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 Ex-Soldier, Four Others Over Armed Robbery, Kidnapping In Anambra

Published

12 minutes ago

August 28, 2025

Editor

The Anambra State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of five suspected members of a notorious armed robbery and kidnapping syndicate, including a confessed deserter of the Nigerian Army, in Awka, the state capital.

According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Public Relations Officer of the Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the operation was carried out on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) in Awkuzu.

Ikenga said the operation was carried out after the Command received intelligence on the abduction of a farmer at Isiagu, Awka.

The victim was reportedly released after an undisclosed amount of ransom was paid.

The police spokesperson said that, acting on credible intelligence, police operatives stormed the gang’s hideout at Notoko, Awka, leading to the arrest of the confessed deserter soldier and four other suspects.

Ikenga identified the suspects as 38-year-old Dominic Oraz, a confessed deserter of the Nigerian Army; 30-year-old Michael Nwobodo; 29-year-old Eze Friday; 23-year-old Uche Okolo, and 29-year-old Chinedu Gilbert.

“Exhibits recovered from the suspects include six automatic pump-action guns, 63 rounds of live cartridges, one microscope, five machetes, one military cap, two police teargas canisters, handcuffs, a robber’s rocket launcher, criminal charms, three Motorola walkie-talkies, one jack knife, one power bank and cash sum of N26,000,” Ikenga stated.

He said that during interrogation, Oraz admitted abandoning the military in November 2024.

Ikenga noted that investigations are ongoing, particularly regarding the deserter soldier, in collaboration with military authorities, to guide further police action and prosecution of all suspects.

He said the Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, commended the operatives for the operation and urged residents of the state to remain vigilant and to continue to report suspicious activities to the Police for prompt action.

The commissioner also assured Ndi Anambra of the Command’s unwavering commitment to combating violent crimes.

Metro

Enugu Vigilantes Beat Young Man To Death Over Alleged Stealing Of Woman’s Clothes

Published

18 minutes ago

August 28, 2025

Editor

Members of the Neighbourhood Watch in Amagu Iwollo Oghe community, Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State, have allegedly beaten a young man, Mr. Nosike Madueke, popularly known as Wojuwo, to death over a false theft allegation.

Community sources told SaharaReporters that the vigilante group was led by the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of the community, Mr. Chukwuebuka Hillary Ngwueche, also known as Osuofia.

According to one of the sources, the incident occurred on Monday, August 25, 2025, when the local security men attacked Madueke with “dangerous weapons” after he was accused of stealing a box of clothes belonging to Mrs. Nneka Nwankwo.

The source explained that Nwankwo had earlier hired Madueke and his co-workers to repair or dig her septic tank and soakaway, but later raised an alarm claiming her box of clothes had gone missing.

“Instead of handing Madueke over to the appropriate authority, especially the police, they decided to jointly and severally take the laws into their respective hands by arresting Madueke, dragging him to his house for a search, bringing out his clothes, and burning all the clothes,” the source said.

“They tied Madueke on both his hands and legs and started profusely, taking turns by using offensive weapons such as guns, machetes, and irons, to beat him up till he died.”

“This happened in public at Iwollo Oghe Square. How can a trained CSO and his men kill a whole human being on a mere allegation by a woman of stealing her cloth, which was later found,” the source said.

“The young boy was from Imeziolo, Ezeagu LGA of Enugu State.”

According to another source, this marks the third time residents of Iwollo Oghe, either directly or through its purported security outfits, have been linked to the killing of people from the deceased’s community.

“Sometime in 1987, they shot Hyacinth Adinde with a gun and asked the people of Madueke community to do their worst.

“Also, years later, they killed Engr. Christopher Aniagbaoso, and yet they asked the people of the community to do their worst.

“The people of Iwollo Oghe are in the habit of killing the people of Imeziolo on mere suspicious grounds,” the source alleged.

“We call on the Enugu State command to do justice to this case as information reaching us revealed that the men are on the run after killing the young boy,” the source added.

A video obtained by SaharaReporters showed the deceased being beaten with sticks by men believed to be members of the Neighbourhood Watch, who were seen parading him along a community road.

Moments later in the footage, his lifeless body appeared on the ground, surrounded by residents, some of whom lamented, “See how they killed somebody’s only son for nothing.”

According to a source, the case has since been reported to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) of the Enugu State Police Command.

However, repeated attempts by SaharaReporters to obtain the reaction of the Police Command were unsuccessful.

Calls to the mobile phone of the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, went unanswered, and a WhatsApp message sent to him also received no response as of the time of filing this report.

Metro

Anambra Arrest Four For Impersonation

Published

4 hours ago

August 28, 2025

Editor

Anambra State Special Anti-Touting Squad

The Anambra State Special Anti-Touting Squad has apprehended four persons in Achalla, Awka North Local Government Area, for allegedly impersonating SASA operatives and conducting illegal operations.

The suspects, who were reportedly parading the streets of Achalla wearing uniforms and carrying fake anti-tout identity cards, were arrested following complaints from residents who claimed they had been harassed and extorted.

Speaking to journalists on the development on Wednesday, the Director General of Anambra State Special Anti-Touting Squad, Monday Onwe, condemned the alleged impersonation, stressing that his office did not know about any anti-tout initiative in Achalla.

Onwe emphasised that the authority to establish such a formation rests solely with the state governor, Chukwuma Soludo.

He said, “The alleged activities of this group, including intimidation and extortion using dangerous implements, are unacceptable and damaging to the integrity of the original Anambra State Special Anti-Touting Squad.

“We remain committed to a full investigation, and anyone found culpable will be prosecuted in a competent court of law.”

He further warned that fraudulent use of the Anambra State Special Anti-Touting Squad name to defraud the public would not be tolerated, assuring residents that the state government remains determined to protect communities from criminal exploitation.

“If you wish to become a member of the anti-touting squad, please be informed that you must undergo mandatory training before acceptance.

“No individual will be admitted into the squad without completing the required training and meeting the set standards.

“This process is for discipline, professionalism, and efficiency in service,” The PUNCH quoted him.