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Beninese father, others arrested over attempt to use son for ritual

Published

3 years ago

July 24, 2023

Beninese father, others arrested over attempt to use son for ritual

The Zone 2 Police Command has arrested a 50-year-old Beninese father, Mr Pome Banda, and three others who allegedly lured a nine-year-old boy from Benin Republic for money ritual.

The Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Mr Ari Mohammed, disclosed this to newsmen in Lagos.

Mohammed said in the process of their plans, Zone 2 Criminal Investigation Department got information about them and the police acted as the herbalist who wanted to help them to use the boy for money ritual.

He said the operatives started discussing with the boy’s father, his brother living in Nigeria, one Benjamin Balobi, and two Nigerians – Segun Shile and Ige Koshelu.

The AIG said that Banda left Ajah Jakatome, his hometown in Benin Republic and came to Nigeria on May 30, 2023 with his son after telling him that they were coming to secure a housemaid job for him.

He said the boy was given to a man simply identified as Baba Shina, now at large, as his house help.

Mohammed said after the boy lived with Baba Shina for a month, he was then taken back to Cotonou and N35,000 was given to his father in his presence as salary so as to confuse the boy.

He said that between June 17 and 23, Banda, after making final arrangement with other suspects, brought the boy from Benin Republic again to Nigeria for money making ritual purpose.

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The AIG said the four suspects involved were arrested at Sango Ota in Ogun, the presumed native doctor place, stressing that all suspects have confessed to the crime.

He said they would be charged to court soon at the completion of investigation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that during interrogation, the boy’s father who spoke through an interpreter at the Zone 2 Police Command Headquarters, Onikan Lagos, said he wanted to use his fifth child for ritual because he was poor.

He said he called his brother living in Nigeria, Mr Benjamin Balobi, to make contact for a house help job and also assist in the money ritual.

Banda said his brother was able to secure one Baba Shina as his house help master.

He said he was connected to a Nigerian, one Ige Koshelu and discussed with him of what he wanted to use his son to do.

He said he met Koshelu at Ilaro area of Ogun, who then contacted another Nigerian, Segun Shile, who allegedly made arrangement for a herbalist at the Owode Yewa area in Ogun.

Banda said Shile became the middleman and coordinator between Ige, himself and the suspected herbalist, they never knew was a policeman.

On the part of Benjamin Balobi, the boy’s father called him to know what he was doing in Nigeria and wanted him to help get a place where his son would work as a house boy.

Balobi said he told Banda that the job he saw paid N5,000 salary monthly.

“It was later he opened up to me that he wanted to use his son for money ritual, that is when I connected him with one Baba Shina who is on the run now. The boy was taken to Baba Shina house.

“He said he wanted to be rich, that was why he wanted to use his son for the ritual, but I don’t know anything about it. I only assisted him to secure a house help job for his son,” he said.

Ige Koshelu said that when Banda brought his son from Benin Republic, it was Baba Shina ( the boy’s master) that called to inform him that he wanted to use his son for money ritual.

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Koshelu said that he told Banda that he did not know anything about ritual, but promised to help them to ask another friend who may help them to get a herbalist.

“It was a friend of mine whom I contacted that promised to get someone for them at the Oja Odan area of Ogun, who finally helped them.

“It was that my friend who later took us to the herbalist house at Owode Yewa, and from Owode Yewa, we moved again to Sango to meet the herbalist. Unfortunately, we were arrested at the scene where the policemen were already waiting,” he said.

Segun Shile said he was at Oja-Odan working as a welder when Koshelu met him that someone wanted to do money ritual with his son.

Shile said that the herbalist called on phone at Owode Yewa about the matter said that there was nothing like money ritual.

He said five days after, the herbalist called him again requesting to see him and the man who wanted to use his son for money ritual and they visited him.

“The herbalist called me two days after again that he had contacted another herbalist, who promised to help them but will collect N100,000.

“Balobi then told me he would donate N50,000, while I and Koshelu should contribute the remaining N50,000, as the father of the boy will not bring a dine, because he presented his son for the ritual.

“After the contribution, we took the money to the herbalist, after collecting it, he kept it under his mat and picked his phone to call someone.

“Few hours later, we were arrested on the spot by the police while we were waiting for the second herbalist,” he said. (NAN)

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Court Dismisses Sowore’s Suit Against DSS, Meta

Published

12 hours ago

April 2, 2026

Trends Admin

Omoyele Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters and political activist

Court Dismisses Sowore’s Suit Against DSS, Meta

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday dismissed a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by Omoyele Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters and political activist, against the Department of State Services (DSS), its Director‑General, and Meta Platforms Incorporated (formerly Facebook). The court held that the suit, which challenged the removal of a social media post and deactivation of Sowore’s Facebook account, lacked merit, and awarded a total of ₦1.5 million in costs against him.

Justice Mohammed Umar, who delivered the judgment, explained that the suit failed on all key legal issues, including claims relating to fair hearing, freedom of expression, and freedom of association under the Nigerian Constitution. Sowore had alleged that Meta, acting on instructions from the DSS and its Director-General, removed his post on August 26, 2025, in which he referred to President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal”, and subsequently deactivated his account.

Sowore’s legal team argued that the removal of the post and account action violated his constitutional rights to fair hearing, free expression, and association. He joined the DSS, its DG, Meta Platforms Inc., Meta Platforms Ltd., and Facebook Nigeria Operations Ltd. as respondents in the suit. The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1887/2025, sought declaratory reliefs against the respondents for allegedly infringing these rights.

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In his ruling, Justice Umar stated that the right to fair hearing under Section 36(1) of the Constitution applies only to proceedings before courts or tribunals, not to complaints made by non-judicial bodies or private platforms. The judge emphasized that Sowore’s claim on fair hearing was therefore not justiciable under the fundamental rights enforcement procedure.

The court also found that Sowore’s freedom of expression and association were not violated, noting that constitutional rights are not absolute and may be restricted to protect the rights and reputation of others. The judge clarified that the DSS’s complaint to Meta and the platform’s action to remove the post were lawful steps under existing policies, and did not constitute a violation of Sowore’s rights.

Regarding the reliefs sought, Justice Umar held that Sowore failed to prove that his constitutional rights had been or were likely to be violated, and that the reliefs were therefore unwarranted. The suit was dismissed in its entirety.

Following applications for costs by counsel to the DSS and its DG, as well as Meta, the court awarded ₦500,000 each to the DSS, its DG, and Meta Platforms, totaling ₦1.5 million to be paid by Sowore.

The case highlights ongoing debates in Nigeria over online freedom of expression, state interventions, and the role of global tech platforms in moderating content following complaints by government agencies. Sowore, known for his activism and political engagement, has previously been involved in legal disputes and protests concerning government accountability and free speech.

Court Dismisses Sowore’s Suit Against DSS, Meta

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Kano APC Chieftain Dies in Abuja Hotel Elevator Accident

Published

12 hours ago

April 2, 2026

Trends Admin

Abdulsalami Ginsau, the Assistant Organising Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State

Kano APC Chieftain Abdulsalami Ginsau Dies in Abuja Hotel Elevator Accident

Tragic details have emerged surrounding the death of Abdulsalami Ginsau, the Assistant Organising Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State, who died after being trapped in a faulty elevator at Chida Hotels in Utako District, Abuja. The incident occurred on Friday, March 27, 2026, during the APC national convention.

Ginsau, a respected lawyer and party stalwart, had travelled to Abuja to coordinate accommodation for APC delegates from Kano State. After settling the delegates, he checked into Chida Hotels, unaware of the malfunctioning elevator in the facility. Sources reveal that although 150 rooms had been booked, over 1,000 delegates arrived, overwhelming the hotel’s capacity. The hotel reportedly raised concerns over elevator safety, but these warnings were reportedly ignored.

In the early hours of Friday, Ginsau reportedly entered the malfunctioning elevator on the third floor. The lift shaft was empty, and he tragically fell, going unnoticed until the following day, when staff detected a strong odor, prompting a search that led to the discovery of his remains.

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The Utako Police Division confirmed the incident, stating that the hotel management reported the accident on Saturday, March 28, 2026. An autopsy and police investigation are ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding his death.

The Kano State APC has called for a thorough investigation, alleging potential negligence by the hotel. Party leaders noted that Ginsau was in good health before the trip. A committee has been set up to work with security agencies to uncover the facts. The Kano State Government has also reached out to the family to ensure accountability and transparency.

Speaking for the family, Hamza Haladu described the death as “a complete shock,” highlighting Ginsau’s good health before the trip. The APC stalwart, known for his expertise in corporate, commercial, and property law, is survived by two wives and two children. His funeral is scheduled to take place in Kano on Thursday, April 3, 2026, in accordance with Islamic rites.

Ginsau held several leadership roles in the legal profession, including CEO of Ginsau & Sons and litigation work with Ginsau & Co. Advocates, specialising in labour, corporate, estate, and family law. Within the APC, he was a key strategist, playing a central role in party organisation in Kano State.

Kano APC Chieftain Abdulsalami Ginsau Dies in Abuja Hotel Elevator Accident

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VeryDarkMan Dares Sowore Over Blord’s Kuje Prison Remand

Published

12 hours ago

April 2, 2026

Trends Admin

VeryDarkMan Dares Sowore Over Blord’s Kuje Prison Remand

Controversial social media activist VeryDarkMan has fired back at politician and activist Omoyele Sowore following his criticism of the incarceration of cryptocurrency entrepreneur Blord. The case has ignited widespread discussion about identity theft, impersonation laws, and online accountability in Nigeria.

Blord, whose real name is Linus Williams Ifejirika, was remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre on April 1, 2026, after being charged with criminal conspiracy, impersonation, and unauthorized use of VeryDarkMan’s identity for commercial purposes. Court proceedings have been scheduled to continue with Blord in custody until April 27, 2026.

The legal action arose after Blord allegedly used VeryDarkMan’s image without consent, including on promotional materials and advertisements, falsely presenting himself as a partner or endorser of certain businesses. VeryDarkMan claimed Blord even went as far as forging flight tickets in his name to promote events.

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In response to Sowore’s public condemnation of the case, VeryDarkMan took to Instagram to express disappointment that Sowore opted to speak publicly instead of contacting him privately. He warned Sowore against unauthorized use of his identity and threatened legal action if similar actions occurred.

“Dear Omoyele Sowore… because of the respect I have for you, if you had asked me to let it go, I might have,” VeryDarkMan wrote. “But instead, you chose to test your strength… On God, if you cross this path and use my face or name to promote any business without my approval, I, Martins Vincent Otse, will send you to prison… you might end up begging to discontinue the case.”

VeryDarkMan emphasized that the case highlights how wealth and influence do not place anyone above the law, pointing out that Blord—despite being perceived as well-connected—was remanded. This, he asserts, sends a strong message about the consequences of identity theft and impersonation in Nigeria.

Sowore, for his part, condemned the “celebration” of Blord’s incarceration, warning that the law should not be weaponized to target individuals. He pledged to work toward having the case dropped and Blord released, asserting that justice must be fair and impartial.

The dispute has sparked heated debates on social media, with some supporting VeryDarkMan’s strict stance on protecting personal identity, while others echo Sowore’s concerns about legal overreach and fairness. Observers note that the case has also raised questions about digital rights, online reputation management, and enforcement of impersonation laws in Nigeria’s fast-growing tech ecosystem.

As the case continues, it remains a flashpoint for discussions on law, online influence, and accountability, highlighting the challenges that arise when social media personalities, politicians, and entrepreneurs collide in Nigeria’s legal and digital spheres.