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Enugu monarch, 4 others remanded over murder of policemen

Published

11 months ago

June 7, 2024

Enugu monarch, 4 others remanded over murder of policemen

An Enugu Magistrate Court has ordered the detention of Igwe Herbert Ukuta, the traditional ruler of Igga community in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area, along with a former councillor and three others, in connection with the alleged murder of two policemen.

Igwe Ukuta, who had been held at the State Criminal Investigation Department for over a month, and his co-defendants were brought before Enugu North Magistrate Court 1 by the Enugu State Police Command. The charges against them include alleged membership in a terrorist group and conspiracy to commit murder.

The case, listed as No: MEN/320c/2024, involves the Commissioner of Police (Kanayo Uzuegbu) against Igwe Herbert Ukuta, 62; Festus Okonkwa, 62; Ofadile Titus Henry, 39; Sunday Ugwu, 26; and Obinna Ayogu, 54.

The accused face multiple charges, including conspiracy, involvement with the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its security wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), and the murders of five individuals, including two police officers.

The police claim that the defendants’ actions violate several sections of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022, and the Criminal Code Cap C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

Some of the charges read: “That you HRM Igwe Herbert Ukuta, ‘m, Festus Okonkwa ‘m’; Ofadile Titus Henry ‘m’; Sunday Ugwu ‘m’’; Obinna Ayogu ‘m’ and others now at large on the day of May 2024 at about 1315hours along Adarice Farm Road, Adarice in Uzo-Uwani Magisterial District holden in Enugu did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit: Membership of a terrorist group and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 26(1) and punishable under Section 25(3) and Section 18 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.

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“That you HRH Igwe Herbert Ukuta, ‘m’, Festus Okonkwo ‘m’, Ofodile Titus Henry ‘m’, Sunday Ugwu ‘m’, Obinna Ayogu ‘m’ and others now at large on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District holden in Enugu did join, belong and participate in the activities of Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network which is a proscribed terrorist group by the Federal Republic of Nigeria and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 25(3) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.

“That you, HRH Igwe Herbert Ukuta, ‘m’ and Obinna Ayogu ‘m’ on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District holden in Enugu did recruit Festus Okonkwa, ‘m, Ofodile Titus Henry, ‘m, Sunday Ugwu, ‘m’ and others now at large into the membership and activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network which is a proscribed terrorist group by the Federal Republic of Nigeria and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 18 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.

“That you, HRH Igwe Herbert Ukuta, ‘m’ and Obinna Ayogu, ‘m’, on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District holden in Enugu did knowingly of the activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network within Igga Community and Adarice Farm Settlement, concealed and failed to report the same to the law enforcement agencies and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 16(1)(a)&(b) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.

“That you HRH Igwe Herbert Ukuta ‘m’, Festus Okonkwo ‘m’, Ofodile Titus Henry ‘m’, Sunday Ugwu ‘m’, Obinna Ayogu ‘m’ and others now at large on the 3 day of May, 2024 at about 13:15 hours along Adarice Farm Road, Adarice in Uzo-Uwani Magisterial District holden in Enugu did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit: Murder and thereby committed an offence punishable unde Section 516(A) of the Criminal Code Cap C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

“That you HRH Igwe Herbert Ukuta ‘m’, Festus Okonkwo ‘m’, Ofodile Titus Henry ‘m’, Sunday Ugwu ‘m’, Ayogu ‘m’ and others now at large on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District holden in Enugu did unlawfully kill Police Inspector Nwoga Cornellus ‘m’ by shooting him with a gun, which led to his death and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 316(1) and punishable under Section 319(1) of the Criminal Code Cap C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

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“That you HRH Igwe Herbert Ukuta ‘m’, Festus Okonkwo ‘m’, Ofodile Titus Henry ‘m’, Sunday Ugwu ‘m’, Obinna Ayogu ‘m’ and others now at large on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District holden in Enugu did unlawfully kill Police Constable Ikowa Anthony ‘m’ by shooting him with a gun, which led to his death and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 316(1) and punishable under Section 319(1) of the Criminal Code Cap C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

“That you HRH Igwe Herbert Ukuta ‘m’, Festus Okonkwo ‘m’, Ofodile Titus Henry ‘m’, Sunday Ugwu ‘m’, Obinna Ayogu ‘m’ and others now at large on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District holden in Enugu did unlawfully kill Emegoni Aloysius ‘m’ by shooting him with a gun, which led to his death and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 316(1) and punishable under Section 319(1) of the Criminal Code Cap C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

“That you HRH Igwe Herbert Ukuta ‘m’, Festus Okonkw ‘m’, Ofodile Titus Henry ‘m’, Sunday Ugwu ‘m’, Obinna Ayogu ‘m’ and others now at large on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District holden in Enugu did unlawfully kill Adada Joshua ‘m’ by shooting him with a gun, which led to his death and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 316(1) and punishable under section 319(1) of the Criminal Code Cap C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

“That you HRH Igwe Herbert Ukuta ‘m’, Festus Okonkwo Titus Henry’’, Sunday Ugwu ‘m’, Obinna Ayogu ‘m’ and others now at large on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District holden in Enugu did unlawfully kill Eze Fidelis ‘m’ by shooting him with a gun, which led to his death and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 316(1) and punishable under Section 319(1) of the Criminal Code Cap C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.”

During the court proceedings, the accused did not enter a plea, as the magistrate lacked the jurisdiction to handle cases under the Federal Act.

Consequently, all five individuals were remanded to Enugu Maximum Correctional Centre.

Enugu monarch, 4 others remanded over murder of policemen

(PUNCH)

metro

Police dispel rumour of sexual assault victim as Seyi Tinubu’s sister

Published

16 hours ago

April 24, 2025

Trends Admin

FCT Police Command Spokesperson, SP Adeh Josephine

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.

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metro

Niger Gov Bago makes U-turn on dreadlocks ban after backlash

Published

16 hours ago

April 24, 2025

Trends Admin

Governor Mohammed Bago

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.”

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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

Published

17 hours ago

April 24, 2025

Trends Admin

Lagos Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin

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.

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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.