CRIME
Shocking: Father Gets 10 – year Jail Term For Rape of Daughter
Justice Muslim Hassan of a Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday, sentenced a 58-year old farmer, Yesiru Onajobi, to a jail term of 10 years for rape and defilement of his teenage daughter.
The Judge, who noted the rising wave of rape in the society, ordered that the convict would serve 10 years imprisonment without option of fine.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the convict, a resident of Bogije St.
, Ibeju, in Lekki Lagos, was charged to court in 2011 on a two-count charge of having carnal knowledge of his 13 year-old daughter.He was prosecuted by The National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons (NAPTIP).
The Prosecutor, National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons (NAPTIP), had told the court that after the death of Onaboji’s wife, he took custody of his only daughter who is a twin, while her brother was with relatives.
The convict was said to have engaged in repeated sexual adventures with his daughter, with whom he shared the same bed and restrained her movement or interaction with neighbours.
Although the convict had pleaded not guilty to the charge, the case suffered some set backs and adjournments as he had no legal representation for several months while he was in custody.
The trial, however, subsequently commenced after a lawyer was provided for the convict from the Legal Aid Council.
In his lengthy judgement on Friday, Hassan gave a detailed analysis of the facts of the case as reflected in the charge and the various arguments as canvased by respective parties.
The court expressed dissatisfaction at the high rate of rape, defilement, assault and sexual abuse of the girl child, which had become prevalent in the society.
“The issue for determination as formulated by counsel, can be summed into one, and that is whether the prosecution has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
“Proof beyond reasonable doubt is not proof beyond any shadow of doubt; once an ingredient of the offence is proved, it is sufficient proof,” he said.
Hassan held that it was difficult to disbelieve the evidence of the victim who he said gave a vivid account of the incidences, adding that her testimony remained constant at all times.
” The evidence of PW1 was consistent both in her examination-in-chief and under cross examination.
“PW 2 also corroborated this evidence and the defendant did not produce any evidence to prove his denial.
“I believe the evidence of PW1 and I hold that the prosecution has been able to prove its case.
“I hereby convict you, Yesiru Onajobi, on this charge and I call for allocutus,”
After listening to a very brief allocutus (plea for mercy) by defence counsel who urged the court to temper justice with mercy, the court held that the charge against the convict was a serious one.
“The right of custody of a child does not extend to abuse as done in this charge.
“The offence of defilement and child molestation is becoming rampant in our society, as one cannot leave his child under the care of his neighbour.
“I hereby sentence you, Yesiru Onajobi to 10 years imprisonment each on counts one and two, without option of fine.
“The terms shall run concurrently from the date of arrest,” he said
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the charge was first filed before Justice Barbara Molokwu in 2011, but was reassigned to Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, after the transfer of Molokwu.
The case was again reassigned to Justice Hassan following the transfer of Aneke.
During trial, the victim gave a detailed account of how she was repeatedly sexually exploited by her father, who threatened to kill her if she dared to speak to anyone about it.
She had told the court that she slept on the same bed with her father, and had informed him when she discovered she had missed her period.
According to the victim, her father had taken her for test and when the result proved positive, he insulted and accused her of sleeping around while her mates were in school.
She told the court that her father pressed her mouth with a hot iron when she attempted revealing the secret, but added that when her pregnancy began to grow, she then informed her relatives who took her away to her grand mother.
The victim had told the court that when the baby was born, her grandmother refused the baby and she then called her father to take the child.
In his testimony, the defendant told the court that while he was taking the baby home, he was accosted by passengers who accused him of kidnapping for rituals.
He said that he was then arrested by police and after making confessional statements, he was handed over to NAPTIP for prosecution, while the baby is currently in custody of the state. (NAN)
By David Torough, Abuja
The Defense Headquarters has disclosed that troops of Operation Hadin Kai have arrested a Chinese national and several suspected logistics suppliers as well as their collaborators of terrorist groups during coordinated operations in Borno and Yobe States.
This was revealed by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye on Friday in Abuja during the military’s weekly press briefing.
He said the arrests were made between June 5 and 7 in Kukawa and Ngala Local Government Areas of Borno State and Geidam LGA of Yobe State.
“ Between 6 – 10 June 2025, troops, in conjunction with security agencies and hybrid forces, conducted offensive operations in Gwoza, Ngala and Marte LGAs of Borno State as well as Bade and GujbaLGAs of Yobe State.
During the operations, some terrorists were eliminated while one drug peddler was arrested. Also, 3 kidnapped victims were rescued.“The troops also recovered arms and ammunition as well as IEDs/IED making materials, motorcycles, and vehicles amongst others. Terrorists’ camp and equipment were burnt insitu.
“Troops arrested 5 terrorists logistics suppliers, collaborators and a Chinese nationale claiming to be a miner during well-coordinated operations conducted in Kukawa and Ngala LGAs of Borno State as well as Geidam LGA of Yobe State between 5 – 7June 2025. Amongst the items recovered were vehicle, motorcycle, mobile phones, Chinese International passport, while the sum of N10,000.00 was also recovered from them.
“Troops responded to information about terrorists’ activities in Gwoza and Abadam LGAs of Borno State as well as Nangere LGA of Yobe State from 6 – 9 June 2025. During the encounters, troops killed some terrorists and rescued 3 kidnapped victims. Some weapons and ammunition were recovered from them.
The military spokesman reassured that the Armed Forces of Nigeria is committed to upholding the rule of law and ensuring the safety and security of all through ongoing strategic operations across the country.
Kangye emphasized that the military’s primary objective is to safeguard the lives and property of Nigerians, while promoting a just and secure society.
He added that proactive measures, such as enhanced surveillance and intelligence gathering, are being implemented to respond swiftly to evolving security challenges, neutralize threats and maintain national peace.
Providing updates on recent military operations, Kangye reported that in the South-South region, troops under Operation Delta Safe have intensified efforts against crude oil theft and illegal refining, leading to the dismantling of illicit sites and the seizure of materials used in these activities.
In the Northwest, he highlighted the achievements of Operation Fasan Yama, where operations in Zamfara and Sokoto States led to the neutralization of threats, rescue of hostages, and recovery of equipment.
He appealed for continued public support and cooperation, stressing that national security could only be engendered through collective effort.
Three men, Olufemi Faleti, 59, Ayoade Adewale 41 and Idowu Yusuf, 41, on Friday, were brought before an Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court Ibadan charged with breaking into a bank and stealing laptops.
The defendants,whose addresses were not provided, were charged with conspiracy, house breaking and stealing, to which they pleaded not guilty.
The Prosecutor, Insp Elisha Tellang told the court that the defendants allegedly committed the offences on March 24, at 7:30 p.
m, at First Bank, Asogo, Oyo.He alleged that the defendants broke into the bank and stole two laptops worth N800, 000.
Tellang said the offences contravened Sections 516, 413 and 390(9) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
The Magistrate, Mrs Moyosore Atanda granted each defendant bail in the sum of N300,000 and with two sureties each in like sum.
She adjourned the case until Sept. 8, for hearing. (NAN)
An Ota Magistrate’s Court in Ogun, on Friday, sentenced a 21-year-old ex-convict, Habeeb Jimoh, to two years imprisonment for stealing a Zealot speaker, Infinix mobile phone and other goods worth N595,000.
In her judgment, the Magistrate, Mrs O.
O.
Fadairo, sentenced the convict to two years imprisonment without an option of fine.Fadairo said that the prosecution counsel had proven beyond reasonable doubt that he was guilty of the charge preferred against him.
The convict, of no fixed address, had pleaded not guilty to the charge of stealing.
Earlier, the Prosecutor, Insp. E. O. Adaraloye, told the court that the convict committed the offence on May 28, at about 3.
00 a.m. at Singer area, Ewupe in Sango-Ota.Adaraloye said that the security guard identified him after stealing a Zealot speaker, an Infinix phone and other items, worth N595,000, after which he fled.
According to him, the offence contravenes Section 390 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ogun, 2006. (NAN)
Police Fix Aug. 12 to Begin Tinted Glass Permit Enforcement
ShareThe Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Kayode Egbetokun, has approved an extension of the grace period for the enforcement of...
Gombe Governor Backs Tinubu for 2027 Re-election
ShareGov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State declared his support on Saturday for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027. Yahaya...
MTN, NDLEA Join Forces to Combat Drug Abuse in Enugu
ShareMTN Nigeria and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have joined forces in a landmark collaboration to tackle illicit...
AANI Gets New Exco in Ekiti/Ondo, Reaffirms Commitment to National Unity
ShareThe Alumni Association of the National Institute (AANI) has inaugurated executives for its Ondo/Ekiti chapter, with a promise to champion...
Lagos Community Defies Downpour to Celebrate Unity in Diversity
ShareIsoto Community of Lagos State on Saturday defied hours of downpour to celebrate the unity of the various peoples, cultures...
NOA Promotes Voluntary Blood Donation
ShareThe National Orientation Agency (NOA), Jigawa Directorate, has emphasised the importance of voluntary blood donation in saving lives and ensuring...
UN Reaffirms Support for Nigeria’s Environmental Protection
Share The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr Mohamed Fall, has reiterated the organisation’s commitment to supporting Nigeria in...
Gombe: Five Persons Electrocuted, 13 Injured – Police
ShareThe Police Command in Gombe State, on Saturday, confirmed the electrocution of five persons while 13 others sustained varying degrees...
Police Arrest Suspects Over Alleged Theft of 2 Minors in Anambra
Share The Police Command in Anambra has nabbed two suspects over alleged theft of two related minors at Okpuno-Oba, Idemili-South...
HON. JUSTICE MOHAMMED LAWAL UWAIS: A JUDGE’S JUDGE
ShareBYPROF MIKE A. A. OZEKHOME, SAN, CON, OFR, FCIARB, LL.D. THE SILENCE BEFORE THE GONGWhen a great Iroko falls, it...