Minister restates govt commitment to tackle kidnapping, hostage-taking
Minister of Police Affairs,Humphrey Abah has reiterated the Federal Government`s commitment to curtail the rising cases of kidnapping and hostage-taking. Project Director,Africa Citizens Anti-Kidnap Education Initiative,Dauda Rasheed quoted the minster as making the commitment at an international conference on kidnapping in Accra, Ghana.
Rasheed said in a statement in Lagos that the minister spoke on Global Best Practices in Security and Emergency Preparedness Procedures Against kidnapping and Hostage-taking.
According to the statement, the government is worried by the ugly trend and has mapped out strategies to confront the vices head-on.
Abah, who was represented by a director in the ministry,Shogbola Olakunle said some of the strategies included community policing and training of officers on modern ways of handling kidnap incidents.
He listed others as provision of logistics and equipment to police officers and deployment of specially trained officers to states and locations prone to kidnapping.
According to Abah, the menace of kidnapping cannot be solved alone by the police due to the complex nature of the crime.
The minister urged stakeholders, including high risk individuals, to collaborate with the police to put an end to the problem.
He urged the citizens to assist the police with information about activities of kidnappers and strange movements of people in and out of their communities.
Abah said this would greatly help in tracking down kidnappers and make the society safer.
He lauded the police for the success recorded in its war on kidnapping so far, saying that the personnel had successfully prevented many cases.
The Minister commended Africa Citizens Anti-Kidnapping Initiative, an NGO and Decision Group, Canada, for organising the conference.
According to him, conferences on security will help raise the level of security preparedness in Nigeria.
Abbah expressed the hope that the group would work with the country in establishing the recently approved Police University.
He said the NGO’s materials were now used as teaching materials in many universities across the world.
The Decision Group is a world leader in E-detective technology, digital forensic technology and internet-content-monitoring and forensic solutions for kidnap-related crimes.
Police arrest three over stolen company jeep
The Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Lagos, has announced the arrest of three persons in connection with the theft of a Prado Jeep belonging to a construction company.
Its spokesman, Lekan Ogundare said the arrest followed a petition from the construction company located in Victoria Island, Lagos.
Ogundare said two of the suspects were drivers while the third suspect was a security man-- all former workers of the international company.
He said the security man allegedly gave the keys of the Jeep to his accomplice so they could sell the vehicle, after learning that the company had plans to sack him.
According to the police Ogundare, the security man claimed that five of them were employed as security men by the company but that four had been sacked.
He claimed that when he realised that he would soon be sacked, he decided to take something for himself so as not to leave the company empty handed.
The police spokesman stated that one of the suspects, who hail from Calabar, drove the jeep to his state for sale, but the installed vehicle tracker enabled the police to trace it.
Ogundare said in Calabar, the suspect demanded for N2 million from a car dealer for the vehicle.
He said investigations were ongoing, adding that one of the suspects was still at large.
The recovered jeep has already been released to the owner.
Absence of counsel stalls trial of 3 men charged with money doubling
The absence of a defence counsel has stalled the continuation of the trial of three men charged with stealing N190,000 from a sales girl.
A.O. Gbajumo of a Surulere Magistrates Court, Lagos, consequently adjourned the matter till April 20 for the cross examination of the witnesses.
The accused, Innocent Chibuno, 27, Sunday Chijioke, 32; and Uzoma Onyendi, 40, were arraigned on Sept. 21, 2010, on a two-count charge of conspiracy and fraud.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Raji Hakeem, had told the court that the accused committed the offence on Dec. 18, 2009 at Orile Iganmu, Lagos.
Hakeem said the accused allegedly obtained the money from their victim, Mary James, under false pretence.
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to them.
At the opening of the trial, James testified that the accused hypnotised her and took her to a shrine.
She said at the shrine her abductors administered some concoctions on her after which they threatened that I would die if I did not give them money.
The accused had promised to return the money after she had followed their instructions.
Man in court over alleged forged receipts totaling N962,500
A 44-year-old man, Oliver Olum, has been arraigned at the Ebute Metta Magistrates Court for allegedly forging cash sales receipts, totaling N962,500.
The accused is standing trial before Chief Magistrate O.A. Ogala on a five-count charge of stealing and forgery.
Olum, however, pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Insp. Eshiet Offong, told the court that the accused committed the alleged offence at 14, Onitire Shopping Complex, Iyana Itire, Ilasamaja, Lagos.
Offong said the accused sometime in March 2007 stole the sum of N526,000 belonging to one Godfrey Chigbundu
He said Olum also forged a cash sales receipt with serial number 0000425 dated March 3, 2007 for the sum of N172, 500.
The prosecutor said the accused also in May 2007 at the same address forged another cash sales receipt with serial number 000467 dated May 8, 2007 for the sum of N104,000.
Offong told the court that Olum forged another cash sales receipt with serial number 0000411 dated March 17, 2007 for the sum of N160, 000.
He said the accused forged all the cash sales receipts with the intent that they would be used or acted upon as being genuine to the prejudice of G.O. Investment Nigeria.
The prosecutor said the offence contravened Sections 390(9), 467 and 516 of the Criminal Codes, Laws of Lagos State.
The magistrate granted the accused bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum and adjourned further hearing in the case to April 11.
Man, 2 accomplices, docked on theft charge
A 24-year-old driver, Stephen Olotu, was on Wednesday arraigned in Lagos for allegedly breaking into a Honda Accord car, valued at N3.5 million, with intent to steal it.
Olotu appeared along with two other accomplices, Mohammed Abdul (39) and Opia Zino (27) before an Igbosere Magistrates Court on a three-count charge of conspiracy, attempted stealing and unlawful possession.
Olotu, who allegedly broke the rear window glass of the car LD 550 KJA to gain entry, has four other similar cases pending against him.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Stephen Molo, said the accused with others in February at the TBS Car Park, using special keys, attempted to steal the car, property of one Mr Christopher Omolabi.
He said Abdul and Zino, who were picked up at different locations on Feb. 17, had in their possessions three Blackberry phones, two MTN SIM cards and a stabiliser.
Other items, according to the prosecutor, are one Nokia handset, one Dell laptop, which both men could not satisfactory account for.
Molo said Olotu also had in his possession six units of different brands of car ignition keys.
He said the offences contravened Sections 4, 430 and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State, 2003.
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The Magistrate, Olayinka Ogunbowale, granted Olotu bail in the sum of N450,000 with two sureties each in like sum.
She granted the two other accused bail in the sum of N50,000 with one surety each and adjourned the case till April 4 for further hearing.
Court refuses accused bail
An Igbosere Magistrates Court, Lagos, has refused to admit to bail one Joachin Okoro, 44, who had previously jumped police bail over an alleged fraud involving N2.3 million.
Okoro is facing a fresh three-count charge of intent to defraud, stealing and obtaining by pretence before Magistrate F.O. Aigbokhaevbo.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Philips Osigale, told the court that the accused committed the offence on Dec. 8 and Dec. 17, 2009.
Osigale said the accused obtained N2.3 million from one Ikechukwu Obidiegwu, under the pretext of supplying him with 33,000 litres of petrol.
He said the accused also issued Obidiegwu a dishonoured cheque of N1.3 million when he was asked to return the money since he could not supply the fuel.
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The magistrate, however, refused him bail on the grounds that there was a pending case in which his surety was still in custody because he had jumped police bail.
He adjourned the case till March 25 for mention.
Police arraign 5 commercial sex workers
Seven women, believed to be commercial sex workers, appeared on Thursday before an Igbosere Magistrates Court.
The accused are Bose Moses (32), Promise Albert (32), Victoria Godwin (22), Joy Etta (27), Ladi Jacob (25), Linda Obire (38) and Gloria Johnson.
The alleged sex workers, who are facing a two-count charge of indecency and conduct capable of breaching public peace, have pleaded not guilty.
However, the prosecutor, Insp. Augustine Onwuemene, said the accused had on March 3 at about 2 a.m. unlawfully assembled and solicited openly at Adeyemo Alakija Street, Victoria Island.
He the offence contravened Section 231 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State.
The Magistrate, Mulikat Ali-Balogun, granted the accused bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties each in like sum and adjourned the case till March 30.
The magistrate had earlier cautioned the accused against distracting the court with their high heel shoes.
She threatened to deal with them if they made unnecessary noise with their shoes while returning from the dock to their seats.
Man accused of stealing NITEL cable knows fate on March 23
A Surulere Magistrates Court, Lagos, on Thursday fixed March 23 for the delivery of judgment in the trial of one Ekene Egwuma, arraigned for allegedly stealing NITEL cable.
The Magistrate, A. Tobi, ordered the accused to be remanded at the Ikoyi Prisons till the adjourned date for sentence.
Egwuma, 33, who claimed to be a job seeker, was arraigned on a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing the cable, the value of which was not given.
The accused, who pleaded guilty to the offence of conspiracy to steal, however, denied stealing.
The prosecutor, Cpl. Samuel Ishola, had told the court that the accused committed the offence on March 5 at Imam Dauda St., Surulere, Lagos.
He said the offences contravened Sections 390 (9) and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State.
Review of Admiralty Rules, a necessity – Chief Judge
The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Dan Abutu, has said it is reviewing the Admiralty Rules was necessary to meet the challenges in the shipping industry.
Abutu made the assertion at the public presentation of the new Admiralty Jurisdiction Procedure Rules 2011, which was held at the Federal High Court, Lagos.
He said the review of the rules had become necessary because the former rules had been in place since 1993.
Abutu expressed optimism that the review will open a floodgate of greater achievements.
The former CJ of the court, Justice Abdullahi Mustapher, stressed the importance of the new rules.
The Chief Registrar, N. Ayo-Emmanuel, extolled the virtues of the chief judge for his landmark attainment.
13-year-old in court over illegal possession of firearm
A 13-year-old boy was on Friday arraigned along with a 22-year-old man at the Ebute-Meta Magistrates Court, Lagos, on a two-count charge of conspiracy and illegal possession of firearm.
The 13-year-old (name withheld) and 22-year-old Nurudeen Lasisi appeared before Senior Magistrate O.O. Olatunji.
The duo pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Ajala Ebi, told the court that the duo committed the offence on Feb. 24 at Lasisi Str., Idi-Oro, Mushin, Lagos.
Ebi said offence contravened Sections 428 and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State.
The magistrate granted the accused persons bail in the sum of N200,000 each, with two in like sum.
He adjourned further hearing in the case to April 20.
Estate agents docked for allegedly defrauding victim of N400,000
Two estate agents, who allegedly obtained N400,000 under the pretence of selling a piece of land to a man, have been arraigned in Lagos for fraud.
The duo were on Friday docked at a Yaba Magistrates Court for allegedly defrauding one Mr Ehizielen Godday of the amount.
The accused, Saheed Salami, 24, and Oduwole Sunday, 46, are standing trial before Magistrate Patrick Adekomaya on a three-count charge of conspiracy, fraud and stealing.
The duo, however, pleaded not guilty and were granted bail in the sum of N50,000 each, with one surety in like sum.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Chinalu Uwadire, told the court that the accused on Sept. 2, 2010 at the Alagbado area of Lagos conspired to obtain the N400,000 from Godday under false pretence.
Uwadire said the offence contravened Sections 390(9) and 419 of the Criminal Code Laws of Lagos State.
The magistrate adjourned the case till March 28 for further hearing.
Security guard pleads guilty to attempted murder
A 24-year-old security guard on Monday pleaded guilty to assault and attempted murder of a man who cautioned him against burning refuse in an uncompleted building.
The guard, Muhammed Abakaka, admitted before a Somolu Magistrates Court that he stabbed one Adeniran Adegoke on the neck and rib.
Ababaka pleaded guilty during his arraignment before Magistrate B.O. Osunsanmi.
The prosecutor, Insp. A. Adegoke, had told the court that Abakaka committed the offences on March 6 at No. 1, City of Power Avenue, Somolu.
The prosecutor said that the alleged offences contravened Sections 355 and 320 of the Criminal Code of Lagos State.
The court adjourned the case till March 16 for sentence.
The Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Lagos, has announced the arrest of three persons in connection with the theft of a Prado Jeep belonging to a construction company.
Its spokesman, Lekan Ogundare said the arrest followed a petition from the construction company located in Victoria Island, Lagos.
Ogundare said two of the suspects were drivers while the third suspect was a security man-- all former workers of the international company.
He said the security man allegedly gave the keys of the Jeep to his accomplice so they could sell the vehicle, after learning that the company had plans to sack him.
According to the police Ogundare, the security man claimed that five of them were employed as security men by the company but that four had been sacked.
He claimed that when he realised that he would soon be sacked, he decided to take something for himself so as not to leave the company empty handed.
The police spokesman stated that one of the suspects, who hail from Calabar, drove the jeep to his state for sale, but the installed vehicle tracker enabled the police to trace it.
Ogundare said in Calabar, the suspect demanded for N2 million from a car dealer for the vehicle.
He said investigations were ongoing, adding that one of the suspects was still at large.
The recovered jeep has already been released to the owner.
Absence of counsel stalls trial of 3 men charged with money doubling
The absence of a defence counsel has stalled the continuation of the trial of three men charged with stealing N190,000 from a sales girl.
A.O. Gbajumo of a Surulere Magistrates Court, Lagos, consequently adjourned the matter till April 20 for the cross examination of the witnesses.
The accused, Innocent Chibuno, 27, Sunday Chijioke, 32; and Uzoma Onyendi, 40, were arraigned on Sept. 21, 2010, on a two-count charge of conspiracy and fraud.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Raji Hakeem, had told the court that the accused committed the offence on Dec. 18, 2009 at Orile Iganmu, Lagos.
Hakeem said the accused allegedly obtained the money from their victim, Mary James, under false pretence.
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to them.
At the opening of the trial, James testified that the accused hypnotised her and took her to a shrine.
She said at the shrine her abductors administered some concoctions on her after which they threatened that I would die if I did not give them money.
The accused had promised to return the money after she had followed their instructions.
Man in court over alleged forged receipts totaling N962,500
A 44-year-old man, Oliver Olum, has been arraigned at the Ebute Metta Magistrates Court for allegedly forging cash sales receipts, totaling N962,500.
The accused is standing trial before Chief Magistrate O.A. Ogala on a five-count charge of stealing and forgery.
Olum, however, pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Insp. Eshiet Offong, told the court that the accused committed the alleged offence at 14, Onitire Shopping Complex, Iyana Itire, Ilasamaja, Lagos.
Offong said the accused sometime in March 2007 stole the sum of N526,000 belonging to one Godfrey Chigbundu
He said Olum also forged a cash sales receipt with serial number 0000425 dated March 3, 2007 for the sum of N172, 500.
The prosecutor said the accused also in May 2007 at the same address forged another cash sales receipt with serial number 000467 dated May 8, 2007 for the sum of N104,000.
Offong told the court that Olum forged another cash sales receipt with serial number 0000411 dated March 17, 2007 for the sum of N160, 000.
He said the accused forged all the cash sales receipts with the intent that they would be used or acted upon as being genuine to the prejudice of G.O. Investment Nigeria.
The prosecutor said the offence contravened Sections 390(9), 467 and 516 of the Criminal Codes, Laws of Lagos State.
The magistrate granted the accused bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum and adjourned further hearing in the case to April 11.
Man, 2 accomplices, docked on theft charge
A 24-year-old driver, Stephen Olotu, was on Wednesday arraigned in Lagos for allegedly breaking into a Honda Accord car, valued at N3.5 million, with intent to steal it.
Olotu appeared along with two other accomplices, Mohammed Abdul (39) and Opia Zino (27) before an Igbosere Magistrates Court on a three-count charge of conspiracy, attempted stealing and unlawful possession.
Olotu, who allegedly broke the rear window glass of the car LD 550 KJA to gain entry, has four other similar cases pending against him.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Stephen Molo, said the accused with others in February at the TBS Car Park, using special keys, attempted to steal the car, property of one Mr Christopher Omolabi.
He said Abdul and Zino, who were picked up at different locations on Feb. 17, had in their possessions three Blackberry phones, two MTN SIM cards and a stabiliser.
Other items, according to the prosecutor, are one Nokia handset, one Dell laptop, which both men could not satisfactory account for.
Molo said Olotu also had in his possession six units of different brands of car ignition keys.
He said the offences contravened Sections 4, 430 and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State, 2003.
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The Magistrate, Olayinka Ogunbowale, granted Olotu bail in the sum of N450,000 with two sureties each in like sum.
She granted the two other accused bail in the sum of N50,000 with one surety each and adjourned the case till April 4 for further hearing.
Court refuses accused bail
An Igbosere Magistrates Court, Lagos, has refused to admit to bail one Joachin Okoro, 44, who had previously jumped police bail over an alleged fraud involving N2.3 million.
Okoro is facing a fresh three-count charge of intent to defraud, stealing and obtaining by pretence before Magistrate F.O. Aigbokhaevbo.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Philips Osigale, told the court that the accused committed the offence on Dec. 8 and Dec. 17, 2009.
Osigale said the accused obtained N2.3 million from one Ikechukwu Obidiegwu, under the pretext of supplying him with 33,000 litres of petrol.
He said the accused also issued Obidiegwu a dishonoured cheque of N1.3 million when he was asked to return the money since he could not supply the fuel.
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The magistrate, however, refused him bail on the grounds that there was a pending case in which his surety was still in custody because he had jumped police bail.
He adjourned the case till March 25 for mention.
Police arraign 5 commercial sex workers
Seven women, believed to be commercial sex workers, appeared on Thursday before an Igbosere Magistrates Court.
The accused are Bose Moses (32), Promise Albert (32), Victoria Godwin (22), Joy Etta (27), Ladi Jacob (25), Linda Obire (38) and Gloria Johnson.
The alleged sex workers, who are facing a two-count charge of indecency and conduct capable of breaching public peace, have pleaded not guilty.
However, the prosecutor, Insp. Augustine Onwuemene, said the accused had on March 3 at about 2 a.m. unlawfully assembled and solicited openly at Adeyemo Alakija Street, Victoria Island.
He the offence contravened Section 231 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State.
The Magistrate, Mulikat Ali-Balogun, granted the accused bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties each in like sum and adjourned the case till March 30.
The magistrate had earlier cautioned the accused against distracting the court with their high heel shoes.
She threatened to deal with them if they made unnecessary noise with their shoes while returning from the dock to their seats.
Man accused of stealing NITEL cable knows fate on March 23
A Surulere Magistrates Court, Lagos, on Thursday fixed March 23 for the delivery of judgment in the trial of one Ekene Egwuma, arraigned for allegedly stealing NITEL cable.
The Magistrate, A. Tobi, ordered the accused to be remanded at the Ikoyi Prisons till the adjourned date for sentence.
Egwuma, 33, who claimed to be a job seeker, was arraigned on a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing the cable, the value of which was not given.
The accused, who pleaded guilty to the offence of conspiracy to steal, however, denied stealing.
The prosecutor, Cpl. Samuel Ishola, had told the court that the accused committed the offence on March 5 at Imam Dauda St., Surulere, Lagos.
He said the offences contravened Sections 390 (9) and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State.
Review of Admiralty Rules, a necessity – Chief Judge
The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Dan Abutu, has said it is reviewing the Admiralty Rules was necessary to meet the challenges in the shipping industry.
Abutu made the assertion at the public presentation of the new Admiralty Jurisdiction Procedure Rules 2011, which was held at the Federal High Court, Lagos.
He said the review of the rules had become necessary because the former rules had been in place since 1993.
Abutu expressed optimism that the review will open a floodgate of greater achievements.
The former CJ of the court, Justice Abdullahi Mustapher, stressed the importance of the new rules.
The Chief Registrar, N. Ayo-Emmanuel, extolled the virtues of the chief judge for his landmark attainment.
13-year-old in court over illegal possession of firearm
A 13-year-old boy was on Friday arraigned along with a 22-year-old man at the Ebute-Meta Magistrates Court, Lagos, on a two-count charge of conspiracy and illegal possession of firearm.
The 13-year-old (name withheld) and 22-year-old Nurudeen Lasisi appeared before Senior Magistrate O.O. Olatunji.
The duo pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Ajala Ebi, told the court that the duo committed the offence on Feb. 24 at Lasisi Str., Idi-Oro, Mushin, Lagos.
Ebi said offence contravened Sections 428 and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State.
The magistrate granted the accused persons bail in the sum of N200,000 each, with two in like sum.
He adjourned further hearing in the case to April 20.
Estate agents docked for allegedly defrauding victim of N400,000
Two estate agents, who allegedly obtained N400,000 under the pretence of selling a piece of land to a man, have been arraigned in Lagos for fraud.
The duo were on Friday docked at a Yaba Magistrates Court for allegedly defrauding one Mr Ehizielen Godday of the amount.
The accused, Saheed Salami, 24, and Oduwole Sunday, 46, are standing trial before Magistrate Patrick Adekomaya on a three-count charge of conspiracy, fraud and stealing.
The duo, however, pleaded not guilty and were granted bail in the sum of N50,000 each, with one surety in like sum.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Chinalu Uwadire, told the court that the accused on Sept. 2, 2010 at the Alagbado area of Lagos conspired to obtain the N400,000 from Godday under false pretence.
Uwadire said the offence contravened Sections 390(9) and 419 of the Criminal Code Laws of Lagos State.
The magistrate adjourned the case till March 28 for further hearing.
Security guard pleads guilty to attempted murder
A 24-year-old security guard on Monday pleaded guilty to assault and attempted murder of a man who cautioned him against burning refuse in an uncompleted building.
The guard, Muhammed Abakaka, admitted before a Somolu Magistrates Court that he stabbed one Adeniran Adegoke on the neck and rib.
Ababaka pleaded guilty during his arraignment before Magistrate B.O. Osunsanmi.
The prosecutor, Insp. A. Adegoke, had told the court that Abakaka committed the offences on March 6 at No. 1, City of Power Avenue, Somolu.
The prosecutor said that the alleged offences contravened Sections 355 and 320 of the Criminal Code of Lagos State.
The court adjourned the case till March 16 for sentence.
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