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BREAKING: Court Sentences Three To Death By Hanging For Killing Funke Olakunrin
An Ondo State High Court sitting in Akure has sentenced three out of four persons that killed Olufunke Olakurin, daughter of Afenifere Leader, Reuben Fasoranti to death by hanging.
Mohammed Shehu Usman, Mazaje Lawal, and Adamu Adamu were sentenced to death for the 2019 murder of Mrs Olakunrin three years after the murder.
Usman, Lawal, Adamu and Auwalu Abubakar were the four suspects arraigned in the court.
However, the fourth suspect, Mr Abubakar, who was on trial for aiding and abetting the crime, was discharged and acquitted by the court.
They were trialled at the court on eight counts bordering on conspiracy, kidnapping, murder, armed robbery, unlawful possession of firearms and aiding and abetting.
Justice Williams Olamide, who delivered the judgement, on Friday morning, found the trio guilty after they conspired together to commit the armed robbery that led to the murder of Mrs Olakunrin.
Justice Olamide gave his final judgement, which spanned more than two hours, after taking appearances of the prosecution counsel, Charles Titiloye, and the defence counsel, Obafemi Bawa.
The judge held that the prosecution proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt. The judge had reserved today for the judgement after listening to submissions and adopted the final written addresses from the prosecution and the defence counsel.
The judgement came three years after the killing and trials of the arrested suspects by the government.
Mrs Olakunrin was travelling from Akure to Lagos after visiting her father when the gunmen struck and killed her on the Ore federal highway on July 12, 2019.
Her gruesome death had attracted a wide range of condemnation from Nigerians, including political and social groups.
Aliko Dangote, Chairman of Dangote Industries, through his legal representative, has formally submitted a corruption petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against Farouk Ahmed, the former Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
This was disclosed in a statement made available to our correspondent by the Dangote Group media team on Friday.
Recall that Dangote had earlier petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to investigate Ahmed for allegedly spending $5 million on his children’s secondary education in Switzerland. He withdrew the petition a few days ago, even as the ICPC vowed to continue with its investigation.
The statement on Friday said Dangote’s petition to the EFCC followed “The withdrawal of the same petition from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, a strategic decision aimed at accelerating the prosecution process.”
In the petition, signed by Lead Counsel Dr O.J. Onoja, Dangote urged the EFCC to investigate allegations of abuse of office and corrupt enrichment against Ahmed, and to prosecute him if found culpable.
The petition further stated that Dangote would provide evidence to substantiate claims of financial misconduct and impunity.
“We make bold to state that the commission is strategically positioned, along with sister agencies, to prosecute financial crimes and corruption-related offences, and upon establishing a prima facie case, the courts do not hesitate to punish offenders. See Lawan v. F.R.N (2024) 12 NWLR (Pt. 1953) 501 and Shema v. F.R.N. (2018) 9 NWLR (Pt.1624) 337,” the petition read.
Onoja further urged the commission, under the leadership of Mr Olanipekun Olukoyede, “To investigate the complaint of abuse of office and corruption against Engr. Farouk Ahmed and to accordingly prosecute him if found wanting.”
The Rivers State House of Assembly formally recommenced impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu.
This marks the second time within ten months that the state legislature has initiated such a move.
At a plenary session presided over by the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, the Majority Leader of the House, Major Jack, formally read the notice detailing allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Fubara.
The notice, which was endorsed by 26 lawmakers, accused the governor of actions allegedly in violation of the Nigerian Constitution.
Amaewhule announced that the notice would be served on the governor within the next seven days.
During the same sitting, the Deputy Majority Leader, Linda Stewart, read the notice of allegations and gross misconduct leveled against Deputy Governor Ngozi Oduh.
Breaking News
Supreme Court: President Has Power To Declare Emergency Rule, Remove Elected Officials
The Supreme Court has reaffirmed that the President holds the constitutional power to declare a state of emergency in any state where circumstances threaten public safety or governance.
According to the ruling, this authority may be exercised to prevent a serious breakdown of law and order or to stop conditions from deteriorating into chaos or anarchy.
The court emphasized that such powers are intended to safeguard national stability and ensure the continued functioning of democratic institutions when extraordinary situations arise.
It noted that emergency measures are justified only in exceptional cases where normal governance mechanisms are unable to effectively address escalating crises.
More details later…
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