Crime & Court
43-year-old man arrested for defiling underage boys in Edo
The Edo State Police Command, has arrested a 43-year-old man, identified as Ovie Oktogbo, who allegedly specialises in defiling male children and teenagers .
Edo state police command in a statement on Thursday by its spokesperson, Kontongs Bello said Oktogbo was arrested after one of his victims fell sick and told his parents how he was defiled by a man who uses bleaching cream as lubricant.
“On the 10/02/2022 at about 1800hrs the Edo State Police Command arrested one Ovie Oktogbo ‘M’ (43) of No. 15 Ugboguhi Street Off Uwasota, Ugbowo, Benin City, an indigene of Delta State but resident in Benin City, a father of three who also works as a guard man in the area that specializes in raping male children/ teenagers between the ages of 10 to 15years.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the rapist specialises in using N100 to N200 to lure his unsuspected victims who are children and teenagers between the ages of 10 to 15years in the area and have an unnatural carnal knowledge of them through their anus by applying Caro-White bleaching cream on both his manhood and the victim’s anus as the case may be for easy penetration,” the statement read in part.
The statement further explained that the 13 year-old victim (name withheld) fell ill with swollen feet, face, and pus all over his body.
“Medical examination revealed that his liver and kidney is damaged as a result of a certain chemical contained in bleaching creams, upon further inquiry by the victim’s parents, he explained that a certain man in the area force his way and forcibly had carnal knowledge of him, it was in that process that he applied the cream in his anus, hence the report to the police.”
After his arrest, Oktogbo confessed to have defiled no fewer than nine (9) boys in the area. Six (6) have already been identified and their parents also made formal complaints to the commissioner of police to that effect while three (3) out of the nine (9) children are yet to be identified.
In his remarks, the Commissioner Of Police Edo State Police Command, CP Philip Aliyu Ogbadu who lamented over the behaviour of the suspect, however reminded parents, guardians, and the society of social responsibility of guiding, protecting, and teaching young children and boys the way of life.
The suspect, according to the police, will soon be arraigned in court at the end of the investigation.
A Magistrate Court sitting in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, has granted human rights lawyer and activist, Dele Farotimi, bail to the tune of ₦30 million. The court also mandated Farotimi to provide three sureties with landed properties within its jurisdiction.
As part of the bail conditions, the court ordered Farotimi to refrain from granting media interviews and to submit his international passport to the authorities. The case has been adjourned to February 13, 2025, for further proceedings.
Farotimi, who had been remanded at a correctional center in Ado Ekiti, arrived at the court premises on Friday at approximately 9:45 a.m. He was conveyed in a prison van accompanied by a police escort. Upon arrival, the embattled lawyer raised his hands in appreciation of a cheering crowd that had gathered outside the court to show their solidarity.
The human rights advocate is facing prosecution for allegedly defaming a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Afe Babalola. His arrest has ignited widespread public outcry, with many Nigerians and civil society groups condemning the action and demanding his immediate release.
Farotimi’s detention and subsequent arraignment have fueled debates about the boundaries of free speech and defamation laws in Nigeria, with critics arguing that the case may stifle dissenting voices in the country.
Police operatives have apprehended a 25-year-old man, Enediong Bassey, in possession of a pump-action gun concealed in a bag of rice at Nkwelle-Ezunaka.
The suspect, a native of Ikono Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State, was arrested on November 22, 2024, at 6:38 pm following credible intelligence.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, Anambra State Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga.
The statement revealed that officers attached to the 3-3 Divisional Headquarters, led by CSP Emeka Obi, acted swiftly to intercept Bassey.
During interrogation, he admitted to being a member of a local vigilante group but confessed to plans of absconding with the weapon to join a criminal gang involved in armed robbery and other illicit activities.
“Given the above and following other complaints and unprofessional conduct by some security outfits and vigilante members, the Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam, in line with the principles of community policing, reiterates the calls for profiling of security operatives assisting the police and other security agencies on anti-crime operations to improve safety in the state,” the statement read.
In light of the situation, the Commissioner of Police has directed the immediate transfer of the suspect to the command’s anti-robbery squad for a thorough investigation.
The Anambra State Police Command reassured residents of its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of lives and property, urging vigilance and collaboration with law enforcement.
Justice Ayokunle Faji of the Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered an accelerated trial of four bloggers accused of defaming and cyberstalking the management of Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO), including its Group CEO, Mr. Segun Agbaje.
The defendants—Precious Eze, Olawale Rotimi, Rowland Olonishuwa, and Seun Odunlami—face a 10-count amended charge for allegedly publishing false and defamatory content about GTCO on various social media platforms.
During proceedings on November 13 and 14, Justice Faji dismissed their bail applications, citing the severity of the charges, which carry potential penalties of up to 14 years in prison.
The judge specifically noted that Precious Eze had previously been charged with a similar offense in another court and was on bail at the time of the alleged actions, demonstrating a likelihood of reoffending.
Justice Faji emphasized the destabilizing impact such actions could have on the banking sector, pointing to the cross-border nature of some of the allegations.
“The regulatory oversight of institutions like the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) should not be undermined by false claims,” the judge remarked, referencing GTCO’s CBN-approved audited statements.
At the previous hearing, defense counsel Afolabi Adeniyi had urged the court to grant bail on liberal terms, arguing that the defendants were ready to stand trial.
However, the prosecution counsel, Chief Aribisala, SAN, opposed the motion, raising concerns about the defendants potentially absconding and stressing the need for a swift trial.
In his ruling, Justice Faji rejected the defense’s plea, ordering an expedited trial to address the case’s significant implications for the financial industry.
The trial has been adjourned to December 10 and 12 for continuation.
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