Metro

Two Arraigned For Allegedly Selling Nigerian-used Car As Imported

Published

5 months ago

July 1, 2025

The Nigerian Police Force on Tuesday arraigned two men, Suleiman Lamu and Anas Abdullahi, before the Federal Capital Territory Magistrates’ Court in Dutse, Abuja, for allegedly selling a used car as a Belgium-used vehicle to a customer.

According to the nominal complainants, Manash Paul and Banwo Olagokun, after purchasing the car for over ₦6 million, they discovered that it was a Nigerian-used vehicle, previously registered twice in the country.

The complainants further alleged that the car caused significant stress for its owner due to its frequent breakdowns.

The defendants who were docked before Magistrate Mariam Muazu are facing a one-count charge bordering on alleged criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and cheating, contrary to Sections 97, 312, and 322 of the Penal Code in the charge marked CR/DUT/716/25.

The charge brought against the defendants reads, “One Manash Paul on behalf of Mr Banwo Olagokun came to the Divisional Police Headquarters, Dawaki, Abuja, and reported you, Suleiman Buba Lamu and Anas Yau Abdullahi, both male.

“That he bought a Highlander Jeep which was falsely presented to him as a direct Belgium car with Chassis No: JTEDP21A540032900 for the sum of N6,100,000.00 only and was issued with Receipt No: 0177, dated 15/04/2025, from A.&S Halal Motors Ltd. During test-running and further investigation about the car, it was discovered that it had been registered by two different buyers.

“By so doing, you have committed the offences for which you are charged.”

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to them.

Subsequently, the defence counsel made an application for bail for his clients, which was opposed by the prosecution.

The defence counsel stated, “Your Lordship, we humbly apply for bail to be granted to the defendants. The offence is a bailable offence.

“Where an offence is bailable, it becomes a constitutional right of the accused.

“The accused persons are ready to stand trial and will be available whenever the matter comes up. They are also prepared to fulfil the terms of the bail conditions granted.

“They will not obstruct investigation, and I believe that in this case, the investigation is concluded.

” On this note, we apply that their bail request be granted.”

The prosecution, in his objection, stated,“The defence counsel did not tell us if there is a surety.

“My Lordship, if granted bail, the defendants before this noble court will intimidate the witness.

“If this noble court considers granting the request, we urge the court to impose conditions that will mandate the defendants to appear before this court daily for their trial.

“The Administration of Criminal Justice Act demands that the defendants deposit a cost which is reasonable as a security for their bail.

“This sum shall be forfeited in the interest of justice if they jump bail.

“These are my humble submissions.”

The defence counsel, in his response, stated, “We have affirmed that the defendants are ready to make themselves available for trial.

“In the court of law, bail is a right, and that is the right we are invoking.

“We crave the indulgence of this honourable court to admit the defendants on liberal terms.”

The judge, after listening to the arguments of both parties, ruled, “I agree that bail is at the discretion of the court.

” I hereby grant the defendants bail in the sum of N500,000 each, with two sureties residing within the jurisdiction of the court.

“The sureties must swear to an affidavit of means and submit their passport photographs to the court.”

The matter was adjourned to July 28, for hearing.
(PUNCH)

Metro

JUST IN: Military Jet Crashes In Niger Community

Published

15 hours ago

December 6, 2025

Editor

A jet belonging to the Nigerian Air Force has reportedly crashed near Karabonde, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.

This was disclosed by a Niger State-based online digital television network, Lapai TV, in a post on its official Facebook page on Saturday evening.

“Two Nigerian Air Force Pilots Reportedly Survive Alpha Jet Crash Close to Karabonde, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State,” the post stated

The incident was said to have occurred Saturday evening.

At the time of filing this report, the military has yet to make any official communication about the incident.

Details shortly…

Metro

Court Remands Four Foreigners Over Alleged Kidnapping, Hostage Taking In Ogun

Published

18 hours ago

December 6, 2025

Editor

An Ogun State Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Isabo, Abeokuta, has ordered the remand of four foreign nationals arrested for alleged kidnapping, hostage taking and unlawful detention of several foreign victims.

This is even as the Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested a medical doctor for allegedly transporting medical supplies from Sokoto State to suspected kidnapping gangs in Kwara.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Kwara State Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, said the suspect was intercepted at Jebba in Moro Local Council, following an intelligence tip-off which linked him to a drug-delivery network servicing the criminal groups.
The arrest is said to be part of ongoing efforts to disrupt the supply chains aiding armed gangs across the region.

According to the statement, the kidnappers have recently become more desperate in seeking medical attention, particularly for treating gunshot wounds sustained during gunfights with security operatives.

Chief Magistrate A. K. Araba ordered the remand of Augustine Nketia Boateng, 41; Johnson Apan Julus, 43; Dramane Lenganir, 26; and 37-year-old Simms Raphael, all citizens of Ghana, Benin and Burkina Faso.

The suspects were arrested at their operational base in Harmony Estate, Pakudi Obada Area, Ogun State, by officers of the International Police (Interpol), Force Criminal Investigation Department (Force CID) Annex, Alagbon-Ikoyi, Lagos, led by Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni.

The court ordered their remand at the Oba Centre of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) following a motion ex parte marked MA/83PJ/2025, filed and moved by Morufu Ajani Animashaun, a legal officer in the Force Legal/Prosecution Department.

Animashaun told the court that the application was brought pursuant to Section 367 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Section 306 of the Administration of Criminal Laws of Ogun State, 2017, and the court’s inherent jurisdiction.

He prayed the court for an order remanding the defendants for alleged kidnapping, abduction, hostage taking and unlawful detention, pending the issuance of legal advice by the Ogun State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), for a period of 60 days in the first instance.

He also sought an order directing their remand at the Ibara Correctional Centre, Abeokuta.

The motion was supported by an 18-paragraph affidavit deposed to by Inspector Oyebisi Oni of the Interpol Section, alongside a written address and documentary exhibits.

In his ruling, Chief Magistrate Araba ordered that the suspects be remanded at the Oba Centre of the NCoS pending the DPP’s legal advice. The case was adjourned to February 27, 2026.

According to the affidavit, Interpol received a request on November 7, 2025, from the National Central Bureau (NCB), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, concerning a case of conspiracy, kidnapping, abduction, human trafficking and obtaining money by false pretence.

The complaint was lodged by one Mr. Lengane Toyazoula against the defendants and others at large.

The request sought Interpol’s assistance in rescuing a 23-year-old Burkinabe woman, Lengane Audrey, allegedly held captive by the suspects. Based on intelligence from the NCB, a team of detectives from Interpol FCID Annex, Ikoyi, was deployed to Abeokuta, where the suspects were traced to Harmony Estate. Sixteen victims comprising Burkinabe nationals, 12 Ghanaians, one Togolese and one Ivorian were rescued.

During interrogation, the defendants allegedly admitted collecting 1,869,000 CFA (equivalent to N4,790,036.77) as ransom. Further investigation reportedly revealed that they lured victims from other countries into Nigeria under the guise of securing Canadian visas, collected money from them and detained them against their will.

The affidavit stated that the suspects, operating from Harmony Estate, unlawfully imprisoned the victims and extorted money from their families. A proposed charge sheet was attached as an exhibit.

The police officer further noted that the duplicate case file had been forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) on December 2, 2025, and that a remand order was needed to detain the suspects for 60 days pending legal advice.

The affidavit also stated that 12 rescued victims had been handed over to the Consular General of the Ghana High Commission on December 3, 2025.It added that granting the remand application would serve the interest of justice.
(GUARDIAN)

Metro

Construction Worker arrested For Stabbing Supervisor Over N10,000

Published

18 hours ago

December 6, 2025

Editor

A 35-year-old workman known as Joshua has been arrested and detained at the Boundary Police Division in Aluu, Ikwerre Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State, for allegedly stabbing his site supervisor, Sopiriala Sokari, into a coma over a N10,000 debt.

According to eyewitnesses and the victim, Joshua had been hired by Sokari to transfer blocks to a construction site for N20,000.

However, when Sokari offered to pay him N10,000 upfront, Joshua refused and demanded full payment.

The incident occurred along Obiri Ikwerre Road, where Joshua allegedly broke a bottle and stabbed Sokari after a heated argument.

In a telephone conversation with journalists shortly after regaining consciousness at th:e hospital, Sokari narrated: “There is a boy called Joshua. He did a job for me, to transfer blocks to where they are working.

“The total job he did was 20,000 naira. So when he did the job, as I saw him, I asked him to take N10,000 first, let me confirm the job, then I will give him the balance.

“He refused, insisting that I must give him the whole money. He later met me where I was eating along Obiri Ikwerre Road, saying that I should give him the money now. I still insisted that I would give him only N10,000 till I confirmed the work.

“The next thing, he went and broke a bottle. The woman who was selling even had to bring out 20,000 naira after seeing his mood and gave it to him. After taking the money from the woman, he still used the bottle and stabbed me.

“Now I am lying down at Cottage Solution Hospital, Mbodo Aluu, where I was admitted. I am calling on Nigerians to help me. I have spent a lot of money. I need justice.”

The victim is currently receiving treatment at Cottage Solution Hospital, Mbodo Aluu, and has sustained severe injuries.

The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of Joshua and is conducting an in-depth investigation into the matter.