Police arraign Medical Doctor two others for allegedly stealing and selling of children
Police arraign Medical Doctor two others for allegedly stealing and selling of children
The Anambra State Police Command on Wednesday arraigned a 72-year-old doctor and two women for allegedly stealing and selling children.
The defdndants appeared before the state’s Children, Sexual and Gender-based Violence Offences Court in Awka.
The defendants are Dr Daniel Ikebuilo, Ifunanya Ogbonna, 24, and Odinaka Okorie, 27.
They were arraigned on five counts bordering on conspiracy, child stealing, illegal deal and sale of children.
They, however, pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Insp Chinyere Okechukwu, told the court that the defendants committed the offences from July 2024 to February 2025 at Nkwelle-Ezunaka in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra.
Okechulwu said that the defendants conspired and fraudulently took away two children, aged six years and five years, against their parents’ wish.
She added that the doctor sold the six-year-old child for three million Naira.
Okechukwu said that the other defendants sold the five-year-old child for N1.2 million to the doctor.
Okechukwu said that the offences contravened Sections 495(a) and 321 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Anambra, 1991, as amended.
She added that the offences violated Section 31(1) (4) of the state’s Child Rights Law of 2004.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs U.E. Onochie, granted each of the defendants bail in the sum of one million Naira with a surety in like sum.
Onochie adjourned the case until May 7 for substantive hearing. (NAN)
Akpabio made this known on Thursday during plenary at the National Assembly, explaining that poor lighting at the Kogi airport prevented him from leaving after the event.
The former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs emphasised his close relationship with Natasha’s family, describing her husband as a good friend.
He noted that his presence at their wedding was a testament to their bond.
“I slept in Dangote Cement factory in Obajana, Kogi State, on the night of Senator Natasha’s wedding because the Kogi airport lights were in a poor state,” Akpabio stated.
Tribune Online reports that the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions has suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months after her heated exchange with Senate President Godswill Akpabio over seat arrangements.
Following the ruling, she was escorted out of the chamber by the Sergeant-at-Arms.
News
Husband allegedly stabs his Wife to death during domestic dispute
Husband allegedly stabs his Wife to death during domestic dispute
The Police Command in Ogun has confirmed that a man, simply identified as Oju, allegedly stabbed his wife, Josephine Isaac to death in Agbure, Ogun Waterside Local Government Area of the state.
CSP Omolola Odutola, the Command’s Spokesperson, stated this in a statement in Abeokuta on Thursday.
Odutola explained that the case was reported at Abigi Divisional Police Headquarters at about 9:30a.m, by Blessing Isaac, the younger sister of the deceased.
The command spokesperson added that the deceased sister recounted that at about 1:00a.m, Josephine, who married to Oju from Cross River State, had a “violent dispute” with her husband.
According to Odutola, the altercation escalated into physical violence, during which the suspect allegedly stabbed his wife multiple times in the neck and chest with a knife.
“Upon realising the severity of her injuries and seeing her bleeding profusely, the suspect fled the scene, abandoning her.
“The victim was rushed to Ibiade General Hospital, where she unfortunately succumbed to her injuries, as confirmed by medical personnel.
“Upon receiving the report, detectives from Abigi Division swiftly visited the crime scene and recovered potential exhibits,” she said.
Odutola explained that the 36-year-old deceased has been deposited at the mortuary for autopsy.
She added that investigations currently ongoing to ensure the perpetrator was brought to justice.
Odutola assured residents that justice would be served.
She advised residents to always seek peaceful conflict resolution mechanisms rather than resorting to violence, and report any suspected case of domestic abuse to the nearest police station. (NAN)
News
Army General assumes office as NYSC new Director-General
Army General assumes office as NYSC new Director-General
Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, on Thursday in Abuja, assumed office as the 23rd Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), promising to improve the welfare of staff and corps members.
Nafiu, while taking over from his predecessor, Brig.-Gen. Yu’shau Ahmed, stated that the core of his mandate was to provide transparent and effective leadership for the advancement of the scheme.
He also emphasised advancing the job-matching programme for graduates, enabling more corps members to enter the private sector during their service year.
“It will also be aimed at incentivising employers to retain a significant number of our corps members after their service year.
“Under my leadership, the well-being of corps members will always be a top priority.
“We will work hard to ensure that their service is one of the most memorable experiences of their lives,” he said.
“My team and I shall work tirelessly to enhance camp feeding and hygiene.”
He acknowledged that the establishment of the NYSC scheme in 1973 was a well-thought-out strategy that had greatly contributed to the socio-cultural integration of the country.
“The scheme has fostered mutual understanding and trust among the people, regardless of origin.”
He also lauded the scheme’s significant contribution to promoting national unity through community development engagements by corps members.
“The corps members are the only qualified educators, health providers, legal advisors, and many other professionals that some of our communities have ever known.
“They are a beacon of hope, inspiration, and a symbol of hard work for future generations in many rural areas,” he said.
Nafiu sought the understanding and support of the staff to drive the programmes he intended to introduce to boost the common welfare and career development of the scheme.
He urged staff to be good role models for corps members, stressing the importance of rethinking strategies to fulfil the purpose of the scheme.
Nafiu also assured them that his leadership philosophy would focus on repositioning the NYSC to meet the demands of contemporary society and tackle future challenges.
The outgoing director-general, Ahmed, said Nafiu’s appointment was a testament to his career and unwavering dedication to national service.
He expressed optimism that Nafiu’s leadership would bring a transformative era of progress and innovation to the scheme.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nafiu holds a Master’s Degree in International Affairs and Diplomacy from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria.
He also has a Bachelor of Science in Geography from the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna.
Nafiu, an alumnus of three Army War Colleges, has served in various capacities in Nigeria and international peacekeeping missions.
Prior to his appointment as NYSC director-general, he served as Chief of Staff to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede.(NAN)