Metro
‘I Killed My Friend Because She Snatched My Boyfriend 10 Years Ago’
Anita Ofili, the lady who was arrested on March 26 for allegedly stabbing her friend, Glory Okon, to death in her apartment at Greenville Estate, Ajah area of Lagos, has revealed that she waited for 10 years to have her pound of flesh.
She further revealed that she committed the act because the deceased snatched her boyfriend about 10 years ago.
Occupants of the building were alerted by a shout for help from Ofili’s one-room self-contain apartment at 1.20p.m., penultimate Sunday.
They reportedly forced the door open, only to discover Ofili thrusting a kitchen knife into Okon’s neck.
Unfortunately, the victim, who was rushed to the General Hospital on Lagos Island, was confirmed dead, having lost so much blood.
One of the tenants of the building, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to Vanguard, explained that “the landlord’s daughter was the one that heard the scream.
“She peeped through the window and saw a masked person stabbing a lady. She rushed and called her father, who alerted other tenants that forced the door open, only to discover that the masked person was Anita Ofili.
“The whole room was filled with blood. We discovered that the victim was still breathing. We had to tie Ofili’s legs and hands to prevent her from escaping.
“Before the arrival of the Police, Ofili did not show any sign of remorse. She said she would explain to the Police what happened.
“She claimed the lady in question was her friend and that her action was in revenge for what her friend did to her.”
Vanguard gathered that the suspect and the deceased had been friends for close to two decades and had attended the same tertiary institution.
They were said to have had a misunderstanding that tore them part for close to 10 years before they reconciled two weeks ago.
Vanguard further gathered that both of them returned from a party penultimate Sunday.
Explaining why she committed the act, Ofili said: “Glory and I had been good friends for years, but she betrayed that friendship by snatching my boyfriend.
“I had the intention of marrying him. Her action strained the relationship and we went our separate ways for 10 years.
“We only reconciled two weeks ago. I invited her to my house and the rest you know.”
Meanwhile, Vanguard was informed that family members of the suspect distanced themselves from Ofili over her action.
One of them, who visited the State Criminal Intelligence and Investigations Department, SCIID, yesterday, was heard telling others that “I knew Anita was troublesome, but I never knew she could go to this extent.
“I stopped visiting her over 12 years ago because of her character flaws.”
Meanwhile, a team of detectives visited Ofili’s apartment, yesterday.
Police sources said tramadol suspected to have been used to drug the deceased was recovered.
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the arrest of the suspect.
He said: “At 5.50p.m., on March 26, a resident of Greenville Estate came to the station to report that he heard someone screaming from the room of one Annie Ofili, that himself and other tenants quickly rushed to the room, forced the door opened only to meet Annie on top of Glory Okon, who came to visit her.”
He said Ofili held Glory Okon’s throat and stabbed her on the neck and back with a kitchen knife, that they rushed Okon to the hospital, where she was confirmed dead.
“Upon the information, a team of detectives moved to the scene. The suspect was arrested, the knife recovered, while the corpse was deposited at the Mainland General Hospital mortuary, Yaba, for autopsy and preservation.
“The suspect has been transferred to the SCIID, Yaba, for discreet investigation.”
Vanguard
A member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Joe Igbokwe, has called for the dismissal of the soldier who resisted the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The soldier had blocked Wike and officials of the FCTA from accessing a portion of land in the FCT.
The officer, claiming he was acting on instructions, told Wike that he would not be allowed into the property. Wike, however, questioned his authority, leading to a heated confrontation and name calling.
Reacting on Facebook, Igbokwe questioned who was behind the military officer in challenging the FCT Minister.
He wrote, “Who is this man in uniform? Of what meat is he fed? Who is beating the drum for him? This is unacceptable? His uniform has to be removed.”
The Lagos State Police Command has vehemently denied reports making the rounds that it was involved in the attempted release of a Lebanese national, who is in custody for the defilement of eight children.
The Police made the rebuttal via a statement signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, on behalf of the Commissioner of Lagos, and made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP).
In the statement titled, RE: OUTRAGE AS LAGOS POLICE ALLEGEDLY ATTEMPT TO RELEASE LEBANESE ACCUSED OF DEFILING EIGHT CHILDREN, the Police noted as follows:
“The Lagos State Police Command is not involved in any alleged attempt to release a Lebanese accused of defiling eight children.“
The story is therefore inaccurate and misleading.
The above case is being handled discreetly by the Gender Unit of the Command with the highest level of professionalism, diligence, and in line with international best practices, by specially trained gender case specialists.
Furthermore, the investigation strictly follows the standard operating procedures for cases involving children and young persons. The Gender Unit of the Command remains firmly committed to child protection and upholding due process in the pursuit of justice, without fear, favour, or sentiment toward anyone involved, whether a foreign national or Nigerian.
The case in question, which is under thorough investigation, does not involve any Lebanese, but rather a national of one of the Southern African countries. Every necessary step has been taken to ensure that justice is served in the matter. It is important to inform the public that both the biological mother of the child and the child herself made statements to the Police affirming that the child was neither molested nor defiled by the accused person.
However, the complaint by the child’s father, who has custody of the child, on his allegations against the accused person, is being carefully investigated to ensure justice in the matter and prevent any miscarriage of justice. The outcome of the investigation will definitely be made public.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, has directed a discreet investigation into the allegations highlighted by the reporter in the report to ensure that no stone is left unturned in getting to the root of the matter . The writer of the story has also been contacted and briefed on the steps being taken by the Police to ensure that justice is achieved.
The Commissioner of Police furthermore wishes to reiterate his full confidence in the impartiality, competence, and high level of professionalism in the Officer-in-Charge of the Gender Unit, Lagos Police Command,Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Toyin Kazeem, who was officially out of the country on IACP in the United States when the matter was reported to the Gender Unit. Her exemplary track record, both locally and internationally, exemplifies her integrity, dedication, and commitment to handling gender-related and other sensitive cases. Under her leadership, the Gender Unit has brought pride to the Command and provided justice to numerous vulnerable persons, including women and children.
The Lagos State Police Command therefore urges the public and the media to continue to repose trust and confidence in the ability of the Command to deliver justice in all cases, particularly those involving children and other vulnerable groups. The outcome of this case will be made known to the public on completion of the investigation.
The family of former President Shehu Shagari has announced the death of his last surviving widow, Hajiya Saratu Shehu Shagari.
She passed away on Monday at the age of 89, after a prolonged illness.
A statement signed by the eldest son of the former president, Captain Mohammed Bala Shagari, confirmed that Saratu died at about 3 pm.
He described the late Hajiya Saratu as an embodiment of grace, humility, and quiet strength, who lived a life of dignity and service.
The family also said details of the funeral arrangements would be announced in due course.
