Metro

Man Sentenced To Life Imprisonment For Rape

Published

1 year 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

Edo Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists

Published

13 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.