metro
Ondo man bags 14-year jail for raping 7-year old stepdaughter
Ondo man bags 14-year jail for raping 7-year old stepdaughter
An Ondo State High Court sitting in Akure, has sentenced a middle-aged man, Raphael Adanlawo, to 14 years imprisonment for r3ping his seven-year old stepdaughter.
The convict was, however, discharged and acquitted of the second charge of assault.
Justice Yemi Fasanmi handed down the judgment to Adanlawo after he found him guilty of raping the girl, who was seven years old at the time of the incident.
The judge held that the prosecution was able to prove its case of rape against the convict and that all the evidence before the court corroborated that of the victim, but failed to establish the offence of indecent assault against the convict beyond a reasonable doubt.
Fasanmi agreed with the prosecution’s case, holding that Adanlawo had sexual intercourse with the victim in his house when her mother was not around after he sent her on an errand.
“The prosecution proved the elements of the offence beyond a reasonable doubt,” Fasanmi held.
The convict was arraigned on December 18, 2019 on two counts of rape and indecent assault.
The prosecution counsel, O.C. Ologun, during the arraignment of the convict, had told the court that Adanlawo committed the crime on April 4, 2019, at about 10pm, at Adamama Quarters, Igbobini, Ese-Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State. Ologun alleged that Adanlawo forcefully had carnal knowledge of one 7-year old girl (name withheld) and also indecently treated and assaulted her.
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The offences, according to the charge contravened Sections 358 and 225 of the Criminal Code Law of Ondo State, 2016.
He pleaded not guilty to all charges.
To prove his case, the prosecution called three witnesses and tendered documents such as the defendant’s statements, and doctor’s report, which were admitted as exhibits.
While testifying in court, the victim’s mother recounted how Adanlawo had sent her daughter on an errand while she was away.
Upon her return, she observed a change in her daughter’s walking style.
“When I got back from my trip, I noticed that my daughter was having difficulty walking. I gently forced her to speak, and she revealed what the defendant had done to her,” the victim’s mother narrated.
“My daughter told me that Adanlawo, who is my husband, pulled down her underwear, forcefully penetrated her and instructed her not to tell anyone about it.”
The defendant, speaking through his counsel, Abdulrahman Yusuf, gave evidence in his defence, but did not call any witness.
Delivering the judgement, Justice Fasanmi expressed satisfaction that the victim’s testimony that Adanlawo had s3xual intercourse with her was corroborated by medical reports and another exhibit before the court.
“There is ample evidence before the court that the victim was forcefully penetrated by the convict,” the judge held.
“The evidence is believable, unassailable and credible that the defendant took advantage of the vulnerable girl.
“The court found Adanlawo guilty of the first count (rape), but discharged and acquitted him of the second count of indecent assault.”
Fasanmi subsequently sentenced Adanlawo to 14 years imprisonment for the offence of rape.
Ondo man bags 14-year jail for raping 7-year old stepdaughter
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metro
Lagos Club Robbery: Police Arrest Suspect After N5m Bounty
Lagos Club Robbery: Police Arrest Suspect After N5m Bounty
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a suspected member of the gang that allegedly robbed clubgoers outside Ghost and Spirits Lounge on Ekoro Road, Abule Egba, Lagos.
The suspect was reportedly identified from video footage of the incident, which showed several people being attacked outside the entertainment venue in the early hours of the morning.
The Lagos club robbery reportedly occurred at about 4am on Saturday after some customers had left the lounge and gathered around their vehicles.
Footage from the scene showed several clubgoers sitting around a vehicle when the suspected robbers approached.
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One of the suspects, reportedly dressed in a green shirt and cap, appeared to move among the people before allegedly targeting one of the victims.
Another member of the group was reportedly seen in an SUV parked across the road before a gunshot was fired, causing some of the people at the scene to run for safety.
The suspect in the green shirt was then allegedly seen taking a wristwatch from one of the victims, while other members of the group reportedly collected valuables before escaping in their vehicle.
Following the incident, the management of the lounge announced a N5 million reward for information leading to the arrest of the perpetrators.
The reward and subsequent investigation helped the police identify and track one of the suspects, who was eventually arrested.
A police source said the suspect was in custody and being interrogated, with investigators seeking information that could lead to the arrest of the other alleged members of the gang.
The Lagos Police Command has also intensified efforts to locate the remaining suspects, who are reportedly still at large.
The incident has raised concerns among residents and nightlife customers in Abule Egba, particularly over the security of people leaving entertainment venues during the early hours.
Police authorities have urged residents with useful information about the suspects or the robbery to assist the investigation.
The arrested suspect remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court, while investigations continue into the alleged robbery and the identities and whereabouts of the other suspects.
Lagos Club Robbery: Police Arrest Suspect After N5m Bounty
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metro
Passenger Dies After Jumping From Moving Bus In Lagos
Passenger Dies After Jumping From Moving Bus In Lagos
A passenger has died after jumping from a moving commercial bus at Ogunlana Junction, inward Ojuelegba, in the Surulere area of Lagos.
The incident involved a Volkswagen commercial bus with registration number LND 130 XR, which reportedly crashed into a median pole around the Fallout area of Surulere.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) said preliminary security reports indicated that the driver was allegedly under the influence of alcohol and had been driving recklessly shortly before the crash.
According to the agency, motorists approaching the bus from behind had to exercise caution to avoid colliding with the vehicle as it reportedly moved erratically.
Amid the incident, a male passenger reportedly jumped from the moving bus, apparently attempting to escape from the uncontrolled vehicle. He sustained serious injuries after hitting the ground and later died from his injuries.
LASTMA officials conducting routine traffic surveillance along the Ojuelegba axis responded to the scene after noticing the crash. They secured the area, managed traffic and removed the damaged bus and the deceased passenger from the carriageway to reduce the risk of a secondary collision.
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Police officers from the Area C Police Division, Ojuelegba, provided security at the scene, while officials of the State Emergency Management Agency evacuated the remains of the deceased.
LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, described the incident as a reminder of the dangers associated with driving under the influence of alcohol, reckless driving and operating vehicles that may not be mechanically fit for the road.
Bakare-Oki urged commercial and private motorists to conduct comprehensive checks on their vehicles before every journey, with particular attention to the braking system, tyres, steering mechanism and other critical safety components.
He also commiserated with the family of the deceased and reaffirmed LASTMA‘s commitment to responding promptly to road crashes, managing traffic and clearing accident scenes.
The agency urged motorists and other road users to report accidents, vehicle breakdowns and other traffic obstructions through its toll-free short code, 3367.
Passenger Dies After Jumping From Moving Bus In Lagos
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metro
Kubwa Explosion: Vehicle Crashes Into Gas Outlet, Damages Nine Shops
Kubwa Explosion: Vehicle Crashes Into Gas Outlet, Damages Nine Shops
Panic broke out in Kubwa, Abuja, on Sunday morning after a gas explosion rocked the Liberty Junction area, following a vehicle crash into a roadside gas retail outlet.
The incident occurred at about 6:15 a.m., sending a powerful blast through the area and causing nearby buildings to shake, while thick smoke and flames rose from the affected facility.
The vehicle reportedly veered off the road and crashed into the gas outlet, triggering the explosion and subsequent fire.
The impact affected several businesses around the junction, with reports indicating that nine shops were damaged or destroyed by the ensuing fire.
A nearby police traffic post was also reportedly uprooted by the force of the explosion, while other structures and sections of the surrounding area were damaged.
The vehicle involved in the crash was badly burnt in the incident. Emergency responders, however, reportedly rescued the driver and a child from the wreckage.
The injured driver was taken to a medical facility for treatment, while emergency personnel worked to prevent the fire from spreading to other shops and properties in the densely populated area.
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The explosion triggered panic among residents and commuters, with people reportedly rushing away from the scene as the fire continued to burn.
Emergency response agencies, including the Federal Fire Service, FCT Fire Service, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Nigeria Police Force, were deployed to the scene.
Firefighters battled the flames for hours before the situation was brought under control.
The incident also caused significant traffic disruption around Liberty Junction and the Kubwa axis, as motorists slowed down and emergency responders worked at the scene.
Security personnel subsequently moved people away from the immediate area and helped manage traffic while the damaged vehicle and other debris were cleared.
Initial reports did not indicate a confirmed death from the explosion, although the driver was reported to have sustained injuries.
Authorities had yet to provide a detailed official account explaining why the vehicle veered off the road or confirming the full extent of the damage and injuries as of the time of reporting.
The incident has again drawn attention to safety concerns surrounding gas outlets located close to busy roads, shops and residential areas, particularly in densely populated parts of the Federal Capital Territory.
Further assessment by relevant authorities is expected to establish the precise circumstances of the crash, the extent of the property damage and whether any safety breaches contributed to the incident.
Kubwa Explosion: Vehicle Crashes Into Gas Outlet, Damages Nine Shops
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