The Lagos State Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court in Ikeja, on Monday, sentenced a security guard, David Jackson, 72, to life imprisonment for defiling a 7-year-old girl.

Justice Abiola Soladoye sentenced Jackson to life imprisonment and held that the prosecution had proved the three ingredients of defilement against the convict.

Delivering her judgment, Soladoye held that the survivor was 7 years old at the time of the incident and during her testimony identified Jackson, a gateman in one of the houses on her street, as her abuser.

“The testimony of the survivor was clear, consistent and coherent under cross-examination.

“The second prosecution witness was a teacher who identified that the survivor was her student.

“She testified that one of the survivor’s classmates had reported to her that the survivor was not feeling well and she was walking in a funny way.

“The teacher, in her evidence, said that she made an inquiry and discovered that the survivor was complaining of pains in her private part and that someone had sexually assaulted her,” the judge said.

Sholadoye also held that the testimony of the survivor’s father was credible and was also corroborated by the evidence of the other two prosecution witnesses.

She said that attempts by the convict to deny the charge did not hold water.

“The defendant is consequently found guilty as charged for defilement of a 7-year-old child contrary to Section 137 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2015 and he is hereby sentenced to life imprisonment,” Soladoye said.

(NAN)

The Nigeria Police Force, National Cybercrime Centre, said it has arrested a Nigerian prankster, in Abuja over threatening video pranks.

A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi on Thursday in Abuja, said that the prankster was arrested at an apartment in the Wuye area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

According to him, the arrest followed the circulation of accusatory videos on social media, in which the suspect was alleged to have committed heinous crimes, including rape.

The police spokesman said the videos had caused significant apprehension among social media users.

He said the suspect had claimed that the videos were scripted and that it was part of his attempt to regain the spotlight after a break.

“Regardless, such actions have serious implications and cannot be taken lightly,” the force PRO said.

Adejobi said that the Nigeria Police Force had remained committed to maintaining public safety and ensuring that individuals were held accountable for actions that incite fear or disturb public peace.

He therefore warned pranksters and content creators to be law-abiding and be conscious of pranks that could pose threats to the public and jeopardise the general security of the nation.

The police spokesman further urged the public to remain calm as the Nigeria Police Force proceeds with the necessary legal actions in the case.

(NAN)

Man arraigned for allegedly stealing clothes worth N950, 000

A 28-year-old man Michael Williams, was arraigned on Wednesday before a Kaduna Chief Magistrates’ Court over alleged theft of clothes, other valuables worth N950,000.

The accused, whose house address was not provided, is facing charges of conspiracy and stealing to which he pleaded not guilty.

The Prosecutor, Insp. Chidi Leo told the court that the accused with others still at large committed the offences at Sabon Tasha area of Kaduna on June 29.

Leo alleged that the accused and his accomplices stole clothes, shoes and other valuable items worth N950, 000 belonging to the complainant, one Chibuzo Nnmadi, from his shop.

The prosecutor said that the accused was caught by the vigilance group while climbing down the roof of the shop with the stolen items while his accomplices ran away.

He said the offences contravened Sections 411 and 217 of the Penal Code of Kaduna State, 2017.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 217 prescribes a three-year jail term for any convict.

The Magistrate, Ibrahim Emmanuel, granted the trio bail in the sum of N100, 000 with two sureties each in like sum and adjourned the case until July 31 for hearing.

(NAN)