Groups demand justice after pastor, others attack Iseyin family - Newstrends
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Groups demand justice after pastor, others attack Iseyin family

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Groups demand justice after pastor, others attack Iseyin family

A resident of Iseyin, Oyo State, Mr Sulaimon AbdulAzeez, has pleaded for justice following the assault meted on him, his veiled wives and other family members on Eid ul adha day by soldiers hired by his  neighbour, who is a pastor.

In a chat with Daily Trust, Mr Sulaimon lamented the impunity which Pastor Busari Stephen, who heads the Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Imuse, Iseyin, enjoys despite the ongoing suffering inflicted on his family.

He added that the pastor who heads the church opposite his house had involved his son, a soldier named Damilola Stephen (aka recruit soldier), who led 17 other soldiers to unleash havoc on them for allegedly slaughtering a ram while facing their church.

Busari’s church was some 20 meters away from Sulaiman’s house even with a road separating them.

Newstrends reported that Busari and Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Imuse, Iseyin were sanctioned by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) after bloody attacks which resulted in the hospitalisation of the man and some members of his household.

Sulaimon said he was severely beaten and wounded while his pregnant wife was also beaten and dragged to the church premises by soldiers hired by Busari. Similarly, his other wife’s head was smashed. He added that his son was taken away by the soldiers while his mother and wife’s brother were also beaten.

The old woman was reportedly manhandled by one of the soldiers while another soldier slit open, with a knife, the palms of Daud Abdulazeez, Sulaimon’s  brother.

While Apostle Sunday Ogundairo, CAN chairman in Iseyin Local Government Area, assured that the pastor had been sanctioned by CAN and was asked to relocate his church from the area, Sulaimon bemoaned the improper handling of the reported case.

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He said, “The town authorities have taken over the case; they want to ensure peace.  We are still receiving treatment and I want peace too. I do not want the case to escalate yet; I want justice. The pastor came to evacuate his properties from the church two days ago. No church activity occurred here on Sunday but he is going about his business as usual. We reported the case at Iseyin Divisional Police headquarters but he has since been released by the police. My lawyer petitioned the IG, copied the High Court and the civil defence. I have heard nothing from the police. Only the civil defence people called me.

“The police have denied me my rights since the inception of the case with Pastor Busari. Sometime in December, his soldier-son came to assault me in this house. It was at midnight and I made a report to the police but he wasn’t arrested and they were silent on the issue. Either Christian or Muslim, all rights ought to be protected under the law, but the police have not been fair to me.”

According to reports, the crisis resulted from a series of misunderstandings between Sulaimon Abdulazeez and Pastor Busari over the noise that usually comes from the latter’s church during their late-night vigils.

The matter was reportedly looked into by the Aseyin of Iseyin, who ruled that Pastor Busari should abate the noise pollution coming from his church by any means possible. Sulaimon added that the Aseyin suggested the use of sound acoustics to prevent noise pollution but Busari claimed that he could not afford it.

Daily Trust contacted Pastor Busari but he refused to comment on the issue, saying his lawyer had instructed him not to say anything as the case was going to court. He simply said, “Did they say that I was the one who invited the soldiers? Anyways, I have nothing to say; my lawyer has told me to say nothing; the case is in court.”

However, the lawyer to Sulaimon, Barr Abdulwaheed A. Olowonjaye, during a chat with Daily Trust expressed optimism that the police authority would treat the matter promptly and expedite investigation so that justice can be delivered.

“It is left to the police to act fast; we have done all necessary documentation and reporting. On the other hand, we have information that there are moves to charge the pastor with lesser offences, so that he could get away with the crime. I, as the legal counsel to the assaulted family, and the complainants are not aware, and we expect the institution of criminal prosecution against all the parties involved in the attack. We want the police to file this case as early as possible because justice delayed is justice denied. To achieve this, we are following up with the matter and hope that something meaningful will come out of it during the week,” he said.

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Meanwhile, the Oyo State branch of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has urged the security operatives to arrest the suspects without further delay. The Islamic human rights organisation called for the arrest and prosecution of those involved in the attack and cautioned that the case must not be swept under the carpet.

Ambassador Mallam Ibrahim Agunbiade who chairs MURIC, Oyo State, noted that Busari’s son was earlier reported to the police by the community for noise pollution and environmental disturbance.

Similarly, the Amir of Organisation of Tadhamunil Muslimeen (OTM), Oyo State chapter, Ustādh Kamaludeen Udhayfah, described the inhumane action of the Iseyin pastor as callous.

The Amir called on the authorities to carry out a thorough investigation on the matter and if the pastor is found culpable, he should face the wrath of law so as to serve as a deterrent to others.

Also,  the Oyo State chapter of Federation of Muslim Women Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN) denounced the incident which it described as senseless.

FOMWAN in a statement issued and signed by its Amirah, Dr Lateefah Dairo, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, condemned the fact that the perpetrators acted on the instruction of a Christian cleric.

“No individual or group has the right to take the law into their own hands or perpetrate violence against others, regardless of their religious beliefs or affiliations. The actions of these fake soldiers and the cleric who allegedly instigated them are a clear violation of human rights and the principles of peaceful coexistence.

“We call on the authorities to immediately investigate this incident, apprehend the perpetrators, and bring them to justice. We also urge religious leaders to promote tolerance, understanding, and peaceful coexistence among their followers,” the statement read.

A source who craved anonymity claimed that Damilola Stephen with the army registration number 23NA/85/11522 has absconded to Abuja.

In a telephone chat with Daily Trust, Apostle Ogundairo, CAN Chairman, Iseyin Local Government Area, said he has gone round pleading with the Islamic scholars in Iseyinland. He added that it was glaring that the pastor was guilty.

He said, “This evening I was with the Chief Imam of Iseyinland, he embraced and prayed for me. He said that the case would be settled and he would update me on developments.”

The Police Public Relations Officer of the Oyo State Police Command, Adewale Osifeso, said that investigation was ongoing.

Groups demand justice after pastor, others attack Iseyin family

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School Attack: 13-Year-Old Student Kills Teacher, Injures Two

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School Attack: 13-Year-Old Student Kills Teacher, Injures Two

Slovakia School Attack: 13-Year-Old Student Kills Teacher, Injures Two

A 13-year-old student has been detained after a knife attack at an elementary school in Slovakia left a 61-year-old teacher dead and two other people injured.

The attack occurred on Tuesday morning, September 29, 2026, at a school in Staškov, a town in northwestern Slovakia’s Čadca district.

Police said the student attacked teachers and pupils with a sharp object during the school day. The suspect was taken into custody, while authorities said the situation was brought under control and there was no continuing threat to the public.

The teacher who died was identified as a 61-year-old woman. Another female teacher and a pupil were also injured and taken to hospital.

The second teacher suffered a stab wound to the chest and was hospitalised with serious injuries. Officials later said her life was not in danger.

The injured pupil, reported to be a girl, was in critical condition and was transported by helicopter for further treatment.

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Emergency medical teams, including ambulances and rescue helicopters, were deployed to the school following the attack.

Slovak authorities detained the student and launched an investigation into the incident. Police had not publicly confirmed a motive for the attack at the time of reporting.

Slovakia’s Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok, Education Minister Tomáš Drucker and Health Minister Kamil Šaško travelled to Staškov following the incident.

Education authorities also offered assistance and professional support to the affected school, while officials appealed for respect for the privacy of the children, their families and school staff.

President Peter Pellegrini and Prime Minister Robert Fico expressed condolences to the victims and their families following the Slovakia school attack.

The incident has renewed attention on school violence in Slovakia, following other serious attacks at schools in recent years.

In January 2025, an 18-year-old student was accused of fatally stabbing a deputy principal and another student at a secondary school in Spišská Stará Ves in eastern Slovakia. A separate school attack in 2020 also left a deputy principal dead and several others injured.

Police continued their investigation into Tuesday’s school stabbing in Staškov, while further details about the circumstances surrounding the attack remained under investigation.

School Attack: 13-Year-Old Student Kills Teacher, Injures Two

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Edo Court Sentences Four to Death Over Kidnapping, Armed Robbery

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Edo Court Sentences Four to Death Over Kidnapping, Armed Robbery

Edo Court Sentences Four to Death Over Kidnapping, Armed Robbery

Four men have been sentenced to death by the Edo State Special Criminal Court after being convicted on multiple charges arising from a kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism and firearms case in Benin City.

Justice Aigbona Momodu delivered the judgment on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, in what was the court’s first reported judgment in a kidnapping case since it became operational.

The convicts were identified as Marvellous Isaac, 32; Wisdom Michael, 36; Rufus Emete Michael, 30; and Gift Raphael, 27.

The case arose from the June 14, 2026 abduction of a woman at the Vegetable Market area along Airport Road in Benin City.

The victim was reportedly at the market with her husband and children when armed men abducted her. She was later released unharmed.

The incident prompted a police investigation that led to the arrest and prosecution of the four men.

Police reportedly recovered a Lexus RX 350, which investigators linked to the abduction, as well as a pump-action firearm, ammunition, a motorcycle and cash.

One alleged member of the group, identified as Precious, was reportedly killed during a security operation, while Marvellous Isaac was arrested on June 18 following an alleged exchange of gunfire with police operatives.

The defendants had pleaded not guilty during the trial.

After considering evidence presented by the prosecution and defence, the court convicted the defendants on the relevant counts.

According to the reported judgment, Marvellous Isaac received seven years’ imprisonment on Count 1, death sentences on Counts 2 to 9, 10 years’ imprisonment on Count 10 and life imprisonment on Count 11.

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Wisdom Michael was sentenced to seven years on Count 1 and death sentences on Counts 2 to 9.

Rufus Emete Michael received seven years on Count 1 and death sentences on Counts 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7.

Gift Raphael was sentenced to seven years on Count 1 and death sentences on Counts 2, 4, 6 and 8.

Earlier reports on the case had described the defendants as facing a 10-count charge, while the judgment reports refer to an additional Count 11. The available reports do not provide sufficient detail to independently assign every offence to each of the 11 counts, so the sentencing breakdown above follows the counts specifically reported in the judgment.

Justice Momodu said the court had no discretion over the punishment prescribed by law for the offences attracting the death penalty.

The court also ordered the confiscation of a JoJef pump-action firearm and four cartridges tendered as exhibits during the trial.

The firearm and ammunition were ordered to be handed over to the Edo State Police Armourer at the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for destruction within 30 days.

The judgment marked the first kidnapping-related judgment delivered by the Edo State Special Criminal Court, a specialised court established to handle kidnapping, cultism and other serious violent-crime cases.

The court became operational on July 1, 2026, as part of efforts to accelerate the prosecution of serious criminal cases in Edo State.

The sentencing concludes the trial at the Special Criminal Court, but available reports do not indicate whether the four convicts have filed appeals against their convictions or sentences.

The death sentences are therefore sentences imposed by the trial court and should not be presented as final or carried out unless subsequent legal proceedings establish that position.

Edo Court Sentences Four to Death Over Kidnapping, Armed Robbery

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Chimamanda Adichie: Hospital Seeks to Stop Inquest Into Son’s Death

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Chimamanda Adichie: Hospital Seeks to Stop Inquest Into Son’s Death

Chimamanda Adichie: Hospital Seeks to Stop Inquest Into Son’s Death

A Lagos State High Court has fixed October 12, 2026, to rule on an application by Eurapharma Care Services Nigeria Limited, operators of Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, seeking to halt the coroner’s inquest into the death of Chimamanda Adichie’s son, Nkanu Adichie-Esege.

Justice Aishat Opesanwo fixed the date after hearing arguments from the hospital, Nkanu’s parents and other parties involved in the legal dispute.

The hospital is challenging the continuation of the coroner’s inquest, which is examining the circumstances surrounding the death of the 21-month-old child at Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital in Lagos on January 7, 2026.

Eurapharma is seeking judicial review orders, including certiorari, to quash decisions already made by the coroner and prohibition, to restrain the coroner, Magistrate Atinuke Adetunji, from continuing with the proceedings.

One of the hospital’s key arguments concerns the fact that Nkanu’s remains were cremated, which it argues prevents a post-mortem examination and affects the coroner’s ability to proceed with the inquest.

The hospital has also challenged the procedure adopted by the coroner regarding the presentation of evidence, particularly a direction requiring Euracare to present its case before the family of the deceased.

Eurapharma’s counsel, Taiwo Osipitan, SAN, argued that the hospital should not be required to open its case before the family, which has raised allegations concerning the medical care provided to Nkanu, first presents its evidence.

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However, lawyers representing Chimamanda Adichie and her husband, Dr Ivara Esege, urged the High Court to dismiss the hospital’s application.

Their counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, argued that the application was premature because the coroner had not made any substantive decision capable of being challenged through judicial review.

Pinheiro also disputed the argument that the cremation of Nkanu’s remains deprived the coroner of jurisdiction.

He relied on provisions of the Lagos State Coroners System Law, including Sections 21 and 31, arguing that an inquest could proceed even where a body was unavailable for inspection.

The lawyer described the inquest as a fact-finding process rather than a criminal trial, stressing that the coroner’s proceedings do not determine criminal guilt or impose criminal liability.

He argued that the coroner’s eventual findings would be submitted to the appropriate authorities, including the Lagos State Attorney-General and the Director of Public Prosecutions, for any further action considered necessary.

The Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, SAN, also urged the court to dismiss the hospital’s application.

Counsel representing Atlantis Paediatric Hospital Limited similarly opposed the application and argued that the issue concerning the order of evidence had already been addressed during proceedings before the coroner.

According to the arguments presented in court, parties had previously agreed that the family would lead evidence first, although the hospital had earlier agreed to commence its case because it was the party that initially sought the inquest.

The dispute is not the first time the Chimamanda Adichie son death inquest has faced a legal challenge.

In June, the Lagos State High Court granted Eurapharma leave to commence judicial review proceedings and temporarily stayed further proceedings before the coroner pending determination of the substantive application.

The hospital had argued that the coroner acted without jurisdiction and had also challenged procedural decisions made during the inquest.

The coroner’s proceedings began after Nkanu died at Euracare in January following medical treatment. His parents subsequently raised concerns about the circumstances surrounding his treatment and alleged breaches of the duty of care.

The family has alleged possible medical negligence, while Euracare has denied wrongdoing and described the allegations as inaccurate and unfounded.

Earlier reports on the case said the child had been referred to Euracare for diagnostic procedures and that arrangements were being made for further treatment abroad.

The family has maintained that it wants the inquest to establish the circumstances surrounding Nkanu’s death and provide answers about the medical care he received.

The current court proceedings, however, are focused on whether the coroner can lawfully continue with the inquest and whether the hospital’s complaints about the procedure and the cremation of the remains provide grounds for judicial intervention.

Justice Opesanwo is expected to determine the hospital’s application on October 12, 2026.

The ruling will determine the immediate legal direction of the coroner’s inquest into Nkanu Adichie-Esege’s death, while the underlying allegations of medical negligence remain unresolved.

Chimamanda Adichie: Hospital Seeks to Stop Inquest Into Son’s Death

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