Crime
Benue Court Sentences 5 To Death
Five men from Anchoha Village, Gwer-East Local Government Area of Benue State have been sentenced to death by hanging for culpable homicide by Justice T.A Kume of the Makurdi High Court.
The individuals, Terna Zwave, Jonathan Gbajime, John Bur, Gabriel Ianna, and Kwaghgba Zaki, were charged before a Makurdi Magistrates’ Court in 2021.
Charged under Sections 97, 349, 329, and 222 of the penal code laws of Benue, 2004, the five men were accused of criminal conspiracy, criminal trespass, mischief, and culpable homicide.
On October 5, 2021, they trespassed on Oliver Jato’s land, cutting down trees for charcoal. A confrontation with Abraham Hwange, Peter Agber, and the deceased escalated into a violent scuffle, resulting in the beating to death of Biija by the convicted individuals.
Following legal advice, the case was transferred to the High Court, as reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
During the proceedings, the first defendant, Zwave, admitted guilt, whereas the others entered pleas of not guilty.
The defendants testified without calling any witnesses, while the prosecution presented seven witnesses.
In the final written address, R.B.N Amenger, the prosecution counsel, contended that the defendants’ plea of not guilty amounted to a mere denial.
Amenger argued that the defendants failed to provide a substantive defense, relying on denials and technicalities that, according to him, were not material or fatal to the prosecution’s case.
In his final written address, Defense counsel D.U Liam argued that the prosecution hadn’t proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt to justify the defendants’ sentencing.
Nevertheless, the trial Justice ruled that the prosecution had indeed established its case beyond all reasonable doubts. The Justice emphasized that denying the commission of an offense does not equate to not having committed it.
Justice Kume asserted that the burden of proof lay with the defense counsel, a requirement he deemed unmet.
Despite hearing the plea for mercy from the defendants and their counsel’s statement, which included the Lord’s prayers, Kume maintained the legal perspective on the burden of proof in the case.
Justice Kume emphasized that the applicable law in the case lacked the mercy found in the Lord’s prayer.
Consequently, he sentenced the defendants to death by hanging on the four-count-charge.
. . . As Operatives Recover Dangerous Weapons, Other Assets
As part of the efforts of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to emplace peace and public safety across Nigeria, operatives attached to the Imo State Police Command achieved a significant milestone in the ongoing battle against terrorism.
The feat saw operatives neutralised three deadly terrorist kingpins associated with the Eastern Security Network (ESN), destroyed their camps and recovered weapons.
In a statement on its verified handle on micro-blogging site, X, on Saturday, the NPF wrote, “On January 24, 2025, operatives from the Command’s tactical Unit following credible intelligence launched a coordinated operation aimed at locating and dislodging the terrorist hideouts.
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“The police operatives located the terrorists’ hideout in a forest within Ihube, Okigwe LGA. Upon approach, the operatives came under heavy fire from suspected IPOB/ESN terrorists but demonstrated exceptional courage and engaged the attackers in a fierce gun battle.
“The operation resulted in the neutralization of 6 members of the terrorist group, with 3 being ESN kingpins identified as Ifeanyi Anayo a.k.a. Zuma De Rock (28), Chukwuemeka Odionyenfe a.k.a. Nmimi (22), and Kingsley Sunday (21)— all natives of Ogube, Ihube in Okigwe Local Government Area, and the recovery of five AK-47 rifles, 552 rounds of live ammunition, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), several communication equipment, along with 8 operational motorcycles used by the group.
“Prior investigations had revealed the involvement of the group in several high-profile crimes, including the attack on the Owerri Correctional Center on April 5, 2021, the killing of five policemen in Umunna, Okigwe, on December 12, 2022, and the burning of Arondizuogu Police Station on February 8, 2022.
“The group was also involved in multiple kidnappings, including those of WAEC staff on June 5, 2023, four reverend sisters on August 21, 2022, and four Chinese nationals on December 6, 2023.
“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM., has commended the gallant operatives for their exceptional display of bravery and coordination.
“The IGP charges police operatives across commands and formations to sustain the tempo and implement the Force’s action plan aimed at reducing crimes drastically in the first quarter of the year 2025.
“The Nigeria Police Force remains unyielding in its goal towards ensuring national security and public safety.
“Members of the public are hereby urged to remain vigilant and work collaboratively with the Nigeria Police Force to promote peace and ensure a safer environment for all citizens.”
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has withdrawn the arrest warrant issued against Ezekiel Thankgod, the former manager of renowned gospel singer, Mercy Chinwo.
Biztellers reports that Thankgod is facing allegations of involvement in a $345,000 fraud case.
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The arrest warrant had been issued by Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court on January 16, 2025, following an ex parte application by the EFCC seeking to compel Thankgod’s appearance in court.
During a court session on Friday, EFCC counsel, Mrs. Bilikisu Buhari, applied to withdraw the warrant, stating that the charges had already been served on Thankgod’s lawyer, Mr. Monday Ubani, SAN, during open court proceedings.
She argued that the warrant was no longer necessary.
Justice Owoeye granted the application and formally vacated the bench warrant.
Oba Otudeko, Chairman of Honeywell Group, appeared in the Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday to challenge charges of N12.3 billion fraud.
Biztellers reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had filed a 13-count indictment against Otudeko, along with Olabisi Onasanya, former Managing Director of FirstBank Plc., Soji Akintayo, a former board member of Honeywell, and Anchorage Leisure Ltd.
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During the proceedings, the defendants’ lawyer, Mr. Bode Olanipekun (SAN), raised an objection, stating that the charge had not been properly served to Otudeko or his co-defendants.
Olanipekun emphasized this issue as a reason for protest in court.
The EFCC has accused the individuals and the company of fraudulently obtaining N12.3 billion under false pretenses.
More to follow………..
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