Metro
Couple to relax in prison for ten years over N52m church scam
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The Special Offences Court sitting in the Ikeja area of Lagos State has sentenced a couple, Harry Uyanwanne and Kristen Uyanwanne, to 10 years imprisonment for using a church to steal N52 million.
The court, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, also ordered that the church, Temple International Church, be deregistered and closed down.
The couple and the church were charged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on seven counts bordering on stealing and fraud.
EFCC arraigned the couple on February 25, 2020, and they pleaded not guilty.
While delivering judgement on Wednesday, Justice Mojisola Dada found the couple guilty as charged.
Justice Dada held that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
On count one, the judge sentenced the duo to three years imprisonment and sentenced the first defendant (Harry) to seven years imprisonment on count two to six.
Justice Dada discharged and acquitted the second defendant (Kristen) on count seven.
The judge, however, held that the sentence would run concurrently and ordered that the church be closed down.
She also ordered the convicts to restitute the sum of N31 million to the nominal complainant within 60 days of the judgement.
The EFCC had told the court that in March 2016, the couple dishonestly converted the sum of N10 million belonging to the late Adeola Odemuyiwa to their personal use
The EFCC added that the couple sold a property in the Magodo area of Lagos to one Kingsley Atere for the sum of N42 million on the false presentation that the first defendant was authorised by the complainant to sell the property.
According to the anti-graft agency, the offences violate Section 1 (2) and (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act 2006.
The offences, it said, also violated Sections 278 and 285 (1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
Metro
Again, Boko Haram Attack Chibok Community
Suspected Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists on Thursday evening invaded Kautikari village in Chibok Local Government Area of Borno State, throwing residents into panic.
The attack reportedly began in the evening, forcing many residents to flee into nearby bushes as the insurgents shot sporadically and set residential buildings ablaze.
Kautikari, a Christian-dominated community, had only recently begun to recover from a previous attack that left several residents dead and displaced many families.
According to Vanguard, some fleeing residents said the attackers stormed the village suddenly, leaving people with little time to gather their belongings before running for safety.
Residents who spoke to journalists revealed that the insurgents opened fire repeatedly while moving through parts of the community and setting houses on fire.
A security source from Kautikari, who is based in Maiduguri but was not authorised to speak to the press, confirmed the attack.
He said he received a distress call from the village at about 6:50 p.m. on Thursday.
“Yes, our community of Kautikari is under Boko Haram attack. I just received the distress call at about 6:50 p.m. this Thursday,” he said.
The source added that the casualty figure could not be confirmed immediately because the attack was still ongoing at the time of the report.
“We cannot ascertain any casualties now as they are wreaking havoc and people are scrambling for safety,” he added.
The latest attack came barely weeks after terrorists invaded the same community on March 30, 2026.
During the previous attack, the insurgents reportedly stormed Kautikari at about 6 p.m. and killed the commanding officer of local hunters, identified as Mallam Bumto.
Bumto was said to have returned from Lagos State a day before the incident.
The terrorists also killed Johanna Peter, a resident whose wedding was scheduled to take place the following day, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Kautikari Church.
Several other residents were also killed during the attack.
The March attack led to the displacement of many residents, as the assailants reportedly looted foodstuffs and livestock before leaving the community.
Many families fled the area at the time and only returned recently after the situation appeared to have improved. Thursday’s attack has again raised fears among residents, many of whom are now uncertain about their safety in the community.
As of the time of filing this report, security authorities had yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
Metro
Delta police arrest officer who shot handcuffed suspect to death in Effurun
The Delta State Police Command has arrested and transferred an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Nuhu Usman, to Force Headquarters in Abuja for disciplinary action over the extrajudicial killing of a 28-year-old suspect, Mene Ogidi.
The incident, which occurred on Sunday, April 26, 2026, in Effurun, sparked public outrage after a disturbing video went viral showing the suspect — already handcuffed and begging for mercy — being shot at close range in the head. His body was subsequently lifted and thrown into a police operational vehicle.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, strongly condemned the killing, describing it as a clear violation of Force Order 237 and the Nigeria Police Force’s Standard Operating Procedures.
According to the police, operatives attached to the Effurun Area Command acted on credible intelligence that Ogidi was attempting to waybill a parcel containing a Beretta pistol and four rounds of ammunition. The suspect was apprehended at the scene, but ASP Nuhu Usman, who led the team, discharged his firearm, resulting in the suspect’s death.
“Upon receipt of the report, the Commissioner of Police directed the immediate arrest of ASP Nuhu Usman and his transfer to the State Headquarters in Asaba for necessary disciplinary action,” the statement signed by Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, read.
The officer has since been queried and moved to Force Headquarters, Abuja, where he will face the Force Disciplinary Committee for sanction and possible prosecution.
The Command reiterated its commitment to professionalism, respect for human rights, and zero tolerance for recklessness and extrajudicial killings.
CP Oyeniyi extended his condolences to the family of the deceased, friends, and concerned members of the public, assuring them that justice would be served.
The video of the shooting surfaced barely two days after soldiers attached to the Guards Brigade in the Federal Capital Territory were accused of killing a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member inside his room. The army had claimed the corps member was caught in crossfire during an armed robbery response, but the deceased’s parents debunked the claim, insisting he was shot in his locked apartment.
Human rights activist Harrison Gwamnishu had earlier alleged that Usman Nuhu, a former Rapid Response Squad (RRS) operative with a history of alleged extrajudicial killings, was involved in the Effurun incident and that other officers might be shielded.
The police statement identifies only ASP Nuhu Usman as the officer who fired the fatal shot and confirms he is now in custody facing disciplinary proceedings.
Metro
Gunmen invade Ekiti church, k!ll pastor, abduct members during revival
Gunmen suspected to be bandits invaded a Christ Apostolic Church in Eda Oniyo, headquarters of Ilejemeje Local Government, opening fire on worshippers gathered for a special revival programme.
A pastor identified simply as Aregbe was killed on the spot.
Several others were injured.
An unconfirmed number of congregants are missing.
Witnesses said the attackers stormed the church around 6:45 p.m., shooting into the congregation.
Worshippers scattered into the surrounding bush. Some made it out. Others were hit.
Ilejemeje Local Government Chairman Pius Alaba confirmed the attack.
He said the pastor in charge reported that several worshippers remain unaccounted for, and the exact number of those abducted is still unknown.
“The corpse of the slain pastor has been deposited at the morgue,” Alaba said.
At least six worshippers are declared missing, raising fears they were taken by the gunmen.
Others are nursing gunshot wounds.
Panic has gripped Eda Oniyo.
A community member said residents are living in fear and appealed to government to urgently deploy security personnel to the area.
As of press time, security agencies had yet to issue an official statement on the attack.
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