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N1.6m theft: Plaintiff accuses magistrate for freeing convict with N4,000 fine in Osun

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FACTS reliably gathered by Mega Icon Magazine revealed how a sales man, Yemi Adeoye who pleaded guilty of stealing goods and cash worth of N1, 619, 450 (One million, six hundred and nineteen thousand, four hundred and fifty naira) belonging to his employer, Bola Garba Nig. Ltd was freed by a Magistrates’ court sitting in Osogbo, the Osun state capital with a fine of N4,000.

According to a certified true copy of the judgement delivered by Magistrate Ademola Olowolagba with charge number: MOS/66/16 and signed by Principal Registrar of the court, Mr D. Adesiyan, a copy which was obtained by our reporter confirmed that the accused, Yemi Adeoye committed the offence while working as sales man of the company housed within the premises of NUJ Press Centre in Osogbo.

Contained in the judgement, Adeoye pleaded guilty of stealing 155 cartons of Trophy beer,  84 cartons of Goldberg beer,  94 crates of Maltina,  33 cartons of Heinekin, 3 cartons of Root drinks, one carton of passion drink and eight crates of Farouz.

Also, he admitted to have stolen the sum of N371, 070 in cash with two crates of Milk drinks, 15 Gold malt, 82 empty cartons of International Breweries products and 127 empty cartons of assorted drinks.

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The police prosecutor, Inspector Taiwo Adegoke had told the court that the offence was contrary to and punishable under section 390 (9) (6) of the Criminal Code,  Cap 34, Vol. 11, Laws of Osun State of Nigeria 2003.

In addition, Adegoke explained that the offense was committed between 2014 and 27th January,  2016.

But, in his argument, the defence counsel, Barrister Mudashiru Balogun pleaded for the court mercy. He observed that the convict was a first time offender, therefore urged court justice with mercy and also that the convict has not wasted the precious time of the court and that he is extremely remorseful.

His statement reads, “it appears the accused has learnt his lessons and that the convict has been seriously ill for a while,  also being for the last adjournment that incarcerating him will worsen his condition and also that he is a very young man that has his future ahead of him.

“Also,  he has an aged mother and the pain of incarceration will be for them to bear,  and that today is his one year wedding anniversary,  hereby earnestly,  passionately,  sincerely and most humbly apply that the court tenders justice with extreme mercy”.

In her judgement, Olowolagba, however, sentenced the accused to two years imprisonment with an option of N4,000 (Four thousand naira).

On the contrary, the plaintiff, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of the company, Ms Bola Adewoye while reacting to the judgement, lamented that the ruling has rued the potency of Nigeria legal system.

Adewoye reprimanded the magistrate for delivering such judgement by giving the accused an option of 4,000 fine, saying that such ruling will further encourage criminality to fester instead of serving as deterrent.

Also, she wondered how a fine of N4,000 could be given as an option for a fraud of over N1.6m.

She argued that such judgement could not serve as a deterrent for would-be-criminal in any way, which, according to her should be and  intrinsic  intent of any legal system and extant law of the land.

“The aftermath of the soft landing provided for criminals in our legal system is indeed catastrophic , my personal experience in this case is practically bitter to say the least.

“Another employee in my establishment, Banji  Daramola, having witnessed how Adeoye was let out of the hook with ease by the court  did the same thing recently, carting away huge amount of money.

“I make bold to say that our legal system is a bane to development of entrepreneurship in Nigeria;  as individuals are bridging the gap of unemployment,  government is doing nothing to protect entrepreneurs for sustainability.

“This development is disheartening and dange

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Crime & Court

Joshua crash: Driver faces fresh charges as court adjourns trial

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File photo of Adeniyi and Anthony Joshua

The Ogun State Magistrate’s Court sitting in Sagamu has adjourned the trial of the driver involved in the road crash that affected former heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, to June 2, 2026.

The court, presided over by Magistrate Olufunilayo Somefun, fixed the new date to allow the prosecution to file fresh charges in the case.

The defendant, Adeniyi Mobolaji, is facing a four-count charge bordering on dangerous and negligent driving resulting in death.

It was gathered that the matter had been adjourned about four times to enable the prosecuting counsel, G. O. Ogunyomi, amend the charges before the court.

Mobolaji was accused of reckless and negligent driving, contrary to Section 6(1) of the relevant law, as well as driving without due care and attention, causing bodily harm, and damage to property under Section 7(1).

He was also alleged to have driven without a valid national driver’s licence, contrary to Section 10(1) of the Federal Highway Act.

Ruling on the prosecution’s application for adjournment, the magistrate granted the request and fixed June 2 for proper hearing. The defence counsel did not oppose the application.

Speaking after the proceedings, counsel to the defendant, Abiodun Olalekan, said the adjournment was necessary to ensure justice for all parties involved.

The 46-year-old defendant was involved in the fatal crash that claimed the lives of Joshua’s personal trainer, Latif Ayodele, and strength and conditioning coach, Sina Ghami, along the Lagos-Ibadan

Expressway on December 29, 2025.
The Lexus SUV conveying the boxer collided with a stationary truck, leaving Joshua and the driver with minor injuries.

Joshua was later discharged from the hospital after being certified clinically stable.

The deaths of Ayodele and Ghami drew widespread reactions within the international boxing community, where both men were regarded as key figures in Joshua’s camp.

Their remains were subsequently repatriated to the United Kingdom, where a funeral prayer was held on January 4, 2026, at the London Central Mosque.

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Crime & Court

NDLEA Ends 15-Year Hunt for Alleged Drug Lord in Lagos

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 58-year-old alleged drug lord, Uzoma Valentine Ilomuanya, who had reportedly been on the agency’s wanted list and that of British authorities for over 15 years.

Ilomuanya was apprehended in Lagos on Monday, February 23, 2026, following what the agency described as a high-level, coordinated operation by officers of its Special Operations Unit.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Director of Media and Advocacy of the agency, Femi Babafemi.

Babafemi said the suspect’s arrest ended a prolonged manhunt linked to his alleged involvement in drug trafficking activities across Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

According to the statement, Ilomuanya was first arrested in February 2003 in the United Kingdom and convicted for drug trafficking.

He was sentenced to nine years imprisonment but was released after serving two years following a successful appeal.

Babafemi added that the suspect was again arrested in the UK in July 2011 over drug-related offences.

He said, “He was granted administrative bail but jumped jurisdiction and fled to Nigeria.

“Typical of a recidivist, Ilomuanya was in November 2018 arrested in Nigeria by NDLEA operatives following the discovery of two clandestine methamphetamine laboratories in his Obinugwu, Orlu Local Government Area country home in Imo State and at his No. 3 Barrister Declan Uzoma Close, Lagos residence where officers recovered 77.960 kilograms of methamphetamine and extensive production equipment.

“He was subsequently charged before a Federal High Court in Lagos, after which he jumped court bail and has been on the run since then.”

Reacting to the development, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), described the arrest as a major breakthrough in the agency’s ongoing war against drug trafficking networks.

Marwa said the operation demonstrated the agency’s resolve to track down criminal elements regardless of how long they evade the law.

He said, “This arrest serves as a stern warning to those who think they can hide behind borders to escape justice.

“Whether you jump bail in London or set up clandestine labs in your village, the long arm of the NDLEA will eventually catch up with those who choose to undermine the health, security, and future of our nation.

“We remain committed to our international collaborations to ensure that Nigeria is not used as a sanctuary for global drug lords.”

Marwa also commended officers of the Special Operations Unit for their professionalism and persistence in tracking down the suspect.

He added that the agency would continue to strengthen intelligence-driven operations and international cooperation to dismantle drug trafficking networks operating within and beyond Nigeria.

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Crime & Court

Court Acquits Suspended DCP  Kyari, Faults NDLEA Over Weak Evidence

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File photo of suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday discharged and acquitted a suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, of a 23-count charge bordering on alleged non-declaration of assets filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

Delivering judgment, Justice James Omotosho held that the prosecution failed to present sufficient evidence to substantiate the allegations against the defendants.

Kyari was arraigned alongside his two brothers, who were accused of swearing to false affidavits in an alleged attempt to conceal the origin of certain properties.

However, the court ruled that the anti-drug agency failed to establish that the properties allegedly not declared by Kyari were actually owned by him.

Justice Omotosho explained that ownership of landed property could be established through traditional history, title documents, acts of possession, or possession by connection.

According to the judge, the prosecution did not present any of these forms of evidence to prove that the properties located at Fountain Estate in Karsana, said to belong to Ramatu Kyari, were owned by the suspended police officer.

The court also held that the prosecution failed to produce material evidence linking Kyari to properties located on Linda Choko Road in Asokoro, Abuja, as well as properties in Maiduguri, Borno State.

In his defence, Kyari maintained that the properties in Borno State belonged to his late father, who bequeathed them to him and his siblings.

The judge held that the prosecution failed to prove otherwise.

Justice Omotosho also faulted the prosecution for charging Kyari’s brothers with conspiracy, describing the allegation as unsubstantiated.

He described the NDLEA’s case as weak and lacking credible evidence, adding that the defendant had served the country well and should not be subjected to persecution.

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