CRIME
2 Brothers Bag 17 Years Imprisonment for Raping 15-year-old Girl
An Ado- Ekiti High Court has sentenced two brothers: Martins Ifebuchi, 32 and Joseph John, 19, to 17 years imprisonment each for raping a 15-year-old girl.
The convicts were arraigned on a two-count charge of conspiracy and rape of the teenager on May 8, 2021 in Ajilosun area of Ado Ekiti.
In her recorded statement, the victim said that the first defendant and her mother were both tenants in the house where she lived.
She said her mother used to travel to buy goods to take care of her and her brother, adding: “Martins had been using that opportunity to sleep with me.
”The victim further said that there was a bloodstain on her mother’s bed the first day the first convict forcefully had sexual intercourse with her, with a warning that she should not tell anybody and that if she did, she would die.
She said that thereafter, the second convict, John, came to Martins’ house on holiday and joined him in raping her.
The girl said that when she could not bear it anymore, she had to tell her mother, adding, however, that instead of her mother to raise the alarm, she did not, and pretended to have travelled as usual.
She further said that while she was sleeping around 9.00 p.m. on that day, the convicts entered their room again and were in the process of undressing her when her mother entered and caught them in the act.
“They were then arrested and handed over to the police,” the victim narrated.
To prove his case, the Prosecution Counsel, Mr Kola Kolade, called three witnesses and tendered medical reports, the victim’s statement and the defendants’ attestation form, among others, as exhibits.
On the other hand, Counsel to the convicts, Sunday Ochayi, called five witnesses, including the defendants.
In his judgment, Justice Adeniyi Familoni, noted that offence of rape was a heinous crime and an act of utmost inhumanity, with devastating damage.
“It becomes worse when the victim is a person of tender years, as in this case,” he said.
Familoni said that the defendants deserved the punishment to serve as deterrent to others with similar tendencies.
“I hold that the prosecution has successfully proved the alleged offences of conspiracy and rape against the defendants beyond reasonable doubt, as required by law.
“Consequently, the defendants are found guilty of the offences of conspiracy to rape and rape of the 15-year-old girl.
“The defendants are hereby each sentenced to seven years imprisonment each on the count of conspiracy and 10 years each on the count of rape without an option of fine.
“The sentences are to run concurrently with effect from the date of this judgment,” the judge said.
In his reaction after the judgment, Ochayi said that he would study the verdict and decide on whether or not to appeal the judgment. (NAN)
The Nigerian Police Command in Borno has apprehended two suspects and recovered 25 stolen mobile phones during a stop-and-search operation along Damboa Road, in Maiduguri.
The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Nahum Daso, disclosed this in a statement in Maiduguri on Wednesday.
Daso explained that the suspects, identified as Ibrahim Abubako, and Ibrahim Mohammed, were intercepted by the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) on Dec.
10 while riding a tricycle.He said that during the search, the operatives uncovered various mobile phones reportedly stolen from individuals across communities and villages along the Borno -Adamawa State border.
He identified some of the communities as Mubi, Tashan Alade, Miringa, Kwaya Kusar, and Biu Local Government Area of the state.
The spokesman said that during interrogation, the suspects confessed to snatching the phones from their victims.
“The police have initiated efforts to return the recovered devices with their rightful owner.
“Also, the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations,” he said.
Daso reiterated the commitment of the Police Commissioner in the state, Yusufu Lawal, to maintain public safety during the Yuletide season. (NAN)
From Dan Amasingha, Minna
Days after the Chairman of Katcha local government area of Niger State, Danlami Abdullahi Saku was assaulted and seriously injured over his inability to settle a campaign loan he obtained, the State Police Command said three suspects were now in their custody over the incident.
Niger State Police Command Spokesman, Wasiu Abiodun in a release on Wednesday said On 16/06/2024 at about 1800hrs, information was received at Katcha Div that the Chairman Katcha LGA Hon.
Danlami Abdullahi Saku was attacked by some miscreants along Saku-Gadza village after the Sallah prayer at his village Saku, Katcha LGA.According to the Police Public Relations Officer, the attack was allegedly reported to be linked to a debt issue between the Chairman and one Yanda of the same area.
He noted that the Chairman sustained serious injury during the attack and he was taken to Gen. Hospital Bida, and later referred to another hospital for further treatment.
A preliminary investigation was conducted at Katcha Div and three suspects were later identified, apprehended and transferred to Bida Area Command.
The suspects arrested are; Alh. Abdullahi Kasimu 68yrs of Gadza village, Katcha, Alh. Baba Moh’d 30yrs of the same village and Ahmadu Moh’d 25yrs.
The suspects were transferred to SCID on June 21st for discreet investigation and prosecution.
“During interrogation, Kasimu narrated that he lent the victim over a million naira since August, 2023 and that several attempts to recover the money proved abortive.
“He further said that on June 16th, the victim promised to come and see him, and while he was on the way after the Sallah prayer, his son Ahmadu Moh’d, his in-law Alh. Baba Moh’d among others accosted the Chairman, had an altercation and inflicted serious injuries on the victims”
The State Police Command acknowledged that the victim was about to transfer the money to him at the point before being rushed to the hospital.
However, the suspects are under investigation in SCID, Minna. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend others at large, and they will be charged to court for prosecution immediately after investigations.
There was a drama as the sacrificial ram of the Chief Imam of the Mista Ali community in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, Imam Abdulkadir went missing on the eve of the Ed-el-Kabir.
Abdulkadir’s ram was reportedly stolen during a downpour in the area on the eve of the Ed-el-Kabir.
An Imam in the community, Haruna Yaqub, disclosed this during the sermon, shortly after the two Raka’at prayers.
Yaqub, who condemned the incident, described it as “insensitive”.
He added that the act showed that people lack fear for God.
The Imam said, “The Ram of our Chief Imam, which he purposely brought to sacrifice, has been stolen in the night.
We are really shocked by the incident. We were surprised to hear this story. This means that people are not God-fearing.“It is scary that people have gone to the extent of stealing ram meant for religious activity.”
Speaking further, he urged people to be God-fearing and not engage in either stealing or any act of criminality.
He stressed that everyone will account for their actions on earth and hereafter.
“It is high time people repented and took the path of Allah. It is not too late. People should stop committing bad things and act according to Allah’s commandments,” he urged.
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