Business
33-year Old Security man rapes 8-year old girl, gives her N10
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a 33-year-old security man, Freedom Barryneh, for allegedly raping his neigbour’s daughter, aged eight.
The incident reportedly happened on Akali Street, in the Ajegunle area of Lagos State after the victim, Sandra (pseudonym), approached the suspect and requested N10 from him to buy biscuit.
It was learnt that after giving her the money, Barryneh, who was watching a pornographic film when the minor entered his apartment, persuaded her to stay with him.
While the movie was on, he allegedly told Sandra to undress but she declined, saying her mother would beat her for doing so.
The suspect, however, allegedly resorted to force and allegedly dragged her into bed and raped her.
Our correspondent gathered that Sandra, who was warned by the suspected rapist not to disclose the act to anybody, eventually opened up to her mother when she began to feel pains in her private parts.
The victim said, “I asked Mr. Freedom (Barryneh) to give me N10 to buy biscuit and he did. He took me inside his room. He was watching one video that was showing naked men and women. He asked me to remove my clothes, but I said my mother would beat me. He pushed me and put me on his bed. He removed my clothes and put his thing inside my private parts. I was afraid of telling my mother.”
Her mother, identified only as Ellen, reported the incident at the Ajegunle Police Division which led to the suspect’s arrest on March 3.
The results of medical tests conducted on the girl at the Ajeromi General Hospital, Lagos, stated, “Hymen broken with bruises around the infroitus.”
The result, which was signed by one Dr I.A. Dauda, also stated that she suffered from “whitish foul smelling vaginal discharge.”
Barryneh, who hails from Rivers State, admitted giving the girl N10 to buy biscuit, but denied raping her. He added that the allegation was an attempt to blackmail him.
He said, “I work with a private security outfit. She and her friends were playing when she came to me that she needed N10 to buy biscuit. She stood somewhere in my room waiting for the money. I was watching a love movie titled, ‘Naked Weapon’. It involved sex. I was surprised when her mother reported at the station that I raped her daughter. I never had sex with the girl. I only gave her the money.”
A police prosecutor, Woman Sergeant Francisca Okere, brought Barryneh before an Apapa Magistrate’s Court on two counts of rape.
Okere told the court that the offence contravened sections 137 and 259 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
The charges read in part, “That you, Freedom Barryneh, sometime in August 2015, at about 14.30 hours on Akali Street, Ajegunle, Apapa, Lagos, in the Apapa Magisterial District, did penetrate sexually with your penis the privare parts of an eight-year-old girl, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 259 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, Nigeria, 2011.”
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge before the presiding magistrate, Mrs. O.A. Adegite, who admitted him to bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum.
While adjourning for March 24, 2016, Adegite added that the sureties must be gainfully employed and must present to the court evidence of tax payments.
Punch
Nigeria’s Inflation Drops to 15.10% as NBS Reports Deflationary Trend
Nigeria’s headline inflation rate declined to 15.10 per cent in January 2026, marking a significant drop from 27.61 per cent recorded in January 2025, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report released by the National Bureau of Statistics.
The report also showed that month-on-month inflation recorded a deflationary trend of –2.88 per cent, representing a 3.42 percentage-point decrease compared to December 2025. Analysts say the development signals easing price pressures across key sectors of the economy.
Food inflation stood at 8.89 per cent year-on-year, down from 29.63 per cent in January 2025. On a month-on-month basis, food prices declined by 6.02 per cent, reflecting lower costs in several staple commodities.
The data suggests a sustained downward trajectory in inflation over the past 12 months, pointing to improving macroeconomic stability.
The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has consistently attributed recent economic adjustments to ongoing fiscal and monetary reforms aimed at stabilising prices, boosting agricultural output, and strengthening domestic supply chains.
Economic analysts note that while the latest figures indicate progress, sustaining the downward trend will depend on continued policy discipline, exchange rate stability, and improvements in food production and distribution.
The January report provides one of the clearest indications yet that inflationary pressures, which surged in early 2025, may be moderating.
Nigeria’s headline inflation rate declined to 15.10 per cent in January 2026, marking a significant drop from 27.61 per cent recorded in January 2025, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report released by the National Bureau of Statistics.
The report also showed that month-on-month inflation recorded a deflationary trend of –2.88 per cent, representing a 3.42 percentage-point decrease compared to December 2025. Analysts say the development signals easing price pressures across key sectors of the economy.
Food inflation stood at 8.89 per cent year-on-year, down from 29.63 per cent in January 2025. On a month-on-month basis, food prices declined by 6.02 per cent, reflecting lower costs in several staple commodities.
The data suggests a sustained downward trajectory in inflation over the past 12 months, pointing to improving macroeconomic stability.
The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has consistently attributed recent economic adjustments to ongoing fiscal and monetary reforms aimed at stabilising prices, boosting agricultural output, and strengthening domestic supply chains.
Economic analysts note that while the latest figures indicate progress, sustaining the downward trend will depend on continued policy discipline, exchange rate stability, and improvements in food production and distribution.
The January report provides one of the clearest indications yet that inflationary pressures, which surged in early 2025, may be moderating.
Alpha Morgan to Host 19th Economic Review Webinar
In an economy shaped by constant shifts, the edge often belongs to those with the right information.
On Wednesday, February 25, 2026, Alpha Morgan Bank will host the 19th edition of its Economic Review Webinar, a high-level thought leadership session designed to equip businesses, investors, and individuals with timely financial and economic insight.
The session, which will hold live on Zoom at 10:00am WAT and will feature economist Bismarck Rewane, who will examine the key signals influencing Nigeria’s economic direction in 2026, including policy trends, market movements, and global developments shaping the local landscape.
With a consistent track record of delivering clarity in uncertain times, the Alpha Morgan Economic Review continues to provide practical context for decision-making in a dynamic environment.
Registration for the 19th Alpha Morgan Economic Review is free and can be completed via https://bit.ly/registeramerseries19
It is a bi-monthly platform that is open to the public and is held virtually.
Visit www.alphamorganbank to know more.
GTBank Launches Quick Airtime Loan at 2.95%
Guaranty Trust Bank Ltd (GTBank), the flagship banking franchise of GTCO Plc, Africa’s leading financial services group, today announced the launch of Quick Airtime Loan, an innovative digital solution that gives customers instant access to airtime when they run out of call credit and have limited funds in their bank accounts, ensuring customers can stay connected when it matters most.
In today’s always-on world, running out of airtime is more than a minor inconvenience. It can mean missed opportunities, disrupted plans, and lost connections, often at the very moment when funds are tight, and options are limited. Quick Airtime Loan was created to solve this problem, offering customers instant access to airtime on credit, directly from their bank. With Quick Airtime Loan, eligible GTBank customers can access from ₦100 and up to ₦10,000 by dialing *737*90#. Available across all major mobile networks in Nigeria, the service will soon expand to include data loans, further strengthening its proposition as a reliable on-demand platform.
For years, the airtime credit market has been dominated by Telcos, where charges for this service are at 15%. GTBank is now changing the narrative by offering a customer-centric, bank-led digital alternative priced at 2.95%. Built on transparency, convenience and affordability, Quick Airtime Loan has the potential to broaden access to airtime, deliver meaningful cost savings for millions of Nigerians, and redefine how financial services show up in everyday life, not just in banking moments.
Commenting on the product launch, Miriam Olusanya, Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank Ltd, said: “Quick Airtime Loan reflects GTBank’s continued focus on delivering digital solutions that are relevant, accessible, and built around real customer needs. The solution underscores the power of a connected financial ecosystem, combining GTBank’s digital reach and lending expertise with the capabilities of HabariPay to deliver a smooth, end-to-end experience. By leveraging unique strengths across the Group, we are able to accelerate innovation, strengthen execution, and deliver a more integrated customer experience across all our service channels.”
Importantly, Quick Airtime Loan highlights GTCO’s evolution as a fully diversified financial services group. Leveraging HabariPay’s Squad, the solution reinforces the Group’s ecosystem proposition by bringing together banking, payment technology, and digital channels to deliver intuitive, one-stop experiences for customers.
With this new product launch, Guaranty Trust Bank is extending its legacy of pioneering digital-first solutions that have redefined customer access to financial services across the industry, building on the proven strength of its widely adopted QuickCredit offering and the convenience of the Bank’s iconic *737# USSD Banking platform.
About Guaranty Trust Bank
Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) is the flagship banking franchise of GTCO Plc, a leading financial services group with a strong presence across Africa and the United Kingdom. The Bank is widely recognized for its leadership in digital banking, customer experience, and innovative financial solutions that deliver value to individuals, businesses, and communities.
About HabariPay
HabariPay is the payments fintech subsidiary of GTCO Plc, focused on enabling fast, secure, and accessible digital payments for individuals and businesses. By integrating payments and digital technology, HabariPay supports innovative services that make everyday financial interactions simpler and more seamless.
Enquiries:
GTCO
Group Corporate Communication
[email protected]
+234-1-2715227
www.gtcoplc.com
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