 and 38 of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency Law, 2021.

    During the trial, state lead counsel,  Babajide Boye, called three witnesses; the survivor, her grandfather and a medical officer who gave testimonies and exhibits which were admitted into evidence.

    The convict, however, had testified as a sole witness for defence.

    The prosecution, in one of the counts, submitted that the defendant (with one other still at large) unlawfully had sexual intercourse with an 11-year-old girl on December 12, 2013 on Sanusi Street, Somolu, Lagos.

    According to the prosecution, the offences contravene sections 137 and 409 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

  • Life jail: Man breaks court windows, stabs self in Ekiti

    There was drama at an Ekiti State High Court on Friday after one Ajewole Dada Fulani was sentenced to life imprisonment for rape.

    Ajewole, 24, was standing trial for robbing, kidnapping and raping two female students of the College of Education, Ikere-Ekiti on 7th November, 2015 along Ikere-Igbara Odo Road.

    The verdict was handed down by Justice John Adeyeye who held that the prosecution has proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.

    The convict became emotional, furious and restless after the judgment was interpreted to him by the court registrar.

    Ajewole thereafter hit the court window and broke the louvers and stabbed himself with it and attempted to stab other people inside the courtroom.

    It took the intervention of security personnel who grabbed the convict from wounding more people inside the court.

    He was subsequently handcuffed and bundled into a waiting Black Maria. Court workers, litigants and other observers were shocked by the convict’s bravado.

    Ajewole, on the day of the incident, conveyed the two College students in is commercial vehicle but diverted the vehicle to the bush, tied them to a tree and raped them one after the other.

    The victims later escaped from the scene and reported the incident at the Ikere Main Police Station along College Road.

    Ajewole was first arraigned at an Ado-Ekiti Magistrate’s Court but the case was transferred to the High Court after an advice from the office of Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

    He appeared for the first time at the High Court on 16th November, 2016.

    To prove the case, the DPP, Mr. Gbemiga Adaramola, called four witnesses and tendered exhibits which included the accused’s statement and his vehicle with registration number EMR 218 XA.

    The accused called two witnesses to support his denial of the offence.

    The court after listening to the oral argument of Adaramola and defence counsel, Sunday Ochayi

    Justice Adeyeye ruled: “The prosecution has not proved the essential ingredients of the offence of robbery against the accused.

    “In conclusion and for the avoidance of doubt, the accused was found guilty of the offences of kidnapping and rape as charged in Counts 1,2 and 3 and he is accordingly convicted to life imprisonment.”

    Read Also: Man, 35, bags life jail for defiling girl, 8

  • Court sentences Falae’s abductors to life imprisonment

    Court sentences Falae’s abductors to life imprisonment

    The Ondo State High Court, sitting in Akure, the Ondo state capital has sentenced the abductors of the Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Chief Olu Falae to life imprisonment for kidnapping and armed robbery.

    Falae was abducted by some Fulani herdsmen during his 77th Birthday on September 21, 2015 at his Ilado farm in Akure North Local Government Area of the state.

    He was released after paying N5million ransom four days after his abduction.

    The convicts were: Abubakar Auta, Bello Jannu, Umaru Ibrahim, Masahudu Muhammed, Idris Lawal and two others.

    Charges against them read: “That you, Abubakar Auta, Bello Jannu, Umaru Ibarahim, Masahudu Muhammed, Idris Lawal and others now at large, on or about Monday, September 21, 2015 at Kajola/Eyinala Community in Akure Judicial Division did give information for the purpose of kidnapping and abducting Chief Samuel Oluyemi Falae.

    “Abubakar Auta, Bello Jannu, Umaru Ibarahim, Masahudu Muhammed and Idris Lawal, and others now at large, on or about Monday, September 21, 2015 at Kajola/Eyinala Community in Akure Judicial Division did aid the kidnapping and abduction of Chief Samuel Oluyemi Falae.

    “Abubakar Auta, Bello Jannu, Umaru Ibarahim, Masahudu Muhammed and Idris Lawal, and others now at large, on or about Monday, September 21, 2015 at Kajola/Eyinala Community in Akure Judicial Division did Kidnapped Chief Oluyemi Falae, the Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and did not release him until N5,000,000 ransom was paid.

    “Abubakar Auta, Bello Jannu, Umaru Ibarahim, Masahudu Muhammed and Idris Lawal, and others now at large, on or about Monday, September 21, 2015 at Kajola/Eyinala Community in Akure Judicial Division did conspire to commit a felony to wit armed robbery.

    “Abubakar Auta, Bello Jannu, Umaru Ibarahim, Masahudu Muhammed and Idris Lawal, and others now at large, on or about Monday, September 21, 2015 at Kajola/Eyinala Community in Akure Judicial Division did rob Chief Olu Falae of N15, 000 and his handset while armed with guns, cutlasses and other dangerous weapons”.

    The offence, according to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Mrs. Adeyemi Kuti from Ondo State Ministry of Justice is contrary to Section 2 of Anti-Kidnapping and Anti-Abduction Law, 5(1)(a) of the Anti-Kidnapping and Anti-Abduction Laws, Section3(11)(b) of the Anti-Kidnapping and Abduction Law, Section 6(b) of the Robbery and Firearms(Special Provision) Act,Cap R11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and Section 1(2)(a) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act,Cap R11, Vol. 14, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

    However, when the charge sheet was read to the convicts in court on the first date of their arraignment, they all pleaded not guilty to the five counts charge leveled against them.

    However, when the case came up yesterday for judgement after several adjournments, the Presiding Judge, Justice Williams Olamide said he was able to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the convicts committed the crime with the evidence tendered before him.

    Justice Olamide also said that during the hearing of the matter, the victim, Chief Olu Falae was able to identify three of the convicts as those who kidnapped him and threatened to kill him if he failed to pay the ransom when he was in their captivity.

    He thereafter sentenced seven of them to life imprisonment.

    The Prosecution Counsel, Mrs Adeyemi Kuti hailed the judgment, saying justice has been given to the victim.

    But, counsel to the seven convicts, Abdulrahman Yusuf from the Legal Aid Council (LAC)said he would obtain the judgment, study it,to determine whether to Appeal the judgement or not.

     

  • Life imprisonment for kidnappers in Kano

    Life imprisonment for kidnappers in Kano

    The Kano State House of Assembly has passed into law, the bill seeking life imprisonment for kidnappers in the state.

    Majority leader Yusuf Atta (Fagge), who read the Kidnapping, Abduction and Forced Labour Amendment Bill 2016, said the House passed the bill after considering its amendment.

    “The law has been in existence since 1963 but did not provide serious punishment for kidnappers. Hence, we amended it to suit the current situation,” he said.

    Atta explained that anyone convicted of kidnapping will face life imprisonment without an option of fine while anyone convicted of rape or forced labour will be sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment without an option of fine.

    Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Salisu Riruwe, said the amendment was a welcome development.

    “With the passage of this anti-kidnapping law, we are hoping that the rampant cases of kidnapping will end,” Riruwe said.

  • Life imprisonment for kidnappers

    Life imprisonment for kidnappers

    The Oyo State House of Assembly has passed the Oyo State Kidnapping Prohibition bill 2015, which attract life imprisonment for anyone involved in kidnapping.

    It was presented by the Chairman on Judiciary and Justice, Solomon Akande, at the plenary yesterday, which was presided over by the Speaker, Michael Adeyemo.

    The bill stipulates that anyone convicted of kidnapping will get life imprisonment, anyone who aids kidnapping will be imprisoned for 20 years, anyone who harbours kidnapped persons or provides instrument for kidnapping will get 10 years imprisonment.

    Also, anyone who lies about being kidnapped will get seven years imprisonment.

  • Abuja bombing ‘accomplice’ sentenced to life imprisonment

    Abuja bombing ‘accomplice’ sentenced to life imprisonment

    …To get parole after 32 years

    The Federal High Court on Friday sentenced an accomplice in the October 1, 2010 suicide bombing in Abuja, Edmund Ebuware, to life imprisonment.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the convict would upon good conduct enjoy a parole subject to the approval of the president after serving 32 years in jail.

    Delivering the judgment, Justice Gabriel Kolawole, held that the prosecution was able to prove the allegations against the convict beyond reasonable doubt.

    Kolawole said the convict’s defence was inconsistent with the facts contained in his statement.

    “It is clear from the facts before the court that Ebuware did have the information on the planned bombing of Abuja on October 1, 2010 but kept it away from the authority.

    “It was also confirmed from the series of record of call logs before the court as exhibit clearly shows that the convict had fore-knowledge of the blast.

    “You Edmund Ebuware, charged for treasonable felony under Section 40 of the Criminal Code for the role you played in the unfortunate bombing of innocent persons on October 1, 2010 is hereby found guilty as charged.

    “You are, therefore, committed to a maximum life imprison but shall by good conduct subject to the approval of the president granted a parole after serving 32 years.

    “I am aware of the fact that the second leg of the pronouncement is not yet part of the country’s practice but we hope that this decision will ignite an amendment of that part of the law to give room for parole.

    “I am moved to give you a succour to enjoy a parole because of your young age, wife and your very young family.

    “This should be a lesson to young people who are bent on destroying our country through terror act.

    “I view you as a young man who is in a hurry to become relevant in our complex society,’’ Kolawole said.

    NAN further reports that others charged with the bombing were Charles Okah and Obi Nwabueze, while the fourth accused, Tiemkemfa Osuvwo, died in Kuje prison on March 2, 2012.