CRIME
Plateau LGA Sustains Crackdown On Kidnappers

From Jude Dangwam, Jos
The Transition Implementation Committee Chairman of Qua’an Pan Local Government Area of Plateau State, Hon. Christopher Manship Audu Wallat, has said the local Council had to embark on an intense crackdown on kidnappers to pave ways for the economic growth and infrastructural development of the area.
He said the Local Government had unfortunately become a hotbed for kidnapping, leading to collapse in economic activities despite the fact that the LGA is strategically located at the common boundary with Nasarawa State.
“Let me tell you, before this administration came into place, people in Qua’an Pan LGA didn’t sleep in their houses.
We don’t go to weddings and other occasions due to insecurity, especially kidnapping, armed robbery and assassination.“But to the glory of God, we have reduced it drastically. Because when we catch the culprit we don’t let you go free, the life of our people is our concern and definitely that is what we are doing. You can go anywhere in Qua’an-Pan and ask if we have reduced the trend of kidnapping, arm robbery, and we will continue to go after them.
“Thank God for the cooperation we are having from the security agents and the backing of the State Government in creating a safe and conducive atmosphere for citizens to go about their legitimate activities in our locality” he stated.
He explained that the rationale behind the construction of some bridges on the road linking Shindai, Jak, Bwall, Doemak, Monday and other neighboring local government areas to Namu is to enhance quick response to any distress calls and to further boost economic activities of the agrarian communities.
“This road as you can see is very strategic, people from Shindai, Bwall, Doemak, Jak, Monday, Teng do ply this very road to Namu despite not yet being constructed. Unfortunately, there is no road again for people to follow because of the absence of the bridges which were washed away by flood.
“Vehicles don’t ply this road again, and at harvest time, economic activities should be able to kick-start. And such economic activities cannot happen without these bridges to ease the movement of our people and goods into the market.
“Most of the cattle you see being brought to Namu Market often come from this place. Not to talk of farm produce like yam, rice, beans among others. Students find it difficult to go to school especially in the rainy season.
“This is an agrarian area; these bridges will also help in terms of quick response to any security threats in these communities. Without these bridges, if there are any distress calls from communities across here, security personnel cannot cross to salvage the situation,” he explained
He said without addressing the already bad security situation he inherited, contractors could not be on site.
Among those projects inspected by the TIC Chairman were the ongoing “construction of new wards and Laboratory at Primary Healthcare Namu, construction of a new Primary Healthcare unit at Pandam; Construction of Primary Healthcare Goechim/Fencing of the PHC with staff quarters, ongoing construction of Vangkoesgoes bridge Shindai and construction of Kong Dungbaan bridge in Shindai Ward
Another on-going project is the completion of Turniang Kwande bridge, rehabilitation of District Head Office Kwalla, Primary Healthcare Dunras-Monday in Bwall Ward, Primary Healthcare Kwagar Kwang Ward; Completion of Long Pan’s Palace, Renovation of Qua’an-Pan Guest House also known as Felix Dakyap Guest House and Solarization of the Chairman’s House in the Local Government among others.
CRIME
Woman, 31, Docked Over Alleged Theft of iPhone Worth N500,000

A 31-year-old woman, Opeyemi Bakare, on Tuesday appeared before an Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing an iPhone valued at N500,000.
Bakare, of undisclosed address, was charged with two counts of conspiracy and stealing .
The prosecutor, Insp Iyabo Oladoyin, told the court that the defendant and others at large conspired and committed the offences on May 2 at 3.
30 p. m. in the Dugbe area of Ibadan.According to Oladoyin, the defendant stole an iPhone 12 valued at N505,000, belonging to the complainant, Mr Oluseyi Oba.
The prosecutor said the phone was stolen in Dugbe Market and was tracked to the defendant.
She said the offences contravened Sections 390 (9) and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Magistrate, Mrs T.G. Daodu, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of one million naira with two sureties in like sum.
Daodu thereafter adjourned the case until July 8 for hearing. (NAN)
A 31-year-old woman, Opeyemi Bakare, on Tuesday appeared before an Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing an iPhone valued at N500,000.
Bakare, of undisclosed address, was charged with two counts of conspiracy and stealing .
The prosecutor, Insp Iyabo Oladoyin, told the court that the defendant and others at large conspired and committed the offences on May 2 at 3.30 p.m. in the Dugbe area of Ibadan.
According to Oladoyin, the defendant stole an iPhone 12 valued at N505,000, belonging to the complainant, Mr Oluseyi Oba.
The prosecutor said the phone was stolen in Dugbe Market and was tracked to the defendant.
She said the offences contravened Sections 390 (9) and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Magistrate, Mrs T.G. Daodu, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of one million naira with two sureties in like sum.
Daodu thereafter adjourned the case until July 8 for hearing. (NAN)
CRIME
Prostitute Docked for Allegedly Stabbing Her Colleague

A 40 – year old prostitute, Adeosun Adepeju was on Tuesday arraigned before an Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stabbing her colleague in the stomach during work period.
Adepeju of undisclosed address was standing trial on a count charge bordering on assault.
She pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Prosecuting Counsel, Cpl.
Helen Ojo told the court that Adepeju on May 21, at about 12:30 a.m., at Ring road area, Ibadan, stabbed her colleague, Stella Mago with scissors in her stomach.Ojo said that the stabbing caused the complainant bodily harm.
She added that the offence contravened Section 335 of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State 2000.
The Magistrate, Mrs M. M. Olagbenro admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N300, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
Olagbenro adjourned the matter until May 30, for hearing. (NAN)
CRIME
Man, 56, Bags Life Jail Term for Defiling His Stepdaughter

A High Court sitting in Ado-EKiti on Monday sentenced one Jayeoba Oluwafemi, 56, to life imprison for defiling his 14 year old stepdaughter.
The 56 year old convict was arraigned before Justice Adekunle Adeleye on Dec. 4, 2020 on one count charge of defilement.
The charge reads that the defendant on Oct.
26, 2020 at Ado Ekiti defiled a fourteen year old girl (names withheld), which is contrary to Section 31 (2) of the Child’s Right Law, Cap. C7, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.The victim’s testimony before the Court said, “my mother got married to the defendant, we were not living together but he used to sleep in our house especially when my mother was not at home or travelled.“ On Oct. 26, 2020, my mother travelled to Lagos and the defendant slept in our house, at midnight he forcefully had sex with me and thereafter, blood was gushing out of my virgina. I called my mother the following morning to inform her but the defendant denied.“ He continued this act anytime my mother was not around, I used to tell my mother on her arrival but she did nothing about it.When he noticed that I was telling my mother about his continuous sexual activity with me, he started threatening me.
“ One day, he wanted to beat me and I ran out of the house, I met one woman on the road, I told her what happened and she directed me to the governor’s office to lodge official complain which led to his arrest,” she concluded.
To prove his case, the Prosecutor, Julius Ajibare called six witnesses and tendered the defendant’s statement and medical report as exhibits.
The defendant was also represented by his defense counsel, Oladele Adedeji who called one witness.
In his judgment, Justice Adekunle Adeleye said, “ I am of the humble view that the sexual intercourse sessions were on several occasions, it was not a one off affair.
“ And upon careful analysis of the entire circumstance of this case, the change in story or outright denial by the defendant is an afterthought.
“ The prosecution has established the offence of defilement against the defendant beyond reasonable doubt. He is accordingly found guilty as charged and hereby sentenced to life imprison as provided for under the provisions of Section 31 (2) of the Child’s Rights Law, Cap. C7, Law of Ekiti State, 2012. (NAN)