Business

‘I didn’t know my wife was dead, I didn’t kill her’ – Alleged Killer Husband,Lekan Sonde denies accusations

Published

10 years ago

May 10, 2016

The man who allegedly killed his wife in the Egbeda, Lagos area, Lekan Shonde, has said his wife, Ronke provoked him by describing vividly how her lover slept with her in a hotel in Abuja.

Lekan, a depot worker in the Apapa area of Lagos State, said his wife of eight years changed after she allegedly started dating the general manager of a publishing company.

The Abeokuta, Ogun State indigene, said he regretted marrying Ronke, explaining that his late mother had warned him against the union, but he never listened.

Our correspodnent had reported that Lekan and his wife, Ronke, lived on Tiemo Close, Off Awori Street, in the Egbeda-Idimu area.

The marriage, which was blessed with two children, aged six and four, was said to have been marred with domestic violence.

The crisis culminated in the death of Ronke on Thursday, after which her husband fled the house and locked up the children with their dead mother.

He said the last time he beat his wife was three years ago after a disagreement, saying he had never touched her afterwards.

He said, “Since I married my wife eight years ago, she has never bought anything into the house. I gave her N5,000 on Saturdays and N3,000 on Tuesdays for soup. I also gave her money to make her hair.

“She was working with GTB as a marketer, but she got sacked three years ago. For that period, I was the one feeding her and taking responsibility for everything in the family. I would wash her pants, bathe the children and buy foodstuffs in the house. She later got a job with a publishing company owned by her uncle.

“But my wife changed sometime in March, when she started dating the general manger of a publishing company. My wife was going to the office from Monday to Sunday and she wasn’t going to church again, all because of this man. She called him ‘Eyitemi’ (My own).

“Last week Friday, she went to Abuja and came back on Monday. She never told me that the lover was there with her. I learnt later that the lover was there and they slept together in the same room for four days.

“When she came back, she didn’t know I was inside the house. She started talking with the man on the phone that she really had fun with him and I didn’t know how to make love. She again said her private parts were paining her.”

He said he confronted his late wife and she confirmed that she was dating the other man, adding that he asked her to concentrate on a relationship.

Lekan said his wife refused to leave the house despite his insistence on her leaving.

Recounting the incident of that night which led to her death, he said they had had an argument over money.

He said, “It was around 9pm on Thursday. We had paid our nanny N20,000. Then we needed to pay our children’s teachers N30,000. I discovered she had taken N20,000 and when I asked her to return my money, she said she had spent it.

“I was angry because for the past three months, she didn’t allow me to have sex with her. I pushed her hand away from me on the staircase and I left her. She never tumbled or fell. In fact that night, I bought the food that we both ate because she said she didn’t want to cook.

“I didn’t know anything had happened to her until Friday when I saw her on the staircase. I thought she was still pretending. I just left her and walked away.”

Asked why he shut the gate against his children, he said he never did, adding that it was his son that closed that gate.

Lekan also denied taking the victim’s phone away, saying he left it on the bed.

He said he had no reason to kill his wife, adding that he bought her two cars and always provided for her needs.

He said, “Jide, her family’s second child lived with me for three to four years. Their eldest daughter, Bolatito, has lived with me too.

“Although I am not a saint, I don’t drink, I don’t smoke. I am a responsible man. The problem with my wife was that she was temperamental. She shouted at me whenever she talked.

“I am a Lagos boy and I can be in this Lagos for the next 30 years and nobody would see me.”

Meanwhile, Ronke’s sibling, Bolatito, said their mother had just arrived in Lagos from Ilorin, Kwara State, adding that the family would not want to talk about the incident yet.

Our correspondent gathered that Ronke’s brother and the second born of the family, died in a ghastly motor accident in Abuja.

Bolatito, who is the first born, is the surviving child of three children.

She said, “My mother just arrived from Ilorin and the family wants to devote time to attend to her; we don’t want to talk about the incident. I am not in the right frame of mind to talk.

“But all I want to say is that her husband is somewhere out there and has been calling. The police should reach out to the telecommunications company to know where he is. He called me and he said he wanted to see me.

“He also said he wanted to see his children and I should tell him where they are because we might never see him again.”

The aunt of the victim, Bunmi, explained that the suspect had been threatening suicide, saying their mother had forgiven him.

She said, “Mummy is very sad with this, but she has forgiven him and does not want him to commit suicide.”

A family source told PUNCH Metro that the domestic violence had been on for some time, saying at a point, the matter was reported at a police station.

He said the suspect always accused his wife of extra-marital affair.

He said, “He always beat her because of his belief that she was into an extra-marital affair.

“The beating reduced a bit when the wife of her late brother who was one month pregnant before his death, moved into the house with them. She stayed for about eight months. She was like her saviour.”

The Convener of the Women Arise for Change Initiative, Mrs. Joe Odumakin, while condoling with the family, said the group would pursue the case till the end.

She said, “I am shattered and heart-broken. Their mother had been a widow since they were all little and she has lost two of three children in less than one year. And it is hard to believe that the killer husband has been chatting with people, asking to see his children and blatantly lying that he only slapped her.

“Neighbours must learn to intervene when they hear unusual noise. And women, who are in abusive relationships, must speak out before it is too late. Lekan should come out and submit himself so he could be tried in a court, where he will have the chance to prove his innocence.”

NB: Lekan spoke with PUNCH Metro on the telephone line provided by his in-law, Bolatito, which was also confirmed by the police spokesperson, Dolapo Badmos.

Bank

WEMA BANK CELEBRATES 81ST ANNIVERSARY AND 9TH ANNIVERSARY OF ALAT

Published

1 day ago

May 2, 2026

Sahara Weekly

WEMA BANK CELEBRATES 81ST ANNIVERSARY AND 9TH ANNIVERSARY OF ALAT

…Set to Reward Hundreds of Customers, Launch 5 for 5 Season 5

Wema Bank, Nigeria’s oldest indigenous national bank, most innovative and pioneer of Africa’s first fully digital bank, ALAT, has simultaneously marked its 81st anniversary and the 9th anniversary of ALAT on Saturday, May 2nd, 2026.

Adopting a different approach from its grand 80th anniversary celebration in 2025, Wema Bank is set to celebrate its 81st anniversary this year by giving back to its customers. The Bank’s anniversary celebration features rewards for customers on the ALAT App in celebration of ALAT at 9 as well as rewards for Wema Bank customers at the launch event for the 5th Season of the Bank’s 5 for 5 Reward Initiative, happening on the Bank’s anniversary day, May 2nd 2026.

In line with the Bank’s 81st anniversary theme, “Your Future of Possibilities, Powered by Wema Bank”, the Bank will also rollout a specialised customer success initiative dedicated to helping different demographics of its customers to map out and build the future of their dreams. From businesses to students, working class women, creatives and more, Wema Bank will provide tailored, practical and strategic insights and support that will help these unique demographics access better opportunities, receive useful support and make accelerated progress towards meeting their goals.

Commenting on the Bank’s motive behind its approach to celebrating its 81st anniversary, Wema Bank’s MD/CEO, Moruf Oseni, said, “The world is rapidly evolving. Digital evolution and emerging technologies continue to present newer opportunities and realities. To thrive, one must be prepared to adapt where needed and ready to leverage the possibilities ahead; and this is what we want to help our customers achieve. With millions of individuals and businesses in our care, we have a deep sense of responsibility towards helping them make meaningful progress and our 81st anniversary presents the perfect opportunity for us to deepen our efforts towards fulfilling that responsibility”.

“We are building a smarter and more secure financial future for our customers, one where banking is effortlessly aligned with their goals, intelligently anticipating their needs and proactively providing the right solutions. Beyond banking solutions, we are curating opportunities, providing platforms, building an entire ecosystem engineered in the best interests of every unique Wema Bank customer. Our goal is for our customers to grow as we grow, to always be one step ahead, and to make accelerated progress towards their future of possibilities as we journey with them”.

“To every stakeholder who has been a part of Wema Bank’s 81-year journey: our investors, regulators, partners, esteemed customers and dearest employees; this anniversary is dedicated to you, and this is why we have chosen to celebrate this way. On behalf of the entire board and management of Wema Bank, I say THANK YOU for 81 historic years. We have, we are, and we will be with you, all the way. Happy 81st Anniversary to us all”, Oseni concluded.

Wema Bank has established a proven track record of empowering lives, supporting businesses and providing tailored solutions that meet real needs. From financial support to digital solutions, unique opportunities and customised service, Wema Bank continues to show that it is a Bank that truly cares, understands and is committed to helping individuals and businesses thrive and achieve their goals.

For more information on how to tap into the rewards curated by Wema Bank, isit wemabank.com

Business

BUA Chairman Abdul Samad Rabiu Rises to Become Africa’s Second Richest Man

Published

3 days ago

April 30, 2026

Sahara Weekly

BUA’s Abdul Samad Rabiu Promises $1.5m Windfall, Goal Bonuses as Super Eagles Fly Past Algeria

BUA Chairman Abdul Samad Rabiu Rises to Become Africa’s Second Richest Man

LAGOS – In a notable reshuffle of Africa’s wealth hierarchy, Abdul Samad Rabiu, Chairman of BUA Group, has climbed to the position of the continent’s second richest individual. The development highlights the accelerating growth of his industrial empire and the increasing global relevance of Nigeria’s manufacturing sector.

Recent valuations show the billionaire businessman overtaking long-standing contenders to secure the number two spot, behind only Aliko Dangote. His rise has been driven largely by the strong market performance of his publicly listed firms, BUA Cement Plc and BUA Foods Plc, both of which have recorded significant gains on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX).

Rabiu’s ascent reflects years of strategic expansion and vertical integration. BUA Cement, Nigeria’s second-largest cement producer, has scaled up operations with new production lines to meet rising infrastructure demand. At the same time, BUA Foods has strengthened its leadership in key segments such as sugar, flour, and pasta, reinforcing its role in regional food supply.

Analysts note that his focus on essential goods has provided stability, helping his businesses maintain steady revenues despite broader economic fluctuations. By prioritizing domestic production, BUA Group has also reduced exposure to external shocks.

Philanthropy and Development Impact

Beyond business, Rabiu has earned global recognition for his philanthropic efforts through the ASR Africa Initiative, a $100 million annual intervention fund supporting education, healthcare, and social development across Africa.

His rise in the rankings is widely viewed as evidence of the power of African-driven industrialization—not only in building wealth but also in delivering meaningful social impact. As Africa’s economic landscape evolves, the shifting billionaire rankings underscore the growing influence of Nigeria’s private sector in shaping the continent’s future.

Bank

ZENITH BANK EXPANDS FRONTIERS WITH CÔTE D’IVOIRE SUBSIDIARY, DEEPENS FRANCOPHONE WEST AFRICA PUSH

Published

4 days ago

April 29, 2026

Sahara Weekly

ZENITH BANK EXPANDS FRONTIERS WITH CÔTE D’IVOIRE SUBSIDIARY, DEEPENS FRANCOPHONE WEST AFRICA PUSH

Zenith Bank Plc has taken a major step in its Pan-African growth journey with the official launch of its Côte d’Ivoire subsidiary, reinforcing its strategic ambition to dominate key markets across the continent.

The grand opening ceremony, scheduled for Wednesday, April 29, 2026, is expected to draw top-tier government officials and regulators from Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire, alongside leading business executives and members of the diplomatic corps—underscoring the growing economic ties and investment flows between Anglophone and Francophone Africa.

Licensed in December 2025 by Côte d’Ivoire’s Ministry of Finance and Budget and regulated by the UMOA Banking Commission, the new subsidiary will operate from its headquarters at SCI Wall Street, Avenue Noguès, Plateau, Abidjan—one of the region’s most important financial hubs.

The move signals a calculated expansion into Francophone West Africa and positions Zenith Bank as a key financial bridge within the West African Economic and Monetary Union. The subsidiary is designed to drive cross-border trade, offering corporate banking, trade finance, offshore banking, and structured financial solutions tailored to businesses operating across Africa and beyond.

Speaking on the milestone, Group Managing Director/CEO Adaora Umeoji said the expansion aligns with the founding vision of Chairman Jim Ovia to build a globally competitive African bank.

“The launch of Zenith Bank Côte d’Ivoire is a bold step in realising that vision. It opens a strategic corridor into Francophone West Africa and reinforces our commitment to facilitating trade, investment, and enterprise growth across the continent,” she stated.

The subsidiary will be led by Managing Director/CEO Cédric Tano, who brings over two decades of industry experience. He noted that the bank is entering the Ivorian market at a time of strong economic momentum and increasing regional integration.

“Our goal is to position Zenith Bank as a customer-centric institution that blends global best practices with deep local expertise, while supporting businesses with innovative financing and enabling seamless cross-border transactions,” Tano said.

Beyond Côte d’Ivoire, Zenith Bank is accelerating its expansion into Central Africa, with plans underway to enter the Central African Economic and Monetary Community, using Cameroon as a strategic gateway.
With an established presence in multiple markets—including Ghana, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, the United Kingdom, France, the UAE, and China—the bank continues to strengthen its role as a conduit linking African economies to global capital and trade networks.

Founded in 1990, Zenith Bank has evolved into one of Africa’s most formidable financial institutions, maintaining the highest Tier-1 capital position in Nigeria’s banking industry for 16 consecutive years. Built on its core pillars of People, Technology, and Service, the bank has consistently delivered strong financial performance and earned widespread local and international recognition.