Metro

Court Remands Enugu Monarch, Four Others For Murder

Published

1 year ago

June 6, 2024

An Enugu Magistrate Court, on Thursday, remanded the traditional ruler of the Igga community in the Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area, Igwe Herbert Ukuta, and a former councillor of the community in prison for alleged murder and being members of a terrorist group.

The monarch, who had been in detention for one month and two days at the state criminal investigation department, and four others were arraigned by the Enugu State Police Command on a 10-count charge before an Enugu North Magistrate Court 1.

In Charge No. MEN/320c/2024, between the commissioner of police (Kanayo Uzuegbu) and Igwe Herbert Ukuta (62); Festus Okonkwo (62); Ofadile Titus Henry (39); Sunday Ugwu (26) and Obinna Ayogu (54), the community leaders were accused of conspiracy, being members of the Indigenous People of Biafra and its security wing, Eastern Security Network (ESN); murder of five persons, including two policemen; and being a member of a terrorist group.

The police said the offences allegedly committed by the defendants are contrary to Section 26(1) and punishable under Section 25(3) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and Section 516(A) of the Criminal Code Cap C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

Some of the charges read, “That you, HRM Igwe Herbert Ukuta ‘m’; Festus Okonkwa ‘m’; Ofadile Titus Henry ‘m’; Sunday Ugwu ‘m’; Obinna Ayogu ‘m’ and others now at large on the day of May, 2024, at about 1315 hours along Adarice Farm Road, Adarice in Uzo-Uwani Magisterial District holden in Enugu, did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit Membership of a Terrorist Group and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 26(1) and punishable under Section 25(3) and Section 18 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.

“That you, HRH Igwe Herbert Ukuta ‘m’ and Obinna Ayogu ‘m’ on the same date, time, and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District holden in Enugu, did recruit Festus Okonkwa ‘m’; Ofodile Titus Henry ‘m’; Sunday Ugwu ‘m’ and others now at large into the membership and activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)/Eastern Security Network (ESN), which is a proscribed terrorist group by the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 18 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.

“That you, HRH Igwe Herbert Ukuta ‘m’ and Obinna Ayogu ‘m’ on the same date, time, and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District held in Enugu, knowingly engaged in the activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network within the Igga Community and Adarice Farm Settlement, concealed and failed to report the same to the law enforcement agencies, and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 16(1)(a) and (b) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.

“That you, HRH Igwe Herbert Ukuta’m’; Festus Okonkwo ‘m’; Ofodile Titus Henry ‘m’; Sunday Ugwu ‘m’; Obinna Ayogu ‘m’ and others now at large, on the 3rd day of May, 2024, at about 13:15 hours along Adarice Farm Road, Adarice in Uzo-Uwani Magisterial District holden in Enugu, did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit: murder and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 516(A) of the Criminal Code Cap C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

“That you, HRH Igwe Herbert Ukuta ‘m’, Festus Okonkwo ‘m’, Ofodile Titus Henry ‘m’, Sunday Ugwu ‘m’, Ayogu ‘m’ and others now at large on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District holden in Enugu did unlawfully kill Police Inspector Nwoga Cornellus ‘m’ by shooting him with a gun, which led to his death and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 316(1) and punishable under Section 319(1) of the Criminal Code Cap C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

“That you HRH Igwe Herbert Ukuta ‘m’, Festus Okonkwo ‘m’, Ofodile Titus Henry ‘m’, Sunday Ugwu ‘m’, Obinna Ayogu ‘m’ and others now at large on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District holden in Enugu did unlawfully kill Police Constable Ikowa Anthony ‘m’ by shooting him with a gun, which led to his death and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 316(1) and punishable under Section 319(1) of the Criminal Code Cap C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

“That you HRH Igwe Herbert Ukuta ‘m’, Festus Okonkwo ‘m’, Ofodile Titus Henry ‘m’, Sunday Ugwu ‘m’, Obinna Ayogu ‘m’ and others now at large on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District holden in Enugu did unlawfully kill Emegoni Aloysius ‘m’ by shooting him with a gun, which led to his death and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 316(1) and punishable under Section 319(1) of the Criminal Code Cap C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

“That you HRH Igwe Herbert Ukuta ‘m’, Festus Okonkw ‘m’, Ofodile Titus Henry ‘m’, Sunday Ugwu ‘m’, Obinna Ayogu ‘m’ and others now at large on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District holden in Enugu did unlawfully kill Adada Joshua ‘m’ by shooting him with a gun, which led to his death and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 316(1) and punishable under section 319(1) of the Criminal Code Cap C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

“That you, HRH Igwe Herbert Ukuta ‘m’, Festus Okonkwo Titus Henry”, Sunday Ugwu ‘m’, Obinna Ayogu ‘m’ and others now at large on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District holden in Enugu did unlawfully kill Eze Fidelis ‘m’ by shooting him with a gun, which led to his death and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 316(1) and punishable under Section 319(1) of the Criminal Code Cap C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.”

When the charges were read to them, they did not make any pleas, as the magistrate did not have the jurisdiction to entertain the case as the charges were brought under the federal act.

All the accused were subsequently ordered to be remanded at Enugu Maximum Correctional Centre.

Metro

NDLEA Arrests 54 Suspected Traffickers, Seizes 1,506.57kg of Drugs In Edo

Published

10 hours ago

October 7, 2025

Editor

Operatives of the Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have arrested 54 suspected drug traffickers with 1,506.57kg of various narcotic drugs.

The state commander of the agency, Mitchell Ofoyeju disclosed this on Tuesday while presenting the operational scorecard of the command in Benin City.

Ofoyeju said the seizure of the drugs and arrest of the suspects took place in the month of September.

He added that a total of 66,078,57kg of skunk cannabis were destroyed by the Command in the period under review.

The Commander, who said that the command recorded significant successes in its operations within the month, added that it was part of its concerted effort to combat drug trafficking and abuse in the state.

He gave the breakdown of the arrested suspects to include 43 males and 11 females.

He also added that during the operation six illicit plantations spanning over 26.43 hectares were destroyed.

Ofoyeju explained that the destroyed plantations were located at Ugbogui Forest, Ovia South West, Ataroro Forest, Owan West, Urohi Forest, Esan West, and Ogu Forest, Igueben Local Government Areas of the State with an estimated yield of 66,078.5715 kg of skunk cannabis.

“The command also intercepted 1,506.57kg of illicit drugs,” Mitchell stated while emphasising the command’s commitment to dismantling drug trafficking networks operating within the state.

“The breakdown of the seized drugs is as follows: Cannabis Sativa 1,502. 26 Kg, psychotropic substances 4.27kg including tramadol 3.964kg, nitrazepam 0.087kg, Swinol 0.0445kg, Danabol (Molly) 0.1163kg, methamphetamine 0.0184 Kg, cocaine 0.028 Kg and heroin 0.014kg”, he said.

The NDLEA Commander in the state while expressing determination in the command’s campaign against drug trafficking, reiterated the importance of strategic operations in safeguarding communities and reducing drug demand.

He posited that the successs signified a critical step toward reclaiming the safety and health of citizens, as Edo State continues to grapple with the pressing issues of drug trafficking and abuse.

Metro

Army Officer Dies After Wife Allegedly Sets Him Ablaze In Akwa Ibom

Published

11 hours ago

October 7, 2025

Editor

A Nigerian Army officer, Lieutenant Samson Haruna, has died after sustaining severe burns when his wife allegedly set him on fire during a domestic dispute in Akwa Ibom State.

The incident reportedly occurred on September 22, 2025, at the Wellington Bassey Barracks in Ibagwa, Abak Local Government Area of the state.

According to a report shared on X by counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama on Tuesday, the late officer, who served as a Regimental Medical Officer with the Army’s 6 Battalion, had a heated altercation with his wife, identified as Mrs. Samson Haruna, which escalated violently.

Sources cited by Makama alleged that during the argument, the woman doused her husband with petrol and set him ablaze.

Lt. Haruna was first treated at the military medical unit within the barracks before being transferred to the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, where he later died from his injuries despite efforts by medical personnel to save him.

Military sources confirmed that the suspect has been arrested and remains in custody as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Metro

Stop Using Edo Money For Federal Roads, Residents Tell Okpebholo

Published

16 hours ago

October 7, 2025

Editor

Residents of Benin, the Edo State capital have urged Governor Monday Okpebholo to stop using money accruing to the state on federal government projects.

The residents, who frowned at the governor’s unrelenting efforts in fixing federal roads, lamented that most state-owned roads are in the state of disrepair.

According to the residents, roads in the Government Reservation Area (GRA) have failed and are not motorable, adding that several other state-owned roads have failed and are in need of urgent repairs.

An Activist and head of Talakawas Parliament, in Edo State, Kola Edokpaiyi, said it was ‘busy body’ that made Okpebholo to abandon state-owned roads that are crying for attention in favour of federal roads.

He said, “There are so many deplorable state roads in Edo State that are not motorable. We expect the Governor of Edo State to quickly give attention to them all before considering Federal Roads if the state is too rich.

“The Minister of Works, Mr. David Umahi has visited federal roads in Edo State about two times to ascertain how deplorable the roads are. He has already given the brief to Mr. President. We expect the Minister to swing into action based on the huge finance allocated by Federal Government to get the work done.

“I want to appeal to His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo to address the so many state roads that are bad.”

Also, a commercial driver, who plies between Ring Road and Ebvuotubu, Joseph Ikpigho, said he spent more money to fix his car due to bad roads.

Recall that Okpebholo has embarked on reconstruction of 23 kilometres of the Sapele Road axis of the East-West road.

He is also assisting the Federal Government to fix failed portions of the Benin-Ekpoma-Auchi highway.