Craigslist killings: Richard Beasley found guilty

Richard Beasley

The mastermind of a plot to lure men to their deaths with bogus jobs ads on the Craigslist website has been found guilty of aggravated murder.

Richard Beasley, 53, could now face the death penalty after being found guilty of murdering three men in Ohio.

His teenage accomplice, Brogan Rafferty, was sentenced to life in prison without parole last November.

A man who survived being shot - a key witness at both trials - gave harrowing testimony of fleeing for his life.

As well as aggravated murder - "aggravated" in this case because the murder was planned in advance - Beasley was convicted of aggravated robbery, kidnapping and attempted murder.

The jury will reconvene, reportedly on 20 March, to consider whether to recommend the death penalty for him.

As the verdict was read out, relatives of the victims hugged and wiped away tears while Beasley slumped over, his head in his hands, and his mother sobbed.

During the trial, prosecutors had argued the three murder victims - each single and out-of-work, with few family ties - had been lured with offers of farmhand jobs.

But Ralph Geiger, 56, David Pauley, 51 and Timothy Kern, 47, were shot dead. Beasley had intended to rob his victims and steal their identities, prosecutors said.

"He was the mastermind behind this plot,'' said prosecutor Jonathan Baumoel.

Survivor Scott Davis, 49, told the court he had heard a gun being cocked as he walked in front of Beasley after arriving for the supposed job interview.

He pushed the weapon aside and was shot in the arm, he said.

"I spun around,'' testified Mr Davis. "I was worried about bleeding to death."

Mr Davis gave chilling testimony of running through the woods and hiding for seven hours.

Beasley had argued that it was Mr Davis who pulled the gun.

Rafferty had argued at his trial that he had been powerless to stop the killings, saying he feared for his life and the lives of family members.

But this version of events was rejected by the jury.

source:BBC

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Jumia feeds 1,500 destitute and less privileged.

Nigerians who can conveniently feed themselves on a 3 square meal should be thankful and know that millions of Nigerians cannot even afford 1 meal in a country so blessed with human and natural resources. Jumia has taken the initiative to reach out to the less fortunate Nigerians and lend a helping hand. On the10 March 2013, 500 volunteers that included Jumia staff, Gbemi(Beat FM), Dami(Beat FM), Djinee, Weird MC, Shawlz (Classic FM), Lilian Unachukwu, Jeffery Daniel, Tosin Bucknor, Phyno, Ice Prince, Dammy Krane, Eminic, Joseph Benjamin, Toke Makinwa, Tillaman, Godwin& Sabina(Naija FM),

 Ill Bliss, Koch, Shadow d Don and many more celebrities converged in Ebute Metta for ‘Jumia feeds Lagos’, an event put together by Nigeria’s online retailer to hand a new lease of life to the destitute and less privileged in the society.

The day saw volunteers converge early in the day, with all hands on deck as they cooked up a storm for the less privileged. There was also lots of fun, music, games and more on hand to spice up the day. Highlight of the day was the volunteers interacting one on one with the less privileged with an aim to giving them ‘HOPE’ for tomorrow. As part of the joys of the day, Jumia also presented Okobaba Open Field, Ebute Metta venue of the event with a pumping machine to drain their playing field during the rainy season.

According to Afam Anyika, Public Relations manager at Jumia, “It is of great honor to introduce such a CSR initiative. ‘Jumia feeds Lagos’, a project initiated by Jumia Nigeria, Nigeria’s number 1 online retailer, a day for extending benevolence to the less privileged and destitute in the society. Aim for us primarily is to show well-meaning Nigerians and cooperates regardless of your industry there is still a lot we can do to improve society. 

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Police Foil Bank Robbery In Lagos

 An eight-man robbery gang met its waterloo yesterday as its members were arrested during an attempt to raid a new generation bank in Lagos.The incident occurred at Abule-Egba, an outskirt of Lagos about 2:30pm.

We gathered that the robbers, numbering eight, who were armed with five AK-47 rifles, were dislodged by the combined teams of the operatives attached to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Lagos State Police Command and officers and men of Area ‘G’ Command headquarters, Ogba, Lagos in an operation led by the commander in-charge, Mr Abdullahi Ishola, an assistant commissioner of police, when they attempted to raid the bank, located in Abule-Egba, following a tip-off.

In the ensuing gun duel, which lasted about an hour, it was learnt that all the eight members of the robbery gang were arrested, while five AK-47 rifles and an un-estimated large number of live ammunition were recovered.

It was said that during the gun battle, human and vehicular movement was halted as every passers-by took cover to prevent being hit by stray bullets.When contacted on phone, spokesperson of the Lagos State police command, Ngozi Braide, confirmed the incident, saying that two operational vehicles of the robbers were also recovered.

Source:Leadership

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FIFA Writes NFF Over Claims Of 'Lesbain Ban' From Super Falcons

International Federation of Football Association FIFA has written Nigerian Football Association NFA over claims of banning lesbians from playing national football. Dilichukwu Onyedinma, chair of the Nigerian Women Football League (NWFL), was quoted as making the statement: "Any player associated with it will be disqualified."

 While contravening FIFA's anti-discrimination policies, the situation is made more complicated because homosexuality is illegal in Nigeria. Currently, a Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Bill that specifically outlaws same-sex unions is awaiting a signature from president Goodluck Jonathan to go in to law.

 If that occurs, gatherings of homosexuals or any other support for gay clubs, organisations, unions - whether in secret or in public -will be banned, with same-sex couples facing up to 14 years in prison. In a speech at the NWFL's recent annual general assembly, Onyedinma is reported to have said that lesbian players would no longer be eligible for the Nigerian women's national team and would "be sacked" from their club sides.

 The Super Falcons have won the Africa Women's Championship eight times, but exited the 2011 Women's World Cup at the group stage and did not qualify for London 2012.

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Father K*lls 3 Months Old Baby Through Oral S**x...Gets 2 Life Sentences

A 28 year old father Steven Deuman Jr has been sentenced to 2 life terms in prison for causing the death of his 3 months old daughter while he was oral raping her. In August 2011, Deuman's infant daughter, Evelynne Deuman, was found dead with a condom in her mouth. Deuman said he had stepped outside to smoke only to return and find their daughter on the floor bleeding from the nose, unconscious and not breathing with the discarded condom in her mouth.

Instead of calling 911 for help, he called the girl’s mother, Natasha Maitland, and told her their baby wasn’t breathing. A call to 911 was not made until after Maitland drove back home from work. Instead of waiting for an ambulance, they attempted to drive to the hospital, but were met by responding paramedics who tried to revive Evelynne before rushing her to the hospital.

But, according to prosecutors, Evelynne had been dead for far too long.

It wasn’t until later that Deuman allegedly whispered to Maitland that he had pulled the used condom out of their daughter’s mouth. Subsequent tests showed the DNA on the outside of the condom belonged to the baby and on the inside belonged to Deuman.

The FBI alleged Deuman killed the girl during a penetration, or attempted penetration of aggravated sexual abuse and an autopsy showed no evidence that the girl fell but determined that she died of asphyxiation. 

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Nigerian Serial Car Snatcher Faces Trial

Sunday Fatokun

A man, Sunday Fatokun, 41, alleged by the police in Lagos to be the ring leader of a five-man car snatching gang that operates in Lagos and Oyo states, has been arrested and is now facing trial.

Fatokun who has been on police wanted list since 2009,  allegedly confessed to the operatives at the Federal Special Anti Robbery Squad, Adeniji Adele road, Lagos Island, southwest Nigeria, that  he only receives stolen cars from robbers.

The suspect was arrested after he allegedly conspired with others, now in prison custody, to snatch about 24 exotic cars in Lagos and ferried them to Ogbomoso in Oyo State to sell.

 He was arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrate’s Court, on a two-count charge of felony to wit, armed robbery.

The police alleged in the charge sheet that the accused had been on the police wanted list  over  cases of armed robbery and car snatching around Costain, Iganmu and Surulere areas of Lagos state.

The accused allegedly parked all the cars he and his gang snatched in Lagos at David Olatunbosun’s house in Ogbomoso, Oyo State for sale.

The police stormed the place and removed six different brands of vehicles and plate numbers which they displayed for sale while a suspect, Gabriel Olajide, was arrested at the scene and taken to Lagos state for interrogation.

Among the vehicles recovered according to the police was  a Toyota Sienna bus with registration number BF 259 KUJ property of Fasasi Rasheed which has since been returned to the owner.

During interrogation, Olajide allegedly confessed  that Sunday Fatokun is their leader and that they allegedly snatch cars in Lagos and then take them to Ogbomoso, Oyo State, to sell.

Olajide was charged to court and remanded in prison custody for armed robbery pending advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecution, DPP.

Nemesis caught up with Fatokun this year when the Federal (SARS) operatives received information that the suspect has been arrested by the police at the Ondo State Command over another offence.

They went to the police command to arrest him and take him back to Lagos.

During interrogation, Fatokun allegedly confessed that he only receives stolen cars from robbery suspects in Oyo State and that he is not an armed robber. After investigation, he was charged to court for armed robbery.

The offences the prosecutor, Supol C.N. Odii, said, contravened Section 6 (b) 1 (2) (a) of the robbery and firearms (Special Provisions) act.

The plea of the accused was not taken as the court lacks jurisdiction to try the matter.

The Magistrate, Mrs. Aigbokheabo ordered that the accused be remanded in prison custody pending the advice from the directorate of public prosecution, DDP, on the matter.

She adjourned the matter till 22 March, 2013 for mention.

Source:PMnews

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Power Gens Pack Up At MMA Airport

Power cuts have caused series of near-tragic landings at the Lagos airport, in southwest Nigeria, over the past few days, passengers aboard the lucky planes have said. And the two electricity generators serving the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, have broken down, thus compounding the situation.

On Monday night, as an Emirates Flight EK781 was about to land, a sudden power cut struck, forcing the pilot to divert the plane to Lome, capital of Togo, a neighbouring West .

The Emirates plane, an Airbus A340-500, had arrived from Dubai, United Arab Emirates and had already received clearance for landing from the traffic controllers when the near accident happened at about 7.44 pm, reports said.

The plane, it was learnt, returned to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, several hours later and made a safe landing at about 11p.m.

A few minutes after, passengers said, there was another power outage at Nigeria’s gateway. The incident was almost a repeat of what happened to a Kenyan Airways flight on Saturday night.

The Kenyan Airways had come from Nairobi, Kenya, and had arrived the Lagos airport at about 9p.m. in complete darkness.

“The blackout was total,” said a passenger onboard the plane.

“The experience I had on Saturday was very difficult. The runway light at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos was switched off. The arrival hall was dark and the immigration officials were using torchlight to work. I even wanted to talk with the pilot but it was too dark and I couldn’t see her.”

The passenger, a frequent traveller, pledged anonymity but called on Nigerian authorities to come clean with the truth.

When contacted, the spokesperson of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, Mr. Yakubu Datti, said that rain storms were to blame.

He also admitted that since the generator house was blown off last year, it had not been fixed and the water penetrated the panels.

As a result, he said, the panels were soaked and could not transmit power to the E-wing of the terminal building.

He said: “The heavy rain storm that occurred in Lagos yesterday, March 4, disrupted power supply to the Murtala Muhammed Airport for about six minutes due to a power surge from the two main PHCN power supply sources to the airport.”

The airport is connected to two main power sources from Ejigbo and Egbin power stations.

Datti said the storm initially knocked off the power supply from Ejigbo which led to a three-minute outage at the airport before FAAN engineers switched over to the alternate power supply source from Egbin.  “That supply line was later affected by the storm, leading to another three minute power outage,” he said.

“Our engineers then switched over to the airport’s standby generators, some panels of which were unfortunately soaked with water, due to the heavy flooding that resulted from the heavy rainfall.

“This resulted in a blackout at the ‘E’ wing of the airport, including the avio bridges. It was for this reason that arriving passengers on an international flight were processed through an alternative route at the terminal and in the process, were exposed momentarily to the rain,” he said.

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Shekau’s Boko Haram beheads ‘informant’ in new video

The leader of Nigeria’s Boko Haram denied any ceasefire deal with the government in a video obtained Tuesday in which a man accused of being an informant appears to be beheaded on camera.

Abubakar Shekau also makes no mention of kidnappings in the video, including last month’s abduction of seven members of a French family in neighbouring Cameroon that was blamed on his group.

It was not clear when or where the video was made. The clip has been distributed to Nigerian journalists in the country’s north in recent days through intermediaries.

Sources familiar with Boko Haram say it was handed out in this manner because Nigerian authorities have been blocking the group’s videos from being uploaded to YouTube.

AFP could not verify the authenticity of the video but the man speaking closely resembles a person identified in previous clips as Shekau.

There are two separate parts to the video: one of Shekau speaking and another of the apparent beheading. Shekau cannot be seen in the second part.

The video is in part a response to a man claiming to be a Boko Haram commander who has appeared in public several times in recent months calling for dialogue and declaring a ceasefire.

There has been deep suspicion over whether the man calling for the ceasefire has truly represented Boko Haram.

“We have never made a truce with anybody, and no one represented us in any dialogue,” Shekau, wearing a knee-length green caftan and with an AK-47 dangling from his neck, says in the video, which is about 10 minutes long.

Speaking in the Hausa language common throughout northern Nigeria, he names the man who made the ceasefire claim, Sheikh Muhammed Abdulazeez Ibn Idris, and promises punishment for those who falsely represent the group.

“We have not entered into dialogue with anyone,” he says. “Which kind of dialogue, for God’s sake, when day and night our brothers are being arrested, imprisoned, including women and children?”

Shekau is flanked by six men holding weapons with their faces covered by headscarves, standing outdoors in an unknown location.

After he finishes speaking, the video cuts to another clip that shows a man with his hands and legs bound. A group of men pin him to the ground, while one appears to slit his throat.

They later appear to behead the victim, who is labelled an informant who provided information to the military. Shekau cannot be seen in the clip of the apparent killing and beheading.

Violence linked to Boko Haram’s insurgency in northern and central Nigeria has led to the deaths of some 3,000 people since 2009, including killings by the security forces.

A video that emerged on YouTube on February 25 showed the kidnapped French family as well as their abductors, who claimed to be from Boko Haram, though the video was significantly different from past footage attributed to the group.

Boko Haram had never before claimed responsibility for a kidnapping, though a splinter faction of the group, known as Ansaru, has appeared to focus on abducting foreigners in recent months.

The group is believed to have a number of factions with varying aims.

source:PMnews

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Gunmen target Nigerian bank

 Gunmen killed eight people in an attack on a police station and a bank in north-eastern Nigeria, a witness and a security official said on Tuesday, in an area frequently targeted by Islamist militants. 

 

The attackers stormed the town of Gwoza late on Monday, close to the Cameroon border in Borno state, where Islamist sect Boko Haram has killed hundreds in an insurgency.

It was not clear if the gunmen were Boko Haram members or one of several criminal gangs that have flourished amid worsening security in the north. 

“The divisional police officer and two other policemen were killed when the station was attacked and the manager of a local bank and four others also lost their lives,” local resident Umar Yahuza told Reuters. 

A security official in Gwoza who asked not to be named confirmed eight people had been killed.Western governments fear Boko Haram, or factions of it, have linked up with other groups in the region, including al-Qaeda's North African franchise.

The Nigerian group is seeking to carve out an Islamic state in a country split roughly equally between Christians and Muslims. 

Attacks in northern Nigeria are increasingly targeting foreign interests, especially since a French-led operation last month against Islamists in northern Mali. Nigeria has sent hundreds of troops there to join the operation. 

A French family of seven were kidnapped last month just over the Cameroon border, close to Gwoza, by a group claiming to be Boko Haram who said it would kill the hostages if authorities did not release Muslim militants held in prison. 

On Sunday, the Nigerian military said it killed 20 militants when it repelled an attack a barracks in Borno state.

Gunmen killed a security guard and abducted a Briton, an Italian, a Greek and four Lebanese workers after storming the compound of Lebanese construction firm Setraco in Bauchi state on February 16. - Reuters

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