Connect with us

Crime

Four arraigned over murder of Osun LG chair

Published

on

Four suspects allegedly linked to the murder of the late Chairman of Irewole Local Government Area in Osun State, Remi Abass, were arraigned on Wednesday before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The defendants — Abubakar Kabiru (also known as Jeje, 38), Tajudeen Opeyemi (30), Akeem Agbomojo (28), and Akintoye Olayemi (40) — all from Ikire and Apomu in Osun State, were arraigned before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.

They were charged with terrorism, illegal possession of firearms, and the murder of Abass, who was killed on February 17, 2024, in Ikire, Osun State.

Appearing for the prosecution, A. S. Oyeyemi, represented the Inspector General of Police, while Sunday Adebayo appeared for the defendants.

Muhydeen Adeoye held a watching brief for the nominal complainants.

The amended charge, numbered FHC/ABJ/CR/170/2025, contained three counts.

In Count One, the defendants were accused of conspiring, aiding, and instigating acts of terrorism in various towns and villages across Osun State, contrary to and punishable under Section 26(1)(2)(a)(b)(c) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Count Two alleged that the defendants conspired to illegally possess firearms and were arrested with three pump-action rifles, contrary to Section 3 of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

Count Three charged the defendants with the murder of Hon. Remi Abass, an offence contrary to Section 316 and punishable under Section 319 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap 38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

All four defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Following their plea, Justice Abdulmalik ordered that they be remanded at the Kuje Custodial Centre and adjourned the case to December 4, 2025, for hearing, in line with the agreement of counsel on both sides.

See also  Police Arrest Two Native Doctors, Three Suspected Kidnappers, 184 Internet Fraudsters in Delta

The killing of Abass is linked to the long-standing political tension between the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party in Osun State over control of local government councils.

In 2022, the then APC-led administration of former Governor Gboyega Oyetola conducted local government elections shortly before leaving office — polls which the PDP, then in opposition, boycotted and later challenged in court, describing them as unconstitutional.

After the PDP’s Senator Ademola Adeleke became governor, his administration dissolved the councils and appointed caretaker committees. However, in February 2025, the Court of Appeal declared that the election of the APC council chairmen and councillors was valid and ordered their reinstatement.

Following that judgment, tensions flared across several local government areas as the reinstated APC officials attempted to resume duties.

In the Irewole Local Government Area, clashes reportedly broke out between rival political supporters, leading to the death of Abass and several others.

The police subsequently launched an investigation into the violence, which resulted in the arrest and arraignment of the four defendants.

An earlier charge involving seven suspects, led by one Jide Jooda, was withdrawn by the prosecution after one of the accused died while awaiting trial.

The matter has now been adjourned to December 4, 2025.

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  PHOTOS: Salesgirl allegedly steals phones, items worth N29m from employer's shop, rents and furnishes apartment for her boyfriend in Minna

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: Nigeria Police Repatriate Wanted Notorious Chinese Gang Leader

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: Salesgirl allegedly steals phones, items worth N29m from employer's shop, rents and furnishes apartment for her boyfriend in Minna

“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  EFCC orders arrest of dismissed officer on Lege Miami’s show
Continue Reading

Trending