Metro

Court Stops Sale Of Late Judge’s Property As Daughter Sues Church

Published

2 years ago

October 22, 2024

Justice Mohammed Madugu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Bwari, Abuja, has issued an interim injunction restraining Christ the King Catholic Church in Okene, Kogi State, and its parish priest, Reverend Father Ezekiel Awolumate, from selling properties belonging to the former President of the Abuja Customary Court of Appeal, late Justice Moses Bello.

The suit was instituted by Ann Eniyamire, daughter of the late justice, against the church and the priest.

She alleged that she was shortchanged in the execution of her father’s will, which specified that his assets be divided among his wife and eight children using an 11.11 per cent sharing formula.

However, Eniyamire claims that Awolumate, the first defendant, altered the formula to 4.16 per cent, contrary to her father’s instructions.

Eniyamire asked the court to annul the defendants’ decision and to relieve them of their duties as executors of her father’s will. Additionally, she is seeking a court declaration that she is entitled to 11.11 per cent of all her father’s assets, including shares and stocks.

In the ruling on motion ex-parte FCT/HC/M/12904/2024, filed by Eniyamire through her counsel, Yahuza Maharaz, the court restrained the defendants, their agents, and representatives from attempting to sell or lease the property located at Plot No: 763, Cadastral Zone A6, Panama Street, Maitama, Abuja (C-of-O No: 164 EW-FE 243-59 DDR 6018U-10).

Justice Madugu issued the following orders, “An interim injunction restraining the defendants and their agents from selling, leasing, or mortgaging the property at plot no: 763, Cadastral Zone A6 (no 41, Panama Street) Maitama Abuja with C-of-O No:164 EW-FE 243-59 DDR 6018U-10 of file No: KG 10050 or any other property that is the subject of dispute, pending the hearing of the substantive suit.

“An order directing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the State Security Service, and the Nigeria Police Force to apprehend, arrest, detain, and prosecute anyone attempting to sell, mortgage, or lease the property.

“An order granting the applicant permission to mark the property with red paint and display a sign that reads “NOT FOR SALE / Lis Pendens” on the property, pending the outcome of the case.”

The court also ordered the applicant to paste copies of the court order on the main entrance and walls of the property and to publish the order in national newspapers.

Justice Madugu also instructed that all parties in the suit must maintain the status quo as of the date the substantive suit was filed, pending its resolution.

He warned the defendants and their agents against tampering with the property markings or removing the court orders on the wall or entrance gate of the property, stating that any such actions would be considered contempt of court.

The court emphasized that any steps taken in violation of its orders would lead to contempt charges, and the defendants were reminded to fully comply with the orders pending the hearing of the substantive suit.
PUNCH

Metro

Edo Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists

Published

14 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Police Command on Wednesday said two suspected cultists were arrested in Ohonre community, off Adolor College Road, Benin.

This was disclosed in a statement by the command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, and made available to newsmen electrically.

Ikoedem said the arrest was possible due to operatives response to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

The statement reads: “The Edo State Police Command has recorded another operational breakthrough following the swift disruption of a suspected cultists’ gathering in Ohonre Community, off Adolor College Road, Benin City.

“On 21st May, 2026, at about 19:00hrs, operatives attached to Ugbowo Division who were on surveillance patrol responded to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

“Acting promptly on the information, the police team mobilized to the location. On sighting the operatives, the suspects fled in an attempt to evade arrest. The operatives immediately gave them a hot chase, leading to the arrest of two suspects identified as Victor Peter ‘M’, 21 years and Iyemoma Ogbewe ‘M’, 35 years.

“A search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of one cut-to-size gun believed to have been in their possession for unlawful purposes.

“Upon investigation, the suspects confessed to being members of the notorious Maphite cult group. Efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other fleeing gang members.”

She said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, commended the swift response of the operatives and reiterated the Command’s resolve to deny criminal elements any opportunity within Edo State.

He further urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to the Police, assuring that all reports would receive prompt attention.

Metro

Troops Eliminate Two Terrorists, Foil Pipeline Attack

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Army says troops have, in the last 24 hours, eliminated two terrorists, rescued four kidnapped victims and foiled pipeline attacks in a series of coordinated military operations across Taraba, Kogi and Rivers.

This is contained in operational updates issued to reporters on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to the reports, troops of 93 Battalion deployed at Akate in the Donga Local Government Area of Taraba engaged suspected terrorists in a forested area, killing two of them.

According to the report, items recovered from the scene include an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, magazines, mobile phones and other personal effects.

In Kogi, it said the troops of 21 Battalion, in collaboration with vigilantes, rescued four kidnapped passengers along the Anyigba–Itobe road in Ofu Local Government Area.

It added that the victims were reportedly abandoned by their captors while attempting to cross a seasonal stream due to sustained pressure from advancing troops.

According to the military, efforts are ongoing to rescue other victims still in captivity.

The report said that troops of 12 Brigade successfully repelled an ambush along Kabba–Okene road while withdrawing from an earlier operation, forcing the assailants to flee with gunshot wounds.

“Meanwhile, in Rivers, troops of 5 Battalion acting on credible intelligence, foiled an attempt by suspected vandals to detonate a crude oil pipeline in Ahoada West Local Government Area.

“The swift response of the troops disrupted the operation before it could be executed, with the suspects fleeing the scene,” it said.

Metro

Police Arrest Private Chef Over Alleged N150m Theft, Drugging Of Employer, Burglary

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested a chef, John Cosmos Govi, over his alleged involvement in a burglary operation at a residence in Abuja, where luxury items and valuables worth about N150 million were reportedly stolen.

The arrest was announced on Monday, May 25, 2026, by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid, who said the suspect was apprehended by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) after investigations into allegations of criminal conspiracy, housebreaking, theft, malicious damage and administering harmful substances.

According to police findings, Govi, who allegedly gained employment as a chef at the residence, was said to have studied the movement of occupants, internal routine and security setup before allegedly carrying out the operation on April 23, 2026.

Investigators said he reportedly worked with two accomplices identified as Peter and Moses, who are currently on the run.

Police alleged that food prepared in the house was laced with a suspected sedative substance to weaken the occupants and security personnel.

After they reportedly became unconscious, the suspects allegedly broke into the property, damaged CCTV installations and stole 20 luxury wristwatches valued at about N150 million, alongside other valuables.

Speaking on the development, DCP Anthony Placid said the suspect was intercepted around the Gwagwalada axis of the Federal Capital Territory while attempting to flee to Lagos. He added that an iPhone 17 Pro Max, believed to belong to the victim, and a suspected chemical substance were recovered.

“We remain committed to dismantling organised criminal networks and ensuring that all fleeing accomplices are brought to justice,” Placid said.

Police said efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects and conclude investigations into the case.