Metro

Alleged Forgery: Bayelsa Senator’s Ill-health Stalls Arraignment

Published

2 years ago

February 12, 2024

The arraignment of the senator representing Bayelsa Central, Benson Konbowei, was on Monday stalled due to his absence in court.

The Inspector General of Police had instituted a forgery suit against the senator.

In the suit marked: CR/028/2023, the IG preferred three charges, bordering on forgery of the National Youth Service Corps exemption certificate, among others, against the senator.

He was accused of fraudulently forging a document titled ‘Certificate of Exemption’ with number 000256454 and dated July 4, 2008.

The police said the senator acted contrary to the provisions of Sections 366,156 and 158 of the Penal Code Act CAP 532 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990 and was liable to punishment under Section 364 of the same Act.

At the proceedings at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, sitting in Apo, the counsel for the defendant, Gordy Uche (SAN), told the court that his client was “medically indisposed” and tendered a medical report to substantiate his claim.

He said, “My Lord, the defendant is medically indisposed and cannot be in court. He is on a drip. I pray the court for an adjournment. I promise to provide him at the next proceedings.”

However, the counsel for the Attorney General of the Federation, Egwuaba Reuben, said the defendant was evading trial.

He prayed the court to issue a bench arrest on the senator.

Egwuaba said, “We oppose the medical report. He was at the force headquarters and wrote a petition against me on Friday where he stated that he wanted the police to continue with the case. He said he did not want me. In view of this, I seek an order of this court in accordance with Section 352 ACJA to issue a warrant arrest on the defendant. His absence is a calculated attempt to undermine the court.”

The trial judge, Justice Christopher Oba, overruled him and accepted the tendered medical report.

“The problem is that the court is expected to act in fact. If you have a contrary view you should say it on oath or bring another document to show the medical report is not the fact,” he said.

The judge who observed that the document had no hospital name, ordered the name of the hospital must be provided.

He adjourned the matter till March 26 and 28 for arraignment and commencement of trial.

“If you don’t come with your witnesses I will strike out your case,” he held.

Earlier, there was a drama in court when Egwuaba and Eyinsan Lawrence introduced themselves as the counsel for the prosecution.

Egwuaba told the court that the AGF and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, (SAN) had taken over the case and he had a fait to represent him.

But Lawrence said Egwuaba just informed him some minutes ago.

He said, “I was just informed. Egwuba served me this morning. Our position is that the IG should be served and we will be communicated to allow him to take over the matter. As it is, we will need time to investigate the fait and his claim that the AGF has taken over the matter.”

The judge overruled Lawrence on the matter, adding that the AGF is the Chief Law Officer of the country.

He said, “I will recognise him since he is from the AGF and has submitted a document to that effect. The AGF is the Chief Law Officer of the land. Go and investigate if there’s a reason not to recognise him, come back to me. It is the law that I should act on this. I will not recognise your appearance.”

Metro

Police Arrest Suspected Militant, Hunt Fleeing Monarch In A’Ibom

Published

17 hours ago

November 4, 2025

Editor

Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command, in collaboration with marine hunters, have arrested a suspected militant, Samuel Geofrey, who allegedly specialises in sea piracy and kidnapping in Ibaka, Mbo Local Government Area of the state.

The command has also launched a manhunt for a traditional ruler (name withheld) believed to be Geofrey’s collaborator and reportedly in possession of operational tools used by the militant.

The state Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Azare, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Uyo on Tuesday.

Azare said the suspect was arrested on November 3, 2025, at about 11:45 am, while the traditional ruler fled when operatives stormed his residence.

He explained that a search of the monarch’s makeshift residence led to the recovery of several items allegedly used for sea piracy operations.

Recovered items included one 40HP, two 15HP, and one 8HP marine engines; four power heads; four gearboxes; four propellers; four engine covers; one Snow Sea deep freezer; and three generators, among others.

According to the CP, “On November 3, 2025, at about 1145hrs, operatives of the command, in collaboration with marine hunters, intercepted and arrested one Samuel Geofrey, aged 27, a native of Atakpere Community in Ekeremo LGA of Bayelsa State.

“The suspect confessed to being an active militant involved in sea piracy and kidnapping. He disclosed that his rifle was in the custody of one Kingdom Bane, the Village Head of Ine Eyoabasi Fishing Village.

“Operatives immediately stormed the village, but the Village Head fled upon sighting the team. A search of his makeshift residence led to the recovery of numerous items suspected to have been stolen from sea travelers.”

Items recovered included one 40HP, two 15HP, and one 8HP marine engines; four power heads; four gearboxes; four propellers; four engine covers; one Snow Sea deep freezer; three generators; three brand-new toilet seats; two brand-new toilet sinks; one sewing machine; and a bag containing the personal effects of one Chibuike Vincent Awah of Onitsha, Anambra State, including his ID card and NIN slip.

Azare noted that the suspect would soon be arraigned in court, adding that efforts had been intensified to arrest the fleeing traditional ruler.

He further disclosed that during the same period, the command arrested two suspects after raiding an illegal gun manufacturing factory in Ekriti Itam Village, Itu Local Government Area.

According to him, “Acting on credible intelligence, police operatives on October 24, 2025, raided an illegal gun manufacturing facility at Ekriti Itam Village, Itu LGA, arresting Aniekan Aniedi (39) and Ubong Udofia (35).

“Exhibits recovered include three fabricated locally made guns, five pieces of metal pipe, two iron rods, copper wire, two flat metal plates (gun butts), one welding machine, one mini electric screwdriver, and one electric filing machine.”

Metro

Rivers Shuts Market As Hoodlums Stab Trader To Death Over N500

Published

17 hours ago

November 4, 2025

Editor

Authorities in Rivers State have shut down the popular Obio/Akpor International Market, also known as Amaechi Market, following the killing of a trader identified simply as Ejike, allegedly by a group of meat sellers during a quarrel over N500.

The incident occurred around 11am on Sunday, along SARS Road in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, when over 20 attackers reportedly stabbed Ejike multiple times with daggers.

Eyewitnesses said another man who attempted to rescue the victim was also stabbed in the ribs and is now in critical condition in the hospital.

Outraged by the killing, female traders on Monday staged a protest at the Obio/Akpor Council headquarters, demanding the relocation of the alleged violent group while expressing fear over rising insecurity in the market.

One of the protesters, who pleaded anonymity for fear of victimisation, claimed that aside from the deceased, another person went into a coma.

“One man is dead, and the person who tried to rescue him is in a coma. More than 20 of them chased him over N500 and stabbed him to death. We want peace. They should leave our market,” a protesting woman said.

Another trader, who declined to be named, accused the attackers of being behind criminal activities in the market.

She lamented, “They break into our shops, steal goods, and even sell drugs behind the market.

“We don’t feel safe anymore. The government should help us.”

The Market Chairman, C.P. Oburu, confirmed the incident, saying Ejike was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.

“When I got the call while in church, I rushed to the scene. The doctor confirmed him dead. We took his body to the mortuary and reported to the police,” he said.

Oburu added that the market has been sealed by the council authorities and police, pending further investigation.

“The local government chairman has intervened. Security agencies have made some arrests, and the market will remain closed until further notice,” he said.

Confirming the incident, state Police Command spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, said one person was killed by yet-to-be-identified attackers.

“The Commissioner of Police has deployed tactical units to cordon off the market and ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice. Investigation is ongoing,” she stated.

Metro

Family Declares 45-year-old Hairdresser Missing In Ibeju-Lekki

Published

18 hours ago

November 4, 2025

Editor

A 45-year-old woman, Oluwafunmilayo Oluwaseun Adesuyi, has been declared missing in the Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos State.

According to Boluwatife Adesuyi, her son, and Mr. Adekunle, her brother-in-law, Oluwafunmilayo, a hairdresser by occupation and mother of four children, who resides at House 1, Road 1, Onidogbo Town, Aiyeteju, Ibeju-Lekki, was last seen on September 17, 2025, within the Ibeju-Lekki area.

She is described as tall and fair in complexion. Boluwatife, her eldest son, said she left home on Thursday, 17th September 2025, and hasn’t returned since then. He said all efforts to trace her whereabouts since the day she went missing have proved unsuccessful.

The case has been reported to the police, and the family is appealing to members of the public with any useful information to assist in locating her.

Anyone with information about Oluwafunmilayo Adesuyi’s whereabouts is urged to contact 08165274101 or report to the nearest police station.