The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Murder

  • Court reserves verdict in ex-Ekiti NURTW’s chair’s murder

    Court reserves verdict in ex-Ekiti NURTW’s chair’s murder

    An Ekiti State High Court has reserved judgment in the suit filed by the state government against seven persons for alleged complicity in the murder of a former National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Chairman, Omolafe Aderiye.

    Aderiye was killed on September 25, 2014, at private motor park, Lafe Ade Transport Services, in Ijigbo area of Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

    The murder case was filed in November, 2014, after Governor Ayo Fayose came to power.

    The late Aderiye was an ally of Fayose.

    The defendants in the case are: Adebayo Aderiye (first), Adeniyi Adedipe (second), Sola Durodola (third), Ajayi Kayode (fourth), Oso Farotimi (fifth), Sola Adenijo (sixth) and Rotimi Olanbiwonnu (seventh).

    At the resumed hearing of the matter on Friday, lawyers to the parties adopted their final written addresses, signalling end of proceedings.

  • Traditional ruler, son, charged with murder of EFCC ‘informant’

    A traditional ruler, Nojimu Abioye, and his son, Wahab, were yesterday arraigned before an Ikeja High Court, for the alleged murder of Alhaji Olatunji Rasak in 2015.

    Rasak was said to be an informant for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The duo were charged with  conspiracy to commit murder and murder.

    They pleaded not guilty.

    The prosecutor, Mr M.T Adewoye, told the court that the Baale of Temidire and his son committed the offence at 10.a.m on July 20, 2015 at the Temidire Area of Alagbado, Lagos.

    “The defendants alongside others who are now at large, murdered Rasak by shooting him with a gun and cutting him with a machete and dangerous weapons,” Adewoye said.

    According to the prosecution, the offences contravene Sections 221 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos, 2011.

    Counsel to the defendants, Mr Adebayo Lawanson, requested that the accused be allowed to maintain the bail granted them during their prior arraignments at the Magistrates’ Court.

    “The accused ever since they were granted bail by the magistrates’ court had never jumped bail,” Lawanson said.

    Justice Hakeem Oshodi, upheld their bail request and.adjourned the case till March 19.

  • Police arrests man for allegedly murdering parents in Abia

    Police arrests man for allegedly murdering parents in Abia

    A 33year-old man identified as Osinachi Amanze of Umuosama, Umuokiri Nvosi in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area of Abia State has reportedly been arrested by personnel of Omoba Police Station, Under Abia Command of Nigeria Police Force (NPF) for allegedly murdering his parents in cold blood.

    The Nation learnt that another suspect, one Chinacha Peter, a 45year-old was also arrested in connection to the murder case.

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of Abia Command, DSP Geoffrey Ogbonna confirmed the incident and added that the two suspects were already in the custody of the police.

    Ogbonna said that the bodies of the victims identified as Jonah Amanze aged 92 and Gold Amanze, 65years have been deposited at the morgue while their bodies have been preserved for autopsy while effort is being intensified to recover the machete used in the act which suspects claimed was disposed off after the dastard act.

    According to Ogbonna, one ASP Rowland Ikpeama (rtd) in company of the village head of Umuosama Umuokiri Nvosi in Isiala Ngwa South reported at Omoba Police Station that one Osinachi Amanze killed his parents: Jonah Amanze ‘m’ and Gold Amanze ‘f’ aged 92yrs and 65yrs respectively in their sleep.

    He said that the suspect on interrogation, confessed to have carried out the act with one Chinacha Peter, aged 45yrs ‘m’ of Umuokiri Ehinuguru of the same LGA and added that Chinacha has been arrested by the police.

    Speaking further, the PPRO also disclosed that one one Chidozie Abia of Amaokwe Ani-nri LGA, Enugu State but resident at Amuhi Eluoma Uzuakoli has been arrested for reportedly attempting to murder a septuagenarian one Elizabeth Uzoma Azunnaya(75year-old).

    He said that one Igwe Azunnaya of Amuda Eluoma village Uzuakoli had reported at Uzoakoli Police Station that his mother went to her farmland situated at Amankwo village Uzuakoli to harvest cassava.

    He said that the suspect claimed that while his mother was on the farmland, Mr. Abia hit her on the right hand with a big stick and as she raised the alarm to attract villagers for rescue, he gave her a machete cut on the left hand which caused her harm.

    Ogbonna said that detectives attached to the Station waded in swiftly and arrested the suspect and recovered the exhibits used in the acts while the victim was taken to the Hospital for treatment.

    He said that Investigation into the matter was still in progress.

  • ‘SEC director’s murder’:Family queries AGF’s plan to substitute prosecutor

    ‘SEC director’s murder’:Family queries AGF’s plan to substitute prosecutor

    Why would Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) Abubakar Malami (SAN) seek to change the prosecuting lawyer in a murder case simply because the defence has expressed discomfort about the way the prosecution was conducting its case?

    This forms the plank of a query raised by relatives of a deceased Director of the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), Mrs. Louisa Amenaghawon Eni Umukoro, whose widower, Charles Eni Umukoro, is being tried for being behind her death.

    Charles, said to be an ex-Deputy Chairman of Sapele Local Government Area in Delta State, was arraigned before Justice Mary Anne Anenih of the High Court of the Federal Capital territory (FCT), Maitama in May, by the police on a one-count charge of culpable homicide, which was filed in the name of the Inspector General (IG).

    The prosecution alleged that Charles caused the death of his late wife by “hitting her on the head, which caused internal haemorrhage, with the knowledge that her death would be the probable consequence”.

    It produced an autopsy report from the National Hospital, Abuja, which disclosed that the deceased died on April 21, 2016, from “subdural haemorrhage” as a result of two bruises on both sides of her neck.

    The defendant denied the allegation by pleading not guilty, and said the injuries that led to his wife’s death resulted from “domestic accident”.

    The case had proceeded unhindered, with a private lawyer engaged by the IG, Jibrin Okutepa (SAN), prosecuting until November 7, when a lawyer, A.B. Mamman, emerged in the proceedings, claiming to be from the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).

    Mamman said he had been instructed to take over the prosecution.

    An infuriated Okutepa urged the court to disregard the information from Mamman.

    He said he was perturbed that the AGF decided to take over the case upon a petition by the defence lawyer. He said the defence failed to avail him with a copy of the petition on which the AGF acted.

    The trial judge has adjourned to December 5 to take a position.

    But the deceased’s relatives have expressed surprise at the turn of event and the role the AGF has assumed in the trial of a man accused of murdering their sister.

    Addressing a news conference in Abuja on Friday, the deceased’s senior brother, Nosa Ukponwan, an engineer, said the relatives were worried about the role of the AGF in the case. He accused the defence lawyer of being behind the scheming to frustrate the trial.

    Ukponwan, who said the complainants were comfortable with Okutepa as the prosecuting lawyer, urged the AGF not to lend his office in support of some dubious minds bent on frustrating Charles’ trial in relation to their sister’s death.

    He said: “However, we are encouraged by the person and capacity of the AGF to critically examine the facts of the case. We have no doubt that the AGF will, at the end of the day, direct that Mr. Okutepa (SAN), who is a seasoned prosecutor, proceeds with the prosecution of the matter.”

  • Police arrest herders for ‘kidnap, murder of colleague’

    The police in Ogun State have arrested two herders for alleged kidnap and murder of another herder, Taye Amodu.

    Hassan Amodu and Abubakar Abdullah, the police said, allegedly kidnapped and murdered their victim on October 23, at Obada Oko, Abeokuta, where they allegedly rustled eight of his cattle.

    Upon receiving the information, it was learnt that the Commissioner, Ahmed Iliyasu, directed the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) to fish out the perpetrators.

    Spokesman Abimbola Oyeyemi said the hideout of the suspects was uncovered about 5:30pm that day at Imeko.

    “Their hideout was in a forest and operatives stormed the place.  The suspects were arrested and a pump action gun loaded with four live cartridges and two cutlasses were recovered.

    “During interrogation, they confessed to have killed the victim because he strugged with them when they were taking him away. His body was buried in a shallow grave inside the forest. They equally confessed to have taken away eight of the victim’s cows.

    “The suspects will be arraigned after investigation.”

  • Four remanded for alleged arson, murder

    An Ebute-Meta Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State has remanded four men at Ikoyi Prison for alleged involvement in arson and murder.

    The accused – Bashir Hammed, 20; Nura Idris, 28; Dini Mohammed, 25; and Ismaila Abdullahi, 25, are facing a seven-count charge.

    The Magistrate, Mrs. A.S. Okubule, did not take their plea.

    She directed the prosecution to forward the case file to the state Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for advice.

    The magistrate adjourned the case till November 10 for mention.

    The prosecutor, Chinalu Uwadione, had told the court that the accused allegedly committed the offences on September 15 at Okokomaiko , a Lagos suburb.

    He said the accused allegedly set ablaze a building belonging to Chief `Seriki” of Hausa community in Okokomaiko.

    Uwadione alleged that the accused slit the throat of Mr. Hamza Liman Mairama and shot 50-year-old Mr. Garba Halili.

    He told the court that the accused allegedly committed the offences following a disagreement between them and the deceased.

  • Ugborodo: Five remanded for murder

    Mr. Carl Moeteke of Warri Magistrates’ Court 1 in Delta State has ordered five men standing trial for alleged murder, kidnapping and robbery to be remanded in prison custody.

    The accused were alleged to be the mastermind of the crisis on August 22 between Kpokpo and Madangho communities in Warri South Local Government, in which Samuel Mayomi and Benson Okoturoh died.

    Moeteke, who declined jurisdiction, ordered the prosecutors to re-arraign the suspects before Warri High Court on October 19.

    The suspects include Charles Kpotor, 51, Uwawah Emmanuel, 34, Geoffery Ereoma, 36, Jolomi Meshagharun, 46 and Churchill Newton, 50.

  • Man to die by hanging for murder, armed robbery in Ekiti

    Man to die by hanging for murder, armed robbery in Ekiti

    An Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti on Friday has sentenced one Kolawole Oluwasola to death by hanging.

    Kolawole, a middle-aged man, bagged the sentence over robbery and murder case which was established that he committed on the April 13, 2016 at Sabo area, Aramoko-Ekiti in Ekiti West Local Government Area of the state.

    He was charged for stabbing one Yahaya Sumaila with a knife and also strangulated him to death.

    Kolawole was also docked for snatching the victim’s motorcycle after which he fled to Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

    Nemesis however caught on him as the police interceded him on the suspicion of the motorcycle and arrested him.

    The Court said during investigation, the defendant made a confessional statement to the crime and took the team of policemen to the scene of the crime where the rotten body of Ismaila was found.

    The State Counsel, Mrs Bunmi Ajumobi called six witnesses to prove her case beyond reasonable doubt while the counsel for the defendant, Mrs Amina Baderinwa also called the defendant who gave evidence in his own case.

    The court held that the offence of Armed Robbery and Murder are both punishable with death upon conviction.

    Justice John Adeyeye said that the defendant will pay the supreme price prescribed for the commission of the offense of murder and armed robbery.

    The presiding Judge affirmed that the court had listened to the evidence of prosecution witnesses as well as evidence of the defendant.

    Justice Adeyeye held that State counsel has however proved the case of Murder and Armed Robbery beyond reasonable doubt.

    He therefore condemned Kolawole to death by hanging.

  • Court remands five for ‘robbery, murder’

    Chief Magistrates’ Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has ordered the remand in prison custody of five men for alleged involvement in robbery, murder and cultism.

    The suspects are Bestman Neki, 30, Mene Kpegii, 21, Goodluck Dominic, 20, Barika Abue, 20 and Kissi Sordun, 36.

    They were alleged to have armed themselves with AK-47 rifles and robbed Kaali Mini of N600,000.

    The incident reportedly occurred at Okwale in Khana Local Government on November 18, 2016.

    The suspects were alleged to have shot dead Barkumdom Mene, 17, Barile Barinor, 16, Bere Mene, 17 and Mene Kpugi, 17 about midnight on that day.

    The gang on May 8, 2016 allegedly stormed the home of Mr. Akeena Nke-ee at Okwale around 5a.m., set ablaze his house and killed Temple Mene.

    The accused were also charged with participating in the activities of a cult identified as Iceland.

    They were preferred with a 10-count charge on robbery, murder and cultism.

    The charge was not read to them, so they did not take a plea.

    Their counsel,  A.B. Ako, however, made oral application for their bail, relying on counts nine and 10,  which according to him, are bailable.

    Police prosecutor Inspector Wilson Isaiah had told the court that the suspects committed the offence contrary to sections 6(b) and 1(2) (a)(b) of the Robbery and Firearms (special provisions) Act Cap R.ll Laws of the Federation 2004, sections 516,319(1) and 443 of the Criminal Code Act Cap C 38 Laws of the Federation 2004 and Section 10(1) of the Secret Cult and Similar Activities (prohibition) Laws No.6 of Rivers State 2004.

    The Magistrate, Sokari Andrew Jaja, declined jurisdiction in the charge and ordered that the suspects be remanded in prison custody.

    He said the prosecutor should photocopy and hand over the original copy of the case file to the registrar for transmission to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice.

    Andrew-Jaja remarked that the offence they were charged with in counts three to eight carried capital punishment by death.

    He urged the defence lawyer to seek their bail at the High Court and adjourned the matter till November 16 for report of DPP advice and hearing.

  • Court remands four for ‘arson, murder’

    An Ebute Meta Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State yesterday remanded four men at Ikoyi Prison for alleged involvement in arson and murder.

    The accused – Bashir Hammed, 20; Nura Idris, 28; Dini Mohammed, 25; and Ismaila Abdullahi, 25, are facing a seven-count charge.

    The Magistrate, Mrs. A.S. Okubule, did not take their plea.

    She directed the prosecution to forward the case file to the state Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for advice.

    The magistrate adjourned the case till November 10 for mention.

    The prosecutor, Chinalu Uwadione, had told the court that the accused allegedly committed the offences on September 15 at Okokomaiko , a Lagos suburb.

    He said the accused allegedly set ablaze a building belonging to Chief `Seriki” of Hausa community in Okokomaiko.

    Uwadione alleged that the accused slit the throat of Mr. Hamza Liman Mairama and shot 50-year-old Mr. Garba Halili.

    He told the court that the accused allegedly committed the offences following a disagreement between them and the deceased.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the offences contravene sections 168, 232, 233, 341(a) and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.