Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have reportedly abducted Kabiru Onyene, a former aide to the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.

The incident occurred on Monday evening at around 7:05 pm, when a group of armed men stormed his office in Okene, Kogi State, firing sporadically before forcefully abducting him.

At the time of the abduction, Onyene was at his popular restaurant, “Nahaziyat,” located near the palace of the late Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, HRM Ado Ibrahim.

Eyewitnesses recounted hearing what they initially thought were fireworks, only to realize moments later that it was gunfire.

People quickly fled the area to avoid being caught in the crossfire, and it was soon reported that Onyene had been taken by the gunmen.

During the attack, an unidentified person was shot, but their current condition remains unknown.

A local witness, who identified himself as Ozovehe, described the confusion in the area, noting that the incident took place just 200 meters from a military roadblock near the ex-governor’s residence.

“It baffled most of us that they took him away from such a heavily patrolled area,” he said.

Onyene’s abduction has since become a topic of discussion in Okene, with many wondering about the motives behind the kidnapping.

A relative took to social media, urging prayers for Onyene’s safe return, and asking for divine protection for his well-being.

“We seek your prayers for his safe return. May Allah protect him and guide the authorities to bring him back to us,” the post read.

As at the time of this report, Onyene’s kidnappers have not contacted his family, leaving them anxious about his fate.

The state police spokesperson, SP Williams Aya, acknowledged the report but said he had not yet been briefed about the incident.

He promised to provide more information later, but had not responded by the time this report was filed.

Troops from the 63 Brigade of the Nigerian Army successfully rescued four individuals kidnapped by criminals in Ugbolu forest, located in Oshimili South Local Government Area of Delta State, on Tuesday, December 10.

A statement issued by Major Emmanuel Onoja, Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, confirmed that the operation was based on intelligence regarding the suspected kidnappers’ activities in the region.

The army troops launched a raid on the kidnappers’ hideout in a well-coordinated operation on Monday, December 9, 2024.

During the operation, the soldiers engaged the kidnappers in a fierce firefight, ultimately overpowering them.

The criminals, unable to withstand the army’s assault, abandoned their hostages and fled into the nearby dense forest.

The rescued victims were found unharmed and have been moved to a secure location where they are receiving medical care and support.

The army is currently pursuing the fleeing kidnappers, with an ongoing effort to bring them to justice.

Major Onoja also called on the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities, reassuring that the Nigerian Army remains committed to eradicating criminal activity and ensuring the safety of citizens in the region.

The Ekiti Chief Magistrate Court has adjourned the criminal defamation case against human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi until December 20, 2024, to hear his bail application.

In the meantime, Chief Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun ordered Farotimi’s remand in prison.

Farotimi faces charges for allegedly defaming prominent lawyer Aare Afe Babalola in his book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.

During the proceedings, police prosecutor Samson Osobu objected to the appearance of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Adeyinka Olumide-Fasuka in the case, citing a recent Court of Appeal judgment from Ibadan, which ruled that SANs could not represent defendants in Magistrate Courts.

In response, Olumide-Fasuka argued that the Ekiti State Magistrate Court’s laws allowed all lawyers, regardless of status, to appear in such courts for criminal matters.

He contended that the appeal ruling might not have considered all magistrate court laws across Nigeria.

The Chief Magistrate decided to delay his ruling on this issue to review the judgment cited by the prosecution, instructing the Senior Advocate to step down temporarily.

Taiwo Adedeji, a senior lawyer on Farotimi’s legal team, was allowed to continue representing him for the time being.

The case will resume on December 20, 2024, when the court is set to consider Farotimi’s bail application.

A Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) officer, Solomon Ogodo, has been sentenced to seven years in prison for defrauding job seekers of N12.2 million through a fraudulent employment scheme.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) led the prosecution, and the court also ordered Ogodo to refund the money he unlawfully collected.

The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Jabi, Abuja, was informed by the ICPC that Ogodo had forged provisional appointment letters and promised job seekers employment with the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS).

He exploited the hopes of desperate applicants, swindling them with fake job offers.

Prosecutor Hamza Sani explained that Ogodo’s actions violated several laws, including the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000 and the Advanced Fee Fraud Act 2006.

“Ogodo took advantage of job seekers’ desperation to enrich himself,” Sani remarked.

Ogodo’s defense lawyer, A.A. Nwoye, requested a lenient sentence, proposing community service instead of prison time.

However, Justice M.S. Idris rejected this plea, emphasizing the gravity of Ogodo’s crime.

“His actions have eroded public trust and caused significant harm to the victims,” the judge said.

The court sentenced Ogodo to seven years for three counts of fraud, with no option for a fine. Additionally, the court imposed a two-month jail term on other related charges, with an option for a N5,000 fine.

Justice Idris also ruled in favor of the prosecution’s request, mandating that Ogodo repay the full amount defrauded from the victims, as per Section 319(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015. One victim, who had fallen for the scam, reportedly lost a large sum believing the offer was legitimate.

Following the ruling, an ICPC official stated, “This judgment sends a strong message that fraud and exploitation will not be tolerated.”

Aisha Wakil, known as Mama Boko Haram, and two associates have been convicted and sentenced to five years in prison each for a N6 million fraud by Justice Aisha Kumaliya of the Borno State High Court, Maiduguri.

Wakil, the CEO of Complete Care and Aid Foundation, along with Programme Manager Tahiru Saidu Daura and Country Director Prince Lawal Shoyode, were found guilty of cheating, conspiracy, and providing false information.

The trio was accused of deceiving Alhaji Bukar Kachalla, a businessman, into handing over a Toyota Camry 2012 model worth N6 million under the pretense of executing a contract to purchase the vehicle.

The fraud took place between October and November 2018 in Maiduguri, Borno State.

The defendants denied the charges but were convicted after the prosecution, led by Mukhtar Ahmed and Shamsudeeb Saka, presented testimony from three witnesses and submitted supporting evidence to prove their case.

In addition to the five-year prison sentences, the court ordered the defendants to jointly refund the remaining N3.5 million to the victim.

Failure to do so would result in an additional five years of imprisonment for each defendant.

The court ruled that the trio, who had not only failed to purchase the car but also refused to return it, were guilty of dishonest conduct and abuse of trust.