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Child abuse: Jubilation as court releases Lagos teacher, accuser kicks

Published

4 years ago

May 19, 2022

Adewale Bakare

There was jubilation on Thursday at the Ogba Magistrates’ Court, Lagos State, over the release of a schoolteacher, Adewale Bakare, who was accused of child abuse.

The PUNCH gathered that the teacher had been remanded in Kirikiri Prison since May 4 before his bail application was granted.

However, his accuser, Mr Adebisi Arewa, in a telephone interview with our correspondent, faulted Bakare’s release on bail.

Teachers, parents, students and former students stormed the court premises as early as 7.30 am on Thursday, The PUNCH was told.

There was also jubilation on the premises of the school where Bakare teaches in the Sabo area of Lagos State after his release.

A jubilant crowd, who waited for Bakare’s arrival at the court for about two hours, carried placards and banners seeking the court to discharge the teacher.

While they sang victory songs, the teacher broke down in tears when he appeared from the Kirikiri’s vehicle that brought him.

Dressed in a red shirt and black trousers, Bakare thanked God and people for standing by him during his “trial and tough times”.

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“Thank you, God, for helping me. Thank you, God, for not putting me to shame. You are my helper, only you deserved to be worshipped, God,” he cried as the jubilant crowd lifted him up.

Speaking with our correspondent, Arewa said that the case was adjourned when he went to court today.

According to him, Bakare’s bail application was not debated.

He said, “How can that be? There are so many loopholes. I cry for this country. Anyway, he can only be released on bail and not freed.”

Backstory

There had earlier been protests over Arewa’s allegation that Bakare sexually abused his nine-year-old daughter on the school premises.

The protesters, comprising of educators, teachers, parents and former students, had protested on the premises of the Nigeria Bar Association, Lagos State Police Command and Lagos Governor’s Office.

The placard-carrying protesters argued that Bakare should not be kept in prison since the accuser failed to produce the victim for forensic tests or provide evidence.

They alleged that Bakare and his accuser earlier had an encounter over a parking space in the school but his accuser denied having any encounter with him.

Among the inscriptions on their placards are ‘say no to weaponised rape accusations’, ‘Lagos State, we say no to statistics, yes to justice’, ‘False accusation is a crime’, ‘rape is not a joke, do not accuse people to score a point’, and ‘rescue the Arewa girl’.

It was learnt that while in prison, Bakare’s wife delivered a pre-mature baby, who was kept in an incubator at a federal hospital in Lagos State.

48-year-old Bakare, who denied the allegations against him, had been a teacher for 21 years. He was a former principal of an international school where he worked for 10 years before joining Methodist Girls High School.

“It is noteworthy that Mr. Arewa has accused collectively more than five male and female teachers and aides of defiling his two daughters since 2019. As we speak, we have a teacher sentenced to life imprisonment in Kirikiri for allegedly defiling one of the daughters whom we shall call Miss O,” Bakare’s lawyer, Toyin Taiwo-Ojo had said.

During the protest, a child rights activist, Mr Saheed, urged the government and police to look thoroughly into the matter.

He said, “Prior to the arrest of Bakare, the Old Girls Association of the school organised a mentoring programme in the School Hall to celebrate the International Women’s Day on March 8, 2022. Arewa’s daughter was said to ask that ‘If you are being forced to do something you don’t want to do by your father, how can you stop it; and if you are being abused by your father, how can you run away from such?’.”

Arewa, however, denied the allegations, saying that the decision to conduct forensic interviews was ill-advised and precipitous.

He claimed that the teacher’s family, school, non-governmental organisations and former students are spreading false information about him and his daughters.

He also said evidence was provided in the case.

Arewa had said, “The survivor has been subjected to numerous ‘forensic interviews’ everywhere I was directed to take her, without my consent, beginning from Mirabel Centre and Domestic Violence Unit of the Lagos State Ministry of Justice; Ilupeju Division of the Nigerian Police Force and the Gender Unit of the Lagos State Police Command.

“All these interviews met the requirements of ‘forensic interviews’ because they were done in camera without my being in the same room with the survivor.

“That ‘forensic interviews’ in itself is riddled with pitfalls, inadequacies and inanities too numerous to do an exhaustive list; it will however suffice to mention its most critical flaws.”

The PUNCH, however, gathered that the Lagos State Government has taken custody of the children.

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Rivers Assembly Returns ₦100,000 Christmas Bonus, Accuses Fubara of Illegal Spending

Published

6 hours ago

December 30, 2025

Trends Admin

Governor Siminalayi Fubara

Rivers Assembly Returns ₦100,000 Christmas Bonus, Accuses Fubara of Illegal Spending

Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have returned the ₦100,000 Christmas bonus paid into their personal bank accounts by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, describing the payment as unsolicited, unapproved, and a violation of constitutional provisions on public expenditure.

The lawmakers made their position known in a statement issued on Tuesday night and signed by the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Hon. Enemi Alabo George.

According to the statement, members of the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly received bank alerts of ₦100,000 each on December 30, 2025, following a directive from the governor. However, the Assembly said the funds were transferred without legislative approval and were therefore rejected.

George explained that upon discovering the transfers, lawmakers immediately took steps to refund the money to the Rivers State Government, stressing that the Assembly would not participate in any action that falls short of the law.

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The House recalled that Governor Fubara had approved the payment of ₦100,000 as a festive bonus for civil servants and some public office holders, but insisted that such expenditure must comply with due process and receive legislative backing.

The lawmakers further accused the governor of persistently withdrawing funds from the Consolidated Revenue Account of Rivers State without the approval of the legislature since assuming office in 2023, despite repeated warnings, court judgments, and constitutional provisions.

“As an institution established by law and guided strictly by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Rivers State House of Assembly maintains that all public expenditures must follow due process, including legislative approval,” the statement read.

The Assembly also warned civil servants and government officials alleged to be collaborating in what it described as unlawful withdrawals to desist, noting that the House is aware of actions that contravene the Constitution and the principle of separation of powers.

Rivers Assembly Returns ₦100,000 Christmas Bonus, Accuses Fubara of Illegal Spending

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Borno: Troops Foil Suicide Attack, Arrest Bomber, Seize IED Materials

Published

7 hours ago

December 30, 2025

Trends Admin

Army headquarters reviews troops combat readiness

Borno: Troops Foil Suicide Attack, Arrest Bomber, Seize IED Materials

Barely days after a deadly suicide bomb attack at Gamboru Market Mosque in Maiduguri, which claimed the lives of several worshippers, troops of the Joint Task Force North East (JTF NE), Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), have recorded another major operational breakthrough with the arrest of a suspected suicide bomber and the interception of Improvised Explosive Device (IED) materials in Borno State.

The successful operation followed sustained intelligence-led security operations aimed at securing Banki town in Bama Local Government Area, carried out by troops of the 152 Task Force Battalion, in collaboration with other security agencies.

In a statement issued Tuesday night by the Media Information Officer, Headquarters JTF North East, Operation Hadin Kai, Lt. Col. Sani Uba, it was revealed that the suspect was apprehended at the Banki Central Mosque.

“At about 1740 hours on Monday, December 29, 2025, troops deployed at Banki Central Mosque arrested a suspected suicide bomber identified as Abubakar Mustapha,” the statement said.

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According to the military, the suspect was found in possession of primed IED components, suggesting an imminent terror attack. Preliminary investigations revealed that Mustapha hails from Bama Local Government Area and was further discovered to be in possession of other incriminating items linked to terrorist activities.

“He is currently undergoing detailed interrogation to establish his sponsors, collaborators, and possible links with JAS/ISWAP terrorist networks operating in the area,” Uba added.

In a related development, troops deployed at the Cameroon–Nigeria border gate intercepted a Peugeot vehicle conveying six bags of urea fertiliser, a critical IED precursor material. The vehicle and the fertiliser were immediately taken into military custody.

Further intelligence exploitation led to the arrest of the fertiliser dealer and the recovery of an additional six bags of urea, bringing the total seized to 12 bags. All suspects and recovered items are currently in custody for further investigation and possible prosecution.

Lt. Col. Uba said troops of JTF NE OPHK continue to dominate their areas of responsibility through aggressive patrols, sustained presence, and intelligence-driven operations to deny terrorists freedom of action and prevent attacks on civilians and critical infrastructure.

He assured the public that the morale and fighting efficiency of troops remain high, reaffirming the military’s commitment to restoring lasting peace and security in North East Nigeria.

The military also urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies in support of ongoing counter-terrorism operations.

Borno: Troops Foil Suicide Attack, Arrest Bomber, Seize IED Materials

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VIDEO: Oshodi Traders Count Losses as Fire Ravages Army Arena Market in Lagos

Published

7 hours ago

December 30, 2025

Trends Admin

VIDEO: Oshodi Traders Count Losses as Fire Ravages Army Arena Market in Lagos

Traders at the Army Arena Market in Oshodi, Lagos State, were thrown into panic on Tuesday evening following a fire outbreak that engulfed sections of the busy commercial hub, destroying several shops and goods.

The incident was confirmed by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) through its official X (formerly Twitter) handle. LASTMA disclosed that emergency responders were immediately deployed to the scene to contain the inferno.

“There’s a fire outbreak inside Arena Shopping Mall along Agege Motor Road, Oshodi. Men of @LagosRescue are on ground to extinguish the inferno,” the agency stated.

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Eyewitnesses said the fire spread rapidly through parts of the market, forcing traders and customers to flee for safety as thick smoke billowed into the sky. Several container shops were reportedly razed, with traders lamenting the loss of valuable merchandise, including textiles, electronics, and household goods.

Officials of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, alongside other emergency agencies, worked to prevent the fire from spreading to adjoining sections of the market and nearby buildings. As of the time of filing this report, no casualties had been officially confirmed, while the cause of the fire was yet to be determined.

The latest incident has renewed concerns over frequent fire outbreaks in Lagos markets, particularly in densely populated commercial centres such as Oshodi, where traders have repeatedly called for improved fire safety measures, better electrical standards, and faster emergency response.

Oshodi Traders Count Losses as Fire Ravages Army Arena Market in Lagos

Wike | Sina Ghami | #NIGUGA | Accident | Diogo Jota | #โดมปกรณ์ลัม | Anthony Joshua pic.twitter.com/UrFd9MZnt1

— Newstrends.Ng (@Newstrends_ng) December 30, 2025