Metro

Cleric Jailed 53 years For Sexually Assaulting 14-year-old Daughter

Published

5 hours ago

July 1, 2025

A 45-year-old pastor, Ndukwe Ogbu, has been convicted and sentenced to 53 years imprisonment for defiling and sexually assaulting his 14-year-old daughter by penetration by a Lagos State Sexual Offences Court, sitting in Ikeja.

Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe ruled that the prosecution had proved beyond a reasonable doubt all the elements of the charges against Ogbu.

During sentencing, on Monday, the judge held, “The evidence presented leaves no room for doubt. The convict’s actions are reprehensible, and justice must be served.”

The judge noted the convict’s lack of remorse; and not being apologetic for the crime he committed against his daughter, when he prayed the court to temper justice with mercy and told the court that he had other children to take care of.

The judge found him guilty of the three counts brought against him by the Lagos State government.

The state had filed three counts against Ogbu, bordering on sexual assault, sexual assault by penetration and defilement of a 14-year-old girl.

Ogbu was arraigned sometime in February 2021, and the trial began on October 18, 2021.

The prosecution called three witnesses and tendered exhibits during the prosecution. The first prosecution witness was a social worker, Femi Oyeleke, who reported the case to the police.

The second prosecution witness was the victim of the alleged sexual offences, while the doctor who examined the girl testified against the convict.

The victim in her testimony identified the convict as her father and narrated to Justice Abike-Fadipe that she was 14 years old when the incident started.

While describing the abuse in her testimony, she told the court that her father would come into her room naked, remove her clothes, and force himself on her.

She said he threatened her not to tell anyone.

“He would come into my room naked, remove my clothes, and force himself on me. He threatened me not to tell anyone.”

The victim also explained how she confided in her schoolteacher, who then alerted the social worker and the social worker, in turn, reported to the police.

The doctor who examined her also testified, corroborating her account.

She told the court that her father had sexual intercourse with her on several occasions, and threatened her not to tell anybody.

In his defence, Ogbu denied the allegations, claiming, “I was not at home when these things happened.” He admitted living with the victim in a two-bedroom apartment but insisted she was mentally unstable and forgetful.

The convict also confirmed that he lost his wife when the children were small and that the other children live in the village with their maternal grandmother, but it’s been a long time since he spoke to them.

However, while delivering the judgment, Justice Abike-Fadipe held that the testimony of the doctor and the social worker corroborated the testimony of the victim.

“The victim was 15 years old when the alleged offence was committed. Exhibit P1 states the age of the witness, and the failure of the defence to cross-examine the witness as regards the age of the victim.”

The judge, therefore, found him guilty as charged and sentenced him to three years on count one.

He was also sentenced to 25 years on count two, while another 25 years on count three, totalling 53 years imprisonment to run concurrently.

She ordered that the prison term should begin from December 2019, when he was first remanded in prison.

Metro

Gunmen Kill 10 In Anambra Community

Published

4 hours ago

July 1, 2025

Editor

Panic has gripped the Ogboji community in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State, late on Monday, when some assailants invaded a gathering of people and opened fire on them.

The gunmen were said to have killed no fewer than 13 people.

It was gathered that the armed hoodlums stormed the area in two Sport Utility Vehicles and unprovokedly attacked the people, who were holding their monthly general meeting, while also shooting indiscriminately into the air.

Although members of the community said 13 persons were killed during the attack, police sources, however, confirmed 10 were killed.

Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, a resident of the area and the President of the Association of Non-Indigenes in Anambra State, Chigozie Nweke, said non-indigenes were mostly the victims of the attack.

Nweke said, “It was a tragic and horrifying Monday evening for members of the Ogboji community, particularly non-indigenes residing in the area, as gunmen stormed a meeting venue in the area and brutally murdered about 13 persons.

“The attack, which occurred between 6:00pm and 7:00pm, left the affected families in mourning. We bring to the attention of the Anambra State Government the killing of these persons, mostly indigenes of Ebonyi State at Ogboji in Orumba South Local Government Area by yet to be identified gunmen.”

Nweke also appealed to the Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Ikioye Orutugu, to mobilise the Command’s personnel to hunt down the culprits.

Narrating his ordeal in the incident, a survivor, Augustine Odom, who is the chairman of the Ebonyi community in Ogboji, described the attack as “sudden and unprovoked”.

Odom said, “The community was holding its regular monthly meeting when the assailants struck. We were having our monthly meeting of the Ebonyi community, which holds on the last Monday of every month, beginning at 4:00pm.

“This gathering was known to our Town Union President. It was a peaceful meeting aimed at discussing welfare issues affecting our members. Then, around 6:30pm, a group of gunmen arrived in a Sienna vehicle and accused us of holding a meeting against them.

“The attackers demanded the group’s minutes book, and thereafter seized it and opened fire on the participants. They collected our minutes book, ordered everyone to lie down, and then asked the chairman to stand. Moments later, they started shooting at us. About 13 of our members were killed on the spot. The treasurer and I survived with gunshot wounds.”

Odom added that those killed were from various communities in Ebonyi State, including Izzi, Ikwo, and Mgbo and other villages.

The two survivors, who are currently receiving treatment at a medical facility in the area, expressed shock, stating that they had no known disputes with any individual or group prior to the attack, adding, “We have no issues with anyone. We are law-abiding residents who simply gathered to support one another.”

Confirming the development when contacted on Tuesday, the Spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said police operatives have cordoned off the area while investigations have begun to unmask the perpetrators behind the dastardly act.

Ikenga said the victims were rushed to the hospital, where about 10 were confirmed dead.

He added that their corpses have been deposited at the morgue.

He said, “The Anambra State Police Command has condemned the indiscriminate shooting incident that resulted in fatal injuries and fatalities to ten persons on the evening of 30th June, 2025, at Ogboji, Orumba South Local Government Area. The Police has further assured that the Command shall hunt down the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

“The armed criminals came in two Sport Utility Vehicles and attacked the gathering of a group unprovokedly, shooting sporadically.

“The victims were rushed to the hospital and regrettably, 10 people were confirmed dead. The bodies have been deposited in the morgue.

“Meanwhile, the Police-led security team has taken over the scene and is working on the necessary information to arrest the perpetrators. Further development would be communicated, please.”
(PUNCH)

Metro

EFCC Arrests 31 Suspected Internet Fraudsters In Nasarawa

Published

4 hours ago

July 1, 2025

Editor

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have arrested 31 individuals in Nasarawa State over alleged involvement in internet-related crimes.

The anti-graft agency disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday via X, noting that the suspects were apprehended in Nasarawa Toto, following credible intelligence.

“Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested 31 suspected internet fraudsters in Nasarawa State.

“They were arrested on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at Nasarawa Toto, Nasarawa State, following credible intelligence on their suspected involvement in internet-related offences,” the statement read.

According to the EFCC, several exotic phones and laptops were recovered from the suspects during the operation.

The commission added that the suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

Metro

30-year-old Man Hacks Mother To Death

Published

4 hours ago

July 1, 2025

Editor

A tragic incident of matricide has shaken the community of Dantanoma quarters in Gumel Local Government Area of Jigawa State, as a 30-year-old man, Hussaini Abubakar, killed his mother.

The incident occurred on Sunday, June 29, 2025, at about 8:00 pm, when operatives of the Gumel Divisional Police Headquarters received a direct complaint regarding a violent assault involving a mother and her son.

In a statement made available to journalists in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital, on Tuesday, by the Police Public Relations Officer, Jigawa State Command, SP Shi’isu Adam, said a 30-year-old man brutally killed his 75-year-old mother, Dahara Mu’azu.

The statement reads, “Upon arrival at the scene, the police discovered that the suspect had brutally attacked and killed his mother by repeatedly striking her head with mud blocks.

“The victim was found in a pool of blood with severe head injuries and was immediately rushed to the Gumel General Hospital for treatment. Unfortunately, a medical doctor on duty confirmed that the elderly woman had died on June 30, 2025.”

According to the PPRO, the suspect, Abubakar, has been arrested and is currently in police custody, cooperating with investigators, adding that, “He (suspect) will be charged to court upon completion of a discreet investigation.”

The statement contained that the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Ahmad Abdullahi, condemned the heinous act in the strongest terms, describing it as inhuman, barbaric, and utterly reprehensible.

Furthermore, the CP has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Criminal Investigation Department (CID), to take over the case and ensure that the suspect faces the full wrath of the law.

However, the Jigawa State Police Command said the incident deeply saddens it and has called on members of the public to always report early signs of mental health crises or domestic violence to the nearest police station or community leaders, to prevent avoidable tragedies.

SP Adam also said that the command remains committed to upholding law and order, protecting lives, and ensuring justice for victims of crime across the state.

“The police urge the public to support their efforts in maintaining peace and security in the state,” he added.

Accordingly, the Jigawa Police Public Relations Officer noted that “the command is committed to protecting the lives and property of citizens and visitors to the state.”

He therefore urged the public to cooperate with the police in their efforts to prevent and investigate crimes. Saying, stressing further that “Together, we can build a safer and more secure community for all.”

The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, with many calling for justice for the victim and her family.

When contacted via telephone by our correspondent, Sule Baba, a neighbour of the victim said, “I am appalled by the brutality and senseless killing of the 75-year-old woman by her own son,”

“As a community, we are shocked and disturbed by this heinous act, and we demand justice for the victim and her family. The authorities must take swift and decisive action to ensure the suspect faces the full weight of the law.” said, and emphasized the need for increased vigilance and community support to prevent such incidents in the future.

Also, Aminu Lawan, a member of the community, expressed similar outrage and concern, saying that “this incident is a wake-up call for our community leaders and law enforcement agencies to take proactive measures to address mental health issues and domestic conflicts.”

Lawan called on the Jigawa State Police Command and other relevant authorities to thoroughly investigate the matter and ensure justice is served.
(PUNCH)