Metro

Death-for-fowl: Osun Judiciary Reveals Real Reason Olowookere Was Sentenced

Published

10 months ago

December 26, 2024

The Osun State Judiciary has condemned mischief-makers for spreading false information regarding the case of Segun Olowookere and Sunday Morakinyo, who were wrongly reported to have been sentenced to death for stealing a fowl.

The judiciary criticised those responsible for the misleading claims, accusing them of intellectual bankruptcy.

It would be recalled that the controversy began when the parents of Segun Olowookere, during a podcast interview, claimed their son had been sentenced to death for stealing a fowl.

This prompted Governor Ademola Adeleke to order an investigation into the matter, with plans to release the convict from prison.

In a statement issued by the Judiciary, signed by the Registrar, F.I. Omisade, on December 20, 2024, it was emphasised that “An educated person does not need to be a lawyer to understand that someone cannot be sentenced to death for stealing a fowl—nor for stealing even one billion naira—unless they were armed during the commission of the crime.”

“A person charged with armed robbery is mandatorily sentenced by the trial judge to death by hanging once the defendant or accused person is proved and adjudged to be armed with a lethal weapon at the time of committing the offence.”

He noted that Segun and Sunday were going about Oyan town and its neighbourhood robbing innocent and unsuspecting people at gunpoint, disclosing that “luck ran out on them in April 2010 when they were caught in action while robbing poultry. Arms were recovered from them. They also confessed to committing several armed robberies.”

He stated that they were found guilty as the judge imposed the death sentence mandatorily prescribed by law.

Omisade also debunked claims that the boys were underage when they were tried before the court, noting that the confessional statements of the two convicts reflected that they were 19 and 18 years of age when they committed the crime.

“It is, therefore, a desperate design to whip up undeserved sentiment. The entire scenario woven around this case has been skewed to malign the personality of the trial judge and denigrate the Osun State High Court as an institution.

“The trial judge, in His Lordship’s characteristic magnanimity, large heart, and fatherly disposition, did what the law prescribed and went further to recommend them for the mercy of the Governor.”

NATION

Metro

Nnamdi Kanu Files Fresh Motion, Asks Court To Strike Out All Charges

Published

2 hours ago

October 31, 2025

Editor

The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has filed a fresh motion before the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking the dismissal of all charges against him and his immediate release.

In the motion dated October 30, 2025, and titled “Motion on Notice and Written Address in Support,” Kanu argued that there is no valid charge against him under any existing law in Nigeria. He said the charges currently before the court are “a nullity ab initio for want of any extant legal foundation.”

The IPOB leader, who is representing himself, filed the motion under Sections 1(3), 6(6)(b), and 36(12) of the 1999 Constitution, the Evidence Act 2011, and the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.

He maintained that the prosecution relied on repealed and non-existent laws, including the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA), which was repealed by the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, and the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act 2013, repealed by the TPPA 2022.

Kanu said the reliance on such repealed laws violates Section 36(12) of the Constitution, which prohibits trial for an offence not defined under an existing law. He therefore urged the court to strike out the charges in their entirety, insisting they do not constitute any offence known to law.

Citing the Supreme Court’s decision in FRN v. Kanu (SC/CR/1361/2022), he argued that lower courts are bound to take judicial notice of repealed laws under Section 122 of the Evidence Act 2011, adding that failure to do so renders all proceedings void.

Kanu also contended that the counts against him were allegedly committed in Kenya, in violation of Section 76(1)(d)(iii) of the TPPA 2022, which requires validation by a Kenyan court before such acts can be tried in Nigeria. He said this omission nullifies the court’s extraterritorial jurisdiction and breaches Article 7(2) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

He further maintained that under Sections 1(3) and 36(12) of the Constitution, any law or judicial act inconsistent with the Constitution is void. He cited previous court decisions such as Aoko v. Fagbemi (1961) 1 All NLR 400 and FRN v. Ifegwu (2003) 15 NWLR (Pt 842) 113, where convictions based on non-existent laws were nullified.

Kanu urged the court to direct the prosecution to respond to his motion strictly on points of law within three days and to deliver a ruling on or before November 4, 2025.

He stated that his application raises only constitutional and legal questions derived from existing laws and therefore does not require an affidavit.

Metro

16-year-old Killed As NDLEA Operatives, Drug Barons Clash In Edo

Published

1 day ago

October 30, 2025

Editor

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Edo State Command, and drug barons reportedly clashed at Okpuje, Uzeba community in Owan West Local Government Area, leading to the death of a 16 -years -old boy, identified as Emmanuel Monday George.

Two others identified as God’spower Omage (20 years) and Ajayi Irobia (54 years), were said to have sustained serious injuries during the gun duel which reportedly happened on Monday.

Mitchell Ofoyeju, state commander of the NDLEA disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Benin on Thursday.

Ofoyeju said that one of its officers sustained an injury after being struck on the hand with a sharp object.

Recall that Army and NDLEA officers were recently attacked by drug barons in the agrarian community, notable for cannabis cultivation.

Metro

JUST IN: Fire Guts Store At Abuja Mall

Published

1 day ago

October 30, 2025

Editor

A fire incident occurred at the Jabi Lake Mall, Abuja in the early hours of Thursday.

The cause of the fire, which started around 3am, could not be ascertained as of the time of filing this report.

It was gathered that only the Adidas Sports shop was affected.

It was further gathered that firefighters from the Federal Fire Service, the Berger Fire Department, and the FCT Fire Service, as well as police officers, were deployed to the scene.

A resident of Jabi, Saliu, who informed our correspondent of the incident, said the fire had been contained.

He said, “Around 3am., this morning, there was a fire incident at the Jabi Lake Mall in Abuja. No loss of life or injury was recorded. Only the Adidas Sports shop was affected by the fire.”

The FCT police spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, confirmed the incident to The PUNCH.

Adeh said police officers were deployed to the location to secure the area and prevent looting.

“We received a distress call at about 3:40 a.m. We immediately deployed our men there to secure the place and prevent any breach of public order,” she said.