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Ekiti court sentences Four to death for armed robbery, murder
By Eunice Oluwafunmilayo
Four persons, Babangida Amodu (25), Oluwafemi Ibrahim (20), Ojo Ayodele (25), and Okunato Dada (20), have been condemned to death by hanging by an Ekiti State High Court in Ado Ekiti.
A three-count charge of conspiracy, armed robbery, and murder was brought against the convicted individuals.
According to the charge, the four defendants conspired to commit an armed robbery on June 7, 2018, in the Ijoka neighborhood of Ado Ekiti, within the jurisdiction of the honorable court, by taking Ibrahim Isiaka’s phone and N1,500. They also killed Muhammed Sanusi on the same day, date, and location.
They had knives and firearms on them when they committed the crime.
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The offenses contravene sections 516, 402 (2), and 316 of the Criminal Code Cap C16 Laws of Ekiti State of Nigeria, 2012.
Ibrahim Isiaka, an eyewitness who appeared before the court, claimed “I and the deceased were going to Mosque area to buy food and to charge our phones at Ijoka, around 7:45 pm, while we were approaching the charging center, some hoodlums just appeared and stopped us, they demanded our phones and money, we declined to give them, they dragged me and collected my Tecno phone valued N7,500 and a cash sum of N1,500, when they started beating the deceased, I ran away to call our people.
“Before we got there, they had left but we met the deceased in his pool of own blood having been stabbed in the neck, I recognized the faces of the convicts during the act. The case was later reported at the Police station,” he concluded.
The prosecutor, Barrister Felix Awoniyi, called five witnesses and provided the confessions of the four convicted individuals as well as medical records as documents to support his case.
The defendants did not call any witnesses; they spoke through their counsels, Adeyinka Opaleke, the Legal Aid Council’s Ekiti State Coordinator, O. Abiola, and A. Ayobioloja.
Justice John Adeyeye in his ruling said, ‘’It is obvious that the defendants acted in concert as they all agreed to rob Ibrahim Isiaka and Mohammed Sanusi who died as a result of the injury inflicted on him during the robbery.
“In conclusion, the prosecution has successfully proved the three counts of conspiracy to rob, armed robbery and murder preferred against them and they are each convicted accordingly in respect of each of the offences.
“Each of the defendants is cautioned and discharged in count one (Conspiracy), and sentenced to death by hanging until they be dead in count two (Armed Robbery) and count three (Murder), may the Lord have mercy on your souls.”
The entire 10 communities of the old Ohaozara Local Government Area, known as Ohanivo, of Ebonyi State have been reverberating with joy, because their illustrious son, the Minister of Works, HE Sen. Engr (Dr) Nweze David Umahi emerged Silverbird’s Most Outstanding Honourable Minister of the Year.
Biztellers reports that Ohanivo is made up of three LGAs, including, Ohaozara, Onicha and Ivo, while the 10 autonomous communities are Uburu, Okposi, Aka Eze, Ishiagu, Isu, Onicha, Ugwulangwu, Ukawu, Abaomege, and Oshiri.
Feelers from the organisers of the glamourous awards, Silverbird Group, assure that plans have been fine-tuned for the annual event, billed for the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos on Sunday.
There are indications that a strong team of community leaders including Chief Kenneth Eze, Uche Umezurike, Okoro Enekwachi, Francis Ekwe, Emma Nwaze, among others would be on ground to cheer the distinguished minister of works as he receives his well-deserved award.
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In a related development, the Member, House of Representatives, representing Ohaozara/Onicha/Ivo Federal Constituency, Hon. (Dr.) Kama Nkemkanma, has sent his congratulatory message to Sen Umahi.
Hon Nkemkanma’s message reads, “It is with deep pleasure that I convey the profound felicitations of my family and good people of Ohaozara/Onicha/Ivo Federal Constituency to our dear leader and achiever, His Excellency, Sen. Engr (Dr) Nweze David Umahi CON, FNSE, FNATE, GGCEHF, Honourable Minister of Works on his emergence as the Silverbird Most Outstanding Honourable Minister of the Year. Whom the cap fits, let him wear.
“Your Excellency, the initiative of this administration to construct the Renewed Hope four (4) legacy projects and the will power to continue the funding and construction of the inherited on-going projects across the six (6) Geo-political Zones are eloquent testimonies of the commitment of Mr President in unlocking the potentials of every segment of our country and building a regenerative economy for sustainable future. We are proud that you have unmitigated signature in this memory. May God continue to give you the flourishing grace and enablement to always be on top in your endeavours.
“Please accept the assurances of the prayers, solidarity, and esteemed regards of my constituents, always. Once more congratulations.”
The Kano State Government has addressed widespread misinterpretations surrounding the recent Court of Appeal judgment on the ongoing emirship dispute, urging the public to rely on accurate legal information.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Governor Abba Yusuf’s spokesman, Sunusi Dawakin-Tofa, clarified the ruling and the government’s position.
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Speaking at a press briefing at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat in Kano, the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Haruna Dederi, explained that the Court of Appeal’s verdict, delivered on January 10, 2025, upheld the repeal of the Kano Emirate Council Law, 2019, effectively overturning the previous judgment of the Federal High Court, Kano.
However, Dederi noted that Alhaji Aminu Dan’agundi, who was dissatisfied with the ruling, has since filed an appeal at the Supreme Court.
He further stressed that the Appeal Court’s judgment remains binding until the Supreme Court rules otherwise.
Addressing concerns over the stay of execution recently granted by the Court of Appeal, the Attorney General described it as a standard legal procedure intended to maintain the status quo pending the Supreme Court’s final decision.
“The Kano State Government urges the public to remain calm, law-abiding, and avoid any form of provocation,” the statement read.
The government has also directed its legal team to thoroughly review the proceedings and determine the next steps in accordance with the law.
On behalf of the governor, Dederi expressed appreciation to the people of Kano for their patience, understanding, and continuous prayers for peace and progress in the state and the nation.
The emirship dispute has been a topic of intense debate in Kano, with various legal and political implications.
Tensions are rising in Rivers State as the Niger Delta Youth Council (NDYC) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to President Bola Tinubu, threatening to halt oil production in response to the ongoing political crisis in the state.
In a statement signed by its president, Bene Youkore Mamamu, and made available to journalists in Warri on Saturday, the group listed three key demands: the restoration of Rivers State’s statutory revenue allocation, an end to alleged impeachment moves against Governor Similaye Fubara, and a public retraction of reported anti-Ijaw remarks attributed to former Governor and current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
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The youth group warned of dire economic consequences if their demands were ignored.
“We are ready to shock the world in seven days. The oil that fuels this nation flows from our land, the fourth largest and most populated ethnic group in Nigeria. We will not allow Wike, who we suspect is being used by the Presidency, to sabotage our region and undermine Ijaw history,” the statement read.
The NDYC accused Wike of attempting to manipulate the political landscape of Rivers State and marginalize the Ijaw ethnic group, citing his reported comments describing the Ijaws as a “minority within a minority.”
The group labeled the remarks as “provocative, inflammatory, and a declaration of economic and political war.”
Further criticizing the Federal Government, the NDYC alleged that President Tinubu’s administration was enabling Wike’s interference in Rivers politics.
“We are angry that Tinubu’s government has empowered Wike and the Judiciary to undermine Ijaws and the Niger Delta region, with regular threats to impeach Governor Fubara, seize the state’s allocation, insult late Pa Edwin Clark, and rewrite the history of the Ijaw nation,” the letter continued.
With the deadline fast approaching, the NDYC has called on its members to prepare for action, warning that oil production across the region could be disrupted if their demands are not met.
The potential shutdown poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s economy, given that the Niger Delta remains the country’s primary source of crude oil revenue. A disruption could exacerbate economic challenges, including foreign exchange shortages and rising inflation.
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