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How CJMR Facilitated Release of Innocent Mother, Daughter Three Months After Incarceration

Published

1 year ago

June 8, 2025

Eric

After three long months of detention, Funmilola Shogunle and her 15-year-old daughter, Toyin, have finally regained their freedom following a legal battle that highlighted the struggles of a family caught in the web of poverty and desperation.

Funmilola, a labourer who fries gari (cassava) for a living, found herself at the centre of this distressing case when her 9-year-old son, Sunday, was caught stealing five chickens from a local poultry farm in Ogbenu Village, Kobape, Abeokuta, Ogun State. On that fateful day, driven by hunger and the dire circumstances of their lives, the young boy took the chickens from the farm. When the police were alerted, Sunday confessed that his mother had sent him. Consequently, Funmilola was arrested alongside her daughter, Toyin, with authorities suspecting that she had orchestrated the theft—a claim she vehemently denied.

Based on the boy’s confession, the legal system moved forward with charges against all three: Sunday, Funmilola, and Toyin. On March 13, 2025, they were charged in court. The court recognized Sunday’s age and released him, but the ordeal for Funmilola and Toyin continued as they were remanded in Ibara Maximum Custodial Centre, facing bail conditions of 500,000 naira each. The case was adjourned to May 27, 2025. Had it not been for the intervention of the Centre for Justice, Mercy, and Reconciliation (CJMR), they could have faced an additional year in detention before the court reached a decision.

On May 14, 2025, the CJMR team was in Abeokuta High Court to attend the judgment delivery of Korede Odubela, anticipating a favorable outcome. However, the judgment, which led to the freedom of his wife, Toyin Odubela, and four others accused of the murder of their daughter, ultimately resulted in the condemnation of the husband and one other person. During this time, the case of Funmilola Shogunle and her daughter drew the attention of the CJMR, particularly during a visit by the Deputy Controller of Correctional Services, DCC Sanni.

Although Funmilola and Toyin were awarded bail, they were unable to meet the bail conditions due to their dire financial situation. Compounding their struggles, our investigation revealed that Funmilola’s husband had been sick since January and was unable to walk. Surviving had become increasingly difficult, as the wife who used to provide for him was imprisoned, leaving the family in a precarious position. The CJMR visited the village and interviewed Sunday, who denied that his mother had sent him to steal the chickens.

Contact was made with the farm manager, Dr. Muhammad, who expressed disappointment over the situation, blaming the mother for indulging her son’s bad behavior. However, he also expressed the farm’s good intentions to sponsor the boy’s education while remaining open to reconciliation with Funmilola through the CJMR.

After a thorough investigation, the CJMR brought the matter to the attention of the Ogun State Attorney General and Honorable Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Oluwasina Ogungbade SAN, who intervened and facilitated the end of the trial.

On June 5, 2025, Funmilola Shogunle and her daughter were released unexpectedly. Their release marks a significant moment, not just for the family but for the community as well. It raises urgent questions about the intersection of justice, poverty, and compassion.

Mr. Shogunle has been sick since January. His son, Sunday Shogunle, is a 9-year-old boy who perpetrated the act of the stealing. Mrs. Funmilola Shogunle and her daughter, Tooyin, are also affected by this situation.

According to Pastor Hezekiah Olujobi, wealthy criminal individuals in society have the resources to hire and pay senior lawyers to prevent unlawful arrests and detentions, while poor people are routinely arrested and detained without trial.

Granting a bail with stringer condition that cannot be perfected to a poor man is eaqual to no bail.

As we reflect on this case, we must ask ourselves: **”What can we do as a society to ensure that families like the Shogunles are supported in their times of need, rather than punished for actions driven by desperation?”**

When you hear about injustice against someone in your community, what concrete steps do you take to address the injustice?

This question challenges us to consider how we can foster a more just and empathetic society, where understanding and support replace judgment and punishment, ensuring that no family is left to suffer alone. The Centre for Justice, Mercy, and Reconciliation is a grassroots organization focusing on human rights and access to justice for those who are wrongfully sentenced to death or detained in custody.

The world is full of problems. Think about how you can be a solution to one or two critical issues, and God will solve your own critical problems

There is an ongoing fundraising campaign on the Give to Africa Grassroots Champion Organization platform. Please visit our page and click the donation button to help support our cause.”

https://causes.2africa.org/campaigns/stand-up-for-justice-free-lives-amplify-their-voices

For more information, visit www.cjmr.com.ng
08030488093
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#charityFreedom at last: Mother and daughter released after 3 months of detention instead of 3 years

Featured

Certificate Forgery: Group Seeks Tinubu’s Disqualification from 2027 Election

Published

1 day ago

June 29, 2026

Eric

The Centre for Reform and Public Advocacy (CFRPA) has filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Kano seeking the disqualification of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the 2027 presidential election over allegations of certificate forgery.

‎According to court documents seen by Daily Trust, the plaintiff alleged that Tinubu presented forged academic certificates from Chicago State University and a fake National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the 2023 elections.

‎‎The suit, marked FHC/K/CS/312/2026, lists Tinubu, INEC, and Chicago State University as defendants.

‎The plaintiff contended that Tinubu never attended Government College Lagos as claimed, noting that the school was established in 1974, four years after Tinubu allegedly graduated.

The CSO further argued that Tinubu does not possess a valid secondary school certificate, which is the minimum constitutional requirement to contest for the presidency.

‎It claimed that INEC had failed to act on its petition dated June 19, 2026, demanding clarification on Tinubu’s eligibility.

‎‎In its statement of claims, the group referenced a 2023 U.S. court ruling in In Re: Application of Atiku Abubakar (No. 23 CV 05099), which compelled Chicago State University to release Tinubu’s academic records.

‎The plaintiff insisted those records revealed false entries and inconsistencies, including a forged University of Cambridge General Certificate of Education.

‎The prayers asked by the plaintiff included declaration of forgery against Tinubu’s Chicago State University certificate, issuance of an order directing INEC to disqualify him from the 2027 presidential election, directing CSU to strike Tinubu’s name from its records and perpetual injunction restraining INEC from uploading Tinubu’s name as a candidate.

‎The plaintiff also submitted affidavits of non-multiplicity of action, witness statements, and letters to the NYSC and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, demanding disclaimers on the alleged fake NYSC certificate.

Featured

Lagos Island Red Cross Holds Annual Thanksgiving Service

Published

2 days ago

June 28, 2026

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

The Lagos Island Division of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, has held its 2026 Annual Thanksgiving, to express gratitude for another year of provision of succor and comfort to as many that are in need.

The thanksgiving service, which was held at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos, on the last Sunday of June, was led by the Division Coordinator, Chief (Olori) Aderonke Elegushi.

Speaking to The Boss on the activities of the Island Division of the Red Cross over the years, Olori Elegushi noted that it has been a thing of joy to be at the forefront of releasing the milk of human kindness to as many that needs it, and when they need it.

Coordinator, Lagos Island Division Nigerian Red Cross Society, Chief (Olori) Aderonke Elegushi (m), Vice Coordinator Abimbola Adeshile (2nd left), Secretary Ajibola Adu (2md right) and Saheed Ayinde Yusuf (1st right)

“This is what I love to do, and this is what the Red Cross is all about; lending helping hand and spreading love across borders, especially here in Lagos Island.

“In everything, we won’t forget our Maker, the Almighty God, through whose power we are able to do the little and much we can do. That explains why we here today to give thanks as it’s a tradition every year,” Olori Elegushi said.

Olori Elegushi also noted that as an not for profit organization, the Society seeks support well-meaning Nigerians and Lagosians to come to their aid so that the gospel of continuous lending of helping hand to the needy will continue unabated.

“We also seek the support of well-meaning individuals, organizations, and the Church in our efforts to expand our humanitarian activities. With adequate funding and partnerships, we can organize first aid and health awareness programmes for public school students, train more volunteers, equip communities with emergency preparedness skills, and carry out outreach programmes that will positively impact lives across our society,” she concluded.

Olori Elegushi, who will soon join the octogenarian club, was accompanied at the thanksgiving event, by Vice Coordinator Abimbola Adeshile, Secretary Ajibola Adu, Saheed Ayinde Yusuf, and a host of other members, dressed in their sparkling white uniform.

The Red Cross Society is an international organizational saddled with the responsibility of providing healthcare services among other humanitarian services to the people of the world. The Society is domiciled in every part of the world.

Featured

Insecurity: Adeboye, Oyedepo Urge More US Military Action in Nigeria

Published

2 days ago

June 28, 2026

Eric

The General Overseer of Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, and Founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide, Bishop David Oyedepo, have thanked U.S. President Donald Trump for recent military action against terrorism in Nigeria, urging Washington to do more to halt the unrelenting attacks.

Both clerics spoke at the “Faith Heroes Award Gala” in Washington D.C. on June 26, 2026, organised by Save Nigeria Group USA, SNGUSA, with the US-Nigeria Civil Society Coalition.

The event honoured Trump, Congressmen Chris Smith and Riley Moore, and other advocates of religious freedom in Nigeria.

Addressing a packed audience of activists, policymakers and faith leaders at the Hilton Garden Inn, Capitol Hill, Adeboye said the scale of violence has moved beyond what any religious leader can handle alone.

“Terrorism is now at my doorstep,” he said. “If you want to help us, help us more.”

The RCCG leader, who had faced criticism for not speaking out earlier, said he chose “spiritual warfare” instead of public escalation. He noted that Trump’s December strikes on terrorist camps did not surprise him because the U.S. President had warned of consequences.