The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Court

  • Court sentences driver to eight months imprisonment for forgery

    A Kaduna Chief Magistrates’ Court on Friday sentenced a 35-year-old driver, Umar Aliyu, to eight months imprisonment for forgery and impersonation.

    The magistrate, Mr Ibrahim Emmanuel, convicted Aliyu on a two-count charge of forgery and impersonation.

    The magistrate said that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

    He, however, gave ‎the convict, a resident of Bindi village, Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara, an option to pay N15, 000 fine and warned him to desist from committing crime.

    Read Also:Court restrains Ortom from dissolving councils

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the convict was first arraigned on Feb 12 and he had pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    The prosecutor, Sgt. Moses Leo, had told the court that a team of policemen on duty along Jere/Kagarko Road, Kaduna, arrested the defendant on Feb. 1.

    Leo said at about 9.00p.m, a team of policemen on duty stopped the defendant’s vehicle for a search and found two car engines in the vehicle.

    He said that when the defendant was asked questions about the car engines, he identified himself as a police officer.

    Leo said that a police warrant card was also found in his possession and during police investigation, all information given by the defendant was discovered to be false.

    The prosecutor said that the offences contravened the provisions of Sections 142 and 345 of the Penal Code of Kaduna State.

  • Court restrains Ortom from dissolving councils

    •Governor appoints BIRS chairman

    A Makurdi High Court has granted an interim injunction restraining Governor Samuel Ortom from dissolving local government councils.

    Justice S. O Itodo, who ruled on an ex-parte motion brought by counsel to chairmen of the councils, F. A. Nomor, said: “After careful and detailed consideration of the issues contained in the motion ex-parte, the application is granted as prayed.”

    He also restrained Ortom from making any proclamation preventing the chairmen from enjoying their two-year tenure.

    Justice Itodo said the governor and any of his agents cannot stop the statutory allocations of the councils pending the hearing of the motion on notice, which is slated for July 23.

    Ortom has approved the appointment of Terzungwe Atser as the chairman of Board of Internal Revenue Service (BIRS).

    The former chairman Mrs. Mimi Adzape was removed from office last week.

    Atser was an assistant director with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) in Abuja.

    He is expected to assume duties today.

     

  • Fake visa agent faces N900,000 fraud charge

    A fake visa agent, Oyadokun Oladele, on Thursday appeared before an Ogudu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly obtaining N900,000 from his Facebook friend under false pretenses.

    Oyadokun, 34, of Fola Tyre area of Oyo State, is facing a two-count charge of fraud and obtaining under false pretences.

    The Prosecutor, Sgt. Lucky Ihiehie, told court that the accused committed the offences sometime between November, 2017 and March, 2018 at Ikosi in Ketu, near Lagos.

    Ihiehie said that the complainant, one Adenike Eniola, reported the case at the Alapere Police Station, Ketu on April 2.

    “Sometime last year the complainant and the accused met online and became friends after he introduced himself as an engineer working with a company in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and also as a visa agent.

    “During one of their conversations, Oyadokun told the complainant that he had some issues with his visa business and needed some money to push it.

    “A deposit of N600, 000 was requested by the accused, which the complainant obliged him and transferred the money from her account to the complainant’s account.

    Read Also: Court strikes out Eze Ndigbo legal tussle in Kano

    “After some months, Adenike introduced a man, Arogundade Ishola to the accused to secure him a working visa to Dubai of which a sum of N300, 000 was negotiated for the process.

    “The money was transferred to the accused by Adenike on Dec. 22, 2017 and the visa was to be ready in six weeks.

    “After six weeks the accused said there was a slight delay in the visa process but that it was ready and that Arogundade’s flight had been booked for March 10, 2018.

    The prosecutor said that since March 6, the accused blocked his contacts and Facebook’s account so that Adenike wouldn’t reach him.

    He also said that it was discovered that the accused had been operating from Oyo State and not Dubai as believed by Adenike.

    Ihiehie said that Oladele was arrested in Oyo State through some of his friends that he also duped.

    The offences contravened Sections 280 (1), (a), and 314 (1), (a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

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

    The Magistrate, Mrs E. Ikubehinje, admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N200, 000 with two sureties, who must be taxpayers with an evidence of payment of rent and other utility bills.

    The case was adjourned until Aug. 22.

  • Civil servant docked over criminal intimidation

    A 44-year-old civil servant, Tijjani Mansur, was on Wednesday arraigned in a Kaduna Chief Magistrates’ Court over criminal intimidation.

    The defendant, a resident of Birnin Yero, Kaduna, is standing trial on a three-count charge of criminal intimidation, defamation of character and intentional insult.

    The prosecutor, Insp Sunday Baba, told the court that one Alhaji Muntan Bala of Alkali Road in Kaduna reported the matter at the Area Command Police Station on June 21.

    Baba told the court that the defendant had threatened the complainant and his family members for refusing to attend his daughter’s wedding.

    The prosecutor also alleged that the defendant had on several occasions insulted the complainant through text messages and threatened to deal with him whenever they meet.

    Baba said the offences contravened Sections 377, 371 and 379 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Laws, 2017.

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

    The Magistrate, Mrs Zainab Mohammed, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N100, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

    Mohammed ordered that one of the sureties must be a district head who would attest to knowing the defendant while the other must be a civil servant on grade level 12.

    She adjourned the matter till Aug. 2 for hearing.

  • Driver faces N4.5m car theft

    A 40-year-old driver, Morris Udoh, who allegedly ran away with a Toyota Camry car valued at N4.5 million given to him on hired purchase, was on Wednesday brought before a Tinubu Magistrates’ Court.

    Udoh, who resides at No. 12 Simisola St., Surulere, Lagos, is facing a charge of theft.

    The prosecutor, ASP Fidelis Dike, told the court that the accused committed the offence on March 16, about 10.00 a.m at Victoria Garden City, Lekki, Lagos.

    He said that the accused stole a Toyota Camry with Registration No. LND-280 EF valued at N4.5 million, property of Mrs Patience Odamo.

    Dike said that Odamo gave the accused the vehicle on hired purchase to pay on a weekly instalment of N40,000.

    “The week Udoh collected the vehicle, he vanished with it, he could not be reached through his phone and he was not at his apartment.

    “He was later traced and caught through the help of the police.

    “After he was apprehended he has not been able to give the police the account of what happened to the vehicle and its location,” he said.

    The offence contravenes Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, carrying three years imprisonment for anyone found guilty.

    The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge and the Magistrate, Mr Omolaja Kazeem, granted him N500, 000 bail with two sureties in like sum.

    Kazeem said that the two sureties must be gainfully employed; adding that one of them must be relative of the accused and the other, a civil servant.

    Further hearing in the case has been fixed for Aug. 9.

  • Court serves Dasuki’s release order on DSS

    •Family, associates await ex-NSA’s freedom

    A FEDERAL High Court in Abuja has formally served an order to release ex-National Security Adviser (NSA) Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd) on bail on the Director General of Department of State Services (DSS) and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

    Dasuki’s counsel Mr. Ahmed Raji (SAN) confirmed yesterday that the bail conditions of his client have been fulfilled and the ex-NSA’s family and associates are awaiting a positive response from  the Federal Government and the DSS.

    Raji said: “I am pleading and begging the Federal Government and DSS in the name of God Almighty to please comply with court order on my client Col. Sambo Dasuki. We have served them with the court order and in the interest of justice and rule of law, I am begging this government, being a democratic government, to please respect the rule of law on Dasuki.”

    Family members, friends, associates and well-wishers of Dasuki yesterday stormed his Abuja residence in anticipation of his final release from the DSS’ detention, where he has been held by the Federal Government since December 29, 2015.

    The court, on July 2, granted Dasuki conditional bail, which he had perfected fully yesterday through his two sureties, who are standing for his freedom as ordered by Justice Ijeoma Ojuku.

    Although the sureties had anticipated that the detained ex-NSA would be handed over to them, sources, however, said the DSS boss might need to contact the Presidency before finally handing over Dasuki to the sureties in compliance with the judgment of the Federal High Court.

    The warrant of release dated July 16, 2018, titled: “Verification of Bail Conditions” and signed by Deputy Chief Registrar, Federal High Court Abuja, Mr. Mba Nkem A. Omotosho, was served on the DSS Headquarters and the Office of Minister of Justice in Abuja.

    The warrant of release read in part: “Pursuant to the judgment order made on Monday, the 2nd day of July 2018, granted by His Lordship, Hon Justice Ijeoma L. Ojukwu, directing various conditions to be fulfilled prior to the release on bail of the applicant (Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd).

    “I have scrupulously verified the entire conditions of bail as ordered by his lordship and the three ambits are fulfilled.

    “Hence, the respondents, the Director-General, State Security Services, and Attorney General of the Federation, are hereby notified as directed by His Lordship for the subsequent compliance of same.

    “Attached herewith is the enrolled Order of the court and all the necessary bail documents for your perusal and aggrandisement,” it concluded.

    Before the latest judgment by Justice Ojukwu, Dasuki had previously perfected bails granted him by four different judges of high courts, including Justices Ademola Adeniyi and Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court and Justices Hussein Baba-Yusuf and Peter Affen of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Courts.

    The ECOWAS Court of Justice had also ordered his immediate release from detention.

     

    He ’ll be released on bail soon, says Presidency source

    INDICATIONS emerged yesterday night that formal National Security Adviser (NSA) Sambo Dasuki will soon be released on bail.

    A Presidential source said Dasuki would be released on bail if he meets the bail conditions set by the court.

    “We have confirmation from the DSS that Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd) will be allowed to go on bail if he meets the conditions set for him by the court.” the source simply stated.

    Dasuki has been on trial since December 2015 over missing billions of dollars in his involvement in the procurement of arms and equipment in the Armed Forces and Defence sector from 2007 to early 2015.

    The executive arm of government has been severally criticised for not obeying court orders for his release. Senators last week added their voices by accusing the Federal Government of human right abuses.

    President Buhari, based on Interim Report of Investigative Committee on Arms Procurement, had in 2015 ordered arrest of Dasuki and other indicted persons.

     

    The statement then issued by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, had read “On the authority of Mr. President, a 13 man committee was set up by the Office of the National Security Adviser to audit the procurement of arms and equipment in the Armed Forces and Defence sector from 2007 to date.

    “While the committee, which was inaugurated on 31 August 2015, is yet to complete its work, its interim report has unearthed several illicit and fraudulent financial transactions.”

     

  • Ogun PDP crisis: Court strikes out party’s bid to relist appeal

    •Verdict in favour of Dayo-led exco upheld

    The Court of Appeal in Lagos has struck out an application by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) seeking to relist its appeal challenging a lower court’s judgment that validated the Ogun State chapter’s executive, led by Adebayo Dayo, an engineer.

    It awarded N600,000 cost against the party, to be paid to former National Chairman, Alhaji Ali-Modu Sheriff, Prof Wale Oladapo and Dayo.

    Each of them is to be paid N200,000, the Appeal Court held.

    The Federal High Court in Lagos had ordered the PDP to recognise the Dayo-led executive in Ogun State on the premise that its tenure would expire in 2020.

    The party had appealed the judgment, recognising Dayo as the authentic chairman, but later withdrew the application through its lawyer, Godwill Mrakpor.

    The Appeal Court consequently dismissed the appeal.

    But, another PDP lawyer, Dr Yemi Oke, returned with another application to relist the case on the basis that the party’s faction, which briefed Mrakpor, led by Sheriff, then, was not the authentic national leadership.

    In a judgment delivered by Justice Jamilu Tukur, the Court of Appeal held that the faction that appointed Mrakpor “had the power to do so” when it did,+ by virtue of a Court of Appeal judgment recognising Sheriff.

    Besides, it said there was a lower court judgment recognising Mrakpor as PDP’s lawyer.

    Dismissing PDP’s appeal, Justice Tukur, in a judgment delivered on July 11, a copy of which was obtained yesterday, held that the appellant also failed to attach the lower court’s ruling that was appealed against.

    “From whatever angle I looked at the application, I find it to be unmeritorious and liable to be dismissed.

    “However, in view of my findings on the competence of the application for failure to exhibit the ruling of this court subject of this instant application, the proper order befitting this application is one striking it out.

    “It is hereby struck out. There shall be costs of N200,000 in favour of the first, fourth and fifth respondents (Dayo, Sheriff and Prof Oladapo),” the Court of Appeal held.

    The PDP in Ogun State had been embroiled in leadership tussle, leading to factions, one led by Sikirulai Ogundele.

    The lower court held that the tenure of the Dayo-led executive subsists until May 2020, based on a subsisting judgment by Justice Ibrahim Buba.

    The court had also nullified the congresses allegedly held in defiance to Justice Buba’s judgment and orders.

    The lower court also declared the appointment of Tunde Odanye and others as Ogun State PDP Caretaker Committee null and void, saying their appointment contradicted Justice Buba’s judgment that affirmed the Dayo-led exco.

  • Court slams N2.9m bail on guard over N2.9m theft

    A 26-year-old security guard, Friday Okon, on Monday appeared before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly stealing his employer’s valuables worth N2.9 million.

    He was, however, released on bail in the sum of N2.9 million.

    Okon, who resides at Road 15, Alabeko Street in Lekki area of Lagos, is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

    The accused, according to the Prosecutor, Sgt. Friday Mameh, committed the offences with others still at large between March and
    June at Eden’s Gardens Estate, Km 21, Lekki-Epe Expressway, Lagos.

    Mameh said the accused stole various items belonging to the complainant, Citiprops Nig. Ltd including two pumping machines worth
    N400, 000 and bundles of 16mm wire valued at N730, 000.

    Others are two children’s bicycles worth N40, 000, two power generators valued at N425, 000 , two bags of artificial nails and a 42-inch Samsung television worth N400, 000.

    Mameh also listed one Sonny television worth N110, 000, a microwave valued at N15, 000 and a car battery worth N15,000 as part of the
    items stolen.

    The offences contravened Sections 287 (7) and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Section 287 (7) stipulates a seven-year jail term for offenders, while Section 411 provides two
    years for conspiracy.

    The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    In her ruling, the Magistrate, Mrs M. O. Ope-Agbe, granted him bail in the sum of N2.9 million with one responsible surety in like sum.

    She said the surety should be gainfully employed with an evidence of tax payment to Lagos State Government and adjourned the case
    until July 26 for trial.

  • Ex-JAMB worker loses suit against termination of appointment

    The National Industrial Court on Monday struck out a suit filed against the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), for failure of the claimant to prove that his dismissal was unlawful.

    The claimant, Ignatius Stephen approached the court to declare his dismissal unlawful and sought for reinstatement, payment of his salaries and entitlements.

    Stephen told the court that JAMB did not have a governing board at the time of his dismissal, and therefore, the terms and conditions of service as stated in his employment letter was breached.

    Delivering judgment, Justice Rakiya Haastrup, said that the inability of the claimant to tender his letter of employment as material evidence of fact to determine whether or not his dismissal was unlawful had truncated his case.

    Haastrup said that the inability of the claimant to present the employment letter made it difficult for the court to determine his employer and who could appoint and dismiss him.

    The claimant’s counsel, Mumini Hanafi in his argument said that the claimant’s employment was governed by his letter of employment and the Public Service Rules (PSR), 2009.

    He said that by virtue of letter of employment and the PSR, the power to dismiss his client from service was vested on the board of the defendant.

    Hanafi said the claimant was dismissed on the directive of the minister of education, which made the dismissal unlawful.

    Adedoyin Adejunmobi, the defense counsel, in his submission said that the claimant was dismissed over his engagement in unauthorised admission matters in 2016.

    He insisted that due process was followed before the claimant was dismissed.

    Adejunmobi said the claimant was issued a query, faced a disciplinary panel which indicted him and was subsequently dismissed from the service of the board.

    He said that the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu by powers vested on him by the JAMB Act, could perform certain functions of the board as was done in this case.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that similar suits filed against JAMB by dismissed workers were struck out by the same court over their failure to either tender their conditions of service or employment letters.

  • Court remands teenager for engaging in homosexual act

    A Sokoto State Chief Magistrates’ Court has ordered that an 18-year-old man, Mohammed Bello, charged with committing homosexual act, be remanded in prison.

    The Chief Magistrate, Abubakar Adamu, gave the order on Friday after Bello, a trader of Gagi Area, Sokoto, pleaded guilty to a two-count charge of unnatural offence.

    Read Also: Dead baby found in refuse dump

    Adamu said the court lacked jurisdiction over the matter and adjourned the case until July 21 for mention and possible transfer to a competent court.

    The Prosecutor, Abubakar Tambuwal, had told the court that the accused committed the offence between February and April.

    Tambuwal said that the accused intentionally lured a 10-year-old boy into his room and had sexual intercourse with him against the order of nature.

    The prosecutor said the offence contravened the Penal Code.