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Teacher bags life sentence for raping 7-year-old girl in Ogun

An Ogun State High Court sitting in Abeokuta, on Monday, April 14, sentenced a 47-year-old secondary school teacher, Ojo Ezekiel, to life imprisonment for raping a seven-year-old girl.

Ojo Ezekiel, who was first arraigned on July 1, 2022, was convicted on a sole count of rape contrary to section 3 (1) and punishable under section 3 (2) of the violence against persons (prohibition) law of Ogun State 2017.

Ezekiel is said to be a teacher in the secondary school, which shares the same compound as the primary school that the victim attended.

The prosecuting counsel, Mr Olusegun Olaotan, had told the court that while the victim’s mother was bathing her seven-year-old daughter, she observed that something was wrong with her private part

The minor, however, after persistent questioning, revealed to her mother how she was sexually abused by the convict

Olaotan, in his final submission, said, “While giving her evidence in court, the second prosecution witness (PW2), who is the victim, said that the defendant used to pull aside her pant before inserting his finger into her vagina

Evidence of the third prosecution witness (PW3) (medical doctor) corroborates that of the second prosecution witness. She testified that in the course of examining the (PW2), she discovered that the hymen of the PW2 was not intact. it was opened by 2cm

He said that PW2 evidence is corroborative of the fact that she was sexually abused indeed, and the same was further corroborated by exhibits two and three as well as the evidence of (PW1), the mother of the child who noticed while bathing her that something was wrong with her private part.

Olaotan further revealed that the victim mentioned the name of the defendant as the only person who repeatedly four times inserted his finger into the private part of the under-age girl

The victim reportedly told the court that the defendant usually carried out this heinous crime inside his car, parked under a tree after school hours, after which he would instruct the victim not to tell anyone, or else she would be beaten.

Olaotan thereafter urged the court to go ahead and punish the defendant for his misdeeds as evidence before the court was quite overwhelming and weighty enough to hold that the defendant was guilty of rape and should be convicted accordingly.

The judge, Hon. Justice Abiodun Akinyemi said the prosecuting counsel had established the case of rape against the accused and thereafter sentenced him to life imprisonment.

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NAPTIP insists no reported case of organ harvesting in Akwa Ibom

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, Akwa Ibom State Command, has insisted that there is no reported case of organ harvesting in any hospital within the state contrary to media reports.

This was contained in a statement, titled ‘Clarification on Misrepresentations regarding NAPTIP’S Presentation at the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs Press Briefing’, signed by Ben Essang on behalf of the Zonal Commander, in Uyo on Tuesday.

Essang, flanked by Eno Akpan, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Emem Ette, Director, Department of GBV, Ministry of Justice, as well as other stakeholders noted that the analogies presented at the event were drawn from global trends and intended “solely for the purpose of raising awareness without any specific reference to factual occurrences in Akwa Ibom State”.

According to him, “While NAPTIP promotes public awareness regarding the issue of organ harvesting, it’s important to clarify that there have been no reported incidents in any hospital or clinic within Akwa Ibom State.

“NAPTIP, Uyo Zonal Command therefore urges members of the public, government entities and organizations to ignore and disregard the publications.”

He also said human trafficking remained a pervasive global issue and urged the public to remain vigilant and cautious in their interaction, particularly concerning the welfare of both children and adults so they would not fall prey.

He, therefore, solicited the cooperation of citizens in the fight against human trafficking in the state.

News

Federal Govt confirms bird flu outbreak in Kano

The Federal Government has confirmed an outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, popularly known as bird flu, in Kano State.

The bird flu affects various bird species, including layers, ducks, guinea fowls and turkeys.

The disease is said to have has raised concerns over its potential spread in the region.

According to a circular by the Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria, Dr Columba Teru Vakuru, authorities highlighted the heightened risk of transmission during this period.

“We urge all state veterinary offices and relevant agencies to activate their surveillance systems immediately. Strict biosecurity measures must be implemented, and public awareness campaigns intensified to curb the spread of the virus,” the circular stated.

While revealing how the outbreak started, Chairman of the Poultry Association of Nigeria, PAN, Kano State chapter, Dr Usman Gwarzo, recounted an incident from December 2024 that sounded the alarm.

“A young man from Galadanchi quarters in Gwale Local Government Area purchased a duck from Janguza market in Tofa LGA and introduced it to his flock of hens and chickens.

“The duck suddenly died, and shortly after, the chickens followed,” Gwarzo explained.

The carcasses, according to him, were taken to the Gwale veterinary clinic, where avian influenza was suspected.

“Samples were sent for testing, and by the first week of January 2025, the results confirmed the presence of the virus,” he added.

He advised Kano residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious bird deaths to veterinary authorities.

News

Soldier arrested with ammunition at Borno motor park

A soldier identified as Nathaniel Jeremiah, has been arrested by personnel of the 7 Division at the Borno Express Terminal Park in Maiduguri for illegal possession of ammunition.

Intelligence sources told security analyst and counter-insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama that Jeremiah, who was on welfare pass and en route to Adamawa State, was apprehended while attempting to board a vehicle at the terminal.

During the routine search, security operatives discovered 89 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition concealed in his personal bag.

The soldier was immediately taken into custody for interrogation, and the recovered ammunition was handed over to the appropriate authorities for further investigation.