The Nation Newspaper

Tag: absence

  • Kanu’s absence stalls proceedings

    The failure of the Department of State Services (DSS) to produce Director of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, stalled proceedings yesterday in the charge brought against him by the Federal Government at a Magistrate’s Court in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja.

    When Chief Magistrate Shuaibu Usman enquired about the accused’s whereabouts, prosecuting lawyer  Moses Idakwo said the DSS found it unnecessary to produce the accused because the court was to hear his application challenging its jurisdiction to hear the charge against him.

    The magistrate said he had, on October 23, directed that the accused be produced whenever the case comes up and since the case was criminal in nature, the accused’s presence was necessary. He adjourned till November 23.

    Usman’s question was informed by the disagreement between two lawyers – Ezechukwu Obete and Gabriel Ebule – over who should represent Kanu.

    The magistrate said Kanu’s presence was necessary for him to choose who should represent him. He noted that the accused had no lawyer when he was arraigned on October 19.

    He observed that Ebule only volunteered to defend the accused because he said he had no lawyer in court.

    Shortly after the case was called and the prosecution lawyer announced his appearance, Ebule announced his appearance for the accused and informed the court that he represented the accused person on October 19.

    Ebule produced a letter which he said was written by Kanu’s wife appointing him as the defence lawyer.

    Idakwo noted that the notice of preliminary objection filed for Kanu was filed and served on him by Ebule.

    On his part, Obete presented two letters; the first  he said was written by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPB) and signed by an official of the group, Alphonsus Mefor, appointing him as lawyer.

    The second letter was said to be dated October 16 and written by the father of the accused and ruler of Afara-Ukwu in Abia State.

    Obete added that he was an Enugu-based lawyer and that Ebule only capitalised on his absence from the previous proceedings.

    He said he was late to court on October 19 because he got the notice late and arrived Abuja late.

    While the court proceedings lasted, sympathisers waited outside wondering why Kanu was not in court. They were, however, happy to learn that the court directed that he should be produced at the next hearing.

    Kanu is accused, among others, of forming an unlawful society with the purpose of bringing into being, a republic of Biafra. He was also said to have proclaimed himself leader of the  Biafra and established a radio of Biafra.

    The accused is also said to have appointed himself commander of the Loyal Forces of Biafra and was broadcasting to the world that the government and people of Nigeria woud suffer should they attempt to hinder the actualisation of Biafra.

     

  • N30m land scam: Defence counsel’s absence stalls trial of 86-yr-old suspect

    N30m land scam: Defence counsel’s absence stalls trial of 86-yr-old suspect

    The trial of an octogenarian, Pa Adeola Ajidahun, who was accused of fraudulent land sale, was stalled on Wednesday by the absence of a defence counsel, Abdulkareem Adio.

    The Special Fraud Unit (SFU) of the Nigeria Police had arraigned Pa Ajidahun,86, before an Igbosere Magistrate’s Court, Lagos Island, for allegedly  obtaining money under false pretence.

    During Wednesday’s proceedings,  Adio sent a letter to the court apologizing for his absence, which he said was due to a legal commitment at the Court of Appeal, Lagos.

    Pa Ajidahun was however present in court.

    Adio therefore asked the court to adjourn the trial of the accused.

    The presiding magistrate, Mrs Awogboro said the definite trial would commence on November 25 and emphasized that Adio must be present in court on the date.

    Ajidahun was slammed with a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy to defraud by false pretence and stealing with others now at at large.

    He was arrested following a petition forwarded to the police anti-fraud unit by one Kehinde Ola, who claimed he was defrauded by the octogenarian and that he had refused to refund his money despite several entreaties.

    The defendant pleaded not guilty to all the counts.

    The SFU had alleged that the accused conspired to obtain a sum of N30 million from Ola, under the pretext that the said sum was the cost of two plots of land at Lekki Penninsula Resettlement Scheme in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State.

    An official of the police anti-fraud unit, Mrs Suzan Ezema, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, had told the court that the offence was committed sometime in December, 2013.

    The offence, according to the police contravened Sections 409, 312(1) and 285 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.

    The three- count charge reads: “That Adeola Ajidahun ‘m’ and others at large between 1st and 14th December, 2013 at Mega Chicken Restaurant at Ikota, Ajah, Lagos within Lagos Magisterial District did conspire among yourselves to commit felonies to obtain money by false pretence and stealing and thereby committeed an offence punishable under Section 409 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2011.

    “That you Adeola Ajidahun ‘m’ and others at large on the aforesaid date, place and magisterial district, with intent to defraud did obtain the sum of N30 million from one Kehinde Ola, under false pretence that you were selling him two plots of land at Lekki Penninsula Resettlement Scheme in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State, a representation that you know to be false and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 312(1) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2011.

    “That you Adeola Ajidahun ‘m’ and others at large on the aforesaid date, place and magisterial district did steal the sum of N30 million property of Kehinde Ola, which you fraudulently took from him to sell him two plots of land and fraudulently converted same to your own use and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 285(1) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2011.”

    The case was formerly handled by a magistrate, Mrs O.O Oshin, who granted Pa Ajidahun bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two sureties in like sum in December, 2014.

    The court held that the sureties must show evidence of tax remittance to the Lagos State government in the last three years, while one of the sureties must be a senior civil servant on level 16.

    The accused was remanded in Ikoyi Prison until he was able to perfect his bail about seven months later.

  • Judge’s absence stalls pastor’s trial

    The current engagement of Justice M. M. Koko of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja has temporarily stalled the trial of 40-year old pastor, Paul Agada, who is charged with stealing over N200 million belonging to his employer.

    Agada, who was employed as General Manager in charge of Business Development and Strategy over a chain of businesses owned by Goomeej Nigeria Ltd, owners of Lugard Beach Hotels, Lokoja, Kogi State and Mr. Biggs outlets in Lokoja, Okene, Abuja and Lagos, was arraigned on a 21-count charge filed by the Inspector General of Police (IGP).

    In the suit, Agada was charged with forgery, stealing, dishonesty, among others.

    He pleaded not guilty to the charge and was granted bail. Trial was to commence when Justice Koko was appointed as a judge of one of the election petition tribunals, following which the judge adjourned the case indefinitely.

    Count of the charge reads: “That you Pastor Paul Agada ‘m’, sometimes in 2010, in Abuja, within the judicial division of this court, with intent to defraud, did forge petty expenses vouchers belonging to Goomeej Nig Ltd. (your employer and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 364 of the Penal Code Law.”

    Count two: “That you Pastor Paul Agada ‘m’, sometime in 2010, in Abuja, within the judicial division of this court, with intent to defraud, did forge internal memo dated 25/02/2010 belonging to Goomeej Nig Ltd (your employer) and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code Law.”

    Count three “That you Pastor Paul Agada ‘m’, sometime in 2010, in Abuja, within the judicial division of this court, did steal N199,536,499.00 property of Goomeej Nig. Ltd (your employers) and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 289 of the Penal Code Law.”

    In count four, he was accused of stealing his a 5.5 KVA power generating set worth N120,000, belonging to his employer while counts five and six charged him with stealing his employers’ N100,000 and N600,000 respectively.

    In other counts, he was charged with stealing various sums of money belonging to his employers.

  • CONGO DR ABSENCE: I’ve no regrets – Enyeama

    CONGO DR ABSENCE: I’ve no regrets – Enyeama

    Super Eagles captain Vincent Enyeama has insisted that he does not feel guilty staying away from the last two Africa Nations Cup qualifier against Congo and South Africa in which the Eagles struggled to get only one point, and losing at home after over two decades.

    According to the Lille of France goalkeeper, those matches now are in the history books “I am one of those that don’t talk about history because I don’t believe in them. I don’t feel guilty about the result God gave us in those matches, and I don’t feel guilty staying out of the matches. All that is now history, we should all focus on the task ahead, and look forward to getting good results in the two matches” he said.

    The former Enyimba of Aba goalkeeper, maintained that they are under any pressure , but could not imagine the Super Eagles not been part of AFCON in Morocco next January ” We are not under any pressure whatsoever, but as players, we would do our best to ensure that we win the two matches, and by the grace of God we would not disappoint Nigerians. I don’t want to imagine that we would not qualify for the competition next year, because I would not feel happy. I don’t want to think about that, because it is not in my calendar at all. I am very optimistic that we would be in Morocco to defend the trophy we won last year”.

    He dismissed any threat from the weather saying that as players, they are used to all the weather conditions “I don’t know what the weather is like, but I know very well that it would be very hot, but as footballers, we strive in all weather conditions, and that should not be an excuse. We have to play, even if it is not what we want, we don’t have a choice” he concluded

  • Omisore’s excuse for absence at debate lacks wisdom, says APC

    Omisore’s excuse for absence at debate lacks wisdom, says APC

    •Group flays candidates’ nonappearance

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has decried the reasons adduced by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Otunba Iyiola Omisore, for not participating in the pre-governorship election debate in Osogbo last Saturday.

    It described the PDP candidate’s arguments as “the wisdom of a fool.”

    Omisore had reportedly claimed that he was supposedly superior to Governor Rauf Aregbesola, which made it a match “between two unequal parties.”

    He also inferred that the “weaker of the two parties may resort to physical assault and harassment.”

    But the APC observed that it was disheartening that Omisore’s remark came after the event, which it said “Aregbesola was majestic and at home with facts and figures on how his administration had prudently managed the state’s economy.”

    It added: “Omisore sounded mean and shallow when he tried to denigrate Aregbesola’s academic qualification that the governor ‘presented O’Level (certificate) to INEC’. Again, that’s the wisdom of a fool; but for the foolishness embedded in that piece of information is that Omisore’s current certificate presented to INEC was a court affidavit in place of his primary and secondary school certificates.

    “In particular, we challenge Omisore to produce his certificates from St John’s Grammar School, Ile Ife and Owo Polythecnic, Ondo State.

    “What moral authority then has a man who till today presented court affidavit to show that he went to primary and secondary schools to denigrate another person who he said presented his O’Level certificate to INEC?”

    Omisore, the APC said, has missed his chance to convince the world that he was mentally and intellectually mature enough to handle difficult situation under pressure in a robust and critical debate.

    “The truth of the matter is that, like all inadequate personalities, Omisore was and continues to be afraid of confronting Aregbesola who can expose his lies with incontrovertible facts. That was why he ran away from the debate – simplicita!” it stated.

    An association, Oranmiyan Support Group, has condemned the actions of Omisore and others who refused to attend the debate organised by a United States (U.S.)-based organisation, the International Republican Institute (IRI).

    The group also decried candidates who rely on material inducements to woo the electorate rather than intellectual engagements.

    The group’s leader, Mr. Ayo Akinola, who spoke in Osogbo, said: “Debates are used all over the world to sell political programmes and manifestoes to the electorates.

    “It also provides opportunities for candidates to argue and correct erroneous impressions about themselves and even foster bond of friendship among contending political figures, as this is about the only opportunity that enables candidates to meet one-on-one.”

  • Absence of EFCC witnesses stalls trial

    The inability of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to produce other witnesses in a N53.6 million suit instituted against five suspected fraudsters before a Lagos High Court, Igbosere, yesterday stalled the continuation of trial.

    Justice Christopher Balogun adjourned the case till July 2, after the cross-examination of prosecution witness one, Kabir Sani and EFCC could not produce the other witnesses.

    The anti-graft agency on October 31 last year, arraigned Chris Nwaigwe, 34; Farouk Balogun, 28; Fawas Animashaun, 29; Damilola Ali, 28; and Olasunkanmi Banire, 27, on a 26-count charge of conspiracy, forgery and Internet fraud.

    They were alleged to have committed the offence on April 27 last year by defrauding Sani of $210,000, equivalent of N53,577.597.00 million.

    During cross-examination by counsel to the fifth defendant, Kolade Ala, Sani, a bureau de change operator, told the court that the defendants told him they would use the money to buy land at Lekki/Ajah, Lagos, which his partner, Mr. Virgo, paid into his account.

    Sani said his partner reported him to the EFCC after he had made payments and collected exchange commission of N9 million.

    Said he: “I’m a licensed bureau de change operator and the N9 million was a commission paid to me, which I refunded to the owner when I was alerted that the money was fraudulently obtained.

    “I also wrote a petition to the EFCC to report the defendants, after which I was invited to their office to make a statement and I did.”

  • Cynthia: Pharmacist’s absence stalls trial

    The absence of Orji Osita, the pharmacist alleged to be culpable in the murder of Cynthia Osokogu, yesterday stalled the arraignment of the suspected killers at an Ikeja High Court.

    Osita was to be arraigned with Okwumo Echezona Nwabufo and Ezike Ikechukwu Olisaeloka, while Ezike Nonso Ifechukwu before Justice Olabisi Akinlade. Ifechukwu is charged with receiving stolen goods.

    Other defendants were in the court except Osita, who is said to be on bail by a magistrate’s court.

    The court adjourned the case till February 5.

    Last year, Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye had told reporters that those found culpable in Cynthia’s death would be tried for murder based on the advice of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).

    The DPP’s advice to the Deputy Commissioner of Police, D Department, Panti, Yaba was signed by Mrs. M.B. Olaniyi on behalf of the Attorney-General named Nwabufo and Olisaeloka as principal suspects.

    They were recommended for trial for murder and stealing, which contravene Sections 231, 221, 409 and 285 (1) of the Criminal Law, No. 11, Laws of Lagos State, 2011.

    Ifechukwu is to be tried for receiving stolen property contrary to Sections 326(1) (2) Law of Lagos State.

  • Judge’s absence stalls Ogbulafor’s trial

    The trial of former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman Vincent Ogbulafor for alleged N170 million contract fraud was stalled yesterday, following the absence of the judge.

    Justice Ishaq Bello of an Abuja High Court, who last presided over the matter on July 11, was said to have travelled to Saudi Arabia for the pilgrimage.

    Justice Bello was expected to hear the testimony of a principal witness of the prosecution.

    The continuation of the trial is now expected to hold on November 7.

    A Senior Legal Officer with the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC),Paul Bassi, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the new date was given to Ogbulafor‘s counsel Joe Gadzama (SAN) by the court clerk.

    ICPC is prosecuting Ogbulafor, Jude Nwokolo, Henry Ikoh and Emeka Emmanuel on a 16-count charge of alleged involvement in a N170 million fraud.

    The agency alleged that while serving as the Minister of State for Economic Affairs in 2001, Ogbulafor connived with the others to float three fictitious companies through which they perpetrated the fraud.

    They were alleged to have used Henrichiko Nig. Ltd, DHL Consultants and Chekwas Industries to siphon N82.6 million, N11.5 million and N6.2 million in 2001.

    The prosecution also alleged that Ogbulafor used his position as Head of the National Economic Intelligence Committee set up a committee to verify debts owed local contractors, to pass some forged documents.

    NAN reports that on May 30, six months after the case was adjourned indefinitely, the judge granted permission to ICPC to reopen its case on July 11 and July 12.

    The decision followed an application filed by ICPC’ Counsel Adegboye Awomolo (SAN), asking for the case to be relisted on the court list.

    The application for the relisting of the case followed a stay of proceedings, pending the determination of a motion he filed at the Court of Appeal.

    ICPC asked for the stay of proceedings because the commission was challenging Bello’s ruling granting Ogbulafor’s application for severance of trial, delivered on December 14, 2010.

    Bello had severed the trial because Nwokolo, Ikoh and Emanuel had filed a case at the Court of Appeal, challenging the ruling of the court in which the judge said they had a case to answer in the matter.

    Bello said because the appeal filed by the trio was yet to be heard, the trial had to be severed so that the others could stand trial after their appeal had been determined.

     

  • Bayelsa explains Dickson’s absence

    Bayelsa explains Dickson’s absence

    BAYELSA State has cleared the air on the absence of Governor Seriake Dickson in the last two weeks.

    The Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, Chief Fred Agbedi, said Dickson is overseas not on account of critical health challenge but to rest.

    The governor, he also explained, is meeting with potential investors in the state.

    There have been speculations on Dickson’s absence in the state, especially how he left the country.

    Many argued the governor must have been critically ill to be away for so long, especially close to the Independence celebrations.

    But Agbedi told reporters in Yenagoa the governor is merely having a rest and not sick as widely speculated.

    According to him: “It is important to let people of Bayelsa and Nigerians know that there is no life- threatening ailment that prompted our governor going abroad.

    “He went because he needed rest and has some engagements as a way of attracting investors and development to the state.”

    He also explained Dickson has not had time to rest since the rigorous processes that led to his election this year.

    Agbedi added: “There is no law that says the governor should announce when he is going to rest.

    “He travelled because as a human being, he needed some rest to be able to regain himself after all these elections”.

    The deputy governor, Real Admiral Gboribiogha Jonah, he said, has been running the state smoothly since the governor’s absence.

    He stressed: “The governor’s absence has not in any way affected the activities of the state”.