Connect with us

Metro

Edo: Court dissolves journalist’s marriage, grants her custody of children

Published

on


An Edo High Court sitting in Benin City, presided over by the Chief of the State, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, has dissolved the 12-year marriage between Ms Best Mbiere, a female journalist and her estranged husband Mr Okechukwu Mbiere, over the irreconcilable breakdown of the union.

DAILY POST reports that the court delivered the judgment in a suit filed by the female journalist against her husband on May 17, 2023, seeking dissolution of the marriage and other reliefs.

The marriage, contracted on February 8, 2014, became the subject of legal proceedings in court.

Mbiere, a former reporter with the Independent Television and Radio, Benin City had told the court that she had borne the financial burden of the family since the respondent lost his job in 2018

The journalist who is now the founder of BeeTV News, an online television, among other reliefs, sought the custody of the children, monthly maintenance of N150,000, and a refund of N7 million allegedly used to establish a boutique business for the respondent.

She further prayed for the repayment of N21.5 million allegedly used to settle debts arising from fraud-related issues, and ownership of three properties in Edo.

On his part, the respondent, Mr

Okechukwu Mbiere, who did not oppose the dissolution of the marriage, however, challenged the request for custody of the children.

Mbiere argued that the children had been living with his mother because the petitioner’s demanding journalism career prevented her from adequately caring for them.

He also disputed ownership claims over three properties, insisting that one of them belonged to his mother.

In his judgment, Justice Okungbowa, held that both parties had consented to the dissolution of the marriage and that the union had broken down irretrievably.

Okungbowa while awarding custody of the couple’s three children to the petitioner, Best Mbiere, ruled that the welfare and best interests of the children remained paramount.

He noted that they were still of tender age and should remain in the custody of their mother.

The Chief Judge of Edo State also

directed the respondent to pay N100,000 monthly for the upkeep of the children, alongside their school fees, educational materials and medical expenses when necessary.

He, however, granted the respondent unhindered access to the children.

He further ordered the respondent to refund N21.5 million to the petitioner, being the amount of money she paid to offset debts linked to fraud allegations from the respondent’s former workplace.

On financial support, the court reduced the monthly maintenance claim from N150,000 to N100,000, citing the respondent’s financial capacity.

The judge also ordered the respondent to continue bearing responsibility for the children’s school fees and medical care.

Ruling on the disputed properties, the court declared one of them matrimonial property. However it awarded the two others to the respondent for lack of supporting evidence.

The court also declined to order the refund of the additional N7 million sought by the petitioner, citing a lack of evidence to substantiate the claim.



Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Metro

Police uncover gun factory in Yobe, arrest 7 suspects

Published

on

By


Operatives of the Yobe State Police Command have uncovered an illegal firearms fabrication site in Potiskum and arrested seven suspects.

This is contained in a statement by the State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dungus Abdulkarim, on Wednesday in Damaturu, the state capital.

Abdulkarim said operatives of the Potiskum Area Command, in collaboration with the Divisional Police Headquarters, carried out a coordinated raid following credible intelligence. 

He stated that police operatives mobilised to a blacksmith workshop located at Tasha Adua along Danchuwa Road, Potiskum.

According to him, during the operation, seven suspects were arrested, two fabricated pistols were recovered, twenty-four muzzle pipes, nine gun butts, four unserviceable Dane guns, one filing machine and one sharp cutlass.

“The suspects are currently undergoing thorough investigation with a view to identifying their collaborators, possible buyers, and the intended use of the fabricated firearms,” he said.

Meanwhile, the State Commissioner of Police, Usman Jibrin, has directed officers handling the case to intensify investigation, identify other illegal firearms fabrication centres within the area, and assess the level of security threat posed by such criminal activities. 

The command further advised members of the public to refrain from allowing their premises or facilities to be used for unlawful activities, including the fabrication of dangerous weapons. 

He urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements or activities to the nearest police station or other security agencies.



Continue Reading

Metro

Final-year Kogi varsity student found dead by roadside in Lokoja

Published

on

By


The Kogi State Police has confirmed the death of a final-year student of the Federal University Lokoja, Sarah Ojodomo Idoko.

The deceased’s body was found by the roadside in the Crusher area along the Felele-Lokoja Road in Lokoja, Kogi State.

Her body was discovered on the night of May 30, 2026, shortly after she was allegedly dumped at the location by unknown persons.

A passerby was said to have seen a vehicle stop briefly near the area around 8 p.m. before speeding away, after which the body was found.

Meanwhile, an identity card recovered at the scene initially led to reports that she was a student of Kogi State Polytechnic, but the police later clarified that she was a student of Federal University Lokoja.

The Association of Nigerian Female Students, Kogi chapter, condemned the killing, describing it as inhuman and unfortunate, calling on security agencies to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.

Kogi State Commissioner of Police, Naziru Kankarofi, confirmed the incident and said investigations had commenced.

“For now, we are not ready to disclose much about the ongoing investigation. We will make our findings public at the appropriate time for the law to take its course,” he said.



Continue Reading

Metro

Oyo Abduction: Protesters verbally attack police over kidnapped children, teachers

Published

on

By


Aggrieved protesters of the Oyo abduction incident on Wednesday exchanged words with operatives of the Nigeria police in Ibadan, the state capital.

In the heated argument, the visibly distressed protesters shouted at the police personnel that they could not calm down when their children were being held in the bush by kidnappers.

The protesters demanded unconditional release of the victims, challenging the police officers to go after the kidnappers.

“How can you be telling me to talk to you calmly while our children are still inside the bush with kidnappers?

“A teacher was beheaded? I am a citizen of this country. I have the right to shout.

“You are asking me to talk to you calmly? For what? You don’t know your job? You should have gone to the bush and bring the victims back alive,” one of the protesters fumed.



Continue Reading

Trending