CRIME
Hanifa: Lack of legal representation stalls trial of school proprietor, others

Lack of legal representation on Monday stalled the trial of a school proprietor, Abdulmalik Tanko, 34, before a Kano High Court for alleged murder of five-year-old Hanifa.
The police charged Tanko alongside Hashimu Isyaku, 37 and Fatima Musa, 26, were earlier arraigned on Jan.
24, before a Chief Magistrates’ Court on four counts of culpable homicide, conspiracy, kidnapping and concealing/keeping in confinement a kidnapped person.The defendants, however, prayed the Kano state Government to provide a legal representation on their behalf.
When the case came up for re-arraignment on Monday, the Prosecution Counsel Kano State Attorney-General, Mr Musa Abdullahi-Lawan, told the court that the defendants had no counsel and asked for an adjournment to enable them do so.
“The state will ensure that the defendants have legal representation so that case will go on,” he said.
Justice Usman Na’abba, ordered the remand of the defendants in a Correctional centre and adjourned the matter until Feb.14, for further mention.
The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that on Dec. 4, 2021, Tanko, being the proprietor of Nobel Kids Comprehensive College, Kano, conspired with the two others to kidnap the minor.
The police alleged that Tanko held the minor hostage in his house situated in Tudun Murtala Quarters, Kano, for six days and killed her with using rat poison.
The police also alleged that he put her corpse in a sack and buried her in a shallow grave on Dec.10,2021.
The offence, he said, contravened the provisions of sections 97, 274, 277 and 221 of the Penal Code.(NAN)
CRIME
Wife Seeks Divorce Over Domestic Violence

One Rihanat Kuranga of Egbejila Area, Ilorin, on Wednesday filled for divorce from her husband, Shuaib AbdulRahman at the Area Court, sitting at Centre-Igboro, Ilorin, over domestic violence.
Kuranga told the court that her husband started beating her after she gave birth to their second born, saying that it has become unbearable.
According to her, whenever my husband decides to beat me, he will beat me and the children until we start bleeding from our bodies.
”I had to pack out of his house when I gave birth to my fifth born and he didn’t stop beating me and the children mercilessly.”
The woman told the court that she was no longer interested in the marriage and wanted divorce, child custody and maintenance.
”I want their father to pay N50,000 monthly for feeding of our five children and be responsible for their education,” she said.
The Presiding Judge, Toyin Aluko ordered that a fresh hearing be served on the defendant, to enable him have knowledge of the court case.
The case was adjourned until June 30, for Defence or hearing. (NAN)
CRIME
Police Evacuates Remains of Bolt Driver Shot Dead in Yenagoa

Police operatives from the Bayelsa command have evacuated the remains of a bolt driver, who was shot dead on Friday morning at Samphino Road Junction , Yenagoa.
The lifeless body of the middle-aged yet-to-be-identified driver was discovered early Friday morning inside his vehicle at the Samphino Road Junction in the Kpansia suburb of Yenagoa.
Residents, who discovered the scene raised the alarm which prompted a swift response from police operatives, who quickly cordoned off the area.
The body of the commercial driver has been deposited at the mortuary for possible autopsy.
The residents, who got to the scene early suggested that the victim might have been shot at close range by suspected armed robbers.
Reacting to the incident, a senior police officer, who spoke on anonymity at the crime scene, said that a full-scale investigation was underway.
“We are working to gather all necessary intelligence.
“Forensic teams have been deployed to the scene and we are also liaising with the bolt company to retrieve trip data that may help in tracking down the culprits,” he said.
The Police Spokesman in Bayelsa, ASP Musa Mohammed confirmed the incident to NAN and said that investigation was already in progress. (NAN)
CRIME
Court Remands 18-year-Old Student for Alleged Murder

A Makurdi Chief Magistrates’ Court on Friday ordered the remand of an 18-year old student, Joseph Chive, at a Makurdi Correctional Centre for allegedly killing a 14-year-old girl.
Chive, who lives at Veterinary Layout, Northbank, Makurdi, was charged with illegal possession of firearms and culpable homicide.
The Chief Magistrate, Mr Kevin Mbanongun, did not take the plea of the defendant for want of jurisdiction.
He remanded the defendant and adjourned the case until Aug. 28 for mention.
Earlier, the prosecutor, Insp Godwin Ato, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on May 25, at Veterinary Layout, Northbank, Makurdi.
He said the case was reported at the ‘C’ Division Police Station, Northbank, Makurdi, by the deceased’s father, Mr Victor Ayom.
According to him, the defendant had an altercation with the victim, a 14-year-old girl, Mimidoo Victor.
“While the altercation was going on, the defendant rushed into his room, brought a loaded dane gun and shot the girl on the head.
“The defendant was arrested during police investigation and he confessed to the crime.
“The dane gun was recovered from him,” Ato said.
The prosecutor said the offences contravened Section 3(1) of the Robbery and Firearms Act, 2004 and Section 222 of the Penal Code, Laws of Benue, 2004. (NAN)