Business

How Mother, Policeman tortured 19-Year-old boy to death over alleged N90,000 theft

Published

9 years ago

February 1, 2017

For six hours, 19-year-old Rilwanu Akintunde was beaten, handcuffed and locked inside a teargased room for allegedly stealing N90,000.

His torturers were his mother, Mrs. Akintunde, her brother Kayode and a policeman identified as Titus.

Rilwanu alias Rado denied collecting the money said to belong to his mother, a hawker, but his attackers didn’t believe him. Unable to bear the torture, the teenager passed out and was rushed to Richland Hospital, Arepo, where he was confirmed dead on Sunday evening.

His torturers secretly buried him at his mother’s site at Sotel, not knowing that their action would draw the wrath of the residents of Oriola Street, Ibafo and environs.

The youths in the area went berserk after discovering that the money, for which Rilwanu was tortured to death, was later found in his mother’s closet.

Wielding cutlasses, bottles sticks and fire, the mob, it was gathered stormed Kayode’s residence; chased all the tenants away and vandalized his properties.

Inscriptions such as “Rado was a good son born by a stupid mother” were seen on the walls of the building whose roofs, doors and windows have been destroyed.

When The Nation visited the Ogun communityTuesday, residents were clamouring for jungle justice to all the culprits.

It was gathered that Kayode and his police friend Titus have since fled the neighbourhood, while the deceased’s mother and Kayode’s wife were arrested by policemen from Ibafo Division, who visited the place Tuesday.

According to residents, Rilwanu’s killers might have had another motive for their action because the teenager was neither a thief nor troublesome.

His friends, it was gathered produced an obituary for him, which they pasted not far from the community mosque.

The deceased’s wife, Damilola Owoigbe, who had their eight-month-old son on her arms, demanded justice against his killers.

She said: “I want all those responsible for my husband’s death to be arrested and jailed for life. They killed him for nothing. Rado was never a thief. Everyone in Ibafo love him. He was a peaceful person. He was an apprentice at a tailoring shop because he wanted to make life better for us and for his two siblings.

“Their father is dead. Their mother sells bottled water in traffic. She was the one who went and told her brother on Sunday morning that Rilwanu stole her N90, 000. Then, her brother, Kayode sent his wife to call his police friend, Titus and they all tortured him to death.

“I was not there. I was in my mother’s house. But I was told that the policeman brought handcuffs and teargas, which they used on him. I was also told that blood was all over his body. Now, I am confused because I don’t know who would take care of our son.”

A source who refused to be named told The Nation that the said policeman works at Area G Command, Ogba, Lagos.

Contacted, the Ogun command spokesman, Abimbola Oyeyemi confirmed the incident, but said he was unaware if Titus was a policeman.

He said: “The information I got is that the woman, the boy’s stepfather and his friend tortured him to death. They said the woman complained that her N90,000 was missing and she accused her son. Then, she told the boy’s stepfather, who sent his wife to contact a friend of his. They all tortured the boy to death and secretly buried him. The woman later saw the money

“At the moment, the two men involved are on the run but the women have been arrested. They have been transferred to the homicide section of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID). The Police Commissioner Ahmed Iliyasu has ordered that the fleeing suspects be arrested.

“I am not aware that one of them is a policeman. But be assured that they will be fished out and dealt in accordance with the law.”

Business

WFA APPOINTS GLOBAL BRAND EXECUTIVES TO EXPANDED LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE

Published

1 day ago

April 21, 2026

Sahara Weekly

WFA APPOINTS GLOBAL BRAND EXECUTIVES TO EXPANDED LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE

STOCKHOLM — The World Federation of Advertisers (WFA) has announced the appointment of senior executives from leading global brands to its Executive Committee, in a move aimed at strengthening its global influence and industry coordination.

The appointments were unveiled during the WFA Global Marketer Week held in Stockholm.

The new members, drawn from top multinational corporations, include executives from Driscoll’s, Haleon, IKEA and Nissan. They join an already influential body comprising marketing and corporate affairs leaders from major companies such as Best Buy, Danone, Diageo, Grab, Kenvue and Tata Group.

Also joining the Executive Committee are representatives of key advertiser bodies, including Josh Faulks, Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Association of National Advertisers; Simon Michaelides, Director General of the Incorporated Society of British Advertisers; and O’tega Ogra, Vice President of the Advertisers Association of Nigeria and Senior Special Assistant to the President of Nigeria on Digital Communications, Engagement and New Media Strategy.

WFA President David Wheldon and Deputy President Philip Myers of Ferrero will continue in their roles, alongside all regional vice presidents.

The newly appointed members are:

Jiunn Shih, Global Chief Marketing Officer, Driscoll’s

Silas-Lewis Meilus, Global Head of Media Operations, Haleon

Joel Renkema, Global Head of Insights, IKEA

José Román, Corporate Executive, Global Sales and Marketing, Nissan

Josh Faulks, CEO, AANA

Simon Michaelides, Director General, ISBA

O’tega Ogra, Vice President, ADVAN

Industry observers say the expanded committee reflects WFA’s commitment to deeper global collaboration and stronger representation across regions and sectors within the marketing and advertising ecosystem.

Business

FORENSIC INVESTIGATION REVEALS FABRICATED X ACCOUNT TARGETING INEC CHAIRMAN – CPS

Published

2 days ago

April 20, 2026

Sahara Weekly

FORENSIC INVESTIGATION REVEALS FABRICATED X ACCOUNT TARGETING INEC CHAIRMAN – CPS

The Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mr. Adedayo Oketola, has said that a purported X (formerly Twitter) account attributed to the Commission’s Chairman, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, is fake and part of a coordinated disinformation campaign.

In a public statement issued on Monday in Abuja, Mr. Oketola disclosed that a comprehensive, multi-layered forensic investigation conducted by independent cybersecurity experts has conclusively established that the INEC Chairman does not operate any personal X account.

He said, “The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) , committed to a full forensic investigation, commissioned an independent forensic cybersecurity expert, who conducted a multi-layered forensic and digital investigation using X platform data, internet archive records, OSINT tools, identity forensics and cross-platform analysis.”

Oketola stressed that all posts, replies, and screenshots linking him to the handle @joashamupitan are fraudulent, forensically unverifiable, and technically impossible.

The controversy began on April 10, 2026, when viral social media posts alleged that the Chairman made a partisan comment — “Victory is sure” — in response to another user, supported by screenshots and purported digital records.

However, the CPS said the forensic investigation uncovered clear evidence of fabrication and impersonation, highlighting the following key findings:

· No Digital Linkage: There is no connection between the disputed X account and Prof. Amupitan’s verified email addresses or phone numbers, as multiple recovery and verification attempts failed to establish any link.

· False BVN/OPay Claims: Data used to suggest ownership of the account only confirms identity and does not establish control of any social media handle, making such claims a logical fallacy.

· Timestamp Manipulation: The alleged reply “Victory is sure” was posted 13 minutes before the original tweet it responded to—an occurrence that is technically impossible and definitive proof of fabrication.

· No Historical Record: Searches on the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine showed zero evidence of the account or its alleged activity prior to April 2026.

· Non-Existence on X Platform: Live checks confirmed that the alleged reply does not exist and has never existed on the platform.

· Account Renaming Pattern: On the same day the screenshots went viral, the account was renamed @sundayvibe00, set to private, and labelled a “parody account,” indicating deliberate impersonation and damage control.

· Coordinated Multi-Platform Impersonation: At least seven fake accounts across Facebook and Instagram using the Chairman’s identity were identified, pointing to a sustained disinformation effort.

“The forensic evidence is comprehensive, multi-sourced, and unambiguous. The posts attributed to Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan on X are fabricated. The account is a clear case of impersonation,” Mr. Oketola said.

Quoting one of the independent investigators, he described the development as “a coordinated digital impersonation and disinformation campaign,” warning that advances in artificial intelligence had made it easier to fabricate misleading content.

He urged the public to avoid sharing unverified information, noting that “the fact that content goes viral does not make it authentic,” and called on media organisations to prioritise accuracy over speed.

Mr. Oketola said the independent forensic report had been referred to the law enforcement agencies for necessary action. He also appealed to law enforcement agencies to investigate the origin of the fake account and prosecute those responsible under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act.

He said, “Media organisations, in particular, have a duty to apply strict forensic verification standards to social media posts and screenshots before publishing them, especially when such content implicates public officials or carries serious consequences for public trust and institutional credibility. Accuracy, not speed, must guide reporting in matters of this nature.”

He reiterated that all official communications from INEC are disseminated exclusively through its verified platforms, including its website (www.inecnigeria.org), verified X account (@inecnigeria), official Facebook page, online news portal (www.inecnews.com), formal press statements from its headquarters in Abuja, and official media briefings. Any account purporting to represent the INEC Chairman in a personal capacity, he said, should be treated as fraudulent unless formally verified by the Commission.

Business

How FirstBank is investing in Its People and Building Future Leaders

Published

3 days ago

April 20, 2026

Sahara Weekly

FirstBank Set to Launch Tailored Financial Services for Blind and Physically Challenged Customers

How FirstBank is investing in Its People and Building Future Leaders

For an average 9-5er, having a job isn’t enough. You want a career that grows with you, gives you stability, and opens doors to bigger opportunities. People everywhere are looking for workplaces that don’t just pay salaries but actually invest in their staff, helping them learn, lead, and succeed.

That’s exactly what FirstBank is doing. The Bank is building a future where every employee has the opportunity to grow, lead, and thrive. Through its human capital management and development agenda, FirstBank is creating numerous pathways for staff to transform their careers and become tomorrow’s leaders.

Conversion Programme: Turning Opportunities Into Careers

Needless to say that there is no desire for the 9-5er to remain in a temporary role when they can secure a full-time career. With FirstBank’s Conversion Programme, eligible non-core employees who have served for at least one year can transition into permanent positions. This initiative ensures that hardworking staff are rewarded with stability, growth, and the chance to contribute more meaningfully to the Bank’s success.

Leadership Programmes: Grooming the Next Generation

FirstBank has designed three flagship programmes to identify and nurture high-potential talents:

FirstBank Management Associate Programme (FMAP): A 24-month fast-track initiative that grooms future middle managers. Upon completion, participants are promoted to Assistant Manager grade, regardless of their previous grade.
Leadership Acceleration Programme (LAP): Focused on preparing internal middle-management talents for leadership responsibilities, ensuring the Bank’s succession pipeline remains strong.
Senior Management Development Programme (SMDP): A programme for senior managers who are proven leaders in their functions and critical to the Bank’s succession plan.

These programmes are not just training—they are career accelerators, designed to put staff on the fast lane to leadership.

FirstAcademy: Learning With Global Standards

Backing these initiatives is FirstAcademy, FirstBank’s corporate university, accredited by the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN).

Staff also benefit from partnerships with institutions like Rome Business School and Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), gaining access to world-class training—often at discounted rates

A Workplace That Values People

FirstBank’s parent company, First HoldCo PLC, was named second in the Best Workplaces in Financial Services in Nigeria. The Bank remains firmly committed to responsible employment practices, ensuring that all colleagues are treated with dignity, fairness, and respect.

The Future Is Human

With these initiatives, FirstBank is showing that its greatest investment is its people. By empowering staff through various growth opportunities, the Bank is not just building a workforce, it is cultivating leaders who will shape the future of banking in Nigeria and beyond.