society
Wickedness: “How I was drugged, raped by three men in one night – Student recounts
The Sexual Offences Court in Lagos yesterday heard from a rape victim how three men who posed as a female on social media, drugged and raped her. Giving an account of what happened before the judge, Sybil Nwaka, the victim who is also a model, said she came in contact with a female fashion designer online who said she was based in the UK and that whenever she returns to Nigeria, she would be needing her to showcase some of her pieces.
The supposed female fashion designer, Vanessa, contacted the victim when she supposedly reached Nigeria and asked her to come and meet her at a certain location.
It however turned out it was a male gang using a female pseudonym to lure, rob and rape unsuspecting female victims.
“She told me she just moved to Nigeria from the UK that she was going to start a fashion business in Nigeria and since I have an idea of the fashion industry, that I could show her around and give her ideas and I agreed. Subsequently we talked for like seven months and I got real comfortable with her because we talked a lot and I felt she was a girl entrepreneur like me and I supported her. She said her mum didn’t support her career and she would like her mum to meet me and I agreed. She said she would send the address and I informed her I would take Uber but she admonished that I save on transporting so I took a bus to the address. When I got to the address, I felt it was the wrong address and called her but she said she would send her gateman over. The second defendant, Naduzie Okabueze, acted like the gateman. She said she was helping her mum so she couldn’t come to pick me. On getting to the house it looked like a proper house from outside but on getting inside I felt something was wrong and called her. She said her father runs a hotel and her mum sometimes stayed there and I naively believed her.”
Inside the house, one Mr Okabueze, joined by Gabriel Obinna and Victor Ukwu, the first and second defendants, to attack her. They beat her and then stripped her naked.
“They asked me to give them my ATM card saying if I didn’t give them N2 million they would kill me. They collected my phone password and pin number and asked me to start calling people to send money to me. They said I should call my parents but I lied they were both dead. I called my cousin and he sent money to me. I got there about 11:59 am and was there till 7 pm. They withdrew the money my cousin sent and collected the gold chain I had on me. They took naked pictures of me and the three guys had sex with me and they were blackmailing me with the pictures they took saying if I told anybody what happened that they were going to find me and kill me. The second defendant took me to the bus stop to make sure I didn’t talk to anybody. I boarded a bus and went to my cousin’s house.”
The suspects collected the N50,000 her cousin sent to her, her own N20,000 and a gold chain her dad had given to her.
The victim and her cousin later went to the police to lodge a complain. Sadly, the police was more interesting in the victim giving them money to begin the investigation.
“A friend of my cousin then asked us to go to the Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse Response Team at Alausa and we did. On getting there, they took me to Mirabel Centre and they carried out tests on me and gave me pet drugs to use for a month. They assigned a lady to follow me to make a police report in the area the incident occurred and we went to Agege Police Station. Two weeks after, the five of them were caught by the police while doing the same thing they did to me to another girl and I was called to come and identify them and I did. I spoke with the other girl and she narrated the same thing on how she was in contact with Vanessa.”
The victim said the second victim pulled out of the case because she was scared for her life.
The judge adjourned till February 16 for cross examination of the witness.
French Embassy Partners NIFS to Sponsor Nigeria Delegation to MIPCOM
Sahara Weekly Reports That The French Embassy as part of its commitment to support industry development, has partnered with the Nigerian International Film and TV Summit (NIFS) to sponsor a Nigerian delegation, comprising about 20 companies with dedicated stands, at the Nigerian Pavilion at Cannes.
The Nigerian International Film and TV Summit (NIFS) is a leading platform dedicated to advancing the film and television industries in Nigeria, across Africa, and beyond. By providing opportunities for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and innovation, NIFS plays a pivotal role in driving the growth and global recognition of African content.
MIPCOM is renowned as the Mother of all Entertainment Content Markets Globally, with over 11,000 delegates, 3500 buyers, and over 100 countries represented with more than 320 stands.
Located at the heart of the Palais des Festivals’ exhibition floor, this market combines a high-end conference setup with sessions on Connected TV Summit, Streamers Talk, MIP Global FAST & AVOD Summit as well as a networking lounge including a bar area, alongside a dedicated “Tech Demo zone”.
Over the days, participants will engage in networking, knowledge sharing, and collaborative efforts aimed at pushing Nigerian content to the global forefront.
Industry professionals and Trightsalogue rights holders will come together to explore new opportunities and address the challenges facing the industry.
By accepting to join the Nigerian delegation to MIPCOM, participants reaffirm their commitment to highlighting and selling African stories that resonate not only on the continent but around the world.
Mr Laurent Favier, Consul General of France in Lagos stated that “After supporting a stand for Nigerian Animation Studios at Animation Film International Market in Annecy for the past 3 years, the French Embassy in Nigeria will be providing Nigerian Industry professionals with an umbrella at Mthe IPCOM. Coordinated with NIFthe S platform, this stand will be hosting fourteen studios that sell tantheirvies, TV series, TV, and shows to international broadcasters, and platform support for the Nigerian Audiovisual Industry was made possible thanks to specific funds. This year again, the program called “Creation Africa” enables us to support entrepreneurship in the sector of cultural and Creative industries. This fund has bd to us for a period of 18 months by the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs.”
Mrs Ijeoma ONAH, founder of NIFS added: “Indeed we are excited with the level of support from the French Embassy in supporting film and TV professionals with a Nigerian Pavilion at the largest global content distribution market MIPCOM Cannes. Through this partnership, our resolve to continue to drive international business for local Nigerian companies has been reinforced, and with the Nigerian International Film and TV Summit, we remain committed to the huge ininternationalitieshrough lithe censing of local programs because this outcome will definitely elevate and transform the dynamics of international distribution for local companies in Nigeria.”
Mrs Onah will lead the Nigerian delegation to Cannes along with Mr Christophe Pecot, Audiovisual Attaché of the French Embassy in Nigeria.
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Ife Agog As Ooni, Shina Peters, Obanla Light Up Olapeju Oke 50th Birthday
Bolaji Israel
Canada-based Nigerian businesswoman, philanthropist, and diplomat, Olapeju Naomi Sigismund Oke, concluded her week-long birthday festivities with a luxurious party at the Ife Grand Resort on Saturday, October 5th.
The event drew an impressive array of dignitaries and elite guests from Nigeria and around the globe, including attendees from the USA, UK, Canada, and beyond. Notable figures included the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II; legendary musician Sir Shina Peters; and US-based Prophetess Bola Obanla, founder of the Devoted Beloved Christ Ambassadors Store House (DEBASH).
As the Republic of Vanuatu’s Trade Commissioner to Ontario, Canada, and founder of the HopeForSure Foundation, Olapeju expressed her fulfillment at reaching the milestone of 50 years. She emphasized her renewed energy to continue serving humanity through her various initiatives in education, health, skill acquisition, and widow empowerment.
PJ as fondly called reiterated her commitment to fostering trade and enterprise connections between Nigerian and Canadian entrepreneurs through her Africa-Canada Investment and Expo Summit (AFRICIES) outreach programmes.
“I feel incredibly happy seeing my loved ones celebrate with me from all over the world, including Canada, USA, and the UK. I’m especially delighted to have my son join me from Canada,” she said.
Reflecting on her journey over the past 50 years, she shared, “It has had its ups and downs. I have been an orphan for about 30 years, but God has been faithful. I am a goal getter, and everything I desired, God has granted. I am grateful for my life, the people around me, and the spirit of humanity that God has bestowed upon me.”
She continued, “I believe in one guiding principle: we come into this life with nothing and will leave with nothing. Life is vanity, and our time here is short. We should help others as much as we can. Serving and supporting people is what completes me, and I believe we should be our brother’s keeper.”
The ambassador expressed her optimism for life after 50, stating, “This is a new chapter, and I look forward to a greater journey of serving and doing good to the best of my abilities.”
The festivities began with a feeding programme for the less privileged, followed by medical outreach initiatives aimed at combating cancer and addressing eye health, named the “Cancel Cancer/Jigi Abebi Olapeju” programme. These included activities at the Palace of His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, in Ile-Ife, Osun State.
An embodiment of grace and charm, the celebrant also launched her book titled “The World Betrayed,” sharing the occasion with secondary school students in attendance. She hosted a diverse group of dignitaries and notable personalities, including traditional rulers, government officials, industry leaders, and icons from the entertainment, fashion, and cultural sectors.
The lavish celebration was marked by luxury, glamour, and an unforgettable ambiance. Renowned Nigerian music maestro Sir Shina Peters provided entertainment, ensuring that the celebrant and her guests were thoroughly entertained.
Naomi Olapeju is the founder of the Hope For Sure Foundation, convener of the Glam African Fashion Festival (GAFF), and project director of African Canada Investment, which organizes AFRICIES—a prestigious business gathering that connects African businesses with Canadian investors, promoting robust trade relations and offering valuable networking and investment opportunities.
Known for her impactful philanthropic efforts, Olapeju has made significant contributions to the lives of the less privileged in critical areas such as education, health, trade, and skills acquisition through her foundation. She is deeply dedicated to enhancing trade between Vanuatu and Canadian enterprises, as well as African businesses, through various enabling platforms, including AFRICIES and more.
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