‎Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja has convicted Justice Odey for the murder of 35-year-old Benedict Agara.

He was found to have fatally stabbed the deceased during a fight reportedly sparked by a dispute over a woman identified as Amina.

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‎According to the prosecution, the incident occurred on April 3, 2021, at Block 33, Flat 102, Jakande Housing Estate, Lagos, where Odey allegedly attacked Agara with a broken bottle, inflicting multiple stab wounds to his hand, stomach and other parts of his body. Agara later died from the injuries he sustained.

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‎Delivering judgment on Thursday in Suit No. LD/17040C/2021, Justice Modupe Nicol-Clay sentenced Odey to death by hanging after finding him guilty of murder contrary to Section 222 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

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‎During the trial, the prosecution, led by Titilayo Olanrewaju Daud and Z. O. Abdulaziz, called a single witness, ASP Mariam Ibrahim, the investigating police officer, and tendered six exhibits in support of its case.

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‎In her judgment, Justice Nicol-Clay held that the prosecution had successfully established all the essential elements of the offence beyond a reasonable doubt, stressing that the burden of proof in criminal cases remains with the prosecution throughout the proceedings, except in limited circumstances provided by law.

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‎”The burden of proof remains on the prosecution throughout; it does not shift to the accused person, except in limited circumstances,” the judge held.

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‎The court noted that the offence of murder could be proved through direct evidence, circumstantial evidence or a voluntary confessional statement made by the accused.

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‎Justice Nicol-Clay dismissed the defence’s contention that the testimony of the investigating police officer amounted to hearsay, ruling that evidence given by an investigating officer based on findings made during the course of an investigation is legally admissible.

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‎”The oral evidence of an IPO is not hearsay, contrary to the assertion of the convict’s counsel. It is the direct evidence of the investigation, and the same is admissible and can be used to convict an accused person,” she ruled.

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‎The court also rejected the argument that the prosecution failed to produce medical evidence establishing the cause of death.

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‎According to the judge, while medical evidence is desirable in murder trials, it is not mandatory where there is sufficient evidence clearly showing the circumstances surrounding the victim’s death.

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‎”Medical evidence, though desirable in establishing the cause of death in a case of murder, is not always essential where the victim dies in circumstances in which there is abundant evidence of the manner of death,” she said.

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‎Although there was no eyewitness who directly saw Odey stab the deceased, the judge held that the circumstantial evidence presented before the court overwhelmingly linked him to the crime.

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‎”There is no eyewitness account of a person who saw Odey stabbing the deceased; however, there is strong circumstantial evidence from the convict, putting him as the only person who fought and injured the deceased on the day of the incident,” Justice Nicol-Clay stated.

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‎She further ruled that the evidence before the court clearly established that Odey’s unlawful actions directly caused Agara’s death.

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‎”There is sufficient proof that the unlawful act of the convict caused the death of the deceased. The evidence before the Court unequivocally and unmistakably showed that no other person but Odey was responsible for the death of the deceased,” the judge added.

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‎On the confessional statement allegedly made by Odey, the court declined to rely on it, holding that it was obtained in violation of legal requirements.

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‎Justice Nicol-Clay ruled that any confessional statement not recorded on video or obtained in the presence of a legal practitioner is inadmissible in evidence.

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‎”Any confessional statement obtained without video recording or in the presence of a lawyer is inadmissible. I find myself unable to attach any weight to the confessional statement,” she held.

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‎Having found that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, the court convicted Odey of murder and imposed the mandatory sentence of death by hanging.

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‎The case stemmed from an altercation between Odey and Agara over a woman identified as Amina, which escalated into a physical confrontation during which Agara sustained fatal injuries.

 

The Oba-elect of Oguntedo Town in the Ori-Ade Local Council Development Area, LCDA, Satellite Town, Lagos, Modiu Oladele Olarinde, has appealed to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Tijani, to urgently intervene in the lingering communal crisis threatening peace and security in the community.

Speaking at the weekend, Olarinde alleged that the unrest has been fuelled by two sons of the late Yekeni Olarinde, whom he accused of unlawfully leasing and selling community land without his knowledge or approval.

He further claimed that the duo had continued to lease parcels of land that had already been sold and allegedly used armed intimidation to compel some shop owners to validate the disputed transactions.

According to the Oba-elect, the land dispute has persisted for several years and has resulted in the loss of lives.

He alleged that a 20-year-old man, who was the only son of a widow, was killed by stray bullets reportedly fired by thugs linked to the suspects. He added that those allegedly involved in the incident are currently facing trial on murder charges.

Olarinde urged security agencies to take swift action to prevent the situation from escalating further and restore lasting peace in the community.

“This crisis is gradually getting out of hand. It is the same conflict that claimed the life of our late monarch, Oba Babatunde Yekini Olarinde,” he said.

The traditional ruler further alleged that following the late monarch’s burial, his younger brother, who he claimed had aspirations of ascending the throne, returned to the community in the company of armed thugs and the two sons of the late Yekeni Olarinde. According to him, they exhumed the late king’s remains and set the corpse ablaze in 2020.

Olarinde appealed to the police and other relevant authorities to intervene urgently to avert a breakdown of law and order in the community.

 

Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi, has called on the Federal Government to strengthen security measures following recent attacks in Benue and Plateau States.

The position was contained in a statement posted on Obi’s official page on July 13, 2026.

According to Obi, the latest attacks, which reportedly claimed at least 16 lives in the Otukpo-Nobi community of Benue State and nine members of the same family, including a two-month-old baby, in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, reflect the continued security challenges facing affected communities.

Obi said families in Benue, Plateau and other parts of the country had continued to experience violence, displacement and loss of livelihoods, stressing that the situation should not be treated as normal.

“The tragic news of yet another round of killings in Benue and Plateau States is both painful and deeply disturbing,” Obi stated.

“The primary responsibility of any government is the protection of lives and property. Every Nigerian life is sacred, and every life lost is one too many.

“These are not mere statistics; they are fathers, mothers, children, breadwinners and future leaders whose dreams have been violently cut short,” he added.

He called for a security strategy that prioritises intelligence gathering, rapid response and accountability, adding that those responsible for the attacks should be identified, arrested and prosecuted.

“The time has come to move beyond routine condemnations after every attack. Nigerians deserve a security architecture that is proactive rather than reactive, driven by intelligence, rapid response and accountability.

“Those responsible for these atrocities must be identified, arrested and prosecuted. The culture of impunity must end,” he demanded.

Obi also extended condolences to the families of those who lost their lives, as well as the governments and residents of Benue and Plateau states, expressing hope that affected communities would recover from the attacks.

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has urged Nigerians to take advantage of the ongoing Permanent Voter Card (PVC) registration exercise by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The party also called on eligible voters to support its preferred presidential ticket of Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso in the next election.

This was contained in a statement issued by the NDC National Publicity Secretary, Barrister Osa Director, following the party’s PVC registration mobilisation exercise.

According to the statement, Osa Director described the PVC as the most important tool for citizens to determine the country’s future through the ballot box.

He urged Nigerians, particularly young people and first-time voters, not to miss the opportunity to register and collect their voter cards.

“The PVC remains the most powerful instrument for every citizen to determine the future of Nigeria through the ballot box,” he said.

The NDC spokesman said the country needs citizens who are ready to participate actively in the democratic process, stressing that meaningful change begins with voting.

He added that the time had come for Nigerians to unite in building a New Nigeria, where hope is restored to the hopeless, justice prevails, opportunities are created for all, and good governance becomes the standard.

Osa Director also encouraged Nigerians who desire positive change to vote for the party’s preferred candidates in the 2027 presidential election.

According to him, “Peter Obi and Dr. Musa Kwankwaso are leaders with the vision, integrity and capacity to transform Nigeria.”

He reaffirmed the NDC’s commitment to promoting credible leadership, national unity, economic growth, security and good governance.

The Jigawa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) says it has successfully reconciled more than 400 aggrieved aspirants who participated in the party’s primary elections across the state.

The Chairman of the APC Reconciliation Committee, Alhaji Isah Muhammad Gerawa, disclosed this in a report presented to Governor Umar Namadi on Friday at the Government House, Dutse.

The report was presented on his behalf by the committee’s Co-Chairman, Senator Muhammad Dudu.

Dudu said the committee engaged both successful and unsuccessful aspirants in all 27 local government areas of the state, providing a platform for party members to air their grievances, resolve disputes and promote unity ahead of the forthcoming general elections.

He described the exercise as a historic achievement, noting that it was the first reconciliation initiative of its kind undertaken by a ruling party in Jigawa State since the return to democratic governance in 1999.

According to him, the committee met with more than 400 party members during the assignment and was able to resolve key issues affecting internal cohesion within the party.

Receiving the report, Governor Umar Namadi commended the 15-member committee for its dedication and commitment to fostering peace within the APC.

The governor said the reconciliation process had already strengthened trust, unity and cooperation among party members across the state, stressing that the success of any political party depends on collective commitment and the active participation of all its members.

He directed the committee to continue its reconciliation efforts until the general elections and announced that it would remain a standing committee to sustain dialogue, peaceful coexistence and party cohesion.

The APC Reconciliation Committee was inaugurated on June 22, 2026, with the mandate to engage aggrieved aspirants, address their concerns, and promote unity following the party’s primary elections.

Zainab Sadiq, the arrested journalist working for the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, AAC, Omoyele Sowore, has been released from the Department of State Services, DSS, custody.

Sowore broke the news of Zainab’s release in a post on his verified X handle late Friday.

According to him, the release came after the conscientious intervention and determined pressure of Nigerians at home and abroad.

DAILY POST recalls that the DSS confirmed the detention of Zainab, who was reportedly working with Omoyele Sowore.

“Ms. Zainab Sadiq is finally free from the grip of repression!

“To everyone who raised their voice, made calls, demanded justice, and stood firmly against repression: THANK YOU!

“When people of conscience unite and stand against injustice, repression can be defeated. Welcome back, Zainab,” Sowore wrote.

The Nigerian Army has revealed that the 44 pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State regained their freedom through a month-long intelligence-led joint security operation that dismantled the kidnappers’ network.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday by the Acting Deputy Director, 2 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma.

According to the statement, troops of the Nigerian Army, led by the General Officer Commanding, GOC, 2 Division, Major General C.R. Nnebeife, carried out the operation in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser through the National Counter Terrorism Centre, NCTC, Defence Headquarters, Special Forces from the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, DSS, the National Intelligence Agency, NIA, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, as well as local vigilantes, hunters and Amotekun personnel.

The Army said the operation, which lasted for more than a month, focused on identifying the kingpins behind the May 15, 2026 abduction, dismantling their logistics networks and tracking their informants and hideouts within the Old Oyo National Park and other locations.

It stated that multiple arrests were made in Oyo State and other parts of the country, a development that disrupted the terrorist group’s operations and mounted sustained pressure on the abductors, ultimately leading to the unconditional release of the victims.

According to the statement, the operation was carefully planned and executed to ensure the safe rescue of the pupils and teachers while avoiding collateral damage, although some security personnel recorded casualties during the operation.

The Army added that the rescued victims are receiving medical attention at an undisclosed hospital and will be handed over to the Oyo State Government for reunification with their families.

It noted that follow-up operations were ongoing to apprehend other members of the criminal network involved in the abduction.

The recent proposed reforms for the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, has attracted divergent views from prospective corps members.

DAILY POST reports that the Federal Government is proposing the extension of the orientation course for corps members from the original three weeks to six weeks.

According to the Federal Government, the reform is aimed at boosting skills acquisition, improving career development and repositioning the scheme to better meet national development needs.

The NYSC, which was established by the former Military Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, rtd, in 1973, has the primary aim of promoting national unity and integration after the Nigerian Civil War.

The core objective of the scheme was to address Nigeria’s greatest challenge at the time; national disunity and the secessionist tendencies that had emerged in certain parts of the country.

Speaking to DAILY POST, a prospective corps member, Charles Owoicho, said reforming the NYSC is a timely step towards relevance in a changing Nigeria.

Owoicho said the current Nigeria grapples with harsh economic realities, rising unemployment, an educational system that no longer adequately meets the demands of the modern world, and widespread digital and technological illiteracy that continues to limit the relevance, competitiveness, and productivity of many young graduates in this era of digital transformation.

According to him, judging from the evolving realities, the reform of the NYSC is not only necessary but also long overdue.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu deserves commendation for recognizing the need to reposition the scheme to meet contemporary national demands.

“As a prospective corps member, I believe the idea behind reforming the scheme is both timely and commendable.

“Some aspects of the proposed reforms, such as digital skills acquisition for corps members, the extension of the orientation and training period, and the deployment of corps members to institutions and organizations based on their professional qualifications, are particularly laudable.

“At present, a significant number of corps members are posted to schools regardless of whether they studied Education or possess teaching qualifications.

“This has deprived many graduates of the opportunity to gain practical work experience in their respective fields or professions.

“Consequently, many complete the NYSC programme without acquiring relevant industry experience, making them less competitive and, in many cases, unemployable within their chosen professions. If properly implemented, the proposed reforms will go a long way in addressing this long-standing anomaly,” he said.

On her part, another prospective corps member, Blessing Nduka, said there are aspects of the proposed reforms that she is not entirely pleased with.

Nduka said the plan to replace the existing NYSC uniform with a domestic attire is unnecessary, stating that the current NYSC uniform has become a symbol of the scheme’s identity and is not the problem confronting the programme.

According to her, the challenge lies not in the uniform but in the ideas, policies, and implementation strategies that drive the scheme.

“I respectfully urge President Tinubu to suspend the proposed change of the uniform and instead channel resources towards reforms that will have a more meaningful impact on corps members and the nation.

“I believe the reform should go beyond training and deployment by incorporating a comprehensive post-service empowerment programme.

“There should be deliberate plans to support graduates at the end of their service year through business grants, entrepreneurship support, access to soft loans, or direct employment opportunities.

“This would spare many graduates from the prolonged struggle of searching endlessly for sustainable employment after completing the scheme.

“The alarming rate of unemployment and economic hardship among Nigerian graduates has become a major national concern,” she said.

Also speaking, another prospective corps member, Prince Ameh, said every year, thousands of graduates are added to an already saturated labour market with limited employment opportunities.

Ameh noted that a truly impactful NYSC reform should therefore include practical measures that prepare and empower corps members for economic independence after service.

He added that the proposed reform of the NYSC is a noble and forward-looking initiative that has the potential to transform the scheme and redefine its relevance in today’s Nigeria.

“If properly implemented, adequately funded, and effectively monitored, it will not only preserve the founding ideals of national unity but also equip Nigerian youths with the skills, experience, and opportunities needed to thrive in the twenty-first century,” he said.

DAILY POST further reports that some serving corps members welcomed the proposed reform, but requested that the uniform should remain unchanged.

A serving corps member, Joseph Felix said the NYSC uniform is a vital tool in life of the NYSC members, which according to him is deepened with the paramilitary training in the orientation camp.

Felix said whenever the NYSC uniform is worn, the people always refer to the corps members as ‘Government Pikin’ (government’s child), stating that the gesture gives them opportunity to access any institution to either seek for assistance or demand for basic needs.

“It is not gainsaying that the uniform closed the gap of ethnicity, tribalism and religion bigotry.

“However, changing the uniform from military motivated to civil attire will not only change the modality but would open doors for unending questioning.

“These questions will include which civil attire will best represent the interest of the entire Nigerians, promote unity and maintain the spirit of orderliness in the NYSC members,” he said.