Metro

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

Published

3 months ago

May 22, 2025

Editor

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

VIDEO: Fire Averted As Fuel Tanker Explodes In Lagos

Published

37 minutes ago

August 31, 2025

Editor

A petroleum tanker carrying Premium Motor Spirit overturned and went up in flames on Sunday at Iyana-Isolo, inward Oshodi, Lagos.

According to The PUNCH, the fire quickly spread to at least four parked trucks in the area, but quick intervention by officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority helped prevent a larger disaster.

Traffic was then diverted from Ilasa inward Oshodi as the scene was cordoned off.

Preliminary investigations by LASTMA indicated that the accident was caused by overspeeding, which made the tanker driver lose control of the vehicle.

Confirming the incident in a statement, LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, said operatives from adjoining zones were mobilised to support the response, working alongside the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the Nigeria Police Force (Aswani, Ilasa, and Mushin Divisions), and the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps.

“No human casualties were recorded, thanks to the swift intervention of LASTMA operatives and other agencies.

“The preservation of life and property is at the core of our operations.

“We remain committed to ensuring a safe and orderly traffic management system across Lagos State,” Bakare-Oki said.

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Metro

Drama At Benin Motor Park As Pastor Chase Away Colleague, Claims Exclusive Preaching Rights

Published

6 hours ago

August 31, 2025

Editor

Drama erupted at Ologbo Park by Agip Filling Station, along Sapele Road, Benin City, when a popular evangelist known as Pastor Evidence threw caution to the wind and chased away a colleague-pastor who came to the park to preach to passengers travelling from Benin to Warri, Delta State.

It is a common practice in most of the motor parks in Benin seeing pastors or better put, evangelists, preaching to passengers who are about embarking on a journey.

These pastors or evangelists thereafter offer prayers to Almighty God for a safe trip on behalf of the passengers, and in return solicit for financial assistance from the passengers for the support of their evangelical work.

However, this voluntary preaching of the gospel turned something else on Sunday morning at the park as Pastor Evidence, in the full glare of passengers, conductors and passersby, ordered his colleague to leave the park in a loud voice, claiming the exclusive preaching right to the park.

The development angered some of the bus drivers as they came in their number in defence of the pastor.

The incident caused commotion and division amongst the drivers.

While some supported the action of the pastor others condemned him. They accused him of greed and being hostile to a fellow preacher.

A traveller who witnessed the drama criticized Pastor Evidence, saying that his actions exemplify the commercialisation of the gospel.

The passenger who spoke in anonymity said: “This is shameful. A so-called man of God can do this to a fellow pastor. Is it because of the little offering from passengers? His action further speak to the commercialisation of the word of God by fake pastors.”

Metro

Anambra Lady, Lover Arrested For Staging Own Kidnap

Published

1 day ago

August 30, 2025

Editor

The Anambra State Police Command has arrested two suspects for faking a kidnap and recovered the sum of ₦1.2million, being part of the ransom earlier paid by the supposed kidnapped victim’s family members.

According to a statement released by the spokesman for the command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, on Saturday, the suspects, identified as Nmesoma Nwoye, female, aged 23 years, and Chibuike Ogbu, male, aged 24 years, were arrested after intelligence-led operations uncovered that the supposed victim conspired with Chibuike (her boyfriend) to stage her own abduction.

Ikenga said that the suspects initially demanded ₦15million ransom, and after negotiation, ₦3million was transferred into the victim’s account.

He said following the arrest of the suspects, the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Ikioye Orutugu, expressed deep concern over the rising cases of moral decadence in the society, adding that the suspects were arrested by police operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu.

The statement read, “The suspects identified as Nmesoma Josephine Nwoye, female, aged 23 years, and Chibuike Ogbu, male, aged 24 years, were arrested after intelligence-led operations uncovered that the supposed victim conspired with Chibuike (her boyfriend) to stage her own abduction.

“The operatives also recovered the sum of ₦1,200,000, being part of the ransom earlier paid by the girl’s family members.

“Further information reveals that the suspects demanded ₦15million ransom, and after negotiation, ₦3million was transferred into the victim’s account.

“Reacting to the development, CP Orutugu described the incident as a reflection of the rising moral decay in the society, where young people are increasingly resorting to criminality for selfish gains.”

According to him, the CP urged parents, guardians, and religious leaders to intensify efforts in inculcating discipline, integrity, and sound values in their children and wards.

“The CP also warned youths against engaging in self-destructive ventures, stressing that the long arm of the law will always catch up with criminals, no matter how cleverly disguised their schemes may be,” the statement added.