Connect with us

Crime

Zambia-based Nigerian, girlfriend arraigned for manslaughter

Published

on

A 34-year-old Nigerian, Nathaniel Barthram, and four others, including his girlfriend, Maria Zaloumis, have been charged in Zambia over the death of a 22-year-old man, Enoch Kasengele.

According to a report by the Lusaka Times on Tuesday, the case has been transferred to the High Court for trial after a Kabwe Magistrate’s Court reduced the charge from murder to manslaughter and granted the suspects bail.

Other suspects named in the report, seen by PUNCH Metro on Wednesday, include Zaloumis, Daniel Chiluwa, Fortune Mwitangati, and Gift Daka.

They were all accused of committing the offence at Onani Farm in Kabwe on August 17.

While Kasengele was said to be a resident along the Kabwe-Lusaka Road before he was allegedly killed, Barthram, a Nigerian national living at Tuzini Farm, and Zaloumis, a farmer residing at Wonani Farm, were said to have been in a relationship.

In an earlier report published on September 23 by The Mast, another Zambian news outlet, the suspects made their first appearance before the Kabwe Magistrates’ Court in connection with the death of Kasengele.

The Zambian Police Service had reportedly charged the five suspects with murder on August 28 following the victim’s death.

“You are all charged with one count of murder of 22-year-old Enock Simfukwe Kasengele on August 17, 2025, contrary to Section 200 Chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia.

“You are expected to appear again for another mention on October 6, 2025, as we await consent from the office of the DPP,” Magistrate Wamundila Liswaniso had read the charge.

See also  PHOTOS: Four arrested for illegal refuse dump in Lagos

The suspects were subsequently remanded at the Mukobeko Maximum Correctional Facility pending further hearing.

When the case came up again on Monday, the Lusaka Times reported that State Advocate Joseph Zimba informed the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions had decided to reduce the charge from murder to manslaughter.

Following the development, the report added that the defence lawyers applied for bail, arguing that manslaughter “is a bailable offence” and that the accused were ready to meet all bail conditions.

The court agreed, with the state only requesting that Barthram surrender his Nigerian passport.

According to the report, Magistrate Liswaniso then granted bail of K20,000 each, with “two traceable civil servant sureties per accused.”

This latest case adds to a growing list of negative reports involving Nigerians abroad.

In February, PUNCH Metro, citing The Tribune of India, reported that a Nigerian, Adiyako Masaliyo, was beaten to death in Bellahalli, Bhagaluru, India, following an altercation with a man identified as Yasin Khan over an alleged drug-related dispute.

punch.ng

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Crime

Communal clash: 7 women k!lled during protest in Adamawa (PHOTOS)

Published

on

Seven women d!ed while 11 others were injured during a protest in Lamurde Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

According to Daily Trust, the women were protesting what they termed delayed response by the military to calm tensions between Bachama and Chobo communities of the LGA, when the incident occurred on Monday, December 8, 2025.

The women, who were seen holding leaves blocked the movement of troops into the area, accusing security agencies of delayed responses and biased interventions in favour of the Chobo community.

However, during the confrontation, sources said the military allegedly fired shots into the crowd and four of the women d!ed on the spot, while three others d!ed in the hospital. It was further learnt that 11 others, who were injured are currently receiving treatment.

“They came out peacefully, carrying leaves, begging for security, instead, they were met with live gunfire.

“The wounded were rushed to Numan General Hospital, where medical officials say some remain in critical condition,” District Head of Gyawana, a community in Lamurde LGA, Chief Agoso Bamaiyi, said.

Meanwhile, Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri has imposed a 24-hour curfew on Lamurde Local Government Area, following the incident.

The directive was announced on Monday in a statement issued by the Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, Hussaini Hammangabdo, who confirmed that the governor has instructed security operatives to immediately move into the troubled communities

The statement said Fintiri had ordered security agencies to respond swiftly to the renewed crisis to re-establish stability and prevent further breakdown of law and order.

See also  Three Lagos labourers found dead in makeshift apartment

The Adamawa State Government has imposed a 24-hour curfew on Lamurde Local Government Area with immediate effect following a renewed communal clash that broke out on Sunday evening,” the statement read.

Hammangabdo said security agencies have been directed to move into the area and restore peace and order without delay.

The state government also appealed to residents of Lamurde to remain peaceful and cooperate with the deployed personnel as efforts intensify to contain the situation and avert additional violence.

The fresh violence erupted barely days after Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri brokered a fragile peace deal between the warring Chobo and Bachama groups, according to Dr. Jamila Suleiman, Executive Vice Chairperson of the Adamawa State Peace Commission

When contacted on phone, the police spokesman, Adamawa State Command, S.P. Suleiman Nguroje, confirmed that some people lost their lives and that the injured were taken to a hospital for treatmen

“Actually lives were lost. But for now, we cannot give the total number of people that lost their lives but the injured have been taken to a hospital for treatment,” he said.

Nguroje said that based on the reports he received in the morning, the incident centered within Rugange and neighbouring villages, down to Wadugo

Asked on the cause of the incident, the spokesman said police had been drafted to the area to investigate the root cause, so he will not pre-empt their finding

“I plead that we should give them the opportunity to come out with their findings on what must have triggered the conflict so as to make it known to the members of the public,” he added.

See also  PHOTOS: Islamic Cleric, Folorunsho Olaoti Arrested for Brutalising 10yr Old Boy in Kwara State

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

Continue Reading

Crime

PHOTOS: NSCDC intercepts truck conveying 21 children in Kogi, arrests suspected traffickers

Published

on

The Kogi State Government has said security operatives have intercepted a group of underage children trafficked into the state in what is suspected to be a covert recruitment attempt for banditry training.

The State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo, who disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, December 9, 2025 said some suspects linked to the trafficking operation were arrested.

“At about 1500hrs on December 5, 2025, eagle-eyed security operatives of the National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Yagba Area Command, in collaboration with other security agencies in Isanlu, acting on credible intelligence from community hunters, intercepted a truck conveying 21 children aged between six and 17 years into Kogi State,” the commissioner stated.

He said initial investigations revealed that the children were moved from different northern states under suspicious circumstances by adults who could not provide legitimate justification for their movement.

“Several suspects linked to the trafficking operation have been arrested, including individuals who claimed they were transporting the children to establish an informal ‘Islamic school’ within Yagba East,” he said.

Fanwo added that further arrests were made as security operatives intensified surveillance in the area, uncovering additional persons allegedly connected to the movement of the minors.

“Some of the suspects were also found with items raising significant security concerns,” he said, adding that the rescued children had been transferred to the NSCDC State Command in Lokoja for detailed investigation and proper profiling of all persons involved.

He said Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo had directed the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development to take full custody of the underage victims, ensure their wellbeing and provide necessary psychosocial support pending the conclusion of investigations.

See also  PHOTOS: Four arrested for illegal refuse dump in Lagos

“Upon completion of profiling and verification, the children will be handed over to their respective state governments for further investigation and eventual reintegration with their families,” he noted.

The commissioner, however, said all individuals found culpable in the trafficking operation would be prosecuted in line with Kogi State’s child trafficking and child rights protection laws.

“The Kogi State Government reiterates its uncompromising stance against child trafficking, criminal infiltration and any form of security threat.

“The administration of Governor Ododo will continue to work closely with security agencies and local communities to safeguard every part of the state,” he added.

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

Continue Reading

Crime

US police arrest Santa Claus over child sexual abuse material

Published

on

A 64-year-old man who worked as a “Santa for hire” in New Jersey, United States, has been arrested after authorities accused him of possessing and distributing child sexual abuse material, raising concerns over his repeated interactions with children during holiday events.

As reported by Daily Star on Tuesday, Mark Paulino, of Hamilton Township, was taken into custody on Monday and charged with possession and distribution of child sexual abuse materials, as well as endangering the welfare of a child.

According to Mercer County officials, the investigation began on 4 December 2025, when detectives were alerted to suspicious activity involving the alleged uploading of child pornography from a Hamilton Township residence.

The probe quickly identified Paulino, who had previously worked as a retired elementary school teacher, as the person involved.

Police said Paulino had presented himself online as a retired teacher and had recently performed as Santa Claus for photographs and private, corporate, and organisational events, a role that brought him into repeated contact with children.

“Because this role involved direct, repeated contact with children, detectives worked around the clock to secure a search warrant,” authorities said.

The warrant was executed on 5 December, during which police seized multiple items of evidentiary value, and Paulino was arrested without incident.

Prosecutors have since filed a motion to detain him pending trial, and the investigation is ongoing. Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward.

punch.ng

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

See also  No abduction of 15 Akwa Ibom students, says CP
Continue Reading

Trending