Connect with us

Metro

Police nab Inspector, 3 others over alleged murder of Imo lawyer

Published

on

ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad

The Imo State Police Command has arrested four suspects including a police inspector in connection with the murder of Barrister Chinedu Nwowu.

The police inspector identified as Augustine Odidika was reportedly arrested last Thursday shortly after the gruesome murder of Nwowu in Mgbidi Town last Wednesday.

SaharaReporters learned that the police inspector had threatened to kill the lawyer for which he petitioned the Assistant Inspector General of Police for threats to live, a petition that was yet to be investigated before he was murdered.

Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Owerri Branch, Chief Chris Ihentuge, revealed this development to SaharaReporters on Tuesday in a telephone interview.

Advertisement

According to him, the police informed the NBA delegation, during a visit to the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Aboki Danjuma, on Monday.

“During the meeting, the Bar leaders urged the Police to ensure that the perpetrators of this heinous crime are brought to justice. They assured the Police of the willingness of the Bar to collaborate and support the ongoing investigation,” he said.

However, during discussions, the police informed the delegation that investigations have commenced, adding that the case file and suspects had been transferred from the Mgbidi Police Division to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID).

“The Deputy Commissioner of Police disclosed that four suspects, including a serving Inspector of Police who is also the deceased’s kinsman, have been arrested in connection with the murder. Efforts are also underway to apprehend a warrant officer serving in Enugu who has been implicated in the case,” he said.

Advertisement

He added, “The Police Chiefs assured the Bar of an impartial and thorough investigation. They emphasized that the involvement of a serving police officer would not hinder the pursuit of justice, vowing to prosecute all those responsible for this crime.”

He explained that the reason they were showing much interest was because of the involvement of a police inspector.

He said, “You know they may like to use his position to influence whatever but the commissioner and deputy commissioner have assured us that no matter how highly placed the people involved are that they will do the needful. And one of the persons that they are still looking for is a Warrant Officer in the Army, he is serving in Enugu.

“So they are also putting things in place to make sure that he is apprehended. We assured them that we are going to cooperate with them in whatever they are doing to make sure that justice is served. So the NBA is ready and willing to assist, the person that was murdered is our colleague, so we can’t leave like that.”

Advertisement

He revealed that in the past two years, four lawyers had been killed in the state by unknown assailants.

“Let us say in the past two years, more than four of our colleagues have been killed whether by known people or unknown persons. Last time when a chairman of customary court was murdered in court at Agwa in Oguta local government, we boycotted court, had a protest march to the office of the commissioner of police.

“We are still looking out at the other options but we want to watch how police will investigate this matter,” he said.

Regarding whether the NBA is going to support the police with money to carry out the investigation, he said, “I know in this case that having known that NBA is interested they may not demand money for investigation but if money will prevent it, NBA will fund whatever investigation.

Advertisement

“It is part of our obligation and we do it for people who are not lawyers and what about somebody that is our colleague. So if money will stop the investigation, NBA will come in to help.

“Even the NBA at the national level is also interested in the matter. The president of the association, Mazi Afam Osigwe has been calling us to find out what is happening. So everybody is interested in the matter.”

On whether there has been any clue as to why the lawyer was killed, the NBA branch chairman said the investigation will unravel that, warning against speculation.

He said, “Honestly, I cannot say, all these things will be unraveled by the police investigation, we cannot prejudge the investigation.

Advertisement

“Let them come out with their investigation, it is not good to speculate on some of these things. But the policeman that was arrested, I learned that there was a petition written by the deceased to the Assistant Inspector General of Police against this policeman for threats to his life and the man said that he would kill the lawyer.

“As a result, he wrote the petition for which was yet to be treated before he was murdered.”

Metro

One Dead As Police Foil Abuja Kidnapping Operation, Rescue Four

Published

on

By

ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad

The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has rescued four residents abducted during a kidnapping attack in the Yellow House area of Mpape, Abuja, following a gun battle with suspected kidnappers in the Jikoko Hills.

The Command, however, confirmed that one resident was killed during the attack, while another who sustained a gunshot wound is responding to treatment in hospital.

The FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday.

According to the statement, the incident occurred at about 10:40 p.m. on Wednesday when the command received a distress call that armed kidnappers had invaded the Yellow House area of Mpape and abducted four residents.

Advertisement

Following the report, the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, Ahmed Sanusi, immediately deployed operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, personnel from the Katampe and Mpape Divisions, as well as officers of the 24 Police Mobile Force Squadron to rescue the victims.

Adeh said preliminary investigations showed that the attackers shot two residents before fleeing with four hostages through the Jikoko Hills towards the Ushafa Forest.

“Upon their arrival, preliminary findings revealed that the assailants had shot two victims before fleeing the scene. It was also discovered that the assailants had taken four other victims hostage from a nearby area whom they forcefully marched through Jikoko Hills towards Ushafa Forest,” she said.

She added that the injured victims were rushed to a hospital, where one of them, identified only as Mr. Babangida, was confirmed dead, while the second victim, who sustained a gunshot wound to the leg, is responding positively to treatment.

Advertisement

The police spokesperson said operatives sustained the pursuit of the kidnappers from the night of the attack until the early hours of Friday when they intercepted the suspects around Jikoko Hills.

She said, “The operatives maintained relentless pursuit of the kidnappers from the night of the incident till Friday, 10th July, 2026, when they located the kidnappers at approximately 12:05 a.m. around Jikoko Hills heading towards Ushafa Forest with the hostages.”

According to her, the kidnappers opened fire on sighting the advancing police team, resulting in a fierce exchange of gunfire.

“Demonstrating superior tactical capability, the operatives overwhelmed the suspects, forcing them to abandon the hostages and flee deeper into the surrounding hills and forest in a desperate attempt to evade arrest,” Adeh stated.

Advertisement

She confirmed that all four abducted victims were rescued unharmed, evacuated from the forest and reunited with their families.

The spokesperson added that security operatives were continuing the manhunt for the fleeing suspects.

The Commissioner of Police assured residents that the command remained committed to apprehending those behind the attack and bringing them to justice.

“He further urges members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons or activities to the nearest Police Station or through the FCT Police Command emergency lines,” the statement added.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Metro

DJ Chicken to relax in Kirikiri prison for threatening to k!ll Seyi Tinubu

Published

on

By

ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad

Ademola Abiodun, popularly known as DJ Chicken, was on Friday arraigned before a Magistrate’s Court in Ogba, Lagos, over allegations of issuing a death threat against Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu.

DJ Chicken was brought before Magistrate M.F. Onamusi on a three-count charge bordering on alleged threat to kill, conduct likely to cause a breach of peace, and offences under the Cybercrime Act.

According to the prosecution, the charges arose from a video posted on the content creator’s social media platforms last week in which he allegedly threatened Seyi Tinubu while commenting on the 2027 presidential election.

The prosecution told the court that the video contained statements interpreted as a threat to kill Seyi Tinubu, contrary to the provisions of the Criminal Law of Lagos State and the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.

Advertisement

Following public reaction to the video, DJ Chicken posted another video in which he withdrew the remarks, describing them as a joke intended to attract public attention.

He stated that he had no intention of harming Seyi Tinubu and said the comments were part of content creation.

Despite the retraction, the state proceeded with criminal charges against him.

The first count alleges that the defendant posted a video containing a threat to kill Seyi Tinubu through his social media accounts, an offence punishable under Section 232 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Advertisement

The second count accuses him of transmitting a grossly offensive and menacing message through a computer network, contrary to Section 24 of the Cybercrime Act, 2015.

The third count alleges that his conduct was likely to cause a breach of the peace and was intended to intimidate or embarrass Seyi Tinubu, contrary to Section 168(d) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

DJ Chicken pleaded not guilty to all three charges.

Magistrate M.F. Onamusi admitted him to bail in the sum of N1 million with two sureties in like sum.

Advertisement

The court ruled that one of the sureties must be a government employee, while the second must be a recognised community leader with landed property in Lagos State.

Both sureties are also required to provide evidence of three years’ tax clearance, Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA) identification, National Identification Number (NIN), and recent utility bills.

In addition, one of the sureties must be a blood relation of the defendant.

Pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions, the magistrate ordered that DJ Chicken be remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre.

Advertisement

The case was adjourned until August 3, 2026, for further proceedings.

Continue Reading

Metro

Man who slashed his manhood set it ablaze back in the street

Published

on

By

ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad

An Indiana man accused of severing his own penis and setting it on fire has been released on bail after being charged with felony arson.

According to court documents obtained by TMZ, 43-year-old American citizen, Christopher Peden was released after posting a $10,000 bond. As part of his bail conditions, he must remain in Indiana unless he receives court approval to travel outside the state.

Investigators said officers recovered several items from the scene, including the remains of a red plastic gasoline container, four BIC lighters and a knife. Court records did not indicate that the severed body part was collected as evidence. Police allege that Peden told officers he used a kitchen knife to sever his penis at around 2 a.m. before pouring gasoline on it and setting it alight inside a garage.

Emergency services were dispatched to the property following reports of a stabbing. Police and firefighters responded to the scene, where the incident is said to have occurred in a garage belonging to the property’s owners.

Advertisement

Peden is expected to appear in court as proceedings continue in the felony arson case. Authorities have not disclosed additional details about his medical condition or the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 Naija Blitz News