The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Murder

  • Protest in Ife over murder of septuagenarian

    Members of the Ife Zonal Contractors and Sawmiller Association  will today protest the murder of their 75-year-old trustee, High Chief Moses Elutilo.

    He was hacked to death by an armed group of hoodlums last Monday.

    It was gathered that the deceased reportedly received a message to come to a meeting at Atagilere Plank Hall, Ita -Osa,  Ondo Road, Ile-Ife at 8am.

    Elutilo, the Akannare of Ile-Ido Ife, was said to be at the meeting with Sarun, Chief Yemi Oriowo, a traditional aide of the Ooni, when the assailants attacked him and others.

    The chairman of the association, Babatunde Eluyera aka Theory, who was also marked to be killed, escaped by the whiskers.

    Eluyera linked the attacks to their stand against abuse of the Shasha Government Forest Reserves in Ife.

    An eye witness said when the deceased got to the meeting at 10 am, he was asked to lead the opening prayer but in the middle of the prayer, the hoodlums invaded the meeting and attacked those in attendance.

    The source, who pleaded for anonymity, said: “As soon as he stood up, he was attacked by armed men who hacked him. They used axes and matchets on everyone.”

    Elutilo, who died before getting to the hospital, was the star witness in a land dispute before Justice A. A. Onibokun of the State High Court, Ile-Ife.

    Two suspects- Adekunle Azeez and Ogunjimi Gbenga- have been arrested.

    The investigation is being handled by the state Criminal Investigation Department in Osogbo.

  • Man arraigned for ‘attempted murder’

    A 54-year-old man, Lewison Nwankwo yesterday appeared before an Ejigbo Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly threatening to set a man, Eric Madueke, ablaze with a gallon of petrol.

    Nwankwo is standing trial for attempted murder.

    Prosecuting Sergeant Isaku Babaji said the defendant committed the offence on April 19 around 6.30pm at Tope Oluwaseun Street in Igando, Lagos.

    “The accused threatened the life of Eric Madueke by trying to set him ablaze with a gallon of petrol following an argument. It took the intervention of neighbours to avert what would have turned out to be tragedy,’’ he said.

    Nwankwo pleaded not guilty and was granted N100,000 bail with two sureties in the like sum.

    Magistrate Jadesola Adeyemi said the sureties, who should be gainfully employed, should also have identity cards issued by the Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA).

    She said the sureties should present evidence of three years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

    Adeyemi adjourned the case to May 16.

  • Cynthia: Judge warns defendants against delay tactics 

    Cynthia: Judge warns defendants against delay tactics 

    Justice Olabisi Akinlade of a Lagos State High Court sitting in Igbosere Monday warned the four men standing trial for the alleged murder of Cynthia Osukogu, a postgraduate student of Nasarawa State University, against attempting to delay the case.

    The trial which began in 2012, was scheduled for adoption of final written addresses yesterday, but suffered another setback when the defendants’ counsel sought for more time to file the addresses.

    The trial has suffered a series of adjournments due to delays by the defendants’ counsel in filing their written addresses since 2015.

    Justice Akinlade, who did not hide her displeasure over the delay Monday, warned the defence to stop giving flimsy excuses to delay the trial.

    During hearing in August 2015, the judge threatened to send the fourth defendant, Nonso Ezike, back to prison for deliberately stalling trial.

    Osukogu was allegedly murdered by friends she met on social media website, Facebook, on July 22, 2012, at Cosmilla Hotel, Lake View Estate, Festac Town in Lagos.

    The defendants, Okwumo Nwabufor, Olisaeloka Ezike, Orji Osita and Nonso Ejike, are standing trial on a two-count charge of conspiracy and murder.

    The case was adjourned till June 8, for the adoption of written addresses.

  • Teenager kills retired headmistress in Edo

    A teenager, who has been on the wanted list of the Nigeria Police as a serial killer, Happy Agbangbanyan, has killed a retired headmistress, identified as Clara Uwaifo.

    Clara, aged 65, was shot dead in front of her residence at 27, Oviawe Street, off Upper Siluko road, Ogida, Benin-City, at about 3pm.

    She was said to be returning from an hospital where she went to see her daughter when she was killed.

    Late Clara retired last year from Uwelu Primary School in Ikpoba Okha Local Government.

    Her grand-daughter, who claimed to have witnessed the killing, said she saw the suspect following her grandmother as she approached their residence.

    She stated that the suspect pulled out a gun from his trousers and shot at the woman from behind, just as she made a move to collect a bag from her grandmother,

    Some family members said the deceased family has been at logger heads with the suspect’s family for many years.

  • Police nab three for murder of task force leader

    Police nab three for murder of task force leader

    The Police have arrested three suspects for allegedly masterminding the death of a 27-year-old man, Joseph Anyigor in Ndieke Ndiagu village in Amagu community, Ikwo local government area of Ebonyi state.

    The deceased it was gathered was beaten to death for driving recklessly at the market.

    Anyigor was a taskforce Chairman of Motorcycle Transport Union in Ndiagu Amagu.

    He had a scuffle with members of his union who alleged that he drove his motorcycle recklessly at Afia Igwe Market Square and the union members attacked him which led to his death.

    Police spokesman, ASP George Okafor confirmed the incident.

    He said: “On March 4, 2016, the Chairman of Ndieke Ndiagu Amagu, Earnest Nwoba in company of Walter Nwanchor Nwangbo and Godwin Anyigor reported at Ikwo Police station the death of Anyigor at about 4:30 pm.”

    “There was a fight between the late Anyigor and his taskforce members on the way he drove his vehicle at the market square.

    “We are yet to discover what actually transpired that led to the death of the young man. Whatever the situation, it couldn’t have led to beating him to the extent that he died.  We’re yet to know if they used weapons on him or just fist that really killed him.”

    “The deceased was the chairman of taskforce unit of the Motorcycle Union in the area and it was his fellow taskforce members who alleged that he rode his motorcycle carelessly or recklessly within the market area, may be in a bid to get him down, a scuffle ensued.”

    He disclosed  that Chukwuma Nwangbo, Nwabueze Nwoba, Emmanuel Igboji, have been arrested in connection with the crime while  the deceased has been deposited in Onueke General Hospital in Ezza South local government area of the state as investigation into the matter continues.

     

  • Man arraigned for murder

    Man arraigned for murder

    A middle aged man, Abacha Abdullahi was yesterday arraigned before a Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja, for alleged murder.

    Abdullahi was arraigned before the court presided by Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye for allegedly murdering one Mr. Moses Dossou by stabbing him with a knife in the stomach.

    He was arraigned on a one count charge of murder.

    The state prosecutor, Yahu Oshuala from the office of the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) alleged that Abdullahi committed the offence with one Mallam Sheriff said to be at large on July 20, 2014 around 12pm at 5 Oreleye Crescent, Awuse Estate, Opebi Ikeja.

    ýOshuala said the offence is contrary to section 221 of the criminal laws of Lagos State 2011.

    When the charge was read, the defendant who was in court with his counsel, Chris Ohaji, pleaded not guilty to the offence.

    Juctice Ipaye subsequently adjourned the matter till April 6 and 7, 2016 for trial.

  • Supreme Court affirms death sentence on Rev King

    Supreme Court affirms death sentence on Rev King

    The Supreme Court has affirmed the conviction and death sentence handed to the General Overseer of Lagos-based Christian Praying Assembly, Chukwuemeka Ezeugo a.k.a Reverend King.

    He was first convicted and sentenced to death on charges of attempted murder and murder by the High Court of Lagos State on January 11, 2007.

    He was found guilty of setting ablaze six members of his church in 2006, one of who died later from the effect of the fire.

    The Court of Appeal, Lagos division affirmed the judgment of the High Court in its judgment on February 1, 2013.

    Justice Sylvester Ngwutan who read the lead judgment of the unanimous decision of a five-man bench of the Supreme Court, noted that facts in the case was akin to what could found in horror movies.

  • Man arrested for killing wife’s lover

    Man arrested for killing wife’s lover

    A middle aged man, Moses Alugo has been arrested by men of the Ondo state police command over the alleged murder of his wife’s lover.

    Alugo was said to have warned the deceased to desist from sleeping with his wife, before he finally took law into his hands.

    The incident which occurred in Ode Aye in Okitipupa local government area of Ondo State threw the community in pandemonium.

    It was gathered that the deceased had been buried by some villagers at Akinpelu camp, Ode-Aye before the information got to the police.

    The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Femi Joseph who confirmed the incident said members of the community quickly buried the deceased before the police could get to the place.

    The Police Image-maker said the case has been transferred to the state CID for further investigation.

    He described the incident as unfortunate and warned the people against taken laws into their hands.

  • Ibadan murder trial to begin March 24

    •Deceased’s family seeks private lawyer

    A lawyer, Mrs. Yewande Oyediran, who was accused of stabbing her husband, Lowo, to death in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, appeared yesterday at the high court before the chief judge, Justice Mukhtar Abimbola.

    The case had been transferred from the Chief Magistrate’s Court due to lack of jurisdiction to hear it.

    The accused, who covered her face with clothes,  arrived at 9:09am in company of armed prison officials.

    A lawyer, Michael Aliu, who claimed to be appearing on behalf of the deceased’s family, said he was in court to watch the brief.

    But the lead defence  counsel, Oloyede Ashanike,  objected.

    Justice Abimbola over-ruled the objection and granted Aliu the permission to watch the brief without making a speech.

    The prosecuting counsel, Tajudeen Abdul-Ganiyu, applied for the date for commencement of trial.

    He appealed to the judge to order the court bailiff to serve the defence counsel the document of the case.

    Justice Abimbola granted the appeal and ordered both counsel to pick a date for  commencement of trial.

    Abdul-Ganiyu said eight witnesses will testify, adding that they have agreed to begin trial on March 24.

    Justice Abimbola thereafter  adjourned till March  24.

    The Oyediran family filed a petition to involve a private lawyer in the matter.

    A letter dated February 15 addressed to the Permanent Secretary and Solicitor General, Ministry of Justice, by the family’s counsel, Kehinde Adesiyan, called for impartial independent lawyers to prosecute the case on behalf of the government.

    The petition, “Application for Fiat to prosecute the criminal case”, reads: “You will recall our earlier letter dated February 4 in which our client instructed us to appeal to your office and the Department of Public Prosecution to allow for untainted legal advice in respect of the above subject matter.

    “We really want to express our appreciation to your office for the prompt rendering of the legal advice in respect of this matter and the filing of information to the high court for the prosecution of this case.

    “Whilst the family appreciates your efforts, it feels that for there to be justice to all stakeholders, it will be fair and appropriate for impartial, independent lawyers to prosecute this case on behalf of the government.

    “This becomes necessary because the accused is a legal officer not only in the Ministry of Justice but she is also an officer in the Directorate of Public Prosecution.

    “Needless to say that the refusal of this application for fiat to prosecute this matter will violate the principles of fair hearing and natural justice.

    “As we all aware that justice is a three-way traffic for the accused, the victim and the society.

    “In view of the above explanation, we most respectfully apply for the fiat of the Ministry of Justice for private lawyers to prosecute this case on behalf of the ministry and the government.”

  • Court adjourns murder trial till Thursday

    •Accused fails to open defence

    In Ikeja High Court yesterday adjourned till Thursday trial of Seun Oladapo for the death of rights activist, Kunle Fadipe.

    Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye adjourned the case at the instance of Oladapo’s counsel Walter Oduagbaka, who sought time to confer with his client. Oladapo was billed to open his defence yesterday.

    Fadipe was allegedly killed by the defendant at his Harmony Estate, Ogba in 2014.

    Praying for adjournment, Oduagbaka said he needed time to talk with Oladapo.

    He said he had not discussed with the defendant since his arrest.

    He sought a short adjournment in order to represent his client will.

    Lagos State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Mrs Idowu Alakija urged the court to reject the request, for lack of merit.

    Granting the request, Justice Ipaye held that a counsel must have access to his client in order to represent him well.