Crime
Unknown gunmen demand N70m ransom for ex-deputy Governor
The abductors of Prof. Onje Gye-Wado, a former Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State, have demanded a N70 million ransom before he can be released.
A family source confirmed that the kidnappers called for the first time on Saturday after the kidnap.
Gye-Wado, who served under the administration of Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu between 1999 and 2003, was whisked away from his residence on Friday, April 7 2023 in Gwagi village, Wamba Local Government Area.
Concerning the ransom, the source stated that the family members could only raise N2 million out of the N70 million demanded, a N68 million shortfall.
According to them, the Easter holiday declared by the Federal Government had an impact on fundraising.
“The kidnappers are in touch with the family of (the) Prof and they have demanded the sum of N70 million.
“But we are appealing to them to collect N2million because we can not raise anything more than that due to the public holidays declared by the Federal Government for the Easter celebrati0on,” the source said.
By Adeyanju Esther
The Federal High Court in Kaduna sentenced 27-year-old Williams David to two years in prison for possessing illicit drugs. The judgement was delivered on Thursday by Justice Hadiza Shagari.
David, apprehended by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), faced charges of possessing illegal substances. He admitted guilt, requested leniency, and expressed a desire to reform.
Justice Shagari, considering David’s age and his involvement in serious crimes, imposed a two-year prison sentence without an option for a fine.
“This sentence is intended to deter others,” Shagari stated.
Furthermore, the judge ordered that the seized drugs be destroyed by the NDLEA 30 days post-judgment.
Prosecution Counsel T. J. Atserhegh provided details of the arrest, which took place at 8:00 p.m.
On June 2 in Kinkinau, Kaduna. Authorities found 4kg of marijuana, 49.3g of tramadol, and 8g of Exol-5 in David’s possession. Atserhegh noted that the offence breached the NDLEA Act, Cap 30, Laws of the Federation, 2004.
By Adeyanju Esther
On Thursday, the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Gwagwalada sentenced 21-year-old student Adakole Peter to one year imprisonment for swindling a Chinese woman out of $50.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arraigned Peter on two counts of cheating by impersonation and pretending to be a military personnel.
Delivering the judgement, Justice Aliyu Shafa offered Peter an option of a N150,000 fine.
Shafa also ordered the convict to depose an affidavit of good behaviour and directed that the Redmi cellphone used in the crime be sold, with the proceeds deposited into the Federal Government’s account through the EFCC.
Additionally, the $50 recovered from Peter is to be paid into the Federal Government’s account.
The Prosecution Counsel, I.D. Iloakasia, informed the court that Peter and his counsel had signed a plea bargain on June 10. Iloakasia stated that between April and May, Peter, under the alias Steve M. Marks, deceived Ruth Novick, a Chinese citizen, into giving him $50 worth of gift cards.
Peter then sold these gift cards online for N20,000. Iloakasia noted that the offence contravened Section 321 of the Penal Code Act, Laws of the Federation Abuja, 1990, and is punishable under Section 324 of the same Act.
Peter pleaded guilty to the charges and begged for leniency, promising the court he had realised his mistake and would not repeat such actions.
“I have repented and realised my mistakes. I plead with the court to temper justice with mercy,” he said.
Defense Counsel Bridget Abang supported Peter’s plea for mercy, urging the court to consider his age and the fact that he was a first-time offender.
The prosecutor had also prayed the court that the money and instrument recovered from the convict be forfeited to the Federal Government through the EFCC.
The Katsina State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) says it has arrested two suspected streetlight and electricity cable vandals in the state.
The command’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), DSC Buhari Hamisu, said this while parading the suspects in Katsina on Thursday.
Hamisu said that the arrest was made by the Special Anti-vandal Unit of the command, headed by CSC Musa Adam-Usman, “based on credible intelligence.”
According to him, On June 10, the team successfully apprehended a suspect, 26-year-old Ma’aruf Yusuf, while on a routine patrol.
“The suspect belonged to a team of notorious syndicate that specialised in theft and vandalising public infrastructure.
“During the investigation, the suspect confessed to committing the crimes and revealed that he conspired with Aliyu (alias Chakal) and one Haduwa, who are still at large,” the PRO said.
He said that the suspect also confessed that the gang went to Magangarin Makudawa and dug out the streetlights cable, using a digger and shovel.
He said that “on sighting the patrol team, the suspects ran away, while Yusuf was apprehended after they attempted to attack the operatives with a knife, double-edged sword, digger and stick.
“Further investigation reveals that they had severally vandalised and removed electric wires of streetlights at the same location and sold 10kg to Ali at the cost of N800 per kg.
“He also sold 15kg to Ayi Guda at the cost of N750 per kg, and both receivers are scrap dealers at Kofar Guga Garage,” he said.
Hamisu said that exhibits recovered from the suspects included one knife, double-edged sword, stick, digger and electricity armoured cables
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