A Kano state high court has sentenced five men to death by hanging for the murder of Dahare Abubakar, a 67-year-old woman, whom they accused of being a witch.

Usman Na’abba, the presiding judge, ruled on Monday that the prosecution had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt, convicting Da’luta Ibrahim, Abdulaziz Yahaya, Faisal Yahaya, Ibrahim Abdu, and Ayuba Abdulrahman of culpable homicide.

“I hereby sentence the defendants to death by hanging for homicide and acquit Nabi’a Ibrahim, the sixth defendant, as evidence shows she was not at the scene,” the judge ruled.

Lamido Abba-Sorondinki, the prosecution counsel, told the court that the men committed the crime on November 15, 2023, in Dadin Kowa village, Wudil, Kano.

He said the defendants conspired around 8:30 am on the same day after suspecting the victim of practising witchcraft.

“In the process, the defendants followed her to the farm and stabbed her to death with dangerous weapons,” he told the court.

He added that she was rushed to Wudil General Hospital, where she was confirmed dead.

The prosecution counsel presented four witnesses and submitted two exhibits, including the defendants’ extra-judicial statements and a medical report confirming the victim’s death, while the defendants denied committing the crime.

Abba-Sorondinki argued that the actions of the five suspects contravened section 221(a), read with section 79 of the Penal Code Laws of Kano state, 1991.

Ma’aruf Yakasai, the defence counsel, called eight witnesses, including the defendants, to testify on their behalf

The federal high court in Lagos has remanded 29 Chinese nationals, 10 Filipinos, one Malaysian, one Indonesian, and one Pakistani over alleged internet fraud.

The foreigners were arraigned on Monday before four judges.

The judges are Ayokunle Faji, Alexander Owoeye, Deinde Dipeolu, and Chukwujekwu Aneke.

The suspects were arraigned on separate charges bordering on alleged cybercrimes, cyberterrorism, impersonation, possession of documents containing false pretence and identity theft, among others.

The defendants are Zhang Hua Zhai; Chen Xin; Li Zhen Peng; Guo Long Long; Ren Jia Wen; Zhang Jian; Zhao Ying Bin; Yu Zi (a.k.a. Wei Xue Huan); Zhang Yang; Wang Zhi Chenge; Cherry De Leon (a.k.a. Yeah De Leon); Khurram Shanzad; Fernand Fu Fang (a.k.a. Kim); Tan Soon Kar; Rex Jose Dilag (a.k.a. Madison); Jamal Polea; Kamilu Jayne Gongzalez (a.k.a. Jam Galanza); Hannah Jaramillo (a.k.a. Max Deleon); Danica Manulit (a.k.a. Dan Ruiz); Vera Dela Cris (a.k.a. Nina Vera Gonzal); Joey Gracia; Beverlyn Gumayo Casino (a.k.a. Veb Sumayo); and Tricia Jenylyn Castro (a.k.a. T.J. Castrol).

Others are: An Hongxu; Shitou Shizilong; Pan Jiong; Wanq Jia Qi; Huang Xiao Liang; Guo Giang; Wen Zong Xu; Zhon Kun Li; Huang Ren Jian; Li Jin; Deng Wen Qiang; Lu Yi Liang; Pan Cai Yu; Peng Li Jain (a.k.a. Han Li Jaun); He Kun; Zhao Jin Rong; Lin Hao Bo; Chen Fusheng and Xiang Bing.

The EFCC was represented in court by L.P. Aso, M.K. Bashir, T.J. Banjo, M.S. Owede, B. Buhari-Bala, C.C. Okezie, H.U. Kofarnaisa, and Z.B. Atiku.

After the charges were read, all the defendants pleaded not guilty.

The prosecution counsel asked the court for trial dates and the remand of the suspects to the appropriate correctional centres.

The four judges ordered the remand of the defendants at Ikoyi and Kirikiri Correctional Centres.

Faji adjourned the trial to February 10, 11, 17, 18, 19, and 2025, while Dipeolu adjourned the case to February 7, 15, 21, 24, and 28, 2025.

Owoeye adjourned the trial to February 20, 21, 24, 28 and March 18, 2025, while Aneke adjourned the case to March 7 for trial.

Last Friday, the court remanded 11 Chinese nationals and a Filipino at the Ikoyi and Kirikiri correctional centres over the same offences.

The defendants were among the 792 suspects arrested in Lagos by the EFCC operatives in December 2024.

The arrest was the largest single-day operation against cryptocurrency and romance scam networks by the anti-corruption agency

The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has disclosed the quality of candidate that can remove President Bola Tinubu come 2027.

Primate Ayodele disclosed that the presidential candidate must be desperate, financially stable, unrighteous, fearless and rugged to unseat the president.

In a statement by his spokesman, Oluwatosin Osho, the clergyman alluded that the 2027 election will not be for lazy people but for those who know what they want and are ready to pursue it till the very end.

According to Ayodele: “If this cannot happen, I don’t see anyhow any party wants to defeat Tinubu, it will be totally impossible.

“The person that will win Tinubu must be financially stable, spiritually inclined, must be desperate, must not be righteous.

“The election will be for somebody who is ready for anything, fearless, rugged, entirely serious, someone who has past good records, ready to waste money too because all of these are what Tinubu has.

“The 2027 election isn’t for righteous people, the person who wants to win must be ready to face anything and must be ready to listen to God’s divine instructions at all times.

“It’s not for lazy people but very determined people. You must also be ready to accept lies and truth together. Tinubu is too strong to be pushed aside.”

A former governor of Oyo State, Rasidi Ladoja, has declared that he did not withdraw the case file of the assassination of a former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, late Chief Bola Ige, from court.

Ladoja who was Oyo State governor between 2003 and 2007, made this assertion while addressing DAILY POST and other journalists at his Ibadan residence on Monday.

DAILY POST reports that Bola Ige, a former governor of the old Oyo State, was assassinated in December 2001.

Our correspondent learnt that a former governor of Osun state, Chief Bisi Akande had earlier claimed that a former governor of the state, late Alhaji Lamidi Adesina instituted the case in court but it was withdrawn by Ladoja.

Akande, in a recent interview claimed that Ladoja has some hidden information about the death of the former minister.

But Ladoja, while speaking with journalists on Monday, insisted that he or anyone in his government did not withdraw the case file from court.

Ladoja asked Akande to apologise for making a false statement about him.

The former governor threatened to sue Akande if he (Akande) did not retract the statement.

Ladoja who doubled as the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland added that Akande made some false allegations against many personalities in his recently launched book.

“Chief Bola Ige was assassinated on December 23rd, 2001, I got to government on 29th of May, 2003 which was 18 months after the assassination of Chief Bola Ige.

“I did not withdraw the case, my government did not withdraw any case.

“The case was even prosecuted till the apex court. Chief Akande lied against me, this is not his first time. People said he lied, someone like Baba Adebanjo even said he lied in his book.

“We all are not happy as a result of Chief Bola Ige’s death, and we are all concerned about his death. I was very close to Chief Bola Ige while he was alive.”

The Police Service Commission, PSC, has said it has no constitutional powers to determine the appointment or removal of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP.

DAILY POST recalls that the Police Service Commission had last week directed all serving police officers who have served for 35 years, or attained the age of 60 years, to proceed on immediate retirement in line with existing laws.

Since the directive several public commentators have argued that the directives should also affect the tenure of the IGP

But Ikechukwu Ani, Head, Press and Public Relations of the PSC, in a statement on Monday, said, “By virtue of Paragraph 30, part 1 of the third schedule to the Constitution, and clause 6 (1) of the Police Service Commission (Establisment) Act, 2001, the Commission is charged with the responsibilities of appointment, promotion, dismissal and exercising disciplinary control over persons holding offices in the Nigeria Police Force (except the Inspector General of Police).

“The law is clear on the mandate of the Commission and it does not extend to the Inspector General of Police who is an appointee of Mr. President with the advice of the Police Council.

“The Commission at its 1st Extraordinary Meeting of the 6th Management Board on Friday 31st January 2025, only considered and took decision on the regularisation of date of First appointment of CADET ASPs/Inspector Force Entrants. This has nothing to do with the Inspector General of Police or his office.

“The Commission wishes to state that it is comfortable with the size of the powers which the Constitution has bestowed on it and is not interested in shopping for more powers that obviously are not backed by law.”

The Commission also noted that it has maintained a close and complementary working relationship with the Inspector General of Police in the overall interest of the Nigeria Police Force.

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s special adviser on energy, Olu Verheijen, has clarified her statement on the eminent 65 percent electricity tariff hike in Nigeria.

Verheijen made this clarification in a statement on Monday through her official X account.

This comes after the presidential aide barely 24 hours ago hinted that Nigerians should expect a fresh electricity tariff hike within months.

Her statement had sparked a reaction among Nigerians.

According to a former Nigerian senator from Kaduna State, Shehu Sani, the government must stop the ‘unconscionable tariff hike’.

This comes as Nigerians still grapple with the April 2024 over 200 percent electricity tariff hike.

Meanwhile, Verheijen in a fresh statement clarified that the country’s current tariff covers about 65 percent of the actual cost of supplying electricity.

According to her, the federal government is still paying N200 billion on electricity subsidies. She, however said, 25 percent wealthiest Nigerians receive the biggest share of electricity subsidies.

“I would like to clarify media reports suggesting an imminent 65 percent increase in electricity tariffs.

“What I actually said: Following the increase in Band A tariffs, Current tariffs now cover about 65 percent of the actual cost of supplying electricity, with the Federal Government continuing to subsidize the difference.

“The Federal Government is committed to fair electricity pricing, protecting vulnerable Nigerians, and expanding access to reliable power.

“Right now, N200 billion per month is spent on electricity subsidies but the wealthiest 25 percent of Nigerians receive the biggest share. To address this, we are working towards transitioning to a targeted subsidy system that ensures that low-income households receive the most support.

“Additionally, we are commencing the nationwide rollout of 7 million prepaid meters, under the Presidential Metering Initiative, beginning this year. This will finally put an end to the practice of estimated billing, giving consumers confidence in what they are paying for and ensuring transparency in electricity charges.

“Beyond that, we’re lowering energy costs by removing VAT and Customs Duties on cleaner fuel alternatives like Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)—offering Nigerians cheaper options for power.

“We understand the economic challenges facing Nigerians and remain committed to ensuring that power sector reforms deliver real benefits to Nigerian homes and businesses”, she stated

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday tendered more documents as evidence against social media celebrity Ismaila Mustapha, popularly known as Mompha, who is charged with six billion naira money laundering.

The case is before an Ikeja Special Offences Court.

Mustapha, who is still at large, is standing trial alongside his company, Ismalob Global Investment Ltd., on eight counts related to money laundering.

Musa Idi, the sixth prosecution witness, was led in evidence by EFCC Counsel Suleiman Suleiman.

Idi, in the continuation of his evidence-in-chief on Monday, tendered documents purportedly received from the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The Defence Counsel, Kolawole Salami, objected to the admissibility of the documents on the grounds that the documents, which originated from the US Department of Justice through the US Consulate office, were public documents and were not certified.

He argued that EFCC was not the maker of the documents and could not purportedly certify them.

In her ruling, Justice Mojisola Dada, however, admitted the documents as exhibits P8, P9, and P10 respectively.

The prosecution witness testified that Mompha admitted during the investigation that the wristwatches recovered by the anti-graft agency belonged to him.

“Even though he did not declare them in the Asset Declaration Form filled upon his arrest,” Musa said.

Under cross-examination by the defence, the witness confirmed to the court that Mompha was arrested in 2019 and was previously charged before the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, for money laundering-related offences, which are still pending before the court.

He told the court that the wristwatches were ordered to be released to the defendant by two separate orders of the Federal High Court, which EFCC had failed to comply with.

The witness said that the document referred to in count seven was obtained in the absence of Mompha, and that when he was confronted with the document during the investigation, he denied knowledge of it.

Idi admitted that no petition was received from Continental Diary Facility Southwest LLC in respect of Mompha and that it was the commission that had enquired from the company, resulting in a statement being made.

The court adjourned the case until March 13 for the continuation of the trial

Singer Naira Marley has shared his old conversation with actress Iyabo Ojo prior to Mohbad’s death.

This is coming some months after Iyabo Ojo publicly called out Naira Marley over the death of his signee, Mohbad.

She accused him of bullying the late singer to his death.

DAILY POST reports that Mohbad died on September 12, 2023, and buried the following day.

His body was later exhumed for autopsy by the Lagos State Police Command following public outcry over circumstances surrounding his death.

However, in a new development on Monday, Marley in a series of posts on his Instagram story, shared screenshots of his chat with the actress soliciting help from him.

In the chats from 2021 to 2022, Iyabo Ojo begged for Naira Marley’s presence at her movie premiere and at her late mother’s remembrance party.

The actress in another chat requested Naira Marley’s assistance to promote her adopted son who was a singer.

Naira Marley, however did not accompany the posts with any caption or comment.

The viral posts have generated diverse reactions on social media, with many questioning the singer about the relevance of the old conversation

Famous Nollywood actress Funke Akindele has stated that she used to borrow clothes from her colleague, Sikiratu Sindodo, to look classy on movie sets.

Funke made this known while narrating the challenges she faced before her breakthrough in the industry.

The actress, who is currently on vacation with Eniola Badmus and content creator Kamo in Ghana, revealed her decision to use her career challenges to encourage others.

In a viral video shared on her Snapchat, Akindele acknowledged the massive roles her colleagues, Sikiratu Sindodo and Iyabo Ojo, played in her rise.

Recounting her humble beginnings during a conversation with her best friend, Eniola Badmus, she said, “They didn’t give us any roles. One of those men, I just keep looking at him, but I won’t mention his name.

“I remember back then when I used to borrow dresses from Tayo Sindodo. Sindodo would help me choose nice ones from her tops if I was going to a movie set.

“There was a day when Sindodo saw me carrying a bag after I wasn’t given a role, and she went to meet Uncle Abbey to fight for me. Iyabo Ojo was lucky and very nice to us. Iyabo would say, ‘Don’t worry,’ and she would drive us around in her small red car. We found solace in one another. That’s how we became friends. Iyabo used to stand up and fight for me.”

Embattled American rapper, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has been rushed to the hospital from his prison cell.

The singer was secretly whisked out of his federal prison cell late at night on Thursday, to avoid any speculation.

Diddy who is currently locked up at the notorious Metropolitan Detention Center, is facing trial for numerous sex crimes.

According to DailyMail.com, the singer received an MRI at Brooklyn Hospital, following a knee injury. And was taken back to his cell after the conclusion of the MRI.

It was gathered that the injury was not from a jail altercation or fight but ‘just an old injury that was bothering him.’