Crime & Court
Nigerian pharmacist kills wife, daughter, commits suicide
A Chicago-based Nigerian pharmacist, Olasunkanmi Esho, has allegedly killed his Cameroonian wife, Bourk Esho, and their eight-year-old daughter, Olivia.
Olasunkanmi, 42, who lived in Ilinois, Chicago, in the United States of America, was alleged to have also shot himself dead after the incident.
It is not clear if the couple had any disagreement prior to the incident.
The Chicago Tribune reported that the Darien Police Department had started investigations into the tragedy which happened in an apartment building on 75th Street, Farmingdale Drive.
The report said the police responded to a call about shots fired, adding that the police found the three family members dead.
The Darien Police Commander, Gerald Piccoli, said the police were following up on the incident.
Piccoli stated that the area had been cordoned off and there was no threat to the community.
Some residents of the building and the neighbourhood said they saw police activity earlier, including an ambulance and unmarked police vehicles, but did not know what happened.
The neighbours, however, reported seeing a vehicle being towed from the apartment building parking lot.
Piccoli said the police towed away a vehicle as part of the investigation.
“The DuPage County Sheriff’s Department gathered evidence at the scene for the police department,” he added.
A friend of Bourk, Lawrence Willis, said she was a student of his at the Chicago State University and a former employee of St. Bernard Hospital and the University of Illinois, Chicago.
Willis explained that the 33-year-old worked in the health information management department at the University of Illinois.
A Facebook user, Djeric Lemessi, who claimed to be a family friend of the couple, said they were survived by two children who were not around at the time.
“Nigerian pharmacist in Chicago shot his Cameroonian wife, their eight-year-old daughter and committed suicide. They are survived by their 13-year-old son and four-year-old daughter.
“This happened yesterday (Sunday) morning in Chicago. The eight-year-old died in the arms of the 13-year-old, who heard gunshots and went to call his mom that he had heard gunshots outside, not knowing that their dad had shot their mom.
“He saw his sister in a pool of blood, carried her to seek help only for her to die in his arms; horrible story. The wife’s parents are from Guzang – Mr and Mrs Mudoh. Good friends of mine,” he wrote.
A neighbour of the couple, Suzanne McCray, said her child and Olivia were classmates.
“This is so sad; I saw at least one of them every evening picking up their daughter from after-school the same time as I.
“You just never know what couples are going through. Just saw the mom on Friday and she smiled and we chatted a bit about how she survived 1st grade; praying for the family,” she said.
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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