News
Court Sentences Father To 30 Years’ Imprisonment For Impregnating Daughter
The Upper Area Court I, sitting in Ganye, Adamawa State, has convicted and sentenced a man, Jediel Sylvester, to 30 years’ imprisonment for having sexual relations with his daughter and getting her pregnant.
The court, presided over by Hon. Kabiru Musa, sentenced the defendant to 15 years’ imprisonment with an option of a N500,000 fine for the offence of incest.
For the offence of criminal intimidation, the court sentenced Sylvester to 10 years’ imprisonment with an option of a N250,000 fine, whilst for the offence of assault, the court sentenced the defendant to five years’ imprisonment without the option of a fine.
The court, explaining that the sentences shall run consecutively, further pronounced that the defendant has the constitutional right of appeal against the judgment to the High Court of Adamawa State within the next 30 days.
The judge said the most disturbing part of the case was the testimony of the victim that the defendant habitually intimidated and forced her into sexual intercourse whenever he desired.
“Having carefully considered the statement of complaint, the unequivocal plea of guilty entered by the defendant, the oral testimony of the victim in corroboration thereof, and the entire record before the court, I am satisfied that the prosecution has proved the offences charged beyond reasonable doubt as required by law,” the judge said.
“A plea of guilty, once voluntarily made and corroborated where necessary, constitutes the strongest evidence against an accused person. In the instant case, there exists not only the defendant’s confession in open court but also credible testimony from the victim herself, leaving no room for doubt as to the defendant’s criminal responsibility,” Kabiru stated.
He declared that the case represents one of the gravest forms of betrayal known to both law and humanity, saying parenthood is a sacred trust imposed by nature.
“Accordingly, I find the defendant, Jediel Sylvester, guilty and he is hereby convicted for the offences of Incest, Criminal Intimidation and Assault contrary to Sections 367, 382 and 242 of the Penal Code Law of Adamawa State, 2018,” the judge declared.
The defendant, Jediel Sylvester, was brought before the court on a criminal complaint alleging the offences of incest, criminal intimidation, and assault.
The particulars of the complaint disclosed that the defendant, who is the biological father of the victim, repeatedly subjected his own daughter to sexual abuse.
The first complainant in the case, Mohammed Audi, who is an uncle of the girl, had earlier told the court that after discovering the pregnancy, the defendant attempted to persuade his daughter to falsely accuse another person, and later sought to procure an abortion to terminate the pregnancy, both of which proposals the daughter rejected.
When the complaint was read to the defendant, he pleaded guilty, stating that he committed the odd act of replacing paternal love with predatory lust.
By Prosper Olayiwola
A House of Assembly Candidate for Ikole Constituency 1 on the platform of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Kayode Arewa Sanni, has called on his constituents, party members and supporters to unite ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Arewa Sanni made the call in Ikole-Ekiti while addressing party faithful and supporters at a stakeholders’ meeting convened to strengthen grassroots mobilisation in the constituency.
He said the 2027 elections present a defining moment for the people of Ikole Constituency 1 to chart a new course of inclusive representation, people-oriented legislation and accelerated development.
The candidate noted that disunity among party members and supporters remains the greatest obstacle to victory, stressing that only a united front can dislodge entrenched interests and deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.
“I appeal to all our party leaders, members, supporters and well-wishers across Ikole Constituency 1 to put aside personal differences and work together as one family. Our strength lies in our unity,” he said.
Arewa Sanni said his candidacy was driven by a desire to give Ikole Constituency 1 a vibrant and responsive voice in the Ekiti State House of Assembly, with focus on youth empowerment, education, healthcare and rural infrastructure.
He assured constituents that if given the mandate, he would prioritise quality representation and ensure that government presence is felt in all communities within the constituency.
He also called on supporters of the ADC across Ekiti State to rally behind the party’s vision of good governance, transparency and accountability as preparations for the 2027 polls gather momentum.
The aspirant expressed confidence that with unity, commitment and collective effort, the ADC would emerge victorious in Ikole Constituency 1 and other constituencies across the state.
No fewer than six inmates have died within one week following a suspected cholera outbreak at the Kurmawa Maximum Prison in Kano State.
Amnesty International raised the alarm in a post on its official Facebook page, calling on authorities to immediately declare an emergency at the correctional facility.
Amnesty said several other inmates were currently receiving treatment, warning that the death toll could be higher as the suspected disease continues to spread among prisoners.
It urged the authorities to immediately transfer critically ill inmates to hospitals for proper medical attention to prevent further deaths.
The organisation warned that failure to urgently intervene could amount to arbitrary deprivation of life, which it described as a serious human rights violation under international law.
Amnesty also expressed concern over the broader conditions in Nigerian correctional facilities, particularly the prolonged detention of inmates awaiting trial.
According to the organisation, detainees without financial means face greater difficulty having their rights protected, with some spending years in custody without being convicted of any crime.
It further said many inmates were being held in overcrowded and unhygienic cells without adequate food and healthcare.
Amnesty called for urgent reforms to improve conditions in Nigerian correctional facilities and ensure compliance with international best practices.
Popular media personality and self-acclaimed relationship expert, Blessing Okoro, popularly known as Blessing CEO, has reportedly lost her second son while remanded in custody.
The development was confirmed in an online appeal by Amira Agiye, head of the Isaamira Love Foundation, who spoke on Okoro’s behalf to request public financial assistance.
She said, “It is sad to announce to you all that Blessing CEO just lost her second son. My name is Amira Agiye.
“I’m here to appeal on behalf of Blessing CEO, who is currently in custody. I understand that people might have different opinions about her and the circumstances surrounding her case.
“And like every one of us, she deserves compassion and an opportunity for redemption.
She needs N20 million to meet the bail requirements. She also needs N36 million to pay the people she owes who brought the case against her.
“Please, Nigerians, let’s forgive her for the sake of that boy who is still in the mortuary. With Blessing’s full consent and authorisation, I’m appealing to all Nigerians to help donate so we can help her out of this situation.”
Also speaking in a voice conversation played by Amira, Blessing, CEO, said, “My second son, Bryan, was full of life. While in custody, I lost Bryan.
I pray this turns out positive so I can leave this place, pick up the pieces of my life and pay my respects to him.”
Recall that the self-acclaimed relationship expert was remanded in Kirikiri Prison over an N69.15 million property fraud trial.
She was granted N20 million bail in July 2026, with two sureties in like sum, and each surety was required to provide three years’ proof of deposits valued at N20 million.
Following her inability to meet the bail conditions, Blessing CEO, remains in prison facility two months after she was granted bail.
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