metro
Anambra lawyer who brutalised maid set to face trial for attempted murder
Anambra lawyer who brutalised maid set to face trial for attempted murder
The Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) of the Nigeria Police Force has said it would be charging a, the Anambra lawyer that brutalised her 10 years old maid, with attempted murder and child abuse.
It will be recalled that the Minister of Women Affairs, Barrister Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, had placed a N2 million bounty on the head on Adachukwu Helen Okafor, who inserted a hot knife into the private part of her 10-year-old maid who had been living with her for just two weeks.
She also burnt the girl’s cheeks and bottom with hot iron after claiming the little girl sexually molested her six years old son.
National Coordinator for Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV), Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Olabisi Okuwobi, who paraded the suspect yesterday in Abuja, said the incident would be presented in court as a case of attempted murder and child abuse.
The CSP, while addressing newsmen, said: “Recall that on the 10th of January, there was a report, you know, in the social media, whereby it was alleged that a female lawyer abused a young girl and she was on the run.
“The Internet was awoken by the news of a 10-year-old girl who had burns all over her body. The girl was a maid to one Barrister Adachukwu Helen Okafor for two weeks.
“The said barrister accused the minor of fondling the organ of her six-year-old son while bathing him.
“On January 29, 2024, the suspect proceeded to tie her hands, her mouth and flogged her.
“She also inserted a hot knife into the girl’s private part and poured grounded pepper into it as well. She also placed a hot iron on the girl’s cheek and on her two buttocks.
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“After causing the maid trauma, she locked her up in her toilet from the afternoon of the incident till the evening of the following day without food.
“She took the child the following day naked to the aunt that gave her the girl as a maid, and it was at the point that she dropped the young girl with her aunt, you know without clothes, with the burns on the cheek and buttocks and with blood and water oozing out of the private part that the aunt raised the alarm, and the alarm attracted passersby who brought out their phones and recorded the incident.
“We know what Nigerians do with their phones. And they started recording videos or taking pictures, and this went straight to the social space, which attracted the police of Anambra State Command and the Commissioner for Women Affairs in Anambra State.
“All efforts made to arrest her proved abortive because she took to her heels.
“At that point when all efforts made to arrest her proved abortive, the Honourable Minister right here beside me, also a barrister herself, Barrister Uju Kennedy, took it upon herself that she wasn’t going to keep quiet; that her portfolio covers all Nigerian women and children.
“So she released a N2 million bounty on her head and wrote a petition to the Inspector General of Police, who ordered that the petition be handled by the Force CID, and the policemen of the Force CID took action immediately.
“When the woman discovered that the heat was on her, from her hiding place, I believe she advised herself and showed up. She was arrested and her statement taken.
“She is a mother of four children.
“Unfortunately, the young girl, we hope she recuperates better. She is still receiving treatment based on the extensive burns on her. Nobody knows the extent of the internal injuries caused by the hot knife that was driven into her private part.
“The IGP is assuring Nigerians that a diligent prosecution of the case would be carried out. No iota of the incident would be swept under the carpet.
“And this should serve as a note of warning to those who use little children for child labour in the first place.
“As for the suspect, any moment, she would be in court.”
On her part, Kennedy-Ohanenye said: “To Nigerians, I can assure you that when you shout out it is like a command to us; we in government would take it up when you shout out.
“So we are assuring Nigerians that till we get justice for that girl, we would not let go.
“Before she was brought, we had already gone to court with the police and all her bank accounts are blocked.
“She can’t assess her money. We would never agree. In Nigeria now, if you tamper with any child or any woman, you will see action, legal action, any kind of action.
“But I’m equally telling women not to look for trouble.
“So we have handed over this lady, but we are not stepping aside.
“We will keep you informed step by step until she gets the correct justice she is supposed to get.”
Anambra lawyer who brutalised maid set to face trial for attempted murder
metro
No Sallah durbar festival in Kano this year – Police warn
No Sallah durbar festival in Kano this year – Police warn
There will be no Sallah Durbar celebrations in Kano during this year’s Eid-el-Fitr festivities, the state police command has said.
It cited security concerns and the need to prevent potential unrest as reasons for the ban announced on Friday ahead of the end of Ramadan fast festival holding on Sunday or Monday.
The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, announced the decision while addressing journalists at the Bompai Police Headquarters in Kano.
He said intelligence reports revealed plans by certain groups to use the Durbar to create instability.
“In pursuit of a safe and secure celebration, and to maintain peace and public order, the command, in collaboration with other security agencies, has assessed the rising tensions and uncertainties surrounding the Durbar activities,” Bakori said.
“Following credible intelligence reports about plans to use the Durbar as a proxy for unrest, a ban has been placed on all Durbar activities throughout the state during the 2025 Eid-El-Fitr Sallah celebrations.”
The Police Commissioner emphasized that the decision was taken after extensive consultations with the Kano State Government and other key stakeholders.
The police command has urged worshippers to conduct their Eid prayers only at designated prayer grounds and to adhere to security guidelines.
Some of the restrictions in place outlined by CP Bakori include worshippers should avoiding carrying unnecessary objects that may cause suspicion., no horse riding (Kilisa), car racing, or reckless driving will be allowed, and parents and guardians must caution their children against involvement in disruptive activities.
He further warned that anyone caught violating these directives would face legal consequences.
metro
We won’t stop Sharia panels from operating in Oyo – Gov Makinde
We won’t stop Sharia panels from operating in Oyo – Gov Makinde
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has assured Muslims in the state that he has no objections to the operation of Sharia panels, emphasizing that individuals are free to seek dispute resolution through them if they so wish.
Speaking at the 2025 Iftar event organized by the state government at the Government House, Agodi, Ibadan, Makinde clarified that he has no plans to challenge the legality of Sharia courts in the state. His comments were conveyed in a statement on Thursday by his media aide, Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju.
Earlier in the week, Dr. Rafiu Bello, Chairman of the Sharia Committee of Oyo Land, had confirmed that a Sharia panel had already been established in Oyo town and had begun sittings. This led to renewed discussions regarding the panel’s constitutionality.
In response, Makinde reiterated his stance that the Constitution remains the supreme authority in all legal matters while acknowledging the role of Sharia panels in alternative dispute resolution.
“I read in the newspaper that I would go to court for interpretation on the Sharia panel, which is ongoing in Oyo. That is not my position,” the governor stated. “My position is that we will support anything that is in our Constitution.”
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Makinde explained that alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, including the Sharia panel, could ease the burden on the courts, provided they do not conflict with constitutional provisions.
He further emphasized his administration’s commitment to maintaining religious harmony and unity in the state, cautioning against attempts to use religion for political gains.
“As we move towards the next election, there will be elements that only think about the next election. But what we have done in this administration is to think about the next generation,” he said.
The governor also used the occasion to appreciate the Muslim community for their support and prayers, acknowledging the contributions of religious leaders, lawmakers, and security agencies in fostering peace and development in Oyo State.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including former Governor Rashidi Ladoja, Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal, Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin (represented by Deputy Speaker Mohammed Fadeyi), and other key figures from the judiciary and legislative arms of government.
We won’t stop Sharia panels from operating in Oyo – Gov Makinde
metro
EFCC re-arraigns son of ex-PDP chairman for alleged N2.2bn oil subsidy fraud
EFCC re-arraigns son of ex-PDP chairman for alleged N2.2bn oil subsidy fraud
Mamman Nasir Ali, the son of former chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and one Christian Taylor were on Thursday rearraigned for an alleged N2.2 billion oil subsidy fraud before Justice Mojisola Dadap of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
They were re-arraigned alongside Nasaman Oil Services Limited on an amended 57-count charge, following new findings in the case.
The defendants had initially been arraigned on a 49-count charge bordering on conspiracy to obtain money by false pretence, obtaining money by false pretence, forgery and the use of false documents.
At the scheduled trial for the adoption of final written addresses on Wednesday, the prosecution counsel, Seiduh Atteh, informed the court of the amended charges and requested that the defendants take a fresh plea.
There was no objection from the defence counsel, Obafemi Kolade, SAN.
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Consequently, the court granted the request.
The defendants, thereafter, pleaded “not guilty” to the amended charges preferred against them.
In the amended charge, the defendants, as well as Oluwaseun Ogunbambo and Olabisi Abdul Afeez, who are both at large, allegedly “fraudulently obtained money from the Federal Government on or about September 9, 2011.”
The defendants also allegedly forged a document titled: “ GASOLINE ANALYSIS” on board MT Overseas Limar, purportedly issued by Saybolt Concremat on the said date.
Following the re-arraignment, Kolade requested time for the defence to amend its written address in response to the new charges.
Justice Dada directed the prosecution to file a response before the next hearing.
The case was adjourned till April 15, 2025 for the adoption of final written addresses.
EFCC re-arraigns son of ex-PDP chairman for alleged N2.2bn oil subsidy fraud
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