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South African-Based Nigerian Activist Convicted  For Defamation

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On Tuesday, an Anambra State High Court in Nnewi sentenced Boniface Okonkwo, a South African activist, to 18 months in prison for defaming a businessman, Sir Emeka Offor.

The court, presided over by Justice Vincent Agbata, found Okonkwo guilty of uploading defamatory content on the “Oraifite WhatsApp platform,” referring to Offor’s meter manufacturing company as “empty warehouse.”

In his ruling, Agbata concluded that the evidence given was adequate to convict the defendant.

However, the judge allowed Okonkwo the option of paying a N500,000 fine.

Okonkwo was arrested in January 2024 and held following Offor’s allegation.

The prosecution submitted evidence, including a phone conversation purportedly made by the defendant in court that linked him to the defamatory post using the Truecaller app as “overheat.”

Justice Agbata stated unequivocally that Offor and Boniface are Oraifite residents and members of the same Oraifite WhatsApp group.

He further stated that it was typical for VIPs, including Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, to visit the Oraifite community for an event related to the subject matter in court.

The judge ruled that the trouble started when the defamatory article surfaced two days later.

He noted that Okonkwo had previously defended himself through his lawyers using explanation and fair comment, only to later reject the defamatory publication totally.

In response to the decision, defence counsel S.I. Okonkwo had mixed views, saying that while he was disappointed with the outcome, he was also relieved that the judge gave the option of a fine.

He said, “The defence did a good job because the prosecution case which my Lord failed to go into, the person who owns the radio station and the meter factory said to be defamed was not Emeka Offor, but corporate bodies mentioned by the director of the radio station.

“He did not narrow the issue as to whether the defendant is the maker of the alleged defamatory statement.

“But in any case, my Lord is an experienced Judge and he has given his judgment. We as lawyers have done our part and will decide on the next step to take.

“We will retire to our table and analyse the judgment. But certainly I am not satisfied about the judgment because I did not expect it. My only happiness is that even though he has convicted him, but he gave him option of fine.”

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Crime

New Terrorist Group Strikes Kebbi, kills 15  

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A sense of fear gripped Mera town in Kebbi State’s Augie Local Government Area after a brutal assault by a newly emerged terrorist group, known as Lakurawa, left at least 15 residents dead.

 

The attack, which occurred just before Jumuat prayers, marks the group’s first mass killing, as they typically limited their operations to cattle theft and demands for “Zakat” from locals.

 

Witnesses say the Lakurawa militants stormed Mera and seized over 100 cattle, triggering a desperate chase by local residents into nearby bushland.

 

This pursuit resulted in a fierce gun battle, in which 15 villagers and two militants were killed. Alhaji Bashir Isah Mera (Yariman Mera), a prominent community leader, confirmed the fatalities, noting that the group, thought to be hiding in Sokoto, had increasingly escalated its violent tactics.

 

Responding swiftly to the siege, Kebbi State Governor deployed soldiers equipped with gun trucks and armored vehicles. High-ranking officials, including the Commanding Officer of Dukku Barracks, state security services, and the police, mobilized forces to secure the town, and both the state’s Deputy Governor and the Emir of Argungu visited to console affected families.

 

In a separate offensive against terror in the Lake Chad region, the Nigerian Air Force’s Operation Hadin Kai reported eliminating 70 ISWAP fighters in targeted airstrikes.

 

The strikes reportedly dismantled insurgent camps in Borno State’s Marte Local Government Area, dealing a blow to ISWAP factions under the command of Usman Russia.

 

Meanwhile, Katsina State Governor Dikko Umaru Radda disclosed that intensified anti-banditry operations have led some bandit leaders to seek truce negotiations with his administration.

 

As his community watch corps continues its battle against insecurity, Radda emphasized his government’s commitment to reclaiming peace for terror-stricken communities.

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Crime

Man Gets 12 Strokes of Cane for Stealing Plastic Chairs

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A Chief Magistrates Court in Kaduna on Wednesday ordered that 24-year-old, Edward Williams should be lashed 12 strokes of cane for stealing 12 plastic chairs worth N224,000.

Williams, who resides in Ungwan Yelwa Television, Kaduna, was convicted after he pleaded guilty to criminal trespass and theft.

The Chief Magistrate, Ibrahim Emmanuel, sentenced the convict after he pleaded for leniency.

Emmanuel said the punishment would have been severe if he had not pleaded guilty, adding that the guilty plea had saved the court the pains of long prosecution.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Chidi Leo, told the court that the complainant, Sarah Nehemiah, of Sabon Tasha, Kaduna, reported the matter at the Sabon Police Station on October 29.

Leo told the court that at about 6:00 a.m., the convict burgled the complainant’s shop and stole 12 plastic chairs valued at N224,000.

According to him, the convict entered the shop through the ceiling and stole the chairs.

He said the convict, who was apprehended and handed over to the police by a security guard, admitted to committing the crime.

The prosecutor added that during the police investigations, the stolen plastic chairs were recovered from the convict.

The prosecutor said the offence contravene the provisions of the Penal Code of Kaduna State, 2017.

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Crime

Two-Year Old Raped, Killed in Bauchi

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The Bauchi Police Command has revealed that a two-year-old child was raped and killed in Bauchi, the state capital.

Ahmed Wakil, the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, said in a statement on Tuesday that the Ningi Police Divisional Headquarters received a report of a two-year-old baby’s motionless body discovered alongside a Mosque on Deneva Street in the Ningi Local Government Area, with suspected evidence of rape.

Wakil stated, “Upon receiving the report, detectives were dispatched to the scene, and the victim’s body was taken to the General Hospital Ningi, where a medical report confirmed that the baby had suffered severe injuries as a result of penetration, which led to her death.

“The state Commissioner of Police, Auwal Mohammed, has directed the Divisional Police Officer to make extra efforts to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

“He also called on parents and guardians to ensure the safety of their children, not to allow them to wander around the streets.”

The leadership also asked the public for any information that could help apprehend and prosecute the criminal(s).

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