The mother and stepfather of a pregnant Michigan woman found dead in the woods have been accused of stabbing their daughter to remove the baby from her womb. 

Rebecca Park, 22, who was 39 weeks pregnant, was found dead on November 25 in Huron Manistee National Forest near her mother’s home in Boon Township, three weeks after she was reported missing, with her baby ‘not present’ at the scene. 

On Tuesday, Park’s biological mother and stepfather, Cortney, 40, and Brad Bartholomew, 47, were arrested and charged with her murder and several other crimes, according to a Michigan Department of Attorney General press release.

The couple is accused of orchestrating a plan in which they brought their daughter into their home, ‘forced her’ into a vehicle and drove her to a wooded park several miles behind the residence, as reported by Detroit Free Press.

It was there that the couple allegedly ‘tortured’ Park with the intent of removing her unborn infant.

Prosecuting attorney Johanna Carey alleges the couple forced Park to lie on the ground while they ‘cut her baby out of her’, resulting in the deaths of both mother and child, according to the outlet.

They allegedly left her there, sparking a weeks-long search, while other details regarding the baby were not immediately released following Tuesday’s court appearance.

‘This is, frankly, evil personified,’ Carey said during the arraignment in Wexford County’s 84th District Court.

Judge Corey Wiggins charged both Cortney and Brad with eight counts, including first-degree murder, torture and assault of a pregnant individual resulting in death. 

Brad was also charged as a habitual offender – fourth-offence notice – which could result in life behind bars if the primary offence carries a sentence of five years or more.

Both are being held without bail at Wexford County Jail and barred from any contact with one another. 

Just hours after the gruesome discovery, Park’s half-sister, Kimberly, and Richard Lee Falor – previously identified by 9 & 10 News as Park’s fiancé – were arrested. 

Kimberly was arraigned on three charges: tampering with evidence in a criminal case, lying to a police officer during a violent crime investigation and filing a false report of a felony. 

Richard, a convicted sex offender, was charged with two counts of delivering methamphetamine and could face a life sentence if convicted. 

When Park was reported missing early last month, her mother claimed she was the last person to see her daughter alive that evening, specifically after they ran errands together, according to 9 and 10 News.  

Cortney told authorities that after their trip, Park was at her home on South 21 ½ Road when her daughter said someone was coming to pick her up.

‘She’s like, “Mom, hold up. I got somebody coming.” And I’m like, “What do you mean you got somebody coming?” And she’s like, “I got somebody coming to get me”,’ the mother said, as reported by the outlet.

The car, described by Cortney as black with heavily tinted windows, was so dark that she said she couldn’t see who was behind the wheel. 

While her claims remain unproven, Park’s cellphone was later found on a two-track path near her mother’s home.

Kimberly told investigators that her sister, though missing before, normally kept in touch. Park’s own fiancé reiterated this, calling them ‘inseparable.’

‘Me and her have been together for a little over two years, and even when she’s not around me, she’s always in contact with me,’ Richard told the outlet.

He also revealed that the day before Park went missing, the couple went to the hospital, fearing she might be in early labour and learned that she was one centimetre dilated. 

Cortney claimed that she and others were working alongside the Wexford County Sheriff’s Office to handle the large number of tips coming in. 

But Park’s body was discovered towards the end of last month, with police stating that the search for her baby remains ongoing. 

According to Park’s biological father, he was the one who found her body while with a search party in the area where her phone had been discovered, as reported by 9 & 10 News. 

Park’s half-sister and alleged fiancé were the first family members taken into custody, with detectives saying Kimberly lied about the events that took place.

According to a felony complaint obtained by the Detroit Free Press, Kimberly alleged that Cortney ordered Brad to hit Park in the head, causing a seizure and prompting the couple to ‘take her body away.’ 

She was granted a $750,000 cash bond. Richard’s bail was set at $1 million cash, while he pleaded not guilty in court on Tuesday.

Both Cortney and Brad also appeared in front of a judge via video on Tuesday, with the courtroom filled with family, friends and community members seeking answers, according to WPBN.

‘This case involves a truly horrific homicide in which a young woman and her unborn child endured unimaginable suffering at the hands of the Defendants,’ attorney Carey said.

‘The brutality and disregard for human life displayed here are deeply troubling,’ she added. 

‘While these remain allegations until proven in court, the evidence reflects an extraordinary level of callousness and violence. We look forward to presenting the full facts in court.’

Daily Mail

The Nigerian Bar Association-Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) has elected a new leadership to steer the affairs of the all-important NBA section.

The new Executive Committee and Council Members were elected at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the section held yesterday at the prestigious IBOM Hotel & Golf Resort, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Veteran prison and criminal justice reform activist, Professor Uju Agomoh, emerged victorious as the new Chairman of the section, while Bar Leader, Mr Paul Daudu SAN, emerged as the new Vice Chairman. NBA Calabar Branch Chairman, Mr Enome Amatey, is the Secretary.

Below is the full statement issued by the section.

NBA-SPIDEL ELECTS NEW COUNCIL

Following the constitution of the Electoral Committee for the conduct of Nigerian Bar Association-Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL), an election was held at the Annual General Meeting of NBA-SPIDEL on Thursday, the 4th day of November, 2025.
Consequently, the new Council will be sworn in at 1 pm on Friday, the 5th day of December, 2025.
The new Council, which has Uju Agomoh, PhD, as Chairman and Enome Amatey as Secretary, comprises:

1. UJU AGOMOH, PhD – CHAIR
2. PAUL DAUDU, SAN – VICE CHAIR
3. ENOME J. AMATEY- SECRETARY
4. SAADATU ABDULLAHI MOHAMMED- TREASURER
5. BARBARA TOSAN ONWUBIKO – FIN. SECRETARY
6. MOJIRAYO OGUNLANA – PRO
7. SIMPLE DIOHA
8. PROF. PAUL ANANABA, SAN – COUNCIL
9. MONDAY UBANI, SAN- COUNCIL
10. JOHN AIKPOKPO-MARTINS- COUNCIL
11. KUNLE EDUN, SAN – COUNCIL
12. PRINCESS FRANK-CHUKWUANI- COUNCIL
13. OKEY LEO OHAGBA – COUNCIL
14. MONDAY ADJIE- COUNCIL
15. DORN CLAIMZ ENAMHE
16. OLAWUMI ABIOLA – COUNCIL
17. SIR EJIKE EZENWA, SAN
18. ANDREW ODUM, SAN
19. NTUFAM MBA E. UKWENI, SAN
20. YAKUBU BAWA
21. DR. NENNAH EBOH
22. CHIKA OKOLIE
23. STAN MBAEZUE
24. CHISOM ONUOHA
25. DR. IKE UKAM
26. SO. LONGWILLIAMS
27. AHMAD KHALIL

Messaging platform WhatsApp has rolled out native multi-account support for iPhone users, finally bringing iOS in line with its Android version.

iPhone users can now add up to two WhatsApp accounts on the same device, according to Gulf News.

Each account keeps separate chats, notifications, privacy controls and profile settings, while switching between them is handled through a new “Account List” option in the Settings menu.

The capability is currently available to beta testers on iOS version 25.34.10.72 and later. Android users have had similar multi-account functionality since 2023.

The update provides a convenient solution for people who manage both personal and work numbers, eliminating the need for a second device or reliance on the WhatsApp Business app. Notifications are also clearly labelled to show which account a message belongs to, with Face ID or Touch ID required when switching into protected accounts.

Analysts say the move reflects evolving user habits, as more individuals juggle multiple identities or roles from one phone. It also brings WhatsApp closer to rivals that already support multiple profiles.

Although a public rollout date has not been announced, early-access users in some regions are already seeing the feature.

Broader availability is expected soon as WhatsApp continues expanding tools for flexibility across accounts, linked devices and privacy settings.

Vanguard News

Residents of Ungwan Nungu in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State are on edge after terrorists issued fresh threats of retaliatory attacks in the wake of a military operation that killed two fighters and led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, and roughly ₦1.6 million believed to be ransom money.

Community members told SaharaReporters that ten villagers, six women and four men, were abducted from their farms on November 29, the latest in a string of attacks that have turned routine farm work into a high-risk venture. In an earlier assault, at least 15 people, mostly children, were kidnapped, with several later abandoned because they were too weak to keep up with the captors.

A Hausa-language audio message obtained by SaharaReporters reveals a militant vowing revenge, accusing locals of tipping off soldiers who later ambushed the gang during a ransom-collection attempt.

“We have ‘entered the same trousers’ with you,” the speaker warned, swearing that the group would “repay” the community for the loss of their men and their rifle.

According to residents, troops intercepted the terrorists on Friday as they attempted to retrieve ransom payment from relatives of kidnapped villagers. The military recovered the rifle, one round of 9mm ammunition, and cash believed to be meant for the abductors.

But the militants now claim the seized weapon must be paid for, or the entire community will face widespread assaults.

“From the farms to the villages to the roads, we will be attacking you unless you pay for the rifle,” the speaker said, vowing that the group would return “after we have fully prepared.” He warned of mounting casualties if their demands were not met: “Because of that rifle, only God knows how many lives will be lost.”

A community negotiator, also heard on the recording, pleaded that residents had no role in the military operation. He said soldiers had confronted the villagers, accusing them of hiding information about ransom negotiations. “The Nigerian military is angry because yesterday we took money to deliver to you and we did not inform them,” he said.

For residents of Ungwan Nungu, the threats feel chillingly real. With militants naming farms, roads, and villages as targets, civilians say they remain largely unprotected, despite increased military activity in the region.

A Nation Still Reeling From Another Mass Abduction

The Kaduna threats come as Nigeria grapples with the national trauma of one of its worst school kidnappings in years: more than 250 children from St. Mary’s Catholic Secondary School in Niger State remain missing two weeks after gunmen stormed their dormitories and marched them into the bush.

Parents say they have received no updates, no ransom demands, and no proof of life.

“We are not happy with what is happening,” said farmer Sunday Gbazali, whose 14-year-old son was taken on November 21. “I never knew the pain until it happened to me… We don’t know if he is sick, healthy, or even alive.”

Another parent, who asked not to be named for fear of reprisal, said hope is fading despite assurances from national security adviser Nuhu Ribadu. “Unfortunately, days have passed, and we are left with little hope,” he said.

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) reported that 303 children and 12 staff were abducted, though about 50 pupils escaped in the immediate aftermath. Some of the missing children are as young as six years old. Their school was guarded only by unarmed volunteers who fled when the attackers arrived.

The mass abduction has drawn international scrutiny, reviving painful memories of the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping and raising new questions about government preparedness. President Bola Tinubu has declared a nationwide security emergency and ordered the recruitment of thousands of additional military and police personnel in a bid to stem the escalating violence.

Ribadu told Catholic leaders in Kontagora that “the children are doing fine and will be back soon,” though no independent verification has been provided.

The Department of State Services (DSS) has reportedly intercepted and detained a medical doctor alleged to be a key courier supplying essential drugs to kidnapping syndicates operating across parts of Kwara State.

The doctor, whose identity has not yet been released, was arrested in the Jebba axis after intelligence reports linked him to the transport of medical supplies from Sokoto to criminal gangs hiding in forested areas of the state.

SaharaReporters gathered that the kidnapping networks have recently grown desperate for medical care, especially as several members reportedly sustained gunshot injuries in clashes with security operatives.

According to a statement posted by the Kwara State Government on Friday on its X handle, the administration explained that the secret service reported that the criminal gangs appear to be desperate for medical care after sustaining gunshot wounds during encounters with security forces.

The statement read, “The Department of State Service has taken into custody a medical doctor who was ferrying drugs from Sokoto to kidnappers in parts of Kwara State.

“The doctor was intercepted in Jebba area following intelligence reports about the activities of the kidnappers and their couriers.

“The secret service says the criminal gangs appear desperate for medical care following gunshot wounds sustained in encounters with security forces.

“So, we are advising improved security measures in health facilities in thickly forested areas which the kidnappers may target,” according to a security official.”

Previously, SaharaReporters reported that two Chinese nationals had been kidnapped in Kwara State.

SaharaReporters gathered that the two men were working at a BUA road construction site in the state.

They were working on the Bode Saadu/Kaiama/Kosubosu road project during the week when they were forcefully whisked away by the gunmen.

They were taken off the construction site on December 1 by a group of masked armed men, sources told SaharaReporters.

“Gunmen recently invaded the BUA road construction site along Bode Saadu/Kaiama Road. On December 1, 2025, between 11pm and 4am, they attacked the site which is located less than 2 kilometers away from the village of Bielesin/Fallah and close to another village called Olokiti,” a security source told SaharaReporters.

“The gunmen fired sporadic gunshots for about 2 to 3 hours before abducting two Chinese Nationals working with the company. As at today, there is no information from the gunmen.

“No casualty was reported as well, except for these two Chinese Nationals who were taken away to an unknown destination.”

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Honourable Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has reaffirmed the commitment of the country’s judiciary to the protection of human rights as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution and other international laws and treaties.

She emphasised that the judiciary remains steadfast in its constitutional mandate to uphold the rule of law and protect the rights of citizens.

The CJN spoke on Thursday at the conference on “Proportional Force and Respect for Human Dignity: A Dialogue in Governance” organised by the National Human Rights Commission in collaboration with Citizen FM.

The Administrator of the National Judicial Institute (NJI), Hon. Justice Babatunde Adeniran Adejumo, represented the Chief Justice of Nigeria at the conference.

In the goodwill message, Hon. Justice Kekere-Ekun congratulated the National Human Rights Commission on its 30th anniversary and commended the organisers for holding the conference on International Human Rights Day.

She emphasised that when authority is exercised with restraint, discipline, and accountability, it strengthens public trust and reinforces the legitimacy of institutions.

The CJN reiterated the judiciary’s commitment to protecting human rights and providing remedies where they are infringed.

“Let me make it abundantly clear that the judiciary remains steadfast in its constitutional mandate to uphold the rule of law and protect the rights of citizens”.

The CJN further commended the National Human Rights Commission for promoting dialogue and awareness on critical human rights issues in Nigeria.

The Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore Fulani socio-cultural association has claimed that Fulani pastoralists have been the victims of systematic and deadly attacks for 25 years, describing the situation as the only thing “close to genocide” in Nigeria. 

Speaking on Channels TV on Thursday, Miyetti Allah’s National Secretary, Engr. Saleh Alhassan said that those alleging Christian genocide in the country are merely seeking foreign aid.

Alhassan said, “If we must be honest in this country, if there is anything close to genocide in Nigeria, it’s genocide against the Fulani pastoralists in the last 25 years across the country, from Plateau to Benue to Zamfara to Kebbi State. 

“Pastoralists have been deliberately targeted, killed, displaced, and some state governors even enacted laws that criminalised pastoralism.”

He said that media reporting on insecurity involving pastoralists has fuelled misunderstanding of the crisis. 

According to him, ongoing narratives in sections of the media are “very unfortunate,” insisting that Fulani pastoral communities have been “repeatedly targeted, killed, displaced, and criminalised in several states.”

Alhassan maintained that Miyetti Allah supports government-led initiatives aimed at restoring peace. 

“As an organisation that has been campaigning for peace, we are in support of all government efforts to ensure sustainable peace across the country,” he said.

The Miyetti Allah official criticised what he described as “genocide town criers,” whom he accused of sensationalising the crisis to attract international sympathy and funding.

He cited the example of a bishop who reportedly took accounts of violence in Benue State to the United States. 

“What he is looking for is foreign aid. He failed to contextualise the actual conflict,” Alhassan alleged, questioning why local institutions were being sidestepped. 

“The Senate invited organisations to present memoranda on how to solve the farmer-herder crisis. Up till now, we have not been invited by the Senate to discuss that memorandum,” he said, adding that agencies such as the National Human Rights Commission were available for engagement.

Alhassan claimed that since U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent remarks referring to killings in Nigeria, attacks on pastoralists have intensified.

“In the last three weeks, pastoralists have been devastated in Kebbi State. They have been attacked in Niger State, in Benue State. 

“It is the locals who attacked the citizens. Pastoralists were destroyed and not a single word from the security agencies, not even the media,” he said.

He further alleged, “We have attacks on pastoralists in Kebbi State; no action was taken. Attacks on pastoralists in Niger State; no action was taken. Attack on pastoralists in Benue State, Ohimini Local Government, precisely, for crimes they have not committed.”

Alhassan argued that herders are frequently blamed without evidence, saying, “If there are conflicts in Benue, you accuse the pastoralist. After investigation, you will discover that even the locals are responsible for it.”

He called on the government to adopt a comprehensive strategy that addresses all actors involved in the country’s complex security landscape. 

While acknowledging that some herders may contribute to violence, he insisted that portraying them as the primary aggressors is misleading.

“Yes, we can have some of the herders involved in the conflict, but the way the conflict is being viewed as if the pastoralists are out there to kill and destroy people, that is not the truth. That is not the narrative,” he said.

Alhassan’s comments come amid heightened security challenges in several northern states, where communities continue to suffer from banditry, mass abductions, and farmer-herder clashes.

In the last two weeks alone, no fewer than 350 people have been abducted, with at least seven deaths recorded during multiple attacks.

Among the most notable incidents include mass abductions of schoolgirls and their teachers in Kebbi and Niger states, where over 300 schoolchildren and teachers were kidnapped following coordinated raids on schools.

The abduction of 38 worshippers during an attack on a Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State, which also left at least three dead.

An attack on a church in Kogi State, where gunmen kidnapped a pastor and his wife during Sunday service at the newly established Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Ejiba, Yagba West Local Government Area.

The kidnapping of a bride-to-be and her bridesmaids in Chacho village, Wurno LGA of Sokoto State.

The escape of the Ojibara of Bayagan in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, Alh. Kamilu Salami, and six others, after bandits demanded ₦150 million for the monarch’s release.

The persistent insecurity has deepened tensions across affected regions, complicating efforts to stabilize relations between farming communities and pastoralist groups.

Rotary International District 9127 will, on Saturday, 6th December, roll out drums to celebrate the 2025 edition of the Family of Rotary fun fair.

The celebration will be held at Monaliza Events and Sports Centre, Abuja, at 12 noon.
A statement signed by Dr Max Amuchie, Media Relations Chair, Rotary International District 9127, said the celebration would be declared open by Dame (Dr) Princess Joy Nky, District Governor, Rotary International District 9127, assisted by Rotary leaders in the District, including Rotarian Nneka Atuanya, District Chair, Family of Rotary.

The statement said the yearly celebration aims to bring together Rotarians and their immediate and extended families, as well as friends of Rotary, to have fun and unwind in a relaxed atmosphere.

Amuchie said the event would feature activities like soap soccer, lawn tennis, football and tug of war challenge. Others are cycling, cultural display, Ogene music and much more.

President Bola Tinubu has nominated former Rivers State Sole Administrator and ex–Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (retd.), for an ambassadorial posting—despite ongoing public outcry over allegations of financial misappropriation during his brief but controversial stewardship of the state.

The nomination appeared in a new list of non-career ambassadorial picks transmitted to the Senate on Thursday during plenary, where Senate President Godswill Akpabio read the president’s letter urging lawmakers to fast-track confirmation.

Other nominees include former presidential aide Ita Enang; former Imo First Lady Chioma Ohakim; and former Interior Minister and retired Army Chief Abdulrahman Dambazau.

Tinubu’s latest batch follows an earlier list of 32 nominees—featuring former INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, former governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Okezie Ikpeazu, former minister Femi Fani-Kayode, and ex-presidential aide Reno Omokri—reflecting a broader diplomatic overhaul already drawing intense scrutiny.

A Nomination Wrapped in Controversy

The president’s selections arrive just weeks after public anger over a sweeping pardon granted to 175 convicts, further heightening political tensions around the administration’s approach to accountability and patronage.

Read Also: ‘Political Rewards or National Interest?’ Ex-Foreign Affairs Chief slams Tinubu’s ambassadorial list

Among the most vocal critics of Ibas’ nomination is prominent environmental and human-rights advocate Annkio Briggs, who has long accused the retired admiral of mishandling the state’s finances during his six-month tenure as sole administrator. Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Briggs demanded a full accounting.

“He has squandered our funds,” Briggs said. “He must provide a thorough account to the people of Rivers State—and indeed to all Nigerians. You cannot take charge of our resources for six months and walk away as though nothing happened. He spent our money. That is a fact.”

Over ₦254 Billion in Six Months

An investigation by The PUNCH found that Rivers State received at least ₦254.37 billion from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) between March and August 2025—precisely the period Ibas presided over the state under emergency rule. The figure, derived from National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) data and FAAC meeting documents, places Rivers among the country’s highest earners during the period.

Monthly inflows ranged from ₦38.42 billion to ₦44.66 billion, averaging ₦42.40 billion, with projections suggesting total receipts could approach ₦297 billion by September.

More than half of these revenues—₦133.24 billion, or 52.4 percent—came from the constitutionally guaranteed 13-percent oil derivation, underscoring Rivers’ vulnerability to oil-market volatility. In several months, derivation payments exceeded statutory allocations by nearly fivefold.

The state also received ₦107.78 billion in VAT revenue, alongside electronic money transfer levies, ecology funds, and exchange-rate gains. Yet heavy debt servicing—amounting to ₦26.31 billion over the six months—significantly reduced net disposable income.

The Missing Accountability Report

Despite the unprecedented inflows, Rivers State has not published its mandatory 2025 Budget Implementation Report, leaving citizens and civil society groups unable to track how billions of naira were spent on salaries, pensions, capital projects, or recurrent obligations. The opacity has fueled demands for an investigation into Ibas’ management of the state’s finances.

Growing Calls for a Probe

At an online policy forum hosted by NPO Reports and Iwadi Development Initiative, stakeholders reiterated the need for a full audit of the period between March and August 2025.

“The public deserves answers,” one speaker said. “The spending of ₦254.37 billion cannot be left unexplained.”

Ibas stepped down last week following the expiration of the emergency rule. Still, his nomination for an ambassadorial role ensures that the debate over accountability in Rivers State is far from over.