Crime
Minister drags Enugu couple to Court over defilement of 9-year-old daughter
The civil suit, filed under suit number E/987/2023 at the Enugu State High Court, seeks for the ministry to take custody of the nine-year-old (names withheld) and for the respondents (the couple) to pay damages of N10 million and other relieves.
Recall that Mr Ifeanyi Enwelum, step-father of the minor, between Jan 1, 2022 and June 10, 2023 at number 13/15 Onoh Crescent, GRA Enugu had several unlawful carnal knowledge of the minor.
However, the minor’s biological mother, Mrs Christabel Enwelum, due to negligence did not protect her daughter, in the repeated penis penetration on her virginal as confirmed by Dr Samuel Ndukwu, medical practitioner at the Nigerian Police Clinic State Headquarters, Enugu.
Briefing newsmen on Saturday in Enugu, the Counsel to the minister, Barr Chuma Oguejiofor, said tha the suit seeks to enforce the fundamental human rights of the minor as well as stand as a public interest matter meant to instill decency and morality.
Oguejiofor, who said that the fundamental human rights and public interest suit filed on Nov. 17 was yet to be assigned a date for hearing, noted that the suits sought six prayers from the court.
“First, a declaration of the court that the minor, who is but about nine-years-old is as a citizen of Nigeria entitled to respect for the dignity of her person and should not be subjected to torture or inhuman or degrading treatment by the Respondents whether acting by themselves or by their agents/privies as enshrined in section 34(1) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (As Amended).
“Second, a declaration of court that the first respondent (Ifeanyi Enwelum) act of having carnal knowledge of the minor for a period of more than one year, i.e. between Jan. 2022 and June 2023 constitutes an infringement of her right to the dignity of her person as enshrined in section 34(1) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (As Amended).
“Third, a declaration of court that the Respondents’ act of setting process in motion towards compromising and sweeping charges number: MEN/319C/2023 under the carpet.
“While taking the minor back to number13/15 Onoh Crescent GRA , Enugu to continue living with them under the same roof as if nothing had happened constitutes mental or emotional/psychological torture to her contrary to the provision of section 34(1)(a) of the Constitution of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended).
“Fourth, an order of the Honourable Court that the Applicant in the person of the Honourable Minister of the ministry of women’s affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and her ministry take immediate custody of the minor and cater for her needs henceforth.
“Fifth, an order of the Honourable Court restraining the Respondents by themselves or through their agents/privies from having anything whatsoever to do with the minor till she reaches the age of 21 years.
Ohanenye, in a press conference on Oct. 17, said the ministry would take up legal action against the couple to ensure the survivor (minor) gets justice as well as serve as deterrent to others, who might want to tow the same line.
“This minor has been molested severally by her stepfather, who has given her diseases, broken her walls, as confirmed in the hospital, also by the lawyer and mother of the girl. The matter was taken to court, but unfortunately, the Magistrate released the man on bail.
“We want to know why he was released despite the allegations against him, simply because the woman (wife) cried that she didn’t want her husband to be jailed.
“What about the voiceless girl? What about the torture, emotional pains the girl went through and threat not to disclose the molestation?
“We are suing the woman (also) for negligence. Because if she was not negligent, this girl would not have suffered this thing for a long time,” she assured.
A young woman identified as Messioma Nwaora, who was earlier reported missing, has reportedly been found dead in Uga, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Unverified reports circulating on social media allege that her former boyfriend, identified as Chima Emmanuel and said to be from Ebonyi State, killed her after she ended their relationship. The reports further claim that he strangled her with clothing, placed her body in a bag and transported it on a commercial motorcycle, popularly known as an okada.
The alleged confession and the circumstances surrounding the woman’s death have not been independently verified. Therefore, it cannot be conclusively established that the former boyfriend killed her.
As of the time of filing this report, the Anambra State Police Command had not issued an independently confirmed statement establishing the cause of death, confirming the identity of the deceased or stating whether a suspect had been arrested.
The reported death has prompted calls for a thorough investigation. Outstanding questions include where the body was recovered, how the woman died, whether Chima Emmanuel has been detained and whether investigators have obtained evidence linking him to the incident.
Further details are expected as reliable information becomes available.
A birthday party organised by popular Enugu socialite Nnaji Izuchukwu, popularly known as Stone, at Bull Hotel, Asata, Enugu, reportedly turned chaotic following a misunderstanding that allegedly prompted the hotel management to invite the police.
Stone, who was the celebrant, reportedly died from gunshot injuries sustained during the ensuing police operation.
Information available to Everydaynewsngr.net indicated that the misunderstanding at the birthday party degenerated into chaos, prompting the hotel management to call in operatives of the police Anti-Cultism Section.
In the confusion that followed, Stone was said to have attempted to escape through a window alongside another person before he sustained gunshot injuries.
However, the exact circumstances surrounding the shooting remained unclear as of the time of filing this report.
The Enugu State Police Command has since confirmed Stone’s death and ordered an investigation into the incident.
In a press release issued on Friday, October 23, 2026, the command said the Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, had directed a thorough investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the death and determine whether the operation and use of firearms complied with established operational standards and applicable laws.
According to the police, operatives of the Anti-Cultism Section of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) stormed Bull Hotel during an intelligence-led operation targeting Nworie Chidera Kelvin, popularly known as Akidi, an alleged drug dealer and member of the Vikings Confraternity.
The police said Akidi was suspected of involvement in several cases relating to cultism and unlawful possession of firearms.
The operation reportedly led to the arrest of Akidi and nine other suspects, comprising males and females aged between 17 and 28.
The police also said quantities of dried weeds suspected to be cannabis, a weighing scale allegedly used for measuring illicit drugs, and ₦43,400 in cash were recovered during the operation.
Giving its account of how Stone died, the command said preliminary findings indicated that he and another suspect jumped through a window in an attempt to escape.
The statement added that an operative pursuing the two suspects was allegedly confronted by them as they attempted to disarm him.
According to the police, the officer’s firearm discharged during the ensuing struggle, leaving Stone with gunshot injuries, while the other suspect escaped.
Stone was rushed to a hospital, where he was later confirmed dead. His remains have been deposited in a mortuary for preservation and autopsy.
CP Giwa has directed the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Intelligence Department to establish the facts of the incident and determine whether the officers involved complied with operational standards and applicable laws.
The commissioner assured that any officer found culpable would face appropriate disciplinary action.
He also urged Stone’s family, associates and members of the public to remain calm, stressing that professionalism, ethical conduct and strict adherence to operational standards, particularly those governing the use of firearms, must be upheld during police operations.
The police statement was signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, on October 23, 2026.
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Edo State Command, has launched a manhunt for a 28-year-old awaiting-trial inmate, Osita Thomas, who escaped while being taken to court for trial.
Thomas, an inmate of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Auchi, reportedly escaped last week during a court appearance over charges bordering on conspiracy and stealing.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Aminu Suleman, disclosed the development in a statement dated October 21, 2026, and made available to journalists in Benin City on Thursday.
Suleman said the Controller of Corrections in Edo State had directed intensified efforts towards apprehending the fugitive, assuring residents that security measures across custodial facilities had been strengthened to prevent similar incidents.
The Command appealed to members of the public with useful information about Thomas’s whereabouts to report to the nearest police station or custodial centre.
It also released two telephone numbers, 08038075882 and 08039243704, through which information could be provided to security authorities.
Meanwhile, an official of the Correctional Service attributed the escape to inadequate manpower, explaining that the officer escorting Thomas to court could not abandon other inmates in his custody to pursue the fleeing suspect.
According to the official, pursuing Thomas would have exposed the remaining inmates to possible escape.
The official further raised concerns over worsening personnel shortages in the Service, alleging that more than 1,000 officers were expected to retire this year without corresponding plans for fresh recruitment.
He called on the Federal Government to urgently address the manpower deficit, warning that inadequate personnel could continue to undermine the effective management and security of custodial facilities across the country.
An alleged employment racket involving 21 job seekers and N8.29 million has landed an Enugu-based businesswoman, Stella Ezinne Egotanwa, in the net of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The 45-year-old businesswoman is being investigated for allegedly collecting money from unsuspecting applicants under the guise of securing employment for them at a psychiatric hospital in Enugu State.
The EFCC, in a statement posted on its official X handle on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, disclosed that the suspect allegedly collected the money between December 28, 2025, and June 30, 2026, through bank accounts belonging to different Point of Sale (POS) operators.
According to the commission, trouble began for Egotanwa when 16 aggrieved job seekers petitioned the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), accusing her of collecting N6.193 million from them without delivering the promised jobs.
The petition subsequently led to her arrest by NSCDC operatives in Anambra State on July 30, 2026.
However, the case took another dimension when five additional victims approached the EFCC, alleging that the businesswoman had similarly defrauded them of N2,098,200 through promises of employment at the same hospital.
The fresh petitions brought the number of alleged victims to 21, with the total amount involved rising to N8,291,200.
One of the victims, who narrated his ordeal to investigators, claimed to have paid Egotanwa N1.05 million on December 28, 2025, believing that she had the connections to secure the promised employment.
“I made the payment in good faith because I believed that the employment opportunity she presented to me was genuine.
“However, after making the payment, the promised employment did not materialise. I subsequently experienced difficulty reaching her and there were periods she did not respond to my calls or messages,” the petitioner stated.
The anti-graft agency further disclosed that Egotanwa was already awaiting trial in a separate case involving a similar alleged employment scam.
It added that the suspect had admitted to the alleged offence during interrogation and would be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations.
The EFCC maintained that investigations were ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the alleged fraudulent recruitment scheme.
Clarify the EFCC’s role in her arrest
Use consistent language for alleged victims
Tighten the opening for stronger impact
A Foundation Member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Osita Okechukwu, has lauded the Federal Government through the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for acknowledging that military operations alone cannot end banditry.
Okechukwu said that the recent acknowledgement of the NSA reflected the reality on ground on the protracted activities of banditry in the country.
The APC chieftain said this in a statement he signed and issued to newsmen in Enugu on Sunday.
Okechukwu reacted directly to Ribadu’s remarks at a brainstorming session on coping with banditry, organised by the Sokoto Advancement Forum in collaboration with the Centre for Peace Studies, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto.
Aligning himself with the NSA’s position, he stressed that building community trust, protecting agriculture and rural livelihoods, and preventing youth recruitment into criminal networks are indispensable complements to military operations.
He said, “We must measure progress by more than arrests, weapons recovered or territory cleared.
“Success must also mean safer communities, returning families, productive farms, reopened schools, functioning markets and the restoration of public confidence.”
Okechukwu argued that this broader understanding of national security must inform the Federal Government’s economic and political policies if Nigeria is to achieve sustainable peace.
He urged Ribadu, as one of the closest presidential advisers, to appeal to President Bola Tinubu to rejig his economic programme to improve living standards, stimulate production, expand employment opportunities and alleviate the hardship confronting ordinary Nigerians.
According to him, economic insecurity, widespread hardship and unemployment can undermine community trust and create conditions that criminal networks exploit to recruit vulnerable youths.
He maintained that restoring livelihoods, strengthening rural economies and creating productive opportunities for young people must go hand-in-hand with security operations if the country is to achieve lasting peace.
Okechukwu also advised the NSA to recognise that the conduct of free, fair and credible 2027 General Elections as a foremost instrument for rebuilding public confidence nationwide.
The APC chieftain stressed that democratic legitimacy, public trust in institutions and confidence in the electoral process are essential to national cohesion and security.
Okechukwu further advised Ribadu that politicians, whether from APC or opposition parties, who incite violence, promote political intolerance or embrace a do-or-die approach to elections should be treated as threats to democratic stability.
He urged the appropriate authorities to investigate and prosecute those who engage in criminal conduct, irrespective of their political affiliations, in accordance with the law.
“Those who beat the drums of political violence and turn elections into a do-or-die affair are, in effect, political bandits.
“They threaten our democracy from within and must be held accountable before they pull down the roof of our democratic house,” Okechukwu warned.
He concluded that Nigeria could no longer afford to ignore the connection between economic hardship, political alienation and insecurity.
He said, “Hunger has awakened Nigerians who had hitherto resigned themselves to fate.
“The answer is not to dismiss their grievances, but to restore hope through economic opportunity, accountable governance, credible elections and a security strategy that protects both lives and livelihoods.”
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