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Tag: arraign

  • Police arraign suspected land grabber

    The police have arraigned a 45-year-old man, Emeka John Onugha, at the Igbosere Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for alleged wilful destruction of a property.

    He was charged before Chief Magistrate Folashade Botoku on seven counts of conspiracy, forcible entry, conduct likely to breach the public peace and threatening to kill.

    The police alleged that the defendant and others at large, sometimes in March last year, at Oko-Ado, in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos, conspired to enter a large expanse of land belonging to Hassan Aku and Smart Clement.

    Onugha was accused of unlawfully demolishing a building valued N120million belonging to the complainants.

    Prosecuting counsel Morufu Animashaun said the alleged offence is contrary to sections 52, 56(a), 168(b), 350 and 411 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015, as well as sections 2(3) and 7 of the Properties Protection Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

    The defendant pleaded not guilty to all the counts.

    Animashaun said the defendant was charged following a petition to the Inspector-General of Police Monitoring Unit.

    He said a team led by Inspector Reuben Noah investigated the petition and found merit in it.

    The Chief Magistrate granted Onugha bail for N5 million with two sureties in like sum.

    One of the sureties must be a landed property owner within the court’s jurisdiction, and the sureties must obtain three years tax clearance, the Chief Magistrate said.

    Count one of the charge reads: “That you Emeka John Onugha ‘m’ and others now at large on or about the month of March, 2017, at Oko-Ado Community in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State, in the Lagos Magisterial District did conspire amongst yourselves to commit felony to wit: forcible entry and thereby committed on offence Contrary to Section 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.”

    In the second count, the accused was said to have “willfully and unlawfully damaged a building structure valued N120million, properties of one Hassan Ogwu Aku ‘m’ and Smart Clement m, and thereby committed and offence contrary to and punishable under Section 350 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.”

    Onugha and others were accused of “threatening to kill one Hassan Ogwu Aku ‘m’ and Smart Clement ‘m‘ and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 56 (a) of Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015″.

     

  • Falana seeks Attorneys General’s probe for failing to arraign murder suspects

    Falana seeks Attorneys General’s probe for failing to arraign murder suspects

    Activists Lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has requested the Nigerian Bar Association to investigate Attorneys General, who refused to prosecute murder suspects connected with the death of over 1,632 people between 1999 and 2017.

    The request was contained in a letter dated February 16 written to NBA President, Abubakar Mahmud.

    Falana said he made the request having confirmed that the rate of killings in the country has been on the ascendancy due to the refusal of several state Attorneys-General to prosecute murder suspects due to political pressure or sheer negligence of duty.

    Hailing the NBA leadership for deeming it fit to conduct an inquiry into the reckless killing of unarmed people in Benue State, he said it was disturbing that the NBA has failed to monitor the prosecution of the scores of murder  suspects arrested by the police or indicted  by the judicial and administrative panels of inquiry set up by the federal and state governments to probe violent civil disturbances in the country.

    Falana contended that since culpable homicide or murder is a state offence, the Attorneys-General of states ought to have ensured that the suspects arrested by the security agencies were prosecuted in line with the powers conferred on them by section 211 of the Constitution.

    “Having failed to prosecute the murder suspects, the Chief Law Officers of the states have breached their Oaths of Office and subverted the Rule of Law. It may interest you to know that some Attorneys-General have a penchant for terminating murder charges by filing nolle prosequi.

    “In order to put an end to the culture of impunity in the country, we are compelled to request the NBA to investigate the refusal of the Attorneys-General to prosecute the criminal elements who have engaged in the reckless killing of innocent citizens in several states of the federation,” the activist said.

    He said unless the NBA is prepared to sanction Attorneys-General, who fail or refuse to prosecute the murder suspects, the reckless killing of people by killer squads and armed bandits will continue unabated.

    Falana listed some of what he described as acts of negligence on the part of the prosecutorial authorities.

    He said: “Between 1999 and 2007, an official squad was fingered in the unlawful elimination of not less than 70 people in Gombe State. The murder charges filed against the suspects by  the police were struck out by the courts at the instance of the state government. The late Alhaji Ibrahim Hassan, who demanded for the prosecution of the culprits was charged with  giving false information to the police by the state government.

    “The members of an official squad which killed some politicians and students in Ekiti State from 2003-2006 were arrested by the police and charged with murder at the High Court sitting at Ado Ekiti…”

  • POLICE ARRAIGN FIVE MOVIE PIRATES

    POLICE ARRAIGN FIVE MOVIE PIRATES

    THE police on Thursday arraigned five men at the Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly pirating some Nollywood movies.

    The pirated movies include titles such as ‘Ayamma’, ‘Wedding Party’, ‘Three Wise Men’, ’30 Days in Atlanta’, ‘A Trip to Jamaica’, ‘Lekki Wives’, ‘Wives on Strike’, ‘Jennifer’s Diary’, and ‘Fifty’.

    They were arrested by task force on uncensored and unclassified movies of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) at the Alaba International Market in Lagos during a sting operation. The task force was innaugurated by Executive Director of the Board, Alhaji Adedayo Thomas.

    The defendants are David Chukwudi, Austin Igboukwu, Ugochukwu Ukwuagu, Uchechukwu Chukwuma and Ndu Celestine. They were charged with 11 counts bordering on copyright infringement and use of premises to promote piracy. Igboukwu and Ukwuagwu were charged with 13 counts of copyright infringement.

    In the first charge, prosecuting counsel Mr K.J Oluwole from the Police Force Headquarters, alleged that Chukwudi committed the offence on August 14, 2017 at the Alaba International Market.

    He was alleged to have forged packets of uncensored the Nollywood films for illegal distribution.

    Chukwudi was also said to have engaged in the unauthorised recording of the works, as well as utilising his business premises for copyright infringement.

    He pleaded not guilty.

    Justice Muslim Hassan ordered his remand in prison custody and adjourned until December 8 for hearing of his bail application as well as commencement of trial.

    Igboukwu and Ukwuagwu were charged with 13 counts bordering on similar offence allegedly committed on August 12 at a shop in Alaba International market. They also pleaded not guilty.

    They allegedly packed ‘Proposal of Arms,’ ‘Sword of Justice,’ ‘Brave Medium,’ ‘Wedding Party,’ ‘The King’s Wealth,’ ‘A Trip To Jamaica,’ among others, for distribution without authorisation.

    The prosecution said the suspects allegedly packaged the works said to be worth millions of naira, for illegal exhibition and distribution.

    The alleged offence contravenes Section 58 of the Nigeria Films and Video Censor Board Act, 2004, as well as Section 20 of the Copyright Act, Cap 28, Laws of The Federation, 2004.

    Justice Hassan also adjourned until December 8, 2017 for trial and hearing of the bail application.

    The defendants are to be remanded in prison custody until their bail application is determined, the judge ruled.

    The raid  which led to the arrest of three of the suspects and seizure and confiscation of films and replicating machines estimated to be worth over N50million was led by notable marketer and member of the NFVCB task force, Mr. Gabriel Okoye, aka Igwe Gabosky.

  • Lagos to arraign kidnappers of Iba monarch Monday

    The Lagos State Government on Sunday said it would arraign the key suspects arrested for the kidnap of the traditional ruler of Iba Town, Oba Goriola Oseni before a Lagos High Court in Igbosere on Monday, Oct. 24.

    Mr Adeniji Kazeem, the State’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, said in a statement that the four suspects — Duba Furejo, Ododomo Isaiah, Reuben Anthony and Yerin Fresh would be arraigned before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo.

    They are to be charged with conspiracy, murder, armed robbery and kidnapping

    The statement said the suspects would be arraigned on eight count charges relating to kidnapping of the monarch, murder of the palace security guard — Sunday Okanlawon and a commercial motorcycle rider, Joseph Okeke.

    It said they would also be charged for attempted murder of the monarch’s wife, Olori Abosede Oseni and robbery of her property.

    According to the statement, the present administration is resolved to rid the state of all forms of criminality.

    “The office of the Attorney General will work closely with all security agencies to ensure that all cases of kidnapping, cultism, rape, sexual and domestic violence crimes are swiftly prosecuted to a logical conclusion.

    “The swift commencement of the trial of the suspects in the kidnap of the monarch is a strong signal by the administration of Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode that it is not business as usual for criminals.

    “If you commit a crime, we will find you and prosecute you no matter how long it takes.

    “Gov. Ambode as part of his commitment to make the state a safe place to live in and do business, will continue to support law enforcement agencies in the investigation and apprehension of all criminals.

    “The governor is also committed to ensuring that Lagos State becomes a no-go area for criminals who target innocent citizens for kidnapping and collection of ransom in an effort to get rich quick,” the statement said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that on July 16, Okanlawon and Okeke were killed while the monarch was abducted and kept in captivity for about three weeks.

    The sustained pressure and intelligence gathering from law enforcement agencies, however, led to the rescue of the monarch, while the four suspects were apprehended in the process.

  • Police arraign auditor for assault

    Police arraign auditor for assault

    The police on Tuesday arraigned a 36-year-old auditor, Omobolaji Ipadeola, in an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court f0r allegedly assaulting and tearing the uniform of a policeman.

    Ipadeola, a resident of Command Road, Ipaja, Lagos, is standing trial for alleged breach of peace and assault.

    The Prosecutor, Insp. George Nwosu, told the court that the accused committed the offences on Oct. 3 at Iyana-Ipaja, Lagos.

    Nwosu said that Ipadeola unlawfully assaulted a police sergeant on duty by hitting him and tearing his uniform.

    He said that a team of police officers were on patrol and stopped the accused who was driving his Honda Accord car, but he refused to stop.

    “The accused refused to stop initially but was intercepted in traffic, he was then asked to produce his vehicle document but he refused.

    “The police team leader instructed the complainant to take the accused to the station for questioning following his refusal to comply with their directive.

    “But the accused refused to go to the station and started fighting with the complainant and in the process tore part of his uniform,” he said.
    The offences contravened sections 166 and 172 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that section 172 provides for four-year imprisonment for the offence.

    Ipadeola pleaded not guilty to the charge and was granted bail in the sum of N50,000 with one surety in like sum.

    The Magistrate, Mr A.A Adesanya, adjourned the case till Oct. 26 for mention.

  • Police arraign cultists for murder

    Four suspected cultists have been  arraigned   for allegedly killing two persons at  Mushin, Lagos State.

    The incident happened at about 9.30pm Itire Road  Junction, Mushin around 9.30 pm on February 14, 2015.

    Jamiu Eniola, 34; Benjamin Wilson, 38; Wale Odukoya, 25, and  Taiwo Adewumi, 27, are facing  an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrate’s   Court on a  four count charge  including conspiracy, felony and  murder.

    They are alleged    to have shot   dead Femi   Egbekunle and Saliu Maja on the day of the incident.

    Alleged to have aided them in the act were  one Onbe and one  Nurudeen, both of whom are on the run.

    Jamiu, a fashion designer; Benjamin, a barber; Taiwo, a  tailor and Wale, a   jobless man  had clashed  with   Egbekunle and Maja during   which the suspects shot the victims.

    The charge sheet reads: “That   you Jamiu   Eniola,  Benjamin Wilson; Wale Odukoya; Taiwo Adewumi and others at large  on February 14, 2015 at about 0930 hrs at Itire Road  Junction, Mushin in the Lagos magisterial district did kill one Femi Egbekunle and   Saliu Maja by   shooting him with a gun on his chest and thereby committed   an offence   punishable under Section 221 of the Criminal Law of Lagos  State, 2011.

    “That you Jamiu Eniola; Benjamin Wilson; Wale Odukoya; Taiwo Adewumi and  others at large on the same date, time and place in the  aforesaid magisterial  district did belong to an unlawful society called Eiye Confraternity and thereby committed and  offence punishable under Section 42 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

    Their plea was not taken.

    The police prosecutor, Elizabeth Ekuma, applied for the   remand of the   defendants in prison custody pending legal advice from  the state Director of Public Prosecution  (DPP).

    The   offences according to the prosecutor are punishable under  Sections 221 and 42  of the Criminal Law of Lagos State,  2011.

    The presiding magistrate, Mrs M.O.Tanimola,  ordered that the defendants be remanded in prison custody   while the case  was adjourned till May 18.

  • Police arraign trader for acid attack on friend’s manhood

    A supposed  misunderstanding between two friends almost cost a Lagos trader his manhood two weeks ago after his friend poured acid on his private part.

    Amaechi Samson is accused of attacking his friend and benefactor,Chukwuemeka Okorie, in a bizarre manner in the victim’s one room apartment at No 9, Herbert Macauley Way, Ebute Meta, Lagos, on March 27, 2015.

    Up to the that date, Okorie, a phone accessories trader at Jankara Market, Idumota, Lagos Island, accommodated  Amaechi in his room and also allowed him a space in his shop for selling his wares .

    However,their friendship which started back home in their village  in Ebonyi State unexpectedly turned sour after Amaechi allegedly refused to  assist Okorie in paying the rent  for the shop.

    A fight ensued but the matter was resolved by their colleagues at the market.

    They both retired home in the evening after the day’s job .

    While Okorie went to bed to sleep,Amaechi reached for a tin of acid and poured it on his friend’s private part.

    Okorie’s cries of agony  attracted neighbours who rushed him to Kuba Hospital, Ebute Meta, where he is now receiving treatment.

    Amaechi was subsequently arrested and arraigned before an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrate’s Court for attempted murder.

    He denied the charge.

    The charge sheet reads in part: “That you Amaechi Samson ‘m’ on the March 27, 2015 at 0500hrs at No 9, Herbert Macaulay Way, Ebute Meta, in the Lagos Magisterial district did attempt to kill one Chukwuemeka Okorie, ‘m’ by pouring acid on his private part and chest which is likely to endanger his life and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 228 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.”

    “That you Amaechi Samson ‘m’ on the same date, time and place in the aforesaid magisterial district did unlawfully harm one Chukwuemeka Okorie ‘m’ by pouring acid on his chest to the back and also from his stomach to the front with his private part which caused grievous harm to his body, thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 243 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.”

    The police prosecutor, Inspector Asu Feddy, told the court that the victim was in a critical condition in a hospital. He urged the court to use its discretion in granting bail to the suspect.

    The defence counsel, Mrs Imelda Adebambo, prayed the court to grant the defendant bail in the most liberal terms.

    The presiding magistrate, E.O Ogunkanmi, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N100, 000 and two sureties in like sum.

    The case was adjourned till May 6 for mention.

  • Police arraign 21 over market crisis

    The police in Lagos yesterday arraigned 21 suspected miscreants, who allegedly fought themselves and others with dangerous weapons while sharing the money they collected from markets.

    The accused appeared before an Ogudu Chief Magistrates’ Court on a four-count charge of breach of peace, assault, causing damages and using charms.

    The Prosecutor, Cpl. Adekemi Adeniran, told the court that they committed the offences on June 21 between 4.00pm and 7.00 pm at the Ketu and Ikosi markets in Lagos State.

    “The accused were fighting over money collected at the two markets. They resorted to using dangerous weapons such as cutlasses, hoes, bottles and charms to assault themselves and innocent people,” Adeniran said.

    She said that the value of property destroyed by the accused was yet to be ascertained.

    The prosecutor said that the offences contravened Sections 45, 171, 166 and 248 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

    The accused, all resident in Ketu and Ikosi, however, pleaded not guilty.

    Chief Magistrate Omolade Awope granted each of them bail in the sum of N50,000 with a surety in like sum and ordered that the sureties must provide evidence of two-year tax payment to the state. The case was adjourned till July 17 for mention. NAN.

  • EFCC to arraign Babalakin, others tomorrow

    EFCC to arraign Babalakin, others tomorrow

    The embattled chairman of Bi-courtney Limited, Chief Olawale Babalakin may be arraigned before a Lagos High Court in Ikeja tomorrow by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged money laundering for former Governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori.

    He, along with four others are to face a 27-count charge of money laundering involving about N3.4billion before Justic Adeniyi Onigbanjo, according to EFCC sources.

    The EFCC, had last week filed the charges, but was silent on when they would be arraigned.

    Those named with Babalakin are Alex Okoh, Stabilini Visioni Limited, his company, Bi-courtney Limited and Remix Nigeria Limited.

    The charges are, that Babalakin allegedly conferred benefits with the former Delta State governor, Chief James Ibori “to wit N1,356,600.00 on contract awarded to Stabilini Visioni Limited by transferring the sum through a third party to Erin Aviation account in Mauritius for the procurement of an aircraft

    It also accused the five suspects of siphoning $11.3million abroad for Ibori through Erin Aviation Account in Mauritius.

    The charge sheet, dated November 21, was filed by A.M. Yusuf Esq., on behalf of the EFCC and the Attorney-General of the Federation.

     

  • N6.3b scam: EFCC to arraign ex-PDP chair Ali’s son, others

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday said it would arraign seven more suspects today and tomorrow for alleged N6.3 billion scam, as part of the ongoing investigation of fuel subsidy scam.

    One of the suspects is Mamman Nasir Ali, son of the former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ahmadu Ali, who is a former Chairman of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) where the subsidy scam was allegedly perpetrated.

    Others are two companies, Nasaman Oil Services Limited and Brila Energy Limited; Christian Taylor; Oluwaseun Ogunbambo; Olabisi Abdul-Afeez (still at large) and Rowaye Jubril.

    A statement by the Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said the suspects would face trial before Justice Lateefa Okunnu of the Lagos High Court, Ikeja.

    The statement reads: “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has concluded arrangement to arraign seven more suspects in the ongoing trial of individuals and organisations implicated by the investigation into the subsidy regime on imported fuel.

    “Five of the suspects implicated in a N5.4 billion fuel subsidy scam are to be arraigned on November 12 before Justice Lateefa Okunnu of the Lagos High Court, Ikeja on a 13-count charge bordering on intent to defraud, stealing, forgery and altering.

    “The suspects, comprising one company and four individuals are: Nasaman Oil Services Limited, Mamman Nasir Ali, Christian Taylor, Oluwaseun Ogunbambo and Olabisi Abdul-Afeez (still at large).

    “They are alleged to have obtained N4,460,130,797.94 from the Federal Government of Nigeria by falsely claiming that the sum represented subsidy accruing to them under the petroleum support fund for the importation of 61,049,937.00 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).”