Metro

Court Sentences Man To Death By Hanging For Killing 11-yr-old

Published

2 years ago

February 19, 2024

An Ogun State High Court, sitting in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, on Monday sentenced a 23-year-old man, Azeez Akinpelu to death by hanging for killing an eleven-year-old girl, Rokibat Odeyale, in Owode Egba, in Obafemi/Owode local government area of the State.

Akinpelu, a resident of Owode, was convicted on a five-count charge of conspiracy, possession of fire arms, manslaughter, attempted murder, and murder.

Delivering her judgment, Justice O.O Stanley, held that the prosecution has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt that Akinpelu was guilty as charged.

She said, the offence committed contravene section 324, 316, 319 and 320 of the criminal code laws of Ogun and sec 27(1)(b)(1) of
firearms Act Cap Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2014.

She thereafter, gave Akinpelu multiple sentence for the offences.

“I here by sentence you Azeez Akinpelu to death by hanging “you shall be hung until you are dead, may God have mercy on you.

“You are also sentenced to life imprisonment for manslaughter and attempted murder with three-month imprisonment with hard labour for possession of firearms,”she said.

Earlier, during the trial, the Senior State Prosecuting Counsel, who pleaded anonymity, said that the convict committed the offence on March 27, 2021 at about 6:00pm at Atala People Igbeyin, Owode Egba, in Obafemi/Owode local government area of Ogun State.

The counsel, said the defendant conspired among his friends to murder one Rokibat Odeyale by shooting her on her head with a local pistol.

She explained that on March 27, 2021, the people of Igbeyin were celebrating Orile Igbeyin Day, when they heard a gunshot from the crowd.

She said the gunshot was by the defendant directly to where some children were entertaining guests with cultural display.

“The gunshot hit two sisters, one named Rokibat, 11years old was shot on the head, while the other girl, Fatia sustained injury on her hand and leg, they were immediately rushed to the hospital.”

“They were both taken to Federal Medical Center, Idi-Aba and Rokibat was later transfered to UCH, Ibadan, were she died,” the prosecuting counsel said.

She added that while the defendant was being chased and accosted, he was found with a bag which contained a locally made pistol, cartridge, charm, knife and a padlock

Metro

BREAKING: Bodies Of 8 Missing Policemen Recovered In Benue

Published

18 hours ago

September 22, 2025

Editor

Lifeless bodies of the eight policemen who were declared missing after a deadly attack on security operatives at Agu Centre, on the border of Katsina-Ala and Ukum LGAs of Benue State, have been recovered.

Dr Justin Shaku, Chairman of Katsina-Ala LGA disclosed this to reporters in Makurdi on Monday.

According to him, “this brings the number of officers killed to 11 (10 policemen and one BSCPG)”.

The unfortunate incident occurred on Friday, when a team of security operatives came under the attack of armed invaders.

Three personnel were immediately confirmed dead while eight others were declared missing.

Metro

Police Arrest Three Kidnappers Over ₦6.9m Ransom, Victim’s Murder

Published

18 hours ago

September 22, 2025

Editor

Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have arrested three suspected kidnappers who allegedly killed one of their victims after collecting N6.9 million ransom.

The Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed this in a statement issued on Monday.

Iringe-Koko identified the suspects as Hassan Mohammed (20) of Wandigah Town, Mandagali, Borno State; Bello Abubakar (25) of Roundabout Maura, Sokoto State; and Yusuf Ahmed (23) of Hazari LGA, Bauchi State.

She said the arrests followed an investigation into the abduction of Humphrey Wagbara of Igwuruta-Atali.

According to the PPRO, the suspects also kidnapped one Mercy Chinyere on September 12, 2025, at the same location, where they also collected a ransom of N3,500,000 before releasing her.

The statement read, “On 26th August, 2025, the Rivers State Police Command received a distressing report, suggesting the kidnapping of one Humphrey Wagbara, m of Igwuruta-Atali.

“Operatives of the Command attached to the Anti-Cultism Unit (ACU), Emohua Annexe, acting on this information and in a daring and coordinated operation on 19th September, 2025, at about 0200hrs arrested three suspects at different locations in Obio/Akpor and Ikwerre Local Government Areas of the State in connection with the kidnapping of the victim.”

Iringe-Koko said during interrogation, the suspects voluntarily confessed to their involvement in multiple kidnappings in the State.

Among their past kidnappings are those of Onwuli Jude and Nwabueze Nchekwube on September 24, 2025, at School Road, Igwuruta-Atali, where they collected a ransom of N6,900,000 before killing the victim.

“Exhibits recovered from the suspects include one G-3 rifle with Breech Number 10398, one magazine, one Itel phone belonging to Humphrey Wagbara, a kidnapped victim, three short daggers, one jack knife and one stainless short knife,” Rivers police imagemaker said.

Iringe-Koko added that the suspects and exhibits remain in police custody while detectives track other fleeing members of the syndicate and search for additional weapons.

The Command said it arrested a 48-year-old man, Emmanuel George, for allegedly defiling a 12-year-old girl (name withheld) in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

According to Iringe-Koko, George committed the offence on September 6, 2025, after luring the minor while she was sent on an errand by her aunt.