Crime

Herbalist allegedly tortures, starves two biological children to death in Ogun

Published

1 year ago

April 21, 2023

By Bankole Taiwo, Abeokuta

Operatives of the Ogun State Security Network Agency (Amotekun Corps), have arrested a 45-year-old herbalist, Gbenga Ogunfadeke, for unlawful confinement, torture and allegedly starving his two children to death.

The incident was said to have been reported by the mother of the victims, Busola Otusegun, at Ibiade in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area of the state, following information that the two children who were in custody of her ex-husband died sometimes last year due to victimisation and starvation.

In a statement obtained by State Commandant of the Amotekun Corps, CP David Akinremi (rtd) the arrest of the father of three was said to have followed the complaint lodged by his former wife, that the deceased children were allegedly confined and tortured by the father for months.

The statement reads, “According to the complainant, when her marriage to the suspect broke up some years back, the ex-husband insisted he wanted the custody of their three children whose age ranges from 18, 17, and 16 which was agreed upon. Though she relocated to Warri, Delta State and got married there, she was in constant touch with the suspect concerning the welfare of the three children and was always told all was well with them. She however did not have direct access to any of them.

“On 30th March, 2023, one of the three children came across his aunty in Ibiade where he currently lives with his father (suspect) and narrated their experience with their father which led to the death of his two (2) elder siblings – Yusuf Ogunfadeke ‘M’ 18 years and Dasola Ogunfadeke ‘F’ 17 years between April and June, 2022 in Ijebu-Ode where they were all living with the suspect until he relocated back to Ibiade.

“According to him, their father (suspect) chained and locked them in a solitary confinement, without food and water for over three (3) months which led to the death of two siblings but he miraculously survived the ordeal.”

The suspect admitted to the alleged confinement of the children and attributed his action to the unwholesome behaviours of the children.

“The suspect, when interrogated, though admitted the alleged confinement of the children for months, denied not feeding them and being responsible for their death.

“According to him, his action was based on the children’s involvement in stealing hence the need to ensure they are prevented from such criminal action. He further claim that the two (2) deceased were taken to hospital for treatment at different times, they fell ill but unfortunately died in the process.

“What is however curious about his defence is that the hospital where he claimed the two children died in Ijebu Ode could neither be located nor where he allegedly buried them behind a rented apartment he lived in Ijebu-Ode before relocating to his present abode in Ibiade with the third child for possible exhumation be traced.

“The fact that he refused to make the incidents known to any member of the family also gives course for concern moreso when the suspect is a herbalist, thus further fueling the suspicion of having killed the deceased for possible rituals,” the statement disclosed.

The Corps Commander said the case is being transferred to the Ogun State Police Command Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.

Crime

Police admit officer shot man killed on Lagos fuel queue

Published

1 hour ago

May 4, 2024

NewsDirect

The Lagos State Police Command has admitted that one of its officers is responsible for the death of a young man, Toheeb Eniafe.

Toheeb was shot on Wednesday at a petrol station belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited at Obalende in the Ikoyi area of Lagos State.

Eniafe was reported to have been shot dead while he and some others were resisting the move by some security agents to buy fuel without joining the queue.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin disclosed this on Thursday.

He said, “The person behind the shooting has been identified as a police officer serving at Special Protection Unit (SPU) Base 17, Lion Building, Lagos.

“Investigation is still ongoing and further findings will be made available.

“Meanwhile, the Lagos State Police Command is working with the family of the deceased to ensure that there is no miscarriage of justice,” the PRO stated.

Crime

Internet fraudster bags seven years in Port Harcourt

Published

1 hour ago

May 4, 2024

NewsDirect

Justice P.M Ayua of the Federal High Court sitting in PortHarcourt, Rivers State has convicted and sentenced one Odinakachi Prince Onyeoziri to seven years imprisonment.

He was jailed after pleading guilty to three-count charges bordering on internet fraud contrary to Section 14 (1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc) Act, 2015 and punishable under the same Section.

One of the count charges reads: “That you, Odinakachi Prince Onyeoziri, and Solmyr (atlarge) between June, 2021 to November, 2022 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court knowingly caused your victims loss by inputting or suppressing data in computers thereby benefiting the aggregate sum of $3000 (Three thousand United States Dollars) and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 14(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act, 2015 and punishable under the same Section.”

He pleaded “guilty” to the charges when they were read to him.

In view of his guilty pleas, prosecuting counsel, I. Agwu sought to review the facts of the case through the investigating officer, Abalaka Stephen, an operative of the Commission. While being led in evidence, he told the court that the defendant was arrested by operatives of the Commission following a written petition by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI, against the defendant for alleged internet fraud activities. He was thereafter apprehended sometime in February, 2024 at Owerri, Imo State.

Testifying further, he told the court that the defendant in his voluntary statement to the EFCC, confessed to being into internet fraud, spreading of computer virus, spamming and also causing his victims losses by inputting data in computers. He confessed benefiting an aggregate sum of Three Thousand United States Dollars ($3,000) by representing himself to unsuspecting victims as different individuals

Agwu, thereafter, sought to tender in evidence, the statements, and all the items recovered from the defendant. The court thereafter admitted the evidence and were marked as exhibits.

Thereafter, the trial judge declared him guilty as charged.

Defence counsel, B. Onuoha, on the other hand prayed the court for leniency. He appealed to the court to temper justice with mercy, considering his status as a first-time offender, and remorse for his actions.

Justice Ayua sentenced him to seven years imprisonment cumulatively with Three Million Naira (3,000,000.00) as an option of fine payable into the Consolidated Revenue Account of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

In addition, the judge ordered that, items recovered from the convict, two laptops, a mobile device, Toyota Highlander with Registration: NKR 736 AA, two story buildings containing six units of two bedroom flats should be forfeited to the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Additionally, the convict shall depose an affidavit of good behaviour before the court.

Crime

Naira mutilation: Court adjourns Cubana’s trial till June 5

Published

3 hours ago

May 4, 2024

NewsDirect

Justice Kehinde Ogundare of the

Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Thursday, May 2, 2024 adjourned further hearing in the trial of Pascal Okechukwu, a.k.a. Cubana Chief till June 5, 2024.

Okejukwu was arraigned on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 by the EFCC on a three-count charge bordering on abuse of the Naira.

One of the counts reads: “That you, Okechukwu Pascal, on 13th February, 2024, at Eko Hotel Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, while dancing during a social event, tampered with funds in the denomination of N500(Five Hundred Naira) issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying, thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act, 2007.”

Another count reads: “That you, Okechukwu Pascal, sometime in 2020, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, during a social event tampered with funds in the denomination of N500( Five Hundred Naira) issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying same for two hours and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act, 2007.”

At the resumed sitting of the court on Thursday, Okechukwu through his lawyer, Chikaosolu Ojukwu, SAN, told the court about a plan of his client to enter a plea bargain with the EFCC.

Ojukwu also sought to withdraw his earlier preliminary objection filed on April 24, 2024, challenging the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the charge. “In the interest of justice, we are urging the court to strike out the motion because the prosecution has not responded to it,” he said.

The prosecution counsel did not oppose the withdrawal of the application.

Consequently, Justice Ogundare struck out the application, having been withdrawn by the defence, and also adjourned the case till June 5, 2024.