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Head, Edo Security Network Remanded Over Alleged Murder, Others

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A 54-year-old Head of Tactical Team of the Edo State Security Network (ESSN), Mr. Osarenren Johnson popularly known as Small Baba, was on Tuesday, October 10, ordered to be remanded over alleged murder and other crimes by an Edo State High Court sitting in Benin.

Small Baba, it was gathered, was arrested alongside others by the police command in the state following a bloodbath that recently occured in Okhunmwun community in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of the state which led to the death of no fewer than eight (8) persons.

The police said that Small Baba was arrested for leading other members of his team, killed in an ambush at Okhunmwun which the police said was not his Area of Responsibility, without due authority.

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The accused, whose address was not provided, is facing a six- count charge of murder, attempted murder, conspiracy, armed attack on Okhunmwun community, promoting armed attack on community and cultism before the state high court.

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The charge reads in part: “That you Osarenren Johnson ‘m’ (A.K.A Small Baba) and others now at large, on or about the 21st day of September, 2023 at Okhunmwun Community, near Benin City, within the Benin Criminal Division, did conspire amongst yourselves to commit felony to wit: murder and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 247 of the Criminal Law of Edo State Law, 2022.

“That you Osarenren Johnson ‘m’ (A.K.A Small Baba) and others now at large on or about the 21st day of September, 2023 at Okhunmwun, near Benin, within the Benin Criminal Division, did murder one Osas Orobor ‘m’ and Endurance Ighoretin ‘m’ and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 412 of the Criminal Law of Edo State Law, 2022.

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“That you Osarenren Johnson ‘m’ (A.K.A Small Baba) and others now at large, on the same date, place and in the aforesaid Criminal Division, did attempt to murder one Peter Omoregie ‘m’ and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 243(1) of the Criminal Law of Edo State Law, 2022.

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“That you Osarenren Johnson ‘m'(A.K.A Small Baba) and others now at large, on or about the 21st day of September, 2023, at Okhunmwun Community, near Benin City, within the Benin Criminal Division, did conspire amongst yourselves to commit felony to wit: Promoting Armed Attack on Community and thereby committed offence punishable under Section 412 of the Criminal Law of Edo State Law, 2022.

“That you Osarenren Johnson ‘m’ (A.K.A Small Baba) and others now at large, on the same date, place and in the aforesaid Criminal Division, did carry on armed attack against a section of the people of Okhunmwun Community and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 64 of the Criminal Law of Edo State Law, 2023.

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‘That you Osarenren Johnson ‘m’ (A.K.A. Small Baba) on or about the year 2022 in Benin City, within the Benin Criminal Division, did become a member of Eiye Secret Cult Confraternity and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 44 (a) of the Criminal Law of Edo State Law, 2023″.

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The police through a Motion Exparte numbered B/CD/2777m/23 dated September 29, 2023 sought an order from the court to remand the accused (Small Baba) in Oko Correctional Centre for an initial period of 14 days pending advice from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) on the case.

It submitted that Section 293 (1) Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Edo State, 2016 provided that “a suspect arrested for an offence which a Magistrate Court has no jurisdiction to try shall within a reasonable time of arrest be brought before a High Court for remand.”

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The complainant (police) who supported the Motion with eight paragraph Affidavit and one exhibit prayed the court to grant the application on the interest of justice and circumstances of the case.

The court after listening to the submissions of complaint, however, granted the application adjourned the case to November 8, 2023.

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PHOTOS/VIDEO: Prince Harry, Meghan Visit Sanwo-Olu

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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle arrived at the Lagos House Marina, on a courtesy visit to the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Sunday.

The couple were received by Sanwo-Olu and his wife, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu and others at the State House, Marina.

This Visit is mainly to promote the Invictus Games, founded in 2014 by Prince Harry.

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The Invictus Games is aimed at helping currently serving members of the Military as well as veterans in overcoming their physical or mental health illness or injury, which eventually helps them develop a sense of belonging and increased self-esteem.

The British Royal couple arrived in Lagos on Sunday in what is the last lap of their three-day visit to Nigeria.

The couple, who have been in the country since Friday, have earlier attended several events in Abuja and Kaduna.

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Addressing the press while welcoming the couple at the State House, Marina, Sanwo-Olu hailed Prince Harry and Meghan for the work they are doing with Nigeria’s military men, especially on issues around mental health.

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Court Convicts Mother Of 5 For Forging Late Abba Kyari’s Signature

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A Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Gwagwalada, Abuja has found guilty and convicted one Mrs. Ramat Mercy Mba, a mother of five children guilty of forging the signature of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s Chief of Staff, the late Abba Kyari.

The presiding judge, Justice Ibrahim Muhammad however deferred the sentencing of the convict till Thursday, 16th of May, 2024 but directed that she should be remanded in Suleja Correctional Centre.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had arraigned Mba in June, 2022 on a 5-count charge bordering on cheating, fraud and forgery contrary to Section 13 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 200 and Sections 320 (b), 366 of the Penal Code Cap 89 laws of Northern Nigeria.

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One of the counts read: “THAT you RAMAT MERCY MBA (F) sometimes in the month of October, 2019 or thereabout at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did fraudulently induce one Mr. Ismail Adewole Oladipupo, an unsuspecting job seeker and collected the sum of Seven Hundred Thousand Naira only N700,000.00 from him which sum was paid into your private account under the guise of securing employment for him at the National Space Research and Development Agency.

“(NASDRA), AND you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 320(b) and punishable under Section 322 of the Penal Code Cap 89 Laws of Northern Nigeria.”

In the course of the trial, ICPC’s Prosecutor, Mr. Hamza Sani, Esq. led evidence before the court on how the convict dishonestly induced her victims in the guise of securing employment for them with government agencies like Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS), National Space Research Development Agency (NASRDA) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

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Furthermore, the documentary evidence tendered showed that the convict fraudulently forged a letterhead paper of the Office of the Chief of Staff to former President Muhammad Buhari, Abba Kyari and his signature.

The letter, addressed to the Chairman of ICPC was a request for the recruitment of three individuals by the Commission.

However, the late Chief of Staff, in a written correspondence that was also tendered in court as exhibit distanced himself or his office for authorising the letter.

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In his judgement, Justice Ibrahim Muhammad convicted the mother of five children on counts 1, 2, 3 and 5 that borders on cheating and forgery while she was discharged on count 4 that bordered on felony.

 

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Duchess Of Sussex Gets Nigerian Name, Excited About Her Heritage

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Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, has expressed excitement after finding out through a genealogy test about her Nigerian heritage.

The Duchess said it’s been “humbling” to find out that she is partly a Nigerian as she met with women in in Abuja.

Meghan, on her second day in Nigeria, where she is visiting for the first time with Prince Harry to promote mental health for wounded soldiers and young girls, acknowledged Nigeria as her country.

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She said, “It’s been eye-opening to be able to know more about my heritage.”

“Never in a million years would I understand it as much as I do now. And what has been echoed so much in the past day is, ’Oh, we are not so surprised when we found out you are Nigerian,” she said an the event on women in leadership which had Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Mo Abudu, amongst several other dignitaries.

“It is a compliment to you because what they define as a Nigerian woman is brave, resilient, courageous, beautiful,” Meghan told the audience.

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Her first reaction after finding out was to tell her mother, she said at the event in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja. “Being African American, part of it is really not knowing so much about your lineage and background … and it was exciting for both of us,” she said.

Mo Abudu, the anchor and chief executive of EbonyLife media group, then asked the audience to suggest a Nigerian name for Meghan.

“Ifeoma,” someone shouted from the excited crowd, a name from Nigeria’s Igbo tribe which means ‘a treasured thing.’ “Omowale” another suggested, from the Yoruba tribe, which means ‘the child has come home.’

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