The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Court

  • Court remands three farmers

    Court remands three farmers

    A Pantami Chief Magistrates’ Court in Gombe State has remanded three farmers accused of robbery.

    The Chief Magistrate, Alhaji Bello Sheriff, ordered the remand of Hamisu Adamu, 30; Sambo Haruna, 25 and Yunusa Audu, 27,  residents of Tashan Leko, Yamaltu/Deba Local Government.

    Sheriff, who did not take their pleas, adjourned the matter till October 18.

    Prosecutor Dahiru Abdullahi said the suspects allegedly committed the offences on August 9, at 8:30 pm.

    He said they used cutlasses, cudgels and dane gun to rob Babangida Badamasi, Ibrahim Aminu and Usman Abubakar, dispossessing them of Tecno and Gionee phones; costing N8,000, N5,000, and N137,000.

    He said the offences contravened sections 97 (1) and 298 of the Penal Code.

    Abdullahi applied for adjournment to enable the police complete investigation.

  • Man in court for stealing cosmetics

    Man in court for stealing cosmetics

    A 30-year-old man, Fasheyi Olateju, has appeared at an Osogbo Magistrates’ Court in Osun State for alleged theft of cosmetics, valued at N785, 297.

    He is facing a three-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

    Police prosecutor Sunday Ajayi said the accused committed the offences in 2015 in Omobolanle, Osogbo.

    He said the accused broke into AB Fountain General Services Ltd and stole cosmetics, worth N785,297.

    The accused was apprehended by the police after the theft, Ajayi said.

    The offences contravene sections 383, 516 and 419 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Osun State, 2003.

    The accused pleaded not guilty. His lawyer, Mr. Okobie Najite, urged the court to grant him bail on liberal terms.

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

    She said the surety must be resident in the court’s jurisdiction and should show evidence of tax payment.

    The case was adjourned till November 11 for mention.

  • Six in court for ‘cultism’ in Ekiti

    Six in court for ‘cultism’ in Ekiti

    Six men have appeared at an Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ Court, Ekiti State, for allegedly involving in cultism.

    Police prosecutor Caleb Leranmo told the court that the defendants committed the offence, about 10 am., at Omuo-Ekiti in Omuo Local Government.

    He said the defendants were Adewale Akosile, 30, Jimoh Lukman, 25, Amusa Jamiu, 25, Timothy Thomas, 23, Segun Akinola, 26 and Ojo Akinola, 20.

    Leranmo said the defendants paraded themselves as members of “Ashanti Secret Society”, which terrorise the community.

    He said the offence contravened Section 4 (1) of the Secret Cult (Abolition and Prohibition) Laws of Ekiti State 2006.

    The defendants pleaded not guilty.

    Their counsel, Mr. Timilehin Omotosho, prayed the court to grant them bail, promising that they will not jump bail.

    The Chief Magistrate, Aderopo Adegboye, granted bail to the defendants at N200,000 and two sureties.

    He adjourned the case till October 27 for further hearing.

     

  • Court remands man who bolted with N1.7m

    Court remands man who bolted with N1.7m

    A 25-year-old trader, Samuel Owoeye, who allegedly obtained N1.7 million loan from a man on the pretext of repaying it at due date, on Thursday appeared before an Apapa Magistrates’ Court , Lagos.

    Owoeye, a resident of Apapa area of Lagos, is standing trial on a two-count charge of stealing and obtaining under false pretences to which he pleaded not guilty.

    The prosecutor, Sgt. Olusegun Kokoye told the court that the accused committed the offences on Jan. 14 at Mogaji Street, Olodi-Apapa in Lagos.

    He alleged that the accused fraudulently obtained N1.7 million from the complainant, Omosegbon Oluwole, on the pretext of returning the money after five months.

    Kokoye claimed that the accused invested the money in his business and refused to pay back the money to the complainant when dur.

    The prosecutor said the accused just kept giving flimsy excuses for his failure to defray the loan.

    “When the complainant got tired of Owoeye’s excuses, he reported the case  to the police and the accused was arrested.”

    The offences contravened Sections 287 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 314 prescribes 15 years imprisonment for obtaining under false pretences.

    The Senior Magistrate, Mr M.A. Etti, in his ruling, granted the accused bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.

    Further hearing in the case was fixed for Oct.30.

  • Security men in court for ‘theft, vandalism’

    Security men in court for ‘theft, vandalism’

    Two security men, Maurice Pius, 24 and Emmanuel Edet, 24, yesterday appeared at an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, for allegedly vandalising their employer’s vehicle.

    The accused are facing a three-count charge of alleged conspiracy, stealing and unlawful damage.

    Police prosecutor Cyriacus Osuji told the court that the accused allegedly committed the offences on September 17 at 9, Olayinka Adewuyi Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.

    He alleged that the accused conspired and damaged the rear side glass of a Honda CRV car: AAA 21 DN, belonging to the complainant, Mr. Tomina Ojo.

    Osuji, who alleged that the accused also stole items worth N410,000 from the vehicle, listed them as laptop, laptop bag, external hard drive and N40,000.

    He said the offences contravened sections 287, 350 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    The duo pleaded not guilty.

    Magistrate Mrs. S. K. Matepo granted them bail at N100,000 each with two sureties.

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

    Matepo adjourned the case till October 12 for mention.

  • Court to INEC: Serve Melaye recall papers

    Court to INEC: Serve Melaye recall papers

    A FEDERAL High Court in Abuja has directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to make further attempt to ensure personal services of documents relating to the recall of Senator Dino Melaye on him.

    Justice Nnamdi Dimgba gave the directive yesterday when INEC informed the court about its ex-parte motion for substituted service. INEC said its motion was informed by its inability to serve Melaye with the petition for his recall and other list of voters, who endorsed the petition.

    The court had, in a judgment on September 11, in a fundamental rights enforcement application by Melaye, said although it was not mandatory, INEC should avail the senator with the petition and list containing the signature of voters, who signed the petition, to enable the senator prepare for the recall process.

    Yesterday, when lawyers to parties appeared before the court, lawyer to INEC, S. O. Ibrahim, told the court about his pending ex-parte motion for substituted service of the petition on Melaye.

    Lawyer to Melaye, Nkem Okoro, also told the court that he has filed a number of applications, including one for stay of execution of the court’s judgment and also challenging the court’s jurisdiction to hear INEC’s ex-parte motion.

    He said his client would be back in the country between September 25 and 26 for the resumption of the Senate.

    In view of the information by the lawyers, Justice Dimgba said in view of the tight schedule of the court, he was not ready to hear all the applications.

    He directed INEC to make a further attempt to ensure personal service on him when he returns. He adjourned to September 28.

    The judge said should INEC complain on the next date of being unable to serve Melaye personally, he would hear the ex parte motion by the election body and the applications by Melaye.

  • Court asks INEC to make efforts to serve Melaye

    Court asks INEC to make efforts to serve Melaye

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure personal services of documents relating to the recall of Senator Dino Melaye, are served on him.

    Justice Nnamdi Dimgba gave the directive yesterday when INEC informed the court about its ex-parte motion for substituted service.

    The commission said its motion was informed by its inability to serve Melaye with the petition for his recall and other list of voters, who endorsed the petition.

    The court, in a judgment on September 11, in a fundamental rights enforcement application by Melaye, said although it was not mandatory, INEC should avail the senator of the petition and list containing the signature of voters, who signed the petition, to enable Melaye prepare for the recall process.

    Yesterday, when lawyers to parties appeared at the court, counsel to INEC, S. O. Ibrahim, told the court about his pending ex-parte motion for substituted service of the petition on Melaye.

    Melaye’s lawyer Nkem Okoro told the court that he filed a number of applications, including one for stay of execution of the court’s judgment and challenging the court’s jurisdiction to hear INEC’s ex-parte motion.

    He said Melaye would be back in the country between September 25 and 26 for the resumption of the Senate.

    Justice Dimgba said in view of the tight schedule of the court, he was not ready to hear the applications.

    He directed INEC to make a further attempt to ensure personal service on Melaye when he returns. He adjourned till September 28.

    The judge said should INEC complain on the next date of being unable to serve Melaye personally, he would hear the ex-parte motion by the election body and the applications by Melaye.

     

  • Film producer in court for alleged theft of ‘N.25m

    Film producer in court for alleged theft of ‘N.25m

    A 38-year-old film producer, Mojeed Owolabi, who allegedly defrauded Mr. Taiye Alabede of N250,000, was yesterday arraigned at an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.

    Owolabi, of unknown address, is facing a two-count charge of fraud and stealing.

    The prosecutor, Clement Okuoimose, told the court that the accused committed the offences on February 20 on Abeokuta Expressway, Oko-Oba, Agege, Lagos.

    He alleged that the accused fraudulently obtained N250, 000 from the complainant with a promise to edit a video cassette for him.

    “The complainant, who was introduced by a friend to the accused, gave his video cassette to him for editing and the accused billed him N250, 000.

    “He collected the money but refused to edit the cassette. Efforts made by the complainant to collect his cassette or money back proved unsuccessful.

    “The accused was arrested after seven months,” the prosecutor alleged.

    He said the offences contravened sections 285 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (revised).

    The accused pleaded not guilty.

    The Magistrate, Mrs. Y. O. Ekogbulu, granted the accused bail at N100,000 with two sureties.

    She said the sureties should be employed and show evidence of two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State government.

    Ekogbulu adjourned the case till September 29 for mention.

  • Court adjourns Dariye’s ‘N1.162b fraud trial’

    Court adjourns Dariye’s ‘N1.162b fraud trial’

    A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Gudu yesterday adjourned the trial of ex-Plateau State Governor Joshua Dariye till October 10.

    Dariye is facing a 21-count  charge of diverting and  laundering N1.162 billion ecological fund.

    His new counsel, ex-Federal Attorney-General Mr. Kanu Agabi, asked for the adjournment to study the case.

    “I am appealing for the last time and beg you on my knees. I have also pleaded with Rotimi Jacobs, grant us one more adjournment to get acquainted with the case,” Agabi said.

    But Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC’s) prosecuting counsel Jacobs  told the court that the case had lingered.

    He noted that the judge advised the defendant to bring a lawyer, who will continue the case when his former counsel withdrew.

    Jacobs said the defendant called 16 witnesses, but yet to close his case.

    He reminded the court that it was while Agabi was federal attorney-general that Dariye was arrested.

    According to him, the United Kingdom has refunded some stolen funds recovered from Dariye to the Federal Government.

    “How can he then come and appear as defence counsel?” Jacobs queried.

    But Justice Adebukola Banjoko granted the adjournment ’’in the interest of justice.’’

    She said she expected the defence counsel to honour his word and study the case.

    “Now that you are here, I know you will live up to expectation,” Banjoko said.

    The judge ordered that the new counsel be furnished with records of proceedings to enable him get acquainted with the case.

     

  • Court docks estate agent for fraud

    Court docks estate agent for fraud

    A self-acclaimed estate agent, Okolin Nma, on Monday appeared before an Apapa Magistrates’ Court in Lagos, for allegedly defrauding one Morry Anakwe, a prospective tenant, of N270,000.

    Nma, 36, a resident of Okito Street, Ajegunle, Lagos, is standing trial on a two- count charge of obtaining under false pretences and stealing, to which he pleaded not guilty.

    The police prosecutor, Olusegun Kokoye told the court that the accused committed the offences on Aug. 22 at his residence.

    Kokoye said that the accused obtained N270,000 from the complainant, on the pretext of providing her two-room accommodation in a building he was managing.

    “Nma converted the money to his own personal use and started avoiding the complainant.

    “The complainant said that the accused did not rent any apartment to her and when she demanded for her money, he refused to refund her the amount.

    “When Anakwe realised that the accused was trying to cheat her, she reported the matter to the police and the accused was arrested,” the prosecutor said.

    He said that the offences contravened Sections 287 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that section 314 prescribes a 15-year jail term for obtaining under false pretences, while section 287 stipulates three years imprisonment for stealing, if found guilty.

    The Senior Magistrate, Mr M.A. Etti, granted the accused bail in the sum of 200,000, with two sureties in like sum.

    The case was adjourned until Oct.19 for mention.