News
Man who raped, impregnated 15-year-old daughter speaks in court
A motorcycle rider, Ubong Ime, took incest to a new height when he professed love to his daughter whom he allegedly raped and impregnated.
It was gathered that the incident happened in the Iju area of Lagos State.
Our correspondent learnt that the 15-year-old victim lived with her mother in Uyo until in 2015 when the father, who had remarried, brought her to Lagos.
Ime, who was arrested by policemen from the Iju Police Station, said he was in love with the victim, adding that he slept with her twice.
He said, “Sometime in June 2018, my wife informed me that my daughter was pregnant after which we both called her to ask who was responsible for the pregnancy. She did not say anything, but I knew that I was the one who impregnated her and it happened in June. I fell in love with her and had sex with her two times.”
The victim, however, said her father first raped her on a day her stepmother stopped her from going to school after accusing her of stealing.
She said her father, who pretended to be punishing her, had sex with her.
She said, “My stepmother always accused me of stealing her money and most times she beat me up. Sometime in June, my stepmother accused me of stealing her N200 and because of that, she said I should not go to school.
“While I was doing the house chores, my daddy brought out a wire and started beating me. As he was beating me, he ordered me to sit on the bed and remove my pants. I initially refused, but as he continued beating me, I obeyed him and he raped me. As I was shouting, one of my neighbours came to knock on our door, but he told him that he was punishing me.
“After the sex, he told me that I should not tell anybody. He was the one that washed the clothes I was supposed to wash that day while I slept. After some time, I woke up and took my bath. I did not tell my stepmother anything.
“Then in July 2018, before we started our examination, my stepmother said I should not go to school. My dad went out in the morning and came back in the afternoon. As of then, I was sleeping on the bed. I suddenly noticed that someone laid on me. Before I knew it, he had sex with me again, making it twice. He still warned me not to tell anybody what happened between us.”
The victim said when she missed her period in July, her stepmother asked her if she had sex with anyone, but she denied it.
She said she confessed to her stepmother when it was confirmed that she was two months pregnant.
“When my stepmother reported to my daddy that I looked pregnant, he said I should lie to her that I was raped by someone in a hotel. My stepmother continued disturbing me and made me do a pregnancy test. She told me that I was two months’ pregnant.
“When everybody on the street became aware that I was pregnant, I decided to tell my stepmother the truth. My daddy was the first man that had sex with me. No other person had done it with me before or after him,” she said.
The victim’s half-brother, David, said he had caught his father many times having sex with his sister.
The 12-year-old said, “There was a day that I came back from school and I met daddy on top of her. Daddy used to have sex with her even in the night if our mummy is not at home. I used to see them together on our bed if our mummy is not at home.”
Ime was arraigned before an Ogba Magistrates’ Court on one count of defilement.
The police prosecutor, Inspector John Christopher, said the offence contravened Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, Nigeria, 2015.
The charge read in part, “That you, Ubong Ime, in June 2018, at about 12pm on Olushina Street, Isale Haruna, Obawole, Lagos State, in the Ikeja Magisterial District, did defile your daughter (name withheld) aged 15….”
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The presiding magistrate, P. E. Nwaka, remanded the suspect in custody.
The case was adjourned till October 3, 2018.
*PUNCH Metro
The Chief Executive Officer of Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited, Sijibomi Ogundele, is under intense interrogation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the alleged diversion of ₦5.7 billion paid by the Enugu State Government for an ₦11 billion contract.
Ogundele, who had earlier been declared wanted, turned himself in to EFCC Abuja headquarters and was grilled for more than 10 hours on Tuesday. His personal and company accounts have been frozen, and his passport seized to restrict his movement.
According to investigators, Ogundele convinced the state to release 50% of the contract sum—₦5.7 billion—after promising speedy delivery. However, state officials allege that work done so far is worth no more than ₦750 million, accusing him of abandoning the project.
The Enugu State Government’s petition triggered EFCC’s probe, which may see Ogundele spend more time in custody as investigations continue.
In a tearful online video, Ogundele denied any wrongdoing, framing the matter as a contractual dispute: “I’m not a thief, I’m not a fugitive. This is between my company and the Enugu State Government. It’s not criminality.”
…Unveils Selection Panel
The Nigeria Digital PR Summit has officially opened nominations for the second Nigeria Digital PR Awards, a prestigious platform that recognizes excellence, innovation, and impact in digital public relations across Nigeria.
Honourees will take the spotlight at the Nigeria Digital PR Awards Gala; a premium evening celebrating the individuals, organizations, and campaigns that defined digital PR in the past year, marking the 10th Nigeria Digital PR Summit. Adding flair to the night is the Digital PR Fashion Runway; a bold fusion of fashion, technology, and communications that promises an unforgettable experience.
This year, 19 award categories will honour campaigns across four classes including Campaign Excellence Awards, Sector Excellence Awards, Innovation and Technology Awards, and Individual & Professional Excellence Awards.
The Summit also unveiled a three-member Selection Panel responsible for reviewing entries and shortlisting winners.
The panel is chaired by the Founder and CEO, Fernhill Digital Consulting, Datari Ladejo, and includes the former Senior Business Program Manager, MarComms, Africa Development Center (ADC – West), Microsoft, Oluwamuyemi Orimolade; and Founder/Lead Partner, PuzzleCraft PR and Communications, Beatrice Okpara.
Nominations are open to agencies, corporate communication teams, NGOs, startups, and individual practitioners whose work has delivered measurable results and demonstrated creativity in leveraging digital platforms.
Nominations run from September 1 – 8, 2025. Shortlisted nominees will be announced during the Awards Gala on October 16, 2025, at the Conference Centre, Naval Dockyard, Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island. For entry guidelines and submission details, visit: https://forms.gle/cM2oFQTnSSqL51EC9.
Founder, Nigeria Digital PR Summit, Segun McMedal, said, “We are excited to launch this year’s call for nominations and to welcome such distinguished professionals to the Selection Panel. This panel reflects the breadth of expertise driving digital communication in Nigeria, and its stewardship will ensure a fair and transparent evaluation process.”
The seven categories in the Campaign Excellence Awards include Best Overall Digital PR Campaign, Best Brand Advocacy Campaign, Best Crisis Communication in Private Organisations, Best Crisis Communication in Government, Best Public Affairs Campaign, Youth Impact Award for Social Change, Outstanding Influencer Collaboration, and Best Use of Content Marketing.
Categories in the Sector Excellence Awards include Excellence in Public Service Digital Campaign, Digital PR Excellence in Telecom Services, Digital PR Excellence in Financial Services, and Sustainability and ESG Communication Excellence.
The Innovation and Technology Awards category include Innovative Use of Technology in PR, Best Digital Engagement with Citizens, Outstanding Digital Customer Experience, and Creative Use of Short-Form Video in PR. The Individual and Professional Excellence Awards include Emerging Digital PR Professional of the Year and Digital PR Professional of the Year.
A District Court in Finland has handed down a six-year prison sentence to Simon Ekpa, a self-declared leader of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile, following his conviction on terrorism-related charges.
Ekpa was arrested on November 21, 2024, by the Finnish National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), triggering a broad inquiry into his alleged activities, including incitement of violence via social media and involvement in unrest across Nigeria’s southeastern region.
According to the court ruling, Ekpa was found guilty of public incitement to commit crimes with terrorist intent and for supporting a terrorist organization. His conduct, which spanned from August 2021 to November 2024, included the provision of weapons, explosives, and ammunition to armed groups, along with using his social media platforms to mobilize violence.
Adding to his conviction, Ekpa was found guilty of aggravated tax fraud and violations of attorneys’ regulations, further compounding the severity of the charges.
This verdict marks a significant move by Finnish and international authorities to counter separatist agitation linked to the Biafra independence movement, underscoring the criminality of inciting violence across borders.
One Nigeria: How Governor Mbah is Leading the Azikiwe Dream
Young Artists Chase Dreams at Next Afrobeats Star Lagos Auditions
Sahara Leaders Named in African Energy Chamber’s ‘20 Under 40’ Rising Stars List
LASG Acquires New Outboard Engines For Optimum Boat Performance
Elon Musk builds Hotel in Mars, Sets to launch soon at $5million per night – Photos
We Do Not Accept Refugee Application Directly From People – Canadian Govt.
-
Spotlight4 days agoSahara Leaders Named in African Energy Chamber’s ‘20 Under 40’ Rising Stars List
-
Finance4 days ago
Dangote Cement Pays Over N3.3 Trillion in Dividends to Shareholders in 15 Years
-
GRLife4 days ago
A Heartfelt Farewell to My Dear Friend, Solomon Arase
-
Entertainment3 days ago
Young Artists Chase Dreams at Next Afrobeats Star Lagos Auditions
-
GROpinion3 days ago
One Nigeria: How Governor Mbah is Leading the Azikiwe Dream
-
GR Diary4 days ago
Lagos Mainland Trade Fair: Entrepreneurs gain export skills
-
Politics4 days ago
A Memo to the Nigerian Senate, Judiciary and Fellow Citizens | By Obiageli Oby Ezekwesili
-
GRTech4 days ago
Sophos Releases State of Ransomware in Education report
