Imo Pastor Gets Life Imprisonment for Raping Minor Living With Him

An Imo State High Court has sentenced Samuel Ehirim, a 42-year-old pastor, to life imprisonment after finding him guilty of sexually assaulting a minor who lived under his care. The judgment was delivered by Justice C.O. Chukwumaeze, who held that the prosecution proved its case “beyond reasonable doubt” and established the defendant’s guilt through credible and consistent evidence. The case has been hailed as a landmark ruling in the enforcement of child protection laws in Imo State, demonstrating the judiciary’s commitment to safeguarding vulnerable members of society.

Ehirim was arraigned on a five-count charge bordering on sexual assault, assault with intent to commit an unnatural offence, indecent treatment of a girl under the age of 13, and assault, contrary to the provisions of the Imo State Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law No. 8 of 2021 and the Criminal Code. In her judgment, Justice Chukwumaeze said the evidence before the court “overwhelmingly” showed that Ehirim committed the offences. The judge held that the defence failed to discredit the prosecution’s witnesses or create any reasonable doubt during the trial, noting that the testimonies of the victim and other witnesses were consistent and credible.

Samuel Ehirim

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The court further found that the victim, who had been living with the convict, was subjected to repeated sexual abuse over a period of time. The judge noted that the pastor had abused his position of trust and authority, preying on a vulnerable child who had been placed under his care. Although defence counsel S.E. Ibechem, who held the brief of D.O. Agbo, pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy, the judge convicted Ehirim on all five counts and handed down a life sentence, stating that the severity of the offences demanded the maximum penalty permitted by law.

Speaking after the judgment, Ikenna Obi, counsel to the Imo State Ministry of Justice, described the conviction as a significant milestone in the enforcement of the state’s Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law. Obi said the ruling demonstrated the state’s commitment to protecting children and other vulnerable persons from sexual and gender-based violence, and should serve as a strong warning to perpetrators of such crimes. The prosecutor also commended the court for its firm stance, expressing confidence that the decision would strengthen ongoing efforts to combat gender-based violence in the state, while also encouraging more victims to come forward and report abuse without fear of stigma or retaliation. The case reinforces the state’s resolve that no one, regardless of position or title, is above the law when it comes to the protection of children.

Imo Pastor Gets Life Imprisonment for Raping Minor Living With Him

MURIC Demands Release of El-Rufai’s Personal Physician, Condemns ICPC Arrest

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to immediately and unconditionally release Professor Bello Abubakar, the personal physician to former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, describing his arrest as arbitrary and inconsistent with democratic principles.

The Islamic human rights organisation made the demand in a statement issued on Friday by its Founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, following reports that the ICPC arrested the medical doctor over alleged false statements.

MURIC expressed concern over the arrest, arguing that medical professionals occupy a protected position globally because of the ethical responsibilities attached to their profession.

According to the group, the detention of a physician raises fears that he could be pressured to disclose confidential information about his patient, contrary to the ethics of medical practice.

“We condemn this arrest. It is arbitrary, alien to global best practices and absolutely uncalled for. This arrest stands in contradistinction to democratic principles. We therefore demand the unconditional release of the doctor with immediate effect,” the statement read.

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The organisation further noted that even in conflict zones, medical personnel are generally accorded special protection because of their humanitarian role in providing care to the sick and injured.

MURIC argued that subjecting a physician to detention could undermine patient-doctor confidentiality, warning that such a development may set a dangerous precedent.

The group also questioned the basis for the arrest, insisting that the explanations provided so far by the anti-graft agency were insufficient to justify the action.

“We are not convinced that the doctor had committed any offence and the explanations given by ICPC can hardly scratch the surface. Nigerians need more to be convinced,” Akintola stated.

The ICPC had reportedly arrested Professor Abubakar on Wednesday in connection with allegations of making false statements. However, the commission has yet to issue a detailed public response to MURIC’s demand for his release.

MURIC Demands Release of El-Rufai’s Personal Physician, Condemns ICPC Arrest

How Thugs Killed Islamic Teacher in Bauchi Over Political Posters

Residents of Karofin Madaki quarters in Bauchi metropolis were thrown into shock and mourning following the killing of a renowned Islamiyyah teacher in the area, Rilwanu Dauda . Dauda, 42, was allegedly killed on Sunday by two brothers suspected to be political thugs after a quarrel over political posters . Daily Trust gathered that Dauda was stabbed in the stomach with a knife and died on the way to hospital .

Trouble started around 10am on that day after the deceased asked the thugs to remove political posters pasted on a billboard adjacent to his family house . The thugs refused and engaged him in a fight . According to the deceased’s elder brother, Hamza Dauda, the younger of the two thugs struck Malam with a stick while the elder struck him with a knife on the head. The cleric collapsed, and people around intervened to force the thugs to leave the scene . However, the younger thug crossed the road, entered his family house, and returned minutes later holding a knife. He met the late brother at the main gate and stabbed him in the stomach before fleeing. Some neighbours saw him sneak away, and it was only after he had gone that they realised the cleric was bleeding from the injury . He was rushed to the Bauchi State Specialist Hospital, but he was confirmed dead on arrival, having died on the way .

Hamza, who was at work when the incident happened, received a call from a friend informing him of his brother’s death. He described his late brother as someone who “never quarreled with others,” adding: “Unfortunately, look at how he was brutally murdered for no reason” . He called on the government and the police to arrest the killers and bring them to justice, saying: “I want justice in this matter. Everybody knows Malam was not troublesome and he was killed unjustly. His family wants justice. The killers should be arrested and made to pay for their actions” .

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When our reporter visited the deceased’s family house, sympathisers were still trooping in four days after his murder for condolences . Residents, who spoke to Daily Trust, described the late cleric as humble, kind, humane and a gentleman . One of them, Muhammad Aminu, lamented: “I wonder why people no longer value human life. People can kill over a slight provocation. This is unfortunate and something should be done to prevent its recurrence” . He suggested that the thugs may have had a grudge against the deceased, noting that after the fight had ended following intervention, one of the thugs returned to the scene and stabbed him. He described the late cleric as kind, religious, generous, and someone who related well with people, residing with his family along Ibrahim Bako Road .

One of the deceased’s neighbours, Bello Ibrahim, gave further details, stating that the thugs called a colleague who came to the scene and proceeded to paste the poster, resulting in a heated argument, after which one of the thugs brought out a dagger, stabbed the late Ridwan in the chest and fled . Residents rushed out, picked him up, and took him to hospital, but he died on the way .

Bauchi State Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed visited the deceased’s family to offer condolences . The governor pledged to take responsibility for the education of the deceased’s children from primary school through university . He said perpetrators of violent crimes anywhere in the state would have no hiding place, as the government intensifies efforts to safeguard lives and property . He assured the bereaved family that justice would be pursued without fear or favour, and anyone found culpable would face the full weight of the law . The governor called on citizens to remain law-abiding and cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information to aid investigations .

Confirming the incident, the Bauchi State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Nafi’u Habib, said police had commenced investigation . “No stone will be left unturned in the course of our investigation until the killers of the cleric are arrested. We will not relent until we arrest them all,” he said . Asked whether any arrests had been made, the police spokesperson said there had been none but assured that the culprits would surely be arrested and brought to book . He urged the public to always report crimes in their communities, adding that the fight against crime is everybody’s responsibility .

Commenting on the rise in murder cases, a retired Police Commissioner, Muhammad Wakil, attributed the incidents to lack of good moral upbringing, drug abuse, illiteracy, and hatred, among other vices . He said: “It is unfortunate that the majority of our youths are into drug abuse and their level of illiteracy is also a contributing factor. Most of our youths are school dropouts and they also lack Islamic knowledge. They don’t have a sound background. This kind of generation can engage in any crime you can think of. With little money you can persuade them to commit any crime. An empty brain is the devil’s workshop and can engage in all sorts of crimes” . He called for a reflection on how forefathers lived and urged the culture of brotherhood to make these vices disappear .

How Thugs Killed Islamic Teacher in Bauchi Over Political Posters