TheNewsGuru

Tag: Murder

  • Murder of Super TV CEO: Trial of Chidinma stalled

    Murder of Super TV CEO: Trial of Chidinma stalled

    Trial of Chidinma Ojukwu charged with murder of the Super TV Chief Executive Officer, Usifo Ataga, was on Monday stalled due to prosecution witness’s lack of composure.

    Ojukwu, a third year Mass Communication student of the University of Lagos, is standing trial before a Lagos High Court.

    The undergraduate is facing trial along with her sister, Chioma Egbuchu, and one Adedapo Quadri.

    On Monday, Lagos State counsel, Mr Yusuf Sule, told the court that the fourth prosecution witness arrived at the court from Asaba in the morning and was not composed to testify.

    “We will be asking for an adjournment till tomorrow, Nov. 30, to enable the witness to settle down,” he said.

    Ojukwu’s counsel, Mr Onwuka Egwu, did not object to the application.

    Quadri’s counsel, Mr Babatunde Busari, also did not oppose the application but said that prosecution should have called other witnesses.

    Egbuchu’s counsel, Mr O.A. Ogunsanya, submitted that the adjournment would be in the interest of justice.

    Justice Yetunde Adesanya consequently granted the oral application and adjourned the case until Tuesday for continuation of trial.

    At the last adjourned date, a businessman and the third prosecution witness, Mr Ifeoluwa Oluwo, testified that he bought the late Ataga’s Apple MacBook laptop from Ojukwu, for N495, 000.

    The witness said that he bought the laptop from Ojukwu on June 18, after negotiations.

    He told the court that it was after the sale of the laptop that he saw Ojukwu’s face on social media regarding the alleged murder and, therefore kept the transaction documents well.

    The three defendants were arraigned on Oct. 12 on a nine-count charge preferred by Lagos State Government.

    Ojukwu and Quadri are facing the first to eight counts of the charge which border on conspiracy, murder, stabbing, forgery, making of bank statements and stealing.

    The third defendant, Egbuchu, is facing the ninth count which is stealing of iPhone 7 belonging to Ataga.

    The first and second defendants – Ojukwu and Quadri – are alleged to have conspired and murdered Ataga on June 15, 2021, by stabbing him severally with a knife on the neck and chest.

    The alleged murder took place at No. 19, Adewale Oshin St., Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.

    The duo was also accused of committing forgery by procuring and making bank account statements purported to have been made by the deceased.

  • Super TV CEO’s murder: How I discovered Ataga’s corpse – Security guard

    Super TV CEO’s murder: How I discovered Ataga’s corpse – Security guard

    Abubakar Mohammed, the security guard at the apartment where Mr Usifo Ataga, Super TV Chief Executive Officer was murdered has said he was the person who discovered the corpse of the victim.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Mohammed made this known on Tuesday while testifying before a Lagos High Court sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square.

    Mohammed gave evidence as the second prosecution witness in the trial of an undergraduate, Chidinma Ojukwu (first defendant), and two others, for Ataga’s murder.

    Ojukwu is facing trial along with her sister, Chioma Egbuchu, and one Adedapo Quadri.

    At the resumed hearing, the witness narrated to the court how the defendant logged at the apartment where he worked as security man on Sunday June 13.

    According to him, his employer, Mrs Nkechi Mogbo, informed him of a client who had contacted her for an apartment.

    He said when the defendant showed up, he took her to inspect the place and later gave her the keys to the apartment when his employer gave him the instructions to do so.

    Mohammed further narrated how Mr Usifo Ataga (victim) came to the apartment later in the night the same June 13.

    The witness said the victim drove in, in a dark coloured Range Rover SUV and was allowed into the premises when the defendant came out of the gate and said “he is my person”.

    He also said that the defendant and the victim went out that night and came back at about 11:30p.m.

    “The defendant asked me to open the gate so that the victim would park his vehicle inside the premises which I did.

    “On Tuesday night by 8p.m., the defendant came out and entered an Uber car and went out. I stayed outside till 12a.m, waiting for her to return but she didn’t, so I went to bed.

    “On Wednesday, the vehicle that collects refuse came so I told the cleaner (named Confidence) to bring out all the dustbin from the apartment.

    “Confidence came back and told me that the door at the defendant’s apartment was open, I went there, called out the man (victim) but there was no answer.

    “I tried to push the door but something was blocking it, I peeped through the narrow opening and saw the victim’s dead body on the floor.

    “My employer called me talking about another client whose rent has expired, I then told her about the incident,” the witness narrated.

    The witness also narrated how his employer informed the police and how he was taken to the police station to make his statements.

    He also told the court that while the defendant was at the apartment, she called him one night with a new number and not the private number she usually called with.

    Mohammed said when the body was discovered, he stored that particular number on his phone and checked it on WhatsApp.

    The witness said he discovered that the profile picture on that phone was the defendant’s own, he screen shot the picture.

    According to him, he changed his own profile picture and sent a WhatsApp message to the defendant, after which the defendant removed her profile picture.

    Mohammed said he gave the information to his employer.

    He also narrated how the defendant called him with a private number asking him about the victim’s car.

    Mohammed said: “Immediately I noticed she was the one calling, I asked why she has not returned since she went out, she answered that she went for a meeting and will be back”.

    Mohammed was led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Mrs Adeyinka Adeyemi, who is the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

    However, due to time, the Judge, Justice Yetunde Adesanya, adjourned the case until Wednesday for cross examination.

    The three defendants were arraigned on Oct. 12 on a nine-count charge preferred against them by Lagos State Government.

    Ojukwu and Quadri are facing the first to eight counts bordering on conspiracy, murder, stabbing, forgery, making of bank statements and stealing.

    The third defendant, Egbuchu, is facing the ninth count of stealing iPhone 7 belonging to the late Ataga.

    The first and second defendants were alleged to have conspired and murdered Ataga on June 15, 2021, by stabbing him severally with a knife on the neck and chest.

    The alleged murder took place at No. 19, Adewale Oshin St., Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.

    The duo were also accused of committing forgery by procuring and making bank account statements purported to have been made by the deceased.

  • BREAKING: Tragedy strikes in Bayelsa as ‘Governor’ kills cousin

    BREAKING: Tragedy strikes in Bayelsa as ‘Governor’ kills cousin

    Tragedy has happened in Bayelsa State as a police sergeant, known as ‘Governor’ Akpoboloukeme has stabbed his colleague and cousin, Yerins Sapele to death.

    The deceased, who was also a police sergeant, was allegedly killed over a minor disagreement in the Edepie area of Yenagoa Local Government Area of the State.

    Sources close to the two policemen said both cousins attended a marriage ceremony at a popular hotel on INEC road in Yenagoa metropolis where they had a minor joke that turned into a quarrel.

    It was learnt that Governor, who was said to be highly temperamental, didn’t feel happy about the joke and reacted violently to it.

    According to sources, they were almost engaged in fisticuffs, when friends stepped in and settled the two policemen.

    It was gathered that despite the settlement, Governor harboured animosity toward his cousin

    He was said to have instead of going home trailed Yerins to a secluded place and stabbed him with a dagger on the left part of the rib.

    Yerins was said to have died instantly after the stabbing.

    Investigation revealed that Governor and Yerins are cousins from Torugbene community, Delta State, but serving in Bayelsa.

    Spokesman for the Bayelsa State Police Command, Asinim Butswat has confirmed the incident.

    He said the incident occurred on November 4 2021 around 7 pm at Edepie, Yenagoa.

    Butswat stated: “It was reported that Sergeant Akpoboloukeme ‘m’ stabbed his colleague, Sgt Sapele Eyerindideke ‘m’ over a minor misunderstanding. The corpse of the deceased has been deposited at the mortuary for autopsy.

    “The accused suspect immediately fled the scene and attempted to flee to a nearby state before he was arrested at the Glory Land gate, Yenagoa.”

    Butswat said the Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State Command, Ben Okolo, had ordered the detention of the officer and a thorough investigation was underway.

  • JUST IN: Chidinma, one other suspect plead not guilty to Super TV CEO, Usifo Ataga’s murder

    JUST IN: Chidinma, one other suspect plead not guilty to Super TV CEO, Usifo Ataga’s murder

    Chidinma Ojukwu has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Super TV CEO, Usifo Ataga.

    The 22-year-old did so on Tuesday when she and one Adedapo Quadri, who are the key suspects in the murder case were arraigned before Justice Yetunde Adesanya of the Lagos State High Court sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square.

    Both suspects pleaded not guilty to eight counts bordering on the offences of murder, forgery and stealing.

    Chidinma’s sister, Egbuchu Chioma, was also arraigned, as an iPhone 7 belonging to the late Ataga, was said to have been recovered from her.

    Chioma, however, pleaded not guilty to the 9th count of being in possession of the stolen property.

    They are being prosecuted by the Lagos State Department of Public Prosecution, Mrs Olayinka Adeyemi.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG recalls that when Chidinma was arrested on June 24, she had initially admitted to killing Usifo after his lifeless body was found in a pool of blood with multiple stab wounds at a hotel in the Lekki area of Lagos.

    But contrary to her initial statements that she had stabbed Ataga in self-defense, the 22-year-old later in an interview in July, denied having anything to do with his death.

    She explained that while they were lodged together in the short-let apartment, she briefly stepped out to buy some things only to return to his lifeless body.

    “As I was leaving the apartment, he stood up to lock the door. When I came back, I knocked but there was no response. Then I opened the door and realized it wasn’t locked,” Chidinma said.

    “The duvet was on the floor and pillows. The couch was facing the door and the bed was stained with blood and the floor where he was. Music was on, the TV was on. The room was in disarray like someone broke in.

    “Then I saw him on the floor, I didn’t know what to do. I was afraid. I thought if I raised an alarm I would be arrested because we were the only people in the room”.

    Also speaking in the interview, a cousin of the deceased said the state in which he later found the corpse was very questionable. According to him, the extent of the stab wounds as well as the way Ataga’s hands were tied, was so bad that the act could not have been done by Chidinma alone.

    She, on the other hand, claimed that the only reason she initially took responsibility for the incident was that it was just both of them in the room and she felt that no one would believe her story.

    “I never had anything to do with his death. I didn’t involve anybody. I don’t know who must have come into the apartment. Definitely, somebody did but I don’t who the person is. I don’t know what happened when I left to buy food,” she said.

  • DSS reacts to reports of masterminding Chike Akunyili’s gruesome murder in Anambra

    DSS reacts to reports of masterminding Chike Akunyili’s gruesome murder in Anambra

    The Department of State Services (DSS) says it has no hand in the killing of Dr Chike Akunyili, widower of former information minister, Dora.

    Akunyili was killed in Anambra by unknown gunmen on Tuesday. A social media video has claimed that the DSS was responsible for the attack on the medical doctor.

    But Dr Peter Afunanya, DSS spokesman, in a statement on Wednesday, described the claim as “spurious and illogical”.

    “The attention of the service has been drawn to an allegation that its operatives killed Dr Chike Akunyili.

    “It was also alleged that the DSS murdered security escorts at Nkpor, in Anambra, on 28th September, 2021.

    “The service hereby denies these allegations and wishes to clearly state that they are spurious and illogical.

    “There was no basis for the DSS to kill the medical doctor and/or fellow law enforcement agents. The service cherishes life and believes in the rule of law.

    “The public should be wary of the false narratives by those desirous of using it (the Service), to cover up their heinous acts.

    “The operations of these hostile elements are already well known in the public space and to the discerning,” he said.

    The image maker said that the service and sister agencies would not relent in tracking down those behind the breakdown of law and order so as to bring them to justice.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that the gunmen killed Dr Chike Akunyili at Umuoji in Idemili North Local Government of Anambra Tuesday evening.

    A family source said Akunyili was returning from an event organised by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka Alumni Association (UNAA) where the late Dora was honoured.

  • Ex-cop convicted of George Floyd’s murder files appeal

    Ex-cop convicted of George Floyd’s murder files appeal

    Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin has appealed his conviction for the murder of George Floyd, citing 14 complaints about his high-profile trial earlier this year in a case that roiled the United States and laid bare deep racial divisions.

    The killing of Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man, in May 2020 went viral after being caught on camera and sparked America’s biggest demonstrations for racial justice in decades.

    Chauvin, who in June was sentenced to more than 22 years in prison for killing Floyd by kneeling on his neck for nearly 10 minutes, appealed the conviction Thursday night with a Minnesota district court, on the last day he was able to do so.

    He accuses the state of prejudicial misconduct and lists multiple issues with the jury selected for the trial, among other objections.

    The former police officer accuses the court of “abusing its discretion” by denying requests to postpone or move the trial and refusing to sequester the jury for its duration.

    Chauvin, a 45-year-old white man, was filmed kneeling on Floyd’s neck, indifferent to the dying man’s groans and to the pleas of distraught passers-by.

    Floyd repeatedly said “I can’t breathe” before he died.

    The scene, filmed and uploaded by a young woman, quickly spread around the world.

    Hundreds of thousands of people subsequently poured onto streets across the country and overseas to demand an end to racism and police brutality.

    The ex-cop and three of his colleagues arrested Floyd on suspicion of having passed a fake $20 bill in a store in Minneapolis, a northern city of around 400,000 people.

    They handcuffed him and pinned him to the ground in the street.

    In the filed documents, Chauvin said he has no income and no legal representation in the appeals process. A defense fund that paid for his representation during the trial was terminated after his sentencing.

    The sacked police officer, who was present for the full six weeks of his trial, did not testify, invoking his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.

    His lawyer said he had followed police procedures in force at the time and that Floyd’s death was due to health problems exacerbated by drug use.

    But, at the end of the high-profile trial in April, a jury took less than 10 hours to convict Chauvin of Floyd’s murder.

    He was found guilty on all three charges — second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter.

    The other three police officers are to face state charges next year for their roles in Floyd’s death.

    Chauvin’s conviction was greeted with relief across the country.

    Many had feared an acquittal would lead to worse unrest, while others worried that once again a white police officer would get away with what they saw as murder.

    The Floyd family’s lawyer called the sentencing a “historic” step towards racial reconciliation in the United States.

    Chauvin had a record of using excessive force before the unarmed Floyd died under his knee.

    At the end of the trial, Chauvin offered his condolences to the Floyd family and said: “There’s going to be some other information in the future that would be of interest and I hope things will give you some peace of mind,” without elaborating

  • Eight suspects arraigned over murder, rape of 300level UNILORIN student

    Eight suspects arraigned over murder, rape of 300level UNILORIN student

    Eight suspects were on Wednesday arraigned over the rape and murder of Blessing Olajide, a 300 level student of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN).

    She was allegedly raped and murdered at her Tanke residence along the University road in Ilorin, Kwara State capital.

    Some valuable items were also carted away from the residence.

    The suspects who allegedly carried out the dastardly act were later arrested by the operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) and currently standing trial before Justice Ibrahim Yusuf of an Ilorin High Court.

    They are being charged for criminal conspiracy, rape, armed robbery, culpable homicide, and receiving stolen properties.

    The case was however adjourned till July 6 as three out of the eight suspects do not have legal representation.

  • Ogun man wanted for murder of cop, mother-in law

    Ogun man wanted for murder of cop, mother-in law

    Men of the Ogun State Police Command have arrested a 28-year-old man, Opeyemi Ganiyu, for allegedly killing his mother-in-law, Abosede Oyewole.

    Ganiyu was detained on Monday following a report made at the Atan-Ota Divisional Police Headquarters by one Odunayo Matthew.

    The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, revealed this in a statement on Wednesday.

    Oyeyemi said the plaintiff reported that the suspect, who is married to the daughter of the deceased, was fond of beating his wife on the slightest provocation.

    The PPRO stated, “On the day of the incident, the suspect as usual beat up his wife and inflicted injuries on her, and that was the reason why the deceased went to meet him to warn him to desist from beating her daughter.

    “On sighting the deceased in his house, the suspect descended heavily on her, beat her mercilessly before stabbing her with a knife on her ribs.

    “The deceased was rushed to a hospital for treatment, but gave up the ghost in the process.

    “Having heard that the victim had died, the suspect took to flight. The DPO, Atan-Ota Division, CSP Abolade Oladigbolu, detailed his detectives to go after him and bring him to justice.

    “The detectives embarked on intelligence-based investigation, which led them to his hideout in Ikorodu Lagos State, where he was eventually apprehended.

    “Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect is a member of a notorious cult group in the area.

    “He was also one of those, who led hoodlums to burn down the Atan-Ota Police Division during the #EndSARS protest, and killed the Divisional Crime Officer on October 21, 2020.”

    The PPRO added that the Commissioner of Police, Edward Ajogun, had ordered the immediate transfer of the suspect to the Homicide Section of the state Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department for discreet investigation.

     

  • Why Uduak murdered Iniobong Umoren – Police

    Why Uduak murdered Iniobong Umoren – Police

    The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has confirmed arresting 20-year-old Uduak Frank Akpan in connection with the unthinkable brutal murder of Iniobong Umoren.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the police command confirmed the arrest on Sunday, giving an insight into why the daredevil Uduak murdered the budding young lady in cold blood.

    According to the police in a statement released by Odiko Macdon, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Uduak raped Umoren before killing her and burying her in a shallow grave.

    The police in the statement revealed that Uduak killed Umoren to cover his tracks after luring her to his house in the guise of giving her a job, but ended up sexually and physically assaulting her.

    The statement reads: “The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested one Uduak Frank Akpan, 20 years old for kidnapping, raping and murdering one Miss Iniobong Umoren.

    “On 30/04/2021, the Command received a report on the disappearance of the victim.

    “Following available leads, men of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad of the Command, led by CSP Inengiye Igosi, consolidated on the initial great progress made by the DPO Uruan, SP Samuel Ezeugo and arrested the perpetrator who confessed to have lured his victim to his house in the guise of giving her a job, but ended up sexually and physically assaulting her which led to her death.

    “To cover his tracks, he dragged and buried her in a shallow grave in his father’s compound.

    “The deceased has been exhumed and deposited at UYTH (University Of Uyo Teaching Hospital) for autopsy.

    “The suspect confessed to have told his Local Government Chairman of his atrocity before escaping to Calabar and was never at anytime handed over to the Police by anyone.

    “Suspect is a confessed serial rapist who has owned up to the raping of other victims. He will be charged to court at the conclusion of investigation.

    “The Commissioner of Police, CP Amienghene Andrew, has called on youths and job seekers to be wary of the activities of scammers and other men of the underworld.

    “While appreciating the efforts of the social media family and other fighters of injustice, he has condoled with the family and friends of the deceased.”

    Meanwhile, the police, has also confirmed no parts of the deceased body were dismembered, ruling out ritual killing.

     

    However, reactions have continued to trail the brutal murder of Umoren by Uduak.

    Especially, a public, televised trial have been demanded of the rapist, his father, his cousin and any other accomplices.

    See reactions on Umoren’s murder below:

    https://twitter.com/firstdoctorr/status/1388844748681662468?s=19

  • Iniobong Umoren: How job-seeking lady was found raped, murdered, buried in shallow grave

    Iniobong Umoren: How job-seeking lady was found raped, murdered, buried in shallow grave

    The unexpected has happened as a job-seeking young lady, Iniobong Umoren who had been declared missing, has been found raped, brutally murdered and buried in a shallow grave in Akwa Ibom State.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the deceased was alleged to have on Thursday, April 29, 2021 went for a job interview at an undisclosed location along Airport Road in the outskirts of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

     

    Umoren’s friend that goes by the Twitter handle: @UmohUduak1 first raised the alarm, and initiated the search for her missing friend, with no one ever expecting the unthinkable and the tragedy that has struck.

    The young lady with life and a future has had her life snuffed out of her and cut short by her abductor, one Uduak Frank Akpan, reportedly from Nung Ikot Obio.

    Umoren’s friend narrated how about two hours after leaving home for the supposed job interview, she reportedly made a frantic phone call where she was heard screaming before the call abruptly ended.

    “Her phone line has been switched off ever since,” @UmohUduak1 recapped, and soon after, the social media went viral with her story which saw the Internet being used to unmask her abductor.

    https://twitter.com/UmohUduak1/status/1387794751777386497?s=19

    24 hours later, Nigerians on social media provided evidence, locations, contacts and almost everything needed to unmask her kidnapper with the hope that the intelligence provided will help in finding the missing young lady and bring his abductor to justice.

    The suspect was alleged to have taken the late Miss Umoren to his house where an argument ensued and in the process, he used an object to hit her on the head resulting in her death. He was alleged to have hurriedly buried her in a shallow grave and ran to Oron to hide.

    Following pressure by the Police and Nigerians on social media, Oron became uncomfortable for him and he ran back to Uruan.

    The Chairman of Uruan LGA, Surv. Iniobong Ekpeyong was said to have met the accused cousin and asked him to bring the accused to him.

    When he was taken before the Chairman, he was asked to be truthful about what actually transpired.

    It was there he confessed to his Local Government Chairman that he actually killed and buried her in a shallow grave.

    A shocked Surv Ekpeyong had no choice but to call the DPO of Uruan LGA and handed over the suspect to the Police for further investigation and prosecution.

    However, @UmohUduak1 later revealed that the abductor of Umoren actually raped her before she was brutally murdered.

    “They raped and killed my friend,” she tweeted.

    https://twitter.com/UmohUduak1/status/1388768717849432064?s=19

    https://twitter.com/UmohUduak1/status/1388757799107235842?s=19

    Meanwhile, the police had confirmed that two suspects had been arrested and that investigation was ongoing.

    Meanwhile, Akwa Ibom State Police Command has confirmed arresting one Uduak Frank Akpan in connection to the disappearance of the job seeker.

    According to the State Police Public Relations Officer, Odiko Macdon, in a statement released on Sunday, 20-year-old Akpan lured Umoren to his residence under the pretext of offering her a job before he raped, killed and buried the young graduate.

    The statement reads: “The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested one Uduak Frank Akpan, 20 years old for kidnapping, raping and murdering one Miss Iniobong Umoren.

    “On 30/04/2021, the Command received a report on the disappearance of the victim.

    “Following available leads, men of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad of the Command, led by CSP Inengiye Igosi, consolidated on the initial great progress made by the DPO Uruan, SP Samuel Ezeugo and arrested the perpetrator who confessed to have lured his victim to his house in the guise of giving her a job, but ended up sexually and physically assaulting her which led to her death.

    “To cover his tracks, he dragged and buried her in a shallow grave in his father’s compound.

    “The deceased has been exhumed and deposited at UYTH (University Of Uyo Teaching Hospital) for autopsy.

    “The suspect confessed to have told his Local Government Chairman of his atrocity before escaping to Calabar and was never at anytime handed over to the Police by anyone.

    “Suspect is a confessed serial rapist who has owned up to the raping of other victims. He will be charged to court at the conclusion of investigation.

    “The Commissioner of Police, CP Amienghene Andrew, has called on youths and job seekers to be wary of the activities of scammers and other men of the underworld.

    “While appreciating the efforts of the social media family and other fighters of injustice, he has condoled with the family and friends of the deceased.”