A middle-aged man, Kenneth Nwangu, has been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment by the Children, Sexual and Gender-based Violence Court sitting in the High Court, Awka, Anambra State, for defiling his nine-year-old daughter and only child.

The judgment was delivered in a three-count brought against the defendant by the state government following compelling evidence proving him guilty as charged.

He was consequently sentenced to seven years imprisonment on count one – having sexual intercourse with a nine-year-old, an offence punishable under Section 34 of the Child Rights Law of Anambra State of Nigeria, 2004.

The court also sentenced the defendant to two years imprisonment on count two – inflicting physical injuries on his victim and one-year imprisonment on count three – causing emotional and psychological abuse on the victim.

The two offences are punishable under Sections 4 and 16 of the Violence Against Persons, Prohibition and Protection Laws of Anambra State of Nigeria, 2017.

In its ruling, the court relied on evidence presented by prosecution witnesses, including the victim, and also took cognizance of evidence that the defendant had been taking care of the victim from about one year after the mother left them, among others.

The court allowed the defendant to explain why he was raping his child and should not be given the maximum sentence of life imprisonment.


Responding, the defendant initially denied defiling his child, claiming it was a woman he usually left the child with following the wife’s separation that got him arrested by the police over the allegation.

He, however, later admitted to the crime and pleaded for leniency, and his defence counsel also pleaded for mercy of the court, on the premise that the defendant was a first-time offender and had the victim as his only child, among others.

The court ordered that the seven, two- and one-year prison terms should run concurrently and that the victim should remain in the care of the Anambra State Government.

Reacting to the judgment, the Anambra State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Sylvia Ifemeje, who led the prosecution team in the case, described the judgment as a welcome development, saying it would serve as a deterrent to other offenders.

Ifemeje stressed that the state government’s zero tolerance for sexual assaults is non-negotiable.




https://punchng.com/anambra-man-jailed-10-years-for-defiling-nine-year-old-daughter/?amp

Brazil winger Vinicius Junior said his desire to play football was reducing as incidents of racial abuse aimed at him piled up in Spain, during a tearful media appearance Monday.

The Real Madrid forward has suffered abuse from opposition fans on many occasions in recent years, with one incident in Valencia in May provoking worldwide outrage.

Spain will face Vinicius’ Brazil at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday under the slogan “One Skin” to help combat racism.

“I’ve been seeing this (racism) for a long time and every time I feel sadder, and every time I have less desire to play,” Vinicius told reporters.

The 23-year-old broke down in tears at one point after answering questions about the racist abuse he has suffered in different stadiums across Spain.

However later, Vinicius said he would not leave Spain and try playing in a different country to escape the abuse.

“I would be giving the racists what they want,” he said.

I will stay at the best club in the world, scoring as many goals as I can so they keep watching me.”

Vinicius said he wished he could only think about his playing career.

“Playing football is very important but the fight against racism is hugely important,” he said.

“I want people of colour to have a normal life and if that was the case, I would go to games with my club only focused on playing.”

Earlier, Spain defender and Vinicius’ club team-mate Dani Carvajal denied his country was not racist.

“I am sure that Spain is not a racist country but there are many racists here and many of them are in the stadiums,” said Vinicius.

“From the first time I complained about racism in Spain it’s been blowing up… they are insulting me over the colour of my skin so I play worse on the pitch.

They can say many other things to me and I wouldn’t say anything, I hope I can go to stadiums and not think about what could happen.”

He recently condemned Atletico Madrid fans for racist chanting aimed at him before their Champions League clash against Inter Milan earlier in March.

It’s a sad reality that happens even during matches where I am not present,” said Vinicius on social media platform X.

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said in November Vinicius has become “unfortunately used to” racism in Spain.

– ‘Ugliest thing’ –

Carvajal said earlier he did not think his country was racist but also that racist insults were the “ugliest” thing that exists in sport.

“Sadly there are people who go to football it seems to let loose all their rage, their anger,” said Carvajal.

“When it seems that it hurts someone, they do it more and it’s a pity.

“Those types of people should not be allowed into stadiums because it’s the ugliest thing that exists in sport.”

Spain lost 1-0 last Friday against Colombia in a friendly defeat as they continue preparations for Euro 2024.

Brazil coach Dorival Junior said 17-year-old starlet Endrick would not start against Spain but will likely get to make his bow at the home of his future club, Real Madrid.

Palmeiras striker Endrick, joining Vinicius at Madrid in the summer, scored the winner in a 1-0 victory over England in a friendly on Saturday.

“Endrick will not be a starter — without doubt, he will bring a lot of joy to Real Madrid, he has a brilliant future,” said Dorival.

“I think that Endrick will have his moment.”

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said comparisons to legendary Brazil striker Pele were unfair to the teenager.

“He’s 17, a very good player like we have too, but you have to give him time and above all, be prudent,” said De la Fuente.

“Thinking he could be the next Pele would be putting a lot of pressure and stress on him.”




https://punchng.com/racism-reducing-my-desire-to-play-football-vinicius/?amp

There was traffic congestion in Apple Junction when fire gut Globus supermarket along the Festac link bridge in the Amuwo Odofin Local Government area of Lagos state on Monday.

A statement on Monday by the Director, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, noted that fire fighters were dispatched around 12:30pm, in which during the operation, an adult female who was trapped in the building was rescued.

The statement partly read, “At approximately 12:22 hours local time, the Isolo, Ajegunle, and Bolade Fire Stations were dispatched to Globus Supermarket, situated on Festac Link Road near Apple Junction, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos.

“Upon arrival, firefighters encountered a significant blaze engulfing the supermarket’s storage facility, emitting heavy smoke into the sky from combustible materials. Collaborating with the Federal Fire Service and Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), the fire was successfully contained, preventing its spread to other sections and adjacent buildings.


The collective efforts of supporting agencies including LASAMBUS, Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), and the Nigerian Police Force provided crucial backup.

“During the operation, emergency responders rescued an adult female who was trapped in the building. Investigations into the cause of the fire are underway and will be conducted with due diligence.”

Meanwhile, around 1pm on Monday, the Agege Fire Crew of the agency recovered the body of a deceased female, approximately 40 years old, from beneath a trailer.

A statement on the incident read, “In a related incident at about 13:21 hours on the Abule Egba flyover inward Sango, Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, the Agege Fire Crew of the agency recovered the body of a deceased female, approximately 40 years old, from beneath a trailer involved in a reported accident.



“Furthermore, a gas explosion was reported at 32, Coker Compound, off Coker Road, Iganmu, Lagos, as the Ilupeju Fire Station discovered approximately 30 various sizes of gas cylinders in a warehouse.

“The explosion resulted from the refilling of the FM200 Fire Protection System from one of the gas cylinders. Two male adults were rescued alive with varying degrees of injury but in stable condition at a nearby hospital.

“Subsequently, around 4pm, the Ikeja Fire Crew of the LSFRS responded to a power house electrical induced fire at a warehouse at Ikeja, which belongs to a multinational firm.

“Lastly, the Ikeja Fire Crew of the LSFRS responded at 16:31 hours to a power house electrical induced fire at a warehouse on Akanni Doherty Street, Ikeja, belonging to a multinational firm. The incident was promptly addressed without further escalation.

“The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service reaffirms its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of residents and businesses within the state and urges the public to remain vigilant and prioritise fire safety measures.”




https://punchng.com/lady-rescued-as-fire-guts-lagos-supermarket/?amp

Six out of the 137 rescued schoolchildren of the Government Secondary School, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, were said to have been hospitalised at the Army medical facility, Dallet Barracks, Kawo, Kaduna.

The General Officer Commanding 1 Division, Major-Gen. Mayirenso Saraso, made this known while presenting the rescued schoolchildren to Governor Uba Sani at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House in the state capital on Monday.

The GOC said those currently receiving medical attention at their facility are five females and one male student.

He said that as soon as they are medically fit, they would be handed over to the state government.

This was as the state governor, Sani cautioned those he described as “merchants of conflicts” over the wrong permutation on how the 137 schoolchildren were rescued by the Army.

The governor also warned against politicising issues of security, noting that doing so would endanger the lives and property of Nigerians.

Speaking further, Saraso insisted that in all, 137 students and staff were abducted by the terrorists on March 7, 2024, bringing the total number of those abducted to 138 while regretting that the staff died in captivity.

Although he said no ransom was paid, the GOC explained that through “the sustained and coordinated application of both kinetic and non-kinetic efforts” by the security agencies under the strategic guidance of President Bola Tinubu, through the Office of the National Security Adviser, the abducted Kuriga schoolchildren were rescued in the early hours of Sunday after spending about 16 days in captivity.

He added that the students were initially received and administered first aid at the Nigerian Army Troops Forward Operating Base Dandadau in Zamfara State before being conveyed from there under escort to Kaduna.

He said, “We successfully freed 137, but you will discover that six of them are not presently with us here. They are being attended to medically in our facility at Darlet Barracks – one male with five female students who have been hospitalised.

“His Excellency visited them last night, and he saw all the students, including those lying on hospital beds. So, those six when eventually discharged; when they get better, will join their 131 colleagues who are here physically present to complete the figure of 137.

“In all, there were 137 children and one staff member making 138 persons altogether that were abducted from the co-located schools on the ill-fated day.

“But unfortunately, the staff member, Mr Abubakar, is not here with us today because he died while in captivity.

“Consequently, there are here at present, a total of 137 students of the Govt Secondary and LEA Primary Schools Kuriga in Chikun LGA of Kaduna State who were successfully rescued from captivity around Dansadau Forest in Zamfara State and safely brought back to Kaduna.

“The breakdown of the figure of the rescued children shows that there are 76 females and 61 males, making the total of 137 together (less the teacher that died while in captivity).”

The governor, while receiving the schoolchildren, decried the way issues of security were being politicised in the country.

He also praised the efforts of President Bola Tinubu, who, according to him, stood firmly by the state government from day one when the incident happened.

While cautioning ‘the merchant of conflicts,’ the governor said what was important to the state government “is that the abducted schoolchildren were rescued unhurt.”

The governor warned the so-called merchant of conflicts as well as the media to desist from passing wrong insinuations on how the schoolchildren were rescued.

He said, “I want to appreciate our children who are here with us and are in high spirits. I want to make it very clear to all of us that from the very day that our children were unfortunately abducted from their school in the Kuriga community, President Bola Tinubu has been with us from day one.

“He ensured that the security should return our children home safely. I want to thank the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, for his able leadership and all the service chiefs and all security agencies for their respective contributions and organised efforts.

“I want to appreciate many Nigerians who prayed day and night for the release of the children, and today, God has answered our prayers.



“I also want to caution insecurity merchants and conflict merchants in Nigeria to be cautious with their utterances because, before the release of our children, a lot of people have been coming with a lot of permutation about how these children were released and what happened.

“The important thing for us in Kaduna is that the children are here with us. This is more important. As a government, it is to protect the life and property of our citizens.

“And under my government, the Kaduna State will continue to prioritise our security because security is the number one agenda of our government.

“We should not politicise the issue of insecurity in Nigeria. It is not good to undermine the efforts of security agencies in Nigeria.

I want to caution the media and some elements in the society about the permutation of the school children, in my own opinion it is just to celebrate their release.

“We are all happy because we had 16 days of sleepless nights, but today we are happy the children are back and I want to emphasise that we will continue to make security efforts so that all our Local Government Areas(LGAs) and Communities are saved.”



https://punchng.com/six-of-137-rescued-kaduna-schoolchildren-hospitalised/?amp

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BUYING. & SELLING.

* USDT.✓✓BTC.✓✓ETH.✓✓BNB.®®

* ALL GIFTCARDS.✓✓®®

* CHECKOUTS.✓✓®®

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