Crime & Court
Just In: Court Acquits Ex-Oyo Lawmaker, Olafisoye Accused In Sugar’s Death
Former Chief Whip of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Olafisoye Akinmoyede was today Thursday, 23rd January, 2020 discharged and acquitted by a High Court No. 7, Ring Road, Ibadan over two count charges of murder preferred against him and three others.
The accused, Hon. Olafisoye Akinmoyede, Alh. Rafiu Alimi, Alhaji Rasheed Oladele and Kazeem Ayinde were standing trial over an alleged involvement in the death of late Temitope Olatoye popularly known as ‘Sugar’, who was shot dead during the March 9, 2019 gubernatorial and State House of Assembly election in Nigeria.
According to Justice Mufutau Adegbola, who delivered the judgment in suit No. I/70c/2019, the prosecution counsel has not provided any of the ingredients of murder to connect the accused with the murder of the deceased, Hon. Temitope Olatoye Sugar.
Justice Mufutau Adegbola added that the PW1 who is the star witness in the case, Mr Olajide Olatoye, a younger brother to the deceased when putting on oath, submitted that none of all the four accused was involved in the murder of his elder brother, but one Jelili Okanlomo who is still at large, committed the crime.
The court thereafter dismissed the two count charges and acquitted all the four accused persons with no other as to cost.
Counsel to the defendants in his reaction, Barr. Michael Lana who was represented by Barr. Adeboye Adetayo lauded the Judge for a well considered judgment, adding that the defendants have been found not to be guilty of the charges against them.
Reacting to the judgment, Hon. Olafisoye Akinmoyede said that God has vindicated him over the allegation levelled against him on the death of Hon. Sugar, stressing that today, truth has finally prevailed with the court’s verdict that acquitted and discharged him.
The ex-lawmaker who used the occasion to once again commiserate with the family, friends and associates of Hon. Sugar over his death, prayed God Almighty to continue to fill the vacuum that his death has created and grant the family the fortitude to bear the loss.
He expressed his profound appreciation to all the traditional institutions in Lagelu Local Government, leaders and members of the All Progresives Congress (APC) Lagelu LG, his family, friends, religious leaders and the entire Lalupon indigenes led by Hon. Oribayo Okeyode for their support and prayers throughout the period of the litigation.
While calling on the people in the State to continue to support the present administration under the Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde to achieve all his lofty agenda, Hon. Akinmoyede pointed out that the Governor has demonstrated his readiness to take the State to greater heights through the modest achievements he has recorded within just eight months he has spent in office.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared Yahaya Bello wanted for an alleged financial crime to the tune of N80.2 billion,” Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency announced.
“Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, is wanted by the EFCC for offences relating to economic and financial crimes to the tune of N80.2 Billion,” the EFCC stated in a Thursday evening Facebook post titled ‘Ex-Gov Yahaya Bello Wanted By the EFCC.’
“Anybody with information as to his whereabouts should report immediately to the Commission or the nearest police Station,” the statement continued.
This declaration follows the absence of the chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Federal High Court in Abuja earlier in the day for a suit instituted against him by the EFCC.
Consequently, Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the suit and called for substituted service and the possible arraignment of Bello for alleged money laundering.
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have apprehended a Delhi-bound passenger, Freeman Charles Ogbonna, at the screening point of terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Ikeja Lagos.
Ogbonna was detained for ingesting 80 wraps of cocaine.
The arrest took place on Sunday, March 31, 2024, as Ogbonna attempted to board a flight to Delhi, India via Doha on Qatar Airways.
He was in possession of a Liberian international passport under the name Carr Bismark.
According to NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, the suspect underwent a body scan which detected the presence of illicit drugs. Upon further investigation, it was discovered that Ogbonna’s real identity was Freeman Charles Ogbonna.
He was then placed under NDLEA observation, where he began to exhibit signs of discomfort.
“Obviously choked by the volume of illicit drugs in his stomach and another substance taken to hold back excretion, the suspect soon began to retch before starting to vomit and excrete wraps of cocaine he ingested almost simultaneously,” Babafemi stated.
“Over four days, Ogbonna expelled a total of 80 wraps of cocaine weighing 889 grams through his mouth and anus. Despite the grave risk to his life, Ogbonna claimed he was coerced into drug trafficking by a relative. He confessed that he was given the drugs to swallow at a hotel in the Ipodo area of Ikeja, with a promise of a cash reward of N300,000 upon successful delivery of the consignment in India”.
The NDLEA has since detained Ogbonna as investigations continue into the drug trafficking operation.
The Federal High Court in Lagos has set April 9, 2024, as the date to sentence the controversial cross-dresser and social media sensation, Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky.
This decision came after Bobrisky pleaded guilty to a four-count charge of Naira abuse brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice Abimbola Awogboro, who presided over the case, reserved the date for the sentencing.
The courtroom proceedings commenced promptly at 11:55 am, with Mr. Sulaiman Sulaiman representing the EFCC, and Mr. Ayo Olumofin appearing for the defendant.
During the session, Justice Awogboro directed Bobrisky to uncover his face, previously obscured by a black hijab, which he complied with.
The EFCC initially filed a six-count charge against Bobrisky, but the prosecutor, Sulaiman, requested the court to strike out counts five and six due to an agreement reached with the defendant.
Justice Awogboro granted the request, leaving counts one to four for consideration.
Bobrisky pleaded guilty to each of the four counts, confirming his understanding of the charges brought against him.
The EFCC prosecutor proceeded to present the case’s facts, calling an EFCC Assistant Superintendent, Mr. Bolaji Temitope, as a witness. Temitope outlined how the EFCC became aware of Bobrisky’s actions through intelligence gathering and surveillance of social media activities.
The witness testified to several instances where Bobrisky was observed spraying Naira notes during events, supported by video evidence which was admitted by the court as exhibits.
In a bench ruling, Justice Awogboro convicted Bobrisky as charged, despite his plea for mercy and assertion of ignorance of the law.
Bobrisky, expressing remorse, requested a second chance to educate his followers on the consequences of Naira abuse, citing his substantial social media influence.
His legal counsel urged the court to consider a non-custodial sentence and an option of a fine, highlighting Bobrisky’s commitment to reform.
Sentencing has been adjourned till April 9, with Bobrisky facing the possibility of six months imprisonment, a fine of N50,000, or both, in accordance with Section 21(1) of the CBN Act 2007.
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