Crime

40-year-old Anambra business man arraigned for online defamation

Published

3 months ago

October 28, 2025

A 40-year-old businessman, Ikenna Ezeume, has been arraigned before a Magistrate Court 1 sitting in Amawbia, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State for online defamation of a former Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association, Aniocha Branch, Okongwu Jideofor.

The defendant, who is standing trial over allegations of cyberbullying and defamation, was arraigned by the police in the case titled Inspector General of Police v. Ikenna Ezeume with the charge sheet marked MAN/336/C.

According to the charge sheet obtained by our correspondent on Monday, the defendant is facing two counts, summarised as follows:

Count 1: “That you, Ikenna Ezeume, between the 1st day of March 2025 and the 31st day of April 2025, within the Awka South Magisterial District, did publish a defamatory matter on the Internet and other social media platforms such as WhatsApp, alleging that one Barrister Okongwu Jideofor (m), Chairman Emeritus of the Nigerian Bar Association, Aniocha Branch, forged his WAEC result, which he allegedly used to study law at the Delta State University.

“You thereby published a statement you knew to be false, intending to injure his reputation and expose him to hatred, contempt, and ridicule, contrary to and punishable under Section 325 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 36, Vol. II, Revised Laws of Anambra State of Nigeria, as amended.

Count II: “That you, Ikenna Ezeume (m), of Plot 2A, Green Ville Estate, Awka, on or about the 20th day of March 2025, within the Awka Magisterial District, did knowingly provide false information to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 13 Headquarters, Ukpo, through a written petition dated 20th March 2025.

“In the said petition, you falsely alleged that Barrister Okongwu Jideofor (m), Chairman Emeritus of the NBA, Aniocha Branch, forged his WAEC certificate used in obtaining his law degree from Delta State University, with the intent to cause the AIG to direct Sgt. Chidioke Alaeffia of the Zonal Criminal Investigation Department, Zone 13, Ukpo, to act upon the false information to the detriment of the said Barrister Jideofor.

“This act is contrary to and punishable under Section 154(1)(b) of the Criminal Code, Cap. 36, Vol. II, Revised Laws of Anambra State of Nigeria, 1991, as amended.”

However, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge read to him in open court.

The counsel for the defendant, A.C. Nwogbo, applied orally for bail, urging the court to exercise its discretion in favour of his client.

However, the prosecution counsel, ASP Clement Iyah, opposed the bail application, arguing that the defendant had continued to make publications on social media concerning the matter while police investigations were ongoing.

He contended that releasing the accused on bail might enable him to continue making prejudicial or defamatory online statements.

In response, Nwogbo argued that his client was never invited for questioning by the Zone 13 Police Command and that the prosecution’s assertions were unfounded.

He further submitted that since the matter was now before the court, the magistrate had the authority to impose conditions restraining the defendant from further online publications related to the case.

After hearing both parties, the Magistrate, O.N. Ike, granted bail to the defendant in the sum of N1m with one suitable surety.

The magistrate said, “The defendant is hereby cautioned against making any further publications on social media concerning the matter; any violation of this order could lead to his remand in custody”.

The matter was adjourned to a later date for continuation of the hearing.

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Crime

NIS arrests suspected human trafficker, rescues 59 women and children in Borno

Published

5 hours ago

February 4, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has rescued 59 women and children who were being trafficked from Katsina State to N’Djamena, the capital of the Republic of Chad.

Announcing the development in Maiduguri on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, the Borno State Comptroller of Immigration, Muktari Tanimu Musa, said the victims were intercepted at the border town of Ngamboru, near Nigeria’s frontier with Cameroon.

He said the group was travelling with a suspected trafficking agent who allegedly lured them with promises of “good jobs” in Chad.

“After interviewing them, it became clear they were being trafficked,” Musa said.

“The agent deceived them with false employment offers. Many of the victims did not understand the risks involved.”

He said the command has intensified surveillance along the Maiduguri – Ngala axis and is working with the Borno State Government to strengthen border security and curb the movement of trafficked persons through the corridor.

Musa urged Nigerians to be cautious of individuals offering foreign job opportunities, especially those promoting so-called “white-collar jobs abroad.”

“We always encourage people to travel through proper visa procedures and migrate with dignity,” he said.

He added that legitimate employment opportunities exist within Nigeria and warned that traffickers often exploit victims for criminal activities, including organ harvesting.

The comptroller noted that trafficking networks sometimes operate with local support.

“These activities are sometimes aided by community members. But recent breakthroughs came because of stronger cooperation with transport operators, drug control officers and community leaders in , Banki and Ngamboru Ngala,” he said.

He also highlighted his recent visits to border communities.

“I have visited Banki and Ngamboru Ngala to meet chairmen and stakeholders, urging them to share timely intelligence with our officers,” he said.

The NIS has profiled the rescued victims and will hand them over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for further care and investigation.

Musa appealed to media organisations to continue supporting public awareness efforts.

“The media play a crucial role in educating communities about the dangers of irregular migration and human trafficking. Their support is essential,” he said.

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Crime

Bandits kill 30 in fresh Katsina, Kwara attacks

Published

8 hours ago

February 4, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

No fewer than 30 people were killed on Tuesday in separate bandits’ attacks on communities in Katsina and Kwara states, as assailants renewed violent assaults on rural settlements, razing houses and vehicles and forcing residents to flee.

In Katsina State, at least 20 persons were killed when bandits attacked Doma community in Tafoki Ward, Faskari Local Government Area.

Residents said the assailants stormed the area unhindered, killing villagers and setting houses and vehicles ablaze before fleeing.

Confirming the incident, the Chairman of Faskari Local Government Area, Surajo Aliyu, described the attack as a reprisal and the deadliest in the area in recent months.

“This attack is a reprisal one, and it is a deadly one indeed because we had never had such an attack in the last five months in this area as it is today,” Aliyu said.

He added that security operatives were alerted but could not arrive in time to prevent the killings.

“Today, they killed at least 20 people. They burnt cars and houses during the dastardly attack. We reported the incident to security personnel, but unfortunately, they could not arrive before the bandits carried out their heinous act,” he said.

Aliyu disclosed that the bodies of the victims had been evacuated for burial scheduled for Wednesday morning in Tafoki.

“We sympathise with the people of Doma, Tafoki Ward, Faskari, and indeed the entire people of Katsina State, especially the bereaved families. May God bring an end to these senseless killings,” he said.

Faskari Local Government Area was among the councils that entered into a truce with bandits about five months ago, a development that had brought relative calm until the latest attack.

Efforts to get a reaction from the Katsina State Police Command were unsuccessful, as calls and messages to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Sadiq, were not responded to as of the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, in Kwara State, at least 10 villagers were killed on Tuesday evening when bandits attacked Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area.

The attackers, suspected to be operating from the Borgu National Park forest in neighbouring Niger State, reportedly invaded the communities at about 6:00 pm, firing sporadically and causing panic among residents. Several houses were also set ablaze during the attack.

A community leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons, confirmed the casualty figure.

“The bandits invaded Woro and Nuku in large numbers. About 10 people so far have been confirmed dead, and we are still searching for others who fled into the bush during the attack. Many houses were also set ablaze,” he said.

Reacting, the Kwara State Government expressed sorrow over the killings, saying Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq was personally monitoring the situation.

In a statement issued on Tuesday night, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, described the attack as a “cowardly expression of frustration” by terrorist cells in response to ongoing security operations in the state.

“The governor condemns the attack, which he says is a cowardly expression of frustration by terrorist cells following the ongoing counter-terrorism campaigns in parts of the state and the successes so far recorded,” the statement said.

The government alleged that the timing of the attack was a deliberate attempt to divert the attention of security agencies and undermine recent gains against kidnapping gangs.

Governor Abdulrazaq extended condolences to the families of the victims and the people of Kaiama, assuring them that security agencies had been directed to intensify operations to prevent further attacks.

As of the time of filing this report, the Kwara State Police Command had yet to issue a formal statement on the incident or on the deployment of additional personnel to the affected areas.

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Crime

Diezani Alison-Madueke spent £140,000 in a day on luxury items, British court hears

Published

20 hours ago

February 3, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

Nigeria’s former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, is facing serious scrutiny in the UK as prosecutors allege she spent a staggering £140,000 in a single day on luxury furniture and decorative art.

The trial, ongoing at Southwark Crown Court in London, also involves Olatimbo Ayinde, an oil executive, and Doye Agama, Alison-Madueke’s brother. All three are standing trial on a five-count charge related to accepting bribes and have pleaded not guilty.

According to court proceedings, prosecutors presented evidence showing that Alison-Madueke made extravagant purchases at a London antiques store, allegedly using intermediaries to facilitate payments. The luxury spree reportedly included high-end furniture, bespoke lighting, and decorative art, Cables reported.

The courtroom was filled with supporters from the Ijaw community in Nigeria, who had traveled to London to witness the proceedings.

Earlier hearings revealed further allegations that Alison-Madueke accepted bribes in the form of luxury goods and access to high-end properties, all allegedly connected to industry figures seeking Nigerian oil contracts. Prosecutor Alexandra Healy told the jury that the ex-minister “enjoyed a life of luxury in London” courtesy of these benefactors.

In response, Alison-Madueke’s lawyer, Jonathan Laidlaw, argued that his client had no real influence over the awarding of oil contracts, describing her role as merely a “rubber stamp” for official recommendations.

The trial continues, with the court closely examining the details of the alleged extravagant lifestyle and the alleged bribery network surrounding Nigeria’s oil industry.

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