Tension, Fear Grips Delta Community as NDLEA Official, Orderly kidnapped

By Ifeoma Ikem

The Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has been thrown into shock and confusion following the abduction of a senior officer and his orderly by unknown gunmen at the agency’s head office, along the Isah-Ogwashi-Uku road in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State.

The incident occurred around 8pm on Friday as the officer was leaving work.

An eyewitness described the ambush at the gate of the premises, where the assailants forced the victims into an unmarked vehicle and fled.

Another source, speaking anonymously, suggested the kidnappers had prior knowledge of the officer’s movements, coordinating their attack.

This incident marks the latest in a string of abductions – over five cases in just 10 days – in Ogwashi-Uku.

Recently, two youths were shot dead and two others kidnapped along the Edo-Otulu Road in Agidiase quarters.

Residents expressed fear and frustration over the escalating insecurity. “We’re no longer safe in our own community,” they said, urging the state government and commissioner of police to address the issue. They warned that failure to stop the development now before it escalates further could lead to widespread insecurity in the region.

A community leader, Mr. Johnson Elue, pleaded for urgent security attention, citing concerns about the safety of Diasporans, particularly the youths, returning for Christmas celebration amidst the daily security threats.

“Before now, our vigilance groups have been securing our community for us, but the situation is getting worse. With this high level of insecurity, how can our children come for Christmas celebration again.

“I want to use this avenue to plead with the authorities to please provide us with urgent security attention in our communities to forestall further breakdown of the peace in our communities,” he stated.

Heartbreaking Tale of Incest and Betrayal Unfolds in Lagos

By Ifeoma Ikem

A chilling case of incest has shaken the Agbowa community in Lagos State, leaving residents reeling in shock and horror. Bashiru Abiodun, a 75-year-old father, stands accused of raping his 14-year-old daughter at their family home, No. 26, Papa-Ado street.

The cat was let out of the bag recently when the victim’s mother, Bunmi Abiodun, courageously broke her silence, reporting the incident to Advocate for Children and Vulnerable Persons Network (ACVPN) and Marvelous Garage Foundation (MGF).

These organizations swiftly lodged a complaint at the Agbowa-Ejirin Divisional Police Office, setting the wheels of justice in motion.

According to Bunmi, her daughter had confided in her, revealing the unthinkable: “Anytime she’s alone at home with her father, he touches her sensitive parts.” Initially, Bunmi struggled to accept the truth, clouded by societal taboos.

However, the harsh reality hit home when she caught Bashiru in the act, sparking a mix of emotions – shock, anger and determination.

On confronting her husband, what followed was even more disturbing. Bashiru Abiodun, unfazed by the gravity of his actions, boasted of his connections to the current Inspector General of Police (IGP) and showed no remorse.

In a brazen display of disregard for the law, he put his house up for sale and collected part payment to relocate, attempting to evade justice.

When eventually charged to court, it was like a scene from a bad movie as the perpetrator was granted bail on age and health grounds.

Speaking ACVPN, head rescue and referral Comrade Toyin Okanlawon, frowned at the incident, claiming it didn’t depict the officials as interested in providing the victim with the needed justice.

According to him, “when charged to court, the prosecutor and the IPO took the perpetrator into the chamber, without letting us know. We just saw them come out later, with the prosecutor saying he had been granted bail on age and health grounds.

That he was partially blind. But the man didn’t consider all that when he was defiling his daughter?
While narrating the events of November 14 at Ikorodu Magistrate Court 1. Ota-Ona, Ikorodu, Okanlawon described it as a travesty, claiming the prosecutor even called it a family matter.
Okanlawon stated: “When the complainant was asked to stand up for identification and I raised my hand, to my dismay the Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Prosecutor Isaac Aminu shut me down. He said that I was not a complainant in the matter, and that it was a family case, which file was yet to be duplicated,” even after over three months?
Corroborating, Ebenezer Omejalile, co-founder of ACVPN, condemned Aminu’s actions, describing it as “heartbreaking, a big slap and disgrace” to the Lagos State Ministry of Justice.
The Lagos State Criminal Code section 137 unequivocally states that incest is a crime against the state and cannot be seen as a family affair.

Pleading that Aminu be called to order, the ACVPN’s official further disclosed receiving threatening calls from the perpetrator’s family,
As the case inches forward, adjourned to January 23rd, 2025, the perpetrator’s family continues to intimidate and threaten those seeking justice, further highlighting the dangers faced by those seeking justice.

ACVPN’s voice echoes the sentiments of the community, demanding accountability, that “those impeding justice should be treated like others, and such monsters should be locked up somewhere and the keys thrown away.”

This haunting tale raises critical questions about the effectiveness of the justice system in protecting vulnerable individuals.

The Lagos State Ministry of Justice must take decisive action to address corruption and incompetence, ensuring that justice is served. The community remains vigilant, seeking closure and healing for the victim and her family.

In the face of such atrocities, it is crucial to recognize the importance of organizations like ACVPN and MGF, providing vital support and advocacy for those affected by child abuse and incest.
Their tireless efforts serve as a beacon of hope, shining light on the darkest corners of society.
As this case unfolds, the nation watches with bated breath, awaiting justice for the innocent and accountability for the perpetrators. The battle against child abuse and incest requires unwavering resolve, and it is only through collective action that we can create a safer, more just society for all.

Lagos bizman jailed 21 years

A Lagos Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, on Monday, convicted and sentenced the Chairman of the Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria, Fatuyi Yemi Philips, to 21 years’ imprisonment for N43.5m fraud.

Justice Mojisola Dada handed down the sentence after finding Philips guilty of two counts brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The EFCC accused Philips of obtaining N43,502,000 under false pretences and filed charges against him alongside Oceanview Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited.

Philips was first arraigned on April 7, 2022.

The anti-graft agency said Philips and Oceanview Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited committed the offences on September 28, 2016, in Lagos State.

The EFCC said the convict obtained the aggregate sum of N43,502,000 from one Elochukwu Okoye and Elebana Unique Ventures Nigeria Limited on behalf of WAPCIL Nigeria Limited under the false representation that he would sell WAPCIL Nigeria Limited $98,870, a representation he knew to be false.

He was also accused of stealing the sum of N43,502,000, property of WAPCIL Nigeria Limited.

However, Philips pleaded not guilty, and the trial commenced.

During the trial, the prosecution, led by the EFCC counsel, O.S. Owede, called five witnesses including a Bureau De Change operator, Musa Mohammed, who testified that in September 2016, Philips gave him the sum of $40,000 in cash to exchange.

After the prosecution closed its case on March 30, 2023, the case was adjourned for the defence to open its case.

On June 16, 2023, Philips who was led by his counsel, Olanrewaju  Ajanaku, opened his defence.

He claimed he had given $100,000 to one Olumide Adegbite in exchange. He alleged that Adegbite promised to secure a preferential rate through connections at the Central Bank of Nigeria.

During Philips’s testimony, drama ensued when the prosecution counsel, Owede, objected and informed Justice Dada that the convict was reading from a prepared script.

The paper from which Philips had written account numbers and figures was presented to the court but Justice Dada allowed him to continue using the document

After two hours of testimony, the defence concluded its case.

In her judgment, Justice Dada held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt.

She found Philips guilty and sentenced him to 14 years for count one and seven years for count two adding that the sentence will run concurrently.

Justice Dada also noted that Philips did not pay the naira equivalent of the funds to the nominal complainant, and remarked that the case could not be prolonged further.

She declared that the sum of $8,000 recovered from the convict during the investigation did not absolve Philips as he had remained unrepentant.

In her words: “Philips never had the intention of giving the nominal complainant the naira equivalent of the dollar.”

Justice Dada ordered Philips to restitute the full sum of N43.5m to the nominal complainant within 90 days of the judgment.

She also directed that Oceanview Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited pay a fine of N500,000 for count one and N250,000 for count two within 30 days deadline or face liquidation.