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I spent 28 years on death row for nothing — Onwuche, 68-year-old cook

Published

4 years ago

December 12, 2021

Thirty-nine years ago, Mr. Innocent Onwuche, an indigene of Umuahia, Abia State was a relatively comfortable man. He had a wife, a son, and a comfortable job as a cook in the residence of a very notable accountant in Ibadan, Oyo State.

A few years before then, he had voluntarily left the services of one of the biggest firms in the South-West at that time, after working for 10 years as a cook.

For someone who had no formal education, Innocent considered himself a successful man among his peers. Life, however, suddenly took a bad twist for him one fateful morning when a team of policemen pretending to be job seekers arrested him outside the gate of the house of his boss and bundled him into their van.

Arrested, tortured for unknown crime
Narrating how the incident happened, Onwuche said: “I was inside my Oga’s house when someone told me that some people outside were looking for me. The person said they were looking for a job and wanted my assistance. Immediately I stepped outside the gate to meet them, they grabbed me. I was confused and began to fight them. The vases in front of the house were all broken during the fight. But they finally subdued me and bundled me into their van.”

Onwuche said he was taken to Sango Otta Police Station where he was beaten thoroughly for fighting the policemen who arrested him. According to him, despite his persistent inquiry, no one told him his crime. He said: “While at the police station, no one told me what I did. In the morning, I was seriously beaten again by the policemen who claimed that I used charm to fight them. They broke my leg with their baton, poured a bucket full of urine by some prostitutes arrested the previous night on me.

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“I was in serious pain and couldn’t walk. That morning they said there was no cell in Sango Otta Police Station and that they were taking me to Bodija Police Station. On our way to the station, they stopped at Sango Market, bought about 12 canes. When they got to the station, they descended heavily on me with the canes.”

Writhing in pain from his broken bones, Innocent said he continued to ask them his offence until the police officers finally told him that a man had died from an acid wound and that he (Onwuche) was responsible for the death. “Two days after my arrest, they told me that I poured acid on someone and that after three days, the man died in the hospital,” he said.

Scammed by late acid attack victim
Recalling his connection with the man who was said to have died from an acid attack, Innocent said he was shocked over the allegation that he killed the victim. “I was shocked when they said I poured acid on the man. When they described the man, it was then I recalled that he was the one that duped me of N17, 650 some months back,” he said.

Giving further details of his connection with the dead victim, Onwuche stated: “One of my friends then, Balogun, introduced me to some men who I later discovered were into fraud. They asked me to write a letter for them and after some days, they came to thank me that the letter worked for them. Another day, they met me on my way to Sango Market and insisted that I must know their house. When I got to their house, they showed me how they can use black soap to make someone rich. They duped me N17,650 that day.

“I later met one Fred who offered to assist me to recover my money. He brought some soldiers who went with me to recover the money. The soldiers flogged the fraudsters but still, they couldn’t produce my money. They, however, left the fraudsters after they promised to pay my money back. I kept disturbing them but they never paid me the money. It was after some months that the police arrested me for the death of one of the fraudsters through an acid attack.”

Onwuche’s trial for the murder of the man whom he insists duped him lasted for eight years with many dramas. From the Magistrate Court, the matter was moved to the High Court following the advice of the Directorate of Public Prosecution, DPP, that he had a case to answer.

Mysterious deaths
Whether it was a sign of his innocence, he could not tell, but Onwuche noted that four out of the five persons that testified against him in court died mysteriously. According to him: “The deceased man’s mother insisted that I came alone while another witness said I came in the company of three other people. The late man’s wife died of complications from abortion on the day he was to testify in court. The interpreter also died; likewise the third witness. The late man’s son called Bala also died; making it a total of four persons that died in the matter.”

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Condemned to death
When Onwuche’s trial began at the High Court, he could not afford a lawyer and had to rely on the services of a pro-bono lawyer from the Office of the Public Defender, OPD. Despite insisting on his innocence, the court found him guilty and sentenced him to die by hanging on December 16, 2002. ‘I never committed that crime,’ he told our correspondent. Innocent’s conviction never went to appeal because he could not afford it. A lawyer, who had offered to appeal on his behalf pro-bono, had a fatal accident on his way to file the court process and that was the end of any attempt to prove his innocence at a higher court.

Abandoned by family
For the 28 years Onwuche spent in prison, he was never visited by any of his family members or close relatives. His wife abandoned him immediately after his arrest and went away with their only son who was just an infant then. Fighting back tears as he recalled how his wife and her mother treated him, he said: “Immediately I was arrested and taken to the police station, she left me. She came to see me three times at the police station with her mother and that was all. I had a son with her and she took him away.” During the period of his incarceration, Onwuche lost his mother and his older siblings. His father died before he was imprisoned.

Scary nights in death row cell
When asked to describe what it is like to be in a death row cell, Onwuche paused for some seconds before saying: “I don’t wish my enemy the things I went through in death row cell. Because there was no gallows in Agodi prisons, after I was convicted, they took me to Ibara prisons where I spent years in a dark cell. The cell was dark throughout the day.” Pointing to his infected eyes which he struggled to open intermittently, he said: “I cannot see well now because of that dark experience. These two eyes are almost gone.”

Continuing with his narration about the death row cell, he said: “We stay days without seeing the light of day. Sometimes, we are about 56 condemned prisoners in one cell. They just pack us like Sardine. Bathing was also a problem. If you see one bottled water to bath with for a month, you will be very happy. The stench from the cell can kill a normal person.

“As a condemned prisoner, I don’t have any hope other than to wake up every day and pray. Fridays were usually the scariest days for me and others there because that was when the black-maria usually comes to take those to be executed. Once they come, our death row inmates will tell us ‘Omo chop your beans, time don come o’. In the morning of any execution day, you will hear warders barking like dogs during the parade. Immediately they open the cells, they will handcuff and leg-chain those to be executed and take them away.

Once any person has been taken away, the rest of us will be panicking because we don’t know who will be next. Immediately they take one or two persons out, the rest of us will start purging. We can go to the toilet several times out of the anxiety of who is next. In the morning you will hear something like ‘four blankets don lost’, meaning four inmates have been killed the previous night.”

Freedom at last!
Freedom was the last thing on Onwuche’s mind as he went through the ordeal of waiting endlessly for the hangman’s rope. The best he hoped for was to commute his death sentence to life imprisonment, unknown to him that the state government had already considered and granted his plea for freedom. Onwuche said he wept for joy when the news of his release came.

“From time to time, we usually wrote a letter of clemency but we are not even sure whether it got anywhere,” he said. Continuing his narration, he said:” The prison official collected money from us for the letter but often time we did’nt get the result. We just continued writing with the hope that one day, something would happen. We gave prison officers over N8, 000 for delivery. In the last week of November, I was shocked when my name was mentioned among those that have been granted amnesty. I cried because I know I didn’t commit the crime for which I was convicted.

Regrets
Onwuche concluded his story by pointing out that he has forgiven those who accused him wrongly. His only regret, however, is the pain and wasted years. “I don’t hold a grudge against those who accused me wrongly. What pained me most is that I had to go through all these because of N17,650. What is the value of that money now? If I had let go of that money without making any trouble, at least I would have been able to buy a bicycle, at least if I didn’t achieve much. Imagine spending 28 years because of N17, 560!’

Appeal for assistance
Appealing to Nigerians to help him restart his life, Onwuche said: “The reason many inmates go back to crime is that when they come out, nobody wants to assist them. When there is no job to do, how do you expect them to cope with their new life? Government should provide jobs for them. If I can get just an oven now, I will start baking and become useful to myself and my family. I can also fry buns and chin chin. I can make disinfectants and hair cream. I just need assistance to start a new life. I learned so many things while in prison from NGOs that come to talk to us. I learned baking and other handiwork. I acquired over 10 certificates while there.”

– by Henry Ojelu/Vanguard News Nigeria./The Eagle

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Odunlade Adekola Surprises Mother With Brand New Car On Her Birthday

Published

3 hours ago

May 23, 2026

Trends Admin

Odunlade Adekola and mother

Odunlade Adekola Surprises Mother With Brand New Car On Her Birthday

Nollywood veteran Odunlade Adekola has once again demonstrated his deep love and appreciation for his mother, Deaconess Felicia Akoke Adekola , by gifting her a brand new car on the occasion of her birthday. The actor, known for his comic roles and distinctive Yoruba movie portrayals, took to his Instagram page to share a heartwarming video capturing the moment his mother received the luxurious gift. In the adorable clip, Odunlade was seen playfully teasing his mother about her driving skills, asking “Can you drive?” while she sat behind the wheel of her new whip, adding a touch of humour to the emotional moment. The actor also offered a prayer for his mother in the video’s caption, wishing her a life of peace and health. “Happy birthday to you, Our Great Mummy. Deaconess F. A. ADEKOLA… E PE LAYE NINU ALAFIA L’ ORUKO JESU. We LOVE You, Grandma” , the actor wrote .

This is not the first time the Nollywood star has made headlines for his generosity towards his parents. In previous years, the actor has been spotted splashing out on luxury vehicles for his father as well. In a separate viral video, Odunlade was captured surprising his father with a 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser , leaving the elderly man in awe of the lavish gift. The actor has consistently shown that family remains a top priority in his life, frequently sharing moments with his parents on social media and celebrating their milestones publicly. His pattern of generosity has earned him widespread admiration from fans who see him as a devoted son who never forgets his roots .

The recent car gift adds to the actor’s long history of publicly honoring his mother. In 2025, Odunlade celebrated his mother’s 80th birthday with a heartfelt message and prayers, thanking God for granting her another year filled with strength and divine protection. In 2023, he marked her 70th birthday with an emotional celebration that saw Deaconess Felicia break down in tears of joy during her speech. Videos shared on Odunlade’s Instagram page captured the touching moment, with the actor himself remarking on how moved he was by his mother’s emotions. He affectionately described her as a strong and resilient woman, invoking divine protection and blessings upon her .

Odunlade’s generous gesture has attracted praise from fans and followers across social media, with many applauding the actor for his devotion to family. The heartwarming video has since gone viral, generating thousands of comments and reactions from admirers who commend the actor for his humility and kindness toward his parents. Many fans have taken to the comment section to share their own stories of filial devotion, while others simply expressed their admiration for the actor’s consistent display of love for his family. The viral clip has become a trending topic on Instagram, with fans tagging friends and family to share in the heartwarming moment .

Adekola remains one of Nollywood’s most beloved and bankable stars, with recent projects including the 2026 film “Adunni” alongside fellow actors Eniola Ajao, Latif Adedimeji, and Kehinde Bankole. His consistent box office appeal and massive fan following have cemented his status as a household name in the Nigerian film industry. Beyond his acting career, Odunlade has also ventured into music and production, further expanding his influence in the entertainment space. Despite his fame and success, he has remained grounded, often sharing glimpses of his family life and humble beginnings with his millions of followers .

The actor’s latest act of kindness has resonated deeply with his audience, particularly at a time when negative news dominates headlines. Many have described the gesture as a refreshing reminder of the importance of family values and gratitude. “This is what true success looks like — taking care of those who raised you,” one fan wrote in the comment section. Another added, “Odunlade Adekola is not just a great actor; he is a great son. God bless him and his family.” The overwhelming positive response highlights the deep connection the actor shares with his fan base and the respect he commands both within and outside the entertainment industry .

As Odunlade Adekola continues to shine on the silver screen, his actions off-screen — particularly his devotion to his parents — serve as an inspiration to many. The new car gift to his mother is yet another chapter in his ongoing story of gratitude, love, and family commitment. For the actor, success is not just measured by box office numbers or awards, but by the joy and comfort he can bring to the people who mattered most in his journey. Deaconess Felicia Akoke Adekola, now the proud owner of a brand new car, can certainly attest to that.

Odunlade Adekola Surprises Mother With Brand New Car On Her Birthday

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Gumi Denies Supporting Bandits, Threatens Legal Action

Published

6 hours ago

May 23, 2026

Trends Admin

Gumi Denies Supporting Bandits, Threatens Legal Action

Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has denied allegations linking him to support for banditry in Nigeria, describing reports and materials circulating online as fake, manipulated and deliberately doctored to damage his reputation.

The Kaduna-based cleric made the clarification in a statement issued on Saturday while reacting to renewed criticism over some of his comments and engagements relating to insecurity and banditry in northern Nigeria.

According to Sheikh Gumi, individuals and groups pursuing ethnic and sectional interests have continued to misrepresent his public comments and media interviews to portray him as a supporter of armed groups.

He warned that those spreading false allegations against him could face legal action if they failed to desist.

The Islamic scholar insisted that he has never supported banditry, terrorism or violent criminal activities in any part of the country.

“I hereby state unequivocally that any video clip, written statement, or message attributed to me, whether directly or by innuendo suggesting support for, justification of, protection of, or advocacy for banditry in Nigeria or anywhere else does not emanate from me,” Gumi stated.

He said several of his public lectures, interviews and comments on insecurity had been deliberately distorted by online content creators seeking sensational headlines, traffic and public outrage.

The cleric urged Nigerians, media organisations and government authorities to disregard misleading reports being circulated in his name.

The controversy surrounding Sheikh Ahmad Gumi intensified following recent calls for his arrest over comments perceived by critics as sympathetic to bandits operating across northern Nigeria.

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Bandit groups have been responsible for mass kidnappings, killings, attacks on villages and destruction of property in states such as Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina, Niger and Sokoto.

One of those who recently demanded Gumi’s arrest was Abuja-based lawyer and activist, Deji Adeyanju.

The criticism followed an interview in which Gumi reportedly stated that bandits often demand ransom payments to restock their weapons and sustain their operations.

The remarks generated widespread backlash on social media, with many Nigerians accusing the cleric of appearing to justify criminal activities.

Despite the criticism, Gumi maintained that his engagements with armed groups over the years were aimed at promoting peace, dialogue and reconciliation.

He explained that his interventions were intended to encourage bandits to surrender violence and embrace peaceful coexistence.

The cleric also reaffirmed his loyalty to Nigeria, describing the country as a nation blessed with enormous potential despite its current security and economic challenges.

He expressed hope that Nigeria would eventually overcome insecurity through collective efforts involving citizens, security agencies and the international community.

According to him, the root causes of insecurity include poverty, ignorance, unemployment and social injustice.

He therefore called for lasting solutions capable of addressing the socio-economic conditions fuelling violent crimes and banditry across affected communities.

The Federal Government has in recent years intensified military operations against bandits and terrorist groups across northern Nigeria.

Security agencies have continued aerial bombardments and coordinated ground offensives targeting criminal hideouts in forests across Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina and neighbouring states.

Authorities have repeatedly insisted that armed groups must surrender unconditionally and warned against any actions capable of legitimising criminal activities.

Meanwhile, security experts remain divided over the effectiveness of negotiation with bandits, with some supporting dialogue as a strategy for reducing violence while others argue that it emboldens criminal elements.

Gumi Denies Supporting Bandits, Threatens Legal Action

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Teacher, Church Choir Master Arrested for Murder of 16-Year-Old WAEC Candidate

Published

11 hours ago

May 23, 2026

Trends Admin

Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Oluseyi Babaseyi

Teacher, Church Choir Master Arrested for Murder of 16-Year-Old WAEC Candidate

A 30-year-old private school teacher and church choir master, Nathaniel Baiyegun, has been arrested by the Ogun State Police Command for the alleged kidnapping and murder of his 16-year-old former student, a West African Senior School Certificate Examination candidate identified as Florence . In a shocking confession obtained by Saturday PUNCH, Baiyegun admitted that after the teenager died, he collected a ransom of N500,000 from her father and spent almost all of it on online sports betting . He is now in police custody facing charges of kidnapping and murder, while the police continue their investigation into the tragic incident that has sent shockwaves through the Ogijo community in Sagamu Local Government Area .

The suspect, who taught Physics and Further Mathematics at a private school in Ogijo, Sagamu Local Government Area, and also served as the choir master of a Pentecostal church in the same community, was arrested following an investigation by the Anti-Kidnapping Section of the Ogun State Police Command . According to police sources, what initially appeared to be a missing person case quickly escalated into a kidnapping investigation and later a homicide case. The command’s image maker, CSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, confirmed the arrest and described the successful operation as a testament to the bravery and professionalism of the operatives involved .

According to Baiyegun’s confessional statement, he reconnected with the victim on April 7, 2026, while shooting content for his Instagram page in the community. The teenager had failed her O-Level examinations the previous year and was preparing to rewrite WASSCE. They exchanged contacts, and Baiyegun introduced her to his JAMB and WAEC coaching class, advising her to attend the coaching camp he was organizing for candidates. Baiyegun noted that he was not her direct teacher when she was in his former school, as she was in the humanities class while he taught only science students, but they became very close despite no amorous relationship between them .

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The turning point came when Baiyegun’s friend, identified simply as Sola, expressed interest in dating the teenager. On April 8, 2026, Baiyegun called the victim to come to his new school, where Sola was waiting behind the school premises. After Baiyegun left for his class, Sola allegedly demanded sex from the girl, which she declined, claiming she was on her menstrual period. When Baiyegun returned around 6:30 p.m., Sola had already left. The victim then requested transport fare to return home, but Baiyegun claimed he had no money on him, setting in motion a chain of events that would end in tragedy .

It was at this point, according to the suspect, that the pair planned a fake kidnapping together with the intention of extorting money from her family. “Both of us planned it together. The intention was to collect money from her family. She told me her father could not afford to pay ransom, but that she had a wealthy uncle who could pay. I initiated the kidnap,” Baiyegun reportedly told police. Instead of camping her in the school as she had suggested, Baiyegun took the teenager to an uncompleted building behind the school. Using her phone, he negotiated a ransom of N3 million from her father, communicating through her mobile device, a plan that would ultimately lead to her death .

The girl later complained that she could not sleep well on the first night because she was scared. Baiyegun then gave her four dosages of D5 sleeping tablets and left her there. He was away the following day attending his pastor’s father’s burial ceremony. He returned on the night of April 11, 2026. When he went to check on the girl, he discovered that she was gasping for breath. Instead of seeking medical help, the suspect quickly stopped a motorcycle and took her to a river in the MTN area of Ogijo, where he dumped her body. He lied to the bike rider that she was sick and that he was taking her to his aunt for treatment, a deception that allowed him to conceal his crime temporarily .

After the teenager had died and her body had been dumped, Baiyegun continued communicating with the victim’s father. The father eventually agreed to pay a ransom, sending N500,000 to the suspect. However, Baiyegun never informed the father that his daughter was already dead. “I lied to him that his daughter would be released as soon as the ransom was paid,” the suspect confessed. He then admitted, “I spent almost all the money on online sports betting, and I regret it now” – a chilling admission that has drawn widespread condemnation from members of the public and legal observers .

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Though Baiyegun claimed that the killing was accidental, preliminary police investigations revealed that he was allegedly involved in internet fraud and had at one time requested nude photographs from the deceased, which were reportedly sent to him through her mobile phone. Police sources also alleged that the suspect had attempted to force the teenager into a relationship with his friend before the kidnapping. These revelations have painted a darker picture of the suspect, who was expected to be a role model to his students and a respected figure in his church as a choir master .

In his confessional statement, Baiyegun provided more background about his relationship with the victim. “We became very close, but there was no amorous relationship between us. At times, she would go to my table in the staff room and drop gifts for me, even when I was not around,” he said. He claimed he had severed ties with her after an incident involving their former principal, where she asked him to lie on her behalf. “She lied to our then principal that she was coming to return my power bank to me after she was caught at a faraway location. It was true that I gave her my power bank, but she returned it to me at school. So, when she called me to tell me that I should help her lie to the principal that she had come to return my power bank when he saw her, I was very upset, and I severed my relationship with her,” he reportedly wrote in the statement .

CSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, while reacting to the incident on Friday, urged residents to be mindful of the company they keep. He commended the officers of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit for their successful operation leading to the arrest of the suspect and recovery of incriminating exhibits . “The successful operation carried out by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, leading to the arrest of the notorious suspect and recovery of incriminating exhibits, underscores the bravery, professionalism, and unwavering dedication of the operatives,” Babaseyi said .

The command expressed appreciation for the continued support of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, towards tactical policing, intelligence-led operations, and the fight against kidnapping and other violent crimes. The command also acknowledged the strategic leadership of the Commissioner of Police, CP Lanre Ogunlowo, which has continued to yield remarkable security successes within Ogun State . “The Ogun State Police Command assures residents that sustained efforts are being intensified to dismantle all criminal syndicates operating within the state and its environs, while urging members of the public to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information,” Babaseyi added .

As the investigation continues, Baiyegun remains in police custody. The tragic death of the 16-year-old WAEC candidate has sent shockwaves through the Ogijo community, raising troubling questions about the safety of students and the trust placed in educators. The suspect, who was expected to be a shining light to his students and choristers, now faces the full weight of the law for the alleged kidnapping and murder of a young girl who once looked up to him as a mentor and guide. The case has also reignited conversations about the prevalence of online sports betting addiction among young Nigerians and its potentially devastating consequences when combined with criminal desperation.