An Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court on Thursday convicted and sentenced a defendant, Chidera Chibuzor to 18-year imprisonment, over attempted sexual assault on underaged twins.

The twin sisters (names withheld) are eight-year -old.

Justice Rahman Oshodi, passed the verdict on the convict, following a plea bargain agreement reached with the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, who is prosecuting the case.

The amended charge bordered on attempted sexual assault by penetration, sexual assault, and assault.

Oshodi held that the court was satisfied that the convict understood the nature of the offences to which he pleaded guilty.

According to him, the case is a de novo (fresh) trial after the convict had originally stood trial on a two-count charge of defilement of the twins.

He held that no witness had testified in the new trial before the convict opted to change his plea.

The court, consequently, held that it had carefully considered the submissions of the prosecution and defence counsel, and thereafter, convicted Chibuzor of the three-count charge.

Oshodi held: “It is significant for you to understand that the initial charges of defilement, as preferred initially against you, attract a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment under the criminal law.

“These offences involved twin sisters, eight-year-old vulnerable children who were entitled to protection and care.

“The plea bargain negotiations in which you participated have resulted in amended charges that permit this court to exercise discretion in sentencing, albeit within the statutory framework governing the offences to which you have now pleaded guilty.

“I have also taken note of your own words during these proceedings, where you stated that you are not proud of your actions but this acknowledgement, whilst it cannot undo the harm caused, demonstrates a recognition of the wrongfulness of your conduct.”

After considering the circumstances of the case, as well as the terms of the plea bargain agreement, the court consequently, sentenced Chibuzor as follows:

“14 years imprisonment on count one, three years imprisonment on count two, and one year imprisonment on count three.

The court held that the terms of imprisonment shall run consecutively.

A consecutive sentence is where a judge orders a convict to serve multiple prison sentences one after the other, rather than at the same time (concurrently).

The judge added that the sentence shall take effect from Sept. 18, 2020, the date of his remand, adding that he should be registered as a sex offender.

State counsel, Dare Dada had told the court that the convict committed the offences sometime between July 2019 and September 2020 at Karimu Street in Surulere Lagos.

By Laide Akinboade, Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Police Command on Monday evening foiled a robbery attempt in the Zone E Extension area of Apo Resettlement, Abuja.

This was contained in a statement by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh in Abuja.

She said this was as a result of a distress call received from a commercial motorcycle rider in Apo Resettlement, reporting heavy gunfire in the area, the Divisional Police Officer of Apo Division, Uchenna Igwebuike, immediately mobilized his Ambush and Surveillance Teams to the scene.

The attackers engaged the police team in a fierce gun battle. In a swift tactical response, a reinforcement team led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Isyaku Sharu, arrived at the scene.

A joint manhunt operation involving Police operatives and local vigilantes is currently ongoing to track down and apprehend the fleeing suspects.

During the operation, three persons were rescued with varying degrees of injuries inflicted by the attackers. A light green Toyota Corolla with registration number GWA 620 AU, belonging to one of the victims, was recovered at the scene.

All injured persons were immediately evacuated to Sahad Hospital, Apo Resettlement, for emergency medical care. Sadly, one of the victims later succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead by medical personnel. His remains have been deposited in the hospital morgue.

The Commissioner of Police, Ajao Adewale, extends his heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased and assures residents that the Command remains fully committed to protecting lives and property across the Territory.

The CP also appeals to members of the public, especially residents of communities around Apo Resettlement and its environs, to report anyone seen with gunshot wounds or suspicious injuries to the nearest police station or via any of the Command’s emergency numbers: 08032003913 or 08028940883.

He urged the public to remain vigilant, law-abiding, and continue supporting the Police in their fight against crime and criminality.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested 129 suspects and seized 280kg of illicit drugs in the last six months in Kogi.

State NDLEA Commander, Umar Yahuza made the disclosure during a news conference in commemoration of the United Nations’ Day against Drug Abuse in Lokoja on Tuesday.

According to Yahuza, the feat is a major clampdown on drug abuse and trafficking in Kogi, a gateway for travellers from both the northern and southern parts of the country.

“The agency in its eagle eye operations from January to June has successfully arrested 129 suspects and seized a total of 282.3 Kg of illicit drugs in the state.

“The substances seized include: cannabis savita, cocaine, tramadol, opioids and various psychotropic drugs.

“The unfortunate thing is that these harmful drugs were meant to be sold to our teeming youths in Kogi and transported to other parts of the country.

“One can only imagine the level of destruction that would have followed if the drugs had found their way into circulation,” he said.

The commander also disclosed that the agency had secured 35 convictions within the period under review, and that some other cases were in various stages of trial at the Federal High Court.

Through its Drug Demand Reduction Unit, the agency has been actively engaged in drug abuse prevention campaigns across motor parks, schools, mosques, churches, and corporate organisations in Kogi State.

According to him, 106 drug-dependent individuals received brief counselling interventions aside 40 individuals referred by their families who have since been reintegrated into society.

Yahuza warned illicit drug users and traffickers to stop the dastardly act or face the wrath of the law, stressing that there is no room for criminals and criminality in the state.