Metro

Osun Ex-LG Boss, Others Jailed Four Tears For Arson

Published

1 year ago

June 6, 2024

An Iwo Chief Magistrates Court sitting in Osogbo on Thursday sentenced a former Local Government chairman, Mr Tajudeen Babatunde, to four years imprisonment for offences bordering on conspiracy, malicious damage, and arson.

Babatunde had previously served as caretaker chairman of Iwo West Local Council Development Authority.

Others that were sentenced alongside Babatunde after their trial in suit number: MIW/68c/2019, include three Beninois citizens namely; Sunday Ajoko, Jonas John, and Kohonu Deboye, while Adeoye Alabi and Kasumu Ajao.

All six defendants were arraigned on four counts bordering on conspiracy, malicious damage, and arson. They were found guilty on all the counts and subsequently sentenced to a four-year jail term.

The presiding magistrate, A. Famuyide, however, gave Ajao an option of an N80,000 fine, considering his age and ill health.

The defendants and others yet to be apprehended were said to have, on or before the 16th day of February 2019, at Ayigbiri Orupekere farm located along Iwo/Ibadan road in Iwo, Osun State cut down about 400 palm trees and other economic trees valued about N10 million.

They were also accused of setting the farm ablaze after the trees were cut down.

The nominal complainant in the matter, the Oosa Olaniyi family in Iwo, through its counsel, Mr Dele Abbas, had written to the Osun State Ministry of Justice to take over the prosecution of the matter from the police, the request that was granted by the government.

Upon concluding hearing on the matter, Magistrate Famuyide had on Wednesday convicted all the defendants but delayed reading the sentencing till Thursday.

Reading the sentencing of the defendants during the proceedings attended by the six defendants, their counsel, Mr Laide Yekini, prosecuting counsel from the Ministry of Justice, Mikaheel Idris, and counsel to the nominal compliant, Abbas on Thursday, Famuyide held that the prosecution proved all the allegations levelled against the defendants beyond doubt.

She, however, declined to award compensation to the complainant, suggesting that the family could pursue matters around compensation before another court of competent jurisdiction.
PUNCH

Metro

Police Intercept 400 Ammunition, Arrest Suspect In Delta

Published

2 hours ago

October 19, 2025

Editor

The Delta State Police Command says it has intercepted 400 ammunition at the Bridge Head, Asaba, the Delta State capital.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the command, Bright Edafe, who disclosed this on Saturday in a statement in Asaba, noted that the command under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Abaniwonda, has continued to sustain its proactive operations against criminal elements across the State.

He said, “Through intelligence-led policing, operatives of the command have recorded significant breakthroughs in the fight against illicit drugs and illegal possession of ammunition.

“Operatives of the ‘C’ Division, Asaba, led by CSP Ogbe Emmanuel, intercepted a major movement of ammunition bound for Edo State.

“While conducting routine surveillance and stop-and-search operations at the Head Bridge, Asaba, the operatives flagged down a Toyota Hiace Hummer Bus with registration number NGK 16 XB, driven by one Ozoemenam Sylvanus.

“The driver, appearing uneasy during questioning, drew the suspicion of the officers, who proceeded to conduct a thorough search of the vehicle. 400 live cartridges were discovered carefully concealed within the bus.

“The suspect initially lied that it was padlocks, but was left speechless when the parcel was opened and the true content was seen. He was immediately arrested, and both he and the exhibit recovered”

Edafe said that the investigation to unravel the source and criminal network behind the illegal arms movement was ongoing.

In another development, the command confirmed the arrest of a notorious drug baron known for distributing large quantities of hard drugs within Warri.

According to Edafe, following credible intelligence, operatives of the Orerokpe Division arrested one 37-year-old Onos Afokoghene, a notorious drug baron known for distributing large quantities of hard drugs within Warri and adjoining communities.

“Acting promptly on a tip-off, the Divisional Police Officer, Orerokpe Division, CSP Paul Oboware, mobilised and led his patrol teams to the identified flashpoint in Jeddo Community, where the suspect and other suspected hoodlums were reportedly engaged in selling and consuming illicit substances.

“Sensing the approach of the police, the suspects attempted to flee, but the team swiftly closed in and arrested the suspect, Onos Afokoghene, after a brief pursuit. A thorough search of the scene led to a startling discovery of illicit substances and paraphernalia used in large-scale drug sales,” he added.

Edafe said exhibits recovered include 3kg of Canadian Loud, 10kg of Indian Hemp, 24 litres of soaked weed suspected to be Indian Hemp, several sachets of Tramadol of various milligrams, and two POS machines suspected of being used for drug sales, among others.

Metro

Islamic Cleric Arrested For Brutalising 10-year-old Boy In Kwara

Published

4 hours ago

October 19, 2025

Editor

An Islamic cleric, identified as Folorunsho Olaoti, has been arrested for allegedly brutalising a 10-year-old boy living with him in the Akerebiata area of Ilorin East Local Government Area, Kwara State.

It was gathered that the incident occurred on Thursday, October 16, 2025, when the cleric allegedly beat the boy mercilessly after accusing him of reporting to his mother that someone had spoken ill of her.

Sources said the Alfa, who is a relative of the boy’s late father, became enraged by the child’s action and subjected him to severe physical assault, leaving him with visible injuries.

Speaking to The PUNCH on the incident, on Sunday, the Secretary of the Child Rights Implementation Committee, Kwara State, Antonia Oshiniwe, said she received a distress call from the victim’s uncle and immediately alerted operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, who arrested the suspect on Friday.

“I was informed about the matter by an anonymous source. When I visited the area, I confirmed the incident and reported it immediately to the civil defence.

“The child has been rescued and placed under government protection, while the suspect will be charged in court for child abuse,” Oshiniwe said.

Oshiniwe advised parents to take full responsibility for their children’s welfare, warning against entrusting them to clerics or guardians who may end up maltreating them.

“Parents should learn to keep their children with them and not hand them over to clerics or guardians who may abuse or mistreat them.”

When contacted on Sunday, the Public Relations Officer of the NSCDC in Kwara State, Ayoola Michael, confirmed the incident, adding that the case was receiving the command’s full attention.

He said, “We have commenced a thorough investigation to ensure justice is served, and our findings will be made public once the process is concluded.”

Meanwhile, the rescued child is said to be receiving medical attention while further legal proceedings against the suspect continue.

Metro

Police Recover 75 Stolen Phones, Five Laptops In Lagos

Published

1 day ago

October 18, 2025

Editor

The Lagos State Police Command has recovered 75 mobile gadgets and five laptops abandoned by fleeing suspects during a routine patrol conducted by the Rapid Response Squad in Ikeja.

The operation, according to the command, was part of ongoing efforts to strengthen security and combat property crimes across the state.

In a statement issued on Saturday by the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, the recovery followed the interception of two suspects who abandoned two large “Ghana Must Go” bags upon sighting police operatives near Allen Roundabout, Ikeja.

“On Sunday, 5th October, 2025, at about 5:30 a.m., operatives inspected the bags and discovered 32 iPhones of different models, 38 other smartphones of various brands such as Samsung, Redmi, Tecno, and Honour, as well as five laptops, several smart wristwatches, AirPods, a Samsung Tab, and a Sorapad.”

Speaking on the recovery, the Commander of the Rapid Response Squad, CSP Shola Jejeloye, said, “Preliminary investigation indicates that the items were stolen property hurriedly abandoned by the suspects.”

“Members of the public who may have lost similar devices are advised to visit the RRS Headquarters, Alausa, with verifiable proof of ownership for proper identification and reclaim,” the statement read.

The state Commissioner of Police, CP Moshood Jimoh, commended the RRS operatives for their vigilance and professionalism, reaffirming the command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing and proactive crime prevention.

He assured residents that the command would continue to enhance patrol visibility and maintain public safety across all parts of Lagos.

The command had earlier arrested four members of a notorious car-snatching and armed robbery syndicate said to be responsible for several violent attacks on vehicle owners within and outside the state.

In a statement on Friday, Adebisi said the suspects were arrested by officers of the Command’s Tactical Squads following intelligence-led operations between October 15 and 17.

Adebisi said, “The notorious and vicious armed robbery and car-snatching gang was responsible for a series of violent attacks on vehicle owners.”