The Nation Newspaper

Tag: theft

  • Motor-Cycle robber burnt to death In Akwa Ibom

    Tragedy struck Sunday at Obio Ibet Nkanika village in Oruk Anam local government, Akwa Ibom State, as angry mob set ablaze a motor-cycle thief.

    The alleged thief, who was in company of his gang, specializes in snatching of motor-cycles from residents of Abak and Oruk Anam local government areas.

    They carried out the act at gun-point in Obio Ibet Nkanika village in Oruk Anam local government.

    They were, however, given a hot chase and nemesis caught up with him in Obio Ndot, near Abak when he was arrested with the motor-cycle, while his other gang member who was with gun escaped.

    The thief who could not be identified before he was beaten to death by angry mob and then set ablaze before police could intervene, had confessed committing the crime.

    The thief after being beaten to a pulp, tyre hung on him and petrol poured, was set ablaze by angry mob.

    Interesting, where he was set ablaze is closed to the Abak High Court complex and 500 metres to the Abak Divisional Police Headquarters.

    The Nation gathered that there has been resurgence in snatching of motor-cycles especially Ladys’ bike in Abak and its envious.

    It was further gathered that two motor-cycles have been snatched in Obio Ndot community within one week before Sunday’s mob action on the suspect.

    It would be recalled that soldiers had last year in the same Abak rescued another thief who had gone to church to steal a motor-cycle while church service was still ongoing.

    A youth leader in the area who spoke with our correspondent said angry mob took the action to serve as deterrent to gunmen who have made life difficult to residents.

    He said that the youths have no regret taking laws into their hands to set the suspect ablaze, adding that if he had been handed over to the police or other security agents, he would have been set free for him to come back and do the worst.

    The youth leader called on those who engage in such act to have a change of heart, warning that the community will not spare any thief or armed robber.

    Meanwhile, the charred corpse is still lying unburied as at the time of filing this report.

    This, the community said, is posing health hazard to the area.

    In the meantime, the Ministry of Environment has been urged to evaluate the corpse so as not to pose health hazard to residents.

  • Man arrested for robbing prostitute

    Man arrested for robbing prostitute

    A 27-year old man, Efe Monday, has been arrested by men of the Edo State Police Command for allegedly robbing a prostitute he wanted to have fun with.

    Efe was nabbed at Ofunmwegbe town in Ovia North-East local government area after the prostitute raised an alarm.

    Police said Efe approached the lady for sex and after the entered her room, he brought out a gun and robbed her of cash and money.

    It said a locally made pistol was recovered from the suspect.

    The suspect who spoke during a parade said he was walking along the road when he was arrested.

    He claimed that he has not met the sex worker before

    Commissioner of Police in Edo State, Mr. Chris Ezike, said the suspect would be charged to court upon completion of investigation.

  • Welder, guard held for Eko Atlantic cable theft

    Welder, guard held for Eko Atlantic cable theft

    The Victoria Island Division of the Nigerian Police has arrested a welder and a guard for the alleged theft of cable wires and a generator worth N1,750,000 belonging to Eko Atlantic Project.

    Adegbola Olalekan, 37, a welder from Yelwa South in Ogun State and Tajudeen Salawudeen, 34, a guard from Ibadan, Oyo State, were employed by South Energy Ltd to work on the Eko Atlantic Project site in Victoria Island.

    The Nation learnt that on the morning of April 8, 2016, Eko Atlantic security officials received a report that thieves were burning some of the company’s cable wires somewhere on the project site in a bid to extract copper.

    When the officials got there, they found smouldering remains of cables some of which the thieves had fled with along with a generator.

    The matter was reported to the police and after investigation; Olalekan and Salawudeen were arrested and arraigned yesterday before Mrs. F. F. George of an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

    They are standing trial on a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

    Prosecuting Police Inspector Ingobo Emby said the alleged offences were committed at about 8:40am on April 8 at Eko Atlantic Project site, Bar Beach, Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island.

    “On the same date, time and place, they did steal one Elepaq generating set valued at N75,000 and 400 metres of cable wire valued at N1 million. The total value is N1, 750,000, property of Eko Atlantic Project,” he added.

    The offences, the prosecutor said, contravened Sections 409 and 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

    The defendants pleaded not guilty and were admitted to bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties each in the like sum, one of whom must be a family member.

    The case was adjourned till April 25, for mention.

  • Pastor held for ‘baby theft’

    •‘I didn’t steal the child’

    The police have arrested Pastor Esther Ozuem, General Overseer of Word Encounter Ministry for alleged child theft.

    Mrs Ozuem who is being detained at the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) at Panti, Yaba, Lagos Mainland, is said to have stolen the nine-month-old boy from a member of her church.

    Mrs Ozuem, it was gathered, went to Alakuko Police Station on March 18 to report a case of child abandonment in her church.

    But the story changed when detectives discovered that the pastor took the child from his mother, Christianah Ebele, 24, the day she delivered.

    According to police investigation, the pastor registered the child at the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), where the baby was immunised as Temple Ozuem, with her mother’s name given as Chinyere Ozuem.

    The suspect, it was learnt, is also being investigated to ascertain the maternity of her three children.

    In her statement, Ebele claimed that she went to the pastor for financial assistance when she was pregnant and the “woman of God” agreed to help her.

    She said she was taken to Ozuem’s church by her elder sister who worships there, adding that her sister told the pastor that they were poor and could not take care of the baby.

    The woman, who denied abandoning nor selling her baby to the pastor, said she was chased out of her house for attempting to feed the crying child.

    “My elder sister took me to her church where I met Pastor Esther. My sister told her that we are poor and we cannot take care of the pregnancy and that when the baby is born, life will be harder for us.

    “I was eight months pregnant and she agreed to help me. Pastor Esther took me in and she promised to help establish me financially after I give birth. She told me that she will give me money to start a business and cater for the child.

    “However, after I gave birth, she changed towards me. The day I gave birth, it was raining heavily. She refused to take me to the hospital. She brought a nurse to deliver me of the baby. To my shock, Pastor Esther took the baby from me immediately I gave birth and warned me not to touch the child.

    “She also told me not to breastfeed the baby and when the baby was crying and I attempted to feed him, she got angry and chased me out of the house in the rain. I was crying but she did not allow me to carry my baby. I had to find my way to my sister’s house and I told her what happened.

    “I did not go to the police station because I did not know what to do. Besides, I did not have money. I am very poor and can barely feed myself.

    “My mother is also poor and other members of my family are not doing fine financially. So, I decided to leave everything to God. I found out that Pastor Esther took my son and she had a child naming for him without informing me. She named him Temple Ozuem and even took him to the health centre and registered him as her son. I don’t know why she came to report to the police but even now I can’t cater for him.

    “I need help and it is not true that I sold my baby. She did not give me any money. I only approached her for help,” she said.

    Pastor Ozuem is insisting that she did not steal the baby, claiming that the mother abandoned the child.

  • Beninoise food seller accused of stealing N40m jewellery 

    A 42-year-old food vendor, Janet Kenu, who allegedly broke into a residential house and stole jewellery worth N40 million, was Thursday charged before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

    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 told the court that the defendant committed the alleged offences on March 10, at noon, at A10, Nicon Town, Lekki Expressway, Lekki, Lagos.

    He said that the defendant broke into the house of one Ajisola Yomi, and stole jewellery worth N40 million.

    According to the prosecutor the offences contravened Sections 285 (8), 305 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

    The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    Section 285 (7) provides for seven years imprisonment for any person found guilty of such offence.

    Magistrate A. G. Omoyele granted her bail in the sum of N1 million with two sureties in the like sum, who should not be low level civil servants and must have verifiable addresses.

    She adjourned the case till April 26 for mention.

     

  • Man remanded for stealing Joy soap, peak milk

    Man remanded for stealing Joy soap, peak milk

    A 20-year old man identified as Omoatama Akachor has been remanded in prison custody for using a locally made gun to rob six Joy soap worth N360 and three cans of Peak Milk valued at N900.

    Omoatama who was remanded by an Evbouriaria Magistrates Court committed the offence on February 12, at No. 2, Esohe Street off Saint Saviour road in Ikpoba-Okha.

    Police Prosecutor, Sergeant Olatoye Oluwaseun, listed other items robbed by the accused to include N15,000 cash, four cans of Titus valued at N600, one Delta Soap valued at N240 and three and half yard of cloth valued at N7,500 belonging to one Iziegbe Igbinigie.

    Omoatama was arraigned on a two-count charge bothering on conspiracy and armed robbery but his plea was not taken.

    The Prosecutor said the offence contravened section 6 (b) (2) (a) (b) of the armed robbery and firearm (Special Provision) Act. Cap.RII laws of the Federation, 2004.

    Presiding Magistrates, Mrs. C.E Oghuma, ruled that the Court lacks jurisdiction to entertain the case.

    She ordered that the case file be sent to Department Of Public Prosecution for legal advise.

    Oghuma adjourned the case till April 29 for mentioning.

  • Army ready to combat crude oil theft

    The Commander of the 2 Brigade, Port Harcourt, Brig.-Gen. Stevenson Olabanji, has said his men are ready to combat crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and other criminal activities in the Niger Delta.

    The Army in Port Harcourt has trained 200 soldiers to carry out special marine operations and rescue missions in the Niger Delta.

    Brig.-Gen. Olabanji spoke at the graduation of soldiers of 73 Regular Recruit Intake in Harry’s Town, Degema Local Government at the weekend.

    The commander said the exercise by the Operation Pulo Shield, Sector 2, was aimed at equipping soldiers with the requisite marine skills and boost troops’ readiness at combating oil theft, pipeline vandalism and others.

    He noted that the Army took training seriously, following the security challenges confronting Nigeria and Nigerians in the Northeast and other parts of the country.

     

  • Young John cries out on Identity theft

    Young John cries out on Identity theft

    Reigning producer Young John D wicked producer is having a raw deal on the internet as fraudsters are prowling the cyberspace, duping some artistes. This is following reports some faceless persons are claiming to be ‘D Wicked Producer.’

    Addressing the issue, young John’s manager Oladipupo Onabajo porpulaly known as Dipson told The Nation that some mischievous persons disguise as Young John to dupe up and coming artistes of their money.

    “We have been hearing rumours and complains from upcoming artistes calling and telling me they have been duped by Young John and so on and I will tell them it’s not possible,” said Dipson.

    “When I asked them to narrate the story to me they go all about saying Young John told them to bring some amount and meet them at Lekki Roundabout which is not possible. As a matter of fact, we don’t stay on the island. Young John lives on the Mainland. Maybe sometime soon we will but for now, to all up and coming artistes, Young John stays at mainland.”

    Dipson also denied rumours about Young John signing artistes.

    “Please, always verify something before you Jump into it. Don’t look at the price tag they are giving to you. Please and please, always verify and make sure you are on the right track.”

    Young John however has a new song currently rocking the airwaves titled “Gbagbe”.

  • UNIPORT 4: Police absolve victims of alleged theft

    The four students of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) who were killed by a mob in Aluu, Rivers State, over alleged theft, have been absolved of their alleged crime by the state Police command.

    The four undergraduates of the university were killed by a mob on October 5, 2013, at Umuokiri community for allegedly stealing a Laptop and mobile handsets.

    The victims are Ugonna Obuzor, Geology (18); Lloyd Toku Mike, Civil Engineering (19); Chiadika Biringa, Theatre Art (20) and Tekena Elkannah, Mechanical Engineering (20).

    The Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Raphael Ezechi, who led the investigation into the alleged torture and gruesome killing of the victims, in his evidence-in-chief, yesterday, told the trial Justice Letam Nyordee that the victims were not thieves and did not steal anything from anybody.

    Ezechi said no item whatsoever was recovered from the victims by those that killed them and nobody made a report to the Police, the chiefs or community leaders that his property was lost or that any of the victims stole something from them.

    Ezechi maintained that the boys were innocent and that the alleged stealing charges hung around them was a guise to kill them.

    Twelve persons, including the paramount ruler of the community, Alhaji Hassan Welewa and an ex-police sergeant, Lucky Orji, are being prosecuted for the murder.

    Orders are Lawal Segun, Ikechukwu Louis Amadi (aka Kapoon), David Chinasa Ogbada,  Abiodun Yusuf,  Joshua Ekpe,  Abang Cyril,  John Ayuwu, Okoghiroh Endurance, Ozioma Abajuo and Chigozie Evans Samuel.

    Four of the accused persons, including the paramount ruler, were charged for negligence and admitted to bail. However, the remaining suspects, including the ex-police officer, are remanded in prison custody.

    According to Ezechi, “…fingerprints of all the suspects were taken for forensic examination, their mobile phones were retrieved from them and their phone numbers taken to service providers.

    “When the victims were being tortured and killed, nobody came out to say he/she lost any of item or accused the victims of stealing their items.

    “They hung the stealing charge on them to find reason to kill them.” He told the Judge.

    Earlier, the court had admitted 14 photographs shot at the scene of crime as identification (IDs), instead of exhibits.

    The court said the documents ought to have been admitted through the photographer that took them or the leader of the police team that were at the scene of crime at the time of their murder, and not the team that led the investigations.

    The witness earlier told the court that the leader of the team and the photographer could not be reached, as they have been transferred and promoted.

    Efforts to tender the photographs in evidence/ as exhibits by the state Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), who is the leader of the prosecution, Ibikiri Otoribio, was objected by the first accused, Segun Lawal, on the grounds that the photographs, having been taken with digital camera must have been printed out by a computer device, and that the prosecution did not meet the conditions as provided in section 84(4) of Evidence Act to allow for the admissibility of the said computer documents.

    His position was supported by the rest of the defence counsels, who urged the court to reject the documents and mark it rejected, so it will not see the light of the day again.

    However, Justice Nyordee, in his ruling, over-ruled the objection of the first accused, describing it as misleading.

    According to the judge, although the witness said the photographs were taken with a digital camera, he did not say that it was printed with a computer, holding that there are various other ways digital camera pictures could be printed without the use of a computer.

    He admitted the photographs as ID because of their relevance to the case, since the main authors of the documents were not available to tender them.

    The matter was later adjourned to March 10 for continuation.

  • NEITI urges govt to end crude theft, others

    NEITI urges govt to end crude theft, others

    The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has urged the Federal Government to speed up measures  to end crude oil theft, considering the attendant financial losses and environmental degradation.

    The agency also advised the government to discontinue all forms of offshore processing arrangements of Nigerian crude, and oil swap. NEITI said the country loses so much money to crude oil theft, adding that in 2012 alone the country lost about 160 million barrels of crude valued at $13.7billion from three major oil companies, Shell, Chevron and the Nigerian Agip Oil Company, and which has continued to impact the oil and gas industry

    NEITI said: “It gives you an idea of the magnitude of the problem we are facing in this country. Imagine how far that money could have gone in alleviating the suffering of the people, and that’s just for crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism. The government needs to do something very seriously about it because it is bleeding in that area.”

    Under the crude oil swap arrangement, Nigeria’s crude oil was exchanged for refined products due to poor refining capacity of the refineries. There were concerns that the objective of this arrangement has been shortchanged and badly treated. In 2012 alone, the cost of crude oil swapped was about $6.4 billion while the value of refined products returned to the country was $6.3billion leaving the sum of $100 million as revenue loss to the country. NEITI also said between 2009 and 2011 over $866million was recorded as revenue loss under the swap arrangements.

    The Director of Communication, NEITI, Obiageli Onuorah, who spoke to The Nation in Lagos, said the country is also losing money as a result of under-assessment and under-payment including losses in meeting the cash call obligation, adding: “We have losses for not paying attention to the use of gas as a major revenue earner for the country.”

    She said: “The reform in the oil and gas industry should be a holistic thing. The amount of money we are losing from the various sectors on daily basis is very huge, so the government needs to do something very seriously about these losses and plug those leakages.”

    Onuorah commended President Muhammadu Buhari led government for its efforts in implementing part of the audit recommendations. She said since the inception of the present administration some of the positions of the NEITI reports have been implemented.