Man declared innocent after spending 48 years in prison

Published

4 months ago

December 21, 2023

Man declared innocent after spending 48 years in prison

Glynn Simmons, an African-American, has been exonerated of the crime he was convicted for after spending almost 50 years in jail.

71-year-old Simmons was declared innocent in the US state of Oklahoma after it was discovered that he did not commit the murder he was convicted for.

The National Registry of Exonerations says Simmons served more time behind bars before being exonerated than any other inmate in US history, according to

Simmons was released in July after serving a total of 48 years, one month and 18 days in prison.

Simmons and another man, Don Roberts, were sentenced to death in 1975 for the murder the previous year of a 30-year-old liquor store clerk during a robbery in Edmond, Oklahoma.

Their sentences were later commuted to life in prison.

Simmons and Roberts were convicted only on the basis of the testimony of a teenage customer who was shot in the head during the robbery but survived.

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She picked them out of a police lineup but a subsequent investigation cast significant doubt on the reliability of her identifications.

Both men had also claimed at trial that they were not even in Oklahoma at the time of the murder.

US District Court Judge Amy Palumbo threw out Simmons’ conviction in July and declared him innocent at a hearing in Oklahoma County District Court on Tuesday.

“This is a day we’ve been waiting on for a long, long time,” Simmons told reporters. “We can say justice was done today, finally.”

Roberts, Simmons co-defendant, was released from prison in 2008, according to The National Registry of Exonerations.

Simmons may now be eligible for compensation.

“What’s been done can’t be undone but there could be accountability,” he said. “That’s what I’m about right now. Accountability”

Man declared innocent after spending 48 years in prison

Many dead, houses razed in Delta tanker explosion

Published

18 mins ago

May 4, 2024

Trends Admin

Many dead, houses razed in Delta tanker explosion

A devastating tanker explosion in Nigeria’s oil-rich Delta State has left many people dead.

The incident, which happened when a tanker exploded, occurred on Friday at Ometan community, in Okpe local government area of Delta State.

It’s gathered that the incident occurred when the ill-fated tanker lost control while overtaking another truck near the boundary bridge between Uvwie and Okpe Local Government Area.

The front part of the oil tanker suddenly detached from the rear compartment while on motion, leading to an explosion, eyewitnesses said.

According to Daily Post, all buildings in the community within the perimeter of the explosion were razed and some residents who were trapped in the building were also burnt to death.

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The state governor, Sheriff Oborevwori has visited the scene, and condoled with the Ometan community and families of the victims.

Speaking at the scene, the governor, who was accompanied by the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Emomotimi Guwor and former chairman of Okpe local government area, said he was away when the incident occurred.

“On getting here, I saw dead bodies and those who witnessed the unfortunate incident.

“It is a very sad situation and I commiserate with the people of Ometan community and families of those who lost their lives in this unfortunate incident”, he said.

The development is coming barely four days after a gas tanker explosion killed many residents in Rivers State and destroyed properties

Many dead, houses razed in Delta tanker explosion

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Court sends teenager to prison for defiling 8-year-old neighbour’s daughter

Published

25 mins ago

May 4, 2024

Trends Admin

Court sends teenager to prison for defiling 8-year-old neighbour’s daughter

In Oyo State, one Joshua Olayiwola, a teenager, has been remanded for allegedly defiling an eight-year-old neighbour’s daughter.

A Family Court sitting in Iyaganku, Ibadan, ordered the remand of Olayiwola in Abolongo Correctional facility, Oyo Town.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the police charged Olayiwola with defilement.

The Magistrate, Mrs S. A. Adesina, declined Olayiwola’s plea due to lack of jurisdiction and adjourned the matter until June 13.

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He also ordered the police to return the case file to the Director of Public Prosecution for legal advice.

The Prosecution Counsel, Insp Gbemisola Adedeji told the court that Olayiwola, on April 15, between 8am and 10 pm allegedly defiled the minor in the Ojo Ekun area of Ibadan.

She said the offence contravened the provisions of Section 34 of the Oyo State Child Rights Law 2006

Court sends teenager to prison for defiling 8-year-old neighbour’s daughter

metro

Ganduje shares cash to 400 PWDs

Published

1 hour ago

May 4, 2024

Trends Admin

National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje

Ganduje shares cash to 400 PWDs

Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, have distributed cash assistance to the families of over 400 people with disabilities across the country.

Although the actual sum was not released, Ganduje was alleged to have made the payments through the party’s PWD office in Abuja.

Tolu Bankole, National Leader of APC Persons with Disabilities, stated this in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday.

Bankole further confirmed that hundreds of recipients have been calling his office to express their gratitude for the action.

According to him, Ganduje‘s approval demonstrated his compassion for persons with disabilities beyond the ‘rhetoric’ at a time when the most vulnerable Nigerians require all available assistance.

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The member of the APC National Working Committee also stated that the current cash palliative was the first phase of the party’s planned interventions for numerous PWD households in 774 local government areas across 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

He said, “I am pleased that over 400 households have benefited from the ongoing cash intervention program under our PWD-friendly National Chairman, Dr. Umar Abdullahi Ganduje. This is just the beginning of PWD inclusion in our party, and more vulnerable Nigerians will benefit from this program.

“The APC has been proactive in providing the much-needed succor to PWDs men, women, their children, elderly, and the most vulnerable members of our society.

“In addition to this cash intervention program, we have taken several initiatives to support our citizens during these challenging times.

“We recognize the impact of current economic inflation, and this timely intervention is to mitigate its effects. Our party at all levels has made concerted efforts to cushion the impact of the inflation experienced in the economy recently.

“We are aware of the decisive steps taken by our President, Bola Tinubu, to free our economy and reposition our country. The good news is that the economy is showing signs of improvement, with the naira appreciating at a remarkable speed.

“The All Progressives Congress, led by our PWD-friendly national chairman, has proven to be the preferred option for inclusive development and remains committed to the welfare and well-being of Nigerians.”