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56-year-old driver bags life jail for raping employer’s granddaughter

Published

3 years ago

July 11, 2023

Special offences court

56-year-old driver bags life jail for raping employer’s granddaughter

An Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court in Lagos State, on Monday, sentenced a 56-year-old driver, Folarin Rauf, to life imprisonment for defiling his employer’s five-year-old granddaughter in the state.

Justice Abiola Soladoye handed down the sentence after finding the convict guilty of the offence of defilement.

Rauf was arraigned on November 30, 2021, on one count of defilement and he pleaded not guilty.

The offence committed contravened Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.

The judge held that the prosecution led by Abimbola Abolade proved the three ingredients of defilement and that the defendant had sexual intercourse with the minor and that the consent of the child was immaterial.

She said,” The prosecution has satisfied the three ingredients and the evidence of the victim corroborated the evidence of the other witnesses. The testimony of the victim was well corroborated by the mother and grandfather before it was reported to the authorities.

“The defence in their written address urged the court to discharge the defendant as there was no evidence against him. The conduct of the defendant is nasty, devoid of character, reckless and his ‘own way’ of saying thank you to his employer was to defile his granddaughter,” the judge said.

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During the trial, the prosecution called four witnesses including the victim and tendered two documents while the defendant testified as sole witness for himself.

The victim, who testified on August 5, 2022, told the court that she was six years old at the time of giving evidence before the court.

She said her grandfather’s driver had sex with her severally at her grandfather’s living room and in the Jeep on the premises and that she had lost the number of counts that he raped her.

She testified that on one of the occasions, she was playing with her friend when the driver asked the friend to leave and he inserted his penis in her private parts.

The victim said Rauf threatened her not to tell anybody but that she later told her grandfather that the convict raped her.

During cross-examination, the victim told the court that the driver takes her to school and also drops her grandfather at work.

The second prosecution witness, a 70-year-old insurance practitioner, identified only as Oyenuga, who is the grandfather of the victim, said his granddaughter was raped by his driver at his residence in Lagos State.

He said, “I was with an electrician from the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company to fix some cables when the victim and her younger cousin came out of the house and went toward the car.

“The defendant made the boy leave and took my granddaughter into the car. My granddaughter later came to my room to whisper in my ears. She said, ‘grandpa, I have something to tell you,’ and she told me to bring my ears closer.

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“She whispered that the defendant cuddled her to his chest, kissed her, brought out his penis and inserted it into her vagina. I confronted the defendant the following day and asked him if he wants to marry a new wife, is it my granddaughter that he intends to marry?”

Oyenuga said he replied that he only kissed her, adding that he discussed the issue with his daughters and they decided to report the case to the Ikeja Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency.

He said, “My granddaughter revealed more details to the agency that interviewed her and made drawings to describe the position of the defendant and her while in the car.”

The victim’s grandfather further testified that the agency gave them a letter to conduct a test on the child at the Women at Risk International Foundation, adding that a representative at the WARIF directed them to go to the police command headquarters in Ikeja as the result could not be given to the family.

“We reported the case at the Ojodu Police Station and statements were made and he was arraigned at the Agege Magistrates’ Court. The driver takes my granddaughter and her cousin to school, and one of my daughters would also accompany them,” Oyenuga said.

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Justice Soladoye said the third witness was a 40-year-old insurance broker, the victim’s mother and the medical report also corroborated the evidence of PW 2 and PW1.

“He stated that he resumes duty at 7am from Monday to Friday. The convict was a pathological liar who tried to deter himself from the charge as he claimed not to understand English Language but he responded as the court registrar read out the charge in English.

“The defendant denied having sexual intercourse with the victim but told the court he only planted kisses on her cheeks and cuddled her. Under cross-examination, he denied making any statement at the Ojodu Police Station but the same statement was tendered and admitted in evidence as exhibit B. He lied to the face of the court,” the judge said.

Justice Soladoye urged parents and guardians to desist from entrusting their children to the care of “good for nothing staff” so that they would not be sexually violated.

“The need for supervision at all times cannot be over-emphasised in this age and time where sexual abuse is being perpetrated. Furthermore, children should be trained to speak up and report any such sexual violations against such persons to their parents, teachers or authorities so that they can be properly investigated,” She said.

56-year-old driver bags life jail for raping employer’s granddaughter

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Police Arrest 13 as Armed Robbers Engage Officers in Fierce Gun Battle in Abuja

Published

8 hours ago

February 16, 2026

Trends Admin

FCT Police Commissioner, CP Miller G. Dantawaye

Police Arrest 13 as Armed Robbers Engage Officers in Fierce Gun Battle in Abuja

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have arrested 13 suspected members of a criminal syndicate responsible for a wave of violent armed robberies across Federal Capital Territory, following intense gun battles in multiple locations within the nation’s capital.

The suspects were linked to coordinated robberies in Gwagwalada, Apo, Waru, Jahi, Wuse, and other parts of Abuja, with investigations revealing that the same gang had earlier carried out attacks in Asokoro, Mabuchi, and Utako, targeting hotels, residential apartments, and unsuspecting residents.

Confirming the development, the FCT Commissioner of Police, Miller G. Dantawaye, said the arrests followed credible intelligence that led operatives to a criminal hideout in Durumi, an Abuja suburb notorious for criminal activity.

According to the police chief, operatives stormed the hideout after sustained surveillance but were met with heavy gunfire from the suspects. The police team responded decisively, overpowering the gang and arresting eight suspects during the initial exchange.

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The operation was led by ACP Victor O. Godfrey, commander of the Scorpion Squad, a tactical unit of the FCT Police Command tasked with handling high-risk crime and armed robbery cases.

The command explained that the Scorpion Squad had earlier conducted intelligence-led operations in Apo-Waru and Durumi following multiple complaints from victims of violent robberies in Asokoro, Mabuchi, and Utako.

Further follow-up operations led operatives to a second hideout in Apo-Waru, where another gun duel occurred. Five additional suspects were arrested at the location, bringing the total number of suspects in custody to 13.

Police said the suspects were positively identified using CCTV footage obtained from one of their recent robbery operations, providing critical evidence linking them to multiple crimes across the FCT.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the syndicate was behind several high-profile robberies, including an attack on a hotel in Gwagwalada, where victims were dispossessed of cash, foreign currency, and mobile phones, while a vigilante operative was disarmed.

Another incident linked to the gang was a robbery at a Travel Lodge in Wuse Zone 6, during which a police officer sustained serious injuries, and a vehicle was stolen. The suspects were also implicated in a robbery at a residential apartment in Jahi, affecting residents, including security aides attached to the Executive Governor of Kebbi State.

The 13 suspects were identified as Yahaya Hassan, Umar Shuaibu, Adamu Ibrahim, Abubakar Sani, Abdullazeez Usain, Aliyu Aminu, Aliyu Adam, Ibrahim Usman, Suleiman Yawata, Mohammed Ali, Sani Hamza, and Hassan Abba.

Items recovered from the suspects include a grey Toyota Corolla (2015 model) with registration number ABC 200 GP, one AK-47 rifle, one locally fabricated rifle, one Jericho 941 pistol, 7.62×39mm ammunition, seven rounds of 9mm live ammunition, assorted iPhones, $100 in one-dollar denominations, and assorted charms.

CP Dantawaye said investigations are ongoing to identify other members of the syndicate and trace the source of the weapons. He added that the suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

The police commissioner reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property in Abuja and urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities through the command’s emergency lines: 08032003913 and 08061581938.

Police Arrest 13 as Armed Robbers Engage Officers in Fierce Gun Battle in Abuja

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Bandits Kill Six, Burn Police Station in Fresh Niger Attacks

Published

8 hours ago

February 16, 2026

Trends Admin

Bandits Kill Six, Burn Police Station in Fresh Niger Attacks

At least six people have been killed and a police station razed following coordinated attacks by suspected bandits on rural communities in Niger State, intensifying fears over growing insecurity in the area.

The attacks began late on Friday night and continued into the early hours of Saturday, targeting Tungan-Makeri and Konkoso communities in Borgu Local Government Area. Residents said the attackers arrived in large numbers, shooting indiscriminately, setting houses on fire, and forcing villagers to flee in panic to neighbouring settlements and surrounding bushes.

An eyewitness from Zagatina village, located along the route reportedly used by the attackers, described the operation as highly coordinated, with dozens of motorcycles transporting the gunmen.

“I counted about 41 motorcycles, each carrying two or three people. Some even had women and children with them. When I realised they were approaching, I hid in the bush as they passed behind my house,” the resident said.

By the time the attackers withdrew from Tungan-Makeri, six residents had reportedly lost their lives, several homes were destroyed, and many families displaced. Some villagers were also declared missing, raising fears of possible abductions during the raid.

The assailants were said to have moved on to Konkoso in the early hours of Saturday, where they allegedly set a police station on fire, destroying official property and escalating tension in the area. Residents described the attack as brazen and prolonged, noting the absence of visible security personnel throughout the hours-long operation.

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Some villagers later reported sighting an aircraft belonging to the Nigerian Air Force hovering over Tungan-Makeri after the initial assault, suggesting that aerial surveillance may have contributed to the eventual withdrawal of the attackers.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Niger State Police Command, Wasiu Abiodun, said the command received reports that suspected bandits invaded Tungan-Makeri at about 3:00 a.m., entering through the Shafachi axis of Borgu LGA.

He confirmed that six persons were killed, several houses were burnt, and an unspecified number of residents were abducted, adding that the attackers later advanced toward Konkoso before fleeing.

According to him, joint security teams have since been deployed to the affected communities to assess the level of damage, pursue the attackers, and rescue abducted victims.

The latest violence highlights persistent security challenges in Borgu LGA, where armed groups are believed to exploit vast forest routes and porous borders. Residents and community leaders have renewed calls on authorities to strengthen security presence, establish permanent security bases, and improve surveillance in vulnerable communities to prevent further attacks.

Bandits Kill Six, Burn Police Station in Fresh Niger Attacks

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US Freezes Assets of Eight Nigerians Over Boko Haram, ISIL, Cybercrime Links

Published

9 hours ago

February 16, 2026

Trends Admin

US Freezes Assets of Eight Nigerians Over Boko Haram, ISIL, Cybercrime Links

The United States government has imposed sweeping asset freezes and financial sanctions on eight Nigerians accused of having links to Boko Haram, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), and international cybercrime networks, as part of its expanded counter-terrorism and security measures.

The sanctions were contained in a 3,000-page document dated February 10, released by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) under the United States Treasury Department. The publication, titled “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List,” serves as an official notice of individuals and entities whose assets and financial interests have been blocked under US law.

According to the document, the action forms part of Washington’s broader efforts to disrupt terrorism financing, prevent extremist groups from accessing the global financial system, and combat cyber-enabled crime. OFAC stated that the list is designed to assist the public and financial institutions in complying with various US sanctions programmes.

Among those sanctioned is Salih Yusuf Adamu, also known as Salihu Yusuf, born August 23, 1990. He was identified as having ties to Boko Haram and was reported to hold a Nigerian passport. Yusuf was among six Nigerians convicted in 2022 in the United Arab Emirates for establishing a Boko Haram cell and attempting to transfer $782,000 from Dubai to Nigeria to fund insurgent activities.

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Another individual listed is Babestan Oluwole Ademulero, born March 4, 1953, who was designated under terrorism-related sanctions. He appeared in the OFAC document under several aliases, including Wole A. Babestan and Olatunde Irewole Shofeso, reflecting the use of multiple identities linked to extremist networks.

The sanctions also include Abu Abdullah ibn Umar Al-Barnawi, also known as Ba Idrisa, reportedly born between 1989 and 1994 in Maiduguri, Borno State. He was flagged under terrorism-related provisions due to alleged involvement with extremist operations in Nigeria’s North-East.

Abu Musab Al-Barnawi, also referred to as Habib Yusuf, was listed as a senior Boko Haram figure, with his year of birth recorded between 1990 and 1995. He has long been associated with the group’s leadership and violent campaigns in the Lake Chad Basin.

Another name appearing twice in the publication is Khaled (or Khalid) Al-Barnawi, born in 1976 in Maiduguri. He was listed under multiple aliases, including Abu Hafsat and Mohammed Usman, and was linked to Boko Haram’s international support and logistics networks.

Ibrahim Ali Alhassan, born January 31, 1981, was also designated. He was reported to hold a Nigerian passport and reside in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and was accused of providing support to Boko Haram through cross-border financial and operational channels.

Also sanctioned was Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Mainuki, also known as Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki, born in 1982 in Mainok, Borno State. He was identified as having ties to ISIL, marking the overlap between local insurgent groups and global jihadist movements.

In addition, Nnamdi Orson Benson, born March 21, 1987, was listed under CYBER2 sanctions for alleged involvement in international cybercrime and financial fraud, underscoring the US focus on digital threats alongside terrorism financing.

The sanctions mean that all property and interests belonging to the designated individuals within US jurisdiction are blocked, while US citizens and businesses are prohibited from engaging in any transactions with them. Foreign entities that knowingly assist the sanctioned persons risk facing secondary sanctions.

The latest designations come amid increased pressure from US lawmakers, who recently recommended visa bans and asset freezes against individuals and groups accused of religious freedom violations and the persecution of Christians in Nigeria. Those earlier recommendations included Rabiu Kwankwaso, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, and Miyetti Allah Kautal, although they were not part of the OFAC sanctions list.

The development also follows the decision by Donald Trump in October 2025 to re-designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over alleged violations of religious freedom. Nigeria was first placed on the list in 2020 but was later removed by Joe Biden after he assumed office.

Boko Haram was officially designated a foreign terrorist organisation by the United States in 2013. The group has been responsible for thousands of deaths and widespread displacement across Nigeria’s North-East and the Lake Chad Basin since 2009.

US authorities say the latest sanctions reaffirm Washington’s commitment to counter-terrorism, global security, and cybercrime prevention, while sending a strong signal to individuals and networks involved in extremist financing and digital fraud.