Metro

Court Grants Prof. Uduk Bail Over Alleged Electoral Fraud In Akwa Ibom

Published

6 months ago

March 20, 2025

The High Court sitting in Uyo has granted Prof. Ignatius Uduk bail on alleged electoral fraud pending the appeal against his conviction due to his critical health conditions.

Justice Okon Okon, on Thursday in Uyo, in his ruling on the bail application for the applicant while granting him bail, said the applicant is granted bail on the sum of N2million with two sureties.

The Judge added that the applicant should not travel out of the country within the period of bail and should deposit his international passport with the court.

The suit was brought before the Court with charge No: HU/240c/2020 between Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and Prof. Ignatius Uduk.

The INEC was represented in the Court by Mr Daniel Nwike and Uduk was represented by Chief Kalu Umeh, SAN, Senator Ita Enang OFR, Dr Joe Udoinyang and George Ezegwu.

Speaking to newsmen after the judgement, Senator Ita Enang, said they were happy with the ruling of the court.

Enang, who spoke on behalf of Umeh – SAN, said they will expedite action to meet the bail conditions to ensure that the applicant is released to go and treat himself, pending appeal.

“The Honourable Court has granted bail pending appeal to the applicant Prof. Ignatius Uduk in the sum of N2 million and two sureties in like sum and to be residents within the jurisdiction of the court.

“The applicant will also deposit his International passport and should not travel out of jurisdiction within the period of the bail.

“We are taking urgent steps to perfect the conditions of the bail, while at the same time working very assiduously to make sure the appeal entered the Court of Appeal soon.

“The records have been completely compiled and are being transmitted to the Court of Appeal for the expeditious prosecution of the Appeal.

“So, we are very grateful to the Court and we are taking every step to make sure the conditions of bail are perfected and the applicant is released from custody pending appeal.

“We are very grateful to every person who worked with us, especially our lead counsel, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Chief Kalu Umeh,” Enang said.

It would be recalled that Uduk was sentenced to three years in prison for electoral fraud related to his role as Collation/Returning Officer for the Essien Udim State Constituency seat during the 2019 general elections.

Metro

Gateman Arrested For Allegedly Defiling Four-year-old Pupil In Oyo

Published

8 hours ago

September 5, 2025

Editor

A 26-year-old gateman identified as Josiah Ayomide has been arrested for allegedly defiling a four-year-old pupil in one of the schools in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The suspect was paraded alongside other suspects arrested for offences ranging from theft, banditry, rape, and other crimes at the Oyo State Police Command, Eleyele, Ibadan, on Thursday.

In his briefing, the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Adewale Osifeso, said the suspect was nabbed after the victim complained of severe vaginal pains to her parents at home.

Osifeso added that after a thorough investigation and probe, the suspect confessed to the crime.

The police spokesman said the victim later told her mother that her school gateman had unlawfully raped her while she was in the school.

According to the report, “The victim was taken to the Police Medical Clinic, Eleyele-Ibadan, for medical examination and treatment, and the medical report revealed that the hymen was not intact, with tenderness around the vulva and vagina and bruises.”

Osifeso said the suspect would be prosecuted upon completion of the investigation.

Metro

Panic As Fire Guts Fuel Station In Ikorodu

Published

10 hours ago

September 5, 2025

Editor

Photo: File Copy

There was pandemonium on Friday when fire gutted A1 Petroleum Filling Station, an independent oil dealer located on Isawo Road, off Agric Bus Stop in Ikorodu, Lagos.

As of 1 p.m., the extent of property destroyed and possible casualties had not been confirmed. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Men of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, supported by other emergency responders, were at the scene battling to contain the inferno, which reportedly began from a diesel-laden truck within the premises.

Metro

DSS Charges Top Ansaru Leaders Over Terrorism, Kuje Prison Break Roles

Published

10 hours ago

September 5, 2025

Editor

The Department of State Services (DSS) has brought terrorism charges against two senior commanders of Ansaru, an Al-Qaeda-linked terror group, over their alleged role in violent attacks across Nigeria.

The suspects are Mahmud Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a/Abbas/Mukhtar, who is described as the Emir of Ansaru, and his deputy Mahmud al-Nigeri, also called Malam Mamuda. They were recently captured during security operations.

According to the DSS, the charges against them include leading a terrorist organisation, funding its activities, recruiting members, and planning violent operations nationwide.

Their arraignment at the Federal High Court in Abuja is expected soon.

Nuhu Ribadu, the national security adviser (NSA), said the two men were behind the July 2022 Kuje prison attack, where more than 600 inmates, including Boko Haram suspects, escaped.

Ribadu explained: “Abu Bara was the coordinator of terrorist sleeper cells across Nigeria and the mastermind of several high-profile kidnappings and armed robberies used to finance terrorism.”

On Mamuda, Ribadu revealed that he trained in Libya between 2013 and 2015 under foreign jihadists from Egypt, Tunisia, and Algeria, specialising in handling weapons and making explosive devices.

The NSA also linked the suspects to the 2013 abduction of French engineer Francis Collomp in Katsina, the 2019 kidnapping of Musa Uba, Magajin Garin Daura, and the kidnapping of the Emir of Wawa.

Ribadu described their arrest as “a turning point”, noting that the duo maintained strong networks in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso.