Police Corporal, Bus Conductor Get Death Sentence for Kidnapping in Akwa Ibom - Newstrends
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Police Corporal, Bus Conductor Get Death Sentence for Kidnapping in Akwa Ibom

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Police Corporal, Bus Conductor Get Death Sentence for Kidnapping in Akwa Ibom

A Police Corporal and a bus conductor have been sentenced to death by hanging by an Akwa Ibom State High Court for their roles in the kidnapping of a school vice principal, delivering a strong message against violent crimes in the region. The court also imposed long prison terms on related charges after finding the evidence against the accused overwhelming.

The accused — Police Corporal Mbazigwe Chinedu Friday and bus conductor Isaac Eddy Ndeesor — were convicted on charges of conspiracy, kidnapping, and unlawful possession of firearms over the abduction of Elder Akara Johnson Mendie, the Vice Principal of Community Secondary School, Nkek, in Ukanafun Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

The court heard that on July 5, 2015, at around 3:30 p.m., four armed men driving a Toyota Camry blocked Mendie’s vehicle along Urua Akpan Udosen/Ikot Unah Road as he was returning from church with his wife and family. The gunmen abducted Mendie and fled the scene, taking his wife’s handbag containing personal items and important documents. Mendie told the court that he was blindfolded and taken to an undisclosed location, where the kidnappers demanded a ransom of N50 million and threatened to kill him. After five days in captivity, his family paid N200,000 through his younger sister on July 10, 2015, which led to his release in Bori, Rivers State. He later reported the abduction at Bori Police Station and returned to his community with police assistance.

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In a confessional statement, Corporal Friday, 41, attached to Mopol 57 in Ukana, Essien Udim LGA, admitted his involvement. He told investigators he was contacted by a man identified as Felix, who introduced another accomplice known as “Different Man.” Friday claimed they were led to believe an unnamed “honourable” wanted the victim kidnapped over allegations that he had killed a friend — a claim the court later rejected. Friday admitted using his Toyota Camry to block Mendie’s vehicle, enabling the gunmen to force the victim into the car. When the vehicle developed a fault, he switched to another car and continued the operation, transporting the victim to bushland in Ogoni, Rivers State. He also stated that the firearm used was not an official police weapon. A search of his residence recovered a locally made revolver, live ammunition, an empty AK‑47 magazine, Indian hemp, CCTV equipment, multiple mobile phones, ATM cards, SIM packs, and car accessories.

Isaac Eddy Ndeesor, the bus conductor, also confessed, admitting he and others trailed the victim from his residence and that he stole and used the victim’s phone, which was later tracked and directly led to his arrest.

Delivering judgment, Justice Nsemeke Daniel criticised the lengthy trial, noting that although the case was filed in 2016, it was only concluded in 2026. He dismissed claims by Corporal Friday that he was framed, describing those assertions as inconsistent with the evidence presented.

The court ruled that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, sentencing both defendants to death by hanging for kidnapping, five years’ imprisonment for conspiracy, and seven years for unlawful possession of firearms. The judge pronounced: “You shall be hanged by the neck until you be dead. May God have mercy on you.”

The death sentences highlight the judiciary’s firm stance against kidnapping, a crime that has terrorized communities across Nigeria. The involvement of a serving police officer intensifies calls for internal reform and stronger oversight within security agencies. Authorities have welcomed the judgment, describing it as a critical step toward deterring similar crimes and reinforcing public confidence in the justice system, while also drawing attention to systemic delays in Nigeria’s criminal justice process.

Police Corporal, Bus Conductor Get Death Sentence for Kidnapping in Akwa Ibom

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Abroad-Based Nigerian Woman Kneels with Children in Emotional Tribute to Husband (VIDEO)

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Abroad-Based Nigerian Woman Kneels with Children

Abroad-Based Nigerian Woman Kneels with Children in Emotional Tribute to Husband (VIDEO)

An emotional moment was recently captured as an abroad-based Nigerian woman and her children knelt to honor and appreciate their husband and father. In a heartfelt message, the woman told her children,

“Without my husband, I’m nothing in this world. You guys should always treat Daddy as your God. Instead, you disrespect your dad, you disrespect me.”

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The scene, marked by tears, hugs, and heartfelt expressions, reflects the deep love and respect she holds for her spouse. Social media users have praised the display as a rare and touching example of family unity and gratitude.

Family psychologists note that such gestures reinforce bonds, model respect for parental figures, and help children understand the value of appreciation in relationships.

The post has since gone viral, sparking discussions on family values, respect for fathers, and emotional expression in Nigerian households.

Abroad-Based Nigerian Woman Kneels with Children in Emotional Tribute to Husband (VIDEO)

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Outrage as US Lawmakers Recommend Repeal of Sharia Codes in Nigeria

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Sharia Court

Outrage as US Lawmakers Recommend Repeal of Sharia Codes in Nigeria

The United States Congress has stirred national outrage in Nigeria after recommending the repeal of Sharia codes and criminal anti-blasphemy laws in northern states. The recommendations, included in a joint report on “Christian persecution in Nigeria” submitted to the White House by the House Foreign Affairs Committee and House Appropriations Committee, also urged the disarmament of Fulani militias and proposed restrictions on beef and cattle exports to West African countries.

The report claimed that Nigeria is the “deadliest place in the world to be a Christian,” citing attacks by Fulani herdsmen and terrorist groups that have resulted in deaths, kidnappings, and destruction of churches and schools. It accused northern blasphemy laws of being used to silence Christians and other minorities, and urged Washington to push Nigeria toward religious legal reforms.

Religious Leaders Reject US Recommendations

Islamic clerics and scholars have strongly condemned the proposals. Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, a Kaduna-based cleric, defended the use of Sharia law, emphasizing that Muslims have a right to be governed by their religious injunctions. He also criticized what he described as a double standard in global religious discourse, noting that while other countries allow governance by religious texts for Christians, similar rights for Muslims are being challenged.

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Another cleric, Sheikh Halliru Maraya, described the matter as “sensitive and double-edged,” warning that foreign pressure to scrap Sharia could deepen religious divisions. He stressed that violence in states like Kaduna, Zamfara, and Plateau affects both Christians and Muslims, urging the US to focus on capacity-building, intelligence sharing, and counter-terrorism cooperation instead of legal interference.

Civil Society and Experts Raise Sovereignty Concerns

Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, former spokesman of the Northern Elders Forum, called the US recommendations “provocative” and detrimental to Nigeria’s sovereignty. He warned that attempts to enforce legal reforms externally could undermine interfaith harmony and national stability.

Political scientist Prof Jibrin Ibrahim noted that while the US can express concern about security incidents, it cannot dictate Nigeria’s domestic policies. He highlighted that much of the violence is driven by banditry and resource conflicts, affecting citizens of all faiths, rather than targeting Christians alone.

Federal Government Stresses Cooperation and Sovereignty

The Federal Government of Nigeria, through Minister of Information Mohammed Idris, described the report as a potential catalyst for broader cooperation. The government reaffirmed its commitment to protecting religious freedom and emphasized that ongoing security operations, intelligence sharing, and counter-terrorism efforts address threats posed by terrorist groups, bandits, and communal conflicts, irrespective of religion.

The government stressed that any foreign assistance must respect Nigeria’s sovereignty and constitutional framework, while warning against external interference in legal matters such as Sharia and blasphemy laws.

Call for Balanced, Home-Grown Solutions

Analysts and civil society organizations argue that while foreign concern is valid, Nigeria must determine its own policies through constitutional processes and inclusive national dialogue. Experts warn that external attempts to reform religious laws risk fueling divisions and undermining national sovereignty, calling for strategic, home-grown solutions to insecurity and interfaith tensions.

Outrage as US Lawmakers Recommend Repeal of Sharia Codes in Nigeria

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FG Tells Court NAFDAC Fully Empowered to Enforce Sachet Alcohol Ban

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NAFDAC

FG Tells Court NAFDAC Fully Empowered to Enforce Sachet Alcohol Ban

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMOHSW) has affirmed before the Federal High Court in Lagos that the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has full legal authority to enforce the nationwide ban on sachet alcohol and other small‑pack alcoholic beverages. This declaration came in a counter‑affidavit filed on February 23, 2026, in response to a lawsuit filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) challenging the enforcement of the ban.

Through its lawyer, Jumoke Motilayo Falaye, the ministry maintained that it has never interfered in NAFDAC’s operations and is not an enforcement agency. The affidavit emphasised that NAFDAC is a statutory body established under the NAFDAC Act, with broad regulatory powers over foods, drugs, and related products, including alcoholic beverages in sachets, PET bottles, and glass bottles below 200 ml. According to the ministry, enforcement decisions are solely within NAFDAC’s mandate, and allegations of ministerial interference are speculative and unsupported by evidence.

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The ministry also clarified that the Minister of Health has not granted any further extension of the moratorium on the ban, noting that the agency retains the authority to regulate, restrict, and enforce prohibitions as provided under Sections 5 and 30 of the NAFDAC Act, the Spirits Drink Regulation 2021, and the Memorandum of Resolution executed in December 2018.

SERAP’s Legal Challenge

SERAP filed the suit, marked FHC/L/CS/2568/25, against the Minister of Health and the Attorney-General of the Federation, seeking declaratory and injunctive reliefs to:

  • Declare the sachet alcohol ban valid under the NAFDAC Act.

  • Prevent the Minister of Health from granting or extending any moratorium on enforcement.

  • Restrict federal authorities from interfering with NAFDAC’s enforcement responsibilities.

  • Ensure full nationwide implementation of the ban, particularly given concerns over public health and alcohol abuse among youth and low-income communities.

SERAP argued that delays in enforcing the ban violate national health laws and expose communities to risks associated with cheap, potent, and highly accessible alcoholic beverages.

The sachet alcohol ban has been a contentious public policy issue in Nigeria. NAFDAC began a renewed crackdown on sachet alcohol in late 2025 following directives from the National Assembly and Senate, which ordered that the deadline for compliance be strictly enforced. However, conflicting communications from federal authorities, including the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, created confusion over the enforcement timeline.

Industry groups, including the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), have challenged the ban, citing economic impacts, job losses, and potential growth of unregulated markets. Despite this, NAFDAC has maintained that enforcement is legally justified and in the interest of public health and safety.

The Federal High Court is yet to fix a hearing date for the case, which could set a landmark precedent for regulatory authority and public health enforcement in Nigeria.

FG Tells Court NAFDAC Fully Empowered to Enforce Sachet Alcohol Ban

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