Justice Abiola Soladoye of the Lagos State Special Offences Court on Monday sentenced an alumnus of the University of Lagos, Akoka, John Osagie Otema, to 50 years’ imprisonment for raping a 19-year-old student of the institution.

Otema was arraigned before the court on three counts bordering on rape and assault occasioning harm contrary to sections 173 and 260 (1) (2) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

He allegedly had sexual intercourse with Student Y without her consent on January 31, 2018 at his home at No. 6, Ajileye Street, in the Bariga area of Lagos; and on January 17, he had unlawful sexual intercourse with Student X around DLI in UNILAG and also physically assaulted Student X by hitting her several times in the face and biting her back.

According to the prosecution, Otema had asked Student X for direction to Moremi Hall and compelled her to enter his car under the pretext of giving her a ride.

Upon entering the car, Otema, however, locked the car doors and drove to DLI, where he assaulted her by punching her in the face several times, biting her back, ordering her to undress and taking her nude photos.

During the trial, the prosecution called six witnesses, which included the two victims.

Delivering her judgment on Monday, Justice Soladoye found Otema guilty of raping and assaulting Student X, while she absolved him of the charge of raping Student Y.

Soladoye, who held that the testimony of Student Y was mischievous, noted that she would not have claimed that Otema raped her if he had paid her the N50,000 agreed upon.

She also held that in addition to the medical report and photographs, Student X, while giving her evidence, identified Otema as the person who bit her back and punched her eyes.

The judge said, “The defendant, John Osagie Otema, in respect of count one is found not guilty, as there is overwhelming evidence before the court that sexual intercourse between the defendant and PW2 (Student Y) was consensual, as it was friendship with benefits.

“For count two, the defendant is found guilty and is hereby sentenced to 50 years in prison as the evidence adduced before this court has been proved beyond any reasonable doubt by the prosecution.

“With regard to count three, the defendant is found guilty and is hereby sentenced to three years in prison, as the prosecution has done its job diligently by proving the charge beyond any reasonable doubt. The sentence will run concurrently.”

Mutineering soldiers in Mali on Tuesday detained President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and Prime Minister Boubou Cisse, one of their leaders said.

“We can tell you that the president and the prime minister are under our control,” the leader, who requested anonymity, told AFP.

He added that the pair had been “arrested” at Keita’s residence in the capital Bamako.

Earlier, soldiers launched a mutiny from the nearby garrison town of Kati.

Another military official, who also declined to be named, said the president and prime minister were in an armoured vehicle en route to Kati.

Source: Punch

The Senior Special Assistant to Governor Alhaji Bello of Kogi state on Political Matters, Omoluabi Olabode Adeyemi has congratulated the Senator representing Kogi West, Sen. Smart Adeyemi as he clocks 58.

Omoluabi says Sen. Adeyemi has through his visionary service to fatherland left a footprint in the nation’s sphere for which posterity will be kind to him.

The governor’s aide in a release made available to newsmen in Lokoja on Tuesday said Distinguished Senator Adeyemi stands out among the people of his generation through his contributions to professional duties, less privileged, national service and nation building.

“Our own Senator Adeyemi has not only put Kogi West in the map of honour but has given our sons and daughters globally a sense of pride. His return to the Senate has brought robustness, resourcefulness, egalitarianism and demeanour to legislative debates, parliamentary assignments and good governance.

“He has proven to be a leader, model figure and indeed a gentleman in the real sense of it. To thousands, he is a footstep to follow, to thousands, he is light, to thousands, he is a father, mentor and guardian.

“Through hard work, commitment and discipline, he reached the peak of his career as a journalist and later emerged the National President of the umbrella body of journalists in Nigeria, the NUJ. The reformatory initiatives he brought into the union gave media workers a sense of pride to identify themselves as journalists across the country.

“The quality motions he has moved and bills sponsored in years of legislative national assignment have brought succour and ray of light to Nigerians living on the edge of life.

“The good people of Kogi West will forever remember him for ushering in era of prosperity, inclusion and real democratic dividends” he said.

Omoluabi further prayed that Distinguished Senator Smart Adeyemi remains strong and agile in service to God and society even as he lives in perfect health to celebrate many more years to come.

Former Super Eagles captain, John Obi Mikel, has joined English Premier League side, Stoke City, after leaving Turkish side Trabzonspor by mutual consent in March.

The 33-year-old midfielder made 249 Premier League appearances for Chelsea in an 11-year spell, which ended when he left Stamford Bridge in 2017.

He won the Champions League and Europa League, two Premier Leagues, three FA Cups and the League Cup during his time with the London club.

Confirming his signing, Stoke City Manager, Michael O’Neill, said that Mikel’s experience was needed in the team following his trajectory of a glittering career with both club sides and the national team.

“We’re delighted to bring John to the Club. His playing career speaks for itself and underlines his caliber as a player.

“I was really impressed with him when we met for the first time and he outlined what he wants from the next phase of his career.

“We spent four hours talking and he made it clear he wants to get back into the Premier League and finish his career there and hopefully he can do that with Stoke City,” the manager told the club’s website.

“The Nigerian international midfielder joins Morgan Fox, James Chester and Steven Fletcher in checking in at the bet365 Stadium ahead of the 2020/21 Championship season,” a statement obtained via the club’s website stated.