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Court Sentences Togolese Cook to Life Imprisonment for killing Credit Switch Boss

Published

5 years ago

June 26, 2019

Eric

A Lagos State high court in Igbosere, on Tuesday, sentenced a Togolese, Sunday Anani, to life imprisonment for the murder of the CEO of Credit Switch Ltd, Ope Bademosi, who had employed him as a cook.

Mr Anani had only been in the employ of the deceased for three days when he committed the crime on October 31, 2018, at the Ikoyi residence of the deceased.

The judge, Mobolanle Okikiolu-Ighile, sentenced the accused after he changed his initial not guilty plea to a guilty plea.

He had entered into plea bargain with the prosecution to avoid being charged with an offence that carried the death sentence.

Through the plea bargain instituted through a letter dated May 20, the prosecution changed the original charge of murder and armed robbery to one of manslaughter.

Justice Okikiolu-Ighile, while sentencing the defendant, said ” it is annoying that a young man like this would involve himself in this kind of crime.

“What did he hope to achieve in life involving himself in this kind of crime, I ask? It is very painful that a young boy whom the family of Bademosi welcomed in their home as a cook ended up causing so much havoc and endless pain.

“It is even more painful that the defendant had no motive of working but came into the house with a criminal intention to steal to kill and to destroy.

“The defendant admitted ‘I killed him.’ This was an innocent and unsuspecting family.”

She also asked if the defendant had an allocutus to make to the court before his sentence was delivered. In response, his counsel, the Director of the Office of the Public Defender (OPD), Aderenra Adeyemi, urged the court to note that the defendant was a first time offender.

“The defendant is a young man and he is remorseful about what he has done. He is a first time offender, there is no evidence that he committed any crime before this. Our humble application is to urge your lordship to grant a sentence of years certain. However, if My Lordship is mindful of upholding what we have agreed in the plea bargain, we will accept the sentence therein.”

The prosecuting counsel, Titilayo Shitta-Bey, Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), however, opposed the prayer.

She said the nature of the crime is one that is gradually becoming a menace in the society and the judiciary has to send a strong signal and therefore maximum sentencing should be delivered.

“We urge this court to grant the maximum sentence for the offence of voluntary manslaughter act as charged.

“The defendant was employed into the home of his boss, entrusted with a high level of responsibilities as a cook.

“Barely three days after resumption of duty, the defendant cut short the life of a man that gave him a new lease of life, depriving him the privilege of enjoying life with his wife and children, which the deceased was entitled to.

“Judicial notice must be taken of the fact that this act of violence by domestic employees against their employers is becoming rampant. The sentence must reflect that this conduct is unacceptable to our society we must send the message to others of like minds like the defendant.”

After hearing from both parties, the judge held that “Sunday Adefonou Anani, defendant in this case, is hereby sentenced to life imprisonment. The term of imprisonment shall commence from today June 25, 2019.”

It will be recalled that the defendant fled the scene of the crime and was apprehended in Imo State and subsequently brought back to Lagos where he was charged with the offences of murder and armed robbery, contrary to Sections 223 and 297 (2) (b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 at an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court which remanded him on November 12, 2018.

On April 10, he was charged for Mr Bademosi’s murder at the High Court where he pleaded not guilty.
During the course of the short trial, the Lagos State Government told the court that Mr Anani, last October 31 at 3B, Onikoyi Lane, Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos, unlawfully killed Mr Bademosi by stabbing him with a knife on his chest.

The prosecution also called two witnesses which included the wife of the deceased, Ebunola Bademosi, who informed the court that she found her husband already dead in a pool of his own blood.

“I entered the apartment. By the time I got in, I looked up and saw blood flowing out of my husband’s bedroom. I couldn’t enter my husband’s bedroom because the door was only partially open, but I could see his body lying on the floor. I wasn’t sure of what could be happening inside the bedroom, so, I ran out of the building and started screaming, calling neighbours to help. A couple of people came. I told them to go up and check, that something was happening, that I didn’t know what exactly it was.”

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‘Osun is Proud of You’, Gov Adeleke Hails Davido at 32

Published

21 mins ago

November 24, 2024

Eric

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has congratulated his nephew and global music icon, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido on the occasion of his birthday, describing him as a superstar Osun State is proud of.

In a statement by his Spokesperson Mallam Olawale Rasheed, the Governor added that Davido’s consistency, energy and passion is evident in the result he has recorded not only in his music career but also in his life as a person.

Governor Adeleke furthered prayed for progress, more success and achievement for him while commending his continuous outreach to the orphanages and less privileged stating that it is a noble act every blessed hand in Nigeria must emulate.

He said, ” I want to rejoice with my nephew, David Adeleke Davido, on the occasion of his 32nd birthday, I am very happy we are all alive to witness it.

“Davido is a global super star that Osun state is very proud of. The consistency, energy and passion he has inserted into building his music career is evident in the result he has recorded not only in his career but also in his life as a person.

“I pray for him for progress, more success and achievement in long life, prosperity, sound health and mind.

“I equally want to commend his continuous outreach to the orphanages and less privileged. I must say that this is a noble act every blessed hand in Nigeria must emulate.

“Once again Happy Birthday to Davido”.

Featured

Glo Festival of Joy Promo: Security Trust Boss Wins Toyota Prado in Warri

Published

23 hours ago

November 23, 2024

Eric

Warri was agog with excitement on Thursday as the Board Chairman of Delta State Security Trust Fund, Mr. Daniel Mayuku, became the first winner of the much coveted Toyota Prado in Globacom’s Festival of Joy promotion.

Mr Mayuku was presented the keys to the prized asset at a ceremony held by the company on Thursday, November 21, at Gloworld, Delta Mall, Warri, by the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, and the Chairman of Uvwie Local Government Area, Chief Anthony Ofoni. Friends, admirers and other Glo subscribers joined in the celebration which turned into a carnival in the city with electrifying performances by Ema Dance Troupe.

An overjoyed Mayuku declared: “When I received the first call that I won a Prado in Glo Festival of Joy promo, I believed it was a scam and I immediately told the caller not to call me again. However, after few minutes, I started receiving calls from friends and I decided to call my friends in Glo and they confirmed it. I was in disbelief; I thought it was a scam. I jokingly asked for the car immediately and I was told to come to Glo office for verification and today the jeep has just been presented to me. Globacom is truly Nigerian, a network that delights its subscribers every year. They are still the best.

Other lucky winners also went home with tricycles (Keke), power generating sets, sewing machines and grinding machines. Ovueve Efejiro, a native of Ughelli, who won Keke, said, ”I just won Keke through Festival of Joy promo, I am very grateful to Glo. This Keke will help my family. My brother will use it for commercial purpose immediately”, while a generator winner Felix Gabriel thanked Globacom for always remembering Nigerians every year in its annual promos.

Speaking at the presentation, Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly Hon. Emomotimi Guwor who was the special guest, said “Globacom is a network that is known for giving. Over the years, many Nigerians have been empowered by Glo. The people of my constituency in Warri South West and entire Delta people are grateful to Glo. We will continue to use Glo and I also want to be part of the winners one day soon. So, I will ensure that my line is always on and ready. Kudos to Glo and our own Dr. Mike Adenuga. Please keep on empowering Nigerians.

Similarly, the Head of licensing and operation, National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Delta State office, Mrs Anwuli Efejuku, commended Globacom for the transparent nature of the promo. She said, “We witnessed the raffle draw few days ago here in Warri where it was conducted in the presence of everyone and today the winners that emerged have been presented their prizes. Congratulations to all the winners.

To participate in the Festival of Joy promo, new and existing subscribers should dial *611# to opt into the promo and to keep recharging. He added that new subscribers can participate immediately by purchasing a new SIM, registering it and dialing *611#.

“Customers are required to recharge up to N100, 000 cumulatively during the promo period to qualify for the draw for the Prado Jeep, N50, 000 cumulative recharge for Kia Picanto, N10, 000 in a month for tricycle and N5, 000 total recharge in a month to win a generator. For the sewing machine, a total recharge of N2, 500 in a month is required, while for grinding machine, a recharge of N500 in a day will be eligible for the draw. New subscribers can participate immediately by purchasing a new SIM, registering it and dialing *611#, Globacom explained.

Guests at the event included representative of Urhobo community in Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) Hon. Karo Goru Jonathan; Chairman Uvwie Local Government Area, Delta State, Chief Anthony Ofoni; representative of National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Delta State office, Mrs Anwuli Efejuku; representatives of the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, Chief Okieneni and Chief Emmanuel Eyela; President of of Igbudu Market Association, Warri, Chief Rume Kugberu and Nollywood actors, Ese Eriata and comedians Gordons and M.C. Forever.

The next prize-presentation exercise comes up in Lagos, where another set of Nigerians will go home with different prizes including another brand new Toyota Prado, Kia Picanto car, Keke and others.

Featured

Ozekhome Hails Goodluck Jonathan on 67th Birthday

Published

4 days ago

November 20, 2024

Eric

Leading human rights activist and constitutional lawyer, Prof Mike Ozekhome, has celebrated former President Goodluck Jonathan as he turns 67 today.

In a heroic-worded eulogy, the renowned author, who recently launched 50 books at once, praised the former president for his gigantic strides during his tenure, and for putting the nation above his personal interest in the aftermath of the 2015 general election.

Below is Ozekhome’s full statement:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY DEAR BROTHER AND GOOD FRIEND,DR GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN, GCFR

BY PROF MIKE OZEKHOME, SAN, CON, OFR.

GEJ, you are a true democrat in the truest sense of the word.More than 8 years after you left office, many Nigerians are still yearning for your kind of humane and purposeful leadership that shunned discrimination, tribalism, sectionalism, prebendalism and cronyism.

Nigeria surely prospered under you, overtaking South Africa as the biggest rebased economy in Africa and one of the fastest growing economies in the world. For the common man,life was good. You certainly made your mistakes, like us all humans and mortals. But your gargantuan pluses far outweigh your few minuses. God has indeed been very kind to you, raising you from a bootstrap state of nadir to the zenith of power as president of the biggest democracy in the black world. But you never allowed power to intoxicate or overwhelm you as an aphrodisiac.

You showed uncommon humility and selfless leadership- a servant leader. As a living icon phenomenon, you have exemplified the quintessence of the highest virtues and nobility of a good man. At a time Nigeria was on the precipice of collapsing under a looming electoral inferno in 2015, you placed the national interest above your personal interest by conceding defeat to then candidate Muhammadu Buhari, even when votes were still being counted. Your immortal words before that historic occasion to the effect that “My ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian” easily placed you in the pantheon of rare heroes. The words rekindled the genre of Abraham Lincoln’s imperishable words during his 18th November, 1863 Gettysburg declaration, that “Democracy is government of the people, for the people and by the people”. Your continuous shuttle diplomacy across the world with which you illuminate dark electoral crevices has proven you to be a world leader of respected pedigree.

Through you, Nigeria exports Democracy.

Happy birthday to an iconic and uncommon democrat.