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Sexual Harassment: ICPC closes case against UNICAL professor, lawyer

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The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), on Wednesday, closed its case against Cyril Ndifon, the suspended dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Calabar (UNICAL), and his co-defendant, Sunny Anyanwu.

ICPC’s counsel, Osuobeni Akponimisingha, told Justice James Omotosho of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court after Bwaigu Fungo, the fourth prosecution witness, a forensic and intelligence analyst with the commission, was cross-examined by the defence lawyer, Joe Agi.

Mr Akponimisingha had earlier informed the court that the anti-corruption commission had about seven witnesses and planned to amend the charge to increase the witness number in proving their case against the defendants.

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Mr Ndifon was, on January 25, re-arraigned alongside Mr Anyanwu as first and second defendants on an amended four-count charge bordering on alleged sexual harassment and attempt to perverse the cause of justice.

Mr Anyanwu, who is one of the lawyers in the defence, was joined in the amended charge filed on January 22 by the ICPC on the allegation that he called one of the prosecution witnesses on her mobile telephone during the pendency of the charge against Mr Ndifon to threaten her.

They, however, pleaded not guilty to the counts.

The judge had, on Friday, granted bail to Messrs Ndifon and Anyanwu in the sum of N250 million and N50 million, respectively, with two sureties each in the like sum.

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Upon resumed trial on Wednesday, Mr Fungo’s cross-examination continued.

When Mr Agi asked the forensic analyst if he knew what Mr Ndifon and TKJ, the female student alleged to have been sexually harassed, discussed in the call log, he said he did not know.

When the lawyer asked the witness if he knew the first communication between Mr Ndifon and TKJ, Mr Fungo said from the analysis he carried out on the mobile phones, their first communication through the WhatsApp channel was on March 14, 2023, and the message was: “Good evening sir.”

The witness, who also said he did not analyse TKJ’s phone during the investigation, said the ICPC did not give him TKJ’s phone to analyse.

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After Mr Fungo’s testimony, Mr Akponimisingha told the court that the prosecution was closing its case.

“This is the case for the prosecution, and we have closed our case today,” he said.

Responding, counsel to the defendants, Mr Agi, told the court they planned to file a no-case submission.

He said he would need seven days to file the application.

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The ICPC lawyer assured the court that immediately, the defence served him with the no-case submission, he would also need about seven days to reply.

The judge consequently adjourned the matter until February 27 to hear the defendants’ no-case submission.

Meanwhile, Messrs Ndifon and Anyanwu have yet to perfect their bail described as being too stringent.

The judge had, on February 9, admitted Mr Ndifon to a N250 million bail with two sureties.

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The judge held that the two sureties, who must be owners of landed property in the FCT with registered titles and a minimum valuation of N150 million, must submit their certified bank statements to the court’s registrar.

He also directed Mr Ndifon to submit his passport to the court registrar.

The judge ordered the suspended dean to sign an undertaking not to interfere with the case, be ready to stand his trial and not to delay the trial.

Also ruling on Mr Anyanwu’s bail plea, the judge, who granted him a N50 million bail with two sureties, held that one of the sureties must have a property in FCT, but not with a registered title.

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The judge directed the sureties to file their bank statements and ordered Mr Anyanwu to equally sign an undertaking not to interfere with the trial, to be ready to stand his trial and not delay the trial.

The judge also ordered accelerated hearing of the matter.

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Mob kills man over suspected dog theft in Bauchi

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The Bauchi State Police Command has confirmed the death of a man identified simply as Peter, who was killed by a mob in Bauchi metropolis over allegations of dog theft.

This was disclosed in a statement released on Thursday by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Ahmed Wakili.

According to the statement, the incident occurred at about 11:30 p.m. on April 9, 2025, and involved a mob assault on two individuals accused of stealing a dog.

Wakili said the Commissioner of Police, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, has ordered a comprehensive investigation into what he described as an “egregious act of jungle justice.”

The second victim, identified as Dokagk Danladi, aged 38, was also attacked by a group of youths in a secluded area behind Lushi. He sustained severe machete wounds to the head and was rushed to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi, where he is currently receiving medical treatment.

Peter, whose surname is yet to be identified, was found at the scene and was confirmed dead by medical personnel.

The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of the area has led a team of detectives to the crime scene to gather evidence and investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.

CP Aliyu condemned the act, describing it as barbaric and a threat to the nation’s legal framework. He warned residents against taking the law into their own hands.

“No individual has the authority to brutalize a suspect. Anyone apprehended for any alleged crime should be handed over to law enforcement agencies for investigation and prosecution,” the Commissioner stated.

He appealed to the public to remain calm and cooperate with the police by providing relevant information that could aid the investigation.

“The Command is resolute in its pursuit of justice and is committed to ensuring that all those involved in this heinous act are brought to book,” Aliyu added.

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Pastor sentenced to 15 years in jail for raping member under pretense of conducting deliverance

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A 42-year-old Limpopo Pastor identified as Thabiso Victor Mongatane bagged 15-year jail term for r@ping a 25-year-old woman under the guise of offering her spiritual deliverance.

The Mahwelereng Regional Court, South Africa handed down the sentence for the 2022 r@pe that took place in Masodi village.

According to Limpopo Police Spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, Mongatane exploited his position of trust and manipulated the woman into believing she was suffering from a condition that required spiritual intervention.

The incident dates back to March 2022 when the victim’s mother became ill and Mongatane was recommended by a relative to assist with her healing.

The victim brought her mother to Mongatane’s premises where he conducted what was described as spiritual treatment.

Several months later, on September 4, Mongatane prophesied over the young woman and instructed her to return two days later for further intervention related to so-called “obstacles” in her life.

On September 7, the woman complied and returned to Mongatane’s premises.

Ledwaba explained that Mongatane instructed the woman to undress and cover herself for steaming as part of the ritual.

After leaving her briefly, he returned and told her not to get dressed as he wished to continue the treatment. It was during this session that Mongatane raped her.

The victim later opened a r@pe case at her local police station. The case was taken over by the Mokopane Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit, with Sergeant Lesetja Langa leading the investigation.

Mongatane was arrested on March 28, 2024, and initially released on R1,000 bail before being convicted and sentenced to 15 years of direct imprisonment.

Limpopo Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe praised the investigative team for their thorough work and welcomed the conviction, calling it a victory for justice and a message to others who exploit positions of trust.

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Court orders final forfeiture of properties connected to ex-banker in Lagos

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Justice Dehinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Thursday, ordered the final forfeiture of seven properties linked to Muiz Tijani Adeyinka, a former First Bank Plc employee.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, listed the properties. They include Plot 9, Block 28, Itunu City, Veritas Homes & Properties Ltd, Aiyetoro, Epe, Lagos State; a three-bedroom flat (Block A, Floor 6, Flat 2) at Le Moriah Residences Estate, Off Kusenla Road, Ikate Ancient City, Lekki Peninsula, Eti-Osa LGA, Lagos State; and a parcel of land (Block L1, Plot 13) at Amen Estate, Phase III Extension, Abomiti Zone, Lekki/Epe Express Way, Epe LGA, Lagos State.

Other properties are Block 3, Plot 13, Arizon Estate, within Idera Scheme Allocation via Eleko Junction, Ibeju-Lekki LGA; one plot within Arizone Estate, Idera Scheme, Ibeju-Lekki LGA; one plot within Itunu Residential, Aiyetoro, Ibeju-Lekki LGA; Plot 7, Block 4, Itunu City, Veritas Homes & Properties Ltd, Aiyetoro, Epe LGA; Plot 1, Ido Gwari 2 Extension, Ochacho Real Homes, LifeCamp, Abuja; and Block Q, Plot 25, Tiara by Amen City Limited, along Lekki/Epe Express Way, Yeguda Resettlement Scheme, Epe, Lagos State.

The order followed a motion filed by the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 1, Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, through lawyer Zeenat Atiku. Justice Dipeolu had previously ordered an interim forfeiture and its publication in a national newspaper, giving interested parties 14 days to object.

Atiku presented the final forfeiture motion, noting no objections were received within the 14-day period. She supported the application with an affidavit from EFCC operative Isah Yusuf Nadabo. He stated that Adeyinka, a settlement office worker at First Bank, exploited his access to conduct “illegal, unauthorised and fraudulent activities” against the bank.

Nadabo added that investigations traced N35 billion benefitted by Adeyinka and his associates. Atiku argued that the properties were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.

Justice Dipeolu found merit in the EFCC’s case and ordered the final forfeiture of the properties to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

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