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Tag: Prison

  • Jos prison attack: Police arrest 8 fleeing inmates

    Jos prison attack: Police arrest 8 fleeing inmates

    The Police Command in Plateau says it has arrested eight of the inmates who had earlier escaped during the attack on the Jos Correctional centre by gunmen.

    ASP Ubah Ogaba, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Jos.

    Gunmen on Sunday evening invaded the prison yard and some of the inmates escaped from the facility.

    Ogaba said that of the eight fleeing inmates, seven were rearrested by the police while one voluntarily surrendered himself.

    “Yesterday, at about 5:20 p.m., the medium-security custodial centre in Jos came under attack by yet-to-be identified gunmen.

    “Immediately we received the report, the Commissioner of Police in the State, CP Bartholomew Onyeka, who led reinforcement to the scene, directed that the entire centre be cordoned.

    “The CP also ordered immediate stop and search and seven inmates who escaped were re-arrested by the Police and are in Custody.

    “One of them voluntarily surrendered himself to the Police,” Ogaba said.

    The PPRO said that Policemen and other security personnel are currently on the ground to effectively deprive the hoodlums of the space they desire to perpetrate their evil acts.

    Ogaba promised to make details available as the search for the other escaped inmates continues.

  • BREAKING: Gunmen trapped inside Jos prison after attacking custodial centre

    BREAKING: Gunmen trapped inside Jos prison after attacking custodial centre

    Jos prison, the Medium Security Custodial Centre in the capital of Plateau State came under attack by gunmen who reportedly stormed the facility in large numbers with sophisticated weapons.

    The invaders were said to have arrived at the Custodial Center at about 17:20hrs on Sunday and immediately made for the main gate where they engaged the armed squad personnel in a gun battle before breaking into the yard.

    Although they gained entrance to the yard, they are however trapped within as men from sister security services were immediately mobilised to assist the armed guards to cordon the perimeter wall and the entire area.

    According to a statement by Francis Enobore, Controller of Corrections PRO for the Controller-General of Corrections, reinforcements from the response squad of the Service have also been mobilised to the centre.

    “The situation is presently under control as the attackers firing power is being subdued by superior fire from a combined team of security agencies. Update will be made available as events unfold,” the statement reads.

  • Five men to spend 126 years in prison for drug trafficking offences

    Five men to spend 126 years in prison for drug trafficking offences

    Five men namely; Ndubuisi John, Haruna Aliyu, Saddam Abdullahi, Bashir Usman, and Usman Ibrahim have been sentenced to a total of 126-years imprisonment for trafficking in cocaine and cannabis sativa.

    Their sentence was passed at the Federal High Courts sitting in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

    The five men; Ndubuisi were sentenced by Justice Ogunremi Omowunmi Oguntoyinbo in suit no. FHC/AB/105c/2021.

    The convicts were arrested on the 14th of September 2021 along Lagos -Ibadan expressway conveying 46 bags of Cannabis Sativa weighing 552 kilograms in a truck.

    They were subsequently charged on three counts of transportation, possession and dealing in the illicit drug.

    In her judgment delivered on November 9, Justice Oguntoyinbo, sentenced the 1st, 2nd and 3rd accused persons to 30 years’ imprisonment each while the driver of the truck bagged 21 years and the motor boy/driver’s assistant 15 years in jail.

    While Ndubuisi, Haruna and Saddam were sentenced to 10 years on each count, Bashir got seven years on each count and Usman five years on each count.

    The jail terms are to run concurrently.

  • Aregbesola: Attacks on prison facilities meant to ridicule Buhari

    Aregbesola: Attacks on prison facilities meant to ridicule Buhari

    Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola on Sunday said attacks on prison facilities was aimed at embarrassing and ridiculing the government of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The Minister however vowed that all inmates who escaped from the Abolongo Custodial Centre of the Nigeria Correctional Service, Oyo State, on Friday night will be recaptured.

    The Minister gave the assurance during an inspection visit to the facility on Sunday morning.

    In a statement, a copy of which was obtained by TheNewsGuru, Aregbesola said, “External attacks on custodial facilities were a rarity hitherto. What was common, and for which our system had been well primed, was an internal breach.

    “But beginning with the spontaneous #EndSARS protests of last year which dovetailed into massive riots, there have been consistent attacks on our facilities in Owerri, Benin, Kabba, and now Oyo.”

    According to the Minister, the latest attack was “not just some random happenings. These are premeditated, planned and coordinated attacks meant to make Nigeria unsafe and ridicule the government.

    “I’m assuring Nigerians that the Federal Government will pursue not just those who attacked our facility, but those who have escaped lawful custody.

    “The attack was unconscionable, I commend officers of the Nigeria Correctional Service and other members of sister security agencies who provided perimeter security for our facility for fighting gallantly and holding the fort before the attackers were able to gain access to the awaiting trial section of the facility, however, those who escaped are already being pursued. Some have been rearrested, many more will still be captured,” the Minister stated.

    He noted that, “As at the last count, 446 of the escapees have been recaptured leaving 392 still at large. We want to assure Nigerians that the service have an updated database of the escapees which includes their biometrics.

    “We are sharing the database with all security agencies in the country including Interpol, so those who escape our recapture efforts can be nabbed.

    “To those on the run, be assured you have nowhere to hide. You can run, but you can’t hide. We’ll fish you out! We are publishing details of those who escaped in the mass media so the public can assist in that effort,” the Minister reiterated.

    Speaking alongside the Minister during the inspection, the Controller General of the Nigeria Correctional Service, NCoS, Haliru Nababa, pointed out that the service has successfully prevented internal jailbreaks in all her facilities.

    “The NCoS have so far prevented internal jailbreaks in the country. What we have reoccurring in recent times are external attacks on our facilities. We have been retraining our officers not just on securing those in lawful custody but prevent external attacks.

    “We are collaborating with other security agencies in the country to make such attacks near impossible and where they do occur, the attacks will have not live to regret it,” the CG stated.

  • 90-year-old grandfather to spend 21 years in prison for defiling his two granddaughters

    90-year-old grandfather to spend 21 years in prison for defiling his two granddaughters

    A Malawian court has sentenced Lester Danken, a 90-year-old grandfather to 21 years imprisonment with hard labour on each count for having unlawful carnal knowledge of his two granddaughters aged 10 and 11, at Kufunda Village, Traditional Authority Kachere in Dedza.

    Dedza Police Deputy Public Relations Officer, Sergeant Cassim Manda, who confirmed the development on Friday, said during trial, Danken admitted to raping the children but was quick to say he committed the offence because the victims seduced him.

    State Prosecutor, Sub Inspector Mercy Scott, explained in court that Danken in September 2021 sexually forced himself on the first victim.

    The victim’s mother who stays close to Danken’s house was surprised to see her daughter coming out of her grandfather’s house with her underwear in her hand.

    The state prosecutor further told the court that when the victim was quizzed, she revealed that Danken had been raping her since last year and he was giving her K100 with promise that the sexual abuse will boost her breasts.

    The prosecutor further told the court that Danken voluntarily told Police of the second victim. Both victims were issued with medical report forms for examination at the hospital which later certified that they were defiled.

    Prosecutor Scott asked the court to give the convict a deterrent sentence to act as a warning to other would be offenders.

    In his sentence, Senior Resident Magistrate Clemence Chamwenda agreed with the state and observed that the convict was supposed to protect the victims being a grandparent, and that the victims are traumatised, hence a custodial sentence without looking at the age factor could fit him.

    Magistrate Chamwenda went on to slap the grandfather with 21 years imprisonment without hard labour on each count. Both sentences to run concurrently.

  • Bayern Munich defender faces prison term in Spain

    Bayern Munich defender faces prison term in Spain

    Bayern Munich defender Lucas Hernandez must appear before a Madrid court next week and faces six months in prison, a justice spokesman confirmed on Thursday.

    France international Hernandez is to tell the court on Tuesday where he will serve the sentence that was handed down on Wednesday for violating a restraining order in 2017.

    The 25-year-old had violated the order while playing at Atletico Madrid.

    He then has 10 days to start the prison term.

    The restraining orders were originally imposed on him and his girlfriend after a violent argument in 2017.

    They were then caught returning to Spain together after getting married, before the six months were up.

    In Hernandez’ case, this was deemed a violation of the restraining order.

    His now wife reportedly got away with it because the original ruling had not yet been sent to her.

    In Spain, restraining orders remain in place even in case of reconciliation because this prevents any kind of forced reconciliation.

    Hernandez has protested his innocence in the case, while Bayern Munich have not commented.

    The player is appealing at a higher court.

    It is however reportedly unclear how soon a new court would deal with the case and whether the appeal would spare him from going to jail

  • ‘I touched many lives…’: Invictus Obi speaks from prison, lists differences between him, Hushpuppi

    ‘I touched many lives…’: Invictus Obi speaks from prison, lists differences between him, Hushpuppi

    As a seasoned criminal journalist of Virginia, Obi’s case fascinated me as I wondered how a successful businesses man that graced the front pages of several business magazines found himself in jail.

    I reached out to Obinwanne Okeke, popularly known as Invictus Obi, for a prison interview and he kindly accepted. I met Obi on a hot summer August day where he greeted me with a firm handshake, a confident smile, and the charisma of someone very intellectual. My interview was to find out his journey, thoughts, and regrets as he now starts his 10-year prison sentence.

    Hi Obi, thanks for accepting this interview, how are you doing?
    I am doing very well thank you, I am alive and healthy which I always give thanks for.

    How is your reality now you have started serving your 10-year sentence?
    The transition from the outside world to prison is hard but I have to face the music. I did what I did and I accept the consequences. I am just making sure I become a better man day by day.

    Let’s go back a bit, how would you describe Nigeria growing up?
    Nigeria is great when you are young and naive but when you become old enough to fend for yourself you quickly realize that Nigeria is a hazardous obstacle course that most will never navigate their way through. Nigeria is a beautiful country but poverty is too widespread and you can’t rely on the government for help but you have to find your own way. Basic needs such as 24 hours electricity is unheard of, fuel scarcity is common, inflation is high and many are dying of hunger. Most Nigerians are in a state of desperation.

    How did the journey to the frauds you are accused of come about?
    I was doing a little here and there but the level changed through this one particular friend I used to look up to. I visited him one day and he was living very comfortably with three new cars and a huge house at a young age. When at his house I noticed him on a website www.vionz.to that was selling crypto and bank logins. I asked him about the website and he showed me that he buys bank and crypto logins from there and easily withdraws above $20,000 at a time, that’s how he was funding his lifestyle. In 15 minutes he demonstrated it to me and from there I tried it myself when I got home. After successfully doing my first transfer so easily it was hard to stop after that. From there I got introduced to other money-making schemes that got me where I am today.

    How much money have you made from fraud?
    I didn’t really keep count, I am a very ambitious person in anything I do regarding money. I believe I will always be an overachiever.

    According to your case charges, you made $11 million?
    Then there’s your answer, you already know the details.

    People compare you to Hushpuppi (Abbas Ramon) who is also facing jail if found guilty, what are your thoughts?
    It’s insulting, I and Hushpuppi are not on the same level. Hushpuppi could never achieve what I achieved. He cannot run a business and we are not similar in any way. He was out to please the crowd, I was out to change lives, create jobs, and conquer the business world. I have done so much for my community back home with my charity foundation, which lives has he helped? Nobody.

    It sounds like you dislike Hushppupi?
    No, I have never met him, but I just find the continued comparison very annoying. Our impact on the world is very different. I have made a much more positive contribution to society than he has.

    What do you miss most about the outside life?
    I miss being in business, I was a workaholic and most of my joy came from growing my businesses bigger and bigger. I miss family too and of miss my daughter.

    Do you have any regrets?
    Of course, I do, if I was a little more patient I could have achieved everything I achieved in business by not rushing to get startup capital the way I did, however, hopefully, I can be a lesson to the younger generation that may be tempted to take the quick route in life.

    What’s your advice to the youth of Nigeria?
    Pick your role models wisely, look up to great leaders and people of good character that look after their communities and families. Believe and you will achieve. Also, remember life is a marathon, not a sprint.

    Yahoo News.

  • Mastermind of Kano children kidnap sentenced to 104 years in prison

    Mastermind of Kano children kidnap sentenced to 104 years in prison

    A Kano High Court, on Friday, sentenced Paul Owne to 104 imprisonment for masterminding the kidnap of nine children in the state.

    Justice Zuwaira Yusuf, who found the convict guilty of all the 38-count charge, sentenced him without an option of fine.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the convict pleaded guilty to the charges and was convicted accordingly.

    NAN also reports that the six other defendants, who were arraigned alongside Owne, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    “I find Owne guilty on counts two, eight, nine, 27 and 34. I hereby sentence him to seven years imprisonment on each of the counts without an option of fine, in addition to paying the sum of N100,000 fine.

    “The court also found Owne guilty on counts three, five, 10, 11, 22, 28 and 38. I sentence him to seven years in a correctional centre on each of the counts.

    Yusuf held that the convict was found guilty on counts four, 12, 13, 29 and 38, and sentenced him to four years in a correctional centre on each of the counts without an option of fine.

    She, however, said that all the counts must run concurrently and ordered the remand of the six other defendants in a correctional centre for continuation of trial.

    NAN reports that Owne and six others were first arraigned on Nov. 13, 2020 for the kidnap of nine children, who were trafficked from Kano to Anambra.

    The other defendants are: Mercy Paul, Ebere Ogbono, Emmanuel Igwe, Loise Duru , Monica Oracha and Chinelo Ifedegwu.

    Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, Mr Mahmoud Balarabe, told the court that the defendants were facing a 38-count charge, bordering on conspiracy, kidnapping and trafficking in children from Kano to Anambra, sometime in 2019.

    According to him, the offences contravene the provisions of Sections 97(1), 273, 277 of the Penal Code and Section 32 (5) of the Children and Young Persons Law of Kano State, 2012.

    While the convict pleaded guilty to all the 38-count charge, the remaining six defendants, however, pleaded not guilty, thus setting stage for their trial.

  • Ex-banker, wife, mother in-law bag 60 years imprisonment over theft

    Ex-banker, wife, mother in-law bag 60 years imprisonment over theft

    An ex-banker, Ebenezer Alonge along with his wife, Olamide and his mother in-law Moradeke Isakunle have been convicted for theft of the Nigeria Customs fund.

    Mr Wilson Uwujarem, the Head of the Media of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) disclosed this in a statement he issued on Friday in lbadan, the Oyo state capital.

    According to Uwujaren, Justice Adekanye Ogunmoye of an Ekiti State High Court on Friday pronounced Alonge, Olamide and Moradeke guilty of the 12-count charge instituted against them because none of the trio could prove his or her innocence in the suit.

    Ogunmoye consequently convicted and sentenced each of the convicts to 60 years in prison.

    According to the judgment, the convicts were sentenced to five years in jail for each of the 12 offences.

    However, the judge said that sentencing would run concurrently.

    He also forfeited the house found in possession of the convicts which would be restituted to the plaintiff.

    Earlier, counsel to the EFCC in Ekiti , Mr Abdulrasheed Suleiman had told the court that a new generation bank in the state had on Feb. 2018 petitioned the agency that Alonge, one of their cashiers, was involved in a criminal act.

    Suleiman further said that investigations further revealed that Alonge had transferred over N21 million belonging to one of their customers into his wife’s bank account as well as his mother in-law’s bank account.

    The prosecutor stated that the offence contravened Section 390 (9) of the Criminal Code Act Cap 16 Laws of Ekiti State 2012.

  • Popular antivirus software creator, John McAfee found dead in Spanish prison

    Popular antivirus software creator, John McAfee found dead in Spanish prison

    John McAfee, the creator of the McAfee antivirus software, has been found dead in his cell in a jail near Barcelona, a government official confirmed on Wednesday.

    Hours earlier, a Spanish court issued a preliminary ruling in favor of the 75-year-old tycoon’s extradition to the United States to face tax-related criminal charges.

    Security personnel at the Brians 2 penitentiary near the northeastern Spanish city tried to revive him, but the jail’s medical team finally certified his death, a statement from the regional Catalan government said.

    The statement didn’t identify McAfee by name, but said he was a 75-year-old U.S. citizen awaiting extradition to his country. A Catalan government source familiar with the event who was not authorized to be named in media reports confirmed to the AP that the dead man was McAfee.

    Spain’s National Court on Monday ruled in favor of extraditing McAfee, who had argued in a hearing earlier this month that the charges against him were politically motivated and that he would spend the rest of his life in prison if he was returned to the U.S.

    The court’s ruling was made public on Wednesday and could be appealed. Any final extradition order would also need to get approval from the Spanish Cabinet.

    Tennessee prosecutors charged McAfee with evading taxes after failing to report income made from promoting cryptocurrencies while he did consultancy work, as well as income from speaking engagements and selling the rights to his life story for a documentary. The criminal charges carry a prison sentence of up to 30 years.

    The entrepreneur was arrested last October at Barcelona’s international airport. A judge ordered at that time that McAfee should be held in jail while awaiting the outcome of a hearing on extradition.