By Uthman-Baba Naseer, Minna

The Niger State Government has described the conviction and sentencing of three men for the rape of a minor in Kontagora Local Government Area as a major breakthrough in its fight against rape, child abuse, and other forms of sexual violence in the state.

The Minna Senior Magistrate Court Four on Friday convicted and sentenced four men to a total of ninety five years behind correctional centre for gang raping a thirteen years old girl in Kontagora some times in 2023.

Senior Magistrate Christy Umar Barau while passing her judgement described the act of the convicts as animalistic and heartless that doesn’t deserve the mercy of the court.

She held that the act of the four convicts have put the teenager in a family way which has permanently traumatized her forever “ the offence of joint act and unlawful sexual intercourse with a child attract life jail.

The court will be considerate as a result of the plea of the defense counsel that said they have shown remorse throughout their trial in court.

“But the case of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor is a serious in nature and the cases of rape is on the increase in the state.

“ However,in view of the plea for leniency by the counsel, the court would not be seen as being fair if appropriate punishment is not meted to the convicts.

“ The first, second and the third defendants are hereby convicted to twenty five years behind the correctional centre for the offence of joint act and unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor with the payment of one million naira compensation to the teenager” Senior Magistrate Christy Umar Barau held.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Services, Hajiya Hadiza Idris Kuta, made this known while reacting to the court judgment, describing it as a victory for justice and a strong warning to perpetrators of sexual offences.

Hajiya Hadiza Kuta who was at the court during the judgement saluted the courage of the senior Magistrate saying that she was impressed by the judgement of the court.

She commended the trial senior Magistrate for the judgment, expressing hope that more convictions of sexual offenders would follow.

According to her, the ministry is encouraged by the verdict and remains committed to ensuring that offenders are brought to justice.

Hajiya Hadiza noted that punishment serves as a deterrent to criminal behaviour, stressing that the conviction sends a clear message to those involved in child molestation and other forms of sexual abuse that such crimes will no longer be tolerated.

She said the three convicts were each sentenced to 25 years imprisonment and ordered to pay ₦1 million compensation to the victim, describing the judgment as a positive step towards protecting children and vulnerable persons in the state.

The commissioner lamented that, in the past, many suspects accused of similar offences were granted bail or escaped adequate punishment, but expressed optimism that the latest judgment would encourage more victims to seek justice.

She reaffirmed the state’s determination to pursue cases of rape and child abuse to their logical conclusion, assuring residents that the government would continue to protect the rights and dignity of children.

Reacting to the judgment, counsel to the defendants, Barrister M. J. Lemu, commended the court for what he described as a balanced and fair decision.

He explained that the offences for which the defendants were convicted ordinarily attract life imprisonment under the law. However, he said the court exercised its discretion by tempering justice with mercy in imposing a 25-year jail term.

Barrister Lemu stated that he had no intention of appealing the judgment, noting that there were no sufficient legal grounds to challenge the court’s decision.

He also praised the judge for the wisdom displayed in handling the case and prayed for greater knowledge and strength for the judiciary in dispensing justice.

Similarly, counsel to the complainant Mohammed Ibrahim Esq.commended the judgment, saying it would serve as a strong deterrent to others involved in rape, child molestation and related offences.

The three convicts Salisu Shehu, Lawali Sabi’u and Haruna Musa, all from Kontagora Local Government Area—were each sentenced to 25 years imprisonment and ordered to pay ₦1 million compensation to the victim.

The judgment has been widely welcomed as a significant milestone in the fight against sexual and gender-based violence in Niger State.

By David Owei

A Federal High Court in Abuja has reserved ruling until July 1 on the bail application of Ugochukwu Ibekwe, a alleged oil thief and suspected economic saboteur whose arrest followed intelligence gathered by PINL and other security agencies along the Eastern corridor of the Trans Niger Pipeline.

Ibekwe is facing charges of conspiracy, tampering with oil pipelines, unlawful dealing in petroleum products, operating unlicensed refining sites and money laundering.

The Federal Government, through its prosecution team, opposed his application for bail at the resumed hearing.

The prosecution, led by Rotimi Oyedepo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), alleged that the defendant’s activities resulted in significant economic losses and environmental damage, and contributed to incidents that allegedly led to the deaths of more than 500 persons.

The prosecution also alleged that the defendant paid over N2 million into the account of a public official in a bid to obstruct investigation.

Justice Salim Ibrahim adjourned the matter to July 1, 2026 for ruling on the bail application and other pending applications. Speaking with journalists after the proceedings, Oyedepo confirmed that all parties had agreed to an accelerated hearing of the substantive case to avoid unnecessary delays.

Court documents show that Ibekwe was apprehended on February 14, 2026 at about 5:30 p.m. at the Imo River axis in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State by PINL operatives.

The company, formally registered as Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited, is the integrated pipeline infrastructure firm responsible for the Eastern corridor of the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP).

A PINL official said the suspect had been on the company’s watchlist for several years. The arrest followed intelligence gathered by PINL and other security agencies.

The official described Ibekwe as a kingpin of pipeline tapping and illegal refining along the Imo River corridor spanning parts of Rivers and Abia states, and confirmed that he was handed over to the Special Prosecution Team (SPT) of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) after his arrest.

The prosecution further alleged that the suspect specialised in compromising security personnel, particularly members of the military, to gain access to oil facilities.

During his detention, his wife was alleged to have presented forged Certificates of Occupancy as surety in an attempt to secure his administrative bail.

The defendant has since been remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) at Kuje pending the court’s ruling.

By David Owei, Yenagoa

The Bayelsa state command of Nigeria,s anti – narcotic agency,the National Drug and Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, says it has intercepted 477.668 kilograms
of various illicit hard drugs within one year and arrested 620 suspects.

The state Commander and Controller of Narcotics,CN Kanu S Chukuemeka stated this at a media parley with journalists during 2026 World Day against Drug Abuse and illicit trafficking in Yenagoa,the state capital.

The theme of this year celebration is “World Drug Problems ,Resisting Issues with new challenges” ,saying that the theme aptly reflects the operational realities we have encountered within one year in Bayelsa state.

According to him,the command under the period under review ,has recorded the arrest of 429 male suspects and 191 female suspects totalling 620 and this statistics indicate that while drug abuse affect both genders ,young men unequally represented.

He further posited that the agency had made seizure on drugs ,such as psychotropic substances which consists of 52,740 tablets and capsules ,injectable substances 1,152 ampoules ,codeine based cough syrups 208 bottles.Canabis sativa infused with alcohol known as koskorin or monkey tail 437.203 litres.
Hence the total weight of all narcotics and psychotropic substances seizure with in the period is 477.668 kilograms.

“The command has also treated and rehabilitated ,after drug test 591 persons and 29 clients admitted in our facility.While our efforts to cut down the supply of drugs we have to priotize prosecution of offenders and we have 18 cases,conviction secured 17,ongoing cases 62”

He however disclosed that the abuse of psychotropic substances and cannabis infused concortion continued to be prevalent among the aged 21 – 25 and sensitization has been intensified in secondary schools across the state.
He used the opportunity to appreciate the chairman and chief executive officer of NDLEA ,Brig – General Muhammad Buba Marwa rtd,for his visionary leadership and transformative policies of the agency and the Bayelsa state governor,senator Douye Diri who has not relented in supporting the command whenever we approach him.

The Bayelsa state command of Nigeria,s anti – narcotic agency,the National Drug and Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, says it has intercepted 477.668 kilograms
of various illicit hard drugs within one year.

The state Commander and Controller of Narcotics,CN Kanu S Chukuemeka stated this at a media parley with journalists during 2026 World Day against Drug Abuse and illicit trafficking in Yenagoa,the state capital.

The theme of this year celebration is “World Drug Problems ,Resisting Issues with new challenges” ,saying that the theme aptly reflects the operational realities we have encountered within one year in Bayelsa state.

According to him,the command under the period under review ,has recorded the arrest of 429 male suspects and 191 female suspects totalling 620 and this statistics indicate that while drug abuse affect both genders ,young men unequally represented.

He further posited that the agency had made seizure on drugs ,such as psychotropic substances which consists of 52,740 tablets and capsules ,injectable substances 1,152 ampoules ,codeine based cough syrups 208 bottles.Canabis sativa infused with alcohol known as koskorin or monkey tail 437.203 litres.
Hence the total weight of all narcotics and psychotropic substances seizure with in the period is 477.668 kilograms.

“The command has also treated and rehabilitated ,after drug test 591 persons and 29 clients admitted in our facility.While our efforts to cut down the supply of drugs we have to priotize prosecution of offenders and we have 18 cases,conviction secured 17,ongoing cases 62”

He however disclosed that the abuse of psychotropic substances and cannabis infused concortion continued to be prevalent among the aged 21 – 25 and sensitization has been intensified in secondary schools across the state.
He used the opportunity to appreciate the chairman and chief executive officer of NDLEA ,Brig – General Muhammad Buba Marwa rtd,for his visionary leadership and transformative policies of the agency and the Bayelsa state governor,senator Douye Diri who has not relented in supporting the command whenever we approach him.