Metro

Police In Dilemma As Court, Psychiatric Home, DPP Reject Woman Who Waited 10 Years To Kill Her Friend

Published

2 years ago

May 13, 2023

Anita Ofili, who allegedly stabbed her friend, Glory Okon, to death few weeks ago in her residence at Greenville Estate, Ajah area of Lagos state is in the news again.

This time around, she has not just been rejected by the magistrate court, but a psychiatric home where she was to be sent, leaving the police to continue bearing the burden of keeping her in their cell.

Her travails started mid-March after she invited her long time friend, Gloria Okon to her house to spend the weekend together.

Three stoned to death over alleged abduction, murder of 8-yr-old
There were two versions to the tragedy that later played out.

Police sources said Anita, 42, claimed that her friend, Gloria, went downstairs to fetch water to go to toilet and she was angry with her for doing that.

Subsequently, they started abusing each other and her visitor was telling her that if she knew she was going to treat her harshly, she should not have invited her to spend the weekend with her.

Their argument reportedly degenerated into fisticuffs and Anita brought a knife and stabbed her on the neck and other parts of her body leading to her death.

Another version claimed Anita stabbed Glory to death because she snatched her boyfriend from her 10 years ago.

However, after her arrest and interrogation by a team of detectives from Lamgbasa police station, the case was transferred to the State Criminal Investigations and Intelligence Department, FCIID, Panti, Yaba, where the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Waheed Ayilara, directed that more discreet investigations be carried out.

It was learned that she started exhibiting traits of mental illness inside the cell where she was confined.

Most of the times, she was seen talking to herself and challenging unseen companions to a fight.

She would show signs of sanity at times but would flare up the next minute, pouring tantrums and posing as if an unseen attacker was before her.

To worsen her plight, nobody showed up as her relation.

Vanguard gathered that based on this, detectives hastily concluded investigations and took her to Magistrate Court 3, Yaba, only to be confronted with another shocking and bizarre drama.

Police sources said that when her case was mentioned and she was called to stand in the dock, she started displaying her insanity.

According to sources, as soon as she was asked to enter the dock by Magistrate Balogun, she started displaying insanity.

“She was not behaving normal at all and that made the magistrate to stop hearing the case and call for another case.

“She was rejected and referred back to the police to enable her get proper treatment,” a source said.

Police sources said that the rejection worsened their plight and decisions were taken immediately to transfer her to a psychiatric home for treatment only for the home to insist on the payment of N500,000 before she would be admitted.

“We know what we suffered while she was in our cell. We were contributing money to feed and tend to her and that rejection worsened our plight raising the question of who will pay the demanded N500,000.

“One of her family members who showed up later could not help the situation.

“She, however, confirmed that Anita has no husband, no child and has been visiting psychiatric hospital for treatment.

“She also said she may have stopped taking her drugs and that might have made her commit the offence.

“We also sought advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecution, DPP, who said she must be properly treated before facing prosecution.

“As it were, we are still being forced to continue bearing the burden without help from anywhere,” another source added.

Meanwhile, police sources said that a team of lawyers from Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, led by the Chairman of Human Rights Committee, Ikeja branch, Mrs. Tracy Amadigwe-Dike, that visited the Deputy Commissioner of Police few days ago, promised to help over the situation which was described as ‘very unfortunate’.

VANGUARD

Metro

Court Jails Football Coach For Sodomising Minor Player

Published

8 hours ago

October 16, 2025

Editor

A Kano State High Court has sentenced a football coach, Hayatu Muhammad, to eight years in prison for sodomising one of his underage players.

The presiding judge, Justice Musa Dahuru Muhammad, delivered the judgment on Wednesday, sentencing Hayatu without the option of a fine.

According to the prosecution, the coach, who lives in Sanka area of Kano metropolis, committed the offence twice in different locations. He initially pleaded not guilty to the charges.

To prove the case beyond reasonable doubt, the state counsel, Barrister Ibrahim Arif Garba, presented five witnesses who testified against the defendant.

In his defense, Hayatu took the witness stand alone.

The prosecution stated that his action violated Section 284 of the Penal Code Law, which criminalises sodomy.

After reviewing all the evidence and witness statements, Justice Dahuru ruled that the prosecution had successfully proved the case.

He sentenced Hayatu to four years in prison on each of the two counts, to run concurrently — meaning he will serve a total of eight years starting from the day of the judgment.

Metro

Lagos Fire Service Rescues Woman From 60-foot Well In Ikorodu

Published

9 hours ago

October 16, 2025

Editor

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has saved a 32-year-old woman who accidentally fell into an uncovered well approximately 60 feet deep at No. 14 Mustapha Bolatiwa Street, off Agric Bus Stop, in the Ikorodu area of the state.

The incident, which drew a large crowd of onlookers, was described by residents as “nothing short of a miracle.”

Eyewitnesses said the woman, whose identity had not been immediately confirmed, reportedly wandered from a nearby compound and was seated on the edge of the well before losing balance and falling in.

Following a distress call, operatives of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service arrived swiftly and launched a well-coordinated rescue operation.

Confirming the incident, the Director of the agency, Mrs Margaret Adeseye, said the woman was pulled out alive after a tense and delicate rescue effort.

“She was immediately stabilised and transported to a nearby hospital for further medical care,” Adeseye said.

She cautioned residents to ensure all open wells and similar structures are securely covered to prevent avoidable accidents.

Adeseye also praised the professionalism and prompt response of her team, reaffirming the agency’s unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property across Lagos State.

Metro

DSS Arrests Two Dismissed Officers Over Impersonation, Fraud

Published

9 hours ago

October 16, 2025

Editor

The Department of State Services, DSS, has arrested two dismissed officers, Barry Donald and Victor Onyedikachi Godwin, accused of impersonating the Service to defraud unsuspecting Nigerians.

The DSS, in a statement issued on Wednesday, confirmed that both individuals, earlier declared wanted in separate public warnings, have been arrested and will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

“The Department of State Services recently issued disclaimers on two dismissed personnel of the Service, Barry Donald and Victor Onyedikachi Godwin. These individuals were alleged to be cloaking under the Service to engage in fraudulent activities.

“The public is hereby notified that these culprits have been apprehended and will face prosecution in accordance with the law,” the Service said.

This comes after a series of alerts by the DSS warning Nigerians against dealing with the former officers dismissed for misconduct but still parading themselves as active operatives.

Recall that the secret police had raised the alarm over the activities of Victor Onyedikachi Godwin, accusing him of using the DSS name to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.

In the same vein, on October 8, a separate statement was issued concerning Barry Donald, another dismissed officer alleged to be impersonating the agency for fraudulent purposes.

The DSS said it remains committed to protecting Nigerians from impostors and maintaining public trust in the Service. It also revealed plans to publish the names of other previously dismissed personnel to prevent citizens from falling victim to similar schemes.

The DSS urged members of the public to verify all official engagements through its verified communication channels and to report any suspicious activities involving persons claiming to represent the Service.