Metro

Alleged Defamation: Foremost Edo-based Human Rights Activist Granted Bail

Published

1 year ago

March 27, 2024

Editor

An Edo State High Court presided over by Hon. Justice Efe Ikpomwonba, has granted an Edo-based foremost human rights activist and former coordinator-general of Edo Civil Society Organisations, EDOCSO, Leftist Omobude Agho bail for alleged defamation and cyber-stalking.

The human rights activist was brought before Criminal Court 1, Benin City, by police prosecutor, Y. Musa, with a motion exparte for remand of the defendant in prison custody.

The prosecutor charge reads in part “that you Omobude Agho ‘m’ on or about the 16th day of March, 2024 at Benin City within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, Benin judicial division, with intent to injure the reputation of DCP.

Members of the EDOCSO in the premises of the court in solidarity with their former coordinator-general

“Betty Otimenyin, did made injurious Facebook publication of your Facebook timeline named “Omobude Left Agho” where you referred to her as madam deputy commissioner of police in zone 5 and female deputy commissioner of police connected at the zone 5 respectively and accused her of aiding and assisting one Dominic Edobor in committing crime at Ugbineh community and other several injurious publication which you know to be false and has gone viral in a manner that injures the reputation of DCP. Betty Otimenyin and brought her to disrepute and hatred and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 24(1)(a) and (b)(2)(a)and (b) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention etc) Act, 2015.”

Agho, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Members of the EDOCSO in a joyous mood after Agho was granted bail. Standing by his rights lawyer, Olayiwola Afolabi, SAN.

In his bail application, lead defendant’s counsel, Olayiwola Afolabi, SAN, prayed the court to grant the defendant bail, assuring that he (Agho) will not jump bail.

The presiding judge, having listened to both police counsel and the defendant’s counsel, granted the defendant bail with a surety and a like sum of N500,000.

The surety was to swear to an affidavit of means and resident and workplace to be verified by court officials.

The defendant was able to meet the bail conditions and was released on bail by the court.

The presiding judge thereafter adjourned the case to 21st of May, 2024.

Meanwhile during the arrast and court proceedings, members of the EDOCSO in their large numbers trooped to the court premises in solidarity with their former coordinator-general.

Related Topics:Court EDOCSO Omobude Agho

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Metro

BREAKING: Bodies Of 8 Missing Policemen Recovered In Benue

Published

1 day ago

September 22, 2025

Editor

Lifeless bodies of the eight policemen who were declared missing after a deadly attack on security operatives at Agu Centre, on the border of Katsina-Ala and Ukum LGAs of Benue State, have been recovered.

Dr Justin Shaku, Chairman of Katsina-Ala LGA disclosed this to reporters in Makurdi on Monday.

According to him, “this brings the number of officers killed to 11 (10 policemen and one BSCPG)”.

The unfortunate incident occurred on Friday, when a team of security operatives came under the attack of armed invaders.

Three personnel were immediately confirmed dead while eight others were declared missing.

Metro

Police Arrest Three Kidnappers Over ₦6.9m Ransom, Victim’s Murder

Published

1 day ago

September 22, 2025

Editor

Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have arrested three suspected kidnappers who allegedly killed one of their victims after collecting N6.9 million ransom.

The Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed this in a statement issued on Monday.

Iringe-Koko identified the suspects as Hassan Mohammed (20) of Wandigah Town, Mandagali, Borno State; Bello Abubakar (25) of Roundabout Maura, Sokoto State; and Yusuf Ahmed (23) of Hazari LGA, Bauchi State.

She said the arrests followed an investigation into the abduction of Humphrey Wagbara of Igwuruta-Atali.

According to the PPRO, the suspects also kidnapped one Mercy Chinyere on September 12, 2025, at the same location, where they also collected a ransom of N3,500,000 before releasing her.

The statement read, “On 26th August, 2025, the Rivers State Police Command received a distressing report, suggesting the kidnapping of one Humphrey Wagbara, m of Igwuruta-Atali.

“Operatives of the Command attached to the Anti-Cultism Unit (ACU), Emohua Annexe, acting on this information and in a daring and coordinated operation on 19th September, 2025, at about 0200hrs arrested three suspects at different locations in Obio/Akpor and Ikwerre Local Government Areas of the State in connection with the kidnapping of the victim.”

Iringe-Koko said during interrogation, the suspects voluntarily confessed to their involvement in multiple kidnappings in the State.

Among their past kidnappings are those of Onwuli Jude and Nwabueze Nchekwube on September 24, 2025, at School Road, Igwuruta-Atali, where they collected a ransom of N6,900,000 before killing the victim.

“Exhibits recovered from the suspects include one G-3 rifle with Breech Number 10398, one magazine, one Itel phone belonging to Humphrey Wagbara, a kidnapped victim, three short daggers, one jack knife and one stainless short knife,” Rivers police imagemaker said.

Iringe-Koko added that the suspects and exhibits remain in police custody while detectives track other fleeing members of the syndicate and search for additional weapons.

The Command said it arrested a 48-year-old man, Emmanuel George, for allegedly defiling a 12-year-old girl (name withheld) in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

According to Iringe-Koko, George committed the offence on September 6, 2025, after luring the minor while she was sent on an errand by her aunt.