Lady-justice
Justice Rahman Oshodi of a Lagos Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court sitting in Ikeja has sentenced a 61-year-old teacher, Igwe Ngozi, to 14 years imprisonment for sexual assault of a seven-year-old child.

The judge sentenced and convicted Ngozi after finding him guilty as he pleaded to an amended one-count charge brought against him by the state government.

The charge bordered on sexual assault by penetration.

The prosecution alleged that the defendant, on or about February 2019 at Linsey Nursery and Primary School at Igbo-Efon Alpha Beach Road, Lekki, Lagos, attempted to assault a seven-year-old girl by penetrating her vagina with his finger.

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His offence is contrary to the provision of Section 262 C.17, Vol. 3 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.
However, Ngozi was initially charged with one count of sexual assault by penetration, which is punishable by life imprisonment, but approached the prosecution for a plea bargain.

He had pleaded not guilty to the charge when he was initially arraigned sometime in February 2019.

The victim’s mother (PW1) testified that the incident occurred one day when she observed that her daughter’s pants were messy and that she had been complaining of lower abdominal pain.

She told the court that her daughter said her class teacher had been inserting his finger into her vagina, and that each time he did that, she became scared and sometimes screamed.

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The state counsel, S.O. Dada, informed the court on June 16, 2025, and filed on June 19, 2025, that Ngozi had agreed to a plea bargain agreement, which necessitated the amended charge of attempted sexual assault by penetration.

He was therefore re-arraigned on July 17, 2025, and he pleaded guilty.

While delivering judgment yesterday, Justice Oshodi held that he was satisfied that the convict was competent to enter the plea bargain agreement.

The judge held that, “The first charge is punishable by life imprisonment. However, through the plea bargain process, you have pleaded guilty to this lesser charge, and I am bound to sentence you according to the agreed terms.”

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“As a class teacher, you were supposed to protect the child, but unfortunately abused a seven-year-old child, causing physiological trauma to the victim.”

“Igwe Ngozi, I have considered your breach of trust as a teacher and the trauma inflicted upon her; I find the maximum sentence appropriate.”

The court therefore found him guilty as charged and sentenced him to 14 years imprisonment. The court ordered that the sentence should begin from the date he was remanded in custody.

The judge also held that the convict should be registered as a sex offender in furtherance of Sections 33 and 38 of the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency Law of Lagos State 2021, and also serve his sentence in the place he has been held during his trial.

The Commissioner of Police Anambra State Command,CP Ikioye Orutugu, has given reasons why the killers of three siblings in the state have not been unmasked seven months after the incident happened in Nnewichi, Nnewi North Local Government Area of the state.

Addressing a press conference at the command headquarters in Awka, on Monday, Orutugu, said though investigation into the killing is still ongoing, it has been slow down by forensic challenges.

The three siblings namely Chikaima Ejezie, female (nine); Chimdirim Ejezie, male (five); and Chimziterem Ejezie, female, (eight) were reportedly killed and their lifeless bodies found inside a freezer in their apartment on February 1.

It was reportedly gathered that the killers invaded their apartment while the children were inside, killed them and inserted their lifeless bodies into the freezer in one of the rooms.

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However, fielding questions from newsmen on why no suspects have been unmasked ,the CP said while the police are working hard to unravel the perpetrators of the dastardly act, it is noteworthy for people to know that homicide crime takes longer time to conclude due to the extensive investigations involved in the exercise.

He said, ‘On the case of the three siblings that were killed in Nnewichi, it was a case of homicide and homicide crime takes longer time to unravel because it requires extensive investigations and piecing together the sequence of events surrounding the crime. Gathering enough evidence to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.

“There are also forensic challenges, an autopsy has been conducted and the result is helping with investigations that are still ongoing, we are not relenting in unravelling the perpetrators of the dastardly act. Homicide is the act of killing another human being. It can be classified into different categories, including murder – intentional and unlawful killing, often with malice aforethought.

“It comes with extensive investigations such as proving intent, establishing the perpetrator’s state of mind or intentions, piecing together the sequence of events surrounding the crime, identifying suspects, gathering enough evidence to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.

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“But we will ensure that perpetrators are brought to book no matter how long it takes’’

The CP also highlighted achievements recorded by the command in the last six months of his assumption of duty as Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command.

He said, “Upon assumption of office, we made a firm commitment to restore public confidence in policing, strengthen collaboration with sister agencies, and ensure that Anambra remains a safe and secure state for all residents and visitors.

“I was confronted with several pressing security concerns, including the disturbing case of a suspect who had escaped custody after being implicated in the kidnapping and murder of Honourable Justice Azuka, as well as other related security issues.’’

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He noted that one of the notable successes of the command in the last six months was the re-arrest of the suspect involved in the kidnapping and murder of the member, Anambra State House of Assembly, Justice Azuka.

“This breakthrough underscores our unwavering resolve to ensure that perpetrators of heinous crimes are brought to justice, no matter how long it takes

“We began by engaging and visiting key security stakeholders to improve cooperation, strengthen intelligence sharing, and enhance operational support for the Police and other security agencies. This partnership has enhanced intelligence gathering, community cooperation, and timely crime reporting

“In a decisive move to combat kidnapping, violent crimes, and other criminal activities, the Police Command, in collaboration with other security agencies, launched Operation Zero Kidnapping. This joint operation has significantly disrupted the activities of criminal gangs and brought the rate of kidnapping in the state to zero.

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“In the past six months, the Command has recorded significant achievements, including recovery of over 300 arms, 20 explosives, more than 1,000 ammunition, and more than 30 vehicles. Destruction of more than five criminal camps.

Arrest of over 200 suspects, including cultists, separatist agitators, and armed robbers.

“One of the notable successes was the re-arrest of the suspect involved in the kidnapping and murder of Honourable Justice Azuka. This breakthrough underscores our unwavering resolve to ensure that perpetrators of heinous crimes are brought to justice, no matter how long it takes.

“The Command has explored the use of Alternative dispute resolution to resolve so many communal crises, including the boundary dispute between Ikenga and Isiokwe villages in Umueri and Aguleri and others

“While challenges remain, our results so far reaffirm that with sustained collaboration, professionalism, and community trust, we can keep Anambra safe. I commend the command’s officers and men, our sister agencies, and the good people of Anambra State for their support,” the CP added.
(PUNCH)

The Nigerian Army has announced the arrest of a notorious commander of the Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network, identified as Ifeanyi Eze Okorienta, popularly known as Gentle de Yahoo.

Okorienta was captured in his hideout at Aku-Ihube, Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State, during a joint operation conducted by troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade in collaboration with other security agencies.

A statement by the Nigerian Army said the raid led to the recovery of an English pistol, 120 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 25 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, a cartridge, six mobile phones, military and police uniforms, as well as a German flag.

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Troops also uncovered a workshop used for dismantling stolen vehicles for resale and destroyed 10 motorcycles found at the site.

In related operations, troops carried out coordinated missions in Adamawa, Katsina, and Kogi States, rescuing 12 kidnapped victims. Five persons were freed in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa, another five in Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina, while two others were rescued in Lokoja, Kogi State.

Separately, operatives of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai, neutralised eight fighters of the Islamic State of West Africa Province in Borno State. Several others with gunshot wounds were arrested.

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According to a military statement, the encounter occurred in the early hours of Monday after terrorists laid an ambush near Garin Giwa along the Baga–Cross Kauwa Main Supply Route.

“During the exchange of fire, eight ISWAP fighters were neutralised, including two Munzirs and one Qaid,” the statement added.