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Tag: accused

  • 32-year-old man accused of sodomy

    An Ikeja Magistrates’ Court yesterday remanded a 32-year-old man, Victor Martin, in Kirikiri Prisons for alleged sodomy.

    He was said to have had sex with a 10-year-old boy through the anus.

    Magistrate B.O. Osunsanmi said he should be kept behind bars, pending advice by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

    Martin, who lives at Shasha, Lagos, is facing a one-count charge of defilement.

    Prosecuting Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Ezekiel Ayorinde said the accused committed the offence on December 1 in Ikeja, Lagos.

    “The minor was sent on errand by his mother to fetch firewood.

    “While in the bush, the accused dragged him, assaulted and promised to give him money if he cooperated.

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    “He inserted his manhood into the boy’s anus and forcefully had carnal knowledge of him.

    “A good Samaritan heard the boy’s cry, traced where the cry was coming from and caught the accused in the act.

    “He alerted the police, who rescued the boy. The accused was arrested,” the prosecutor alleged.

    The offence violates Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    The case continues on January 21.

  • Accused caned for stealing Holy Quran

    A MAn, Auwal Muazu, got six strokes of the cane for stealing a copy of the Holy Quran and a pair of shoes in a mosque.

    A Karmo Grade I Area Court, Abuja, gave the order at the weekend, following a guilty plea by Muazu, who lives at Utako village, Abuja.

    Muazu was arraigned on a one-count charge of theft.

    The judge, Mr. Abubakar Sadiq, said the court gave Muazu a “light punishment” because he did not waste the court’s time.

    Sadiq, who warned Muazu to shun crime and become a good citizen, hoped that the sentence will act as a deterrent to others.

    Prosecutor Mrs. Okagha Ijeoma told the court Muazu committed the offences on April 27 at 1:30 pm.

    She said the complainant, Hadiyatullahi Abdulgani, of the National Forum headquarters Utako, Abuja, reported the matter at Utako Police Station on the same date.

    Ijeoma said on April 27 at 1:30 pm, the convict entered the National Forum Mosque and stole a copy of the Holy Quran.

    She added that Muazu also stole a pair of shoes belonging to a worshipper, but he was arrested and handed over to the police for investigations.

    The prosecutor said the police recovered the stolen items from Muazu during investigations.

    She said the offences contravened Section 288 of the Penal Code.

    Ijeoma prayed the court to try the accused under Section 347 of the Administration of Criminal Justices Act, 2015, following his admission of guilt.

     

  • Accused arraigned for manslaughter

    A 70-year-OLD man, Muyideen Alani, was yesterday arraigned at an Ota Magistrates’ Court in Ogun State for alleged manslaughter.

    Alani, of no fixed address, is facing a two-count charge of reckless driving, which resulted in the death of Mohammed Lawan.

    The prosecutor, Abdulkareem Mustapha, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on February 27, about 8:10 am, at Tempo Bus Stop, Obasanjo Farm, Ota.

    He alleged that the defendant recklessly drove a tipper, marked KTU 703 XV, on the highway, resulting in the death of 28-year-old Lawan.

    Mustapha said the offences contravened sections 5 and 13 (1) of the Federal Highway Act Cap 135, Revised Laws of Ogun State, 2006.

    The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty.

    The Chief Magistrate, Mr. Matthew Akinyemi, granted him bail at N500,000 with two sureties.

    He said the sureties must live in the court’s jurisdiction and be employed.

    Akinyemi adjourned the case till May 3 for hearing.

  • Surety in trouble for failing to produce accused

    A 65-year-old man, Alex Adeshina, was yesterday arraigned at an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for his alleged inability to produce a man he stood surety.

    Adeshina is facing a one-count charge of perverting  justice.

    Prosecuting Inspector Ingobo Emby told the court that the accused committed the offence on February 25 at the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in Ikeja, Lagos.

    He said the accused stood surety for Lucky Matthew, who was charged with conspiracy and obtaining money under false pretence.

    Emby said the accused promised to produce Matthew at SARS on February 27 whenever he was needed but failed to do so.

    He said the accused should forfeit the N3 million he deposited as bail or show cause why he should not forfeit the money.

    The prosecutor urged the court to deny the accused bail on the grounds that he may jump bail.

    Emby said the offence contravened Section 132 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State, 2011.

    The accused pleaded not guilty.

    Magistrate W. B. Balogun granted the accused one million naira bail with one surety.

    Balogun held that the surety must be the accused Adesina stood surety for.

    He adjourned the case until January 11.

  • Man accused of N575,000 fraud

    A 39-year-old man, Wasiu Akanmu, accused of N575,000 fraud, has been arraigned at an Osogbo Chief Magistrates’ Court in Osun State.

    He denied committing the offence.

    Akanmu, whose address was not provided, is facing a two-count charge of fraud and stealing.

    The Magistrate, Mrs. Fatima Sodamade, granted him bail at N500,000 with one surety.

    She said the surety must live in the court’s jurisdiction and produce evidence of tax payment to the Osun State government.

    Sodamade ordered that they must submit two passport-sized photographs and an affidavit of means.

    She adjourned the case till December 27 for hearing.

    The prosecutor, Femi Olanibi, told the court that the defendant committed the offences between November 20 and December 4, 2015 in Osogbo.

    He alleged that Akanmu fraudulently obtained, on false pretence, bags of nails, worth N575,000, from the complainant, Mr. Olubunmi Emmanuel.

    Olanibi said the defendant stole bags of nails and absconded, but the police arrested him.

    He said the offences contravened sections 418, 419, 383 and 390 of the Criminal Code Cap 34 Vol. 11 Laws of Osun State 2003.

  • Accused in court for stealing bus

    Accused in court for stealing bus

    A 41-year-old man, Nicholas Chikodi, has been arraigned at an Asaba Magistrates’ Court in Delta State for alleged theft of a bus, worth N1.5 million.

    The prosecutor, Mrs. Blessing Okafor, told the court that the accused committed the offence on September 1.

    She said the bus, registered as AGU 629 YV, belonged to Mr. Asika Chijindu.

    Okafor said the offence contravened Section 390 (9) of the Criminal Code law, Cap C-21, Vol. 1, Laws of Delta State of Nigeria, 2006.

    The accused pleaded not guilty.

    The Magistrate, Mrs. Okonkwo Akanume, granted the accused bail at N250, 000 with one surety.

    She said the surety must be a civil servant with evidence of employment and live in the court’s jurisdiction.

    Akanume said the surety must provide two passport photographs and own a landed property.

    She adjourned the case for hearing.

  • Accused in court for ‘stealing’

    A 34-year-old man, Wale Adegoke, was yesterday brought before an Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan, Oyo State, for alleged break in and stealing.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Adegoke of Apete, Ibadan, is facing a two-count charge of break in and stealing.

    The prosecutor, Olalekan Adegbite, told the court that Adegoke, on October 1, allegedly broke and entered into the office of Omenai Shulemate.

    He alleged that the suspect entered the office and stole N55, 580 found on the table and one HP laptop valued at N50, 000.

    Adegbite said the value of the stolen items was N105, 580, belonging to the complainant of 2, Olusogo Street, Mokola, Ibadan.

    He said the offences were allegedly committed on October 1 about 8a.m. in Veterinary, Mokola, Ibadan.

    The prosecutor said the offences contravened sections 390 (9) and 413 (1) of the Criminal Code Cap 38, Vol. II, Laws of Oyo State 2000.

    Adegoke pleaded not guilty.

    Counsel to the defendant, Mr. O. Erezeifor, asked the court to grant his client bail in most liberal term.

    The Chief Magistrate, Mrs. O.K Omotosho, granted the accused bail at N50, 000 with two sureties.

    She said one of the sureties must be a relation to the accused.

    Omotosho adjourned the case till November 7 for hearing.

     

  • 189 SIM cards retrieved from accused persons, prosecutor tells court

    A prosecutor, Mr. Moruf Animashaun, has told a Lagos court that 189 Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards were retrieved from accused persons charged with defrauding a woman of N3.3million through a phone call.

    Animashaun, from the office of the Inspector-General of Police, gave the information while objecting to a bail application of the accused persons at an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

    In the suit, Samson Owah, 39; Job Akakasi, 26; Benjamin Oghereworo, 42 and Profit Ejimulode, 58, are standing trial on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, fraud and stealing.

    They pleaded not guilty and their counsel, Mr. Anayo Agbo, urged the court to grant them bail on liberal terms.

    “What matters in this case is for the accused to provide reliable sureties, who will ensure they appear in court whenever they are needed,” Agbo said.

    Objecting to the application, Animashaun told the court that the accused were tracked before they were arrested.

    “They do not have permanent abode, they move around the country and perpetrate criminal acts.

    “During investigation, 189 SIM cards were retrieved from them. I want the court to refuse them bail,” he said.

    The Magistrate, Mrs. Abimbola Komolafe, however, granted them bail at N500, 000 each, with two sureties each in like sum.

    She said the sureties must be gainfully employed and should show evidence of three years tax payment to the Lagos State government.

    Komolafe said the sureties must live within the court jurisdiction.

    Animashaun had told the court that the accused committed the offences on May 4, at Ecobank PLC, Ikorodu, Lagos.

    He said the accused called the complainant, Patience Denatie, posing as her brother, and told her to send money for a business they spoke about.

    “A total sum of N3.3 million was paid to the accused through a bank account they provided.

    “She (the complainant) had paid in the money before she realised that it was a scam. She reported the matter to the police, who investigated it and arrested the accused,” he said.

    Animashaun said the offences contravened sections 287 (5), 314 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).

    The case was adjourned till August 29 for mention.

  • I’m innocent, says ‘prophet’ accused of N70m fraud

    I’m innocent, says ‘prophet’ accused of N70m fraud

    Controversy is trailing the arrest and detention of a Lagos-based prophet of the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) who is also a traditional chief in Ado-Ekiti, Femi Oladele, by the Police Special Fraud Unit (SFU) for allegedly defrauding a woman, Mrs. Mojisola Omokaro, to the tune of N70 million. The prophet has denied defrauding Mrs. Omokaro while the woman also claimed that Oladele did not defraud her. But the husband, Mr. Peter Omokaro, said the matter is still under investigation. ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA reports.

    ‘The matter is between me and my husband, the man accused by my
    husband was our saviour during our trying period. He is a prophet and not a fraudster as my husband had lied against him… He said that I should change my statement in order to indict the prophet, but I told him I can’t work against my conscience’

    A Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) Prophet, Femi Oladele, has denied defrauding a woman who sought his spiritual assistance, Mrs. Mojisola Omokaro, of N70 million, a Highlander Jeep and three houses, which landed him in police custody.

    Oladele, who addressed a press conference in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, earlier in the week in reaction to a story in a national daily that he defrauded the woman of the money, a 2010 Toyota Highlander SUV car and three houses.

    The prophet, who is an Ado-Ekiti traditional chief, said the reporter, who wrote the story did not hear his own side before publishing same which necessitated his own reaction.

    Oladele further explained that he already had a bungalow on his plot of land before Mrs Omokaro came and assisted him in the construction of his four bedroom duplex on the remaining space on the plot of land.

    He said he spent almost N40 million to complete the said bungalow, out of which Mrs. Omokaro paid about N22 million into his account in various installments.

    Oladele also claimed that some unknown individuals attacked him in Lagos. Oladele, who was based in Lagos, said he enjoyed a good relationship with members of the family of the Omokaro because of what God has used him to do several problems God has used him to solve within the family.

    According to him, a friend of Mrs. Omokaro, popularly called Iya-Ibeji, brought her to his church in Oke-Ira, Ogba in Lagos State to seek spiritual solution to 14-year-old menstruation problem after she had sought medical solutions without any remedy.

    Oladele said: “When she came, I told her that I would collect N98,000 for materials, out of which she gave me N35,000, but because of the person that brought her, I went ahead to source for money for the work to commence.

    “The unceasing flow of blood, which she had been battling with for 14 years, stopped after two weeks of my spiritual assistance to her.

    “In appreciation of what God used me to do for her, Mrs. Omokaro bought a Toyota Highlander 2010 model for me.

    “I had a land at Ijoko-Otta, where I had already erected a bungalow and she asked me what I wanted to use the remaining land for and I told her I wanted to erect a structure on the land whenever God blesses me.

    “The same Mrs. Omokaro brought her own bricklayer there and after series of inspection and discussion with the bricklayer, they left.

    “Shortly after the visit, she called me that the bricklayer will come and start work, but on my instruction and plan to build the house, promising to be sending money to my account.

    “The house, a four-bedroom duplex was built in my name and I have the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) and building plan. The Toyota Highlander was bought and registered in my name.

    “I did not, at any time, defraud Mrs. Omokaro or any member of the family; she willingly did it for me in appreciation of the 14-year-old problem God used me to solve in her life.

    “There was a time her husband, Mr Peter Omokaro called me and said he had a problem at his place of work and with my spiritual intervention and prayer, he overcame and in appreciation, asked his wife to give me N1 million, which she later sent to my account.

    “Shortly after that, the husband called me and said I should stay clear of his family. I told the wife about the matter and she pleaded with me not to hands off based on what I had done for the family in the past.

    “Though, I don’t know why the wife asked and warned me not to go and see her husband, but several times, called to warn me not to go and see him.

    “Because I did not go to see the husband, following the warning of the wife, the husband used to call to threaten me and not long after, I was attacked by unknown persons, who inflicted wounds on me.

    “When my life was under threat, I had to relocate to Ado-Ekiti.

    “On April 4, this year, men of the Police Special Fraud Unit (SFU) from Lagos stormed my home in Ajebamidele, Ado-Ekiti with search warrant and nothing incriminating was found in my residence.

    “They took me to Lagos, accusing me of defrauding one Mrs. Omokaro to the tune of N70 million and listed other things, but I told them that I did not defraud anybody and they are free to call Mrs Omokaro and ask her before me.

    “I was detained in the police cell for 16 days and my health deteriorated, my blood pressure rose and I almost died there.

    “My main concern was that I should not die in police cell for me to tell my own side of the story and the policemen said I must hand over the house built in my name and the Toyota Highlander SUV.

    “I told them that I am ready to relinquish the house and the car, at least for me to regain my freedom. The policemen at Special Fraud Unit demanded N2 million for my bail, but I was able to raise N750,000 after which I was released.

    “My phone was seized by the police at the unit and till this moment, they have not released it to me and this has put me out of circulation as all my contacts are on the phone.

    “I want to put the record straight that I did not defraud Mrs. Omokaro or any member of his family.

    “I did not defraud anybody for that matter; all she did for me was voluntary and in appreciation of the spiritual assistance that God used me for her and other members of her family, such as the husband and their three children.

    “All that was written in that newspaper report were lies, there was no time I defrauded the woman.

    “The total amount Mrs. Omokaro sent into my account to develop the house was N22 million, but the money that completed the house was about N40 million.

    “I am not a fraudster, I have my name and image to protect. I am a High Chief in my home town and I have been in the ministry for the past 23 years, where God has used me to assist so many people who had various problems.”

    Speaking on telephone when contacted for her reaction, Mrs. Mojisola Omokaro accused her husband of being behind the plight of Oladele, describing Oladele as her saviour in her time of trouble.

    She advised the police not to unnecessarily maltreat the man of God in order not to incur the wrath of God, saying “the main problem is between me and my husband.”

    Her words: “The matter is between me and my husband, the man accused by my husband was our saviour during our trying period. He is a prophet and not a fraudster as my husband had lied against him.

    “The problem has been on for a very long time, it is only unfortunate that this man is being treated in this manner; he deserves to be commended by my family for the role God has used him to play in our family and not to be condemned.

    “I bled for over 14 years and most times, I will collapse and people will rush at me and rescue me, but sometime in 2007, I told my husband that I wanted to commit suicide that I am tired of this life.

    “I have been to several places seeking for solutions, but I was advised not to undergo any operation, that it was a problem that could be solved spiritually and not with orthodox medicine. It was at that point that one of my friends, we call her Mama Ibeji took me to this prophet.

    “It was precisely September 13, 2007 and within two weeks that I met him, my problems stopped. At that time, I also had problems with my son and daughters. God also used this same prophet to solve them.

    “I bought an SUV car for him, assisted him in his four-bedroom duplex that was of his dream then, and since then we have been family friends.

    “When this problem began, I was in my town, Owo in Ondo State, but had to rush to Lagos, because I cannot go against my conscience.

    “My husband said this prophet was a scam. When he had problems in his former workplace, (a bank), he ran to this same prophet and his problems were solved, even he could not believe it because he had spent a lot of money on the problems then.

    “I kept appealing to him to ask the police to release the prophet, he said until he surrenders all my properties in his possession and I told him that I voluntarily bought those things for him and not that he asked for them.

    “He said that I should change my statement in order to indict the prophet, but I told him that I can’t work against my conscience, even as I told him that this man has been the one God has been using for us in the family.

    “But because I refused to change my statement, as I speak with you, he has sent me out of the house. So, I am no longer under his roof.

    “He has three wives, but I am the first and the only one that has children for him. That is my story. Please, appeal to him to leave the innocent and saviour of myself and my children alone. The man is innocent and not a scam as he had told the police.

    Contacted on telephone for his reaction, Mr. Omokaro said the matter is still under investigation by the police. He said Prophet Oladele was investigated and granted bail while investigation into the matter still continues.

    When asked to react to the claim of his wife that she voluntarily gave the prophet money in appreciation of what he (Oladele) did for her and the family, Mr. Omokaro fired back: “Do you give what you don’t have? Do you give what you don’t have?  The money in question is her family business money and the police are investigating that.

    “They (police) Special Fraud Unit is an independent body and whatever they say to the public on this matter is more reliable. If the police give you a fact, do you have to doubt that? I will advise you to ignore them (Prophet Oladele and Mrs. Omokaro).”

    Omokaro said efforts are already on to find an amicable solution to the face-off with his wife, revealing that a mediator is already working to resolve the feud.

    He said further: “This is a woman that has three children for me and the oldest is 31 years. We have been married for the past 32 years. You know that I cannot sue my wife and that is why we are seeking an amicable solution through mediation.

    “It really happens sometime. I will not join issues with somebody that has children for me and who has lived with me for 32 years. I will let go.

    “If we have gone to mediation, I don’t want it to be a press issue again so as not to violate the agreement that we should not speak with the press during the mediation process.”

  • Lawyer accused of defrauding client N3.5m

    A 75-year-old lawyer, Joshua Awe, was yesterday arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court for allegedly obtaining N3.5 million from his client under the false pretence of selling him land.

    The septuagenarian was docked with an estate agent, Dickson Ofor, 65, before Magistrate O. O. Oshin.

    They are standing trial on a four-count charge of conspiracy, fraud, and stealing.

    Prosecuting Inspector Jimoh Joseph said the defendants and others at large committed the offences sometime in June, 2012, at 11, Oke Street, Pedro, Gbagada, Lagos.

    He said they obtained N3.5m from the complainant, Mr Nnamdi Nebechi, as payment for land plot at 35, Assess Road, Gbohungbohun, Oworonsoki, Lagos, despite knowing that the plot had been sold.

    “The defendants sold the land but concealed the encumbrances over it, therefore, stole the said money belonging to the complainant,” the prosecutor said.

    The defendants pleaded not guilty.

    Magistrate Oshin granted them N1millon bail each with two sureties in the like sum. The sureties must show proof of three years’ tax payment.

    The case was adjourned till April 19.