Crime

Ex-deputy cop bags 20 years for killing black 911 caller in US

Published

1 month ago

January 30, 2026

An Illinois judge has sentenced a former sheriff’s deputy to the maximum 20 years in prison for the July 2024 fatal shooting of an unarmed black woman in her home after she called 911 to report a possible intruder, according to court records.

Reuters on Thursday night reported that Sean Grayson, a former Sangamon County Sheriff’s deputy, was convicted in October of second-degree murder in the death of Sonya Massey, 36, at her home in Springfield, Illinois.

The case drew national attention and was likened to other high-profile instances of law enforcement officers using excessive force against Black Americans.

On the night of her death, Massey called 911 after discovering a broken window in her home and fearing a prowler might be inside. Grayson and another deputy responded to the call and entered the residence, where they asked Massey for identification, according to court testimony.

During the encounter, Massey was holding a pot of boiling water that deputies had asked her to check on. Grayson’s attorneys argued in court that he believed Massey was going to throw the pot of water at him.

First Assistant State’s Attorney Mary Beth Rodgers told the court that Massey complied with the order to drop the pot and was then shot by Grayson as he cursed at her.

“That bit of unreasonable rage needs to be deterred,” Judge Ryan Cadigan of the 7th Judicial Circuit Court of Illinois said during sentencing.

According to media accounts, Grayson apologized in court on Thursday to Massey’s family for his actions and “terrible decisions” that night.

Grayson’s defense attorney, Mark Wykoff, asked the judge to spare Grayson a prison sentence, citing that he is suffering from Stage 3 colon cancer that has spread, according to media reports.

Massey’s family was previously awarded a $10 million settlement from Sangamon County over her death.

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Crime

Army foils ambush in Cross River, kills four gunmen

Published

6 hours ago

March 13, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

Troops of the 13 Brigade of the Nigerian Army have foiled an ambush by suspected criminals while responding to a communal dispute in Odonget Community, Obubra Local Government Area of Cross River State.

The Army disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, signed by the Major Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Headquarters 13 Brigade Nigerian Army, Lt. Yemi Sokoya.

According to the statement, the incident occurred on March 12, 2026, after troops deployed at Ochon and Alesi received credible information about rising tensions linked to a communal disagreement in Odonget Community.

Sokoya said the troops “acted swiftly to prevent a breakdown of law and order” by mobilising to the community, where they carried out patrols and a show of force that helped to calm the situation and restore normalcy between the concerned parties.

However, while returning to their respective locations after stabilising the area, the soldiers discovered that their route had been deliberately blocked by unidentified persons.

“During efforts to clear the obstruction, the soldiers came under a coordinated ambush by unknown gunmen, leading to a fierce exchange of fire,” the statement said.

He added that following a contact report from troops on the ground, reinforcements from the 245 Battalion were immediately deployed with armoured and tactical support vehicles to counter the attack.

“The prompt response enabled the troops to successfully repel and clear the ambush,” Sokoya stated.

He said that during the engagement, troops “neutralised four of the armed attackers, while several others escaped.”

The Army spokesman said one soldier sustained injuries during the incident and was immediately evacuated to Jennifer Hospital in Ochon, Obubra Local Government Area, where he is currently receiving medical treatment.

Sokoya further stated that in the aftermath of the incident, troops had commenced cordon-and-search operations in suspected communities linked to the attackers to track down the fleeing criminals and prevent further security breaches.

He added that a curfew had been imposed in the affected area “to forestall further breakdown of law and order and to deny miscreants the freedom to operate.”

The Commander, 13 Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Patrick Alimikhena commended the bravery and professionalism displayed by the troops in confronting the attackers.

He also reassured residents of Cross River State of the Nigerian Army’s “unwavering commitment to protecting lives and maintaining peace within its Area of Responsibility.”

The Army urged members of the public to remain calm, cooperate with security agencies and provide credible information that would assist ongoing operations aimed at apprehending the perpetrators.

“Members of the public are encouraged to remain calm, cooperate with security agencies, and provide credible information that will assist ongoing operations aimed at apprehending the perpetrators,” the statement added.

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Crime

PHOTOS: Seven suspects arraigned for assaulting LAWMA operatives in Lagos

Published

24 hours ago

March 12, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

Seven persons have been arraigned before the Special Offences (Mobile) Court sitting in Ikeja Magisterial District for allegedly assaulting enforcement operatives of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) during an environmental enforcement operation.

The defendants, Olamilekan Abdullahi (21), Akeem Olamilekan (24), Frank Tom (25), Sakiru Jamiu (20), Emmanuel Abiodun (41), Olarewanju Onyowale (35) and Taiwo Yusuf (30), were apprehended by LAWMA enforcement personnel on March 8, 2026, within the Moshalashi Jimoh axis in Lagos Island during routine monitoring against indiscriminate waste disposal.

They were subsequently arraigned on March 10, 2026, before the Special Offences (Mobile) Court, Ikeja, in the matter of Attorney General of Lagos State v. Olamilekan Abdullahi & 6 Others.

The prosecution charged the defendants on a five-count charge bordering on conduct likely to cause breach of peace, indiscriminate dumping of refuse at an unapproved location, failure to patronise an approved Private Sector Participant (PSP) waste operator, obstruction of officers in the discharge of their duties, and assault.

All seven defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read before the court.

The court thereafter adjourned the case to April 24, 2026, for trial and admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N200,000 each with two responsible sureties, one of whom must be a recognised community leader while the other must be a gainfully employed relative.

Pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions, the defendants were remanded in a correctional facility.

LAWMA warns that obstruction or assault of enforcement personnel constitutes a serious offence under the laws of Lagos State, reiterating that acts capable of undermining environmental enforcement operations would be firmly addressed through appropriate legal channels.

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Crime

FG arraigns Abuja doctor over IVF fraud and sale of couple’s embryos

Published

24 hours ago

March 12, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

The Federal Government has arraigned a 54-year-old Abuja-based medical practitioner, John Abebe, before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Jabi, over fraudulent acts and criminal conspiracy.

Abebe, who is also a pastor at Living Faith Church in Durumi, Abuja, was arraigned on Wednesday, March 11, 2026 along with his hospital, Joje Abebe Hospital Limited, on three counts of fraud, criminal conspiracy, unlawful disclosure of confidential medical records, and alleged sale of a couple’s embryos.

The doctor was accused of unlawfully releasing the confidential medical records of Mrs Mary Manga and her husband to the public without her consent, in contravention of Section 29 of the National Health Act 2014.

In addition to the alleged breach of medical confidentiality, prosecutors claim that between January and May 2025, Abebe, described as a Chief Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist (O&G), deceived and defrauded the couple of N19 million under the pretext of being a specialist in In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF).

The prosecution alleged that he collected the money for treatment and converted it to personal use, an offence punishable under Section 1 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.

It was also alleged that the doctor sold the couple’s fully developed embryos to other patients, a development that, if proven, could mark one of the most scandalous fertility-related cases in the country’s recent history.

When the charges were read to him, Abebe and JojeAbebe Hospital Limited pleaded not guilty.

His counsel, Marvin Omorogbe, applied for his bail, which was not opposed by the prosecuting counsel, Joseph Wada.

Consequently, Justice A. A. Fashola granted Abebe bail in the tune of N5 million with a reliable surety in like sum, who must be a professional working with a responsible and verifiable organisation, and adjourned to April 2, 2026, for the commencement of trial.

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