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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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Pastor Found Dead in Guest House After Night Out With Married Female Church Member

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Reverend Michael Kofi Appiah

Pastor Found Dead in Guest House After Night Out With Married Female Church Member

Reverend Michael Kofi Appiah, the founder of Light of Faith Ministry, was tragically found dead in a guest house in Takoradi, Ghana, following a night out with a female church member. The incident has sparked widespread concern and prompted an ongoing police investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.

According to reports, Reverend Appiah and the woman checked into the guest house around 10:00 p.m., where they reportedly ordered food and drinks. Staff became alarmed later in the night after hearing unusual calls for help, only to discover the pastor unresponsive in his room. Authorities and medical personnel were promptly notified, and the pastor was confirmed dead at the scene.

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The exact cause of death remains unclear, and an autopsy has been scheduled to determine the circumstances. Police are currently gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses, while urging the public to avoid speculation as investigations continue.

The pastor’s sudden death has shocked church members and the wider community, prompting an outpouring of condolences on social media. Many have expressed grief over the loss of a preacher who had a significant impact in Takoradi and beyond.

Authorities have assured that a thorough and transparent investigation will be conducted to ascertain what led to the tragedy, including examining any possible foul play. Meanwhile, the pastor’s remains have been transferred to the morgue pending the outcome of official inquiries.

This incident comes amid rising concern over safety and accountability in public and private spaces, highlighting the need for careful monitoring and investigation whenever such sudden deaths occur.

Pastor Found Dead in Guest House After Night Out With Married Female Church Member

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Nasarawa Communal Violence: 11 Killed, 52 Houses Burnt in Reprisal Attack

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Nasarawa State Commissioner of Police, CP Shetima Jauro Mohammed
Nasarawa State Commissioner of Police, CP Shetima Jauro Mohammed

Nasarawa Communal Violence: 11 Killed, 52 Houses Burnt in Reprisal Attack

Nasarawa State — At least 11 people have been killed and 52 houses burnt in a reprisal attack by suspected hoodlums in Akyawa and Udege Kasa communities of Nasarawa Local Government Area. The attack, which occurred on Friday, was reportedly in retaliation for the alleged killing of two kinsmen, highlighting ongoing communal tensions in central Nigeria.

The Nasarawa State Police Command confirmed the incident in a statement by SP Ramhan Nansel, the state police spokesperson. He said the hoodlums went on a destructive rampage, killing residents and setting their homes ablaze. “In the course of the attack, 11 people were killed, while about 52 houses were burnt in the two communities,” Nansel stated.

CP Shetima Mohammed, the state Commissioner of Police, led a team to the affected areas to assess the destruction and reassure residents. He expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and property and commiserated with the victims’ families, pledging the police command’s commitment to ensuring justice.

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To contain the situation, the CP ordered an intensive manhunt for the perpetrators, directing tactical teams and investigative units to promptly identify, arrest, and prosecute the hoodlums responsible. Security personnel were reinforced in the affected communities to prevent further escalation.

Police efforts are being conducted in collaboration with the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to provide adequate protection and restore lasting peace. During a stakeholders’ meeting, the CP urged residents to remain calm, law-abiding, and cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information that could aid ongoing investigations.

Authorities say that normalcy has largely been restored, but residents remain on edge as they begin the process of rebuilding their homes and livelihoods. Analysts warn that communal disputes over land, livestock, and alleged killings continue to fuel cycles of retaliation in Nasarawa and other parts of the Middle Belt.

This latest reprisal attack underscores the urgent need for improved security measures, early warning systems, and community engagement to prevent similar tragedies in the region.

Nasarawa Communal Violence: 11 Killed, 52 Houses Burnt in Reprisal Attack

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Final-Year UNIJOS Student Discovered Dead Following Attack Near Campus

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Adeyemo Oluwafemi Temitope
Adeyemo Oluwafemi Temitope

Final-Year UNIJOS Student Discovered Dead Following Attack Near Campus

Jos, Plateau State — The remains of Adeyemo Oluwafemi Temitope, a 500‑level quantity surveying student of the University of Jos (UNIJOS), have been confirmed dead, three days after he was reported missing amid escalating insecurity in Jos. The tragic news was first shared by his close friend, Meshak Gimba, a 400‑level psychology student, via social media on Friday.

Gimba explained that he had initially posted Temitope’s photograph online to help locate him but later received a call directing him to the University of Jos Teaching Hospital, where the body was discovered. According to hospital officials, Temitope was allegedly attacked by unknown assailants at Bauchi Junction, near the UNIJOS hostels, while returning from the market.

UNIJOS authorities, including the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Tanko Ishaya, and the university’s Chief Security Officer, Agama Solomon, confirmed the incident. Solomon said the university management verified the body at the hospital and contacted the family to commence arrangements for a joint burial.

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Temitope’s death comes amid a spike in violence in Jos, particularly following a bandit attack in Angwan Rukuba on March 29, which claimed at least 28 lives and injured several others. The Plateau State Government subsequently imposed a 48-hour curfew on parts of Jos North Local Government Area, though fresh tension continued to rise in the city.

In response to the growing insecurity, UNIJOS ordered all students to evacuate hostels immediately and suspended scheduled examinations until after the Easter break. The university also coordinated with security agencies to ensure student safety and liaised with state governments to assist in relocating students, especially those from neighbouring states.

State authorities, including the Kogi and Benue governments, assisted in evacuating their students from UNIJOS to protect them from potential attacks. Security agencies in Plateau intensified patrols and intelligence operations around university campuses and high-risk areas to prevent further incidents.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) also provided relief materials, including food and medical supplies, to support victims and displaced residents affected by the recent attacks. Community leaders and student associations have called for enhanced security measures to ensure the safety of students and restore normalcy in the Plateau State capital.

The tragic killing of Adeyemo Temitope underscores the urgent need for stronger protection of academic institutions and civilian areas in Jos as residents continue to face threats from bandits and armed assailants.

Final-Year UNIJOS Student Discovered Dead Following Attack Near Campus

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