Shockwaves are reverberating across Yorùbáland and the global Yorùbá diaspora following the sudden death of the Baba Ọba (King’s Father) of the famed Oyotunji African Village in South Carolina, USA. The late Baba Ọba, Lukman Arohunfale, a revered socialite and traditionalist, passed away under circumstances already sparking fierce controversy. His death comes just days after he publicly accused the newly installed Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty Oba Akeem Adéyẹmọ Owoade, of allegedly ordering his courtiers to beat him mercilessly during a recent courtesy visit to the Oyo palace in Nigeria. In a widely circulated voice recording, the deceased recounted how what was meant to be a simple homage turned violent. Although the Baba Ọba had reportedly battled ill health in the past year, growing insinuations suggest that the alleged physical assault may have aggravated his condition, ultimately leading to his untimely death. The palace in Oyo recently denied that s...
Nigerian couple bags 19 years in jail for sexually and physically abusing a girl and a boy in the U.K
A Nigerian couple living in Rochdale, U.K., has been jailed for a string of child abuse and sexual assault. Shola Ogundare, a 49-year-old male, has been jailed for 15 years after appearing at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court on Friday, May 15, whilst Olwafunmilayo Emmanuel, 35, has been jailed for 4 years for her role in the crimes.In July 2018, police were made aware that a young girl had reported being abused by Shola Ogundare, 49, and Olwafunmilayo Emmanuel, 35. An investigation was launched and officers established that the girl had been physically and sexually abused by the man named Ogundare and physically abused by Olwafunmilayo Emmanuel. Enquiries also established that a young boy had been physically abused by Ogundare and Emmanuel. Ogundare and Emmanuel were arrested and taken into police custody for questioning. They were subsequently charged and pleaded not guilty. Following a one-week trial, a jury found Ogundare guilty of attempted rape of a child, sexual assault by penetration of a child, sexual assault by touching of a child, causing a child to watch a sexual act, cruelty to a person under 16 and four counts of assault. Ogundare was sentenced at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court to 15 years in prison, while Emmanuel was found guilty of four counts of cruelty to a person under 16, and sentenced to four years in prison. Detective Constable Russell Clarke, of GMP’s Rochdale district, said: "First and foremost I would like to commend the victims for their strength in seeking help and disclosing what had happened to them. Both children have demonstrated incredible courage throughout our investigation and this trial, especially considering their age. "Abuse of this kind often has a long-lasting impact on victims but I sincerely hope that they can move forward with their lives – free from the fear of being abused. "Ogundare subjected these children to a prolonged campaign of abuse. Under the pretence of punishment, he sexually abused one of the victims to satisfy his most repulsive desires. Throughout this investigation, he has shown no remorse and the things he has said to try to evade justice have been beyond comprehension. "Emmanuel also subjected the children to physical abuse and has also shown no remorse. She has repeatedly defended Ogundare and tried to discredit the victims. "I hope today’s result sends a clear message to members of the public and offenders alike that police officers will do everything in their power to see justice done."