Metro

Man Sentenced To Life Imprisonment For Rape

Published

7 months ago

May 6, 2025

Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), sitting at Maitama, Abuja, on Tuesday convicted and sentenced a 27-year-old man, Abdulhameed Ahmed, to life imprisonment for raping a 15-year-old girl, which later resulted in pregnancy.

The convict was brought before the court by the police in the case marked FCT/HC/CR/506/2023, filed on 23 July 2023, on a one-count charge bordering on rape.

First arraigned on 31 January 2024, the convict was accused of luring 15-year-old Bilkisu Haruna to his room under the guise of gifting her a mobile phone and having sexual intercourse with her against her will.

By this, the prosecution said, the convict had committed an offence contrary to Section 31(1) of the Child’s Rights Act Cap 50 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, punishable under Section 31(2) of the same law.

During the trial, the prosecution called three witnesses, including the victim, Bilkisu Haruna, her father, Haruna Ardo, and the investigating police officer, Inspector Lorine Osunde.

Ahmed, on his part, testified for himself alongside two other witnesses, Yusuf Abdulganiyu and Khadija Ismaila.

Delivering judgment in the case, Justice Oriji said it was the duty of the court to interpret and apply the provisions of Section 31 of the Child’s Rights Act under which the defendant was charged.

According to him, by virtue of the provisions of Section 31(1) of the Child’s Rights Act, the elements of rape which the prosecution is required to prove beyond reasonable doubt are that the defendant had sexual intercourse with Bilkisu Haruna and that the victim was a child at the time of the alleged offence.

The court noted that evidence shows Ahmed had sex with the victim four times between 2022 and 2023, as stated in his statement to the police tendered as an exhibit in court.

It added that the victim’s father, Haruna Ardo, testified that she was born in 2007, with her birth certificate showing she was born on 15 November 2007, meaning she was less than 15 years old in 2022 when the defendant first had sex with her.

In view of this, the court held that the prosecution had been able to prove the elements of the offence beyond reasonable doubt.

Justice Oriji further held that the convict had neither married Bilkisu nor had sex with her after marriage, adding that there was no evidence before the court to show that it is proper or permissible under Islamic law for a man to have sex with a child or minor before marriage.

According to the judge, the convict’s statement to the police that he did not know Bilkisu was a minor or 15 years old was unavailing, as Section 31(3) of the Child’s Rights Act stipulates that where a person is charged with an offence under the section, it is immaterial that the “offender believed the person to be of or above the age of eighteen years”.

“The court holds that the considered view of Section 1 of the said Act cannot be a basis to reach a decision that the defendant is not guilty of the offence, which has been proved by the prosecution beyond reasonable doubt.

“All said and in conclusion, the decision of the court is that the defendant, Abdulhameed Ahmed, is guilty of the offence of rape under Section 31(1) of the Child’s Rights Act,” the judge held.

After listening to the convict’s lawyer’s allocutus as well as interventions from other lawyers present in court, Justice Oriji subsequently sentenced Ahmed to life imprisonment.

Metro

Imo Police To Arraign Five Men For Alleged Brutalisation Of Married Woman

Published

4 hours ago

November 17, 2025

Editor

Imo State Police Command has concluded arrangements for the arraignment of five men who brutalised a woman, Mrs. Ndudiamaka Agu, in Emekuku, Owerri North Local Government Area of the state.

A viral video, which has been circulating for more than a week, shows how the men allegedly manhandled the woman, including lifting and throwing her heavily against a building wall, leading to public outcry.

The men were said to have approached Agu unexpectedly in her marital home and attacked her because she was suspected of cooperating with some policemen during their visit to carry out an investigation in the community.

In a statement issued on Monday evening, the spokesperson for the command, Henry Okoye, regretted that one of the men had run away, stating that the police were in pursuit of him to arrest him.

The statement disclosed that the Commissioner of Police (CP), Aboki Danjuma, had assured that justice would be served in the matter.

Okoye, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said: “The Imo State Police Command wishes to provide an update on the investigation ordered by the Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, into the viral video showing Mrs. Agu Ndididamaka being assaulted in Emekuku, Owerri North LGA. In furtherance of the CP’s directive for swift action, operatives of the X-Squad Unit have arrested five suspects linked to the barbaric assault.”

The arrested suspects are Onyekachi Njoku, 40 years ‘m’; Chiazor Osuji, 45 years ‘m’; Chukwuma Iwuala, 46 years ‘m’; Eugene Njoku, ‘m’; Njoku Emmanuel, 35 years ‘m’ all of Uboegbelu in Emekuku in Owerri North LGA.”

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) disclosed, “All five suspects have made confessional statements admitting their roles in the attack.”

“Meanwhile, the sixth suspect, identified as Onyedikachi Njoku, is still at large, and operatives are intensifying efforts to apprehend him.”

On the extent reached to take the suspects to the court, he explained: “The Commissioner of Police condemns the assault in its entirety and reaffirms that intimidation of citizens who lawfully cooperate with the Police will not be tolerated. The arrested suspects will be arraigned in court soon with the appropriate criminal charges.”

The Guardian recalled that soon after the men assaulted Agu, many Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) took up the matter, escalating that the suspects must be apprehended, arraigned, and justice served.

Metro

Customs Intercepts Lion Cub, Monkeys At Seme Border, Arrests Suspects

Published

5 hours ago

November 17, 2025

Editor

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Seme Area Command has intercepted one lion cub and two patas monkeys being transported in a vehicle to the Benin Republic during a stop-and-search operation along the Badagry–Seme Expressway.

According to a statement by Public Relations Officer of the command, Isah Sulaiman, the consignments of endangered wildlife were discovered on Sunday, November 16, 2025, at about 0219hrs, after operatives stopped a blue Mazda vehicle with registration number MUS 743 HA at Gbaji.

The command stated that upon inspection, the operatives discovered one lion cub and two patas monkeys being transported in the vehicle in clear violation of national and international wildlife protection laws.

The Customs Area Controller of the command, Wale Adenuga, said two individuals, identified as Mr. Mathew Kofi, a Beninese national, and Mr. Nasiru Usman Gwandu, a Nigerian, claimed ownership of the wildlife, admitting they had purchased the animals in Kano and were heading to the Benin Republic.

Adenuga said the two suspects were unable to provide legitimate documentation for transporting the animals and have been taken into custody for further investigation to ascertain the level of their involvement in wildlife trafficking.

The command stated that the interception underscores Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to protecting its biodiversity and its broader efforts to combat illegal wildlife trafficking under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and the country’s (1).

“In line with Nigeria’s status as a signatory to CITES and consistent with global standards for wildlife protection, the endangered species were immediately confiscated and brought to the command for documentation,” the command stated.

According to the command, the animals were subsequently handed over to the Greenfingers Wildlife Initiative on the same day for proper care, safety, and expert handling.

Adenuga, however, reaffirmed the command’s determination to enforce all laws relating to wildlife protection, environmental conservation and border security.

The CAC pledged the command’s continued collaboration with relevant agencies to stem illegal trade and smuggling of endangered species and protect the country’s biodiversity.

In other news, the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone C of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has handed over 151 wraps of Cannabis Sativa (Indian hemp) and 15 wraps of Canadian Loud, intercepted during routine patrols, to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Owerri, Imo State, for further investigation and action.

In a statement, the Customs Area Controller of the unit, Bishir Balogun, said the Cannabis Sativa, weighing 77,500 grammes, and the Canadian Loud, weighing 8,600 grammes, were seized after operatives detected the concealed substances during patrol.

Metro

Drug Barons Abandon Sienna Buses With 1,455kg Of Cannabis In Edo, Flee

Published

6 hours ago

November 17, 2025

Editor

A drug trafficking cartel has reportedly abandoned two Sienna buses conveying one thousand four hundred and fifty-five kilograms (1,455 kg) of cannabis along the Okhokho-ISI community route in the Uhunmwode Local Government Area of Edo State.

They were forced to abandon the Sienna buses and flee after a hot chase by the operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Edo State Command.

Mitchell Ofoyeju, Edo State Commander of the NDLEA disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Benin on Monday.

“A team of dedicated officers intercepted two Toyota Sienna buses suspected of transporting a substantial quantity of narcotics along the Okhokho-ISI community route in the Uhunmwode Local Government Area,” the statement said.

According to him, “both buses were said to have commenced their journey at Okpuje, a community that is notorious for cannabis cultivation and trafficking.

“The first vehicle seized, a light blue Toyota Sienna with registration number EPE 545 EV, was found to be carrying an impressive 666 kilograms of dried weeds suspected to be cannabis sativa.

“Following this, a dark ash Toyota Sienna bearing registration number ABC 142 CD was also intercepted, containing 789 kilograms of the same illicit substance.”

He, however, said “no suspects were apprehended during the operation, as the individuals responsible deserted the vehicles and made a hasty escape, leaving the substantial drug exhibits behind.”

Mitchell, who issued a stern warning to drug traffickers operating in the region, said “the NDLEA is actively pursuing leads and conducting thorough investigations aimed at bringing these traffickers to justice.”

He added, “The ongoing investigations signify our relentless approach towards eradicating drug trafficking in Edo State.

“Those who think they can evade the law and exploit our communities through illicit drug trade should think again.

“We are prepared and committed to enforcing the law with unprecedented measures against harmful substances and their distributors.”

The Commander further reassured the public that the NDLEA remains vigilant in its patrols and operational capacity, emphasising the collaboration with local communities to ensure safety and a drug abuse-free society.

He encouraged citizens to report any suspicious activities related to drug trafficking, ensuring that they play an integral role in the fight against drugs in Edo State.