CRIME
Clearing Agent Sexually Assaulted a Schoolgirl, Jailed for Life
An Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court on Wednesday sentenced a clearing and forwarding agent, Opeyemi Olasehan, to life imprisonment for sexually assaulting a 10-year-old schoolgirl inside a commercial bus.
Justice Abiola Soladoye held that prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt the charge of sexual assault by penetration against Olasehan.
Soladoye said that testimony of the minor/survivor was corroborated with a medical report and evidence of Prosecution Witness Two (PW2), the survivor’s father.
She said: ” The survivor said that, on her way to school, she stopped a commercial bus but it was full, and the defendant offered to ‘lap’ her.
“She said she suddenly screamed out that the defendant inserted his finger into her vagina.
“The bus passengers ordered the driver to drive to a nearby police station and the defendant was arrested.
“Under cross-examination, evidence of the survivor was found to be truthful as she was taken to a hospital where medical examination was conducted on her.”
She held that there was no ambiguity in the testimony of the PW2 who told the court that coincidentally, a teacher from the school of her daughter, who was in the commercial bus, witnessed what happened.
She added that a medical report from Mirabel Medical Centre revealed reddened vagina which was in keeping with forceful vaginal penetration.
According to her, the medical report and the confessional statement of the defendant was admitted in evidence without no objection from defence.
“The survivor said she felt a sharp pain in her vagina and she shouted.
“The defendant, in his testimony, denied the offence but he admitted making a statement which was admitted in evidence as Exhibit P.
“To the mind of this court, the defendant’s statement and evidence are contradictory.
“The defendant, in truth, inserted his finger into the survivor’s vagina and the medical report is a pointer,” she held.
Soladoye further said that the testimony of the survivor was cogent, compelling and convincing.
According to her, prosecution established the ingredients of sexual assault by penetration against the defendant.
“The defendant is hereby found guilty as charged, and he is hereby sentenced to life imprisonment.
“He should have his name registered in the sexual offences register as maintained by Lagos State Government,” She said.
The judge urged parents to caution their children against sitting on strangers’ laps.
“Children ought not to sit on laps of strangers, as we have dirty men and dirty women.”
Lagos State counsel, Mrs Olufunke Adegoke, called two witnesses against the convict and tendered two documents during trial.
The convict testified as the sole witness in the trial.
NAN reports that the convict wailed profusely while being escorted by prison officials out of the court.
According to Lagos State Government which prosecuted the case, the offence contravenes Section 261 of its Criminal Law and attracts life imprisonment on conviction. (NAN)
CRIME
Police Detain 2 Suspects, Recover 25 Stolen Phones in Borno
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)
CRIME
Niger Police Command Arrests Three Suspects over Assault on Council Boss
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.
CRIME
Chief Imam’s Sallah Ram Stolen in Jos
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.