Connect with us

Metro

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

Published

on

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.

Advertisement

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

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

Advertisement

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.

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.

Advertisement

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.

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.

Advertisement

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.

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

Advertisement

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

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.

Advertisement

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

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

 

Advertisement

Metro

Gunmen Abduct Nine Passengers as driver, six Others Escape In Kogi

Published

on

By

Bandits have reportedly abducted nine passengers in Ogbabo Junction along the Itobe–Anyigba road in Kogi State, while the driver and six passengers miraculously escaped abduction.

It was reliably gathered that the incident occurred on Friday evening at about 4:20 p.m. near Ogbabo Junction in Ofu Local Government Area, where a bus with registration number ENZ-55 XS and a blue Toyota Carina ‘E’ were found abandoned.

Advertisement

It was learnt that the gunmen, who were laying ambush at the location, suddenly burst onto the expressway when they noticed a Hummer bus loaded with passengers approaching.

READ ALSO:

The gunmen forced the bus to a halt and started firing shots to scare the passengers, who were travelling in a Peace Mass Transit vehicle suspected to be heading towards the East.

Advertisement

However, the driver of the bus, identified as Mr Sunday Okechi, outsmarted the gunmen and escaped into the bush along with six passengers. But the nine other passengers were not so lucky, as they were marched into the surrounding bushes.

The scene of the abduction was just about 300 metres from the next military checkpoint along the Ogbabo–Ochadamu road. Security personnel were swiftly mobilised to the scene, where the bus with registration number ENZ-55 XS and a blue Toyota Carina ‘E’ were found abandoned.

READ ALSO:

Advertisement

Both vehicles have been taken into safe custody.

Security agencies, in collaboration with local security outfits such as the Vigilante Group of Nigeria and local hunters, have since commenced a search-and-rescue operation to track the kidnappers and rescue the victims.

The Kogi State Police Command in Lokoja is yet to respond to the incident. The command spokesman, SP Williams Ovye, could not be reached on the phone as his line indicated it was switched off.

Advertisement

Continue Reading

Metro

I Cheated On My Husband Only 3 Times, Woman Confessed In Court

Published

on

By

…I want divorce —Husband

“I only had sex with Moses Sililo three times; the first time in an unfinished building, the second time on our matrimonial bed and the third time at a friend’s house”, a cheating housewife of Chipata Compound, Lasaka, Zambia has confessed.

This is in a matter where 44-year-old Ben Bwalya of Chipata Compound in Lusaka, has sued his wife, Jane Phiri, aged 32, for divorce in the Matero Local Court citing adultery as the cause.

Advertisement

Jane told the court that she opted to sub-contract Moses who lives in their neighbourhood to provide sexual services to her on the three instances as her husband was too busy with his phone every time he returned from work.

READ ALSO:‘I Found Out That My Husband Was Not Single; He Threatened Me With Gun, Cutlass’

However, Jane begged the court not to end her marriage with Ben over a mere three rounds of sex with Moses.

Advertisement

She told the court that her cheating sessions were very brief and her husband should not be granted divorce.

Jane also promised never to have sex with Moses again but remain loyal to her husband.

However, Ben told the court that he could no longer cast his eyes on the body of his adulterous wife as her confession was too filthy for him to swallow.

Advertisement

Continue Reading

Metro

My Husband Abandoned Me After I Fed, Clothed Him For Years, Woman Tells Court

Published

on

By

Grade A Customary Court, sitting at Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, has put an end to the 15-year-old wedlock between a woman, Rakiat and her husband, Ibrahim, on the ground of lack of love, irresponsibility and abandonment.

Rakiat, who dragged her husband to court, stated that he stopped loving her a long time ago.

Advertisement

She explained that Ibrahim cared less about her welfare and that of her husband, while he stopped showing her affection a few years after they got married.

The plaintiff also stated that the defendant constantly shirked his responsibility in the home, giving paucity of fund as his excuse.

According to the plaintiff, she played the dual role of breadwinner and home keeper on a daily basis.

Advertisement

READ ALSO:NBA Slams Niger Gov Over Shutting Down Of Radio Station

Rakia added that Ibrahim later stopped coming home and that he finally came to the house one day, packed all his belongings and moved out.

She said: “He later took to threatening me.

Advertisement

“I appeal to this honourable court to dissolve our union and grant me custody of the only child produced by it.

“I also request an order restraining my husband from threatening me and coming to my house and workplace to fight me.”

Ibrahim refused to make an appearance in court despite being served court summonses.

Advertisement

Rakiat in her evidence said, “I started living with my husband a few months after we met, although he did not pay my bride price.

READ ALSO:‘I Discovered My Husband Was Sterile 5 Yrs After We Got Married’

My husband started proving to be irresponsible and unreliable a few months after we got married.

Advertisement

“He always gave excuses to dodge his responsibilities in the home, the major one being lack of fund.

“He loved to be respected as the head of the home but was never ready to bear the responsibilities that come with the title.

“I work round the clock to ensure there was food on the table, while I also cloth everyone.

Advertisement

“My husband felt comfortable being fed by me.

“He suddenly stopped coming home and gave no clue about his whereabouts.

READ ALSO:My Husband Accused Me Of Infidelity; Beat Me Black And Blue —Wife

Advertisement

My husband later returned home and packed all his belongings. He left home without a word and never bothered to ask after our only child’s welfare.

“My lord, I appeal to this honourable court to dissolve our marriage so that I can move on with my life.

“I also beg the court to grant me custody of our child because he never cares about her.”

Advertisement

The court president, Mrs S.M Akintayo ruling on the matter, stated that the defendant was given ample opportunity to defend himself, but that he did not make use of it.

Akintayo dissolved their union and granted the plaintiff custody of their children.
(TRIBUNE)

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending

Exit mobile version