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

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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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Happy 65th Birthday to Chief Dele Momodu; a Helper, a Mentor and a Great Nigerian

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By Issa Itopa Lucky

I have encountered a lot of people from all walks of life but one person that has so greatly impacted many from across many generations is Chief Dele Momodu, the Publisher of Ovation Magazine.

Chief Dele Momodu is a blessing to many generations of Nigerians. He is also a hero of Nigeria’s democracy. He is a philanthropist and a helper of many.

He does not discriminate. He gives everyone who encounters him, a sense of value hence giving each person the understanding that we are all important regardless of our various individual social statuses and different socio-cultural backgrounds in life.

He is an international export in terms of advocacy for good governance. His footprints are in Ghana’s democratic process over the years as much as they are in Nigeria as well.

All over the world, he is greatly celebrated as he is one of the few Nigerians promoting the good qualities of the Naija spirit for decades now.

His work rate is a record on its own and it is an inspiration to many upcoming generations as he is everywhere making impacts across all sectors of the economy.

On this 65th birthday of his, as one of those young people that have been privileged to be mentored by him, I wish him a happy birthday and I pray that God Almighty will continue to guide and protect him and to continue to increase him and prosper him as he is one of the few good men Nigeria has left; for with people like Chief Dele Momodu, there is still hope that Nigeria will be great someday in our lifetime. Amen.

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Osun PDP Hails Gov Adeleke on 65th Birthday

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The Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has felicitated with the governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, as he celebrates his 65th birthday.

In a statement signed by the party’s chairman, Hon Sunday Bisi, the party described the governor as man committed to people’s well-being while wishing him a happy birthday, and praying God to bless him with more strength, wisdom, and good health.

The statement in full:

The ruling Peoples Democratic Party in Osun State, heartily felicitates with our dynamic, people-loving Governor, His Excellency, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, on the joyous occasion of his 65th birthday.

Today, we join the good people of Osun State, associates and well-wishers across Nigeria and beyond to celebrate a quintessential leader, whose passion, humility, and commitment to the wellbeing of the masses have become his pathway for progressive governance.

Your Excellency, under your visionary and compassionate leadership, Osun State has witnessed a remarkable transformation. From infrastructural rejuvenation to civil service reform, from youth empowerment to agricultural revitalization, your administration has continued to deliver dividends of democracy with transparency and accountability. You have not only restored dignity to governance in Osun State but have also rekindled the confidence of the people in the essence of good governance and democratic ideals.

Our dear leader sir, we commend your infectious energy, open-door policy, and dedication to grassroots development. Your simplicity, accessibility, and hands-on approach to governance reflect the very premise of the PDP as a people-first service platform, basically for the common good of the people.

Your exemplary efforts in building bridges across political and religious divides further stand you out as a unifying figure and a statesman of repute.

Today, we celebrate not just your birthday, but the enduring values you represent; integrity, empathy, and resilience.

As a party, we remain proud of your achievements and we are absolutely confident in your continued ability to steer the ship of Osun State toward greater heights.

On this special day, we pray that Almighty God continues to bless you with strength, wisdom, and good health. May your days be long, your reign be prosperous, and your legacy be eternal.

Happy birthday sir, the People’s Governor, consistent joy giver and a great emblem of good governance.

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Glo Foundation Celebrates Lagos Sanitation Workers

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Sweepers across Lagos State on Saturday took time off the streets to be celebrated by Glo Foundation, the social responsibility arm of Globacom. It partnered their employers, Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) to host a special day to celebrate those who keep the streets of the state clean.

Hundreds of sweepers from all local governments and LCDAs in the state participated in the event, which was held at LAWMA’s Ijora Olopa Head Office in Lagos. Thanks to Globacom, the sweepers, who are often overlooked by society despite their demanding responsibilities, became the event’s main attraction as they danced and took part in a number of entertaining activities, such as games and prize draws.

Speaking at the event, Jumobi Mofe-Damijo, the head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Globacom, said that the organization had chosen to honour the cleaners with a Rest and Relaxation event as a way of showing appreciation for the vital work they do every day, which often puts their lives in danger on the state’s highways. She added that the Glo Foundation’s efforts would also expand to other states in various forms of intervention.

Said she: “We recognize the important and thankless jobs that you do all over the state in ensuring that our roads and streets are clean every day. We recognize the hazards you face from drivers who don’t appreciate you and are at times impatient while you are by the roadside sweeping. It is the reason why we are here today to let you know how much we value you and your huge contributions to keeping Lagos clean on a continuous basis”.

She also disclosed that empowerment and skills acquisition programmes would be held for the sweepers in the following months. They include Fashion Skills (Fashion Design, jewelry making, Fabric Embellishment & Beading); Baking skills: (Basic cake and decoration, Fried and baked pastry, Bread making, soft skills and Entrepreneurship class); Digital Skills (Digital marketing, social media management, and e-commerce).

LAWMA’s Managing Director, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, was full of admiration for Globacom’s offer to create a day to honor sweepers around the state. He also said the agency is pleased with the telecommunications company’s partnerships which he believed would encourage and motivate the sweepers to do even more.

He urged other corporate entities to follow Globacom’s example and reaffirmed the significance of the sweepers’ work in promoting the health and welfare of the populace.

Some of the sweepers thanked Globacom and the LAWMA Management for the chance to relax with their coworkers and for Glo’s exceptional gesture of appreciation to them. Lagos-born Rejoice Aniekwe Ifeoma revealed that working with LAWMA has given her the chance to better herself and establish a second source of income to support herself. Ifeoma, who is presently undergoing computer literacy training, stated that she spends her leisure time selling Tigernut and Zobo beverages. She was grateful to Globacom for providing this chance for leisure.

Another sweeper, Awolaja Esther, an Ikorodu resident, revealed that she has been employed by LAWMA for almost 15 years, using the position to establish an additional revenue stream in Ikorodu. She is training two undergraduates at the moment. She commended Globacom for organizing a day to honor and recognize her and her coworkers.

As part of the fun and excitement created exclusively for the sweepers, Globacom also held a lucky dip to give out various items including sewing machine, Inverter Microwave oven and grinding machine to some of the sweepers.

Madam Dorcas Adeniji, a resident of Oshodi in Lagos, won the grinding machine. She could hardly contain her joy as she danced after receiving the item. Mrs Adewusi Bisola, who resides in Alakuko in Agbado Oke Odo LCDA, won an Inverter Microwave oven. Her friends almost mobbed her when she came out to receive her prize. Another winner, Ige Sadatu, who won a sewing machine, thanked Globacom for the gift she was taking home.

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