Metro

Court Convicts DHL Franchise Owner In Benin For Conversion Of Customers’ Parcels

Published

2 months ago

July 22, 2025

Editor

Mr. Nuhu Omokide

A Magistrate Court sitting in Benin City, Edo State, has convicted Mr. Nuhu Omokide, a franchise owner and manager of a branch of DHL in Benin City, on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy to steal, stealing, and unlawful interference with property.

Mr. Omokide, who was arraigned in Charge No. MEG/275c/2023/A, was convicted on Tuesday, July 22nd by Afe Osamudiamen, (Chief Magistrate Grade I), under Sections 412(1)(2), 287(1)(b)(c), and 346 of the Criminal Law of Edo State, 2022.

The charge followed allegations that Mr. Omokide criminally converted a parcel containing original academic certificates and other sensitive documents belonging to his customers.

The parcel was submitted at DHL’s Airport Road Office in Benin City in July 2023 for onward delivery to the United Kingdom, but allegedly disappeared under Mr. Omokide’s custody and failed to arrive at its destination.

The nominal complainants, frustrated by the defendant’s dismissive and uncooperative attitude, initially reported the matter to the police.

However, Mr. Omokide refused to cooperate with police investigation at the AIG Zone 5 headquarters in Benin City, and instead petitioned the Inspector General of Police, alleging harassment.

The matter was eventually charged to court upon subsequent conclusion of Police investigation.

In his defence, counsel to the defendant, Mr. Razak Isenalumhe, argued that liability for the missing parcel lay with DHL as a corporate entity, not with the defendant personally.

However, the prosecuting counsel, Festus Usiobaifo, Esq., Principal State Counsel, submitted that where a company is involved in criminal conduct, its alter ego, including the manager, can be held personally liable if they directly committed, aided, or abetted the offence.

Usiobaifo argued that the defendant, having admitted operational control, responsibility, and close proximity to the parcel, could not hide under the corporate veil of DHL to avoid criminal liability.

He, therefore, urged the court to pierce the corporate veil, stressing that corporate cover must never be allowed to shield criminal misconduct, especially where trust is wilfully breached.

Delivering his judgment, Chief Magistrate Osamudiamen agreed with the prosecution and convicted the defendant on all five counts.

The Court held that company executives and managerial officers will be held personally accountable for criminal acts carried out in the course of their duties, and that corporate protection cannot extend to shield criminality.

The judgment has been described by legal observers as timely and significant, especially in the face of growing concerns over the misuse of entrusted property by courier agents.

“It sends a clear signal that courier personnel are custodians of public trust, and any act of criminal conversion or breach of duty will attract the full weight of the law.”

Thereafter, stakeholders in the logistics and delivery industry were advised to draw lessons from the judgment, adding that the era where managerial negligence or deliberate conversion is masked by corporate identity is over.

Metro

Police Foil Robbery Attacks On Anambra Roads, Recover Vehicles

Published

2 hours ago

September 6, 2025

Editor

The Anambra State Police Command said it has repelled armed robbery attacks in Oba and Awka areas of the state, with two stolen vehicles earlier snatched by the robbery gang recovered.

The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed in a statement on Saturday that the police patrols have continued to foil plans of criminals following the security and safety measures put in place by the Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu.

Ikenga added that the swift response and coordinated chase by police operatives attached to the Central Police Station, Awka and police operatives attached to Oba Division, led to the recovery of the snatched vehicles from the criminals at different operations.

The statement read in part, “Police operatives have recovered two abandoned, but suspected snatched vehicles in Oba and Awka, respectively. Efforts are, however, ongoing to apprehend the culprits.

“The swift response and coordinated chase by Police Operatives attached to the Central Police Station, Awka, led to the recovery of a snatched Lexus ES 350 car with registration number Lagos – BDG 350 JR, along Parkers Road, Awka, on September 4, 2025, at about 10.10 pm.

“Four armed men, operating in a tricycle without a registration number, had earlier blocked the victim along Ifite Road, Amaenyi, forcing him to abandon his vehicle before they fled the scene with it.

“Similarly, in the early hours of September 5, 2025, police operatives attached to Oba Division received information that a black Lexus RX 300 Jeep with registration number Anambra – AWK 31 DU, had been abandoned by yet-to-be-identified persons around Mummy Hotel axis, along Owerri–Onitsha Expressway, Oba.

“Upon receipt of the information, police operatives moved swiftly to the location and recovered the vehicle, which has since been towed to the station for safekeeping.

“To this end, the command appreciates the good people of Anambra for their timely and useful information, noting that effective collaboration between the Police and the public remains a key strategy in combating crime.”

Metro

Gunmen Kill NSCDC Personnel In Edo, Abduct Expatriate

Published

2 hours ago

September 6, 2025

Editor

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have killed eight personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC) attached to the BUA Cement Factory located in Okpella, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State.

The gunmen also abducted one of the Chinese expatriates, and injured four persons.

An officer of the agency who disclosed this to journalists in Benin on Saturday on the condition of anonymity, said the persons injured were currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.

According to him, four Chinese expatriates were rescued unhurt.

He said the incident happened at the company’s entrance, on Friday, September 5, 2025, at about 10PM, when the officers were escorting five Chinese expatriates after a routine patrol at the company’s entrance.

He said: “The suspected kidnappers, armed with sophisticated weapons, ambushed the NSCDC personnel attached to BUA Cement Company, Okpella, Etsako East LGA, Edo State.

“The attackers laid an ambush at the company’s entrance. They opened fire sporadically, engaging NSCDC operatives in a gun duel. Despite the loss of personnel, NSCDC operatives successfully rescued four expatriates.

“The armed group escaped into the bush with one abducted expatriate.

“The surviving NSCDC personnel repelled further assault and secured four expatriates safely.

“The injured officers were evacuated and are receiving medical care,”

The officer said that the Edo State Commandant of the agency, Agun Gbenga, had visited the scene of the crime and the hospital where the injured are being treated.

He also disclosed that joint security operations with sister agencies have commenced, combing the surrounding forest in pursuit of the perpetrators.

“As I speak with you, our personnel and other security agencies are combing the bush through which the kidnappers escaped. We are making every effort to ensure that the abducted expatriate is freed unhurt and the perpetrators are brought to justice,” he noted.

Metro

New Edo Line Passengers Abducted

Published

2 hours ago

September 6, 2025

Editor

Now fewer than 18 passengers of the New Edo Line and Toyota Corolla car were on Friday reported abducted.

The victims, said to be Abuja bound passengers, were forced into the bush by the kidnappers before men of the Nigerian Police Force arrived the scene

A viral video from the scene of the incident showed a long queue of vehicles parked on both sides of the express road.

Contacted, Edo tate Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Iyamu confirmed, the incident, stressing that sixteen of the victims have been rescued so far.

He noted that police have intensified search in collaboration with local vigilante and hunters to ensure the release of the other passengers in the kidnappers’ den.