Rivers
Rivers Police Arrest Two Serial Gang Rapists
The Rivers State Police Command has arrested two alleged serial rapists who specialise in luring women into hotels and dispossess them of their valuables.
A statement signed by the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Grace Iringe Koko, described the arrest of the duo as a significant breakthrough in the ongoing efforts to combat crimes against individuals perpetrated through online platforms.
Koko said following a reported abduction case involving one Agor Ogechi ‘F’, a 28-year-old resident of Elele in Ikwerre Local Government Area, on July 1, 2023, the police swiftly intervened and successfully apprehended the prime suspects involved in a series of heinous crimes.
According to the statement, investigations revealed that the suspect, identified as Louise Brutolu, ‘M’, a 32-year-old resident of Igoni Street, Abuloma, employed the use of phone chat to lure his victims to the Pacific Suite Hotel in Abuloma.
“Upon booking a room, the suspect drugged the victims, rendering them unconscious, and subsequently stole their valuables. In the case of Agor Ogechi, her iPhone, a sum of N28,000, and her ATM card were reported stolen”, the statement said.
It further stated that the acting on the victim’s complaint, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Police promptly initiated an operation that culminated in the arrest of Louise Brutolu.
During the arrest, it continued, the substance used to drug the victims was successfully retrieved.
Meanwhile, the suspect has claimed to work for an unidentified master and has pledged cooperation towards capturing the gang leader.
“After months of persistent investigation, the State Police Command successfully apprehended the gang leader, whose identity is being withheld for investigative purposes.
“As a result of this arrest, various items belonging to different victims were recovered, including 21 mobile phones, three female bags, and receipt booklets.
“It is noteworthy that the gang leader had previously been arrested in 2021 for similar offenses and was charged in court. The recurrence of such heinous crimes underscores the importance of continued vigilance and proactive measures in tackling the menace of online criminal activities.
In a related development, the Rivers State Police Command also arrested Jenifer Timi, ‘M,’ a 28-year-old native of Burutu in Burutu Local Government Area, Delta State.
According to the statement, the suspect specialized in luring individuals through social media platforms such as Instagram, Tinder, and Badoo. Notably, the suspect targeted not only women but also Bolt and Uber drivers.
“By exploiting their expensive phones displayed online, the suspect invited victims to hotel rooms where they were offered drinks laced with Tramadol, and subsequently subjected to rape, and also robbed of their belongings.
“Jemifor Timi Collins has been engaging in these criminal activities for over three years and has been arrested and charged to court on two previous occasions. The ongoing investigation aims to uncover further details and bring all responsible individuals to justice”, it stated.
The State Police Commissioner advised everyone, particularly the youths, to exercise caution when making friends online, saying it is crucial to prioritize personal safety by meeting new individuals in safe and public places.
“Additionally, individuals should inform their relatives and friends about their movements for added security. The Police remain committed to providing protection and raising awareness about emerging crimes and will continue to work tirelessly to ensure the safety of all residents”, the statement concluded.
Akujobi Amadi
The Rivers state Chief Judge, Justice SIMONE CHIBUZOR-AMADI has given an indication to sanction any lawyer who fail to comply with directive of a judge in the state to transferred a case to Rivers State Multi Door Courthouse for Alternatives Dispute Resolution.
Justice AMADI stated this during a brief ceremony held at the chief judge auditorium in port Harcourt Friday held to hand over certificates of operation to two private ADR chambers on Precarious Dispute Resolution Services and Harmony Arbitration and mediation center .
He urged the two private ADR centres to be diligent in the discharge of their duties and warned against compromising the standard of Alternative Dispute Resolution, ADR but should observed the regulations set out in collaboration regulation by the state Multi Door Court House.
Earlier in a address, the Director of the State Multi Door Courthouse, VICTOR NWEKE esq, highlighted some of the achievements of the Multi Door Courthouse especially in decongestion of court rooms.
NWEKE while disclosing how the department certified the two private ADR centres called for serious punitive measures be taken against any lawyer who fail to comply with a case referred to Multi Door Court House by a judge or magistrates in the state.
In her acceptance speech on behalf of the two certified private ADR centres, ALICE NIMI commended the State Judiciary and Multi Door Courthouse for the approval and assured that all the rules and regulations spelt out will be followed.
In a related development; the Rivers State Judiciary has assured its readiness to collaborate with Nigerian Securityding Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC in using Alternative Dispute Resolution to resolve some of the issues in their office.
The state Chief Judge , Justice SIMONE CHIBUZOR-AMADI made the promise when he received in audience the Zonal Commander of NSCDC, Assistant Commandant General, AYINLA TALYE OLOWO and his team who paid him a courtesy visit in his office , Friday where issuees ADR utilization took centre stage.
He used the opportunity to brief his visitors on the hurdles judges faces daily in the court room and the need for the decongestion of the court room , stressing that one judge handle more than three hundred cases but that if lawyers and litigants adopt ADR practice court rooms can be releive of the daily congestions.
The state Chief Judge however urged NSCDC to ensure a wider sensitization of the members of the public on the practice of ADR for a better awareness and knowledge.
Earlier in his speech, the Zonal Commander of NSCDC, Assistant Commandant General, AYINLA TALYE-OLOWO said the visit was to seek collaboration on the use of ADR in resolving some issues which he insisted would help decongest the courtrooms.
Our correspondent reports officials of the Rivers State Multi Door Courthouse led by the Director, VICTOR NWEKE led the team of NSCDC on a technical session where information on how to the fully in cooperated into the Multi Door Courthouse and operation of ADR will be emphasized.
Akujobi Amadi