Metro

Court Sentences Two Suspects To 30 Years In Prison For Kidnapping In Ekiti

Published

6 months ago

May 22, 2025

An Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti has sentenced two persons, Ojo Babajide (31) and Olajide Nathaniel (35), to fifteen years imprisonment each for conspiracy and kidnapping.

The convicts were arraigned before Justice Adeniyi Familoni on 19th July 2022.

The offenses, according to the charge, contravene Sections 280 and 279 of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.

The charge reads “That the convicts on 23/3/22 at Oye Ekiti within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did conspire to kidnap one Atana Emmanuel”.

In his statement to the police, the victim said, “I was a student of Federal University of Oye (FUOYE), and I was also operating a salon. I was in the shop around 7:00 p.m., and I saw the defendants in my shop; they moved towards me and ordered me to enter a waiting car. I initially refused, but I was forced to enter. I was first taken to an unknown destination in Oye Ekiti, and I later found myself in a hotel along Ikere Road in Ado Ekiti.

“I even paid for the room in the hotel through mobile transfer. They asked me to call my relatives to pay a ransom of One Million Naira for my release. Through phone calls, I was able to raise N101, 000, when they knew the money was not forthcoming, I was ordered to remove all my clothes and they started flogging me with horsewhip, I sustained serious bruises all over my body before I was later released”,

To prove his case, the prosecutor, Kunle-shina Adeyemo, called one witness and tendered the victim and defendants’ statements and bond to release as exhibits. The defendants spoke through their lawyer, Akinola Abon, who pleaded to the court to temper justice with mercy.

He noted that the defendants, who called three witnesses, are fresh graduates preparing for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.

In his ruling, Justice Familoni said, “The incidents of kidnapping in our communities appear unabated despite genuine and concerted efforts being made to curb the vice. The defendants willingly but unwisely choose to join this vice train. Therefore, they cannot escape the consequences.

“In this vein, they deserve more than a slap on the wrist as the penal sanction for their misdeed to serve as a deterrent to others. Consequently, they are both sentenced to five years imprisonment for conspiracy and Ten years imprisonment each for kidnapping without answering the option of a fine.

“The sentences are to run concurrently with effect from 21st May, 2025”.

Metro

APC Chieftain Killed In Suspected Zamfara Bandit Attack

Published

4 minutes ago

November 15, 2025

Editor

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Zamfara State, Umar Moriki, has been reportedly killed by gunmen suspected to be armed bandits.

As reported by Channels TV, the incident occurred on Saturday morning along the Gusau–Tsafe highway near Fegi village in Tsafe Local Government Area while Moriki was travelling from Gusau to Kaduna.

The state chapter of the APC, led by Tukur Danfulani, confirmed the death, calling it “a tragic loss for both the party and the state.”

According to a statement issued by the Publicity Secretary of the party in Zamfara State, Yusuf Idris, the late APC stalwart had just participated in the party’s stakeholders’ meeting hosted by the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle.

Moriki held several prominent political roles during his career, including Vice Chairman of Zurmi Local Government Area, Director-General of a state agency, and Special Adviser on Rural Electrification. He also contested for the Zurmi/Shinkafi House of Representatives seat in the 2023 elections.

He died at the age of 62 and is survived by three wives and several children.

The Zamfara APC described him as “a committed party leader and community advocate who dedicated his life to public service and humanitarian work.”

According to The PUNCH, a similar incident occurred a month ago , whereby five policemen and three Community Protection Guards were killed by bandits in Zamfara State.

An indigene of the area, Ya,u Musa, told The PUNCH that the victims were on patrol along the road and were ambushed by bandits.

Musa said, “The victims were approaching Gidan-Giye village, a few kilometres away from Tsafe town, the headquarters of Tsafe Local Government, when suddenly, the bandits came out of their hiding place, and opened fire on their vehicle.”

Metro

PHOTOS: NAFDAC Destroys Fake Products Worth N20bn In Oyo

Published

20 minutes ago

November 15, 2025

Editor

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control on Friday destroyed counterfeit, expired, banned, and substandard products valued at N20 billion during its South-West Zonal Destruction Flag-off Ceremony at the Moniya Dumpsite in Ibadan.

The exercise, NAFDAC said, is part of ongoing efforts to safeguard public health by permanently removing unsafe, falsified, and violative products from circulation, a release shared by the agency on its website and social media handle noted.

Items destroyed included substandard and falsified medicines, unsafe processed foods, counterfeit cosmetics, and various expired goods seized from manufacturers, importers, and distributors across the South-West.

The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, commended the collaboration with other enforcement agencies, highlighting the scale of the operation:

“We commend the strong partnership with @CustomsNG, especially the recent handover of 25 containers of counterfeit and substandard pharmaceuticals, including a reefer container, for destruction.

“This is a clear demonstration of our collective commitment to protecting the health of Nigerians.”

Adeyeye also acknowledged the support of the “Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, Department of State Services, Pharmacists Council of Nigeria, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps,” describing it as crucial in the “sustained national fight against counterfeiters.”

She reiterated NAFDAC’s resolve to continue targeting unsafe products.

The agency boss stated, “Our mandate is to ensure that unsafe, falsified, and violative products are permanently removed from circulation.

“We will continue to work relentlessly to safeguard the health and wellbeing of every Nigerian.”

According to the release, the destruction exercise, which drew officials and stakeholders from across the region, underscores NAFDAC’s proactive approach to tackling counterfeit goods that pose serious risks to public safety.

Metro

My Wife Is Childless, Refuses To Pray, Fights Me All The Time, Man Tells Court

Published

12 hours ago

November 15, 2025

Editor

Grade A Customary Court, sitting at Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, has adjourned until November 24, for further hearing on the divorce suit brought before it by a man, Anjorin, against his wife, Omolabake, whom he accused of irresponsibility, barreness, constant fight and disobedience.

Anjorin stated that their 8-year-old marriage had produced no child because his wife was barren. He also said that Omolabake was in the habit of flouting his orders.

The plaintiff added that the defendant was fond of going out without his consent while she always abandoned her duties in the home.

The plaintiff further said that he regarded the defendant as a heathen since she refused to pray.

Anjorin, therefore, prayed for the dissolution of their wedlock.

Omolabake denied all the allegations brought against her.

She conceded to divorce.

Anjorin, in his evidence, said, “I got married to my wife in 2017, but I did not pay her bride price. “Unfortunately, our 8-year-old union has not produced any child.

“My wife has made our relationship non-interesting to me because of her atrocities.

“Omolabake has refused to be submissive to me. She plans to usurp my position as head of the home.

“My wife flouts my instructions at will and would dare that I did my worst.

“She abandoned her duty of keeping the home.

“My wife refused to do the house chores and always left our home unkempt.

“I took up the responsibility of doing the house chores, but my wife remained ungrateful.

“Omolabake took to leaving home without my consent and would return whenever it pleased her.

“The more I showed my displeasure at this, the worse she became.

“She fights me any time I complain of her misbehaviour.

“My wife is a heathen.

She does not observe the prayer hours as it is expected of her as a Muslim.

“My lord, I am not happy in our marriage because Omolabake has refused that I have rest of mind.