The Nation Newspaper

Tag: arraigned

  • Rivers collapsed building: Architect, others to be arraigned

    There are indications that the victims of the collapsed 7-storey building in Port-Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, will soon get justice.

    This followed the directive at the weekend, by the state government to the Attorney General of the state to begin a process to arrest and prosecute the owner of the building, Sir Francis Allagoa, apparently for the failure to comply with the building approval he got for the project in 2014.

    It would be recalled that the proposed 7-storey building (with an underground layer) under construction in the Woji road axis of the Government Reserved Area(GRA) of Port- Harcourt collapsed shortly after the casting of the sixth floor in November 2018, killing many people mainly workers at the site and leaving many others severely injured.

    Governor Nyesom Wike, in the bid to unravel the cause of the collapse, set up a commission of inquiry led by a State High Court Judge to investigate the incident. The committee sat between December 23, 2018 and January 7, 2019.

    The Justice Adolphus Enebeli-led 7-man Judicial Commission of Inquiry’s report indicted Alagoa, the site engineer and the architect of the building for the tragedy.

    Also found wanting in the mass murder by the commission are some principal staff of the state ministry, including the Commissioner, Dr. Reason Onya, who voluntarily stepped aside from his position to allow for smooth and uncompromised investigation into the immediate and remote cause of the callapse.

    The government after the state Executive meeting presided over by Wike on Friday, directed the state Attorney-General, Zacchus Adango, to prosecute Alagoa and any other person whose actions constituted criminality as established by the Judicial Commission of Inquiry that investigated the collapsed 7-storey building.

    The government spoke through the Commissioner of Information and Communications, Emma Okah,  who said: “The Rivers State Government accepts that the owner of the building,  Sir Francis J. Allagoa should bear all liability regarding compensation to families of the deceased persons and individual expenses of those injured.

    “Sir Francis J. Allagoa is also to bear the cost and make good the damage done to the adjoining property owned by Mrs. Edna Ezekiel Hart”.

    The Rivers State Government declared that in line with the recommendations of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry it will comprehensively reform the procedures and processes relating to building approvals and actual construction of buildings to eliminate failure of buildings in the future.

    The government added that the collapsed 7-Storey building was not covered by any approval and that the one obtained in July 2014 was for a four-five floor building.

    It then directed the State Civil Service Commission to take disciplinary action against Edmund Obinna, Director of Buildings and Plan Approvals because his actions fell short of expectations and against Rev Dr. Mina Aprioku, Director of Development Control for professional deficiency.

    The Attorney General of the State was directed to prosecute Engr. Adeniyi Ibiyeye and the architect, Timiebi Reuben, for professional misconduct.

    The Council resolved to report Engr. Ibiyeye to the Nigerian Society of Engineers and the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria for necessary disciplinary action,” they said.

  • Bank manager arraigned for alleged N411m fraud

    The Police Special Fraud Unit (SFU) yesterday arraigned an Ecobank Plc manager, Ifeanyichukwu Azike, for allegedly defrauding a customer of N411 million.

    Justice Ayokunle Faji of the Federal High Court in Lagos ordered his remand pending hearing of his bail motion.

    He was charged with three counts of obtaining money by false pretence, false representation and fraud.

    The prosecution said Azike, sometime in 2016 and 2017, with intent to defraud, obtained N150million from a customer, Mr. Okafor Ikenna Kelvin, whose account number is 533010936.

    The defendant allegedly claimed that he would purchase treasury bills for him, a claim he knew to be false.

    SFU said Azike forged a signature, a photograph and a letter of instruction to open a parallel account in Kelvin’s name, numbered 5333063028, with intent that it may be used as genuine to the prejudice of Kelvin and the bank.

    In the third count, the prosecution said the defendant “did fraudulently convert to your use the sum of N411,000,000, being money fraudulently withdrawn from your employer without their consent, and from a customer of your bank, to invest on behalf of the customer, which you failed to deliver, with aim of converting the illicit origin of the resources.”

    The defendant pleaded not guilty.

    Justice Faji adjourned till March 8.

  • Acting auditor-general arraigned

    The Delta State Acting Auditor-General, Mr. Paul Aghanenu, has been arraigned at an Asaba Magistrates’ Court on a four-count charge bordering on misdemeanour and forceful entry of a landed property.

    The property belongs to Mr. Gowon Adebe, the police said.

    In a copy of the charge sheet obtained by our correspondent, the Police is  accusing Mr. Aghanenu and others now at large of causing breach of the peace and destroying a perimeter fence on a piece of land measuring 100ft by 75ft along  the Asaba-Ibusa Road, Asaba.

    According to the case with charge No. CMA/516c/2018, the auditor-general was said to have committed the offence, which is punishable under Section 517 (A) of the Criminal Code Cap 21 Vol. 1 Laws of Delta State of Nigeria 2006.

    Aghanenu was granted bail on personal recognition by the court.

    The charge sheet, signed by A. Adaghe (Esq), N. A. Ukpebor O/C Legal, Zone 5 Headquarters, Benin, Edo State, alleged that Mr. Aghanenu also unlawfully and maliciously destroyed a perimeter fence valued at N6 million, property belonging to Adebe, who hails from Isoko area of the state.

    The charge sheet reads: “That you Paul Aghanenu, male, and others now at large on or about the 10th of October, 2018 at Asaba in the Asaba Magisterial District, did conspire among yourselves to commit misdemeanour to wit: forcibly entry and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 517 of the Criminal Code Cap 21 Vol. 1 Laws of Delta State of Nigeria 2006.

    “That you Paul Aghanenu, male, and others now at large on the 10th of October, 2018 along Asaba-Ibusa Road, Asaba in the Asaba Magisterial District, did conduct yourselves in a manner to cause breach of the peace, reasonable apprehension of peace, entered into the land measuring 100ft by 75ft situated along Asaba-Ibusa Road, Asaba which was actual peaceful possession of Mr. Gowon Adebe, male, and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 81 of Criminal Code Cap 21 Vol. 1 Laws of Delta State of Nigeria 2006.

    “That you Paul Aghanenu, male, and others now at large on the 10th of October, 2018 along Asaba-Ibusa Road, Asaba, in the Asaba Magisterial District, did unlawfully and maliciously destroy a perimeter fence valued at N6million, property of Mr Gowon Adebe, male, and thereby committed an offence punishable under the Criminal Code Cap 21 Vol. 1 Laws of Delta State of Nigeria 2006.”

    The case was adjoined till February 11 for hearing.

  • Two siblings arraigned for alleged N5.9m fraud

    Two siblings, Lukman Yusuf, 30; and Ayisat Yusuf, 36; were yesterday arraigned at a Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly defrauding a woman of N5.9 million.

    They are facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, obtaining under false pretences and stealing before Chief Magistrate Kikelomo Ayeye.

    Prosecuting Superintendent of Police Thomas Nurudeen told the court that the defendants committed the offences between September and November last year.

    He alleged that the defendants convinced the complainant, Mrs. Onyinye Ohajianya, who lives abroad that they could start a lucrative business for her in Nigeria.

    Nurudeen said Ohajianya transferred N3 million, 4,000 U.S. dollars and 1,600 pounds through Ayisat’s Skye Bank account to them to set up the business.

    Read also: Edosomwan: ‘NDCP will declare war on poverty’

    He alleged that the defendants collected the money from the bank, but converted it to their personal use.

    The prosecutor said the defendants failed to set up any business for the complainant.

    When the charges were read, the defendants pleaded not guilty.

    Chief Magistrate Ayeye granted them N500,000 bail each with two sureties in the like sum.

    She said the sureties must be resident within the court’s jurisdiction and show evidence of two years’ tax payment to Lagos State Government.

    Ayeye adjourned the matter till April 2.

  • Boy, 14, arraigned for allegedly defiling girl, 4

    A 14-year-old boy has been arraigned for allegedly defiling a four-year-old girl.

    The suspect, who was remanded by an Evboriaria Magistrates’ Court in Edo State, was arraigned on a one-count charge punishable under Section 218 of the Criminal Code Cap 48 Vol. II Laws of the defunct Bendel State of Nigeria, as applicable in Edo State.

    He pleaded not guilty.

    Presiding Magistrate C. E. Oghuma granted him bail at N50, 000 with two sureties.

    She said the sureties must be his parent or guardian, show evidence of tax payment and live within the court jurisdiction.

    The suspect is remanded in a juvenile facility until the bail condition is perfected.

    Magistrate Oghuma transferred the case to the Family Court and adjourned the matter till December 3.

    Read also: Man chops off rival’s hand over girlfriend

     

  • Prophet arraigned for allegedly defrauding church members of N54.5m

    The founder of Power of the Holy Ghost Evangelical Ministry, aka Tuesday Tuesday Church, Shoba, Abule-Ado, Lagos, Prophet Cletus Ilongwo, was yesterday arraigned at an Ikeja Special Offences Court in Lagos State for allegedly defrauding church members of N54.5 million.

    The cleric is facing an 11-count charge preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), before Justice Sherifat Solebo.

    According to the EFCC, Ilongwo allegedly committed the offences between January and April 2016.

    In one of the charges, Ilongwo allegedly collected N13 5million from Obinna Ezenwaka on the pretext that he would help him purchase a property located at 165c, Diamond Estate, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos.

    He was also accused of collecting N10million from Ezenwaka on the pretext of purchasing the same property, but, however, failed to do so.

    The defendant was alleged to have at various times collected N10million, N7million, N3million and N150,000 from Ezenwaka through his Zenith Bank account 1003455899.

    Prophet Ilongwo, who wore a long red robe, however, pleaded not guilty.

    Counsel to the defendant, P.N Orji, informed the court about a pending bail application he had filed on behalf of his client.

    EFCC prosecutor Ahmed Yerima did not oppose the application, but asked for time to respond to the application.

    Justice Solebo adjourned the matter till November 14 and 19 for hearing of the bail application and for trial to begin.

    Prophet Ilongwo was arrested early this year by the Police and EFCC after a former member of the church reported that he allegedly defrauded him of N85 million.

    After he was invited for interrogation, he jumped bail and efforts to re-arrest him failed until his surety was arrested by security operatives.

  • Eight YABATECH students arraigned for ‘cultism’

    Eight students of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Lagos, were yesterday arraigned at an Ogudu Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, for belonging to an unlawful society, Eiye Confraternity.

    The accused, who were allegedly arrested with charms, are facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, membership of a secret cult, and stealing.

    Police prosecutor Lucky Ihiehie said they committed the offences on September 21 at 10 pm at Yaba College of Technology.

    He said the accused stole N5,000 from another student.

    The complainant told the police at Sabo Station that he was on campus when the accused accosted him and snatched his phone, ATM card, and withdrew N5,000 from his account.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the case was transferred to the Anti-cultism Unit, Gbagada, on September 25.

    The offences contravene sections 42 (a), 287 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    The accused pleaded not guilty.

    Magistrate Mrs. E. Kubeinje granted them bail at N50,000 each with two sureties.

    She said the sureties must be employed with an evidence of tax payment.

    The case was adjourned till November 21 for hearing.

  • Lawyer arraigned for ‘procurement of false judgement’

    A Lagos lawyer, Mr. Edward Oseghale, 40, has been arraigned at an Ogba Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly procuring false judgement.

    He was alleged to have used the forged judgment to evict tenants on behalf of his client.

    Oseghale was arraigned before Magistrate O.O. Ojo on a five-count charge of forgery contrary to Section 365 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.

    He, however, pleaded not guilty.

    Magistrate Ojo granted him bail in the sum of N50,000 and two sureties in the like sum.

    He said one of the sureties must be a property owner in Lagos with a valid Certificate of Occupancy

    The second surety, the magistrate ordered, must be employed with evidence of tax payment, which must be verified.

    The case was adjourned till November 8.

  • Man, 58, arraigned for alleged N1m visa fraud

    A 58-year-old man, Adesokan Olusola, has been arraigned at an Ado-Ekiti Magistrates’ Court for alleged visa fraud.

    His address was not provided.

    The prosecutor, Inspector Caleb Leranmo, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on April 14 in Ado-Ekiti.

    He said Olusola allegedly obtained N1 million from Mr Ganiyu Ibrahim on the pretext of procuring a travel visa for him to travel abroad.

    According to him, the offence contravenes Section 419 of Criminal Code, Laws of Ekiti State 2012.

    The prosecutor prayed the court to adjourn the matter to enable him study the case file and present his witnesses.

    The defendant pleaded not guilty and his lawyer, Mr Simeon Ojo, urged the court to grant him bail with a promise that he would not jump bail.

    The Magistrate, Mrs Taiwo Ajibade, granted bail to the defendant for N100,000 with two sureties in like sum.

    She adjourned the matter until September 6 for hearing.

  • Banker, 28, arraigned over N2.6m theft

    A 28-year-old banker, Mr Saheed Adebanjo, was yesterday arraigned before an Ikorodu Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing N2.6 million belonging to his employer.

    Prosecuting Sergeant John Iberem said the accused committed the offence in May at 5, Elepe Road, Ikorodu.

    He said the accused stole N2.6 million belonging to Asha Microfinance Bank.

    “The suspect obtained the money with pretext of paying the money to bank customers, a representation known to be false,” Iberem said.

    The accused pleaded not guilty.

    Chief Magistrate E.O. Ogunkanmi granted the accused N1 million bail and two sureties the in like sum.

    The case continues on October 11.