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Tag: Jail Term

  • 27-yr-old kidnapper bags 60 years imprisonment in Ibadan

    27-yr-old kidnapper bags 60 years imprisonment in Ibadan

    A Federal High Court in Ibadan, on Thursday, sentenced a 27-year-old kidnapper, Umar Babangida, to 60 years imprisonment.

    The convict, found guilty of three charges bordering on kidnapping and cybercrime (ransom demand), each with a 20-year jail term, will, however, run the sentence concurrently.

    Justice N. E. Maha said Babangida was convicted and sentenced based on the evidence tendered against him by the Department of State Services (DSS).

    She said DSS was able to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the convict was a kidnapper through his confession in the video clip and other pieces of evidence against him.

    She, however, discharged Babangida of the charges of unlawful possession of firearms and conspiracy for want of evidence.

    “Therefore, Babangida is sentenced to 20 years imprisonment in Agodi for each of counts one, three and five, respectively.

    “Sentencing shall, however, run concurrently,” Maha held.

    The prosecution counsel, Mr T. A. Nurudeen, had earlier told the court that the convict committed the crime on June 14, 15 and 16, 2024, in the Akinyele area of Ibadan, Oyo State.

    Nurudeen said Babangida, a resident of Sabongida area of Jeba, Kwara, along with others, kidnapped two people and immediately initiated ransom negotiations with the victims’ relatives using the victims’ phone numbers.

    The prosecutor said the convict was apprehended after due intelligence report on the kidnapping.

  • Controversial cross-dresser, Bobrisky reflects on jail term

    Controversial cross-dresser, Bobrisky reflects on jail term

    Controversial cross-dresser Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, has expressed a surprising desire to return to the Kirikiri Correctional Centre.

    Bobrisky, who was released on August 5, 2024, after serving a six-month prison sentence for violating currency regulations by spraying naira notes at parties, made this statement during an appearance on the show “Curiosity Made Me Ask,” hosted by content creator Bae U Barbie.

     

    Bobrisky had been sentenced on April 12, 2024, by Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court, Lagos, with no option of a fine.

    Reflecting on his time in prison, Bobrisky likened it to a vacation, saying, “I see my jail term as a vacation. You know, on vacation, you go and rest. I’ve been working so hard, and I think their decision was okay for me.”

    He added that the intention behind his imprisonment was to break him, but confidently stated that it failed to do so, affirming, “Nothing happened to Mummy of Lagos. I’m still fine, I’m still good, and I will continue to be fine and good.”

     

    During the interview, the host, Bae U, jokingly remarked that prison seemed to suit Bobrisky and asked if he would consider going back.

    To this, Bobrisky replied, “I would love to go, maybe for a short term like that again. Short term, not long-term.”

    He explained that his willingness to return was motivated by a desire to challenge those who sought to break him, stating, “I have never seen anywhere you are going to sentence someone to prison for spraying money.”

     

    Bobrisky found the entire situation amusing, pointing out that his crime was simply spending his own money. “It’s funny to me. Everything happened like a movie.

    Spraying of money? It’s my money. I’m not owing anybody money. I did not steal money. I did not kidnap, I did not rape. I did not kill anybody. I spent my own hard-earned money, and I was sentenced to where we have a lot of criminals,” he said.

     

    Despite his prison experience, Bobrisky remains defiant and strong, stating, “But like I always say, I’m a very strong person.

    If I have chosen this lifestyle to be who I wanna be, then I should be ready for the worst. And the worst that has happened is sending me to prison because, obviously, I did not do anything, I did not kill anybody.”

     

    However, Bobrisky rejected the label of an ex-convict, arguing that being sentenced for spraying money does not qualify as a true conviction. “I’m not an ex-convict because I can’t be convicted for spraying money. So I won’t accept it,” he asserted.

  • How to escape lawsuits, jail terms – By Carl Umegboro

    How to escape lawsuits, jail terms – By Carl Umegboro

    By Carl Umegboro

    Many a time, people carelessly suffer as a result of being ignorant of the laws until after offences or crimes have been committed. Majority only get to discover they have committed an offence at a Police station or other law enforcement facilities after being arrested. In their defence, it is always – “I don’t know it’s a crime”. Incidentally, ignorance of the laws is not an excuse. For instance, recently, Idris Okuneye, widely known as Bobrisky, a controversial transgender was arraigned in the Federal High Court in Lagos for money laundering and abuse of naira notes. He was convicted and in allocutus, pleaded ‘ignorance of the law. Of course, the law accordingly took its course. During the sentencing, the court handed him a 6-month jail term without option of fine. What an avoidable predicament!

    This defence has also been the lot of many people on trial or convicted already by our courts. The reason is that societies are guided by laws and when broken, knowingly or unknowingly, the law takes its cause in wrath. It’s immaterial if the offender is aware of the law or not as long as it has become operative. So, many learn from these bitter experiences which shouldn’t be so. This oversight also affects most business owners who simply register a business name or incorporate a company but don’t know their mandatory civic obligations on such a venture. For example, there are statutory annual returns business-owners are duty bound to file yearly which may result in striking out the company or business name from CAC (Corporate Affairs Commission) alongside other sanctions. To make it worse, the law empowers another person to acquire, register and use any business names or company names struck out from the CAC register as a new business. Imagine your business name or company name for decades suddenly acquired by another person, maybe your competitor.

    Presently, the federal government is putting actions together to go against such defaulters. In the United States, former President Donald Trump has been in court to clear himself from the charges of tax evasion. So, it is a conventional standard practice. In a nutshell, it is dangerous to register a business or own a company but not file the statutory returns yearly. As we speak, thousands of business and company owners are liable to this. Some are not even aware of these obligations as many were probably not thoroughly briefed about registering a business name or owning a company. This is among the risks of not engaging a legal practitioner.

    So, this is where engaging a legal practitioner for legal advice and opinion comes to bare. It could be by retainer or periodic consultancy. Engaging a lawyer will prevent the ‘ignorance of law’ defences. It saves from distress and prevents a lot of problems. Legal retainership refers to a contractual relationship between a lawyer/law firm and a client (individual or corporation) either on a general or special retainer basis. A retainer agreement is useful for people and business enterprises, particularly small ones that need regular legal work or assistance but do not need a full-time attorney on staff.

    Many small-business owners and some individuals retain a lawyer/law firm on a monthly fee, so the attorney is available whenever needed. It saves a lot for the business enterprise or individual as the retainership makes an attorney available for legal advice and directions. By ‘rule of law’, it implies the law rules; therefore, having a lawyer or law firm retainer cannot be a bad idea. It is noteworthy that all aspects of life endeavours are subject to the positions laid down by laws. There are other compelling reasons to consider seeking legal opinion and advice.

    Second is that lawyers by their training understand better and know how to negotiate settlements and plea bargains. A lawyer sees what a non-lawyer cannot see as a practicing lawyer knows and follows the law. An experienced lawyer probably has seen or handled a similar case, and therefore in a better position to make calculated guesses about how it might end in trial. Above all, as laws are prominently, superlatively made by the courts by case laws and judicial precedent in the course of its statutory duty of interpreting the laws made by the legislatures, it is advisable that while everyone should endeavor to know the enacted laws, a lawyer should be consulted to know the ultimate position beyond the enacted laws from the case laws.

    Furthermore, the Law is complicated. It can be complicated for practicing lawyers as each area has its unique procedures to scale through. Even experienced lawyers typically do not represent themselves in court despite the fact they are not restricted. Then, imagine a non-lawyer taking some vital actions without being guided by a lawyer that has a good understanding of the area. It is in the light of this that lawyers tend to specialize in one or more legal practice areas such as criminal, civil, constitutional, human rights, family, corporate, property, maritime, tax law, etc..

    Finally is that hiring a lawyer to guide in most undertakings will help you avoid potential legal headaches. For instance, do you really understand the fine print of that contract you are signing and what it will mean for you down the road? A lawyer will. Many from record have ignorantly signed agreements that ended up not in their favour or did not represent their interest as hoped. Let a lawyer guide you before taking any serious action that affects another person, company or governments. This is because virtually all actions are regulated by laws. One funny sticker in bold letters displays; ‘Wetin lawyers dey do sef?’ which translates to “what do lawyers even do?” Don’t allow yourself to fall victim, only to plead ‘ignorance of the law’. A stitch in time, they say, saves nine.

  • Nigerian student in Scotland charged with terrorism threat, faces jail term, deportation

    Nigerian student in Scotland charged with terrorism threat, faces jail term, deportation

    A Nigerian student  studying for his Masters program in Scotland, Somtochukwu Okwuohan is currently facing jail term and possible deportation after a jury in Scotland, U.K. found him guilty of making terrorist threats against Dundee University.

    It was reported that Okwuohan,  claimed he had enlisted ISIS to help bomb the university and told staff he planned to target the city in a chemical attack.

    The Nigerian student has been found guilty of seven charges and was remanded in custody.

    Report says that Okwuohan, will be sentenced next month.

    Sheriff William Wood will also consider the Crown’s motion for an order to deport Okwuoha to Nigeria.

    A trial heard that Okwuoha told university staff he planned to carry out mass murder on the Dundee University campus.

    Okwuoha also claimed he had a military background and was capable of making bombs and unleashing a deadly virus on the city.

    Keith Mackle, 58, now retired director of student services, told Perth Sheriff Court he became aware of “serious concerns” in the autumn of 2021.

    He said staff members received emails making terrorist threats.

    One said: “Expect a massive bomb explosion at the University of Dundee. I have contacted ISIS terrorists to plant bombs on campus.

    “I can assure you staff and students will die in great numbers. 9/11 will be a joke compared to what will happen.

    “Blood will spill and flesh will be scattered.”

     

  • Alleged loot: UK set to confiscate $129m seized from Ibori; risks 10-yr jail term [SEE DETAILS]

    Alleged loot: UK set to confiscate $129m seized from Ibori; risks 10-yr jail term [SEE DETAILS]

    …Ibori vows to fight till touchline

    …as final verdict maybe pronounced today (Friday)

    A state prosecutor has asked a London court to order the confiscation of more than 100 million pounds ($129 million) from Nigerian politician and ex-Delta State governor, James Ibori.

    The popular Ex-Governor had earlier been convicted for fraud in the United Kingdom and the spent years in prison in Britain.

    Ibori was extradited in 2011 from Dubai to London, where he was charged with laundering a “corruptly acquired fortune”.

    He pleaded guilty in 2012 to 10 counts of fraud and money laundering and received a 13-year jail sentence, an outcome hailed by Britain as a landmark in the struggle against corruption.

    With its highly developed financial and legal services and lucrative property market, Britain is a global money-laundering hub, but it is rare for the foreign kleptocrats it attracts to be prosecuted and Ibori’s case remains an outlier.

    After more than a decade of legal wrangling and court delays, attempts by prosecutors to confiscate funds considered to be the benefits of Ibori’s fraudulent activities now appear close to conclusion.

    Judge David Tomlinson of Southwark Crown Court has made factual findings regarding the funds.

    At a hearing last Thursday, both sides made competing arguments about how the confiscation figure should be calculated, taking into account the judge’s findings.

    He is expected to finalise and formally issue his order on Friday or shortly afterward.

    Lead prosecution counsel, Jonathan Kinnear, told the court that the total amount that should be confiscated from Ibori was 101.5 million pounds and that if he did not pay up he should be sentenced to between five and 10 years in prison.

    Having served half of his prison sentence in pre- and post-trial detention, as is common, Ibori returned to Nigeria in 2017 and did not attend last Thursday’s hearing.

    He told Reuters by text message he planned to appeal against the confiscation order.

    Ibori remains influential and well-connected in Nigerian politics. President Bola Tinubu, who was inaugurated in May, has hosted Ibori twice at the presidential villa, along with other former governors.

    Britain has pledged to return any money recovered from Ibori to Nigeria. In 2021, it returned 4.2 million pounds that had been confiscated from Ibori’s ex-wife and his sister, who also served jail time for helping him launder money.

    But reacting to Thursday’s proceeding on his Facebook page, the former Delta government said his hope was “rapidly fading” for a fair hearing.

    He also announced plans to seek redress and fight for justice in the highest courts in UK.

    He said, “Finally, the shenanigans in the Southwark Crown Court are drawing to a close. Judge Tomlinson is due to make a confiscation order which should be both realisable and not punitive.

    “However, after what transpired in court today my hopes are rapidly fading for any degree of fairness.

    “In the 2 years it has taken to write this judgment it seems apparent that he has forgotten many of the salient points and is prioritising expediency over justice.

    “The next step will be to take my fight for justice to the highest courts in the UK.”

  • “Nigerian Messi” Amoo faces controversy as agency denies jail sentence, threatens legal action

    “Nigerian Messi” Amoo faces controversy as agency denies jail sentence, threatens legal action

    Akinkunmi Amoo, the former Golden Eaglets winger who has recently been involved in a high-profile court case in Denmark, is now facing further developments in the ongoing saga.

    Popularly known as the “Nigerian Messi,” Amoo was found guilty of indecent assault, attempted rape, and rape in a sexual relationship other than intercourse by a Danish court, resulting in a one-year jail sentence.

    However, his Nigeria representative, UDE Sports Management Agency, has strongly reacted to the news, threatening legal action against Nigerian media outlets that disclosed Amoo’s name as the convict, disregarding the name ban imposed by the Danish court.

    Chairman of UDE Sports Uche Dominic Egbukwu, expressed outrage and demanded an unreserved apology from the media outlets within 72 hours to avoid legal consequences.

    Under the Nigerian Cybercrime Act 2015, publishing fake news is considered a punishable offense with a minimum penalty of three years.

    On Friday, June 23, 2023, the Danish court delivered an unconditional one-year prison sentence, accompanied by deportation from Denmark and a six-year ban from reentering the country.

    However, UDE Sports vehemently denied the accuracy of the reports, asserting that Amoo was still training with his club, FC Copenhagen.

    Egbukwu stated, “I have spoken to my player and his club officials, and they have confirmed to me that the news about his conviction and jail sentence is not the correct narrative. He is presently training with the club.” He also mentioned that an appeal has been filed, emphasizing the ongoing nature of the case.

    He further expressed disappointment with the Nigerian media for spreading what he considers false narratives, highlighting the name ban in the Danish press as the reason for Amoo’s inability to provide an official statement.

    In addition, the player’s elder brother Sunday Amoo, also debunked the report of Akinkunmi being sentenced to prison, clarifying that he is not incarcerated and is scheduled to resume training after recovering from an injury.

    According to Danish newspaper Ekstra Bladet, the verdict was delivered on June 23, 2023, by a dissenting magistrate in the Copenhagen District Court.

    Amoo’s arrest took place on September 10, 2022, and he was released on bail on October 7. The trial, which received significant media attention due to Amoo’s football prowess, spanned most of June.

    As the sentence was announced, Amoo was reportedly visibly shaken in the courtroom as he received an unconditional one-year prison sentence.

    Despite objections from Ekstra Bladet, the name ban in the case was extended due to the appeal filed by the defense and the convicted party.

    Amoo’s appeal will provide an opportunity for a higher court to review and reevaluate the case.

  • Fake LASTMA officer bags jail term

    Fake LASTMA officer bags jail term

  • Court sentences NSCDC officer to jail for defrauding job seeker

    Court sentences NSCDC officer to jail for defrauding job seeker

    An operative of  Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) was arrested by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for fraud related offenses.

    Consequently, the officer, Segun Adewale was sentenced to seven years imprisonment for  defrauding a citizen of N100,000 to help her to secure a fake NSCDC job.

    The spokesperson of ICPC, Mrs Azuka Ogugua made this known to press men on Tuesday.

    Hon. Justice M. O. Agboola of Osun State High Court 6B, Osogbo, sentenced him to jail on a three-count charge preferred against him.

    Until his sentence, Segun A. Odewale, was a superintendent with the NSCDC.

    Odewale was charged under Section 10(a) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000 on counts one and two, and on Section 19 of the same Act on count three.

    One of the counts read: “Segun A. Odewale (M) sometimes in the year 2011 or thereabout being a public officer in the employment of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Osun State Command did use your office as a staff of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to confer unfair advantage on yourself upon receipt of the sum of N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira) for yourself from one (name withheld) on account of a promise to secure employment for her with the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).”

    The defendant, through his lawyer, Mr Muftau Abiodun Adediran, pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy as he was a first-time offender and a family man with lots of dependents.

    Meanwhile,  prosecution counsel, Mr Elijah Akaakohol confirmed that the defendant had no previous offences record with the Commission.

    Justice Agboola thereafter sentenced the defendant to three years imprisonment on count one, and two years imprisonment on count two and three respectively. The recovered N100,000 have been forfeited to the Federal Government.

    Odewale is to run his jail sentence concurrently.

     

  • Baba Ijesha: Always report any form of sexual abuse – Iyabo Ojo

    Baba Ijesha: Always report any form of sexual abuse – Iyabo Ojo

    Nollywood actress, Iyabo Ojo, has finally broken her silence concerning fellow actor,  Baba Ijesha’s jail sentence.

    The actor was arraigned before the Ikeja Domestic Violence and Sexual Offences Court, Lagos, where he faced six counts of child defilement that included indecent treatment of a child, sexual assault, attempted sexual assault by penetration, and sexual assault by penetration.

    Justice Taiwo Oluwatoyin, who delivered the judgment on Thursday, stated that the prosecution failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the defendant was guilty of all the charges against him.

    Oluwatoyin also stressed that Baba Ijesha took acting too far in his dealings with the fourteen-year-old minor.

    The defendant was however found guilty of four of the six counts against him and was sentenced to jail for 16 years.

    On count two, he was jailed for three years; count three, five years; count four, three years, and sentenced to five years for count five. The jail terms are to run concurrently for five years.

    Meanwhile, actress Iyabo Ojo, who has been in forefront of those seeking justice for the minor has expressed her mind for the first time after the court judgment.

    She urged those who are going through any form of sexual abuse to “speak up”, and never remain silent.

    Her post reads in part “To all the girl child and boy child being abused, never be AFRAID to speak up and speak out. This victory is for you,” she wrote in the post.

    Alice Iyabo Ojo is a Nigerian film actress, director, and producer. She has featured in over 150 films and has produced more than 14 of her own

  • Ex-South African President, Jacob Zuma surrenders, starts serving 15-month-jail term

    Ex-South African President, Jacob Zuma surrenders, starts serving 15-month-jail term

    Former president Jacob Zuma turned himself into prison early Thursday to begin serving a 15-month sentence for contempt of the country’s highest court, officials said.

    Prison authorities confirmed that Zuma “has been admitted to start serving a 15 months sentence at Estcourt Correctional Centre” in his home province of KwaZulu-Natal.

    It is the first time a former president has been jailed in post-apartheid South Africa.

    His turning himself in after days of refusing to do so brought an end to an impasse that had gripped the country, which is also battling a brutal third wave of Covid-19.

    The sentence handed to Zuma by the Constitutional Court last week for snubbing anti-graft investigators also set a benchmark for the continent, by jailing a former head of state for refusing to respond to a corruption probe.

    Police had earlier on Wednesday warned they were prepared to arrest Zuma by a midnight deadline to enforce the ruling unless the top court instructed otherwise.

    But in the end, the former leader decided to make his own way to prison.

    Just minutes before the deadline expired, his foundation tweeted that Zuma had “decided to comply with the incarceration order” and hand himself to a correctional facility.

    A convoy of cars believed to be carrying Zuma drove out of his homestead at high speed about 40 minutes before the cut-off time.

    Zuma’s daughter Dudu Zuma-Sambudla tweeted that he was “still in high spirits” and that “he said that he hopes they still have his same overalls from Robben Island… We salute dad!”