Metro

Appeal Court Upholds Ex-banker’s Seven Years Jail Term

Published

2 months ago

May 8, 2025

An Appeal Court sitting in Enugu has upheld the conviction and seven years prison sentence of one Onyekachi Nwosu, a former employee of Guaranty Trust Bank, over a N50 million loan fraud.

Nwosu was prosecuted by the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a nine-count charge bordering on forgery and obtaining by false pretence to the tune of N50 million and was convicted and sentenced by Justice R. O. Dugbo Oghoghorie of Federal High Court sitting at Independence Layout, Enugu on January 14, 2021.

The convict, who was an account officer of one Anyaso Chinedu, owner of Floxy Aluminum Odiofele Products Limited, used a forged document titled ‘An Application to Mortgage, Consent to Mortgage and Tripartite Legal Mortgage’ to deceive GTB into believing that one Mrs Adebimpe Foluke pledged her property as collateral for the said loan to Floxy Aluminium Odiofele Products Limited.

Investigations revealed that he benefited N40 million from the fraudulent act by directly withdrawing it from the account of Floxy Aluminium Odiofele Products Limited.

In the course of his trial, prosecution counsel, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE II Mainforce Adaka Ekwu, called four witnesses and tendered 16 exhibits which were admitted in evidence as ‘Exhibit EFCC 1-16’.

At the end of the trial, Justice Oghoghorie held that the EFCC proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and convicted and sentenced Nwosu accordingly.

Dissatisfied with the judgement, the convict approached the Appeal Court, praying it to set aside the judgement of the trial court.

The prosecution counsel prayed the court to uphold the judgment of the High Court and dismiss the appeal on the grounds that “the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.”

The Court of Appeal set aside the convictions from the trial court on counts one to eight but upheld the verdict on Count 9.

In a unanimous judgement of a three-member panel of the Appeal Court, delivered by Justice Zainab Babe Abubakar, the Court of Appeal held that “the evidence of the First Prosecution Witness, PW1, corroborated the confession of the appellant that he collected N40 million from the loan sum of N50 million granted to the third respondent (Floxy Aluminum Odiofele Products Limited).

“The appellant has admitted that he collected N40 million from the loan sum, which has proved the last ingredient of the offence against the appellant.

“Consequently, the conviction of the appellant on this Count 9 of the charge by the trial court was in order, in my humble view.”

Metro

Police Arrest For Sexual Assault Of Minor Leading To Pregnancy

Published

15 hours ago

July 20, 2025

Editor

Kebbi State Police Command has arrested no fewer than 11 suspects for allegedly impregnating a 13 years old unsound mind girl in the state.

The Command said that the arrests were made as part of its determination to rid the State of all forms of Gender Based Violence.

This was contained in a statement signed and made available to newsmen on Saturday by the spokesman of the command, CSP Nafiu Abubakar.

In the statement, Abubakar said, “The Divisional Police Officer, Shanga, had on 13th July, 2025, acting on credible intelligence, arrested 11 suspects namely: Ibrahim Bakanike, Danladi Nauyi, Danjuma Meli, Ibrahim Dankura, Ibrahim Isiaka, Masta Maishayi, Bello Muhammad, Danjuma Kodo, Aminu Isah, Zayyanu Isah and Ahmed Usman, all ‘m’ of Tungar Giwa village, Shanga LGA of Kebbi State.

“The suspects took advantage of one Sa’ima Dauda ‘f’ aged 13 yrs, who walked around in the village due to unsound mind by giving her money ranging from #200 to #500, lured her severally in different locations and had sexual intercourse with her which resulted to pregnancy and she safely delivered a baby boy on 8th July, 2025.”

The statement added that during the preliminary investigation, all the suspects arrested in connection with the case have confessed to the commission of the crime.

“Consequently, the Commissioner of Police, Kebbi State Command, CP Bello M Sani has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police, State Criminal Investigation Department to intensify efforts in arresting the remaining two fleeing suspects and ensure diligent investigation”

The CP equally reiterated the Command’s commitment to ensuring justice for the victims and speedy investigation of Gender Based Violence cases in the State.

Metro

Varsity Lecturer Dies In Company Of Female Student

Published

15 hours ago

July 19, 2025

Editor

Mr Olabode Ibikunle, a lecturer at Prince Abubakar Audu University, Ayingba, Kogi State, reportedly died on Thursday.

The lecturer, in the Department of Social Science Education of the institution, reportedly dies while in company of one Miss Glory Ojochegbe, of the same department.

But his death has been linked to one Miss Bello Lubabat.

Reacting,, the management of the university, however, dispelled the rumour, stating that investigation is ongoing to unravel the circumstances that led to his death.

It urged people to wait for the outcome of the ongoing investigation by the appropriate authorities and avoid jumping into unverified conclusion.

The Registrar of the school, Yahaya Alilu, in a statement on Friday, urged the media and the public to refrain from speculation to avoid jumping into false conclusions.

The statement read, “Prince Abubakar Audu, University, Ayingba expressed deep sorrow over the unfortunate passing of Mr Olabode Abimbola Ibikunle, a lecturer in the Department of Social Science Education.

“His sudden demise in company of Miss Glory Ojochegbe Samuel (24GE2034) of the same department is a tragic and disturbing occurrence that understandably generated public concern and interest.

“The university wishes to state that the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr Olabode Abimbola Ibikunle is currently under investigation by the appropriate authorities.

“We therefore kindly urge the public and the media to refrain from speculations or drawing premature conclusions until the facts are fully established.

“We are also aware of some unverified reports linking the names of other students including Miss Bello Yahaya Lubabat of the Department of Educational Administration and planning, to the incident.

“The university firmly dissociates Miss Bello and other students from the matter and cautions against the spread of unfounded information that may harm the reputation of innocent persons.

“Prince Abubakar Audu University remains committed to upholding the value of truth, fairness and justice , and we respectfully appeal for restraint and responsible reportage as investigation continues.”

Metro

Tragedy As Suspect In Ondo Varsity Students’ Murder Dies In Police Custody

Published

16 hours ago

July 19, 2025

Editor

The Ondo State Police Command on Saturday confirmed the death of a murder suspect, Femi Oladele, also known as Tallex, during a brief illness.

Oladele was arrested for his alleged role in the abduction and death of two students of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko – Andrel Okah and John Abba.

The two students, who were friends – Andrel Okah of the Department of History and International Studies, and John Abba of the Department of Economics – were said to be in 200-level in their departments before their disappearance on campus.

After their disappearance for three weeks, their colleagues raised the alarm and reported the matter to the police.

Thereafter, the command swung into action and began an investigation which led to the arrest of Oladele and two other accomplices. Oladele was said to be a landlord of one of the victims.

During interrogation of the suspects, the police said one of the suspects confessed that the victims had been killed, while their bodies were dumped at different locations in Ekiti State.

The police later disclosed that Okah’s body had been recovered and deposited at a morgue, while efforts were ongoing to recover Abba’s.

A source informed our correspondent that while in police custody, Oladele fell sick and was rushed to a hospital by the police, where he gave up the ghost.

“The suspect (Oladele) was sick in the custody where he was kept by the police. When his health condition was getting worse, he was quickly rushed to the hospital, where he later died.”

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed the death of the suspect, stating that Oladele had been receiving treatment but succumbed in the early hours of Friday.

“Yes, he is dead. He had been under medical supervision since his arrest and had been in and out of the hospital. He passed away yesterday (Friday). We have recovered the decomposing body of Okah and are still searching for Abba’s remains.

“We urge the public to disregard any attempt to twist the facts. The command remains fully committed to justice. Everyone involved will face the full weight of the law,” the PPRO stated.