The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has dismissed as false reports that Ayomide Adeleye, an awaiting trial inmate accused of kidnapping and murder, has been released from custody.

In a statement issued on Monday, the NCoS Public Relations Officer, Deputy Controller of Corrections Umar Abubakar, confirmed that Adeleye, 23, is still being held at the Maximum Security Custodial Centre (MSCC) in Kirikiri, Lagos.

Abubakar explained that Adeleye, who has Custody Number S-1995/24, was remanded on September 26, 2024, for the murder of Christianah Idowu, a 300-Level student at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), and the offence of kidnapping.

Adeleye was subsequently brought to court on December 16, 2024, where the magistrate ordered that he remain in custody while awaiting advice from the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP).

Abubakar emphasized that the inmate is still in NCoS custody at the MSCC in Lagos, as per the court’s directive, countering the misleading claims circulating.

He also clarified that another inmate with a similar name, who was admitted to the MSCC on March 6, 2024, for a theft offence, had been discharged by court order on April 14, 2024.

Abubakar condemned the erroneous reports, attributing them to irresponsible journalism and urging the public to disregard them.

He stressed that these reports were designed to tarnish the reputation of the NCoS.

Adeleye, a 200-Level Philosophy student at Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) in Ogun State, had confessed in early September to the murder of Christianah Idowu.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled January 13 to hear a N300 million fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by detained singer Darlington Achakpo, better known as Speed Darlington, against the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

The court set the date after Speed Darlington’s counsel, Abubakar Marshal, requested an adjournment to allow the I-G’s lawyer, Garba Audu, time to review and respond to the processes served in court.

Justice Musa Liman had previously issued a ruling on December 23, 2024, ordering the I-G to either charge Speed Darlington to court or release him on bail unconditionally within 48 hours.

The judge adjourned the case until January 6 for the hearing of the substantive application.

Speed Darlington, 39, was allegedly arrested by the police over charges of “defamation and cyberstalking” regarding a dispute with popular musician Burna Boy, whose real name is Damini Ogulu.

He was released on bail on October 8, 2024. Human rights activist Deji Adeyanju claimed that Speed Darlington was detained after a petition from Burna Boy, and was later moved to Abuja.

At Monday’s hearing, Marshal informed the court that the matter was scheduled to hear the originating motion for enforcing Speed Darlington’s fundamental rights.

Although Audu claimed he had not yet been served with the documents, the court confirmed that the police had been duly served. The judge instructed Marshal to hand over a copy of the application to Audu in court.

When asked if Speed Darlington had been released, Marshal responded negatively. Audu explained that a criminal charge had already been filed against Speed Darlington before the singer filed the motion for his release.

He mentioned that the singer had been granted administrative bail but allegedly jumped bail. Audu further stated that a criminal case against Speed Darlington was scheduled for January 15 before Justice Ekerete Akpan.

Marshal asked the court to order the police to release Speed Darlington to him pending his arraignment, but Audu opposed the application.

Justice Liman acknowledged that the police were not in deliberate disobedience to the court order and advised Audu to ensure that Speed Darlington is released to Marshal, who had committed to producing him in court.

“I don’t see anything the police will lose if granted bail,” the judge added, before adjourning the case to January 13 for the hearing of the substantive matter.

In his fundamental rights suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1832/2024, Speed Darlington seeks a declaration that his arrest and detention violated his rights under the 1999 Constitution.

He also seeks an order for his immediate and unconditional release from detention, or an order compelling the I-G to produce him before the court.

The singer is also demanding N300 million in damages for his unlawful detention.

In an affidavit deposed by Esther Eyisi, a secretary in the law firm, it was alleged that Speed Darlington was first arrested on October 4, 2024, for allegedly defaming Burna Boy.

He was reportedly held for five days without being formally charged and subjected to inhumane conditions.

The affidavit further claims that on November 27, 2024, he was arrested again for allegedly jumping administrative bail despite notifying the police of his medical emergency and obtaining permission to travel for a performance.

Eyisi argued that the continuous detention of Speed Darlington without arraignment violated his constitutional rights, emphasizing his role as the “breadwinner in his family.”

The Anambra State Police Command has launched a manhunt for the perpetrators responsible for the gruesome murder of three children of a native doctor in Nise community, Awka South Local Government Area.

The children, aged between two and six years, were found lifeless in a Mercedes car parked within their family compound after being brutally murdered.

According to the police, the killers gained entry to the compound by scaling the fence, where they proceeded to murder the children and then left the premises without being noticed.

Their bodies, found bound and drenched in blood, were discarded in the vehicle, which was parked within the compound.

The incident took place late Saturday, though the police were only notified on Sunday.

SP Tochukwu Ikenga, spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, confirmed the tragic event and stated that the authorities had immediately begun an investigation into the killings.

While the motive remains unclear, sources close to the area suggested that the deaths may be linked to an alleged dispute between the children’s father, a native doctor and businessman, and some unidentified individuals over a business deal.

However, this remains speculative, as police have yet to confirm any concrete reasons behind the crime.

An anonymous source revealed that the children were often kept locked inside the compound while their parents were away for business, with the father returning home only to serve them meals before leaving again.

Attempts to contact the father for further comment were unsuccessful, as he was reportedly unavailable.

Police operatives have visited the scene to gather more information and are using details provided by local residents to track down the suspects.

SP Ikenga emphasized that the police were focused on uncovering the motive behind the killings and whether negligence played any role.

Agency Report

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, admitted Olamide Thomas, who allegedly threatened Seyi Tinubu and the Inspector-General (I-G) of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, with death threat on social media, to a N10 million with one surety in like sum.

Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling on Thomas’ bail application, said there was no concrete evidence placed before the court by the prosecution that the defendant would jump bail.

“I have carefully examined the affidavit evidence of both the defendant and the complainant,” he said.

Justice Nwite held that where the accused person would not jump bail or interfere with the trial, it is in the interest of justice for the court to grant the bail request.

The judge, who ordered the surety to depose to affidavit of means, also directed the surety to present three years tax clearance certificate.
He said that the surety must reside within the jurisdiction of the court.
Justice Nwite equally ordered the defendant and the surety to deposit two recent passport photographs with the registrar of the court and the address of the surety should be verified.

The judge consequently adjourned the matter until Feb. 18 for trial.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice Nwite had, on Dec. 31, adjourned the matter for ruling after T.J. Aondo, who appeared for Thomas, and lawyer to the prosecution, Victor Okoye, made their submissions for and against the bail application.

NAN reports that Thomas was, on Dec. 20, arraigned and remanded at Suleja Correctional Centre after she pleaded not guilty to the three-count charge preferred against her by the Inspector-General (I-G) of Police.
Thomas was arrested on allegations bordering on harassing and threatening Seyi Tinubu; the I-G, Kayode Egbetokun and the Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, in a viral social media post.
In the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/636/2024 dated and filed on Dec 18 by the police team of lawyers led by A.A. Egwu, Olamide was sued as sole defendant.

NAN reports that in count one, Olamide was alleged to have, sometime in 2024, knowingly and intentionally transmitted communication in the form of video recording through computer system or network on her social media platforms wherein she made remarks in Yoruba Language.

In the video, she was alleged to have stated “that Mr Seyi Tinubu would die this year, and misfortune and calamity had befallen the Tinubu family, with intent to bully, threaten, harass the person of Mr Seyi Tinubu.”
The communication was said to have placed Seyi in fear of death, violence or bodily harm.

The offence is contrary to and punishable under Section 24 (2) (a) of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.
In count two, the defendant was alleged to have intentionally transmitted communication in the form of video recording wherein she made remarks in Yoruba Language to bully, threaten, harass the person of Mr Egbetokun.

The communication was said to have placed Egbetokun in fear of death, violence or bodily harm.
The offence is contrary to and punishable under Section 24 (2) (a) of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.

In count three, Olamide was accused of intentionally transmitting or causing the transmission of communication in the form of video recording wherein she made remarks in Yoruba Language, stating that the children of Adejobi would all die before his eyes.

She was quoted to have also said that “he (Adejobi) will bury all his children in a single day, with Intent to bully, threaten, harass the person of Mr. Muyiwa Adejobi.”
The communication was said to have placed Adejobi in fear of death of his loved ones.

The offence is said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 24 (2) (a) of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.

When the matter was called on Monday, Thomas, who was in court, was represented by a lawyer, Seprebofa Oyeghe.(NAN)

Despite ongoing security challenges in the southeast, including the weekly Monday sit-at-home, Igbo leaders and stakeholders failed to raise the issue of Nnamdi Kanu’s release at a Town Hall meeting with President Bola Tinubu over the weekend.

The meeting, which many expected to provide an opportunity to address Kanu’s continued detention, saw no mention of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and his incarceration.

This silence is at odds with the expectations of many in Igbo land, who hoped that the event would allow for a public statement on Kanu’s situation.

Numerous Igbo leaders believe that the release of Kanu, who has been detained since 2021, is crucial to restoring security and peace in the region.

While many have personally visited him in detention, others have independently appealed to President Tinubu for his release.

Just a day after assuming office as the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo two weeks ago, Nze Fidelis Ozichukwu had urged Tinubu to release Kanu in order to end insecurity in the South-East.

Additionally, during the last meeting of the South-East Governors Forum in Enugu late last year, a resolution was made to meet with President Tinubu to advocate for Kanu’s release.

However, during the town hall event attended by governors, political leaders, traditional rulers, and Christian leaders in Enugu, no mention was made of Kanu’s imprisonment or its effects on the region.

The town hall coincided with President Tinubu’s one-day working visit to Enugu State, where he inaugurated projects executed by Governor Peter Mbah’s administration.

The event was attended by several prominent Igbo figures, including Abia State Governor Alex Otti, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kanu, Senators, Minister of Works Dave Umahi, and Obi of Onitsha, Nnaemeka Achebe.

In his speech, former Minister of Power Prof. Chinedu Nebo praised the Tinubu administration for completing the Port Harcourt to Aba section of the Eastern rail line.

He urged the President to prioritise completing the remaining portions of the rail link, highlighting its potential to boost Nigeria’s non-oil exports and overall economic growth.

Enugu indigene Chris Ugoh also spoke, emphasizing the potential of the Anambra River Basin for power generation and industrial feedstocks.

He called on the federal government to develop this resource to benefit the South-East and other regions, including the Middle Belt and the North.

On the security front, Onyemuche Nnamani, National Commissioner representing the South-East in the Police Service Commission, recommended that the federal government adopt modern security strategies for the region.

He pointed to the successful statewide CCTV system and patrol cars with surveillance cameras in Enugu State. Nnamani also urged the de-emphasis of checkpoints and roadblocks, stating, “It is inefficient and exposes our security personnel to attacks by non-state actors.”