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THE NATION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2014
NEWS
Two men to die by hanging
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STATE High Court in Osogbo, Osun State has sentenced two 20year-old men to death by hanging for raping a 14-yearold girl to death. The men, Suraju Olarewaju and Lekan Olatayo, were tried on a two-count charge of conspiracy and murder, which, according to the prosecution, was contrary to Section 324 and 319 (1) of the Criminal Code Cap 34. Volume 2 Laws of Osun State of Nigeria, 2004. They committed the offence on June 1, 2005 at Abesu, Osogbo.
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•For raping teenager to death From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo
While defiling the girl, the convicts were said to have stuffed a loaf of bread into her mouth to prevent people from hearing her cry for help. In one of the convicts’ voluntary and confessional statement, they said: “About midnight, we saw Fatai making love to Bilikisu. When me and Suraju saw how Fatai was making love to her, we decided to sleep with her. We covered her mouth with a N30
bread to prevent her from shouting for help.” A Senior State Counsel in the Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Adekomi Folashade, who led the prosecution, told the court that no other persons were responsible for the commission of the offence except the convicts. The defence counsel, Mr. F.N. Ukaegbu (ESQ), opposed the prosecutor’s submission, but Justice R. A. Shiyanbola sentenced them to death by hanging.
Suspects die while trying to escape
WO suspects, Lekwa Uzor and Ruben Okezie, arrested by the police in Aba, Abia State for allegedly kidnapping a Chinese, Mrs. Tang, have been shot dead by the anti-robbery squad while trying to escape. The Nation learnt that the men were arrested in Aba by the police after a tip- off. They were part of a kidnap syndicate, which abducted the Chinese, wife of Mr. Christian Kalu, an indigene of Amaekpu Item in Bende Local Government. A source, who spoke on
From Sunny Nwankwo, Aba
condition of anonymity, said the suspects confessed to the police that they were the mastermind of some of the kidnaps in Aba, including Mrs. Tang’s. The source said the suspects took the police anti-robbery squad to their base at Ihie Oji in Obingwa Local Government where their colleagues were hiding. He added that while the policemen were approaching Ohuru Isimiri, hoodlums, suspected to be members of the gang, opened fire on them (the police). The suspects were said to have been
hit by stray bullets while attempting to escape from the police during the exchange of gunshots between the police and the hoodlums. Efforts to save their lives were said to have been futile, as they died from gunshot injuries. Police spokesman Geoffrey Ogbonna confirmed the death of the suspects. He said they died before they could be taken to a hospital. Ogbonna said Mrs. Tang had been rescued and had reunited with her husband. He did not confirm if any ransom was paid.
UNITY BANK PLC WITHDRAWAL OF REGISTRATION AS CAPITAL MARKET OPERATOR UNDER THE INVESTMENT AND SECURITIES ACT 2007 In furtherance of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) directive for Banks to divest from all non-core banking activities, UnityBank Plc hereby notifies the general public of its withdrawal from its Issuing House and Portfolio Fund Management functions with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under the Investment and Securities Act 2007. For further information, please contact the Bank, at the address below: COMPANY SECRETARIAT UNITYBANK PLC UNITY BANK TOWER 785 HERBERT MACAULAY WAY, CENTRAL BUSINESS AREA, ABUJA. 07080666000 07057323225
•From left: Dean, Diocese of Lagos West (Anglican Communion), Ven. Abel Ajibodu; Bishop, Diocese of Lagos West (Anglican Communion), Bishop James Olusola Odedeji and Chairman, Anniversary Committee, Prof. Wale Omole, during a news briefing on the 50th anniversary of Archbishop Vining Memorial Church, GRA, Ikeja... yesterday. PHOTO: OLUSEGUN RAPHEAL.
Pharmacists, NCWS meet to fight drug abuse
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HE Association of Lady Pharmacists is to partner the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) to fight drug abuse. Its president, Zainab Sharrif, spoke in Abuja when she led a delegation to the NCWS president, Mrs. Nkechi Mba. She said the intake of drugs by youths is alarming, stressing the need for drastic measures to be taken against it. “Children today take overdose of Benylin syrup and other drugs capable of intoxicating them. This is harmful to their health. We will soon organise a programme called ‘Catch them young’, where we will invite youths and mothers and talk to them on the dangers of drugs,” Zainab Sharrif said. She suggested that a vegetable market should be built
From Bukola Amusan, Abuja
in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) where fresh and dry vegetables could be bought, “as Nigeria is blessed with these.” She said if properly managed, the market could attract foreigners and boost small scale businesses. Mrs. Mba urged the group to visit the First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan, “as she ensures women projects adoption.” The NCWS president said she would assist in sending the proposal to President Goodluck Jonathan, who she noted believed in women. The Executive Director of the Unity In Diversity Initiative (UIDI), Dr. Chinyere Osuchukwu, has led a delegation
of the group to visit the NCWS to seek collaboration with the council in order to curb restiveness. She said UIDI is poised to advance the fight against violence, adding that if there must be sustainable peace, women issues must be prioritised. “We believe if we must end this conflict legacy, which has battered our image as a nation, mothers need to encourage more cross-border relationships and mixed marriages among our youths. This is because people from such relationships and marriages will work hard to improve ties among citizens,” Dr. Osuchukwu said. Mrs. Mba assured the group of the council’s support. She said she would do her best to enlighten women on the need to fight insecurity.
Police arraign four for alleged fuel theft
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OLICE yesterday arraigned four men at the Federal High Court, Lagos for allegedly stealing petrol from a pipeline. The suspects Bambo Orisabinone, Victor Sofia, Jutten Jonas and Oluwasegun Okimiji were arrested in Makoko, Lagos on August 31 last year. Police said they vandalised a Nigerian National Petroleum
By Joseph Jibueze
Corporation (NNPC) pipeline. They were accused of scooping about 13,500 litres of petrol worth N1.3 million. The accused pleaded not guilty to a four-count charge of conspiracy, unlawful possession, vandalism and stealing of petroleum products. The offences violate sections 7(a) and 7 (b) of the Miscellane-
ous Offence Act, Cap M17, Laws of the Federation, 2004. The offence of stealing contravenes sections 390 and 516 of the Criminal Code, Cap C 38, Laws of the Federation, 2004. Justice Saliu Saidu ordered the accused to be remanded in custody until their bail application is heard. He adjourned till February 20 for hearing of the bail application.
Eight die in Benin-Ore road accident
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HE Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), yesterday in Benin, Edo State confirmed the death of eight persons in an accident on the Ugbogui axis of the Benin-OreLagos Expressway. The FRSC Tollgate Unit Commander, Mr. Adewale Ameen, confirmed the accident to reporters. He said it involved an 18seater bus with registration
number CT 874 FST and a Mercedes Benz truck (MUS 570 SS) belonging to a Pentecostal church. Ameen, who said the accident occurred on Wednesday, attributed it to fatigue on the part of the bus driver. He said the driver rammed into a stationary truck while driving from Lagos to Benin. “Although the bus driver survived, eight passengers
died,” the unit commander said. Said he: “It was an avoidable accident because the truck parked well away from the road. “From my interaction with the survivors, they warned the driver about his recklessness before the accident occurred. “They were coming from Lagos after an all-night prayer session before the accident.”
Valentine’s Day: FRSC places operatives on alert
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S Nigerians join the global community to celebrate this year’s Valentine’s Day, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has placed its operatives on intensive routine patrols nationwide. The FRSC officials have been placed at strategic locations to enable citizens enjoy an accident-free celebration. According to the Corps Public Education Officer, Jonas Agwu, while the Corps has finalised arrangements to ensure a crash-free celebration, the public have been urged to celebrate love with caution by obeying traffic rules and regulations. He said this year’s Valentine’s Day initiative forms part of the Corps’ nationwide intervention patrols, pursuant to its 2014 strategic
goals with a projection for 15 per cent reduction in road crashes and 25 per cent decrease in fatalities. The Corps warns the public to desist from road vices, such as excessive speeding, which ranks as number one causative factor for road accidents in the country, the use of phone while driving, non-use of seat belts by occupants of a vehicle and overloading, stressing that patrol teams have been mandated to arrest and prosecute violators on the spot. Agwu also harped on the negative impact of drunk driving, which often results in blackouts, euphoria, loss of co-ordination, balance impairment, poor judgement, impaired memory and slow reaction among drivers.