A Minna High Court No 3, has sentenced three Fulani herders to death by hanging over alleged armed robbery, culpable homicide, rape, among other heinous offences in the state.

The suspects included Mohammed Ibrahim Soja, Sani Idris Boka, and Babangida Gido.

They were arraigned and found guilty on ten-count charge of armed robbery, culpable homicide, rape, among other heinous offences in the state brought against them by men of the Niger State Police command.

In December 2015, the trio were said to have robbed one Josephine Monday, while armed with guns, cutlasses, knives and sticks of the sum of over N1 million cash, recharge cards value at about N20,000 and her husband’s N58,000 given to her for safe keeping at Waugu village in Shiroro Local Government area of Niger State.

The presiding Judge, Justice Mohammed Adishetu Mohammed, while delivering his judgement, stated that the evidences and prosecuting witnesses in the case have been “so consistent and explainative, even as the evidence of prosecuting witness is believable.”

He said, “Accordingly, I hold that all the ingredients of the offences of rape, attempt to commit culpable homicide, causing grievous hurt and armed robbery have been proved against the convicts beyond reasonable doubt.

“As such they have been sentenced to death by hanging, life imprisonment for the offence of rape and ten years imprisonment for causing grievous hurt and all the sentences to run consecutively”.

The Niger State Police Command has announced that it has recaptured one Kazeem Murtala aged 54, who escaped from the Kuje Custodial Centre.

In a statement signed by the state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, he said the inmate was captured by police on patrol around General Hospital Suleja down to the Bakassi area of Suleja, and based on credible intelligence,
It stated,”in view of the recent attack at Kuje Custodial Center and escape of some inmates, on 9/07/2022, Police operatives attached to ‘A’ Div Suleja while on patrol around general hospital Suleja down to Bakasi area of Suleja and based on credible intelligence, the police operatives stormed an identified compound and arrested one Kazeem Murtala aged 54yrs”.

Abiodun explained that during interrogation, the inmate confessed that he escaped from Kuje during the attack.

According to him, the inmate was serving a jail term after conviction for an offense he committed and he has been in the custody for the past two years.

The statement further stated that based on the directive of the state Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Bala Kuryas, the inmate had been transferred to the custodial center.

The state police command then thanked members of the public for giving such intelligence to the police while urging them to sustain effort toward fighting crime and criminality in the state.

The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has said that the Labour Party and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi are being propelled by forces who were part of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to distract youths of the country.

He also alleged that Obi and his running mate, Datti Baba-Ahmed are being touted by certain kingmakers and former Nigerian leaders, “to cover up the flaws of previous administrations.”

Sowore spoke at the weekend on a private radio station in Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State while reacting to questions on the increasing popularity of Obi especially on social media.

According to him, “He is a buzz generated by kingmakers, so that youths would not have a chance to choose the right person again.

“Peter Obi is a product of PDP, his Deputy – a product of PDP. PDP maintained and sustained darkness with 16 billion dollars in 16 years. They have managed to operate under two political parties, they have presented two teams. If PDP loses, they would hope that LP does not lose, so they can maintain their hold on the jugular of this nation.”

The AAC presidential flagbearer also made a commitment to probe past administrations, noting that if loots could be retrieved from late Head of State, Sani Abacha, then living former leaders should be probed too.

“It (probing) is compulsory, these are people who have taken money from the public, we must ask them what they stole and how we can get it back.

“We had a man who was in power between 1993 and 1998, Sani Abacha, We are still getting money from him, so why can’t we get money from them if we are getting money from the dead,” he said.

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, and the party’s presidential candidate for the February 25, 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar, have come under criticism by party members and chieftains for failing to go to Ekiti State to campaign for the party’s governorship candidate in the June 18 election.

The party stalwarts said their neglect of the candidate, Bisi Kolawole, contributed to the party’s loss at the poll as well as created a bad impression about the party and its candidate.

Kolawole, who polled 67,457 votes, came third, while Segun Oni of the Social Democratic Party came second with 82,211 votes, and the winner, Biodun Oyebanji, of the All Progressives Congress scored 187,057 votes. Not less than 15 political parties partook in the exercise.
Ahead of the election, the party on June 9 constituted an 80-member National Campaign Council, but the council, like Ayu and Atiku, didn’t visit the state to campaign for the candidate.


He added, “Atiku, Ayu and PDP governors left the people of Ekiti, majority of whom supported PDP in the cold. They looked up to these personalities but they never showed up before or during the poll.

“The National Campaign Council constituted by Ayu was put in place just four days before the poll whereas Senator Bola Tinubu was in Ekiti with many APC governors, campaigning for Biodun Oyebanji.

“Now that the chances of PDP winning Ekiti have been thrown out by the Ayu-led national leadership, we need to remind Atiku, Ayu and other today’s leaders of the PDP that the fate of our party in 2023 election now rests on the outcome of Osun State governorship poll.”

However, a member of the party’s Board of Trustees from Oyo State, Dr Saka Balogun, blamed the party’s loss in the election mainly on leadership crisis in Ekiti State, noting however that if all the leaders had worked together, the result would have been different.

Balogun, in an interview with one of our correspondents on Saturday, argued that the former National Chairman of the party, Uche Secondus, committed some blunders, as applicable to the state by relating with individuals instead of leaders, but that Ayu ratified the blunders.

He said, “In Ekiti State, the problem really has to do with leadership. With all the activities, dynamism, passion and courage which you can identify with former Governor Ayo Fayose, he appeared to be playing the role of a lodestar. Until we are able to resolve the leadership problem in Ekiti, I don’t think we are going anywhere.

“We are divided in Ekiti. How can PDP fail in Ekiti East Local Government Area, where Senator Biodun Olujimi comes from? We succeeded only in Efon Alaaye LGA (where Kolawole hails from). I think what happened was a collective tragedy for the PDP, including myself.”

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party and member representing the Ilaje/Ese Odo Federal Constituency in Ondo State in the House of Representatives, Kolade Akinjo, tells LEKE BAIYEWU how and why aspirants pay delegates to secure votes at political parties’ primaries

How do you feel about the failure of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), to assent to the amended Clause 84( of the Electoral Act, 2022 to recognise statutory delegates in the primaries conducted by political parties to choose their candidates for the 2023 general elections?

In any case, the entire document – the entire bill – left us here (National Assembly) and the President even signed the bill to become an Act. Of course, it could not have been the fault of Mr President; it is our (lawmakers’) fault. Laws sometimes need to be explicit. There are different cannons of interpretations in law and literal meaning is quite easy – the way the law is, that is how you interpret it. Under Section 84(, we did not do enough as lawmakers. We needed to have explained those that were supposed to categorically be the delegates and there is nothing wrong in listing them out as it ought to have been. We cannot allow people to input in the law, which was not the original meaning. So, the fault is ours. Trying to weave the issue around the President is just not right. But again, since we made a mistake and came back to reflect on that mistake and correct it where necessary, then we also did what we were supposed to do. It is incumbent on the President to look at the general picture in the interest of our democracy to do the needful. And this naturally should not be a big deal.

Do you think having statutory delegates at the primaries would have made a difference at the shadow elections?

Of course! It is just like somebody who is reading with a particular syllabus for a particular examination. You have done well and exhausted the syllabus, but a few days into the examination, the syllabus was changed. There is no doubt that it will become the survival of the fittest. So, there is no way that would not have affected (the primaries), because people were working on the statutory as well as the ad hoc delegates but all of a sudden, it changed to only ad hoc delegates based on the (current) provision of Section 84(.

It would have naturally rocked the entire roots and re-election of many members, senators and governors. If care is not taken, the entire ad hoc (delegates) are just a handbag of the leader (of a party) in a particular state. And if he does not like your face, then you are gone. If the governor is the leader of the state, he will just handpick (the delegates). The chairman of the party and the governor, they work together and they will just list whoever they want. In many cases, there was nothing like the election of those ad hoc delegates. They were usually from consensus or powered by the chairman and leaders of a party in a state.

With the recent primaries, do you believe that the governors hijacked the process?

There is no way you can (avoid that). In many of the states, it is usually who they want.

Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen Faruk Yahaya, has said the 5,800 recruited soldiers would be posted at various theatre operations to tame persistent insecurity bedeviling some parts of the country.

The army chief revealed the plan at the passing-out-parade of the 82 regular recruit intake yesterday in Zaria, Kaduna State.

Yahaya, who was the Special Guest of Honour and Reviewing Officer of the parade, said the exercise aimed to strengthen the Nigeria Army would translate into more food on ground.

He said the new soldiers would be posted to more relevant areas where they are required, warning that “it is a clear message to all criminals, whether they are bandits, kidnappers or terrorists.”

He, therefore, urged the new soldiers to maintain a high standard of professionalism and remain good ambassadors of Depot Nigerian Army and the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

“As for the passing out recruits, you are all aware, Nigeria is currently facing numerous security challenges such as the activities of Boko Haram terrorists, armed bandits, kidnappers, secessionist agitators and other criminal elements.

“I wish to state that these security challenges can only be surmounted by the collective resolve and effort of every officer and soldier of the Nigerian Army, including those of you passing out today,’’ he said.

Yahaya, therefore, enjoined the new soldiers to apply the mental, physical and moral training acquired over the past few months as well as those “you will be exposed to at your respective units, formations and corps”.

He added that the army expected them to uphold the Nigerian Army Core Values of Loyalty, Selfless Service, Courage, Discipline, Integrity and Respect for Others, which are sacred to all personnel.

“These values along with other cherished ethos of the Nigerian Army, if well imbibed and upheld, will help you attain great heights in your chosen career,” Yahaya said.

The army chief also advised the soldiers on the importance of the Oath of Attestation they have sworn to.

He said: “By this oath you are under obligation to remain loyal to constituted authorities at all times and place the interest of the nation ahead of your personal convictions’’.

He noted that Depot Nigerian Army, since its establishment in 1924, has borne the responsibility of moulding selected able bodied citizens into well trained and disciplined soldiers to meet the manpower demands of the Nigerian Army.

He added the function of moulding selected able bodied citizens into well trained and disciplined soldiers was of utmost importance and remained relevant, considering the numerous security challenges presently bedeviling our great nation.

Yahaya said he was glad to report that Depot Nigerian Army has continued to plan and conduct its training activities in compliance with the Army Headquarters Training Directives.

He said the training was also in cognisance of his vision of having a “professional Nigerian Army ready to accomplish assigned missions within a joint environment in defence of Nigeria”.

The COAS also inaugurated and inspected numerous projects at the Depot NA and Army School of Military Police, Basawa, Zaria.

In response to the terror attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State last Sunday, the Christian Association of Nigeria has called on the Federal Government to enact a law permitting individuals to carry firearms.

This was as security agencies assured residents of ample security in places of worship.

At least 40 people were confirmed dead in the gruesome attack by gunmen in Owo, last week Sunday.

As a result of the incident, the ancient town of Owo has been mourning while one of our correspondents in Ondo reports that no open religious programme has been held in Owo and Akure since the tragic incident occurred.

The Ondo State chapter of CAN has, however, advised church leaders in Ekiti and neighbouring states to beef up security in worship centres.

The association, in a communiqué, also asked its members to suspend vigil programmes for the time being.

The communiqué made available to Sunday PUNCH was signed by the state CAN Chairman, Rev. Fr. Anselm Ologunwa, Secretary, Very Evang. Amos Olomofe, and the Director of Information and Communications of the association, Mr Daisi Ajayi.

The body said, “The present Nigeria Constitution, which prohibits the use of firearms, should be reviewed, to give room for individuals for self-defence, given the prevailing insecurity situation in the country.”

CAN also said it would support the setting up of vigilance groups in every local government area of the state.

Also, the Chairman of the association in Osun State, Bishop Amos Ogunrinde, said churches had been instructed to engage the services of at least two security operatives per church.

He also said churches that could afford it should buy body scanners, ensuring that people were properly searched.

Ogunrinde said churches with perimeter fences should ensure that entrances were locked immediately service commenced.

On his response to the killing in Owo Catholic Church, the Ekiti State Chairman of CAN, Rev. Fr Peter Olowolafe, said, “We have had a discussion with some of our security agencies, particularly the Department of State Services and they have assured us that there is no need for panic.

“I trust them; they said we should not create unnecessary fear for people. We have discussed with our members that people should be more security conscious and that church leaders should get some security personnel so that there will not be any situation like what happened at Owo last week.”

An Owo town resident, Mrs Olaitan Akindele, said she would stop attending church programmes for some time until the government provides security around worship centres.

“This next Sunday, I will pray and worship God in my house. There is no security anywhere,” she said

The Ondo State Police Command has confirmed an attack on St Francis Catholic Church, Owa-luwa Street, in the Owo Local Government Area of the state.

DAILY POST had reported that an unspecified number of persons died following the attack that occurred at the church premises.

The incident, which occurred on Sunday during worship, triggered tension in the area as some residents were said to have moved out of the town to ensure their safety.

When contacted by DAILY POST, the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Odunlami Ibukun confirmed the incident.

The PPRO, who spoke to our correspondent while at the scene of the incident for an on-the-spot assessment, said details of the casualty would be communicated in a statement shortly.

She said, “we are currently at the scene of the incident to access damages made. It is not like what have been trending on social media. We will soon issue statement to give you details of what happened.”

Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria,, HURIWA, has told the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to go after all the special delegates of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the just concluded presidential primary election in Abuja.

The group also faulted the process that produced former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as the presidential candidate of the PDP in the forthcoming 2023 general elections.

HURIWA, in a statement by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, said Atiku’s emergence was allegedly heavily compromised by undue monetisation, adding that the candidate gave their candidate slot to the highest bidder.

The rights advocacy group said it was disappointing that operatives of the anti-graft agency only showed up at the venue of the primaries election at the MKO Abiola Stadium Abuja as if they don’t know that bribery of delegates has already taken place elsewhere as usual.

The group berated the EFCC for failing to deploy Intelligence skills in order to catch both the alleged bribe givers and takers.

Delegates for the presidential primaries were reportedly given at least $35,000 each by some northern aspirants and the allegation of bribery is yet to be debunked by the individuals so accused.

Atiku, however, emerged victorious in the election, polling 371 votes to defeat his closest rival, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State who polled 237 votes.

HURIWA’s Onwubiko said, “Nigerians were shocked at the corruption fiesta called PDP presidential primary on Sunday night.”

The withdrawal from the PDP race by former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi; and businessman, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen; who both said the PDP had monetised the process suffices that the presidential primary was nothing but corruption fiesta.

HURIWA also said it strongly condemns the conspiracy of the EFCC that pretended that it doesn’t know that bribes exchanged hands.

Recall that operatives of the anti-graft agency stormed the primary venue and HURIWA said it observed that dollars still changed hands as seen in several media reports. “How shameful!”

HURIWA “urged the EFCC top echelons in Abuja to prosecute the over 700 delegates that voted on Saturday/Sunday.”

Release ‘Mama Biafra’ From Detention, She’s Mother To Me – Nnamdi Kanu Tells Buhari Government

The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has asked the Muhammadu Buhari government to release Mrs Ukamaka Ejezie, popularly known as “Mama Biafra” from the detention of the Department of State Services, Abuja.

According to Kanu, Mama Biafra, a septuagenarian, was arrested during the IPOB leader’s last court appearance in Abuja on May 18.

Kanu, who spoke from the DSS detention, also expressed rage over the spate of bloodletting and insecurity in the South-East.

Kanu’s younger brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, relayed the message on Monday evening in an interview with Vanguard after visiting the IPOB leader in detention.

Kanu also told his brother (Prince) that he was saddened by the reports of killings across the South-East.

The IPOB leader added that the detained Mama Biafra had been acting as his mother since his parents died.

He said that the old woman committed no crime for coming to Abuja to solidarise with him at the court when she was arrested.

“I saw her at the DSS detention cell after her clothes were washed and spread on the wall. I demand that she be released because she committed no crime. She is an old woman and since my mother died, I have taken her as my mother. The DSS should release her,” Kanu was quoted as saying.

Kanu urged all to ensure there was peace in South-East, adding that those behind the insecurity in the zone did not mean well for the people.

Some leaders of the Hausa community in Lagos State have appealed to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to reverse the ban on Okada operations in six local government areas of the state.

The leaders, who spoke in separate interviews with The PUNCH, on Wednesday, said Okada riders who hail from northern Nigeria contribute significantly to the voting population of Lagos and should not be economically strangulated.

Sanwo-Olu had on Wednesday banned the operations of commercial motorcycle riders in six Local Governments and nine Local Government Development Areas in the state.

The affected councils are Eti-Osa, Ikeja, Surulere, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland and Apapa.

The governor said, “We will not sit back and watch criminally-minded people use that mode of transportation (motorcycles) to perpetrate crimes and criminality in Lagos. Lives are being lost on a daily basis, preventable accidents are happening every day and the riders are not respecting any of our traffic laws.

“The situation has led to a complete breakdown of law and order. This ban has come to stay and we will not tolerate any weakness in enforcement.”

But the Seriki of Obalende, Saliu Waziri, told The PUNCH that the government should rethink its decision.

Waziri said the government should instead get the data of Okada riders in Lagos to fish out any intruder or criminally-minded fellows.

He said, “This issue has taken us a long time and we have been trying to put our members on the line. I want to advise the government to rethink its decision because Lagos can’t operate without bikes because of traffic. Government should register Okada riders in each local government to know those working in any local government. By so doing, the government would know who to pick when any issue arises.

“Some of our members stay here in Lagos and vote during elections. That should count for something because we contribute to votes during elections. The government should change the system of Okada riders not stopping them.”

Waziri, however, ruled out the possibility of taking any legal action against the state government.

The Seriki Hausa of Ajah, Ibrahim Ngoma, agreed with his Obalende counterpart that the government should consider the voting population of Hausa Okada riders in Lagos.

“Truth be told, Governor Sanwo-Olu has been understanding with Okada people unlike Governor (Babatunde) Fashola. Okada members should obey the law while I appeal to Governor Sanwo-Olu to look into the matter and lift the ban before the election because the ban is affecting my people,” he said.

Also, another leader of the Hausa community in Lagos, Iliyasu Kira, in a telephone interview with The PUNCH on Wednesday, pleaded with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to reverse the ban.

Ahead of the 2023 Presidential election, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, has warned against a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

National President of PFN, Wale Oke, said Christians would vote against any political party that fielded a Muslim-Muslim ticket in 2023.

Speaking at the 30th anniversary of the PFN establishment in Osun State on Saturday, Oke said President Muhammadu Buhari should hand over to a Christian in 2023.

He stressed that it would be “unfair” for Buhari to hand over to another Muslim.

A statement by Osun PFN Director of Media, Bishop Seun Adeoye, quoted Oke as saying, “The Church in Nigeria is saying no to a Muslim-Muslim ticket. We are going to mobilise the church against such a political party. PFN has 65 million people and we will vote against such a party.

“Obasanjo handed over to Yar’adua, Yar’adua to Jonathan, and Jonathan to Buhari and who else should Buhari hand over to, but a Christian.”

Oke also urged PFN members to collect their Permanent Voters’ Cards, PVC.