Metro

Two To Die By Hanging For Stealing N105,000, Phones, Others In Ekiti

Published

1 month ago

May 23, 2024

Editor

An Ekiti State High Court, Ado Ekiti division has sentenced two persons, Benjamin Joseph (32), and Stephen Orban (25), to death by hanging for robbing two persons of cash and valuable items.

The convicts were arraigned on December 30, 2022, on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy and armed robbery.

The charge read, “On 16th August 2022 along Iluomoba Road, Aisegba Ekiti did conspire to commit a felony, to wit; armed robbery.

“As at the time of the robbery, they were armed with locally made guns, knives, and cutlasses and did rob Daramola Christiana and Ajayi Alaba of their belongings such as phones, power bank, creams, drugs, ATM Cards, and N105,000 cash among others.

“The offences are contrary to Sections 6(b) and 1(2)(a) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Cap. RII, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004,” the charge stated.

In her testimony before the court, one of the victims, a trader, said that four armed men attacked them at a barricaded point at Aisegba Ekiti along Omuo – Ado Ekiti Road.

The victim said, “They collected our phones, power bank, other valuables, and a cash sum of N105,000.00 and ran into the bush. I was rescued by a sympathizer, but the driver drove back to Omuo and made a formal complaint to the police”.

The prosecutor, Ibironke Odetola, called six witnesses and tendered charms, phones, camouflage underwear, a hammer, three hoods, fake Dollar notes, and cutlasses among others as exhibits, while the defendants spoke in their defence through their lawyer, Adeyinka Opaleke, and called no witnesses.

In the judgment on Thursday, Justice Blessing Ajileye, who said the prosecution proved the case beyond reasonable doubt that there was an armed robbery on 16th August 2022, found the two persons guilty.

The judge pronounced, “Consequently, the sentence of this court upon Benjamin Joseph and Stephen Orban is that they are hanged by the neck until they are dead, may God have mercy on your souls”.

Metro

Police Hunt For Killers Of Retired Army General Slain In Abuja

Published

4 hours ago

June 23, 2024

Editor

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has launched a manhunt for the killers of retired Army Brigadier General Uwem Harold Udokwere, who was slain in a robbery attack at Sunshine Estate in Abuja.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday, June 22, 2024, at approximately 3:00 a.m.

According to the police, a group of armed robbers invaded the estate, broke into the general’s residence, and shot him during a struggle.

The Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Benneth C. Igweh, has condemned the attack and promised to leave no stone unturned in apprehending the perpetrators.

Metro

Flood Sweeps 16-year-old Barber Into Ogun Canal

Published

4 hours ago

June 23, 2024

Editor

photo: file copy

A 16-year-old barber apprentice, simply identified as Dimeji, was reportedly swept away on Friday after a torrential rainfall in a gully erosion around St. Anthony Nursery and Primary School, Igbeba, Ijebu-Ode

Dimeji was said to have mistakenly stepped into the canal covered with erosion thinking that he was stepping on the plank which pedestrians usually walk on to move to the other side.

A viral video circulating on Saturday showed how the corpse of the young boy was retrieved from the gully.

The video was accompanied by a condolence message explaining that the victim was not a student, but a barber apprentice around Awokoya Street in Ijebu-Ode

The message reads, “With a heavy heart, we share the sorrowful news of a young life lost to the devastating erosion in Ijebu Ode this evening.

“The victim, an apprentice barber at Awokoya, has been confirmed to be a non-student.

“Our thoughts are with his loved ones, including his mother, who sells “fufu” at the same location.

“May his soul rest in peace, and may his family find comfort in this difficult time”.

A source confirmed the incident to The PUNCH on Saturday.

The source who pleaded anonymity said “yes, what you saw in the video is true, the boy, Dimeji actually slipped into the canal.

“What happened was that he escorted his friend to take motorcycle, while the friend sat on the bike and went away, he mistakingly put his leg in the water thinking that he was stepping on the plank and that was how he was swept away”.

Effort to get the spokesperson of Ogun State police command, SP Omolola Odutola to speak on the incident proved abortive, as calls to her phone were not picked while message sent to her WhatsApp was yet to be replied as at the time of filing this report.

Metro

Army General Killed In Abuja

Published

4 hours ago

June 23, 2024

Editor

Brig Gen Harold Udokwere rtd was reportedly attacked in the early hours of Saturday, June 22nd 2024 at home in Abuja.

Sources said suspected armed robbers attacked the General’s house at approximately 3 am located at No 1 Sanga Street Sunshine homes by Kabusa Junction at Lokogoma Abuja.

The source said the robbers asked for her jewellery money and other valuables adding that gunshots were later heard.

A source in the estate said the robbers also injured one of the Estate guards during the attack noting that Brigadier Gen Udokwere was taken to the National Hospital Abuja where he was confirmed Dead.

The FCT Police Commissioner, CP, Benneth Igweh “in his response to the tragic and unprecedented attack at Sunshine Homes estate by armed robbers has ordered a thorough and discreet investigation into the circumstances surrounding this regrettable event.

A statement by SP Josephine Adeh, spokesman of the Police Command confirmed that the armed robbery attack “resulted in the untimely demise of one Brigadier General Uwem Harold Udokwere (rtd.) on June 22, 2024, at approximately 03:00 a.m

“Expressing profound condolences to the bereaved family, CP Benneth Igweh assured the family and the public of swift justice, with every effort in conduit to ensure the perpetrators of the atrocious act are apprehended and brought to justice.

“Furthermore, the commissioner of police reaffirms the unflinching commitment of the command to amplify the security landscape of the nation’s capital, by continually adapting strategies to effectively combat evolving criminal activities.

“Updates on this matter will be provided in due course.”