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Lagos hoodlum caught selling phone to robbed victim’s wife

Published

4 years ago

November 17, 2022

A former bartender, Jones Adewoye, has narrated before a Lagos High Court sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos State, how a hoodlum, Felix Ayeye, was arrested while attempting to sell the phone he stole from him to his wife at their residence in the Ajah area of the state.

PUNCH Metro gathered that Adewoye was on his way home when Ayeye and his gang members mugged him at a dark spot.

During the attack, Adewoye, who was the first prosecution witness to testify before the court on Thursday, told Justice Modupe Nico-Clay that the hoodlums led by Ayeye allegedly stabbed him with a dagger and robbed him of his phone and other items worth N78,000.

He explained that Ayeye, who is facing two-count bordering on conspiracy to commit robbery and armed robbery, was arrested while attempting to sell his stolen phone to his wife.

During the proceedings, the prosecuting counsel, Titilayo Olanrewaju-Daudu, said the offence committed contravened Sections 299 and 297 (2) (b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.

However, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge. Consequently, Justice Nico-Clay adjourned the case till November 10 for trial.

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At the resumed hearing, Olanrewaju-Daudu announced her appearance, while H. O. Ogungbamila appeared for the defendant.

Adewoye, who was led in evidence-in-chief by Olanrewaju-Daudu, told the court that Ayeye, who was remanded in prison custody for the crime, had been sending threatening messages to his wife.

He said, “The incident happened in February 2019. I was returning from work around 5.30am when I alighted from the Uber car and crossed to a dark street at Ajah. My earphones were on and my bag was at my back.

“Suddenly, a torchlight was pointed at my eyes and the defendant broke a bottle on my head, used a dagger to stab my back twice, took all my things and left me on the floor bleeding.

“When I got home, I told my wife to help me get a small phone to contact my company. She was trying to help me buy a small phone when she returned to inform me that someone wants to sell a Samsung phone for N25,000.”

Adewoye said after he realised that the phone was exactly like his stolen phone, he asked his wife to contact a mobile policeman.

He said, “When the person who wanted to sell the phone to my wife came to my house, he didn’t change his clothes after he and his gang robbed me. So, I told the mobile policeman that he was the one that robbed me but he denied.

“He said someone gave him the phone to sell. The policeman asked him to get the person who gave him the phone but as the argument was going on, my SIM and memory cards fell from his pocket.

“His family members pleaded with me and asked how much was the things he stole from me, I said N200,000. The family brought N60,000 but I rejected it. I told them the matter was already with the police and there was nothing I could do.

“But in 2020, the defendant started sending messages to my wife from prison threatening that when he leaves the prison, he would deal with my wife.”

The case was adjourned till November 30, for the continuation of trial.

metro

Bandits Kill Three in Fresh Attack on Kebbi Community

Published

50 minutes ago

October 8, 2026

Trends Admin

Kebbi State Commissioner of Police, Umar Mohammed‑Hadejia

Bandits Kill Three in Fresh Attack on Kebbi Community

Three people have been killed after bandits attacked Kasabo community in Saminaka, Yauri Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

The attackers reportedly stormed the community in the early hours of Monday, sending residents fleeing into nearby bushes for safety.

A resident, Aminu Salisu, said the bandits arrived in large numbers, but many residents escaped before the attackers could reach them.

He said the assailants nevertheless succeeded in killing three people before withdrawing from the community.

The attack has renewed concerns over the security situation in parts of Kebbi State, particularly communities close to the Kebbi-Niger border that have faced attacks by armed groups.

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Governor Nasir Idris visited the affected community on Tuesday to sympathise with the families of the victims and other residents.

The governor described the killings as tragic and unacceptable, assuring residents that his administration would continue to strengthen collaboration with security agencies to protect lives and property.

He also provided financial assistance to the affected community and the families of those killed.

The Dan Masani of Saminaka, Alhaji Mohammed Bashir, described the deaths as a major loss to the community and expressed appreciation for the governor’s visit and support.

The latest attack comes amid intensified security efforts in Kebbi. The Nigerian Army recently operationalised three new formations in the state, including the 281 Tank Battalion in Yauri, as part of efforts to expand its presence and improve response to banditry and other security threats.

Security agencies are expected to intensify operations in the affected areas following the latest attack.

Bandits Kill Three in Fresh Attack on Kebbi Community

metro

Amnesty Demands Reinstatement of Plateau Defilement Case Involving Four-Year-Old

Published

1 hour ago

October 8, 2026

Trends Admin

Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang

Amnesty Demands Reinstatement of Plateau Defilement Case Involving Four-Year-Old

Amnesty International Nigeria has demanded the immediate reinstatement of a defilement case involving a four-year-old child in Plateau State, after the state authorities discontinued the prosecution despite a subsisting bench warrant against the defendant.

The organisation made the demand in Jos on Wednesday, describing the withdrawal of the case as a serious concern for child protection and access to justice.

Amnesty International Nigeria’s Country Director, Isa Sanusi, said the case was before the Plateau State High Court in Jos and involved a defendant who allegedly failed repeatedly to appear in court.

According to Sanusi, the court subsequently issued a bench warrant for the defendant’s arrest, but the warrant remained unexecuted.

He said prosecutors from the office of the Plateau State Attorney-General discontinued the criminal proceedings in May 2026 by invoking Section 211 of the 1999 Constitution, which gives an Attorney-General the power to discontinue criminal proceedings.

Sanusi argued that the constitutional power must be exercised in the public interest, in the interest of justice and to prevent abuse of legal process.

Amnesty is therefore asking the Plateau State Government to reverse the discontinuance and restore the case to the High Court.

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The organisation also called on the police to execute the outstanding bench warrant so that the defendant can be brought before the court.

Sanusi stressed that the organisation was not declaring the defendant guilty, but insisted that the allegations should be determined through due judicial process.

Amnesty also urged Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Philemon Daffi, SAN, to intervene and provide a transparent explanation for the decision to discontinue the case.

The prosecution counsel, Stella Samuel, said the legal team had been ready to proceed with the trial and had witnesses and evidence available before the case was withdrawn.

She said the defendant had failed to appear in court from the first hearing in February 2026 despite being served, leading to the issuance of the bench warrant.

Samuel urged the Attorney-General to reinstate the case, arguing that the matter remained capable of being prosecuted.

The development has also attracted concern from civil society organisations in Plateau State, which have called for the case to proceed.

The Let The Case Proceed Campaign said the withdrawal had raised questions about the effectiveness of the justice system in protecting children and ensuring accountability in cases involving alleged sexual violence.

Amnesty International said it had previously engaged the Attorney-General’s office over the matter and also petitioned the governor.

The organisation said it received a response referring to the Attorney-General’s constitutional powers but maintained that the explanation did not adequately address its concerns about the circumstances surrounding the withdrawal.

The case has renewed debate over the exercise of prosecutorial powers, particularly in cases involving alleged sexual violence against children.

While Section 211 provides constitutional authority for an Attorney-General to discontinue criminal proceedings, rights advocates insist that such powers must be exercised consistently with the requirements of public interest and justice.

The defendant remains presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty by a court, and the demand by Amnesty and other groups is for the judicial process to be allowed to determine the allegations.

Amnesty Demands Reinstatement of Plateau Defilement Case Involving Four-Year-Old

metro

NAF Crash: NYSC-Bound Graduate, Only Son, Among 25 Victims

Published

1 hour ago

October 8, 2026

Trends Admin

NAF Crash: NYSC-Bound Graduate, Only Son, Among 25 Victims

A young graduate identified as Ukeme David, who had completed his clearance ahead of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme, was among the 25 people killed in the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State.

David was also the only son in his family, adding to the grief of relatives who had expected him to begin a new chapter of his life with the national service programme.

The aircraft, NAF 931, crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ilaje Local Government Area, Ondo State, on Monday, October 5, while travelling from Benin to Lagos.

The Nigerian Air Force subsequently confirmed that 25 people were on board, comprising five crew members and 20 passengers. There were no survivors.

David had reportedly travelled to Benin to complete his NYSC clearance and was expected to return to Lagos later in the week.

A family member said David changed his travel plans and boarded the ill-fated aircraft on Monday after he was asked to return earlier to help care for his sister.

The family member described him as an intelligent young man who was looking forward to beginning his national service.

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His death has left relatives and friends mourning a young graduate whose career and national service journey had only just begun.

The five crew members who died in the crash included Squadron Leader MI Aburime, the flight captain; Squadron Leader AP Man-Ugwueje and Flight Lieutenant IS Bako, the co-pilots; Warrant Officer Abubakar A, an aircraft technician; and Corporal Uguru HC, also an aircraft technician.

The remaining victims included serving military personnel and civilians who were travelling on the aircraft.

Following the crash, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, ordered a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident.

Recovery efforts were also launched at the crash site as authorities worked to locate and recover the aircraft and remains of those killed.

The crash has triggered widespread grief among the families, colleagues and communities of the victims, while the investigation is expected to determine what caused the NAF aircraft crash.

Authorities have urged members of the public to rely on verified information concerning the incident and respect the privacy and dignity of the bereaved families as recovery and investigation efforts continue.