Metro

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

Published

2 years ago

February 19, 2024

Editor

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

Court Jails Football Coach For Sodomising Minor Player

Published

1 hour ago

October 16, 2025

Editor

A Kano State High Court has sentenced a football coach, Hayatu Muhammad, to eight years in prison for sodomising one of his underage players.

The presiding judge, Justice Musa Dahuru Muhammad, delivered the judgment on Wednesday, sentencing Hayatu without the option of a fine.

According to the prosecution, the coach, who lives in Sanka area of Kano metropolis, committed the offence twice in different locations. He initially pleaded not guilty to the charges.

To prove the case beyond reasonable doubt, the state counsel, Barrister Ibrahim Arif Garba, presented five witnesses who testified against the defendant.

In his defense, Hayatu took the witness stand alone.

The prosecution stated that his action violated Section 284 of the Penal Code Law, which criminalises sodomy.

After reviewing all the evidence and witness statements, Justice Dahuru ruled that the prosecution had successfully proved the case.

He sentenced Hayatu to four years in prison on each of the two counts, to run concurrently — meaning he will serve a total of eight years starting from the day of the judgment.

Metro

Lagos Fire Service Rescues Woman From 60-foot Well In Ikorodu

Published

2 hours ago

October 16, 2025

Editor

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has saved a 32-year-old woman who accidentally fell into an uncovered well approximately 60 feet deep at No. 14 Mustapha Bolatiwa Street, off Agric Bus Stop, in the Ikorodu area of the state.

The incident, which drew a large crowd of onlookers, was described by residents as “nothing short of a miracle.”

Eyewitnesses said the woman, whose identity had not been immediately confirmed, reportedly wandered from a nearby compound and was seated on the edge of the well before losing balance and falling in.

Following a distress call, operatives of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service arrived swiftly and launched a well-coordinated rescue operation.

Confirming the incident, the Director of the agency, Mrs Margaret Adeseye, said the woman was pulled out alive after a tense and delicate rescue effort.

“She was immediately stabilised and transported to a nearby hospital for further medical care,” Adeseye said.

She cautioned residents to ensure all open wells and similar structures are securely covered to prevent avoidable accidents.

Adeseye also praised the professionalism and prompt response of her team, reaffirming the agency’s unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property across Lagos State.

Metro

DSS Arrests Two Dismissed Officers Over Impersonation, Fraud

Published

2 hours ago

October 16, 2025

Editor

The Department of State Services, DSS, has arrested two dismissed officers, Barry Donald and Victor Onyedikachi Godwin, accused of impersonating the Service to defraud unsuspecting Nigerians.

The DSS, in a statement issued on Wednesday, confirmed that both individuals, earlier declared wanted in separate public warnings, have been arrested and will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

“The Department of State Services recently issued disclaimers on two dismissed personnel of the Service, Barry Donald and Victor Onyedikachi Godwin. These individuals were alleged to be cloaking under the Service to engage in fraudulent activities.

“The public is hereby notified that these culprits have been apprehended and will face prosecution in accordance with the law,” the Service said.

This comes after a series of alerts by the DSS warning Nigerians against dealing with the former officers dismissed for misconduct but still parading themselves as active operatives.

Recall that the secret police had raised the alarm over the activities of Victor Onyedikachi Godwin, accusing him of using the DSS name to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.

In the same vein, on October 8, a separate statement was issued concerning Barry Donald, another dismissed officer alleged to be impersonating the agency for fraudulent purposes.

The DSS said it remains committed to protecting Nigerians from impostors and maintaining public trust in the Service. It also revealed plans to publish the names of other previously dismissed personnel to prevent citizens from falling victim to similar schemes.

The DSS urged members of the public to verify all official engagements through its verified communication channels and to report any suspicious activities involving persons claiming to represent the Service.