56 year-old man jailed for impregnating 16 year old daughter

A 56 year-old man, Taiwo Olubayode was Thursday sentenced to nine years imprisonment by a Family Court sitting at Oke-Eda, Akure, the Ondo state capital for impregnating  his16 year-old daughter (name withheld).

Olubayode, who had earlier been arraigned at Odode-Idanre in Idanre local government Magistrate Court before the matter was transfered to Akure, was jailed without an option of fine.

He was brought before the court by Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps was charged on one-count charge of having incestuous behaviour with a 16-year-old girl.

The offence, according to the prosecutor, was contrary to and punishable under sections 31(1) and 31(2) of the Ondo State Child’s Right law of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps 2007.

Olubayode pleaded not guilty to the charge on his first arraignment but he was later found guilty by the family court.

The NSCDC prosecuting officer Mr. Ebriku David told the court that the victim and her boss came to report her father in the NSCDC’s office in Idanre, when it was discovered that the girl was pregnant.

According to him, the case was transferred to Akure division, where the victim informed the command that her father was responsible for the pregnancy.

David also told the court that the convict had earlier confessed at the NSCDC office that he committed the offence.

In her ruling, the magistrate, Mrs O.A Edwin said the Olubayode was guilty of the offence and sentenced him to nine years imprisonment with hard labour without option of fine.

The magistrate said it was a shame and act of high immorality for the convict to be having incestuous affairs with his own daughter.

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EFCC prosecutor’s absence stalls Justice Ajumogobia’s trial

The absence of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo, on Thursday stalled the ongoing trial of a Federal High Court judge, Justice Rita Ofili -Ajumogobia and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Godwin Obla, at the Lagos High Court, Ikeja.

Oyedepo was said to be handling another case at the Court of Appeal, Lagos division.

Consequently, the trial judge, Justice Hakeem Oshodi, adjourned the matter till April 10 at the instance of the defense counsels.

Counsel to Obla, Ifedayo Adedipe( SAN),  expressed disappointment  at the absence of the EFCC prosecutor.

He noted that Oyedepo failed to serve the defence with any letter explaining his absence.

“My Lord, we came here this morning to be confronted with a letter from the prosecution, stating that he could not be present in court because he is presently handling a case at the Court of Appeal. I am surprised that the prosecution did not deem it fit to serve the defense with a copy of the letter.

“There are things I would like to say, but I would reserve my comments until the prosecution is present in court at the next adjourned date,”Adedipe said.

He, however, informed the court that they have two urgent and pending applications that are ripe for hearing.

Ajumogobia’s Counsel, Olawale Akoni, also aligned himself with the 2nd defendant’s counsel and asked for a short adjournment.

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#BBNaija: ThinTallTony gets rousing reception in Calabar

Offiong Anthony, popularly known as ThinTallTony, (TTT) who was recently evicted from the on-going Big Brother Naija reality TV show, on Thursday arrived Calabar to a festive welcome by fans and admirers.

TTT, who is a professional dancer, was welcomed by members of Passion 4 Calabar Carnival Band group who dressed in their all black attire, friends and scores of fans.

Speaking to Journalists at the Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Tony described his BBNaija experience as interesting as well as amazing.

“It was a worthwhile experience. Big brother Africa is the only show which I really don’t know what they are looking for every time.

“But each time I go for it, I always pray that, whatever they are looking for, I should have it, ‘’ he said.

He urged young people with passion for showbiz to go for work towards achieving them, adding that the BBNaija as a platform “offers a wide range of opportunities.’’

TTT while in the house was famous for his controversial relationship with Bisola, one of the housemates. (NAN)

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Herdsmen menace: Police, hunters to comb forest in Edo

Edo State Police Command in collaboration with vigilantes and local hunters have concluded plans to commence tactical surveillance of forest suspected to be hideouts of notorious herdsmen and other criminals in the state.

The exercise, according to the state Commissioner of Police, Haliru Gwandu, was aimed at smoking out all manner of criminals from the urban and rural communities in the state to enable farmers go to farms.

The Police Commissioner urged them to provide information on forest and bushes suspected to be haven for notorious fulani herdsmen and other criminal elements in their domains.

He warned local vigilante groups in the state against recruiting criminals or ex-cultists as part of their team.

Gwandu who spoke at a stakeholders meeting with traditional rulers, hunters and vigilante groups said his command would not tolerate any vigilante group caught working with those he termed misguided elements.

He said the criminals would hide under vigilante to commit crimes in the state.

Gwandu told the traditional rulers that plans were on the way to flush out criminal herdsmen from various forest in the state.

The state police boss assured the gathering that any corrupt police officers found culpable would dismissed from the force.

“Edo police command under my watch would not tolerate corruption coming from any angle. I didn’t ask anybody to extort money from one  and you don’t  have to be corrupt while doing your job.

“Government is showing serious concern about the activities of herdsmen in the state through joint forces combing the forest to flush out criminal elements in herdsmen.”

Leaders of hunters, vigilant groups and representatives of traditional rulers expressed their readiness to sustain the partnership as security in their various communities is paramount.

Amongst those who spoke at the gathering are the representative of Otaru of Auchi Alhaji Usman Abuda, Chief Raymond Okpai and Chief Sunday Omonua of Ekpoma Kingdom.

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