Crime & Court
Two suspected ritualists arrested for killing mother, son in Ogun
The Ogun State Police Command have arrested no fewer than two suspects for allegedly killing a housewife and her four-year-old son.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, in a statement issued on Monday, said the victims were killed for ritual purposes.
Oyeyemi identified the suspects as 29-year-old herbalists Baoku Gbuyi and a 27-year-old bricklayer, Olamide Odulaja.
The arrest of the suspects, according to the the police spokesman followed a report received at Ijebu Igbo division, from the victim’s husband, who reported that his wife and his son went out and yet to return, and efforts to locate her and the little boy was futile.
“On interrogation, Olamide confessed that he and one herbalist abducted the victim and her son on the 13 of February 2021 and that the victims were killed for money ritual at the house of the said herbalist.
“He stated further that, it was the herbalist who burnt the woman’s head which he used for him and upon his confession, detectives went after the said herbalist who resides in Arararomi, Jaoara, Ijebu Igbo.
“On getting to his resident, it was discovered that the herbalist has taken to flight having heard about the arrest of Olamide”, the statement explained.
On how the suspects were arrested, the police spokesman said following the complaints lodged, all the adjoining divisions were alerted to be on the lookout for the fleeing suspect who was eventually traced to Kajola village, where he was arrested by the DPO Awa Ijebu with the assistance of hunters and local vigilantes
“On interrogation, the herbalist confessed that it was Olamide Odulaja who approached him for the money-making ritual following which he asked him to bring a head of human being as one of the material to be used,” he stated.
The suspected herbalist was said to have opened up that they conspired to abduct the woman and her son and slaughter them for ritual purpose.
The suspect explained that he burnt the woman’s head with some other herb material which he gave to Olamide to use.
When asked about the little boy, he said that his head and remains were dumped inside a pit latrine.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Edward Ajogun, has ordered the immediate transfer of the case to the state criminal investigation and intelligence department for further investigation and diligent prosecution.
The CP who described the incident as the height of man inhumanity to man warned those who are out looking for a money-making ritual to desist as only hard work backed with prayer can lead to success.
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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