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Osun Monarch, 4 Others Arraigned In Abuja Over Alleged Illegal Gold Mining In Ondo State

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A traditional ruler in Osun State, Oba Taofeeq Olaposi Osunmakinde was on Monday arraigned at the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged illegal Gold mining in Lege Community, Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State.

Oba Osunmakinde who is the Obawore of Ifetuntun in Ife Central Local Government Area of Osun State was put on trial by the Attorney General of the Federation AGF in Abuja alongside four others on two count charges.

Others docked along with the traditional ruler are Sheu Mustapha, Sabiru Hashim, Danbaba Ibrahim and Ade Olap Global Resources Limited.

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The AGF accused the five defendants of conspiring with others at large on August 25, 2024, to engage in the illegal mining of Gold at the Ogunlepo mining site in Lege community, Odigbo local government area of Ondo State.

READ ALSO: Police Rescue 16 Children From Trafficker In Rivers

The alleged offence is said to be contrary to section 3 (6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act 2004 and punishable under section 1(8) of the same Act.

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The monarch and co-defendants were also alleged to have undertaken gold mining on August 25 without lawful authority contrary to section 1(8) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act and punishable under the same Act.

However, all the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges when read to them.

Counsel to the AGF, Toluwalope Alex Ojo, thereafter, asked Justice Emeka Nwite to give the federal government a date to open its case against the accused persons.

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READ ALSO: TUC Knocks DSS Over ‘Unjust Arrest’ Of Ajaero

Although lawyer Ojo did not object to the bail of the accused persons, he, however, requested the court to compel them to deposit their international passports with the court.

Counsel to the defendants, Vincent Ododo who moved consolidated bail applications for his clients pleaded with Justice Nwite to admit them to bail on various grounds.

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Part of the grounds he cited was that the 1st defendant was a well-known traditional ruler and that the charges against them did not carry capital punishment while also assuring that the defendants would not fail to appear in court for trial.

READ ALSO: NLC Warms Up For Nationwide Action Over Ajaero’s Alleged Detention

In a brief ruling, Justice Nwite admitted them to bail in the sum of N20M each with one surety in the like sum.

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The Judge ordered that the sureties must be residents in Abuja with ownership of landed properties and must produce a three-year tax clearance certificate.

In addition, Justice Nwite ordered that the defendants must deposit their international passports along with three copies of each of their recent passport photographs with the Deputy Chief Registrar of the Court.

Pending the perfection of their bail conditions, the Judge ordered that they be taken to Kuje prison on remand.

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Meanwhile, their trial in the charge marked FHC/A.

 

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Metro

APC Vice Chairman In Delta Killed

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The Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ethiope East Local Council, Delta State, Mr Ese Idisi, murdered.

Idisi was killed by unidentified assailants in the Okpara Waterside community, a development that has sent shockwaves through political and community circles.

The killing has sparked outrage and deep concern within the APC in Delta State.

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The party, in a strongly worded statement, described Idisi’s death as a “brutal and condemnable killing” that has devastated its state chapter.

READ ALSO:Mass Defections: Ndume Predicts Implosion In APC

In the statement, the APC State Publicity Secretary, Mr Valentine Onojeghuo, called on security agencies to conduct a “thorough, uncompromising, and professional investigation” into what he described as a “cruel and senseless murder.”

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He insisted that “the perpetrators, sponsors, and anyone connected to this heinous act must be identified, apprehended, and brought to justice without delay. Nothing short of a full-scale investigation will suffice in the prevailing circumstances.”

The party extended its condolences to Idisi’s family, describing him as a loyal, committed, and dependable party stalwart whose death had created a painful void in his community and within APC’s Ethiope East Ward 4.

His death is not just a loss; it is a heavy blow that has plunged the Party into mourning,” he added.

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READ ALSO:APC Chieftain Killed In Suspected Zamfara Bandit Attack

The spokesperson for the Delta State Police Command, SP Bright Edafe, confirmed the incident.

He said the command received a report of the killing and had opened an investigation.

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We got a report that he was murdered and we are presently investigating,” Edafe said, adding that details surrounding the incident remained unclear as of press time.

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

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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.

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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.

READ ALSO:Imo To Arraign Lawyer Over Anti-Uzodimma Articles

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

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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.”

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READ ALSO:Police Restores Peace After Bomb Explosion Rocks Imo Community

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.”

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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.

 

 

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

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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.

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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.

READ ALSO:Recruitment: Customs Announces Exam Date For Shortlisted Applicants

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.

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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.

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READ ALSO:Customs Warn Nigerians Against Falling For Fake WhatsApp Auction Scams

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.

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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.

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