Popular Criminal Cases In Nigeria From Mid 2020 Till Date - Updates

Every now and then there are criminal cases that whip up a lot of emotions among Nigerians. They follow the case with keen interest for a while but the interest soon dies as media spotlight gradually fades from the story. Bolanle Akinlade returns the spotlight to some of the recent cases to which Nigerians are eager to find a closure.

 

The Suspension of Ogun State Commissioner For Environment From Office Over Allegation Of Sexsual Harassment.

The commissioner for environment in Ogun State, Southwest of Nigeria, Abiodun Abudu-Balogun was suspended by the Governor of Ogun State, over an allegation of sexual harassment which was levelled against him by a 16-year-old Secondary School Student, Barakat Melojuekun. Although the case had since been withdrawn by the victim's father on the grounds of misconception and misunderstanding, the Ogun State Police Command had gone ahead to submit the report of investigation on the allegation to the office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).

The political fate of Abudu-Balogun is yet to be determined, as the governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun is yet to make any further decision regarding his suspension. This is notwithstanding the pleas of notable political figures and dignitaries who have intervened in the matter by requesting that the suspended commissioner be reinstated to his former position, and more so since the said allegation has been dropped by the victim’s guardian.

#JusticeForUwa: The Murder Case Of Vera Uwaila OmozuwaOn the 27th of May, 2020, Miss Vera Uwaila Omozuwa's life was cut short while she was busy studying within a church premise situated close to her home in Benin-City, Edo State, Nigeria.

This gruesome event had sparked a lot of outrage from members of the public, who went all out to demand justice for the victim. Nigerians reaction to the unfortunate event and the intervention of many non-governmental organizations had prompted the Nigerian Police Force to be proactive in their investigation and following their investigation, six suspects have been arrested in connection the crime and they have been arraigned before Criminal Court One, High Court Benin.

At the preliminary hearing of the matter on the 26th of May, 2020, Counsel to the 5th Defendant filed an application for bail which was rejected by the preceding judge. The matter was eventually adjourned till the 9th of November, 2020 and referred to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for advice.

#JusticeForTina: The Death Of Tina Ezekwe
The heartbreaking case of this 17-year-old teenager is one like many others, who have been victims of police brutality in Nigeria. This common occurrence has been a major source of concern for many Nigerians, who fear that their lives may be carelessly cut short by a trigger-happy-armed police officer. This young lady was hit by a stray bullet on Tuesday, the 26th of May, 2020.

On the said day, shots were fired into the air with the aim of dispersing a crowd of people who had gathered around a police roadblock where a motorist, who had refused the "bribe sum" demanded by the policemen, was shot. The motorist was said to have been injured but luckily survived the incident. A stray bullet hit Ezekwe who was in her mom’s shop close by. The deceased was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital where she eventually died two days later. The death of this young lady generated quite a lot of public outcry to ensure that justice is served in favour of the victim’s family and the erring officers punished.

On the 29^th of May, 2020, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Hakeem Odumosu ordered a comprehensive investigation into the matter and following the investigation, two policemen: Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Theophilus Otobo and Inspector Oguntoba Olamigoke, were indicted in relation to the matter. It was revealed that the conduct of the two police officers fell short of professional standards and having ascertained that the officers erred in the matter, the Police Command stated that internal disciplinary proceeding has commenced against the two officers.

While the "ASP" has been served an official query in line with the provisions of the Public Service Rules, Inspector Oguntoba Olamigoke, on the other hand, is undergoing an Orderly-Room trial (in-house court trial) at the State Command Provost’s Office. The ASP will be appearing before the Force Disciplinary Board sitting in Abuja and their recommended punishments will be forwarded to the Police Service Commission for approval. Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police reiterated that as soon as the internal disciplinary proceedings is concluded and the culpability of the indicted officers established, they will be arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction for prosecution.

The Attempted Kidnap Case Of Tamuno Igbikiberesima.
Barrister Tamuno Igbikiberesima, a staff of the Nigerian National Petroleum Cooperation (NNPC) luckily escaped being kidnapped by two gunmen on the 17th of December, 2020. Interestingly, the victim narrated that he had the foresight to disarm the criminals and was subsequently able to apprehend them when they attempted to escape the scene of the crime.

The suspects, Godspower Saturday and David Simon were handed over to the police and later arraigned before a Chief Magistrate Court in Rivers State on seven charges. However, the magistrate before whom the matter was arraigned had declined to entertain the matter on the ground that the court lacked the jurisdiction to do so. The Magistrate, however, went on to refer the matter to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice. The matter was thereafter adjourned to the 24th of February, 2021  while awaiting the advice of the (DPP).

#ENDSARS: Governor, Central Bank Of Nigeria V. Bolatito Rachael Oduala & 19 Ors."
Following the renowned #ENDSARS protest, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) obtained an order by a motion “ex-parte” to freeze the bank accounts of 20 notable participants of the popular nationwide protest.

The motion was granted by the Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja for the accounts of the campaigners to be frozen for an initial period of 90 days, subject to renewal of the order.

This order of the court was to be in effect pending the outcome of an investigation being carried out by the “apex bank”, who had alleged that the defendants are suspected to be funding acts of terrorism via their bank accounts. The matter had been adjourned to the 4th of February, 2021.