Five to die by hanging for killing Navy officer, two others in Kogi – Newstrends
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Five to die by hanging for killing Navy officer, two others in Kogi

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Five to die by hanging for killing Navy officer, two others in Kogi

In Kogi State, five accused persons will die by hanging for killing three people amid tussle for the ascension to a traditional seat.

They were convicted and sentenced by a Kogi State High Court sitting at Ankpa, Ankpa LGA for the killing one Chief Sylvester Sule, a retired Navy officer, his brother Owoicho Sule and one other person.

The presiding judge, Justice Seidu Hussaini, found the convicts guilty of criminal conspiracy, mischief by fire and culpable homicide contrary to sections 97(1), 337 and 221 of the Kogi State Penal Code.

A perennial feud between two ruling family houses in Akwu community in Akpa local government over the right to produce the village head snowballed into a violent clash on January 29th, 2020.

In the ensuing full-blown melee, three people were killed, about 22 houses set ablaze and five vehicles burnt in the community.

After a protracted struggle to occupy the vacant stool for years, the then Ata Igala coronated one of the contenders to the throne, Sylvester Muhammedu Sule, on December 29, 2019 at his palace in Idah.

A month after, violence broke out in the community leading to the destruction of lives, including the beaded chief’s and two others, and properties.

The trial of the accused persons started in 2020, went through three different judges before the fourth judge, Justice Seidu Husseini, finally delivered judgement on October 7, 2024.

Justice Hussaini said in his ruling that the five accused persons – Aliyu Amadu Makolo, Yakubu Idaji, Danjuma Yusuf, Mohammed Yusuf and Muhammed Rilwanu (Dikadi) – were found guilty in a violent attack that led to the death of three people and destruction of properties in the community.

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The prosecution counsel, M. A. Abaji, averred during the proceedings that on January 29, 2020, the accused men, armed with various weapons, including matchetes and locally made guns, invaded the Aku community, and set properties on fire.

In the process, Abaji added, the accused men hacked Chief Sylvester Muhammedu Sule, his elder brother, Mr Owoicho Sule Onuh and one other person to death in the community.

The prosecution counsel added that the lifeless body of one of the victims, Owoicho Sule, was thereafter dismembered, tied in a sack and dumped in a well.

In his final written address, Barrister Abaji submitted that the defendants’ pleas of not guilty were only a mere denial.

He averred that the defendants utterly failed to raise a defence as to the commission of all the offenses established against them, rather, dwelt on mere denials and technicalities which he claimed were not material or fatal to the case under prosecution.

However, the defendants pleaded not guilty as the charges when the case came up for hearing.

Their counsel, Isaac Ekpa, in his final written addresses, said the prosecution had not proven its case beyond reasonable doubt to warrant the conviction of the defendants.

In his ruling on Monday, Justice Seidu said the prosecution had proved its case beyond all reasonable doubts, noting that “denying the commission of offense did not amount to not committing it.”

The trial judge added that the burden of proof rested on the defense counsel which he failed to achieve in the case.

“I have full satisfaction with the evidence adduced by the prosecution. The prosecution has presented its case beyond reasonable doubt.

“The five defendants (1,2,3,4,6) have been found guilty of criminal conspiracy, mischief by fire and culpable homicide punishable with death, contrary to sections 97(1) , 337 and 221 of the Kogi State penal code, and therefore sentences them to death by hanging,” he said.

Meanwhile, Justice Seidu has discharged and acquitted the two other accused persons in the case – Yakubu Ikoja and Abdulmumuni Sale, the 5th and 7th respondents – for the inability of the plaintiff’s counsel to prove his case against them beyond doubt.

The prosecution counsel said efforts are being intensified to arrest other suspects said to be on the run.

He said David Adoyi Abah, Tahir Abdul, Solomon Odawn Ogbo, Jibrin Okpanachi, Farouk Okpanachi and Francis Bala Abonny, who were at large, would be arrested and made to face the law.

Five to die by hanging for killing Navy officer, two others in Kogi

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Tanker explosion claims 90 lives in Jigawa – Police

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October 16, 2024

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Tanker explosion claims 90 lives in Jigawa – Police

No fewer than 90 people were confirmed dead, following a petrol tanker explosion in Majiya Town, Taura Local Government Area of the state on Tuesday.

Mr Shi’isu Adam, the Police Spokesperson in Jigawa, confirmed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday.

He also said that 50 other persons had been hospitalised for varying degrees of injury due to the explosion.
”At about 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday in Majia Town, Taura local government area of Jigawa, the tanker driver lost control near Khadija University and it exploded.

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“The driver left Kano and was heading to Nguru in Yobe. when the accident happened,” Adam said.
He said: ” We are worried that in spite of police warning for people to steer clear from scenes of accidents involving fuel tankers, they still engage in such acts.

”People gathered around the accident scene, that is the reason for the mass casualty,” he said
The spokesperson said that a mass burial of the victims would hold by 9 a.m. on Wednesday.

He added that the injured were receiving medical attention at the Ringim General Hospital.

 

Tanker explosion claims 90 lives in Jigawa – Police

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Guidelines Violation: TikTok removes 2.1 million videos in Nigeria

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October 16, 2024

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Guidelines Violation: TikTok removes 2.1 million videos in Nigeria

TikTok has removed more than 2.1 million videos in Nigeria during the second quarter of 2024 for breaching its community guidelines, the company revealed in its latest Community Guidelines Enforcement Report.

The removed videos account for less than 1% of total uploads in Nigeria during the period.

The report, released on Tuesday, highlighted TikTok’s proactive content moderation efforts, with 99.1% of the videos being taken down before users reported them, and 90.7% removed within 24 hours.

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TikTok reaffirmed its commitment to creating a safer platform for Nigerian users, noting its continued investment in advanced technologies to enhance content moderation and mitigate risks.

Globally, TikTok removed over 178 million videos in June 2024, with 144 million of these flagged by automated systems.

The company boasted a 98.2% proactive detection rate worldwide, underscoring its efficiency in addressing harmful content before users encounter it.

Guidelines Violation: TikTok removes 2.1 million videos in Nigeria

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Libya’s highest authority ordered me to divert Super Eagles flight, says pilot

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October 16, 2024

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Libya’s highest authority ordered me to divert Super Eagles flight, says pilot

Tunisian pilot who recently flew the Super Eagles of Nigeria to Libya

The Tunisian pilot who flew the Super Eagles of Nigeria to Libya has spoken out about the controversy surrounding the flight diversion.

In a now-viral video, the pilot said the original plan was to land in Benina, a town in the Benghazi area of Libya, with prior approval from the Libyan Civil Aviation Authority.

He said, however, upon beginning their descent, he was instructed to divert to Al-Abraq, which was not listed as an alternate airport.

The Tunisian man said he was told the order for flight diversion came from “Libya’s highest authorities”.

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He said he repeatedly questioned the flight diversion order due to the limitation of aviation fuel but was “ignored by Libyan aviation authorities”.

“The flight plan was to land in Benghazi, Benina, and we had approval from the Libyan Civil Aviation Authority,” the pilot said.

“However, as we began our descent, we were instructed to divert to Al-Abraq, which wasn’t even listed as our alternate airport.

“This decision came from the highest authorities, not me. In aviation, we calculate fuel based on our destination. Diverting unexpectedly can compromise safety.

“Everything is documented. I asked to land in Benghazi as per my flight plan, but they denied it, instructing me to divert immediately.

“I repeatedly questioned the directive and warned them about fuel limitations, but they insisted that we land in Al-Abraq, citing orders from the highest authority.”

BACKGROUND

The Super Eagles’ flight landed at the Al Abaq airport for the second leg of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match against Libya.

The match was scheduled for Tuesday at the Martyrs of February Stadium in Benina, Benghazi.

However, the Super Eagles players and coaches were held at the Al Abaq airport for over 20 hours without food and drinks.

On Monday morning, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) announced the Super Eagles’ withdrawal from the qualifying match and asked them to return home. The Nigerian team then arrived in Kano from Libya.

Reacting to the situation, the Libyan Football Federation (LFF) said the flight diversion experienced by the Nigerian national team was not “intentional”.

The LFF rejected claims of “foul play or sabotage” and argued that their team faced a similar situation in Nigeria.

Reacting, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) said it is investigating the “disturbing” incident.

Libya’s highest authority ordered me to divert Super Eagles flight, says pilot

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