Domestic help, teacher remanded for alleged defilement

The police on Monday said a 17-year-old teenage domestic help, Silas Daniel, who allegedly defiled his employer’s children, aged five and 10, had been remanded at the Special Correctional Centre, Adigbe, Abeokuta, in Ogun State. This transfer was because that facility is the place to keep minors or teenagers who cannot be kept at the adult correctional facilities.

The police said a case of indecent report and defilement was on October 10, 2024, transferred from the Dopemu Police Division to the Gender Unit of the Lagos State Police Command Ikeja, at about 2 pm.

The father of the victims was said to have reported that his domestic help Daniel defiled his daughter and his son who are both aged five and 10 respectively.

The complainant told the police that the defendant allegedly had sexual intercourse with the two minors he left with him in the house when he was not at home.

According to the complainant, Daniel had sexual intercourse with his son through his anus.

The alleged suspect confessed to the crime upon questioning.

He was, however, arraigned on Friday, and the court remanded at the Special Correctional Centre, Adigbe, Abeokuta, Ogun State, based on the fact that he is 17 years of age.

Similarly, another case of defilement and abortion was also reported and the case was transferred on September 30, 2024, from the FESTAC Division to the Gender Unit of Lagos State Police Command, Ikeja.

The police said that the complaint who reported the matter alleged that one Gbolahan Osinusi aged 42, a teacher at a school in Ketu-Epe, Lagos State, who is also the guardian to a 12-year-old minor, had been having sexual intercourse with her since the survivor was 12 years old till December 2023 when she turned 17.

The complainant added that Gbolahan Osinusi forced the victim to swear on oath not to tell anyone, else she would die and that he took her several times to a nurse, Mariam Fatolu, for abortion drugs to be administered to her whenever she got pregnant.

The police said Osinusi was charged to court on October 16, 2024, while Mariam Fatolu, said to be currently admitted for medical attention at the General Hospital Ketu-Epe, would be charged to court as soon as possible.

Enugu Christmas Fest: Omu Resort Unveils 25-day Spectacle

Sahara Weekly Reports That Omu Resort, a prominent organization known for promoting tourism initiatives in Africa, has announced the debut edition of the Enugu Christmas Fest.

The event, organized in partnership with the Enugu State Government, will be a 25-day spectacle of daily activities, offering unmatched entertainment. Scheduled to run from December 7th to December 31st, 2024, the festival promises a diverse range of entertainment options for residents of Enugu State and neighbouring areas, providing the perfect opportunity to unwind with family and friends.

The inaugural event will kick off with a ceremony led by the state governor, Peter Mbah, who will officially light the Christmas tree.

Expected to attract thousands of visitors, the Enugu Christmas Fest will feature a variety of programs including “African Praise Night”, an “Afrobeat Concert”, a “Highlife Concert”, and a “Food Bazaar”.

Others include a “Street Carnival”, a “Cultural Parade”, an “Art Exhibition”, a Phone Exhibition”, and a grand “Fireworks Show, all designed to captivate audiences from near and far.

In addition, the festival will include “Enugu Christmas Yadah”, and the highly anticipated “Santa Street Storm”‘ where over 100 Santa Claus figures on tricycles will parade through the state, bearing gifts for orphanages and the less privileged. The “Governor’s Red Ball”, a prestigious red-tie event, will also be part of the lineup. This gala will bring together investors, business leaders, political figures, and Enugu’s diaspora to celebrate with the governor at a dinner and awards night. Thrown into the mix is the small resort built in the heart of the city – Naira Triangle – that features a waterpark, mini golf, blade skating and more.

Speaking about the event, Daniel Eguyenga expressed excitement, stating that the Enugu Christmas Fest combines entertainment with commercial opportunities aimed at boosting the state’s economy.

In his words: “There is a location called Naira Triangle, a massive roundabout where we will be installing 500,000 Christmas lights, creating a glowing ball of light. The governor will officially launch this on December 7th. It’s going to be a spectacular sight. We also have a 300-member orchestra, led by Dr. Festus Dokubo, which will perform during the festival.

“On December 14th, we will host the Governor’s Ball, but earlier in the day, we will showcase 50 export ready businesses from Enugu. Representatives from intra-African trade, the World Bank, SMIDAN, and the Central Bank of Nigeria’s export desk will be present to facilitate matchmaking between these businesses and the banking sector, with the hope of scaling them up.

“That evening, prominent guests will attend the Governor’s Ball, and we’ll also launch a commemorative coffee table book about Enugu State. Additionally, we plan to break ground for a historical and wax museum in the state. Other highlights include a carnival, fireworks, and the Santa Storm, where 100 colorful Santas on tricycles will deliver gifts to the less privileged and orphanage homes across all local governments. It’s our way of giving back—Christmas is all about generosity.

“I assure you that we’ve made every effort to ensure that guests attending the Enugu Christmas Fest will enjoy an array of exciting activities and experiences,” Eguyenga said.

Lagos Assembly Intervenes in Model College Fee Hike

– as parents protest

Following a protest by some Lagos parents over the increase in the boarding fees of the state’s model colleges, the Lagos State House of Assembly has directed the Chairman of its House Committee on Education, Hon. Mosunmola Sangodara, to invite all the concerned stakeholders and report back within a week.

This directive came after the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, met with the protesters at the Assembly gate.

The fees were hiked from N35,000 to N100,000 for the 2024/2025 session which commenced on September 15, 2024.

During plenary on Monday, Obasa said that he had to intervene when he heard the crowd chanting protest songs at the entrance to the Assembly.

He advised the parents to remain calm, assuring them that the matter would be addressed.

Hon. Sangodara (Surulere II) informed the House that the committee had already engaged the Ministry of Education and other stakeholders.

Hon. Shabi Adekola (Lagos Mainland II) also explained that during a meeting with the officials of the Ministry of Education and others, it was agreed that the parents should continue paying N35,000 pending further review of the fees.

Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu (Eti-Osa Constituency II) pointed out that the increment was primarily related to students’ feeding costs. He, however, urged the government to explore ways to ease the financial burden on parents and offer assistance where necessary.

In his contribution, Hon. Bonu Solomon (Badagry I) added that parents had raised concerns that students unable to pay the new fee were not allowed to purchase food within the school premises adding that this had further complicated the situation.

The House is expected to await the report from the education committee before taking further steps.

Eromosele Ebhomele
Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.