News
Labourer bags life jail for murder

A Lagos High Court sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square, TBS, on Tuesday sentenced a 32-year-old labourer, Philip Ikechi, to life jail for committing murder.
Our correspondents reported that the Lagos State Government in 2015 charged Ikechi before the court on a two-count charge of murder and causing bodily harm.
He had pleaded not guilty.
The prosecution called five witnesses in the case.
Justice Modupe Nicol-Clay the court judge held in her judgment that prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
According to her: “To prove the guilt of the defendant in the instant case, the prosecution called five witnesses who gave accounts of facts and synopsis of events that led to the death of the deceased, Mr Puadebi Yaige.“
The First Prosecution Witness (PW1) stated that he was the one that carried the corpse of the deceased to his father’s house.
“PW2 testified that on April 13, 2014, the defendant (convict) visited his friend Abu. While the defendant was there, he fought with his brother and threatened to kill everybody.
“PW3 testified that on April 14, 2014, he was at Pako Bridge with the deceased (Puadbei Yaige) when the defendant and his gang, armed with knives, cutlasses and woods, attacked people.
“PW3 stated that he and the deceased sighted the defendant leading the gang toward them and decided to wait since the defendant was their friend,” the judge said.
She added that PW3 testified that the defendant ordered the gang to stab and kill anybody, and in the process, PW3 (Taofeek Aremu) was stabbed on the back.
“PW3 stated that the deceased shouted and begged the defendant not to allow his gang to hurt him.
“PW3 stated that the defendant did not listen, and in the process, the deceased was injured and killed.
“To establish the guilt of a defendant, the prosecution may rely on any of the following ways: confessional statement of the defendant, direct eye witness’ account of a witness(es) and circumstantial evidence.
“It is trite law that when an accused person is present at the scene of a crime, the plea of alibi fails.”
She held that evidence before the court established that the defendant was at the scene of the crime.
“The prosecution was able to prove its case beyond every reasonable doubt.
“I find the defendant guilty of the offence, and he is accordingly convicted.
“The convict is hereby sentenced to life imprisonment,” the judge held.
Earlier, prosecutor counsel, Yusuf Sule, told the court that the convict alongside his gang members murdered Yaige by stabbing him with a knife.
He also said that the convict caused bodily harm on Taofeek Aremu, by striking him with a machete.
According to the prosecutor, Ikechi, and others at large committed the offences at 8.30 p.m. on April 14, 2014, on Plank Bridge in Kemberi Town, Okokomaiko area of Lagos State.
He noted that murder contravened Section 221 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, while causing bodily harm breached Section 171 of the same law.
NAN
Headlines
Tinubu arrives Katsina to receive Buhari’s body for burial

President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday arrived in Katsina to receive the remains of the former President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away in London on Sunday at the age of 82.
Headlines
“He Never Turned His Back on the Needy” — Tributes Pour In Ahead of Buhari’s Burial

Just hours before the burial of former President Muhammadu Buhari, heartfelt tributes have continued to pour in from beneficiaries of his many charitable deeds, with many describing him as a man who never turned his back on the needy.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday, Aminu Daura, a respected community elder, recalled how Buhari consistently provided foodstuffs during Ramadan for families, friends, widows, and orphans in his hometown.
“He never made noise about it, but many homes had food on their tables during fasting period because of him,” Daura said.
Abdullahi Sani, a physically-challenged man who received a tricycle from the Buhari Foundation in 2021, was overcome with emotion while speaking to NAN.
“I can move around and feed my family today because of Baba Buhari. I pray to Allah to reward him for giving hope to people like me,” he said, in tears.
Hajiya Fatima Yahaya, another resident, remembered Buhari’s acts of kindness during festive seasons.
“Even after he left office, his aides ensured that the usual support still reached us every year. He always remember his people,” she said, referring to his distribution of Sallah rams and food items to indigent families during Eid celebrations.
Other residents of Daura also shared memories of how the late former president quietly paid school fees and medical bills for struggling families, actions rarely publicized.
“Some of us benefited from his silent interventions. He was a true father and a great figure in the society,” said Ali Saidu.
On Monday night, Imams across various mosques in Daura held special Qur’anic recitations, praying for the forgiveness of Buhari’s sins and his eternal peace.
The Chief Imam of Daura Central Mosque, Sheikh Musa Kofar Barau, described Buhari as a humble leader whose legacy of service and compassion would remain alive in the hearts of the people.
Buhari is scheduled to be buried later on Tuesday in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State, in line with Islamic rites. The community is bracing to welcome thousands of mourners from across Nigeria and beyond.
Headlines
King Mohammed VI Mourns Buhari, Praises Legacy of Nigeria’s Former Leader

His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco has extended heartfelt condolences to President Bola Tinubu, the family of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, and the entire Nigerian people following Buhari’s death.
In a message of sympathy, the Moroccan monarch described the passing of the former Nigerian leader as a “sad occurrence,” expressing deep sorrow over the loss.
King Mohammed VI hailed Buhari as “an illustrious leader who worked untiringly to serve his country’s best interests and lead his people toward further progress and prosperity.”
He added: “Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the bereaved. I share your grief and want you to know how much I appreciated the working sessions I had with the deceased.”
Reflecting on their bilateral engagements, the king noted that his collaboration with Buhari led to the launch of promising development projects, “ushering a new era grounded in friendship and close cooperation between our two sister nations.”
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