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By Iheanyi Chukwudi Isi-Uzo Divisional Police station in Ikem, Enugu state, has been attacked by gunmen who allegedly made away with arms and ammunition in the Police armoury. The attack which took place in the early hours of Tuesday, according to sources from the area witnessed the storming of the unfenced police station at about 2am on Tuesday. The gunmen the source said operated in a Toyota Sienna bus, shouting “Release Nnamdi Kanu,” “No Nnamdi Kanu, no peace.” The source further said, “They came through Eha-Amufu and left through the same axis but it’s not possible they got to Eha-Amufu township or crossed to Nkalagu, otherwise they would have been encountered by the soldiers in that area. It’s possible they went through Aguamede to Benue state." A policeman on night duty at the police station was said to have miraculously escaped death after being shot by the gunmen. The said divisional police station is said to have in the past been under severe attacks by armed robbers who terrorised banks at Ikem and Eha-Amufu, resulting in the closure of banks in the area for over 10 years now. It is also reported that the porous divisional police station is the only one in the whole of Isi-Uzo LGA with the closest at Obollo-Afor, a 30 kilometres distance. The Enugu State Police Command is yet to speak on the attack or confirm it, more than 17 hours after the attack allegedly took place.

By Iheanyi Chukwudi The absence of an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) witness on Tuesday prevented the Commission from opening it's defence in the election petition filed by the governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in Enugu State, Hon. Chijioke Edeoga and his party. INEC was billed to open it's defence on Tuesday after Edeoga had closed his case against Gov. Peter Mbah and INEC on Sunday, July 16, after calling a total of 30 witnesses that testified before the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Enugu and tendering several documentary evidences. Edeogain his petition is praying the tribunal to disqualify Mbah over an alleged NYSC certificate forgery and the manipulation of the election that produced him as governor. But on Tuesday at the resumed hearing of 5he petition where INEC was supposed to open its defense of the election, the Commission's counsel, Mr. H. Okoli told the court that the witness he had scheduled to testify could not make it to court. He said, "I got information as I was coming into the court that the witness missed his flight and cannot be in court." Reminding the court that the first respondent have two days to defend the result of the March 18 governorship election, Okoli said,"We are aware that they have only two days and humbly ask the court to grant them tomorrow (Wednesday) to come." Neither Edeoga and LP lead counsel, Mr A. Awomolo (SAN) nor Mbah's and PDP's counsel, Mr. Ikechukwu Onuoma and Mr. Anthony Ani (SAN) opposed Okoli's application. The Tribunal Chairman, Justice M. K Akano appealed to the second respondent's counsel to be ready to open his case at close of the INEC's case and adjourned the case till July 19 for continued hearing.

By Iheanyi Chukwudi Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the March 18 governorship election in Enugu State, Chief Uche Nnaji, on Tuesday lost again his bid to be declared the governor of the state, as the Court of Appeal sitting in Enugu dismissed his appeal. Nnaji had gone to the Court of Appeal to seek redress after his petition against Gov. Peter Mbah and two other candidates was thrown out by the Justice K.M Akano-led Enugu State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal on June 20, but the appellate court upheld the decision of the lower court and dismissed his appeal for lack off merit. The decision of the three-man panel of the appellate court was delivered by Justice J.O.K Oyewole. The APC candidate had contended in his petition that Mbah was not constitutionally qualified to vie for the office of the governor at the time of the election, having allegedly presented a forged certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Nnaji who polled a total of 14,575 against Mbah’s 160,895 votes, to place a distant fourth in the election, equally averred that Governor Mbah was not duly elected by majority of lawful votes cast at the election. Joined as respondents were the candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Hon. Chijioke Edeoga, and that of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Mr. Frank Nweke Jr., whom, according to the appellant, were not qualifed to contest the election, having allegedly ran foul of the asset declaration law. He had, therefore, asked the Tribunal to disqualify Mbah, Edeoga, and Nweke and either declare him the winner or order INEC to conduct a runoff election between him and other remaining candidates. But, delivering the judgment of Tribunal on the petition marked EPT/EN/GOV/05/23, the Chairman, Justice Akano, said the lawsuit was not filed in accordance with the provisions of the Electoral Act and could not be heard pursuant to paragraph 18(3) (4) of the First Schedule of the Electoral Act, 2022. Consequently, Nnaji approached the Court of Appeal, praying it to send the dismissed petition back to the Tribunal for hearing and determination of the suit. But at the resumed hearing of the appeal marked CA/E/E/EP/GOV/EN/01/2023 on Tuesday, the Court of Appeal upheld the decision of the Tribunal and dismissed the suit accordingly. The appellate court equally awarded the sum of N250,000 each against Chief Uche Nnaji and the APC.

By Iheanyi Chukwudi Enugu traders and residents who came out for their normal businesses on Monday have said that they were tired of sitting at home, describing the Monday sit-at-home as a plague killing their businesses and household economies. Complaining to Governor Peter Mbah at their various markets and residential areas within the state capital where he visited as he monitored compliance on the ban on sit-at-home, thanked him for the courage to end the demonic order of non-state actors. Their lamentation came as Gov. Mbah announced government decision to seal off and revoke shop title of shops not opened when he return next Monday on monitoring. It was however, a relatively busy day in some of the areas visited by the Governor as most of the major business concerns were on duty. The Governor who visited Spar Mall, Roban Stores at Bisalla Road, Market Square, Shoprite, Zenith Bank at Ogui Road, Celebrities, Ogbete Market, Garki Awkunanaw Market, Mayor Market, Abakpa Market, and the State Secretariat, commended the level of compliance in most of the places. He however, warned that traders, who continue to sit at home from Monday, July 24, would lose their shops to serious-minded businessmen. Assuring them that adequate security had been provided, Mbah noted that there had not been any incident of attack since the ban on sit-at-home in June. Interacting with business owners, shoppers, traders as well as civil servants at the State Secretariat, the Governor said “It should never be heard that we were cowed because of the threat of violence by these criminals”, noting that “the poverty that will befall us for sitting at home will kill us even faster”. “We are losing over N10bn every Monday that we sit at home. Enough is enough. This foolishness must end and it must end now. We cannot be marginalising ourselves and still complain of marginalisation." “So, we must say no to sit-at-home because what it means is that we are destroying our employment, our economy, and our GDP. We must erase it from our memories. We should see it as our shameful past, which we do not want to remember. We must put it behind us and forge ahead, ensuring that we work every working day of the week.” Addressing traders at Ogbete, Garki, and other markets, he said, “But you know, there are also consequences for not heeding our orders. Going forward, I want to put you on notice. I will go around the state again on Monday next week. We are going to come with the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority to put a seal on any shop that is found locked on Monday because of the illegal sit-at-home. We will take it that you are not ready to do business. “We are going to revoke your license to operate. We will revoke your shop title and reallocate it to someone else, who is ready to do business. This is something we must enforce with effect from Monday next week.” In their responses to the Governor, the market leaders and business owners assured him that they were now ready for full compliance, saying they were already sick and tired of the Monday-sit-at home. At Ogbete, the President of Enugu State Amalgamated Traders Association, Stephen Aniagu, assured the governor that they had already agreed to commence full business, saying all shops would be open from next Monday, same assurance was also given by the leader at Abakpa market, Bernard Anike. On his side, a development economist, Richard Emeka Ezeh, while lamenting on the high cost of sit-at-home commended Mbah’s determined efforts to bring it to an end. He said“I’m surprised to see the governor here. I like it that he is going round to sensitise the people on why they should come out. “Employers of labour were losing so much money to sit-at-home. The economy cannot grow when we are losing N10 billion every Monday. As a development economist, I know that the private sector drives every economy, but the private sector cannot thrive in a place where people sit at home.” Likewise on Monday, public and private schools monitored in Enugu were open, most of them for the first time on a Monday since the beginning of sit-at-home.

By Iheanyi Chukwudi The Police in Enugu State have arrested one male suspect and member of the criminal gang that allegedly attacked and murdered an Enugu lawmaker, Duhu Nelson Nnacheta (a.k.a “Ofunwa”). The slain Nnacheta, who was assassination Sunday night at about 11.30pm was the Councilor representing Eha-Ulo Ward, in Nsukka Local Government Legislative Council, Enugu State. He was said to have been killed by gunmen who stormed his residence at Umualoji Village in Eha-Alumonah community. The State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Daniel Ndukwe (DSP), who confirmed the incident and the arrest of one suspect, disclosed that the Commissioner of Police has ordered intense discreet investigation and manhunt of the other assailants. Ndukwe who did not give details on the arrested suspect, his name, how he was arrested and where, only said, “Police Operatives of the Command have arrested one (1) male suspect and a member of the criminal gang, alleged to have attacked and murdered one Duhu Nelson Sylvester Nnacheta (a.k.a “Ofunwa”) “m”, identified as the Councilor representing Eha-Ulo Ehalumona Council Ward, on 16/07/2023 at about 11.30pm, at Umualoji Village in Ehalumona community of Nsukka LGA.” The assassination of the lawmaker is said to have thrown the entire community into mourning as tension engulfs the town and their neighbouring communities. A a reliable source told newsmen on Monday that the assassins stormed Nnacheta’s house and started raining bullets on him and he ran into a neighbouring compound, from where his lifeless body was later recovered after the attack. Describing the Nnacheta’s assassination as one too many, the source said, “It is heartbreaking; it is too hard for us to swallow. We are in deep agony.”

By Madu Obi The Nigeria Police and men of the local vigilante have intercepted 1000 bagstruck load of cement at Okija, Ihiala local government area of Anambra State. The thieves hijacked the HOWO trailer, with Reg. No. Delta AKU 247 XB conveying the cement at Ubuluokite in Delta State at gunpoint and escaped all the security checkpoints until they got to Okija. Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr Tochukwu Ikenga said the armed robbers on sighting the joint patrol comprising of the Police and Vigilantes along the Onitsha-Owerri expressway, pulled off the road at Okija, abandoned the truck and fled. He said the recovered consignment has been released to the rightful owner on the instruction of the Commissioner of Police, Aderemi Adeoye. According to him, the CP has ordered a manhunt for the gunmen, calling on the people within the area to help with useful information that could help in apprehending the fleeing suspects, Adeoye assured that such information given shall be treated with the confidentiality it deserved.

By Iheanyi Chukwudi The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and it's governorship candidate in the March 18 governorship election in Enugu State, Frank Nweke Jr. have withdrawn the petition filed against Gov. Peter Mbah and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), challenging outcome of the March said election in the state. Nweke, who came third in the governorship election with 17,983 votes as against Mbah’s 160,895 votes, announced the withdrawal of his petition yesterday at the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Enugu state, through an oral application by his counsel, Prof Race Achara. The petitioners’ counsel, while addressing the tribunal said his client wished to make an oral application to withdraw the petition which had its suit number as EPTEN/GOV/07/2023 from the court. “My lords, as has been instructed by my client, I wish to make an oral application before the honourable tribunal to withdraw the petition filed against the first, second and third respondents in this matter so that we will no longer be wasting the time of the court, as we were not able to gather the evidence that will help in prosecuting the matter." The first, second and third respondents are the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Governor Peter Mbah, and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), respectively. Replying to the petitioners’s application, counsel to the first, second, and 3rd respondents told the court that they had no objection to Nweke’s application. Chairman of the tribunal, Justice M. K Akano, therefore, made a ruling striking out the petition.She said, “The petition before the tribunal with suit number EPTEN/GOV/07/2023 is hereby withdrawn." Confirming the withdrawal to newsmen on phone, Mr. Nweke Jr., who was a Minister in the Chief Olusegun Obasanjo administration, said he decided to withdraw the petition for personal reasons.

By Iheanyi Chukwudi Labour Party (LP) candidate in the March 18 governorship election in Enugu State, Chijioke Edeoga, 9n Sunday closed his case against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Gov. Peter Mbah, who was the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the election. Edeoga had in his petition, alleged that the election that produced Mbah as governor was rigged, just as he prayed the tribunal to disqualify the Governor over an alleged National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate forgery. He closed calling a total of 30 witnesses who testified and tendered several documentary evidences before the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Enugu State. Before the closure of Edeoga’s case yesterday, INEC whose Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Enugu State, Dr. Chukwuemeka Chukwu was subpoenaed to appear before the court with BVAS appeared through a senior staff of the Commission, Victor Okafor, with only five BVAS machines. Meanwhile, Edeoga tendered to the tribunal exhibits that included polling unit results (form EC8A) in all the areas in contention; ward collation results (form EC8B) in the affected areas and summary of the results as well as the declaration of the results. Also tendered by the petitioners included the NYSC produced documents of Oma and Partners; form EC9 of Chijioke Edeoga and Governor Peter Mbah as well as the BVAS machines which was brought to court by the REC yesterday. At yesterday’s sitting the REC who was subpoenaed to produce, BVAS machines, was represented by Okafor, who brought only five BVAS machines against the number demanded by the petitioners. The petitioners had applied for a subpoena on the REC to produce the BVAS machines from Owo, Ugbawka 1 Registration Areas of Nkanu East LGA as well as some other polling units in Igboeze North LGA, but, during cross examination by the petitioners counsel, Okafor who appeared on behalf of the REC, said he was mandated to produce five BVAS machines before the tribunal. He said that the information that was generated on the BVAS machines during the governorship election on March 18 was now contained in the BVAS report from the Headquarters in Abuja. Okafor also said that he did not have the BVAS machines for Owo and Ugbawka 1 registration areas of Nkanu East Local Government Area, adding that the machines could only be identified by their codes. Giving the codes of the five BVAS machines he brought as 14/08/06/003, 14/08/01/002, 14/08/06/005, 14/08/17/012, 14/08/01/003, Okafor said, “All the machines contained the BVAS and accessories.” The REC representative however said that he could not operate the BVAS machines beyond the information he earlier gave concerning them because they (machines) had not been used since after the election. He however, did not provide the certified true copies of the BVAS report of the 2023 governorship election polling unit by polling unit as well as the CTC of voters register used in Owo and Ugbawka 1 Registration Areas in Nkanu East LGA of the state. Okafor insisted that he was not holding back any information, as according to him, all the documents they applied and paid for have been supplied to the petitioners. The five BVAS machines were tendered to the Tribunal by LP counsel, Mr Eyitayo Fatogun (SAN) but the PDP counsel, Dr Onyechi Ikpeazu and Mbah's counsel, Mr Alex Izinyon objected to the tendering of the machines, saying that their reasons for objection would be made known during their final addresses. The tribunal, however, admitted the BVAS machines as evidence. Under cross-examination by counsel to Mbah, the INEC staff said that the machine could contain only successfully uploaded accredited information. LP’s two last witnesses, Mr Abba Godwin and Amos Onyebuchi, who were LP agents, from Ette central and Ikwele Ugbele respectively, both from Igbo-Etiti North LGA told the court that there was over voting at their polling units during the governorship election. Upon the close of the petitioner’s case and appreciations of the panel by petitioners lead counsel, V.J Azinge (SAN), INEC counsel, H Okoli applied for a date to open their defense. Chairman of the Tribunal, Justice M. K Akano adjourned the matter till July 18 for INEC to open its defense. Meanwhile, briefing journalists at the end of the Sunday's sitting, Counsel to Dr. Peter Mbah and 2nd respondent, Alex Iziyon (SAN), said: “What happened in court today is that the petitioners brought in their remaining witnesses and the court also asked INEC to bring some BVAS machines, which were brought and tendered. “We also asked REC what transpired during the election and he confirmed that everything went well peacefully and things were in order. “The five BVAS, which were indicated were brought, but they were over 4,000 BVAS machines in polling units in Enugu State and that was it and the Labour Party closed their case.” When asked about the position of the Subpoena on Owo and Ugbawka in Nkanu East Local Government, he said the petitioner asked for only one polling unit, which was brought to the court.

By Iheanyi Chukwudi President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been counselled to consider the idea of formation of State Police to deal with the issue of insecurity in Nigerian. The Bishops of the Methodist Church Nigeria, who gave the advice on Sunday in Enugu also asked the President to ensure a clear departure from the governance style of his predecessor, former President, Muhammadu Buhari, if he intends to succeed in office. Arising on Sunday, from their 40th Annual Council of Bishops held at Wesley Cathedral, Uwani, Enugu, with the theme: Contending for the Faith (Jude V.3), the Bishops frowned at the incessant killings in Nigeria and called on Tinubu to consider the option of State Police. They said, “Furthermore, the Bishops in Council acknowledge the various efforts of the Federal Government in her attempt to curb the various violent crises across the Country that have maimed and sent many Nigerians to their early graves; and calls on the government at the centre to be more proactive." Consequently, the Council enjoins the government to look into the idea of the formation of State Police so as to reduce the spate of the incessant killings of harmless Nigerians by the alleged insurgents, militants and terrorists. The Bishop's who were unhappy with the Tinubu administration’s N8,000 fuel subsidy palliative, charged President Tinubu depart from a governance style that looks and treats Nigerians as beggars. The Prelate, Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence, Oliver Ali Aba, who addressed a press conference with other Bishops to mark the end of the Bishops conference and to present the communiqué, lamented that Nigeria was still poor despite being abundantly blessed by God with natural resources (mineral deposits) across the country, due to mismanagement. Prelate Ali Aba said, “I want to believe strongly that coming into power of our father, His Excellency, the President of our country today, the Jagaban, AsiwajuTinubu Ahmed, I want to believe that God brought him to power at a time like this, I want to believe strongly that he knew Nigeria and he knows the problem of our society." “Nigeria is so large to be governed with the Almajiri style of life. What can that kind of money (N8,000) do for Nigeria today and the Nigeria tomorrow? I think what the government of the day should do is to depart from the previous regime who believed in sharing five, five thousand to some individuals which we don’t know. "When they told us that they were fighting for us, indirectly they were also dealing to us which I want this present regime to depart from that system." “All we need, let the federal government look for a way and bring back the ailing industries. Like if you go to the Northern part particularly Kaduna state, we have a lot of textile industries, let them revive them, bring them to life and that will give employment to teaming youths of our population and I want to assure you that, that will help us rather than giving us, giving a family N8,000.” The Bishops' Council communique reads in parts, "That the theme for the 2023 Annual Council of Bishops was timely, precise, and apt considering the potential danger that the presence of false prophets, teachers and their strange doctrines pose to the Church and society in contemporary times. The Council in session, therefore, calls on all Christians, particularly, Methodist faithful to rise up to the challenge of defending the faith of the Church in times of need. Members are enjoined to devote more time to the study of the Scripture and prayers so as to be properly armed for the battle of defending the Faith, noting that authentic faith often reflects in Christ-like behaviour will be upheld. "The Council, consequently, prays that God creates in the hearts of all Christian people the anxious spirit that burns with the great desire to defend the Faith that was once delivered to the Church by the Apostles, and also calls on the Faith Community to wake up from her The dogmatic slumber in defense of the Faith in times of need. "Secondly, Council in Session congratulates His Eminence, Dr Oliver Ali Aba JP, on his election and successful investiture as Prelate, Methodist Church Nigeria, and assures him of her unflinching support and loyalty as he leads the Methodist people in Nigeria and beyond. "Further, Council in session congratulates the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on his successful inauguration and the smooth take off of the new Administration, and urges him to be magnanimous in victory and initiate a clear- cut process of healing the wounds in the hearts of many Nigerians through a sincere process of reconciliation, national unity and integration." "On the other hand, Council congratulates the Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency, Barr. (Dr) Peter Ndubuisi Mbah on his election and inauguration as the Executive Governor of the State. The Council Provide consequently advices the Governor to the dividends of democracy to the people. Council also notes with concern the spate of insecurity in the entire country, particularly, in the Eastern region; and calls on the three tiers of Government to find a lasting solution to it so that the people can go about their businesses peacefully. "However, Council frowns at the current spate of moral decadence and the decline in the moral and ethical values of our contemporary society as expressed in digital and cyber crimes amongst other ills: and decried it as an existential threat to our "Africaness." Consequently, the Council in session calls for National Ethical Renewal; so as to restore and revive our cherished and age-long ethical principles and values. "Moreover, while acknowledging some of the hitches, alleged discrepancies and complaints about the conduct and eventual results of the 2023 General Elections, the Bishops in Council salute the courage of the aggrieved contestants in the Elections who have chosen the way of Peace by going to the Election Petition Tribunal to challenge the process and outcome of the election through legal redress; and calls on the Judiciary to objectively look at the merits of each case in her decision-making process. "On the current wave of hardship and the rate of unemployment amongst our teaming youths, which have resulted in many of the young people dying on the high seas and the deserts in their attempts to cross over to Europe and other parts of the world in desires for greener pasture; Council calls on the three tiers of Government to frontally confront the issue and create a conducive environment for job creation and employment opportunities. "Lastly, the Bishops in Council while applauding the decision of the Federal Government on the removal of the petroleum products subsidy, admonishes the Government to develop a heart of milk-like kindness by putting up some implementable palliatives so as to reduce the current hardship of the ordinary Nigerians."

By Madu Obi Police operatives in Anambra State attached to the Abagana Division has rescued an aged woman from her bullying 50 year old daughter, Ukamaka Udeugbo at Umudunu village, Abagana in Njikoka local government area. In a video clip that has gone viral, Ukamaka was seen flogging her naked aged woman repeatedly and throwing buckets of water on her as she lay on the floor. Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr Tochukwu Ikenga said Ukamaka has been arrested and detained for prosecution. According to the PPRO, the state Commissioner of Police, Aderemi Adeoye has directed the transfer of the case to the State CID in the public interest. The PPRO also said the CP has authorized that the aged woman be handed to the Commissioner for Women Affairs for adequate care by the Anambra State government. He said the suspect would be arraigned in court at the end of the investigation. Similarly, the state Police command has intercepted an armed robbery gang at Neni in Anaocha local government area and recovered a tricycle and two pistols from them. The incident happened on Saturday night. The state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr Tochukwu Ikenga said the gang was smashed following information that they were fleeing and heading towards Neni from Awka. According to him, the Police, who were on patrol with the local vigilante, laid an ambush for the robbers and apprehended them. The suspects arrested are Ebuka Madu, 22 years, of Umunze, Chinedu Godwin, 23 years, from Enugu State, and Udegbunam Chikezie,18 years, of Neni. Items recovered from them were one Baretta Pistol, one locally made Chief Revolver Pistol, twelve rounds of live, and one expended ammunition and the tricycle. The state Commissioner of Police, Aderemi Adeoye has already directed that the suspects be arraigned in court after a diligent investigation

By Madu Obi The Anambra State Police command has arrested six boys suspected to be specialists in gang raping girls and using their underwear for ritual in Anam Community, Anambra West local government area of the state. The six suspects were identified as Afam Ezenwa, Chijioke Ifeanyi, Collins Obadom, Abuchi Okechukwu, Chima Obiekezie and Sunday Okafor. The suspects, who are between the ages of 16 and 27 years, allegedly carried out the act after ambushing and forcing their victim into a room where they took turns to defile her. It was gathered that after such action, the victim usually dies after a period of time. Luck, however, ran out against them while raping a 19 - year old girl in the community. The state Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Mrs. Ify Obinabo, whose Ministry collaborated with security operatives in the arrest, said the rape victim was rescued and the suspects transferred to the State Criminal Investigative Department, SCID, in Awka, adding that they would soon be charged to court. She said: “The Ministry and security operatives did not only rescue the victim, but equally apprehended the suspects." “The high rate of crime amongst delinquents in Anambra State is alarming. Parents and guardians should stop sparing the rod and spoiling the child." “The administration of Prof. Chukwuma Soludo will not allow any form of crime to thrive in the state and justice will take its full course. ”The victim, during interrogation, explained that the incident happened when she visited her maternal home in Oromaetiti and got ambushed by a group of boys who took her to a room and took turns in defiling her. "She said that despite her plea, the suspects did not stop, but continued having their sexual fill with her while one of them was filming her during the act. "She also stated that after she was rescued by some neighbours who heard her shouting for help, she left for her house only to be accosted on her way home by another set of boys who harassed her and forced her to pull her underwear and give to them which she obeyed because they threatened to kill her. It was a good Samaritan that later took her home to her parents." Amid sobs, the mother of the victim said her daughter was the third victim of the alleged rape suspects in the community, adding that they were known for raping girls and collecting their pants which usually results in the death of their victims after a period of time. She urged the state government not to take the case lightly as her daughter’s life is at risk, especially as the family is yet to retrieve her daughter’s personal effects.

By Madu Obi AN indigene of Benin Republic who is a bricklayer resident in Anambra State has been arraigned before an Nnobi Chief Magistrate Court in Idemili South local government area of the state for allegedly defrauding an orphan, Miss Victoria Mbachu of her inherited property worth N10m. The Beninese, who forged a Nigerian passport and acquired the name, Olufemi Salako while working as a bricklayer at Nnobi, allegedly committed the offence with a 65 year-old native doctor, Chijioke Okaa in July, 2020. Salako absconded after commiting the offence and was declared wanted by the police. However, the orphan, Miss Mbachu, who was cohabiting with Salako and already had two children for him, tricked him into returning to Anambra State to give evidence against the native doctor, only to be remanded in prison custody on Friday. Salako was lodged in an Awka hotel with Mbachu with their children, not knowing what awaited him at the Magistrate Court.He was cheerful during the trip from Awka to Nnobi, but his mood changed when the charges were read against him. In the amended charge, the Police prosecutor, Mr Ifeanyi Eze said the initial five count-charge in the matter between the Commissioner of Police and Chijioke Peter Okaa has included Olufemi Salako. The prosecutor told the court that Okaa and Salako had sometime within the months of July 2020 and October, 2021 at Nnobi did attempt to commit felony by inducing Miss Nzube Victoria Mbachu, an orphan to change a title document of her land in favour of Okaa. Eze also alleged that Salako had conspired with Okaa to promise Nzube that he would build a house for her and relocate her and her children from her family compound, in addition to providing more money to her. The prosecutor further said that the accused persons forcibly entered the said land thereby committed an offence punishable under section 496 (a) of the Criminal Code Law Cap 36, Volume ii, Revised Laws of Anambra State of Nigeria 1991 as amended. Eze stated that the accused willfully and unlawfully damaged an existing property belonging to one Bonaventure Ezekwenna on the said land. According to the prosecution, Okaa forcibly entered into the property with survey plan number GEO-B/AN425/2021 which was in actual and peaceable possession by Ezekwenna. The prosecutor added that the accused persons had tricked Nzube into believing that several deaths in her lineage was because of their place of abode and made her surrender to the title document. After listening to charges, Olufemi Salako pleaded not guilty to all the charges.Eze told the court to be mindful of the danger of granting bail to Olufemi Salako, saying “the second accused person is from Republic of Benin and can jump bail”. After listening to the amended five -count charge, the Chief Magistrate, Ken Nwoye granted Salako bail in the sum of N1.5 million and one surety who must be a native of Nnobi. Nwoye, who said the court must verify the authenticity of the address of the surety, adjourned the matter to July 28 for definite hearing.