Connect with us

Crime

Wigwe: Why US Helicopter Firm Might Face Criminal Charges

Published

on

The operators of the helicopter that claimed the life of former Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings Plc, Herbert Wigwe, alongside his wife, son, and three others in February 2024, may soon face criminal charges in the United States, aviation industry operators and experts have confirmed.

The helicopter, an Airbus EC130B4 operated by Orbic Air, LLC, under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135, crashed near Halloran Springs, California, on February 9, 2024.

On board were Wigwe, his wife, Doreen, their first son, Chizi, and former NGX Group Chairman, Abimbola Ogunbanjo, along with two pilots, all of whom died in the crash.

ALSO READ: Salah Wins Third FWA Player of the Year Award After Record-Breaking Season

A final report by the US National Transportation Safety Board cited “pilot disorientation” and a violation of flight protocols, especially the decision to proceed under visual flight rules in instrument meteorological conditions, as key causes of the crash.

Additionally, a faulty radar altimeter, which had been flagged during a repositioning flight earlier that day, was noted as another potential contributor to the tragedy.

 

Aviation professionals in Nigeria now assert that the US government is likely to pursue charges of criminal negligence against Orbic Air before a judicial panel of inquiry.

The panel would review the case and determine the extent of liability and also the extent of punishment applicable to the helicopter company.

Capt Muhammed Badamasi, a retired pilot with the defunct Nigeria Airways, was cited by The PUNCH as viewing the matter as already a legal one, noting the state as the plaintiff and the helicopter company as the defendant.

He said, “It’s already a legal matter. The panel of inquiry will determine whether the crash and the resultant deaths were due to a breach of the company’s safety protocols. If so, it becomes a judicial issue, and charges may follow.”

According to Badamasi, any legal process would be handled in the US, noting that agencies such as the Federal Aviation Administration, National Transportation Safety Board, and representatives from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority and Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau may be involved as interested parties.

Badamosi emphasised that as legal scrutiny intensifies, the case may become a watershed moment for regulatory enforcement in private charter operations, both in the US and across the globe.

Similarly, a retired pilot and current Managing Director of Aero Contractors, Capt Ado Sanusi, said the prosecution will be done by the state after the accident investigation body submits the root cause of the unfortunate incident.

He said, “Once the investigation report is out, the next step lies with the appropriate legal authorities. If negligence is established, it is within their jurisdiction to act accordingly. The role of the aviation industry ends with identifying the cause.”

Sanusi added that the appropriate agency of the state is expected to take up the matter, “but I know that their laws will be considered as appropriate.”

The NTSB’s report detailed how, hours before the fatal flight, a malfunction in the radar altimeter was observed during a transfer from a maintenance facility.

Despite the safety concern, the aircraft proceeded with the passenger flight later that day and ended the lives of six people.

Another industry expert, Chris Aligbe, noted that the matter will be prosecuted under American laws, adding that issues of negligence are no longer handled with levity in the aviation industry globally.

He said, “Before now, issues like this happened and the masterminds got away with it, but not anymore, things are changing. The root cause will be determined and prosecuted in accordance with the law of the land.”

Crime

Navy Recovers 98,000 Litres of Suspected Stolen Crude in Rivers

Published

on

The Nigerian Navy (NN) has uncovered three suspected illegal refining sites containing about 98,000 litres of petroleum products in Okarki community, Ahoada West Local Council of Rivers State.

It was gathered that the discovery was made on October 10, 2026, during an operation conducted by Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder under Operation Delta Sentinel.

The Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, gave the details in a statement, exposing that the sites contained approximately 65,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and 33,000 litres of products suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel.

The products were stored in about 12 dugout pits and containers across the three locations.

The Navy said no arrests were made because the suspected operators had fled before the arrival of the naval team, adding that the sites and products were subsequently handled in accordance with established procedures.

READ ALSO: NNPC Petrol Discount: Oyedele Explains How Lower Margins Could Boost Profits

According to the statement, the discovery highlights the scale of suspected illicit petroleum storage in the area and the risk of the products entering unlawful distribution channels.

The Navy said the operation disrupted storage activities at the three locations and denied suspected operators access to a substantial quantity of petroleum products for further illegal handling and sale.

It added that it would sustain intelligence-led patrols and operations to identify illegal refining facilities, disrupt the storage and movement of suspected stolen petroleum products, and support efforts to bring those responsible to justice in accordance with the law.

Continue Reading

Crime

Oyo Police Arrest Suspected Cultist Who Allegedly Travelled to Avenge Brother’s Death

Published

on

The Oyo State Police Command has arrested a suspected cultist, Kingsley Odo, who allegedly travelled to the state to avenge the death of his brother.

The suspect was intercepted by operatives of the Safer Highway patrol team during a routine stop-and-search operation on a commercial bus along Ife Road.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Oyo State Police Command, DSP Ayanlade Olushola Olayinka, said the operatives recovered a locally made, cut-to-size pistol and a cartridge during a search of the vehicle.

SEE ALSO: Oyo Police Begin Probe Into Abduction of Pastor’s Daughter In Ibadan

Olayinka said further questioning revealed that the suspect had travelled to Oyo State to carry out a revenge killing over his brother’s death.

“Further questioning revealed that he had travelled all the way from Anambra to Oyo State to carry out a revenge killing,” he said.

He added that the suspect had been arrested and was undergoing investigation to establish his connections and determine the extent of his alleged activities.

“All thanks to God and the good effort of the men of the Safer Highway, he was intercepted, arrested, and is currently undergoing investigation to know his connections and how wide it is,” Olayinka said.

Suspect Recounts Brother’s Death

During an interview following his arrest, Odo said the incident stemmed from the death of his brother in 2021, when he was working in Benue State.

He explained that his brother was schooling in Nsukka, Enugu State, when he received information that someone had killed him.

“It was in 2021. I was working in Benue State, so I had information that my brother, who was in school in Nsukka, had just died in the school, that somebody killed him in the school,” he said.

Odo added that his mother died a few weeks after his brother’s death.

He said he subsequently received information that the person allegedly responsible for his brother’s death was living in a southwestern state.

“So, last month, I had information that the boy is living in a state, a Yoruba state. So, I said okay, I will find out that place where he is living,” the suspect said.

He explained that he was travelling from Nsukka towards Oyo State when police operatives intercepted and arrested him.

When questioned about whether he knew the exact location of the person he intended to confront, Odo initially said he did not know the particular state but confirmed that he was heading to Oyo State.

“The information is with me,” he said, suggesting that he had information that could help him locate the individual.

Suspect Says He Bought Pistol for ₦20,000
When questioned about the firearm recovered from him, Odo said he purchased the pistol from a friend for ₦20,000.

“I bought it from my friend,” he said.
Asked what his friend did with firearms, the suspect said the individual might be a hunter.

“I don’t know, maybe he’s a hunter. A hunter who kills with pistol? Yes, he has this one and long, so he was the one that sell this one for me, 20,000,” he said.

Suspect Confirms Membership of Vikings Confraternity

During the interview, Odo was also questioned about reports that his deceased brother belonged to a cult group.

He said he could not confirm whether his brother was a member.

“Maybe he belongs, maybe he did not belong, because I was not there with him,” he said.

However, when asked whether he belonged to a cult group himself, the suspect answered in the affirmative and identified the group as Vikings.

The police said investigations were ongoing to establish the suspect’s connections and determine whether other individuals were involved in the alleged planned revenge killing.

 

Continue Reading

Crime

Police Rescue Three Kidnap Victims in Taraba After Sustained Pressure

Published

on

Police Rescue Three Kidnap Victims in Taraba After Sustained Pressure
The Nigeria Police Force has disclosed the rescue of three kidnapped victims in Taraba State following sustained pressure mounted by its rescue teams.

The victims were identified as Otuwe Torhumba, 37; Kenneth Nyiutse, 35; and Michael Emmanuel, 27.

The Force made the disclosure on Saturday, October 3, 2026, in its 24-hour operational update covering security operations recorded across the country on October 2.

ALSO READ: 2027: Ogun Police Begins Early Election Security Preparations, Warns Against Political Violence

According to the Police, “Due to sustained pressure by Police rescue teams, three of five kidnapped victims — Otuwe Torhumba (37), Kenneth Nyiutse (35) and Michael Emmanuel (27) — were rescued unharmed and reunited with their families.”

The Police said the three victims were rescued unharmed and subsequently reunited with their families.

The Force did not provide further details on the circumstances surrounding the abduction or the whereabouts of the remaining two victims in the operational summary.

The case is currently being investigated by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Jalingo.

The rescue was among several operational successes recorded by the Nigeria Police Force during the reporting period.

Continue Reading

Copyright © 2022. Biztellers, powered by Alphaxristi.

0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x