Crime
Pastor Sentenced To Death For Triple Homicide
The General Overseer of Alter of Solution and Healing Assembly in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State, Pastor Chidiebere Okoroafor, has been sentenced to death by a Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt for the murder of three individuals, including his choir mistress, who was pregnant with his child.
In the murder trial verdict delivered yesterday, Justice S. Benson, the presiding judge, declared that the evidence presented and the confessional statement made by Pastor Chidiebere Okoroafor substantiated his guilt in the killings.
It was determined that Pastor Okoroafor murdered his church’s choir mistress, who he had impregnated, as well as her friend, Chigozie Ezenwa, and her daughter, Christabel Ezenwa.
Justice Benson, after reviewing the prosecution’s case, concluded that Pastor Okoroafor was indeed responsible for the murders. As a result, the judge issued a sentence of death, stipulating that the pastor be executed either by hanging until his death or through lethal injection, a method known for its quicker effect.
On December 17, 2018, the Rivers Police Command apprehended Pastor Chidiebere Okoroafor in response to a complaint lodged by the husband of the late Chigozie Ezenwa. The husband had raised an alarm regarding the murder of three individuals that occurred on December 11, 2018, in two distinct locations within an Oyigbo community.
The prosecution counsel from the state Ministry of Justice, Precious Ordu and Antonia Osademe, who represented the International Federation of Female Lawyers in the murder trial, expressed their satisfaction with the verdict, considering it a just outcome.
However, the counsel representing the convicted pastor, Innocent Ekwu, stated that there were valid grounds to appeal the judgment on behalf of his client.
In a separate context, Deacon Shola Mese, a security consultant based in Delta State and the Chairman/Managing Director of Focus Guard Security Limited/FBI Security, issued a warning against spreading unverified stories pertaining to insecurity. Mese emphasized that such hearsay could needlessly escalate tension in society.
Mese, who gave the warning in a chat with newsmen, yesterday, at his private office in Effurun near Warri, expressed optimism that the security situation in Delta State would improve because Governor Sheriff Oborevwori “has experience as former Senior Special Adviser on Security to the Delta State government, under Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan administration.”
Mese, who is also the founder of the Shola Mese Foundation, urged both local and international investors to consider the potential of Warri and other regions within the state for investment opportunities.
He cited his previous collaboration with the Police as the Patron of Anti-Cult in the area, which resulted in the successful apprehension of individuals involved in kidnappings along Airport Road in Warri and Effurun. This joint effort played a significant role in reducing criminal activities along that particular route and its surrounding areas.
He said: “Insecurity is a national issue, in order to tackle insecurity in Warri and Delta State in general, everyone needs to work in synergy with the various security agencies.
“As Patron of Anti Cult, we worked in collaboration with the Police to apprehend most of the youths involved in criminal activities. Through the Shola Mese Foundation, we have been able to rehabilitate the ones who were ready to turn a new leaf. We rehabilitated them through the acquisition of skills and other forms of vocational training.
“Through the Foundation, we engaged most street boys, who do drugs, because violent crimes are common among drug addicts. We rehabilitated and empowered them through our vocational training for free.” he added
The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the alleged terrorism financing and illegal firearms possession case involving former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and his son, Abdulaziz Malami, until April 15 and 16.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik granted the adjournment on Tuesday after the prosecution requested more time to prepare for the trial.
During the court session, lead prosecuting counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), informed the court that he had only recently been assigned to handle the case and needed additional time to consult with witnesses.
SEE ALSO: Malami Speaks Out On Court Ruling, Urges Nigerians To Stay Calm
“I got the instruction to take over the prosecution of the case on Monday and so I need time to interface with the witnesses,” Kehinde told the court while asking for a new hearing date.
Counsel for the defendants, Shuaibu Arua (SAN), did not oppose the request for adjournment.
Following the application, Justice Abdulmalik granted the request and fixed April 15 and 16 for the continuation of the trial.
The Department of State Services (DSS) had earlier arraigned the former justice minister and his son on a five-count charge bordering on alleged terrorism financing and unlawful possession of firearms.
According to the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/63/2026, Malami was accused of allegedly aiding terrorism financing by failing to prosecute suspected financiers whose case files were reportedly forwarded to him while he served as Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.
The defendants were also accused of illegally storing firearms and ammunition at their residence located in Gesse Phase II Area of Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area of Kebbi State without lawful authority.
Items allegedly recovered include a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, 16 Redstar AAA 5’20 live cartridges, and 27 expended Redstar AAA 5’20 cartridges.
The alleged offences are said to violate provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, as well as the Firearms Act, 2004.
The trial is expected to continue in April when the court begins full hearing of the case.
A routine patrol by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has led to the recovery of a stolen vehicle in Lagos and the exposure of a wanted driver, highlighting the importance of proper vehicle documentation and cooperation with authorities.
The incident occurred at the RS2.1114 Isolo Unit Command, where officers stopped an ash-coloured Toyota Sienna bearing registration number LSD438GK for a Vehicle Licence Violation (VLV) on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at about 5:11 p.m.
While the driver initially failed to present valid documents, further checks revealed the vehicle had been reported stolen and the driver was already declared wanted.
SEE ALSO: Fatigue, Over Speeding Led To Road Accident Which Claimed 21 Kano Athletes – FRSC
The suspect was subsequently handed over in handcuffs to the Nigeria Police Force, Ajao Division, for further action.
The FRSC credited the recovery to the National Vehicle Identification Scheme (NVIS), a digital framework that strengthens vehicle verification and tracking.
The scheme has reportedly helped identify, trace, and recover numerous stolen vehicles nationwide, while curbing criminal syndicates involved in vehicle theft and identity manipulation.
In a statement, Assistant Corps Marshal Olusegun Ogungbemide stressed that enforcement is not only about traffic compliance but also crime prevention and public safety, urging motorists to always carry valid documentation and cooperate with patrol officers.
Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed commended the Isolo team for their vigilance, affirming the FRSC’s commitment to leveraging technology, intelligence, and strategic partnerships to protect lives and property on Nigerian roads.
A major election scandal unfolded on Saturday in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as security agents apprehended a young woman in the Kabusa area for allegedly possessing 20 voter cards during the ongoing area council elections.
The woman, dressed in a black shirt and red trousers with a white scarf, was intercepted at Polling Unit 001 in Kabusa Primary School.
She was immediately escorted into a police van by security personnel, raising concerns about the integrity of the election process.
SEE ALSO: Chaos At Nyanya Polling Unit As PDP, ADC Accuse APC of ₦1,000 Vote Buying
Meanwhile, the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, was on the ground monitoring the elections.
He visited several polling units, including the Karu Chief’s Palace, to interact with adhoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and assess voter turnout.
Wike reportedly inquired about the progress of the voting and the challenges faced by election officials.
This incident comes amid reports of low voter turnout and other electoral irregularities in parts of Abuja, underscoring ongoing concerns about electoral security and transparency in the FCT area council elections.
Authorities have assured that investigations are ongoing, and the suspect may face legal action pending further verification of her actions.
2026 Poll: Osun Ndigbo Backs Adeleke’s Second-Term Bid
NGX Group, IFC, CSCS and WIMBIZ Convene Leaders to Advance Gender Equality at 2026 Ring the Bell Ceremony
Adeleke on Why he Deserves Second Term
NNPC Secures Tinubu’s Approval for $20bn FID on Bonga Deepwater Project
Dangote Refinery Cuts Petrol, Diesel Prices
CNG: Tinubu Orders Deployment of 100,000 Kits in Three Weeks
Trump’s Family Unveils New Cryptocurrency Platform
Reps Recommend 3-year Jail Term For Aviation minister
Dangote Cement Lights Up Benue Host Communities With CSR Initiatives
Senate Denies Receiving Petitions Against Tinubu’s Ambassadorial Nominees
Things To Know About Threads, Zuckerberg’s Twitter-like App
