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Tag: Court

  • Court adjourns suit against Lagos PDP exco till Sept 6

    An Igbosere High Court yesterday adjourned till September 12 hearing in an application by nine People’s Democratic Party (PDP) members seeking to nullify the party’s 2017 congresses.

    Justice Idowu Alakija fixed the date to enable the parties file their applications.

    The plaintiffs are Ishola Shodiya, Ismaila Abiola, Kehinde Adela Aluminani, Kazeem Adeyemi, Awoyemi Abayomi, Adegboyega Adegbesan, Olalekan Bello, Florence Akojenu and Wasiu Aderounmu.

    The respondents are PDP National Chairman Uche Secondus, PDP National Vice Chairman South-West, Dr. Eddy Olafeso, Mr Moshood Salvador, and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The plaintiffs are seeking a declaration that the last October 21 local government congresses in Lagos State did not conform with the party’s constitution.

    They are also praying the court to declare that Salvador and other executive members were not validly elected at the congress, among others.

    At the resumed hearing of the matter yesterday, the respondents’ counsel, Spurgeon Ataene, said he had filed a preliminary objection and counter-affidavit to the claimants’ suit. He urged the court to strike out the previous one.

    The claimants’ counsel, O. J. Osinowo, confirmed that he had been served, praying for time to respond.

    He said since the party’s primary was scheduled for next week, the court should order the parties to maintain the status quo.

    But Ataene urged the court to discountenance Osinowo’s application.

    Ataene made an application for an order of accelerated hearing, “so that none of the parties will do what will overreach the decision of the court.”

    He added: “Should the court be mindful of granting the claimants’ request, there should be no new primary of the party next week, as there is an existing party exco, which came on board by virtue of the Congresses held in October 2017.”

  • Court remands two drivers for ‘killing, $80,000 robbery’

    An Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State yesterday remanded two commercial drivers for allegedly killing a Bureau De Change (BDC) operator, Victor Thorpe, after robbing him of $80,000 (about N28,960,000).

    The accused, Monday Okoh, 50 and Johnbull Friday, 35, whose home addresses were not provided, are facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, robbery and manslaughter.

    The Chief Magistrate, Mr A. A. Fashola, who did not take the pleas of the accused, said the duo should be kept behind bars pending the advice of the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). Fashola adjourned the matter till November 26 for DPP’s advice.

    Earlier, the Prosecutor, Sgt. Michael Unah, told the court that the men, while armed with a locally made pistol and other offensive weapons, robbed the late Victor Thorpe of $80,000 .

    Unah told the court that the accused committed the offences on July 27 at about 12.40p.m. at Bonny Camp Roundabout, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    According to him, the accused, while riding on a motorcycle, double-crossed the commercial bus, which the deceased boarded, went inside, snatched the money, and shot him in the chest.

    He noted that the late Victor Thorpe dropped his car for fear of being trailed, not knowing that the accused were already monitoring him.

    The prosecutor said: “Thorpe was the only one killed in the bus.”

    The offences contravene Sections 222, 297 (2) and 299 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    The News Agency of the Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section provides life imprisonment for manslaughter, while Section 297 stipulates 21 years jail term for robbery.

     

  • Man, 34, remanded in prison over rape of girl

    A Badagry Chief Magistrates’ Court on Thursday remanded a 34-year-old man, Musa Idris, in prison over alleged rape of a 13-year-old girl.

    Idris, whose residential address was not given, was arraigned on a four-count charge of rape, indecent assault, sexual assault and breach of peace.

    Earlier, the Prosecutor, SP Akpan Ikem, had told the court that the accused committed the offences at about 2 p.m. on Aug. 24, at Zongo area of Seme Border, Badagry, Lagos State.

    Ikem alleged that the accused had sexual intercourse with the 13-year-old girl in violation of Sections 168 and 261 of Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    “He did sexually touch the girl without her consent and violated Section 261 of Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

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    “Idris did indecently and unlawfully deal with the young girl without her consent and thereby violated Section 135 of Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

    “Idris also did conduct himself in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace by sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl by having sex with her.

    “This act violated Section 166 of Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011, ‘’ the prosecutor said.

    Ikem told the court that the offences committed were punishable under Section 259 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    The Chief Magistrate, Mr Patrick Adekomaya, ordered that the accused be remanded in Badagry prison and adjourned the case until Oct. 3, for further hearing.

  • Court stops coronation of Kogi monarch

    Kogi State High Court in Lokoja has ordered that the planned coronation of Chief Solomon Owoniyi as the Obaro of Kabba be stopped pending the determination of the case.

    The court said Owoniyi must not parade himself as the paramount ruler of Kabba pending the determination of the case.

    Governor Yahaya Bello, on July 27, appointed Owoniyi as the Obaro of Kabba following the death of Oba Michael Olobayo in May 2016 but the Ilajo royal family, consisting of three ruling houses, rejected Owoniyi on grounds that he was not from a royal family.

    They accused the governor of playing politics with the tradition and cultural values of Owe- Kabba kingdom through Obaro’s and so approached the court for redress.

    Justice Gwatana granted an interlocutory injunction restraining Owoniyi from parading himself as the Obaro.

    But the governor was quoted to have said the interlocutory injunction restraining Owoniyi has been vacated and so he would be coronated in September.

    When the motion on interlocutory injunction came up on Tuesday, lawyer to the claimant, Haruna Rabanah (SAN), drew the attention of the court to the fact that the first defendant (Owoniyi) performed some traditional rites despite the court order restraining him from parading himself as the Obaro. This amounted to contempt of court, he added.

    First defendant’s lawyer M.A Aliu, however, objected to Rabanah’s submission, saying at no time did his client disobey the court order restraining him, but that the traditional rites had been carried out before the court order was issued.

    Justice Gwatana said the status quo should remain and ordered Owoniyi not to parade himself as the Obaro of Kabba pending the determination of the case.

    He also directed the State Counsel to write a memo to the governor, through the office of the Attorney-General, intimating him of the court’s decision to stop him from carrying out the planned coronation next week, and until the final determination of the suit.

    The judge also urged the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Nasir Ajanah, to reassign the case to another court that will in turn fix another date for hearing, as he was on vacation leave.

  • Oni v. Fayemi: Court sets hearing for September 25

    •Ex-governor’s amended processes approved

    A Federal High Court in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has fixed September 25 for hearing in the suit challenging the eligibility of Ekiti State Governor-elect, Kayode Fayemi, for the last governorship election in the state.

    Justice Nnamdi Dimgba chose the date yesterday after granting an application by the plaintiff and All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Segun Oni, for an amendment to the originating processes.

    Earlier, Oni’s lawyer Anthony Adeniyi, told the court that his client had complied with the order for substituted service on the defendants.

    Fayemi’s lawyer Rafiu Balogun said his client was just served with the court processes and needed time to respond to them.

    He agreed to file his client’s response before the next date.

    In the suit, Oni claimed that Fayemi was not qualified to participate in the APC’s primary on May 12 on the grounds that he allegedly failed to resign his appointment as Minister Mines and Steel Development, as required by law.

    According to him, Fayemi won the APC’s primary on May 12 while he was still the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, a position he allegedly did not officially resign from until May 30.

    He queried Fayemi’s eligibility for the primary on the strength of his (Fayemi) purported indictment by the Justice Oyewole Judicial Panel of Enquiry, set up by the state government to probe his first tenure.

    Oni, who came second in the primary with 481 votes behind Fayemi’s 941, urged the court to declare him the valid flag bearer of the APC in the July 14 poll Fayemi won.

    He also sought “a declaration that the claimant (Oni), having scored 481 votes, which are the majority of lawful and valid votes at the second defendant’s (APC) May 12 governorship primary for the purpose of determining the second defendant’s candidate for the July 14 election for the office of the governor of Ekiti State, is the person validly nominated by the second defendant for the July 14 election for the office of the governor of Ekiti State”.

    He prayed the court to determine “whether by virtue of APC’s constitution and particularly Articles 2 and 5 of the party’s 2014 guidelines for the nomination of candidates for public offices, as applicable to the APC governorship primary conducted on May 12, the first defendant, being a serving member of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and Federal Minister of Solid Minerals, Mines and Steel Development, having not resigned his appointment as a member of the FEC and Minister of Solid Mineral, Mines and Steel Development, at all or at least 30 days to the primary on May 12, was qualified to contest and participate in the said All Progressive Congress Governorship primaries of May 12 as an aspirant in that election.”

     

  • Court remands businessman for ‘impersonating U.S. Attorney-General’

    An Ikeja High Court in Lagos yesterday remanded a businessman, Khareem Oluwaseyi, who allegedly defrauded people by impersonating United States Attorney-General Jeff Sessions online.

    Vacation judge Justice Oyindamola Ogala remanded Oluwaseyi in prison custody following his plea of not guilty to a five-count charge of possession of fraudulent documents.

    She adjourned till September 10 to hear the defendant’s bail application.

    The defendant was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which said he committed the offences on June 29 in Lagos.

    EFCC counsel Mr A. M. Ocholi alleged that Oluwaseyi contravened sections 1(3) and 68(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.

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    He added: “The defendant goes by the alias Jeff Sessions and, using the moniker, he created an e-mail address: jeffsessions54@gmail.com.

    “He had in his possession an e-mail correspondence containing false pretence, titled: “Grant Money”, which he sent from that e-mail address to compbellellaine390@gmail.com, the e-mail address of an unsuspecting victim.

    “Oluwaseyi had in his possession another e-mail correspondence, titled: ‘Grant’, which he sent from his Jeff Sessions e-mail address to tomzglamorously@gmail.com, which he knew contained false pretence.

    “He also had sent an e-mail, titled: ‘no subject’, which he sent to daphebarney3@gmail.com, knowing same to be false.”

    According to the prosecutor, Oluwaseyi was arrested with a fraudulent document, titled: “National Endowment for Humanities”.

     

  • Oni vs Fayemi: Court sets hearing for Sept 25

    *Okays ex-gov’s amended processes

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed September 25 this year for hearing in the suit challenging the eligibility of Ekiti State Governor-elect, Kayode Fayemi for the last govrnorship election in the state.
    Justice Nnamdi Dimgba chose the date on Wednesday after granting an application by the plaintiff, Segun Oni, for an amendment to the originating processes.

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    Earlier, Oni’s lawyer, Anthony Adeniyi told the court that his client has complied with the order for substituted service on the defendants.
    Fayemi’s lawyer, Rafiu Balogun said his client was just served with the court processes and needed time to respond.
    He agreed to file his client’s response before the next date.
    Details later.

  • I may poison my husband, wife tells court

    An Ibadan-based housewife and mother of three, Ronke Olanrewaju, on Wednesday asked an Ile-Tuntun Customary Court to dissolve her union.

    The petitioner also threatened to poison her husband, Sunday, if the court declined to grant her request due to the persistent battery she had been subjected to in her home.

    In her petition to the court, Ronke, a trader, said that she was tired of her husband’s incessant beatings and may be compelled to resort to self help

    “Sunday has continually made marriage a thing of regret and frustration for me.

    “Anytime men enter into my shop to buy goods, Sunday becomes offended and accuses me of having extra- marital affairs with them.

    “Then, he descends heavily on me, battering me mercilessly.

    “My lord, it would have been better if he had stopped at just beating me.

    “ Sunday also treats my mother with disdain by beating her as well.

    “In fact, he treats her like a rag.

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    “In his wickedness, he often locks me up in the belief that he is above the law as a politician

    “If this court refuses to grant my divorce prayer, I might poison him,” Ronke said.

    The respondent, who opposed the suit, admitted to the allegations levelled against him.

    Sunday, who lives at Ona-Ara area of Ibadan with his wife, pleaded with the court to help preserve his marriage.

    “My lord, I am guilty of the allegation levelled against me and I am ready to turn a new leaf.

    “I don’t know what usually comes over me before beating Ronke.

    “Please, help me to beg her not to leave me, I am ready to sign an undertaking never to lay my hands on her anymore.

    “There is nobody to take of the children if Ronke leaves me and I don’t want my children to undergo the kind of hardship I experienced.

    “I don’t think that I can ever get a loving wife like Ronke again,” Sunday stated.

    Chief Henry Agbaje, the court’s President, advised the duo to maintain the status quo by embracing peace.

    He adjourned the case till Sept. 18 for further hearing.

  • Court bars police from arresting 1004 Estate landlords

    A Lagos High Court has restrained the police from arresting or infringing on the rights of some officials of 1004 Apartments in Victoria Island.

    Justice Idowu Alakija made the order of interim injunction following an application by five executive officers of 1004 Home Owners and Residents Association (HORA).

    Abiola Ogunniyi, Edet Essien, Joy Okara, Peace Itaribo and Olanrewaju Olaniyi, brought the application through their counsel, Mr Promise Asikpo and Joel Nyot.

    The defendants are Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Akinlosi Oyelokun, Inspector Yusuf Danladi and the Police Service Commission.

    Justice Alakija held: “Upon hearing the applicants in this case, I am convinced that all the respondents have been served with the originating processes and the motion for Interlocutory injunction.

    “It is hereby ordered that the parties maintain the status quo and the respondents are not to carry out any act that shall infringe on the fundamental rights of the applicants, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.”

    The vacation judge, however, directed that the file be returned to the registry forwarded to Justice Owolabi Dabiri for hearing of the interlocutory injunction.

    Earlier, Asikpo told the court that there was an imminent threat by the police to violate the fundamental rights of the applicants.

    He said the applicants were first arrested in November 2017 and in August this year, adding that it took a lot of efforts before they were released.

    The residents of 1004 Estate, he said, petitioned the I-G over unlawful arrest and detention of some occupants by policemen claiming to be from I-GP Special Tactical Squad.

    In the petition, HORA alleged that five officials were unlawfully assaulted and detained for two days.

    Those initially arrested and detained overnight at the Adeniji Adele Police facility on Lagos Island were Mrs Joy Okara (HORA Finance Manager), Mr Peace Itaribo (Accounts Officer) and Mr Olanrewaju Olaniyi (Vending Officer).

    The association’s executive, who attempted to secure their bail, were also arrested and for two days along with the staff, the petition said.

  • Landlord ‘removes tenant’s door, steals goods’

    A landlord, Adekunle Santos, who allegedly removed the door of his tenant’s shop and carted away goods valued at N994,850, was on Monday brought before an Igbosere Magistrates Court in Lagos.

    Santos, 63, of No. 1, Santos Avenue, Abule-Egba, Lagos, is standing trial before Mrs A. M. Davies on a four-count charge of conspiracy, stealing, damage and breach of peace.

    Prosecuting Inspector Emby Ingobo alleged that Santos and unknown accomplices, conspired and committed the offences at about 4pm on May 23, at his residence.

    Ingobo said: “Santos, in order to prevent his tenant Esther Demola, a hair stylist, from doing her business, unlawfully removed her shop entrance door, without lawful authority”.

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    The court heard that Santos also stole electrical wire and goods valued at N994,850, belonging to Demola, from the shop.

    According to Ingobo, the offences contravened sections 411, 280, 287, 273(d) and 168(1)(d) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    Santos pleaded not guilty.

    Magistrate Davies granted him N100,000 bail with one surety in the like sum.

    She adjourned the case till September 24.