Metro

Court Remands Anambra Lawyer For Brutalising Maid

Published

5 months ago

February 21, 2024

The Children, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Court sitting at the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Awka, has remanded a lawyer, Adachukwu Okafor, at the State Criminal and Investigative Department custody in Awka, for allegedly inflicting physical injuries on the body of her 11-year-old housekeeper.

Okafor, who resides at Chris Igwilo Street Akapka GRA, 3-3 Onitsha of Anambra State, was arraigned before the Children, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Court presided by Genevieve Osakwe, in Awka, on Wednesday on two counts.

Okafor allegedly used various objects like a broken bottle, knife, and electric iron to harm her house help in response to an incident involving her daughter.

The two-count borders mainly on willful infliction of physical injuries on the body of one Happiness Nwafor, an offence punishable under Section 4(1) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition and Protection) Laws of Anambra State of Nigeria 2017.

The charge was read and interpreted to the defendant to the court’s satisfaction; the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Okafor, who was reportedly said to be on the run, surrendered herself to the Anambra Police Command in Awka, after the Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, had placed an N2m bounty on anyone who knew her whereabouts.

Meanwhile, a bail application was made by the defendant’s counsel, Chijioke Nwankwo, but the bail was denied by the court and the matter was adjourned till February 28, 2024, for ruling.

Speaking to journalists after the court’s session, the defendant’s counsel, Chijioke Nwankwo, when asked why it took his client time to report to the police, stated that he was unaware of any bounty placed on Okafor.

He explained that he was only contacted for the job and he immediately took the defendant to the police.

He, however, complained that the state Ministry of Women and Social Welfare is already doing trial by ordeal, which he noted is not in the best interest of the case.

The victim, an 11-year-old, had since been discharged from the hospital and made an appearance in court too.

Reacting to the development, the Anambra State Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, stated that she trusts the court to do justice.

Obinabo also revealed that her ministry would soon embark on media sensitisation programme, during which Anambra residents would be educated and fully enlightened about the dangers and negative consequences of child abuse.

She said, “We advise members of the public to shun all forms of social vices in the society, especially, those vices that endanger the life of a child; and we called on everyone to be agents of positive social change.”

Metro

Policeman Shot, Three Arrested Over Land Dispute In Delta

Published

1 day ago

July 25, 2024

Editor

Police operatives from the Okpanam Division, in the Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State have arrested three police officers who allegedly encroached and supervised the destruction of the properties in the community.

It was gathered that the property belonged to Ogbeozoma tenants in the land area in a dispute between the Ogbeozoma quarters of Okpanam and Akpoma quarters Issele-Azagba in Aniocha North Local Government Area.

A source, who spoke to The PUNCH on the condition of anonymity because he was not permitted to speak to the press, disclosed that when the people of Ogbeozoma received information that some people were destroying their properties, they mobilised to the site.

He said, “On arrival, they were confronted by the officers, as other people who came with them for the operation, took to their heels.

“In the process, one of the police officers the Ogbeozoma people brought, identified as Inspector Sanni Taiwo, was shot and was rushed to the hospital where he was receiving treatment.

“The arrested officers claimed they were attached to the CTU Base 44, Force Headquarters, Abuja, while the driver of one of the payloaders was also arrested.

“They were sent by a popular hotelier from the South-East origin but based in Asaba.”

As of the time of filing this report, the three officers and the payloader driver had been transferred to the police command headquarters, while the two Hilux vehicles and two payloaders recovered from the site were parked on the premises of Okpanam Police Division.

Items recovered from the suspects, according to our source, included two guns and some live cartridges.

When contacted on Wednesday, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Abaniwanda Olufemi, told PUNCH Metro that he was in Abuja for the IG meeting and was yet to be briefed.

Metro

JUST IN: 8 Children Rescued From Accident In Kogi

Published

1 day ago

July 25, 2024

Editor

Eight school children have survived a motor accident in Lokoja the Kogi State capital.

An Eyewitness account told DAILY POST that the children are pupils of Kingdom Heritage Nursery and Primary School Lokoja.

DAILY POST gathered that the children were returning from school when the sad incident occurred on Thursday at the popular Lokongoma market in Lokoja.

It was further gathered that a heavy-duty truck carrying a container load fell on two small vehicles which trapped the Children.

Through the combined effort of the Nigeria Police, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and other relevant agencies, the children were rescued.

The Kogi State Security Adviser Commodore Jerry Omodara Rtd. who was on ground to ensure the rescue of the school children confirmed this to newsmen on Thursday.

As of 5:17PM, efforts are still in place to ensure that the truck is evacuated from the road to ensure free flow of traffic.

Metro

Church Members Protest, Disown Faction Promoting LGBTQ Rights

Published

2 days ago

July 25, 2024

Editor

Hundreds of members of the United Methodist Church (UMC) in Gombe State have protested against a factional group accused of promoting LGBTQ rights and regionalization.

The members made the bold stance against the recognition of LGBTQ rights during a protest that took place at the Northern and Central Nigeria Annual Conferences in Gondum village, Shongom local government area of Gombe State.

Protesters, carrying placards rejecting LGBTQ and regionalization, stated their commitment to a unified church and their opposition to what they deem as “unholy acts.”

Yohana Wesley, Resident Bishop of the Nigeria UMC, stated that the factional group’s refusal to adhere to established procedures led to the decision to disown them.

Chipau Kiliyobas, Director of Connectional Ministry of Northern Nigeria UMC Annual Conference, noted that the disagreement over regionalization and LGBTQ issues was the root of the contention between the two groups.

Bishop John Schol, representing the Council of Bishops from the United States, attempted to reconcile the factions and unify all church members.

However, his remarks were met with resistance from the protesters.

Schol clarified that regional decisions on same-sex marriage would be respected, with no imposition from the global church, but the protesters remained steadfast in their opposition to LGBTQ recognition.

The traditional and majority group in the church deem LGBTQ acts as unholy, and their protest stated their strong stance against any recognition of such rights within the church community.