A Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Court sitting in Awka, Anambra State, presided over by Justice Peace Otti, has sentenced a 34-year-old schoolteacher to 12 years’ imprisonment for defiling his 11-year-old male JSS 1 student.

The defendant, Pascal Ofomata, was charged with rape and inflicting physical harm punishable under Section 3(1) and 4(1), respectively, of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law and the offence of Sexual Abuse punishable under Section 35(2) of the Child’s Right Law of Anambra State.

Ofomata, a teacher at St Christopher’s Junior Seminary, 3-3 Onitsha, pleaded not guilty to the three-count charge.

However, during the trial, the court evaluated evidence, including testimony from the investigating police officer and the medical doctor who examined the victim.

Although he denied penetrating the boy, Ofomata admitted to acts amounting to sexual abuse, according to his police statement.

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Delivering judgment, Justice Otti convicted the defendant and sentenced him to 12 years imprisonment.

In the court documents obtained on Wednesday, the court also barred him from working in any institution involving minors, including primary, secondary, and tertiary schools.

Justice Otti commended the lead prosecutor, Chinelo Akorah of the Anambra State Ministry of Justice, for her diligence and professionalism in handling the case.

“The lead Prosecutor’s final address was compelling and comprehensive. It was rare for cases of sexual offences against boys to receive a conclusive end and justice served to offenders,” Otti said.

Reacting to the development, the state Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, expressed satisfaction, adding, “The Anambra State justice system is one that delivers nothing short of justice. This case is a rare push for justice for the boy-child and awareness that boys too can be victims of sexual violence.”

The Ogun State Police Command has foiled a planned abduction in the Abigi area of the state and arrested a wanted serial kidnapper, Clement Elijah, who had been on the run since 2024.

Elijah, linked to a high-profile kidnapping case in Ajelanwa village last year, was apprehended by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit following credible intelligence and community cooperation.

It was learnt that two of his accomplices were previously arrested in connection with the same incident.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, Elijah had returned to the Ibiade community on June 13, with intentions to abduct a prominent resident of Ago Village, Abigi.

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His plan, however, was thwarted through coordinated action between the police and vigilant residents.

Odutola said, “Operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping unit apprehended Clement Elijah, a felon who had been on the run since 2024 in connection with a high-profile kidnapping incident at Ajelanwa village, Ogun State.

“Elijah arrived Ibiade community on June 13, 2025, and planned to abduct a prominent individual in Ago Village, Abigi, but his sinister mission was thwarted through timely collaboration between the police and vigilant residents.”

Three days later, on Monday, a clearance operation led to the arrest of the gang’s alleged armourer, Posi Friday.

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Odutola said the police operatives recovered one pump-action rifle, a locally fabricated pistol, and eight live cartridges concealed in a Boom Speaker.

Commending the operation, the Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, lauded the Ibiade and Abigi communities for their vigilance and collaboration.

“We appreciate the sustained communication and support from the communities.

“Their role was critical in preventing yet another crime and in the apprehension of these suspects,” Ogunlowo said.

n a separate development, the command also confirmed the arrest of 14 suspected cultists from rival groups on June 16, 2025.

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According to Odutola, the suspects were apprehended by the Anti-Cultism team in Ijagun, Ogbo, Ijele, and Imaweje areas of Ijebu Ode, while allegedly planning violent attacks as part of a supremacy clash during their institution’s signing-out celebration.

“Operatives of the Anti-Cultism team arrested 14 suspected cultists of two rival groups planning attacks over superiority on June 16, 2025.

“The suspects were rounded up in Ijagun, Ogbo, Ijele areas and Imaweje areas in Ijebu Ode as they assembled to mark their institution’s examinations signing out,” she said.

Odutola said all suspects and recovered weapons are currently being processed at the State Criminal Investigation Department, while further investigations continue.

The Rivers State Police Command said its men arrested two notorious cultists who have been terrorising residents of the Ahoada East Local Government Area of the state and its environs.

The police revealed that the suspects were members of the dreaded Iceland cult and lieutenants of their slain leader, Gift Okpara, popularly known as 2-Baba, responsible for the gruesome murder of the former Divisional Police Officer of Ahoada East LGA, Bako Angbashim, in 2023.

Spokesperson for the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

She said the first suspect identified as Goodluck, nicknamed K1′, was nabbed following credible intelligence and swift action by the command’s Octopus Tactical Unit, who raided their hideout in the Ikata community in Ahoada East LGA and recovered weapons.

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The statement reads, “On May 3, 2025, operatives of the command received credible information regarding the whereabouts of a notorious cultist known as aka “K1,” a member of the late 2Baba Iceland cult group.

“This group was linked to the murder of late SP Bako Angbashim, the then DPO of Ahoada Division.

“The police operatives swiftly stormed the suspect’s camp in Ikata Community, Ahoada East LGA, and arrested one Lovegod Goodluck, a male resident of Ikata Community.

“During the operation, one locally made single-barrel gun and two live cartridges were recovered from him.

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“In a follow-up operation on the 13th of June, 2025, at about 1730 hrs, operatives made another breakthrough, arresting one Precious Olumini, a male suspect who had earlier escaped. An English made pump-action gun and a locally made pistol were recovered from him.

“During interrogation, suspects confessed to being members of the dreaded Iceland cult group that has been terrorising Ahoada-East axis of the state.”

It continued, “Suspects and exhibits are in police custody; investigation is currently in progress with efforts being intensified to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate and recover their operational weapons.”

Speaking, the state Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, has reassured people and residents of the state that the command under his watch remains resolute in ensuring the safety and security of lives and property in the state.

Adepoju urged citizens to cooperate with the police in their efforts to rid communities of violent and criminal elements by reporting any suspicious activities to the police for prompt action.