Court sentences man to death for murdering friend over debt – Newstrends
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Court sentences man to death for murdering friend over debt

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Court sentences man to death for murdering friend over debt

The Akwa Ibom State High Court in Uyo has sentenced AkpanikoAbasi James to death by hanging for the murder of his friend, Ephraim Edet Okon.

Justice Bassey Nkanang delivered the judgment, bringing an end to a protracted legal battle that began in 2021.

Recounting the details of the case, the judge noted that the convict had brutally killed Okon, aged 22, along Gibbs Street in Uyo. The tragic incident occurred when the victim visited James to collect a debt owed to him.

Justice Nkanang condemned the act as premeditated and heinous, emphasizing the importance of justice for the victim and his family.

“On the date of the incident, the deceased Ephraim reportedly approached his friend who had bought a Lexus Jeep, demanding that he refund the debt said to be less than a N100,000 naira to him, but Akpanikoabasi allegedly refused.

“He (the convict) was said to have told the deceased, during arguments, that he would kill him and nothing would happen.

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“Shortly after the threat, the convict quickly reversed his jeep turned towards his friend on top speed and hit him directly, while the force lifted the deceased on top the front bonnet as his head smashed into the front windscreen.

“He then drove for a distance, applied break for the body to fall down and ran over him.

“He immediately drove to the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC) office at Ekpanya Street, Uyo – off Ikot Ekpene road. The then office was farther away from the Area Command of the Nigeria Police Force within the proximity of Gibbs Street, where the incident occurred. He was advised by NSCDC officers to report to the Police.

“At the police station, he claimed, according to one of his statements, that he encountered two robbers armed with Axe and guns who attempted to rob him. By the time the remains of his friend was rushed to the hospital, he was pronounced dead,” the case file reads.

However, the state preferred a lone count charge of murder against Akpanikoabasi, and the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), F. J. Itim, led Glory Ntekpere Esq for the state, while Barr Ekpenyong Ntekim, a former Attorney General and Commissioner for justice in the state, led Eyo Okon Esq, and Mrs Unwana Udoh Esq for the defence.

However, Justice Nkanang, relying on the superior arguments of the state prosecutors in their diligent prosecution of the convict, maintained that the murder case established against the convict had been proven beyond every reasonable doubt and consequently found him guilty as charged.

“You are hereby sentenced to death by hanging, and you will be hanged in the neck until you be dead,” Nkanang reeled out the final verdict.

Court sentences man to death for murdering friend over debt

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Police foil kidnap attempt in Anambra

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December 25, 2024

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Chukwuma Obi

Police foil kidnap attempt in Anambra

Operatives of the Anambra State Police Command have foiled a kidnap attempt and arrested a suspect, Chukwuma Obi, 32, who allegedly demanded a ransom of N1.2 million.

The command’s spokesman, Tochukwu Ikenga, in a press statement on Wednesday said the suspect, who hails from Umuagu Village in Igboukwu, Aguata Local Government Area of the state, was arrested in connection with an alleged case of attempted kidnapping and extortion.

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He said Chukwuma demanded a ransom of N1.2 million through threats of abduction.

According to Ikenga, the victim reported receiving a menacing message from an individual claiming to be a member of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), threatening abduction unless the ransom was paid into a specified account.

“During interrogation, the suspect confessed to the crime and is currently assisting the police in identifying and apprehending other members of the gang involved in the criminal activities,” Ikenga said.

He urged the public to report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station or through the Command’s emergency lines.

 

Police foil kidnap attempt in Anambra

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Shehu Sani accuses Tinubu of shielding Buhari-era spendings

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31 minutes ago

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December 25, 2024

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Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani

Shehu Sani accuses Tinubu of shielding Buhari-era spendings

Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has criticized President Bola Tinubu for his refusal to investigate military spending under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, Sani said Tinubu’s stance amounts to shielding corruption and rewarding larceny.

The criticism comes after Tinubu’s Monday media chat, where he stated that his administration is not interested in probing the military expenditures of his predecessor.

The declaration sparked backlash, especially given Tinubu’s ongoing probe into the activities of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) under its former governor, Godwin Emefiele.

Sani pointed out the inconsistency in Tinubu’s approach, describing it as contradictory.

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“When you find yourself in this position, especially with a nation facing these critical issues, you need to go back and recover public funds that were looted,” he said.

He added, “The President has been investigating the CBN, but when asked about the mismanagement of security and defence funds under Buhari, he said he’s more interested in moving forward. It’s contradictory; you can’t probe one and ignore the other.”

The former lawmaker stated that Tinubu’s refusal to address alleged corruption in military spending undermines accountability.

“Saying whatever happened in the past has gone is like rewarding larceny,” Sani remarked.

He further stated that Tinubu should be held accountable for his policies and the actions of his ministers.

“If all his cabinet members are performing as he claims, then he must also ensure transparency across all sectors, including past military expenditures,” Sani said.

 

Shehu Sani accuses Tinubu of shielding Buhari-era spendings

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BREAKING: Fighter jet targeting Lakurawa terrorists hits Sokoto communities

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December 25, 2024

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BREAKING: Fighter jet targeting Lakurawa terrorists hits Sokoto communities

Many villagers were feared killed while several others got injured as a fighter jet targeting Lakurawa terrorist group mistakingly bombed two communities in the Silame Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

The affected communities were Gidan Sama and Rumtuwa.

According to locals, the incident occured around 7am on Wednesday.

A report by Daily Trust quoted a resident of Silame, identified as Malam Yahya as saying the two villages were located close to the Surame Forest identified as another hideout of Lakurawa and bandits.

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Over 10 villagers were reportedly killed and several others sustained varying degrees of injury during the airstrike.

The chairman of Silame LGA, Alhaji Abubakar Muhammad Daftarana, confirmed the attack, saying they were still assessing the level of damage caused by the airstrike.

“The villagers were sitting peacefully when the bombs started dropping on the communities. They were innocent and peace-loving people who had no any criminal record.

“It was early for me to confirm the number of people either killed or injured because we are still assessing the development,” he said.

When contacted, spokesman for the Sokoto State Police Command, ASP Ahmad Rufa’i, declined comment on the matter, saying it was not the police operation.

BREAKING: Fighter jet targeting Lakurawa terrorists hits Sokoto communities

 

Daily Trust

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