No plans for compensation over bad fuel, it’s not first time, Minister tells vehicle owners

The Nigerian government has initiated a thorough investigation into the circumstances behind the distribution of adulterated petrol in the country.

Timipre Sylva, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, made the announcement following the Federal Executive Council meeting on Wednesday while receiving questions from State House media.

The minister also said matters over damaged vehicles as a result of the “unusual” incident would also be taken into consideration in dealing with the situation but there were no conclusive plans yet on compensation.

When asked about those responsible for the importation of the adulterated fuel, the minister said: “The issue did not come up in council, but of course, you will recall I was here yesterday (Tuesday) to brief Mr President on the issue. I’m not in a position to disclose the identities of the companies, but there are some issues and we are actively tackling them.

Nobody has, before now, checked for methanol in our fuel, it’s not very usual and this is the first time this is happening and NNPC is very much up to the task. I will also convey your question to NNPC and maybe the Midstream and Downstream Regulatory Authority, but we’re actively handling it and I want to assure you that the problem will be a thing of the past very soon.”

On compensation for Nigerians Sylva said: “I didn’t expect you to rush to any conclusions, there will be a major investigation to unravel everything and then let’s really get to the bottom of it before we can come back and tell you what is going to happen to the culprits.

“We know that some people’s vehicles must have also been damaged, that is also going to be taken into consideration in dealing with the situation,” he added.

HURIWA challenges Jaruma to show evidence, license from govt to sell ‘Kayan Mata’

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has challenged a popular sex therapist, Hauwa Sa’idu Mohammed, popularly known as Jaruma, to provide evidence regarding approval of her local aphrodisiac, known as ‘Kayanmata’ from Nigerian regulatory agencies.

This was contained in an open letter written to Jaruma, signed by the HURIWA National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko on Wednesday.

According to the body, the popular s3x therapist has successfully hoodwinked young women with the belief that ‘Kayan Mata’ can help them trap sugar daddies.

“Can you please contradict this allegation with empirical evidence and science-based license from the Nigerian Government?

“There are allegations on the use of voodoo and ‘Juju’ dark magic, alongside these products in order for your clients to successfully trap men and do their bidding after sexual encounters. If these are just mere allegations, why then is there a popular belief that your products can help young girls catch rich sugar Daddies?

“You have also portrayed that your ‘Kayan Mata’, which literally means a woman’s property, is said to enhance love and intimacy and even make women receive expensive gifts from men out of inducement – is this not tantamount to love scam and false pretenses punishable in Nigeria, under Section 419 of the Criminal Code, which states:

Any person who by any false pretense, and with intent to defraud, obtains from any other person anything capable of being stolen, or induces any other person to deliver to any person anything capable of being stolen, is guilty of a felony, and is liable to imprisonment for three years?”

More so, your clients are alleged to be ladies seeking to win the hearts of wealthy married men, thereby encouraging the act of adultery. Adultery is a criminal offence under the Penal Code of Northern Nigeria. Section 387 and 388 stipulate imprisonment for two years, and/or with a fine for adultery.

“Although, adultery is not prosecuted under the Criminal Code, it provides for redress if a spouse can prove that adultery occurred. For instance, section 15(2)(b) of the Matrimonial Causes Act states that: “ The court hearing a petition for a decree of dissolution of a marriage shall hold the marriage to have broken down irretrievably if the respondent has committed adultery and the petitioner finds it intolerable to live with the respondent”

Again, we are not aware of any approval from NAFDAC, as such selling of unlicensed and unauthorized love portion, which suspectedly did not undergo evaluation and/or approval by the National or Regional Regulatory Authority for the market in which they are marketed/distributed or used, subject to permitted conditions under national or regional regulation and legislation is a crime and punishable or are your products accredited?

“Therefore, we are giving you 72 hours from the date of this publication to go to the media and repudiate the alleged efficacy of your products with an apology to the men and women you have allegedly induced with your alleged unlicensed and unauthorized love portions, which has infringed on their rights accordingly. Failure to do so, we may very likely take legal steps to force relevant Agencies of the Government to rise up and do their duty,” the letter reads.

ASUU slams Osinbajo’s comment he got N620 salary as university lecturer

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) yesterday replied a comment by the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo that he collected N620 as a lecturer II when he started teaching in the University of Lagos in 1981.

In a post released on the Union’s Facebook page yesterday, the Union argued that the Vice President’s mention of his salary in 1981 had no relevance to the unjust treatment of university lecturers today.

Recall that at the 53rd Annual Conference of the Association of the Nigerian Law Teachers held in Kano State on Tuesday, the Vice President hinted at how fast life had changed for Nigerians.

He said, “I started teaching in the University of Lagos in 1981 as Lecturer II, and my salary at the time was N620. This clearly shows that the importance of law teachers in the life of the nation”

While giving some mathematical analysis of the Vice President’s N620 and the salaries paid to University lecturers, the Union noted that his salary was heavier than the meagre amount received by University lecturers in the country today.

“In 1981, 0.62 Naira is $1 (official rate was actually 61 Kobo). Therefore, N620 is worth 620 × 1/ 0.62 equals $1,000

“Convert $1,000 to naira at today’s exchange rate of about 575 (BDC) equals to 1000 × 575 which gives N575,000 per month

“If you use present official rate of 420 naira, you have N420,000 per month

“Now, this is practical demonstration of how poorer lecturers have become in today’s Nigeria. Which University pays a junior lecturer (between N420,000 to 575,000) per month? Even Professors at the bar now earn less than N500,000 whereas in 1981 such got a modern equivalent of not less than N200,000 monthly”.

Ogun reads riot act to religious organizations over noise pollution

Ogun state government has read the riot act to religious organizations and relaxation centres in the state over noise pollution.

On Tuesday, the state ministry of environment took a tour to the Sango Otta area and its environs, warning religious houses and relaxation centres to desist from any act that could cause noise pollution in their areas of operation.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Environment, Hon. Farouk Akintunde, who led the tour maintained that the state government would not condone infringements on the rights of citizens, stating that every religious house must operate in compliance with the laws of the state.

He enjoined residents to lodge complaints of noise pollution to the Ministry promising a swift response to such complaints.

“Religious organisations within residential areas should maintain 60-degree decibel noise level during the day and 40-degree decibel at night, organisation that defiles this rule will be prosecuted accordingly”, he warned.

Akintunde while addressing the founder of a church who had been served an abatement notice on the ground of noise pollution, pointed out that noise pollution could cause high blood pressure, hearing loss, mental health disorder and deprive residents of sound sleep, among others.

Catholic Church suspends Lagos priest for banning Igbo choruses in his parish

The Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos has suspended a priest of the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Rev. Fr. James Anelu, for banning Igbo songs and choruses in his parish.

This was made know in a disclaimer released by the Archibishop of Lagos, Alfred Adewale Martins, yesterday, where the priest was directed to proceed on “an indefinite leave of absence”.

Part of the disclaimer reads, “It has been brought to our notice that Rev. Fr. James Anelu, the Priest-in-Charge of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Ewu-Owa, Ikorodu, made some completely unacceptable comments about Igbo songs being sung in the Church and unsavory remarks that do no represent the Catholic Church’s position on common brotherhood of people of all tribes and religions.

For this reason he has been asked to proceed on an indefinite leave of absence to give an opportunity for a thorough investigation of all the matters arising from his ministry in the parish. The leave of absence takes effect from Tuesday, 8th February, 2022 till further notice.”

The Archbishop’s Secretary, Revd Fr. Paul Ariole, told Ripples Nigeria, in a phone conversation that the suspended priest was reported to have lashed at the Ndigbo for their songs, accusing them of dominating his Catholic parish.

The deed has been done and necessary action taken. Everything is in the public. I am not in the best position to tell you what the comments look like or speak on behalf of the Archibishop. The disclaimer has been published and thorough investigation on the matter continues”.

Another member, who pleaded anonymity, said that only the Archibishop of Lagos has the right to tell the public the nature of the comments attributed to the suspended priest.

“It was reported that the priest did ban Igbo songs and disallow the display of the Ndigbo culture in his parish as reflected in their songs. The disclaimer contains all the public needs to know about the incident”.

EFCC confirms release of VON chief, Okechukwu

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Saturday confirmed the release of the Director-General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), Osita Okechukwu, who was detained by the commission over alleged fraud.

The EFCC Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, told journalists in Abuja that Okechukwu was released on January 31.

The commission detained the VON chief on January 29 over alleged conspiracy, abuse of office, and misappropriation of public funds.

Okechukwu was detained by the EFCC after he honoured the commission’s invitation.

He was questioned by the anti-graft agency and later released on bail.

Nigerian Catholic priest accuses preachers of faking miracles on tv

Kelvin Ugwu, a Malawi-based Nigerian Catholic priest in a Facebook post has accused majority of preachers of staging their miracles.

According to the Catholic priest, several Nigerian preachers deploy psychological manipulations to influence their onlookers.

He wrote on his Facebook page;

“1. It is a sign that the minister is fake when he is being advertised ahead of a church program as a healer. Anyone who truly has the gift of healing does not make noise about it and won’t be comfortable when it is used for an advert to pull a crowd or to make him or her famous.

2. The “testimonies” you read at the back of a church flyer whenever they want to advertise a crusade or a program are often half-truths and concocted lies. Someone will tell you how she has been barren for 10 years and miraculously conceived and gave birth to twins after the “man of God” laid hands on her stomach, yet, just a little investigation into the case and you will discover that the woman did IVF. Why was that part of the story hidden?

His post reads further;

“3. Almost all the so-called miracles you see on TV or crusades are staged. Some are more of psychological manipulations than a miracle.

4. In the Catholic Church, for anything to pass as a TRUE miracle, it must be open to a third-party investigation. The third-party must be an independent person who plays the devil’s advocate.”

In the concluding part of his post, the Catholic priest mentioned that people should not simply be fascinated by the performance that unraveled before them on their screens.

His concluding paragraph reads;

“5. You do not claim that a miracle has happened because someone stood up from a wheelchair in your “Three-day power-packed Miracle Signs and Wonders Revival with the anointed Prophet Dr. Evang Tom-Tom Chewing-gum.”

The ordinary questions should be:

Who is the person?

Where is the person coming from?

What is the medical condition as presented by a doctor?

Has it been concluded by experts and did they do a proper diagnosis prior to the miracle that it will be medically impossible for the person to walk again?

Asking those questions does not make you an unbeliever. Our faith is what St Anselm describe as Fides quaerens intellectum (faith seeking understanding).”

Lassa fever kills 40 in Nigeria

Lassa fever killed 40 people in Nigeria in the first four weeks of 2022, the country’s Centre for Disease Control said on Friday.

In its Lassa fever situational report for week four, the NCDC said 42 new cases and six new deaths were recorded for the week. The new cases were reported in Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Enugu and Delta States.

The centre disclosed that the number of deaths recorded from the first to last week was 40, with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 19 percent.

The fever has been reported in 14 states and 43 local government areas in the country.

According to the report, Ondo State topped the list with 30 percent of all confirmed cases followed by Edo and Bauchi with 27 percent and 25 percent respectively.

The NCDC said 229 suspected cases were reported in the week under review, adding that the worst-hit were people between ages 21 and 30 years.

Bandits reportedly kill 11 in Kaduna communities

Bandits reportedly killed 11 people in Kagoro and other neighbouring communities in Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna on Thursday.

An unspecified number of people were injured in the attack.

Residents told journalists on Friday, the hoodlums stormed the area at about 6:00 p.m. with dangerous weapons and started shooting in various directions.

They also set fire on buildings and took away food items from the communities.

Police stops woman from jumping into Lagos lagoon

Men of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) on Thursday stopped a young woman from committing suicide in Lagos.

The police operatives who were on a routine patrol of the Third Mainland Bridge when a dispatch rider drew their attention to a lady standing close to the bridge railing at Iyana Oworo area of the state.

She was about to jump into the lagoon when the policemen restrained her.

On inquiry, the lady told the security agents she wanted to commit suicide because of punishment at home.

She said: “I was beaten at home, that is why I ran away to commit suicide.”

The lady was later taken to a police station in the area where efforts were made to contact her family.

Exited Npower beneficiaries lament, say Nigerian govt making money off them

Exited Npower beneficiaries are unhappy with the method with which the Federal Government is handling the selection, confirmation and commencement of the NEXIT training.

With two days to go before the February 4, 2022 deadline issued to exited Npower beneficiaries to confirm their selection and availability for the training, many have trooped to various Npower pages to lay complaints.

Ripples Nigeria had previously reported that the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Nneka Anibeze, disclosed beneficiaries should dial *45665# on or before Friday 4th February.

However, many beneficiaries said they’ve been receiving error messages or unable to access the need information after dialling the USSD code which is meant to be done in two steps.

This has raised speculations about the purpose of the USSD code, as regardless of the message received, the exited Npower beneficiaries were charged N30 for usage.

There are about 500,000 previous Npower beneficiaries from batch A and B who were selected in 2016 and 2017 respectively, and exited simultaneously in 2020.

Ripples Nigeria findings showed that if all the NEXIT training hopefuls dialled the code, it means about N15 million was made from the exited Npower beneficiaries who dialled the USSD code one-time.

This prompted Npower beneficiaries to question if the government is using them to make money ahead of the NEXIT training.

According to one of the commenters, Abdullahi Abdulsalam, who posted on NEXIT Discussion Forum, on Wednesday, he said, “NPOWER management will send emails and SMS to all successful shortlisted NEXIT applicants as at when it’s appropriate to do so.

“They only introduce the USSD CODE to make as much money as they could, so irrespective of whether you dial the code or not you will be notified via email or sms if you have been shortlisted for NEXIT batch 1 training program.

“You could recalled that the ussd code *45665# was first introduced prior to the commencement of the Npower batch C stream 1 program where batch C beneficiaries were asked to dial the same code to check their status and that did not stop Npower from contacting them through emails and sms.” Abdulsalam wrote.

Abdulsalami laments, says war front everywhere, security forces overstretched

Former Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar, has called for the cooperation of all Nigerians in ridding the country of criminal elements.

Abdulsalami, who stated this while speaking during the 38th Founders Day and 30th convocation ceremony of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State, affirmed that security forces were overstretched.

He called on youths to eschew being used to foment violence.

Abdulsalami said: “We are facing a very hard time security-wise, where the war front is everywhere and this is a war without any morality. The old and the young are slaughtered without cause.

Indeed, our security forces are overstretched. So it is left to all of us to join hands in making sure that we provide information where possible so that these insurgents could be chased out of our country.

“Avoid making our children, grandchildren as vanguards. Avoid abusing them and making them do what we know is wrong.

“For the youths, please avoid being used to be fronts of disharmony and violence in the country.”

Three childhood friends celebrate their 15-year-long friendship

Three young men who have been friends since their childhood have celebrated their bond with some before and after photos.

The childhood friends were members of Boys Brigade back in the days and 15 years later they are still very close buddies.

One of them known on Twitter as Uncle Sarm shared photos from the primary school days where they were in uniform and each holding Children’s bible.

The recent pictures shows them as young adults. He revealed that the memorable pictures were taken 15 years apart.

See the post:

In reaction, @TenQQGod wrote; Thank God for your lives

@manueltheeone; Now these are the real comrades

@AyodeleAyanfe; I guess the scriptures are now dwelling in your hearts.

@dglo4me; How the middle guy becomes taller than all of you should be studied in Unilag.

@kamsilanky; In the first picture, you guys were looking like Police Academy Boys. Congratulations for the massive transformation

@Harbiehordune; What happened to the growth of the dude on the left. You guys caught up with before you can say Jack Robinson

Makinde approves use of Hijab for Muslim students in Oyo

The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Tuesday approved the use of Hijab by Muslim students in the state’s public schools.

The Special Assistant to the Governor on Islamic Affairs, AbdulRashid AbdulAziz, disclosed this in a statement marking the 2022 World Hijab Day in the state.

The statement read: “I want to congratulate the Muslims on the 2022 World Hijab Day. If the Quran says female Muslims should wear hijabs, our government will not oppose it. Since our constitution guarantees freedom of religion, my administration will not prevent anyone from following his/her religious dictates.

“I have instructed those in positions of authority in the state’s public service and across all our public schools not to intimidate or harass anyone because of their religious beliefs or practices.

Our government is God-fearing and we will continue to preach religious tolerance, equality and justice, which will further engender peaceful coexistence, love and togetherness.

“As the theme of this year’s celebration suggests, hijab is the pride of every female Muslim and it remains sacrosanct.”

Nigerian govt to honour agreement with ASUU – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari promised on Tuesday the Federal Government would honour the agreement reached with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

The President stated this when members of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, and the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev. Samson Ayokunle, visited him at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He also assured the delegation of improved funding of universities and other institutions of higher learning in the country.

Buhari thanked NIREC for intervening in the federal government and ASUU disputes in the past.

The President said: “I challenge ASUU to take cognizance of the fiscal pressures that we are currently facing. Nevertheless, we remain committed to honouring our promises.

I will also like to encourage ASUU to continue to work with us toward finding resolutions to the challenges that confront us.

“My administration is committed to this engagement and dialogue, and I urge the union to stay the course toward a joint resolution in the best interest of our children and nation.

“To show our commitment, several payments have been made over the last six months, addressing several of the issues raised by ASUU details of which the Minister of Labour and Employment can make available to you.

“Funding has also been provided for the development of infrastructure across several public universities and several of them have started drawing down on this facility to improve their level of infrastructure.”

ASUU had last year threatened to resume its suspended strike over the federal government’s failure to honour the agreement signed by both parties.

Obasanjo farm in Benue set ablaze over alleged compensation issues

A farm belonging to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, located in the Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue State was reportedly burnt last weekend.

It was gathered that The Orchard Farm, which spreads across about 2,420 hectares of land has mostly Mangos and other fruits.

Although no one could ascertain the cause of the fire, it was alleged that it may have been burnt by villages who were not compensated for their land used for the farm.

Speaking on the incident, chairman of the Gwer LGA, Emmanuel Otserga, said “the fire was caused by the deliberate act of mischief makers, because the way that farm is safeguarded, there is no way fire can cross over from any quarter into the farm.”

Otserga said over half of the farm was consumed by the fire before it was put out by firefighters.

“We received a report that the Obasanjo mango farm located at Howe was on fire and I quickly informed all the stakeholders, including traditional rulers and we swiftly moved there even the Fire Service also came but by the time we will put out the fire, over half of the farm was already razed,” he recounted to journalists.

Meanwhile, The Director of the state fire service, Donald Ikyaaza, while confirming the incident, said the farm may have been set ablaze by some indigenes, who claimed they were not compensated for the land.

My men who went there said the people were fighting for compensation for land. Maybe the land was not adequately compensated for, so that’s why they decided to set fire on the farm. That is the only information I got from them,” he added.

Ikyaaza also lamented that his men, who put out the fire, were robbed and beaten by suspected robbers.

He said, “In fact, my men while coming back in the night, armed robbers caught them, beat them seriously and collected all their handsets. That was the compensation we (firefighters) got for fighting the fire at Obasanjo’s farm. Not all the farm was burnt. Some trees are still there; the seeds were saved.”

Gov Ortom orders probe into Obasanjo’s burnt farm in Benue

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has ordered Investigations into the burning of a farm in the state, which belongs to former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

The mango farm in Howe, Gwer local government area of Benue State, was burnt by suspected arsonists last weekend.

In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Nathaniel Ikyur, Ortom expressed sadness over the incident, confirming it as an “act of sabotage”.

“He therefore ordered a full scale investigation into the incident to unravel the remote and immediate cause of the fire outbreak,” the statement reads partly.

The governor stressed that no act of sabotage would be tolerated in the state especially as his government had a deliberate policy to encourage local and foreign investors especially in Agriculture.

The governor was quoted thus; “it is the height of irresponsibility for anyone to think of setting ablaze a farm that is set to, in a very near future, boost the economic development of the area in particular and state in general.

Obasanjo as a former president is a statesman and need to be accorded his due respect anywhere in Nigeria and Benue state cannot be an exception.”

He therefore directed the Benue State Commissioner of Police to ensure that the perpetrators are fished out immediately and brought to book.

Blame govs for failure to control black soot, Buhari’s aide absolves Nigerian govt

Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Niger Delta Affairs, Sen. Ita Enang, has shifted the responsibility for the control of the black soot that has been ravaging parts of the Niger Delta region, from the Federal Government to the state governments.

He did this saying since the states control lands in their localities, they should deal with the problems.

The former Senior Special Assistant to Buhari on National Assembly Matters, while appearing on Arise TV programme on Tuesday, said governors from the affected states should rise to the occasion and deal with the situation as it was not the purview of the Federal Government to do so.

Though he gave kudos to Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, on the way he has handled the soot menace in the state so far, Enang, however, blamed the governor over what he termed ‘re-polution’ as the illegal refiners would simply relocate to remote areas to carry out their activities.

“I will commend Rivers State Governor Wike on the way he has handled the soot crisis in the state so far,” Enang said while reacting to a question by one of the anchors of the programme.

“But what he has done is what I will call re-polution of the environment because the so called illegal refineries will simply move to other locations and the problem will continue.

“Those who are into these illegal refineries are not just mere illiterates or uneducated artisans you find on the streets.

“Many of them are highly educated. These are people who are well trained in petroleum refining engineering and technology. They are well educated in petroleum technology and pipeline technology, so they would always put their knowledge to use.

“They are well knowledgeable and they are not being engaged. Like I said, Wike has only addressed the problems in Rivers and not in other places.

“Yes, Wike has taken a decision and other governors must take decisions on these illegal refineries.

“The problem is in Delta State, it is in Akwa Ibom State, it is in Bayelsa State. And the governors of these states are the ones who must tackle the problem and not the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration because the governors are in charge of lands in their states.

The so called illegal refiners are not just ordinary criminals like I said. They are highly educated and sophisticated and must be engaged by the state governments to put their knowledge to good use.

“The govt of the respective states should create refinery parks for these people so they would not be forced to engage in the illegalities they are engaging in.

“These people are from the respective states and should be engaged by their state governors to put their knowledge to good use.

“We should stop calling them illegal refiners but engage them for greater use

“The NDDC should look for ways to engage them. The equipments they are using are fabricated by graduates of Petroleum Training Institute, Efurum and other top universities in the country.

The various state governors must take responsibility of protecting their lands because they control the lands in their states and not the Federal government.

“We need to call everyone to the table to find a way to bring these illegal refiners on board to work with the government which will in turn, bring a out a good working harmony,” Enang said.

Man with two degrees and PhD now working as labourer at Dangote Refinery

A PhD holder identified as Udoh Nse James is currently working as a labourer due to his inability to get a befitting job for someone with his qualifications.

His story was shared on LinkedIn by Engr Chinedu Eche who solicited for help for the man with a PhD in Econometrics, Masters and Bachelors degree in Accounting.

Eche revealed that he came across James at site where he was helping his team with the fabrication of Coastic Soda storage tank for Dangote Refinery.

He shared a photo of the PhD holder, and noted that he should be in an institute of learning or Research.

The Engr wrote;

”My beloved LinkedIn family;

This is Udoh Nse James.

From Akwa Ibom State

Contact number 07039187215.

First Degree B.S.C. Accounting 2005

Second Degree M.S.C Accounting 2009

Third Degree P.H.D Econometrics 2012

He is currently working as a helper on a site where my team and I are fabricating and erecting a Coastic Soda Storage tank for Dangote Refinery .

He needs to be in a financial Institutions or in a School Lecturing or Researching.

Please if you can help fix this man, don’t hesitate.

God bless you.”

Court sentences security guard to life in prison for child defilement

The Lagos State Domestic Violence and Sexual Offences Court, Ikeja, on Monday sentenced a security guard, Blessing Okon, to life imprisonment for defiling a 14-year-old student in the state.

The prosecution told the court that the defendant committed the offense in the Ikoyi area of the state on September 13, 2019.

The prosecution presented the victim, her father, and a medical doctor to testify in the case.

The victim told the court the convict had been sexually harassing her since she was nine years old.

In her ruling, Justice Abiola Soladoye held that the prosecution had proved the essential ingredients of defilement beyond a reasonable doubt.

She said the victim was consistent in her testimony before the court, adding that the testimony established that the defendant had been having sexual contact with the girl for more than five years.

Soladoye said: “This defendant is lacking in compassion for having sexual activity with a 14-year-old girl. There was overwhelming evidence against him as presented by the prosecution. He therefore should pay for his sex crime.

“The defendant is hereby sentenced to life imprisonment without an option of fine.”