Founder of popular Church sent to 20 years in jail for defiling 12 years old Church member’s Daughter
Founder of popular Church sent to 20 years in jail for defiling 12 years old Church member’s Daughter
The Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court sitting at Gudu, presided over by Justice Adebiyi Osolo, has sentenced the founder and Bishop of a popular church in Abuja, Bishop Kenneth Duke, to 20 years’ imprisonment without an option of fine for rape.
The 52-year-old Bishop, an indigene of Cross River State, was dragged to court by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, for allegedly raping a 12-year-old daughter of one of the church members, who was entrusted to the care of his family.
NAPTIP, meanwhile, said it had rescued nine pregnant girls at a suspected baby factory located in one of the sprawling estates in the Ushafa area of Abuja.
The convict was arraigned in court on November 2, 2023, on a two-count charge of rape and intentionally causing emotional and phycological abuse to the victim.
According to the charge, in March 2023, the convict, who lives behind the Dantata Construction Company, Dakwa, Abuja, raped the victim, thereby committing an offence punishable under the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015.
The victim, an indigene of Ondo State, was living in Lagos before she was brought to Abuja to live with her mother.
The charge narrated that on March 5, 2023, the victim’s mother took her to the church located at Dantata Zuba Expressway and that after the service, she was taken to the Bishop’s family house to stay with them to enable the Bishop’s wife take her to where she would learn a skill, following an agreement earlier reached by both families.
However, the following day, being March 6, 2023, the father of five (bishop), according to the charge, sent his children on an errand, leaving him with the victim alone in the house. About 10a.m., the Bishop reportedly gave the victim some Mathematics work to solve, only to allegedly rape her as she was solving it.
The court found the cleric guilty of a one-count charge of rape and sentenced him accordingly, to 20 years imprisonment without an option of fine.
In another development, NAPTIP has rescued nine pregnant girls from a suspected baby factory in the Ushafa area of Abuja.
The victims, according to the agency’s National Public Relations Officer, Vincent Adekoya, “were locked up in a rented apartment inside the estate by a yet-to-be-identified human trafficking agent after recruiting them through an online platform.
“The raid on the facility by operatives of NAPTIP followed a tip-off by a concerned citizen who noticed the unusual situation and movement around the area.”
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Govt suspend Doctors for leaving scissors in patient’s stomach after operation
Govt suspend Doctors for leaving scissors in patient’s stomach after operation
The Kano State Hospitals Management Board has acknowledged that the death of Aishatu Umar, a five-time mother, resulted from professional lapses at the Abubakar Imam Urology Centre, a government health facility in Kano.
According to a statement issued by the Board’s Public Relations Officer, Samira Suleiman, an internal probe initiated by the Executive Secretary, Dr. Mansur Mudi Nagoda, revealed that medical staff failed to remove surgical scissors from the patient’s body after an operation, a mistake that proved fatal.
Following the findings, the Board ordered the suspension of three staff members connected to the procedure, barring them from all clinical responsibilities with immediate effect.
The case has also been handed over to the Kano State Medical Ethics Committee, which will conduct a more detailed inquiry and determine appropriate sanctions in accordance with existing regulations and ethical guidelines.
“The Board extends its deepest condolences to the family of the late Aishatu Umar and sympathizes with them over this painful loss. We reassure the public that negligence will not be condoned in any form,” the statement read.
Aishatu Umar reportedly died after complications arising from a surgery in which surgical scissors were allegedly left in her abdomen.
Her husband, Abubakar Muhammad, said she repeatedly complained of worsening health conditions after the operation, but her concerns were not adequately addressed before her death.
The tragedy has triggered widespread anger among Kano residents, drawing attention to systemic weaknesses in supervision and accountability within public hospitals.
News
Masquerade arrested, detained by Police over alleged attack in community
Masquerade arrested, detained by Police over alleged attack in community
The Anambra Police Command says it has detained a masquerade, allegedly involved in unprovoked violent attacks on residents of Awgbu Community in Orumba North LGA of the state.
In a statement issued in Awka and made available to newsmen on Wednesday, the command’s Spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed that the incident happened on Monday.
“The Anambra Police Command wishes to inform the public, especially the people of Anambra and other concerned persons, that it has taken into custody the masquerade involved in the unprovoked and violent attacks on innocent citizens.
“The act led to a breach of public peace in Awgbu, Orumba North LGA.
“The suspect is currently in police custody, and investigations are ongoing to ensure that all those involved are brought to justice,” Ikenga added.
He described the conduct by the masquerade, as seen in the viral video currently in circulation, as “unacceptable, unlawful, and would not be tolerated under any guise”.
An eyewitness in the community told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the masquerade, accompanied by some youths, went out of its way to attack unsuspecting members of the public and destroyed people’s property.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, he said that the incident occurred during the last “Ofala” festival in honour of the late Traditional Ruler of Awgbu, Igwe Michael Okechukwu.
NAN reports that the festival was supposed to be a solemn cultural and symbolic celebration of the life and reign of the late monarch. (NAN)
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BREAKING: More Rivers Lawmakers back out of impeachment proceedings against Gov Fubara
BREAKING: More Rivers Lawmakers back out of impeachment proceedings against Gov Fubara
Two additional lawmakers in the Rivers State House of Assembly have appealed to their colleagues to halt the impeachment moves against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, as calls for restraint within the legislature continue to grow.
The legislators, Barile Nwakoh, representing Khana Constituency I, and Emilia Amadi of Obio/Akpor Constituency II, made their position known on Wednesday, barely 48 hours after two other members of the House publicly distanced themselves from the impeachment effort.
Earlier on Monday, Sylvanus Eyinna Nwankwo and Peter Abbey had broken ranks with the Assembly leadership, urging lawmakers to approach the unfolding crisis with caution, dialogue, and a spirit of compromise rather than confrontation.
The dissenting lawmakers argued that impeachment should not be the first option in resolving disagreements between the executive and legislative arms, suggesting that alternative mechanisms could help de-escalate tensions and open the door to reconciliation.
The appeal was delivered during a press conference held in Port Harcourt, where the lawmakers said pressure was mounting from political leaders and stakeholders within and outside Rivers State to seek a peaceful resolution.
Addressing journalists, Nwankwo, the Minority Leader of the House and representative of Omuma Constituency, disclosed that several interventions had been made by respected figures calling for moderation and restraint.
He urged his colleagues to suspend the impeachment process and give room for dialogue in the interest of political stability in the state.
Abbey, who represents Degema Constituency, acknowledged allegations that the governor may have breached constitutional provisions but cautioned against an irreversible step such as impeachment.
He noted that while errors may have occurred, the focus should be on corrective measures and ensuring that any identified lapses are not repeated going forward.
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