A Kano-based High Court on Tuesday pronounced a death sentence by hanging on Chinese national, Frank Geng-Quangrong, 47, who stabbed his Nigerian girlfriend, Ummukulsum Sani, 22, to death.

A resident at Kano Railway quarters, Geng-Quangrong, was convicted on one count charge bordering on culpable homicide.

While delivering judgment, Justice Sanusi Ado-Ma’aji, upheld that the prosecution had proven its case beyond any reasonable doubt, adding that, “The defendant’s testimony is inconsistent I hereby find him guilty.”

Earlier, the prosecution counsel, the Attorney-General of Kano State, Haruna Dederi, informed the court that the convict committed the offence on September 16, 2022 at Janbulo Quarters Kano.

According to him, on the same date at about 9pm, the convict stabbed the deceased with a knife in her house located at Janbulo Quarters, Kano for undisclosed reason.

“The victim was promptly rushed to the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, Kano, where she was confirmed dead on arrival by a medical doctor,” he added.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.

During the trial, the prosecution presented six witnesses to prove their case against the defendant, including his four exhibits.

The offence, according to the prosecutor, contravenes the provision of Section 221(b) of the Penal Code.

The defence counsel, Muhummad Dan’azumi, presented the defendant to defend himself and one other witness, who tendered five exhibits.

Dan’azumi urged the court to recommend the defendant for a prerogative of mercy under Section 313 of ACJL.

In his testimony, the accused, Frank said, “I didn’t kill Ummulkhulsum intentionally but stabbed her in self-defence after she grabbed my testacles.”

He pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy in its judgment.

Speaking with journalists shortly after the verdict, the victim’s mother, Hajiya Fatima Zubairu, expressed satisfaction with the judge’s death sentence, acknowledging that it will serve as a deterrent in the future for anyone who takes the law into his hands.
https://www.otowngist.com/2024/03/court-sentences-chinese-to-death-for-killing-nigerian-girlfriend/

By Precious Nnadi

The Imo State Police Command has confirmed the killing of two police officers by suspected gunmen along Okigwe road in Owerri..

The Imo Police Public Relation Officer, Henry Okoye, who confirmed the unfortunate incident, said the officers were attacked by surprise in the early hours of Saturday while on patrol duty along old Gariki road Okigwe by  gunmen who engaged them in a gunfight.

He stated that in the process of the fight, two officers lost their lives and four others survived the  attack.

According to the PPRO, on receiving the report of the unfortunate incident, the Imo State Police Commissioner, CP Aboki Danjuma along with commander Mopol 18 and 64 immediately led its operatives of the  Command’s Special Tactical Unit  to the crime scene for assessment.

The CP charged the operatives to work in partnership with other security agencies to track down the hoodlums responsible for the ambush.

The CP also authorized the Assistant commissioner of police in Okigwe, the DPO, and other tactical units deployed to the area to embark on visibility patrol to improve security to forestall future occurrence.

While sympathizing with the families, friends and loved ones of the deceased officers, the commissioner of police restated that the command under his watch will not condone any form of attack in the state.

He assured the people that the  perpetrators  of the crime will be brought to book and face the full wrath of the law.
https://www.otowngist.com/2024/03/gunmen-kill-two-police-officers-in-imo/

By Judith Nnaji

Nollywood actress Rita Edochie has called on Nigerians to embrace the inevitability of death among celebrities, emphasizing that it is a natural part of life that cannot be avoided. 

In a heartfelt Instagram post, Edochie expressed frustration at the questioning of the deaths of Nollywood stars, asserting that death is a universal reality that affects everyone.

The actress highlighted that celebrities, including actors, are human beings who are not exempt from the cycle of life and death. 

She urged people to refrain from exaggerating the deaths of celebrities and to recognize that they too are vulnerable to illness and mortality.

Honoring the late veteran actor Amaechi Muonagor, who passed away at the age of 62 after a prolonged battle with illness, Edochie lauded his resilience and positive impact in the entertainment industry. 

She mourned his passing, acknowledging the void he left behind and honoring his legacy of kindness and dedication to his craft.

Edochie concluded her tribute by extending condolences to Muonagor's family and praying for their strength during this difficult time. 

The actress had previously rallied for financial support for the late actor, underscoring the sense of community and solidarity within the Nigerian entertainment industry.

As the industry mourns the loss of a talented actor, Edochie's heartfelt words serve as a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing the memories and contributions of those who have left a lasting mark on society.
https://www.otowngist.com/2024/03/rita-edochie-urges-nigerians-to-accept-the-inevitability-of-death-among-celebrities/

The Executive Director of Headfort Foundation, Mrs Oluyemi Orija, said they are committed to seeking access to justice for all at a recent event to mark their five years anniversary in Lagos.

Newsmen reports that the NGO founded in 2019 had impacted over 2 million people on human rights advocacy, rendered legal aid to 12000 beneficiaries and through it's legal services have facilitated the release of 628 indigent pre-trial inmates, and many more impact stories.

Orija, in her remarks on the 5th anniversary tagged “5 Years of Restoring Justice”, said herself and her team have focused on creating a society where everyone has access to justice.

She said that the foundation would expand its work to policy reforms, as a way of institutionalisingthe gains and impacts of its work in the past five years

“If we secure the release of two inmates today, there is a possibility that eight others would be arrested same day. So, we can’t keep securing the release of inmates when several others are getting back there.

“As such, we want to focus on policy reforms and address the causative factors behind the detainment of inmates,” Orija said.

She said that one of the flagship project of the foundation 'Lawyers- Without- Border' would be expanded to other states across the country to drive more impact and also focus on juvenile justice reforms.

The executive director expressed profound gratitude to the judiciary and the Nigeria Police Force for the collaboration and partnership that existed between them and the foundation.

"In addition to its direct legal assistance efforts, we have been at the forefront of advocacy campaigns aimed at addressing systemic injustices and promoting legislative reforms to safeguard human rights.”

"Through strategic partnerships, grassroots mobilization, and targeted advocacy initiatives, the organization has effectively raised awareness about pressing human rights issues and advocated for meaningful policy changes at local, national, and international levels.

“Our journey has been marked by resilience, determination, and unwavering dedication to the principles of justice and equality. As we celebrate this milestone, we recommit ourselves to the ongoing pursuit of a more just and equitable society for all.”

Orija also expressed gratitude to donors and benefactors of the foundation for the trust they repose in them.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Todimu Ige, a human rights lawyer who spoke on the ‘Intersection of Poverty Alleviation and Human Rights Violation in Nigeria’, said that poverty has aggravated violation of human rights in the country, and that it was important for Nigerians to know their rights.

Ige urged Nigerians to unite to make the system work, adding that there is a plethora of laws in the country with little or no impacts.

Newsmen recalled that the foundation in that last five years had also organized advocacy for the awareness of human rights in public schools, motor parks, correctional centers , etc.

Recently, the foundation held a workshop for women at Ketu market to mark the International Women's Day, 2024.

The event had in attendance lawyers, representatives of the Nigeria Police Force, Judiciary, media and beneficiaries of the foundation's  interventions.
https://www.otowngist.com/2024/03/headfort-5-foundation-expresses-commitment-for-access-to-justice-for-all/

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Osun Command, said it has apprehended a 65-year-old man, Dauda Lamidi, for alleged possession of Cannabis sativa, also known as hemp.

This is contained in a statement by Charles Odigie, the command’s spokesperson, on Monday in Osogbo.

Odigie said the suspect was arrested along the Ibadan-Iwo expressway by men of the command while on operational duties.

He explained that the suspect was in possession of some dried substance suspected to be hemp, stored inside a two-litre gallon of engine oil.

He added that the substance weighed about 1.550 kg.

According to him, the suspect is an ex-convict, who was convicted for the same offence in 2019 and was incarcerated in a correctional facility for three years.
https://www.otowngist.com/2024/03/ndlea-arrests-man-for-alleged-possession-of-hemp/

The Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment has directed applicants of the Presidential Conditional Grant Scheme to submit their National Identification Numbers as part of the necessary requirements to obtain a grant earmarked to cushion the effect that recent economic reforms have had on businesses in the country.

The government through the Bank of Industry had said it would be disbursing three categories of funding totalling N200bn to support manufacturers and businesses across the country.

It said the new rule was based on the new regulations from the Central Bank of Nigeria directing Nigerians to link their National Identification Numbers with their bank accounts.

The trade minister, Doris Aniete issued the new directive in a post on her official X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday.

The post titled, “Update on the Presidential Conditional Grant Programme Application Process” explained that all applicants will receive an SMS from ‘FGGRANTLOAN’ with instructions to submit this information via a secure link adding that this step is essential for the continuation of the application process.

It added that only verified applicants will receive this notification, and NINs must match the applicant’s name for the process to proceed.

It read, “Dear Esteemed Applicants, The Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment thanks all applicants for their interest in the Presidential Conditional Grant Programme and assures that applications are being thoroughly processed.

“Due to new regulations from the Central Bank of Nigeria, it is now required for applicants to link their National Identification Numbers with their bank accounts. We currently do not have a record of the NINs of those who applied. Therefore all applicants will receive an SMS from ‘FGGRANTLOAN’ with instructions to submit this information via a secure link. This step is essential for the continuation of the application process.

“Only verified applicants will receive this notification, and NINs must match the applicant’s name for the process to proceed.

“We appreciate your patience and cooperation, and we will keep you updated on your application’s progress. Thank you for your participation and contribution to national growth.”

This latest development marks another delay in disbursing the grant announced by President Bola Tinubu in a nationwide address in August 2023 for manufacturers and small businesses.

In the address, the president said he was determined to strengthen the manufacturing sector, increase its capacity to expand, and create good-paying jobs.

 “We are going to spend N75bn between July 2023 and March 2024. Our objective is to fund 75 enterprises with great potential to kick-start sustainable economic growth, accelerate structural transformation, and improve productivity.

 ‘’Each of the 75 manufacturing enterprises will be able to access N1bn credit at 9 per cent per annum with a maximum of 60 months repayment for long-term loans and 12 months for working capital,” Tinubu said.

But eight months later, the programme domiciled under the Trade Ministry and executed by the Bank of Industry is yet to reach a significant stage despite several promises by the minister.

In December last year, prospective beneficiaries who spoke to The PUNCH said they were in the dark about the reasons the funds had yet to be disbursed.

The President of the Association of Small Business Owners, Femi Egbesola, decried the slow pace data collation by the supervising agencies, alleging that genuine businesses were being deliberately discouraged from accessing the loans.

He said, “Well, I don’t know why it has not been disbursed. Immediately the announcement was made by the president at the national address about four months ago, we were all excited thinking succor had come somehow, somewhere. We were extremely hopeful but at the moment we have been disenfranchised because we have waited and there is no hope.

 “We expected that even if the money has not been disbursed, communication should have been made to stakeholders, letting us know reasons why it hasn’t been disbursed, the current state and progress made, and the expected date to commence.”
https://www.otowngist.com/2024/03/fg-asks-applicants-to-submit-nins-for-trade-grants/

A Nigerian-born United States Naval Officer, Michael Aregbesola, has died in the Red Sea after falling overboard while in operation.

Confirming his death, the US Navy on Saturday said Aregbosola assigned to the “Swamp Foxes” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 74, was deployed with a detachment aboard Mason, which has been operating in the US 5th Fleet since November.

Michael AregbesolaIn the statement provided on the Naval website, the Pentagon wrote, “The U.S. Navy on Saturday identified the Sailor lost overboard from USS Mason (DDG 87) while operating in the Red Sea, March 20.

“Aviation Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class Oriola Michael Aregbesola, assigned to the ‘Swamp Foxes’ of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 74, was deployed with a detachment aboard Mason, which has been operating in the U.S. 5th Fleet since November.

“Petty Officer Aregbesola fully embodied the selfless character and thoughtful warrior spirit of the United States Navy Sailor,” said Cmdr. Eric Kohut, HSM-74 commanding officer.

Michael AregbesolaThe Navy also commended his outstanding performance prior to and during deployment.“His outstanding performance prior to and during deployment went well beyond aircraft maintenance; he truly saw and valued every member of the ship/air team.“He will continue on in the heart of every Swamp Fox and our brothers and sisters in the IKE Carrier Strike Group. Our deepest thoughts and prayers are with his family,” the statement added.

Aregbesola, of Florida, joined the Navy in July 2020. He reported to HSM-74 in December 2020.

In October 2020, immediately after he was recruited, Aregbesola wrote about his ordeal of being jobless for so many years before his breakthrough in the US Navy.

“I was jobless for so many years, my country of birth (Nigeria, now renounced) failed me, but the US Navy saw potential in me and made me a fine ass sailor, working on jet engines,” he wrote on Twitter (now X).
https://www.otowngist.com/?p=190226