Metro

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

Published

2 years ago

February 12, 2024

Editor

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

Gunmen Kidnap Businessman In Ibadan

Published

1 day ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted a 60-year-old man in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The victim was kidnapped on Saturday while on his way to his residence.

The incident occurred at Jinarere, Alakia in Ibadan.

Public Relations Officer of the State Police command, Olayinka Ayanlade, when contacted, confirmed the incident.

Ayanlade in a statement made available to DAILY POST on Sunday, explained that efforts are ongoing to rescue the victim.

Ayanlade said, “Preliminary information reveals that the victim, a 60-year-old male and building materials trader, was accosted while returning home along the Jinarere axis of Alakia Road by four masked armed men, who forcefully whisked him away in an unregistered ash-coloured Toyota Corolla vehicle”.

Metro

Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2026

Editor

A 30-year-old entrepreneur and CEO of Principle Takeout, Justice Abu Oshioke, has been killed by suspected kidnappers in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

He was reportedly attacked by the suspected kidnappers on Saturday while on his way to pick up an order made for his child’s dedication on Sunday morning.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers attempted to force him into a nearby bush in a kidnapping attempt. However, he reportedly resisted and tried to escape.

In the course of the struggle, the assailants opened fire, shooting him multiple times.

Concerned residents quickly rushed him to a nearby medical facility, but he was confirmed dead on arrival.

The deceased was said to have recently gotten married and welcomed a baby boy.

The tragic event has turned a joyous occasion into a moment of grief for the family.

The shocking development has left the Ekpoma community in deep sorrow, with many residents expressing outrage over the growing insecurity in the area.

Edo State Police Command’s spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem confirmed the incident and said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika has ordered a “full-scale investigation and intensified manhunt for those responsible.”

According to her, the Police, in collaboration with the military, local vigilantes, and hunters, are actively pursuing the perpetrators through coordinated operations.

Metro

Grandfathers Arrested For Drug Trafficking

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2026

Editor

Two grandfathers, aged 83 and 78, are among several suspects apprehended by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in a fresh nationwide crackdown on illicit drug trafficking.

Pa John Ofiel, 83, was arrested on Tuesday, 28 April during a raid in the Aba region of Abia State.

The NDLEA said that operatives acting on credible intelligence recovered 700 grams of skunk, a potent strain of cannabis already packaged into retail sachets.

The octogenarian, who claimed to be a professional shoemaker allegedly confessed to delving into the illicit trade.

In Ekiti State on Thursday 30 April 78 year old Ogunjobi Samuel was detained at his residence in Ilupeju-Ekiti where officers seized 350 grams of cannabis from him, identifying him as a local peddler.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, (CCEO), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa (Rtd), commended the various state commands for their drug supply reduction efforts.

He urged officers to maintain the current momentum, balancing enforcement with the agency’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation activities.
The enforcement drive also led to the arrest of a notorious drug dealer in Oyo State Taofik Adeyemi, 49.

He was apprehended on Saturday, 2 May, at his residence in Ibadan after months of evading the authorities.

He was caught alongside his salesman, Mustapha Oyerinde, with 3.085kg of cannabis and a getaway vehicle.

Across other states, the NDLEA recorded significant seizures including over 140,000 pills and capsules of Tramadol intercepted in separate operations targeting transit routes from Damaturu to Hadejia.

A raid on Awolowo Market in Mushin area of Lagos state resulted in the recovery of 740kg of cannabis while in Kaduna, two suspects were caught on the Abuja-Jos highway with 290kg of compressed cannabis concealed in a Honda Ridgeline.

A 65-year-old driver was intercepted at the Ile-Ife toll gate in Osun state conveying skunk and methamphetamine, leading to a follow up arrest of the consignment’s owner in Ilesha.

In line with it’s mandate, the NDLEA continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy, holding enlightenment lectures for students, Islamic schools, and commercial motorcyclists in Niger, Kano, Anambra, and Lagos states.

The NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, noted that the agency remains committed to “cleansing the streets” of both notorious distributors and those who use age as a shield for criminal activity.