By our correspondent

The Osun state Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has commended the Inspector General of Police IG Tunji Disu and the Osun state police Command for the arrest of one of the Osun state political hoodlums in person of Saheed Kareem Tanfeani.

It will be recalled that Tanfeani is alleged to be involved in the gruesome murder of Ezekiel Olapade around the premises of Irepodun local Government last Sunday.

Governor Adeleke however charged the police to intensify the manhunt for the arrest of Asiri Eniba, Delaw, Ojuyobo, Aleba, Lucifer, Lasisi and other thugs terrorising the state.

While urging the police to ensure thorough investigation and proper prosecution of the suspect, the governor repeated the earlier call for the change in the leadership of the Anti-cultism team of the state police.

The governor identified the continued presence of Eluku as the head of the anti-cultism team as a dark spot due to his identification with Asiri Eniba and other APC thugs.

“The arrest of Saheed and Akilapa is a good development. We are watching to see how far the police will prove its readiness to enforce the law and secure our people. For now, we thank the IGP, the Deputy Inspector General of Police and others who make this possible.

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.