NEWS
Ban on Motorcycles, Tricycles not Punitive, Says Bago

Gov. Mohammed Umaru-Bago of Niger has clarified the ban on the movement of motorcycles and tricycles, saying it was aimed at addressing the growing insecurity in the state capital and not to punish law-abiding citizens.The governor stated this during the inauguration of Overload Airways flight operation at the Bola Tinubu International Airport in Minna on Wednesday.
Bago emphasised that the safety of lives and property remained the top priority of his administration. He highlighted that young boys between the ages of 13 and 22 had exploited the ease of movement provided by these means of transportation to commit crimes and evade arrest.“If these boys are not restricted, they can carry out criminal activities in one part of town and vanish into another within minutes.“The curfew is a proactive measure to disrupt criminal activities carried out by miscreants using motorcycles and tricycles,” Umaru-Bago said.He said the swift mobility of these groups makes arrests difficult and enables the rapid spread of their operations.The Governor said, “We have also observed a disturbing trend among these groups where a distinct hairstyle that appears to be evolving into a form of group identity.“Many of them wear dreadlocks in front while the back of the head is shaved._This style has increasingly become associated with the members of these disruptive groups.”He appealed to the citizens to understand and support the curfew measure, emphasising that it was a necessary sacrifice to restore sanity and protect lives.The governor said the measure was not punitive but rather a step taken to maintain order and protect citizens.He advised the security agencies to monitor individuals with a distinct hairstyle associated with the disruptive groups.He said the measure was informed by credible intelligence, aimed to dismantle the formation and spread of these groups before they become deeply Daily Asset recalled that Bago had on Tuesday announced the restriction of movement of motorcycles and tricycles from 6 a.m to 6 p.m as a result of a spike in thuggery in the state.(NAN)CRIME
EFCC Arraigns Estate Agent Over Alleged N70m Accommodation Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday arraigned an estate agent, Ntai Bagshaw, for allegedly defrauding accommodation seekers of N70 million.
Bagshaw appeared before an Ikeja Special Offences Court alongside his company, Terraworks Ltd.
, on a two-count charge of obtaining money under false pretences and stealing.The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
EFCC counsel, Mrs Fadeke Giwa, urged the court to remand the defendant pending hearing and determination of his bail application.
Giwa also prayed the court for a trial date.
Justice Ismail Ijelu ordered that the defendant should be kept at the Ikoyi custodial facility.
He adjourned the case until May 13 for hearing of bail application of the defendant.
EFCC is alleging that the defendant, with intent to defraud, obtained under false pretences, money meant for payment for a detached Duplex on Renat Axis in Ogudu GRA, Lagos State.
The commission also alleged that the defendant unlawfully converted the sum to his personal use.
According to EFCC, the offences contravene Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act No. 14 of 2006, and Section 278(2)(b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos state, 2011. (NAN)
JUDICIARY
Court Remands Man for Alleged Defilement of Minor

An Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court on Thursday remanded a man, Erickson Iyanagbe for allegedly defiling a 15-year-old minor (names withheld).
Iyanagbe was arraigned by the Lagos State Government on a one-count charge of defilement.
The defendant, whose residential address was not given, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Justice Abiola Soladoye ordered the the remand of the defendant at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre pending the commencement of trial and determination of the case.
Soladoye adjourned the case until July 9 for the commencement of trial.
The State Counsel, Mrs Ibukun Ibikunle told the court that the defendant allegedly committed the offence sometimes in 2023 on Chosen Avenue, Greenville Estate in Ajah, Lagos.
Ibikunle alleged that the defendant defiled the minor by having an unlawful sexual intercourse with her.
The
prosecutor said the offence contravened Section 137 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015. (NAN)
CRIME
Court Remands 3 For Alleged Burglary, Theft in Osun

An Osogbo Magistrates’ Court in Osun, on Thursday , remanded three defendants in Ilesa Correctional Facility for alleged burglary and theft of household items whose worth was yet to be disclosed.
The defendants, Adewumi Ademola ,Adedokun Isiaka and Abdullahi Hassan are being charged for conspiracy, burglary and theft.
The Magistrate, Mr O.
Odeleye , ordered that the defendants be kept behind bars due to the magnitude of the alleged offence committed.Odeleye adjourned the case until May 14, pending their formal bail application.
The Police Prosecutor,ASP Jacob Akintunde told the court that the defendants conspired among themselves to broke into the apartments of Okeyinka Adeniyi M r Olagunju Rilwan between April 24 and May 2 at Abidogun area in Osogbo .
Akintunde alleged that the trio forcefully entered the apartments and took away some household items worth thousands of naira belonging to the complainants.
He said the offence contravened sections 516 ,312,213,509,382(1) punishable under section 390 of the criminal code, Cap 34 Vol.11 ,laws of Osun, 2002.
The trio pleaded not guilty to charges
Defence counsels, Mr Najite Okobie and Mr Kehinde Adepoju ,prayed the court to grant their clients bail in the most liberal terms which was declined.(NAN)