Metro

Court Sentences Native Doctor To Death For Kidnapping In Akwa Ibom

Published

1 year ago

June 15, 2024

Andrew, a native doctor from Ikono Local Government Area of the state, was said to have conspired with others, now at large, to commit the offence at Nkemba Street, Uyo on November 29, 2015, and harbored the victims in his shrine at Ikot Enua, Ikono, demanding N50m as ransom.

The convicted native doctor was standing trial with the first defendant, Ibe Francis Emeka, on a six-count charge for conspiracy, kidnapping, and armed robbery, in which he was found guilty, while the Court discharged and acquitted Emeka due to the failure of the prosecution to prove the ingredients of kidnapping, armed robbery, and conspiracy against him.

Emeka, a native of Abia State, stated that he was invited to Uyo by his friend “Papa,” only to be taken to a drinking joint at Nkemba Street in the company of one Ukeme Amos, alias “Bishop,” the leader of the gang, and Jude Ihemekwa, alias “Method,” who is currently undergoing trial for another kidnapping case in Uyo.

He said while at Nkemba Street, the gang saw a black Toyota Corolla car and double-crossed it. Before he knew it, “Bishop” and “Papa” dragged the two brothers out of their car to another car and instructed him to go to the front seat, while “Bishop” and the victims were kept at the back of the car, and “Papa” took the victims’ car away.

In a one-hour judgment on Friday, the trial judge, Justice Gabriel Ette, described Ibe Francis Emeka as “an innocent man and a victim who happened to be in the company of the wrong guys in the wrong place and at the wrong time by inadvertence,” adding that “the only difference between him and the other victims was that no ransom was placed on his head.”

“He was, like the main victims, put in the same room with them; that piece of evidence was not debunked. He was precluded from leaving the camp, hence his decision to escape with the victims. If he was a kidnapper, his access and exit would not have been restricted or curtailed, as shown in evidence. The real kidnappers left the camp; he was not allowed freedom of movement. That is why I see him as an innocent victim too,” Justice Ette held.

The Court also noted that “the first defendant initiated the escape plan and the victims in their extra-judicial statements corroborated the fact,” stressing that “if the first defendant came from Aba to Uyo to make money through kidnapping as alleged by the prosecution, why then was he the one who initiated and aided the escape of the victims.”

Justice Ette said, “It is in evidence that the first defendant did not run away upon their escape, but followed the victims to their residence, got refreshed, had his bath, and stayed behind with them till the DSS showed up.”

“Even in the house of the victims and in the presence of the DSS officers, ‘Papa’ texted the first defendant and vowed to kill him for aiding the escape of the victims, and he showed the text to his hosts, who showed it to the DSS officers. If these do not paint a different picture of the person of the first defendant, then it will be a surprise to me. I had the opportunity to watch the demeanor of the first defendant in court; he didn’t come across to me as a hardened criminal. He was sincere in his testimony,” Justice Ette further held.

“He became like Jonathan in the camp of King Saul, his father, who had no reason to die but for filial considerations. The lesson being; do not be found an innocent man in the camp of the wrong men. I advise him to be careful with those he calls friends. Unlike Jonathan, Ibe Francis Emeka won’t die, at least not in my hands. Today, I have the honor of breaking the chains of bondage that held him down for 10 years in the custodial center. I declare him not guilty indeed of the six counts charge and free him accordingly,” the court held.

Metro

Army Kills Notorious Bandit, Babangida, In Kogi

Published

17 hours ago

September 13, 2025

Editor

Troops of 12 Brigade Nigerian Army under Operation ACCORD III, in conjunction with Other Hybrid Forces (OHF), have killed Babangida Kachala, a notorious bandit and second-in-command to Kachala Shuaibu, the leader of a bandit group operating within Masalaci Boka and Ofere Forest areas of Kogi State.

The Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Hassan Abdullahi Lieutenant in a statement issued on Saturday and made available to newsmen, said on 11 September 2025, following credible intelligence on the movement of bandits within Ofere Forest and Ayetoro Gbede general area, the combined troops laid an ambush at a suspected bandit crossing point.

The statement read: “Although initial contact was not made, the troops, while withdrawing to base, ran into an ambush staged by the criminals along their route.

“In the ensuing firefight, the gallant troops engaged the bandits with superior firepower, neutralizing one of the criminals. The troops thereafter exploited the area, during which they recovered 1 fully loaded magazine, 31 mobile phones, a blood pressure machine, packs of Tramadol tablets, fetish charms, and the sum of ₦16,000 cash. Bloodstains observed at the scene further suggested that several other bandits escaped with gunshot wounds.

“Subsequent intelligence confirmed that among those who fled with gunshot wounds was Babangida Kachala, a notorious bandit and second-in-command to Kachala Shuaibu, the leader of a bandit group operating within Masalaci Boka and Ofere Forest areas of Kogi State. He was later confirmed dead.

“Troops of 12 Brigade under Operation ACCORD III continue to dominate the area of responsibility with patrols and ambushes aimed at totally decimating bandits and other criminal elements within the boundaries of Kogi State. The morale and fighting efficiency of the troops remain high as they sustain unrelenting pressure on the criminals.

“The Nigerian Army reassures the good people of Kogi State of its determination to restore lasting peace and security, while encouraging citizens to provide timely and credible information to aid ongoing operations.”

Metro

Two Bodies Recovered From Yaba Building Collapse

Published

17 hours ago

September 13, 2025

Editor

Photo: File copy

Yaba building collapse
Two male dead bodies have been recovered from a three-storey building that collapsed under construction on Friday night at Yaba, a suburb of Lagos.

Mrs Ibitayo Adenike, Acting Head, National Emergency Management Agency (Lagos Operations Office), disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Lagos.

NAN reports that so far, two dead bodies have been recovered, while four persons have been rescued and are currently receiving treatment.

Adenike said that the building at No 333 Borno Street, Alagomeji, Yaba, collapsed on Friday night by 8.30 p.m. trapping several persons.

She added that search and rescue operation was still ongoing.

She noted that the number of people still trapped under the rubble could not be determined until the building was completely brought down to ground level.

She listed emergency responders at the scene to include the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Lagos State Building and Control Agency, the Nigeria Police Force, among others.

Metro

My Ex-wife Refused To Pack Out Of My House After Our Marriage Was Dissolved, Man Tells Court

Published

23 hours ago

September 13, 2025

Editor

…I contributed N650,000 to the building of the house —Wife

…You’re now a tenant and trespassing, move out, court orders woman

A man, Quadri, has dragged his ex-wife, Gbemisola, before Grade A Customary Court, Mapo, Ibadan, on the account of illegal possession of his properties, a three-bedroom apartment she was living in and also his shop, where she displayed her goods.

Quadri stated that Gbemisola had been in possession of these properties for more than one year, after the court had pronounced their wedlock dissolved.

According to Quadri, since they were no longer husband and wife, he regarded Gbemisola as either a tenant or a trespasser.

He further stated that he served

Gbemisola notices to quit but that she remained adamant.

The plaintiff thus prayed the court to rule that the defendant should vacate both his house and shop without delay.

Quadri in his testimony said: “My marriage to my wife was pronounced dissolved by this honourable court last year August after I brought a divorce suit against her as a result of her atrocities which I could no longer tolerate.

“The court declared that we ceased to be husband and wife and ordered that we go our different ways.

“My lord, my ex-wife has refused to obey the court’s ruling.

“She insisted that she would neither move out of my house nor pack her wares from my shop.

“I raised these buildings through my sweat, but she is now laying claim to them.

“I enlightened my ex-wife in line with the law that she has automatically become a tenant or regarded as trespassing on my property since our marriage has been dissolved, but she obviously did not realise the gravity of these offences.

“I served her quit notices, but she remained adamant.

“My lord, I came to court that it might rule that my ex-wife vacates my three-bedroom apartment and shop without delay.”

Gbemisola, however, refused to be addressed as a tenant.

The defendant explained that she and the plaintiff both contributed financially to the construction of two properties he was now solely laying claim to.

Gbemisola insisted that the properties be sold and the proceeds from the sale shared among her, her ex-husband, and their children.

Gbemisola said in her evidence: “I refused to be addressed as a tenant in the house I contributed my hard-earned money towards its building.

“The two properties my husband is laying claim to are products of our joint efforts, so I cannot be referred to as trespassing.

“He bought the land for N700,000, while I contributed three times towards the building project.

“I contributed N200,000, N150,000 and N300,000 respectively.

“I visited the site at three different times to inspect the construction work going on at that time.

“I did not document the amount I contributed and those of other expenses because I did all I did out of love, and also for the sake of our children.

“He wants me to vacate the said apartment and shop because he wants to remarry.

“He wants to cheat me, and I will not allow it.

“My lord, I pray that the court should rule that we sell both properties and share the proceeds from it into three.

“He will take a share, I will take mine, and our children also will have theirs.”

The court president, Mrs S.M. Akintayo, giving her judgment stated that the defendant had no right to still be in possession of both property, the three-bedroom apartment, and shop since the court had dissolved their union after the plaintiff dragged her to court, laid claims against her and judgment was given after the court had heard both parties.

According to Akintayo, a landlord has unfiltered legal right to terminate a tenancy upon giving adequate notices.

She added that it is a settled position of law and requirement of the law that a landlord can claim possession of a premise once the required statutory notices have been issued and served on the tenant.

Akintayo ruling said, “The court hereby orders the defendant to vacate the three-bedroom apartment and shop on or before September 12,2025.”