Metro

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

Published

11 months 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

Edo Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists

Published

15 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Police Command on Wednesday said two suspected cultists were arrested in Ohonre community, off Adolor College Road, Benin.

This was disclosed in a statement by the command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, and made available to newsmen electrically.

Ikoedem said the arrest was possible due to operatives response to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

The statement reads: “The Edo State Police Command has recorded another operational breakthrough following the swift disruption of a suspected cultists’ gathering in Ohonre Community, off Adolor College Road, Benin City.

“On 21st May, 2026, at about 19:00hrs, operatives attached to Ugbowo Division who were on surveillance patrol responded to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

“Acting promptly on the information, the police team mobilized to the location. On sighting the operatives, the suspects fled in an attempt to evade arrest. The operatives immediately gave them a hot chase, leading to the arrest of two suspects identified as Victor Peter ‘M’, 21 years and Iyemoma Ogbewe ‘M’, 35 years.

“A search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of one cut-to-size gun believed to have been in their possession for unlawful purposes.

“Upon investigation, the suspects confessed to being members of the notorious Maphite cult group. Efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other fleeing gang members.”

She said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, commended the swift response of the operatives and reiterated the Command’s resolve to deny criminal elements any opportunity within Edo State.

He further urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to the Police, assuring that all reports would receive prompt attention.

Metro

Troops Eliminate Two Terrorists, Foil Pipeline Attack

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Army says troops have, in the last 24 hours, eliminated two terrorists, rescued four kidnapped victims and foiled pipeline attacks in a series of coordinated military operations across Taraba, Kogi and Rivers.

This is contained in operational updates issued to reporters on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to the reports, troops of 93 Battalion deployed at Akate in the Donga Local Government Area of Taraba engaged suspected terrorists in a forested area, killing two of them.

According to the report, items recovered from the scene include an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, magazines, mobile phones and other personal effects.

In Kogi, it said the troops of 21 Battalion, in collaboration with vigilantes, rescued four kidnapped passengers along the Anyigba–Itobe road in Ofu Local Government Area.

It added that the victims were reportedly abandoned by their captors while attempting to cross a seasonal stream due to sustained pressure from advancing troops.

According to the military, efforts are ongoing to rescue other victims still in captivity.

The report said that troops of 12 Brigade successfully repelled an ambush along Kabba–Okene road while withdrawing from an earlier operation, forcing the assailants to flee with gunshot wounds.

“Meanwhile, in Rivers, troops of 5 Battalion acting on credible intelligence, foiled an attempt by suspected vandals to detonate a crude oil pipeline in Ahoada West Local Government Area.

“The swift response of the troops disrupted the operation before it could be executed, with the suspects fleeing the scene,” it said.

Metro

Police Arrest Private Chef Over Alleged N150m Theft, Drugging Of Employer, Burglary

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested a chef, John Cosmos Govi, over his alleged involvement in a burglary operation at a residence in Abuja, where luxury items and valuables worth about N150 million were reportedly stolen.

The arrest was announced on Monday, May 25, 2026, by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid, who said the suspect was apprehended by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) after investigations into allegations of criminal conspiracy, housebreaking, theft, malicious damage and administering harmful substances.

According to police findings, Govi, who allegedly gained employment as a chef at the residence, was said to have studied the movement of occupants, internal routine and security setup before allegedly carrying out the operation on April 23, 2026.

Investigators said he reportedly worked with two accomplices identified as Peter and Moses, who are currently on the run.

Police alleged that food prepared in the house was laced with a suspected sedative substance to weaken the occupants and security personnel.

After they reportedly became unconscious, the suspects allegedly broke into the property, damaged CCTV installations and stole 20 luxury wristwatches valued at about N150 million, alongside other valuables.

Speaking on the development, DCP Anthony Placid said the suspect was intercepted around the Gwagwalada axis of the Federal Capital Territory while attempting to flee to Lagos. He added that an iPhone 17 Pro Max, believed to belong to the victim, and a suspected chemical substance were recovered.

“We remain committed to dismantling organised criminal networks and ensuring that all fleeing accomplices are brought to justice,” Placid said.

Police said efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects and conclude investigations into the case.