Policeman killed as Security Operatives rescue kidnapped Customary Court President
A combined team of police and military personnel have rescued the President of Igueben Area Customary Court in Edo State, His Honour Precious Aigbonoga (Mrs.), who was recently kidnapped.
It would be recalled that Mrs Aigbonoga, was last Monday kidnapped at Ugoneki town in Uhunwonde Local Government Area of the state while on her way to attend court sitting in Igueben.
Confirming the report, a family source who did not want his name mentioned told our correspondent on phone that Mrs Aigbonoga, who was rescued in the wee hour of Thursday, January 12, 2023, was shot in the leg by her abductors.
A source revealed that the Customary Court President is being hospitalised at the time of filing this report.
“She was rescued by the military but was shot by the kidnappers and she is receiving treatment in the hospital,” the source revealed.
Also confirming the release of Aigbonoga, the Nigeria Bar Association, Benin Branch, through its Publicity Secretary, Festus Osagie, Usiobaifo Esq, said: “Executive Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association, Benin Branch is pleased to announce the release of the President of Igueben Area Customary Court, His Honour, Precious Aigbonoga (Mrs).
“His Honour was rescued in the early hours of today (yesterday),12th day of January 2022, following an attack launched against the kidnappers by Police Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad attached to Police Headquarters, Benin City.
“It was gathered that in the process of rescuing the victim, there was an exchange of heavy gunfire between the Police and the bandits which led to one of the gallant police officers paying the ultimate price.
Reacting to the development through telephone conversation, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Edo State Command, SP Chidi Nwanbuzor, confirmed the report.
He said that the combined force of Military and police rescued the abducted Customary Court President at a place called “Scorpion Heel”, Ugoneki Forest where she was held captive.
The Police image-maker, however, disclosed that during the rescue operation, a police officer was killed.
The prosecutor, PC Olapeju Durodola, told the court that the defendant and others now at large committed the offences on Nov. 30, 2024, at Mufu Lanihun, at Yidi Agugu in Ibadan.
She said that the defendant allegedly
added a substance to her boyfriend’s drink, one Waris Olamilekan, to make him lose consciousness.
According to her, the defendant stole the money after adding the substance in the complainant’s drink.
Durodola said the offences contravened Sections 390(9) and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Olabisi Ogunkanmi, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N2 million with two sureties in like sum.
Ogunkanmi said one of the sureties must be a property owner within the court’s jurisdiction, while the second surety must be a blood relation to the defendant.
She, thereafter, adjourned the matter until May 26 for hearing.(NAN)
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Supreme Court nullifies Rivers Local Govt elections conducted by Gov Fubara
Supreme Court nullifies Rivers Local Govt elections conducted by Gov Fubara
The Supreme Court on Friday, nullified the Local Government election in Rivers, which was conducted on Oct. 5, 2024.
A five-member panel of the apex court unanimously held that the election was conducted in violation of relevant laws.
Justice Jamilu Tukur, in the lead judgment, agreed with the appellant, the All Progressives Congress (APC), that conditions precedent were not complied with before the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) held the election.
Justice Tukur held that there was no evidence that the voters’ registration continued until 90 days before the election and that the requisite notices were issued as required by law.(NAN)
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Akpabio harassing me because I refused his s3xual advances – Senator Natasha alleges
Akpabio harassing me because I refused his s3xual advances – Senator Natasha alleges
The Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment, reigniting a heated public dispute.
Speaking on ARISE TV on Friday, Akpoti-Uduaghan revealed her allegations, which follow a previous confrontation with Akpabio over the unauthorized change of her Senate seat.
The controversial seat change sparked a tense argument between the two, leading to Akpoti-Uduaghan being referred to the Senate’s Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions for disciplinary review.
Chaired by Senator Neda Imaseun (LP, Edo South), the committee was given two weeks to present its findings after lawmakers revisited the matter. They emphasised the importance of adhering to parliamentary rules and maintaining decorum.
Adding fuel to the fire, Akpoti-Uduaghan has filed a N100.3 billion fundamental human rights lawsuit against Akpabio. During her interview, she claimed to have evidence supporting her allegations, including screenshots of WhatsApp conversations between her and Akpabio.
She also stated that her husband is a witness to the events, and she challenged the Department of State Services (DSS) to examine the conversations for further details, as Akpabio frequently contacted her via the messaging platform.
She said: “My issue with Akpabio started on 8th of December, 2023 when myself and my husband visited Akwa Ibom for Senator Akpabio’s birthday. Akpabio was showing me around his house and was holding my hands with my husband following behind us when he said, he wants me to come and be spending special moments in his house. My husband heard him and later told me not to travel abroad alone or be with the Senate President alone.
“In February, I wanted to move a motion for the investigation on the ills of the corrupt practice in a Ajaokuta steel company. I listed that motion five times. It was the sixth time that it was listed on the order paper that was approved. Many senators can testify to that.
“Before the motion made the order paper, I went to the Senate President in his office, and I said, Senate President,’ you know how important this Ajaokuta Steel Company is to me, you know how important it is to my people and to Nigerians. I’ve noticed that you have stepped down this motion’. As a matter of fact, a number of senators told me to see him and plead with him so that he would take it. I was like, ‘sir, please, why can’t you take this motion? It’s very important’ Then, it was listed the third time and stepped down.
“He then said, ‘Natasha, I’m the Chief presiding officer of the Senate, you can enjoy a whole lot if you take care of me. Make me happy’. At that point, I said, ‘Sir, I’ll pretend that I didn’t hear this’. He said, ‘well, the ball is in your court’. I left his office
“My case is a case of a student being punished by a lecturer for refusing to sleep with him.”
Akpabio has not yet responded to the allegation, which is currently trending online.