metro
Court resumes hearing of 2018 Offa bank robbery case
Court resumes hearing of 2018 Offa bank robbery case
After an adjournment lasting almost one year, the celebrated deadly Offa robbery case of April 5, 2018, resumed on Tuesday before Justice Halimat Salman of the Kwara State High Court.
Policeman, Michael Adikwu (deceased), Ayoade Akinnibosun, Azeez Salahudeen, Niyi Ogundiran, Ibikunle Ogunleye and Adeola Abraham were arrested in connection with the bloody armed robbery in which about 30 innocent persons were reportedly killed.
Ayoade Akinnibosun and four others are currently standing trial in the case which began on November 11, 2018.
Recall that on April 5, 2018, some suspected armed robbers attacked five commercial banks in the ancient Offa town in Offa Local Government Area of Kwara State, killing over 30 persons in the process, including nine policemen.
The five suspects, Ayoade Akinnibosun, Ibikunle Ogunleye, Adeola Abraham and two others were charged to court by the police for criminal conspiracy to rob the banks, murder of nine policemen and other citizens, and illegal possession of firearms.
Michael Adikwu allegedly died in police custody while the remaining five pleaded not guilty.
At the resumed hearing on Tuesday, the fifth defendant, Niyi Ogundiran, who is the ninth witness, was examined and cross-examined by the defence counsel, Mathias Emeribe and prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacob, respectively.
Speaking after the court hearing, the prosecution counsel, Barrister Rotimi Jacob, said the prosecution counsel had closed its case, while the defence team had opened their case.
He said the hearing would run for three days, starting Tuesday till Thursday after which adoption of written address by the two sides would be taken by the court.
READ ALSO:
- AFCON 2023: Mali defeat South Africa as Percy Tau misses crucial penalty
- NRC to resume train services on abandoned routes
- Police arrest banker, other suspects for pirating Funke Akindele, Toyin Abraham’s movies
Answering questions on how long the case had taken so far, the prosecution counsel said that it’s not the fault of the court nor any party.
“My Lord was taken to the election tribunal for one year. That delayed the hearing. A lot of other things, example strike and all the rest.
“Nobody liked it. That’s why we devoted three days to conclude it this time around by Thursday and then we’ll address the court”, he said.
Also speaking, the defence counsel, Mathias Emeribe, said two of the witnesses were taken on Tuesday, namely Niyi Ogundiran and Adeola Abraham, who gave their testimony about the robbery in Offa for the defendants.
Under cross examination, Niyi Ogundiran, said he could not remember his date of birth, his age nor how many years he stayed in secondary school which he attended before he dropped out.
The prosecution counsel pointed out to Ogundiran that he did not state in his statement that he was not in Offa on the day of the incident.
However, the witness, while being examined by his own counsel, said that the statement he gave the police was made under duress, adding that he was tortured by the police, who he said asked him to cooperate with them.
He also said that he was taken to his hometown in Oro for search of his house, where he said that only N2,000 was found by a team of police investigators after the search of his three rooms and parlour.
Another suspect, Adeola Abraham, a politician, who said that he is into log wood business, disclosed that he was allegedly arrested because he had a political altercation with the former Information and culture minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, during a ward congress in the area.
He further told the court how the former Commander, Intelligence Response Team (IRT) Squad, ACP Abba Kyari, and his team tortured them in a place called “theatre”.
The suspect said five herdsmen were allegedly killed there in his presence, adding that he was mercilessly tortured and shot in the leg in order to implicate himself.
Abraham added that one of the robbery suspects, Micheal Adikwu, was allegedly shot dead in his presence, a situation that got him terrified, and made him do their bidding.
The presiding judge, Justice Halimat Salman, adjourned the case till today, Wednesday, January 17, 2024, for continuation of hearing.
Court resumes hearing of 2018 Offa bank robbery case
metro
Police dispel rumour of sexual assault victim as Seyi Tinubu’s sister
Police dispel rumour of sexual assault victim as Seyi Tinubu’s sister
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) police command has clarified that a sexual assault case involving Ebunoluwa Fatoyinbo is not connected to the family of President Bola Tinubu.
This clarification comes after widespread social media reports claimed Fatoyinbo is the sister of Seyi Tinubu, the president’s son. According to the reports, Oscar Ilochi allegedly assaulted Fatoyinbo while she was exercising alone in a gym basement, prompting an investigation that includes reviewing the facility’s CCTV footage.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Josephine Adeh, the FCT police spokesperson, confirmed that the command has launched an investigation based on a formal complaint filed by Fatoyinbo. However, she emphasised that the police have not established any familial link between Fatoyinbo and the Tinubu family.
READ ALSO:
- Niger Gov Bago makes U-turn on dreadlocks ban after backlash
- P-Square: Jude Okoye freed after two months detention
- Cultists kill teen during anti-cultism walk in Lagos
“The FCT Police Command is aware of a circulating publication on social media alleging that the Command has commenced an investigation into a case of sexual assault involving Miss Ebunoluwa, purportedly referred to as the sister of Mr. Seyi Tinubu, son of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR,” the statement read.
“The Command wishes to clarify that a formal complaint of sexual assault was indeed lodged by Miss Ebunoluwa Mitchell Fatoyinbo against one Oscar Ilochi, a resident of the Apo Legislative Quarters, Abuja.”
Adeh urged the public, including media outlets and social media users, to verify information before publication and rely on official police channels for updates on ongoing investigations.
Police dispel rumour of sexual assault victim as Seyi Tinubu’s sister
metro
Niger Gov Bago makes U-turn on dreadlocks ban after backlash
Niger Gov Bago makes U-turn on dreadlocks ban after backlash
Governor Umar Bago of Niger State has reversed his controversial directive ordering the arrest of individuals with dreadlocks, following widespread backlash from the public and civil rights advocates.
Bago had earlier instructed security agencies to arrest anyone seen with dreadlocks across the state, linking the hairstyle to rising cult-related activities and insecurity, particularly in Minna, the state capital.
“Rascality in Minna: anybody that you find with a dreadlock, arrest him and barb his hair. From this moment, it’s fire for fire. Any attempt to harass any security officer is an attempt to harass the government of Niger State,” Bago had declared during a public address.
In addition to the dreadlocks directive, Bago also announced a 12-hour daily restriction on commercial motorcycles and tricycles, banning their operations from 6pm to 6am, as part of efforts to end violent crimes.
He also threatened to demolish any house found to be housing criminals or drug dealers, emphasising that his administration will “apply maximum force to restore order.”
READ ALSO:
- P-Square: Jude Okoye freed after two months detention
- Cultists kill teen during anti-cultism walk in Lagos
- Just in: Factional Zamfara assembly leaders want governor to represent budget
The governor’s early statements, notably the one targeting people with dreadlocks, provoked widespread condemnation on social media and from members of the public, who accused him of encouraging discrimination and lacking a thorough understanding of effective crime-fighting techniques.
In response to the anger, Bago reaffirmed his position on Wednesday at a ceremony in Minna, declaring the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport as an alternative to Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
“Yesterday, we read a riot act on hooliganism, and people misconstrued our words for people who have dreadlocks. We don’t have a problem with dreadlocks, but we have a problem with the cult here with dreadlocks.
So, if you have dreadlocks and you have business, please come to Niger State,” Bago said.
The state governor went on to describe the backlash as “media propaganda” and reiterated that the enforcement efforts are targeted specifically at criminal groups.
He said, “We are only driving that cult that is becoming a menace in Niger State. Thank you.”
Bago insisted that law-abiding residents are not at risk, claiming that the crackdown is primarily directed at criminal elements who utilize “cult” insignia, such as dreadlocks, to conceal their operations and elude law enforcement.
Niger Gov Bago makes U-turn on dreadlocks ban after backlash
metro
Cultists kill teen during anti-cultism walk in Lagos
Cultists kill teen during anti-cultism walk in Lagos
A 16-year-old kid named Mustapha was killed by a stray bullet during a suspected cult clash in the Oyingbo area of Ebute Metta, Lagos State, on Monday.
Chronicle NG gathered that the incident happened during a peace walk sponsored by several young people to address escalating cult-related violence in the town.
It was reported that the walk had hardly ended when an argument erupted between them.
A resident, who talked to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity, claimed the fight escalated when a suspected cultist pulled out a pistol and shot indiscriminately, injuring Mustapha with a stray bullet.
READ ALSO:
- Just in: Factional Zamfara assembly leaders want governor to represent budget
- 2027: Atiku remains the best to face Tinubu, says Dele Momodu
- NLC to IMF: Your reforms inflict hunger, poverty on masses
Another resident told reporters that the teenager was not affiliated with any cult group.
“Mustapha just came out to support the walk. He was not part of any gang. He is a calm and respectful boy. He was taken to the hospital after the bullet hit him, but he died on the way,” the source said.
The incident was said to have caused chaos in the community, while the event ended abruptly.
Meanwhile, our correspondent reported that one of the organisers, who was struck by a gunshot, is in critical condition.
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin had yet to comment on the incident at the time of filing this report.
Cultists kill teen during anti-cultism walk in Lagos
-
metro2 days agoRivers: Tinubu meets with Fubara, may lift his suspension
-
metro2 days agoBring your children to compete with mine, MC Oluomo challenges those mocking his spoken English
-
metro1 day agoI’m not in supremacy battle with Ooni, says new Alaafin
-
News3 days agoTinubu returns to Nigeria after France, UK trip
-
metro3 days agoAnsar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria elects new leaders, Tinubu praises educational contributions
-
Business2 days agoMarketers count losses as NNPC slashes petrol price
-
metro3 days agoReno Omokri defends Tinubu’s appointments, blasts president’s critics
-
metro3 days agoN10m raised to relocate boy who faced Peter Obi convoy — Lawyer