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Tag: Court

  • Court adjourns defamation suit against prophet

    Court adjourns defamation suit against prophet

    High Court of Justice, Iyaganku, Ibadan, Oyo State has adjourned hearing of defamation of character suit filed against Prophet Amos Ojo, aka Elewuogbo, Oyeleye Oladele and his publishing firm, Ee-nuel Global Information Limited, for alleged defamation of Satguru Maharaji Ji, till May 22.

    During hearing of the case, the presiding judge, Justice J.O.S. Oyediran, ruled that in the absence of the defendants and their lawyers, the case would be heard on the adjourned date.

    Prior to the adjournment, Maharaj Ji’s counsel, Olasehinde Obisesan, had argued that the first defendant’s counsel, Akin Akinfala, served a notice of proceeding on the claimant last Tuesday, ‘’but failed to show up in court today and his client, Ojo, was also absent.’’

    He stressed that it had become the character of the defendants to be absent in court, ‘’as this is their third time of snubbing court proceedings despite their awareness of the court sittings.’’

    Read Also: Court remands 15 suspects over deadly attack on Oyo village

    Obisesan prayed the court to award to his client, a fair compensation for his time and efforts wasted by the defendants.

    After hearing from the counsel for Maharaj Ji, Justice Oyediran noted his argument for cash compensation to his client and the absence of the defendants.

    He says the matter will be argued further on the next adjourned date.

    At press time, the criminal hearing of the defamation of character suit filed by Maharaji Ji against Prophet Ojo and Mr. Gbenga Dan Asabe was ongoing at the Oyo State Magistrates’ Court, sitting at Iyaganku in Ibadan.

    The case was adjourned till April 30.

  • Court revokes Oyo monarch’s co-defendants’ bail

    Court revokes Oyo monarch’s co-defendants’ bail

    An Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan on Monday revoked the bail granted to two of the defendants standing trial along with Oba Solomon Akinola, the Oloko of Oko in a case of alleged land grabbing and attempted murder.

    The two defendants whose bail was revoked are Chief Sunday Aderinto and Adejare Adeleru.

    Other defendants in the case are: Chief Jimoh Asimiyu, Timothy Aderinto, Matthew Akintaro, Rafiu Ganiyu,Samson Ogunmola, Zacheus Adeleru, Kamorudeen Ajibade, Raji Rasaq, Mutiu Arowosaye, Oyeyemi Oyelekan, Olusegun Oyelekan and Sheriff Adio.

    Justice Kareem Adedokun revoked the bail of the two defendants after he was informed by the prosecutor, Mr Isa AbdulAzeez that the duo were among those that launched fresh attack on Aagba community on April 5.

    The judge stated that bail could be revoked when a defendant facing trial commits a fresh offence.

    He ordered the two defendants to be remanded in Agodi correctional facility.

    Adedokun further issued a bench warrant on Timothy Aderinto, the fourth defendant, Matthew Akintaro, the fifth defendant,Rafiu Ganiyu, the six defendant, Samson Ogunmola, seventh defendant, Zacheus Adeleru, the nineth defendant and Sheriff Adio, the 15th defendant for their absence in court.

    The court stated that Akintaro popularly called Paimo who had been constantly absent from court proceedings on the excuse of being mentally unstable must be brought to court on the next adjourned date either dead or alive.

    He subsequently adjourned the case until May 13 for the definite hearing of the defence.

    The prosecutor, AbdulAzeez had told the court that a fresh attack was launched on Aagba village which led to the burning down of no fewer than nine houses including the house of Baale of Aagba, Chief Adesola Ajiboye.

    He further said that the incident claimed the life of a 70 year-old woman, Madam Rachael Bamidele, and the destruction of many other properties

    In his response, the defence counsel, Hakeem Sabana said that he was not aware of the fresh attack, adding that he was no longer representing the first, second,third and the seventh defendants.

    Chief Adesola Ajiboye, the Baale of Aagba, who is an eye witness and a victim of the fresh attack also told the court that his house, property, and car were burnt and the only thing left with him was the cloth he put on to the court.

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    He also stated the background of the incident is that Oba Solomon Akinola, who allegedly sent thugs to carry out the attack wanted to forcefully annex Aagba land to Oko land despite losing the case up till the Supreme Court.

    The people of Aagba along with Tropical Farm Limited had in November 2023 instituted a case against the defendants on the alleged invasion of their community.

    It was alleged that the invaders were on the order of Oba Akinola, Oloko of Oko.

    The Inspector General of Police (IGP) had directed the police to investigate the matter and handed the investigation to the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) who ordered the Oyo State Ministry of Justice to take over the prosecution.(End)

  • Court remands housewife over hubby’s death

    Court remands housewife over hubby’s death

    An Iyaganku  Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan , on Wednesday ordered that a 27 – year-old housewife, Rukayat Sodiq shoule be remanded in Agodi corrections facility over alleged murder of her husband.

    The Magistrate, Mrs T. G. Daodu, who did not take Sodiq’s plea for want in jurisdiction, ordered her remand, pending legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP).

    The magistrate  adjourned the matter untill May 22, for mention.

    The charged Sodiq with murder.

    Read Also: Court dismisses LP’s defection case against Rivers suspended lawmakers

    The prosecution counsel, Insp  Iyabo Oladoyin,  alleged that Sodiq on March 27, at about 6:30p.m at Akinrinmisi area, Amuloko, Ibadan, caused the death of her husband, Abiodun  Ibironke, 64.

    Oladoyin said Sodiq hit the victim with a stick  on his head during an altercation.

    This, the police said, led to Ibironke’s death.

    She said the offence contravened the provisions of Section 316 and is punishable under Section 319 of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State 2000.

    NAN)

  • Alleged misappropriation: Court reserves ruling in Ganduje, seven others’ case

    Alleged misappropriation: Court reserves ruling in Ganduje, seven others’ case

    A Kano State High Court has reserved ruling in the case of alleged bribery and misappropriation filed against  All Progressives Congress(APC) National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje and seven others.

    The Kano State Government instituted an eight-count bordering on bribery, misappropriation and diversion of public funds running into billions of Naira against Ganduje and seven others, including his wife, Hafsat Umar.

    The others are Abubakar Bawuro, Umar Abdullahi Umar, Jibrilla Muhammad, Lamash Properties Limited,Safari Textiles Limited and Lasage General Enterprises Limited.

    When the case came up for hearing of all pending applications, counsel to Ganduje, a former governor of the state and his wife, Offiong Offiong (SAN) applied for an extension of time and urged the court to grant the application.

    “We also filed our preliminary objection challenging the jurisdiction of the court, dated November . 18, 2024, along with a 28-paragraph affidavit and a written address in support.

    ‘We also filed a reply on point of law dated April 4, 2025,” he said.

    However, counsel to the state,   Ayodeji Adedipe (SAN), filed a reply to the notice of preliminary objection dated October  22, 2024, addressing all the respondents.

    “The application is attached with a paragraph counter affidavit and a written address dated December .13, 2024 attached along with several documents as exhibits” Adedipe said.

    He prayed the court to dismiss the respondents’ applications for lacking merit.

    Read Also: NNPP dead, Kwankwaso ‘ll soon join APC – Ganduje

    Counsel to the 3rd and 7th defendant,   Adekunle Taiye-Falola, filed a motion on notice of preliminary objection dated October.18, 2024, supported by a 14- paragraph affidavit and a written address

    “In reply to the complainant’s counter affidavit, we filed our further and better affidavit dated Dec.12, 2024 and a reply on point of law. We urge the court to grant the application as prayed” Taiye-Falola said.

    Counsel to the 5th defendant  Sunusi Musa(SAN)  also filed a motion on notice on preliminary objection dated Oct.18, 2024 which was supported by an affidavit, exhibit and a written address.

    “We also filed our affidavit, reply on point of law, and urged the court to grant the application with substantial costs against the complainant,” he said.

    Counsel to the 6th respondent,  Ashafa Yusuf , also filed a notice of preliminary objection dated Sept.9, 2024, supported by a nine paragraph affidavit and a written address.

    “My Lord, we filed a further and better affidavit dated Feb. 17, supported by an 11-paragraph affidavit. We also filed a reply on point of law and urged the court to grant the application,” he said.

      Faruk Asekone, counsel to the 8th defendant, filed a notice of preliminary objection dated October. 18, 2024, supported by a five-paragraph affidavit and a written address.

    “In reply to the complainant’s counter-affidavit, we filed our further and better affidavit and reply on point of law dated Feb. 13, 2025, and urge the court to grant the application,” Asdkome said.

      Justice Amina Adamu-Aliyu granted the application for an extension of time.

    Adamu-Aliyu adjourned the matter for ruling on the notices of preliminary objection to a date that would be communicated to the parties at a later date.

  • Court dismisses LP’s defection case against Rivers suspended lawmakers

    Court dismisses LP’s defection case against Rivers suspended lawmakers

    A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has dismissed a suit filed by the Labour Party in Rivers State against the alleged detection of suspended Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule and 26 other lawmakers.

    The presiding Judge, Justice Emmanuel Obile, said in his judgment that the Supreme Court’s ruling had finalized the issue of defection.

    Read Also: FCT land reform to block speculation, fast-track development – Wike

    The judge declared that he could no longer preside on a matter that had already been decided by the apex court.

    The judge took his time to read the judgement of the Supreme Court on the Rivers political crisis and highlighted the aspects that bordered on the lawmakers’ alleged defections.

  • Court resolves protracted Enugu land dispute

    Court resolves protracted Enugu land dispute

    An Enugu State High Court, sitting in Enugu Judicial Division, has settled the protracted litigation over a parcel of land, Plot P/23C, Independence Layout, Enugu, measuring over 6000 square metres in the state capital.

    The court, presided over by Justice C. O. Ajah, in a Suit No. E/658/2021 in the matter between Hymac Real Limited and NSE Enugu State branch, NULGE Enugu State branch, Barr. Okey Ezugwu, and unknown person, declared that Hymac Real Limited was validly granted Plot P/23C, Independence Layout Enugu by the state government.

    Hymac Real Limited, one of the leading estate developing companies in the Southeast, who are the claimants in the case, had sought among others, a declaration that they were validly granted Plot P/23C, Independence Layout Enugu.

    It was gathered that the said land was initially granted to Rainbownet Limited in 2001 by the state government, which revoked same title on May 17, 2017, before granting it to the claimants in 2021.

    However, the defendants claimed that the land was allocated to them between 2010 and 2014, a period the Rainbownet title was still subsisting.

    Counsel to the claimants, Sam Orji, who filed the applications, said the defendants had allocated the land to themselves through the powers that be at the time without the title of Rainbownet being revoked or a proper subdivision in line with the Town Planning Law of Enugu State being done in respect of that particular plot.

    He, therefore, asked the court to determine whether any of the defendants can obtain or be validly granted a right of occupancy over any portion of Plot P/23C while the interest of Rainbownet was still subsisting between 2001 and 2017, while they all claimed to have got their respective titles between 2010 and 2014.

    Orji also urged the court to determine whether any of the defendants obtained or could be granted any right, title or interest in portion of the Plot P/23C which measures over 6000 square meters without the town planning law being complied with first by subdividing those plots in accordance with the law.

    “Subdivision is different from partitioning. It is a matter of law. It has to come before the commissioner who signs it as subsidiary legislation to the town planning law of Enugu State,” he said.

    While delivering judgment on the matter, Justice C. O Ajah, agreed with the claimants in all their submissions in the application, and having granted the application, went on to declare that Hymac Real Limited, was validly granted Plot P/23C, Independence Layout Enugu.

    The court declared that the defendants who were claiming subdivisions of that plot would get nothing because whatever was done in giving the land to them was null and void and of no consequence.

    Read Also: Court strikes out case, affirms Oba Alao as Olugbon of Orile-Igbon

    Justice Ajah further awarded a N5 million cost as damages in favour of Hymac Real Limited.

    Speaking with newsmen after the court session, the managing director of Hymac Real Limited, Okey Ayogu, expressed gratitude to the judiciary, describing the courts as truly the last hope of the common man.

    While attributing the judgement to Governor Peter Mbah’s administration’ commitment to ensuring that Enugu remains an investment haven, he said, “My special thanks go to the governor of Enugu State, who has decided to ensure that Enugu would be a favourable destination for investors without godfather. I say this because my case was that of an investor, who decided to come back home to invest. But the powers that be at home say, insisted it cannot happen because I’m not a known person. And the governor insisted that the government and those in government must not throw their weight around.

    “It is that unbiased and impartial justice seeking mood of the government that gave the judge the liberty to do the right thing.

    “For over three years, the judiciary was being muscled against doing a right thing in this matter.

    “Governor Mbah has demonstrated that he’s an investment driven and investment friendly governor and I can rightly say that Enugu State should be the destination of every investor in Nigeria.

    “If you buy one plot of land in Enugu, you can go to sleep knowing that Enugu State government will not allow ‘powerful individuals’ to take your property from you. It is that that posture of the government that allowed justice to be well served on this our case. I give thanks to him.

    “I want to encourage other investors to come on board to invest in Enugu. Enugu is peaceful and investment friendly”.

  • Court strikes out case, affirms Oba Alao as Olugbon of Orile-Igbon

    Court strikes out case, affirms Oba Alao as Olugbon of Orile-Igbon

    An Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan on Monday struck out a case instituted to challenge the selection and appointment of Oba Francis Alao as the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon.

    The claimants, Mr. Akintayo Charles Akintola, Mrs Olu Oyelade, Mrs Ladiran Olaniyi, Dr. Mrs Olajoke Bolade and Akinwale Akintola had in a suit filed before the Court in 2017 challenged the enthronement of the monarch as Olugbon of Orile-Igbon.

    The Claimants in a 9-paragraph affidavit against the state governor, Engr Seyi Makinde, the Commissioner for Local government and Chieftancy Matters, the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Alao and others sought orders setting aside the letter of approval issued by the 1st defendant and/or appointment of the 6th defendant as Olugbon of Orile-Igbon pursuant to the 7th defendant unilateral selection and/or nomination without the Claimants” section of the Akinbola family

    They also sort an order directing that the meeting of the five sections that made Akinbola family for the selection and/or nomination of candidate for Olugbon of Orile-Igbon Chieftancy be converted forthwith with a view to presenting a candidate for the appointment and/or approval by the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th defendant as the new Olugbon of Orile-Igbon.

    In addition, they sort an order for perpetual injunction restraining the defendants either themselves, their agents, servants and/or privies from recognizing, appointing, approving, installing, dealing with or doing anything with the defendants as the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon.

    Having listened to the arguments of the Counsel to the Claimants and Defendants, Justice K.A. Adedokun in his ruling struck out the suit for lack of jurisdiction.

    Read Also: Presidency dismisses report on US court order for FBI, DEA to release Tinubu files

    In a sideline interview, Counsel to the 6th and 7th defendants, Oba Alao, and Mogaji of Akinbola family, George Olayinka said, the Court has delivered its judgement. The Court has struck out the the case.

    “We are happy with the development. We have conveyed our happiness to the Court. The verdict marks the end of the case especially at the trial court.

    “We on the jurisdictional issue, we raised certain issue on the jurisdiction of the Court to entertain and determine issue.

    “The Court agreed with us especially on the fact that Secretary of Surulere local government and the 6th defendant are not juridistic parties and the failure to actually sue the Surulere local government which is the competent authority to kickstart the process of the selection, nomination and approval of Olugbon Chieftancy which is the recognized Chieftancy in Oyo state under our Chiefs law was not sued.

    “The Court also ruled on issue of locus standi that it did not have the requisite locus standi to adjudicate on the matter”

  • Court strikes out Nnamdi Kanu’s N50b suit against Fed Govt, AGF

    Court strikes out Nnamdi Kanu’s N50b suit against Fed Govt, AGF

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out a N50billion fundamental rights enforcement suit filed against the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) by detained self-acclaimed leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu. 

    Justice Inyang Ekwo struck out the suit on Thursday while delivering a ruling.

    Justice Ekwo found that Kanu and his lawyer have failed to attend court on three consecutive adjourned dates.

    The judge said: “Now the matter comes up today, plaintiff is absent, not represented by counsel and no excuse or reason is given for the absence 

    “There should be an end to indulgence by the court. My opinion is that this matter has been abandoned and ought to be so treated. 

    “Consequently, I make an order striking out the matter for want of diligent prosecution,” Justice Ekwo said.

    In the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/462/2022, Kanu claimed the violation of his rights, alleging that he was kidnapped from Kenya and brought back to Nigeria to stand trial.

    Read Also: Nnamdi Kanu apologises over attacks on judge, others

    Kanu had prayed for 11 reliefs, including an order for his release from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).

    He equally sought an order restraining the defendants from taking any further step to prosecute him in respect of the treason charge pending against him.

    The respondents raised a preliminary objection against the suit, arguing among others, that it constituted an abuse of the process of the court.

    They noted that Kanu had filed a similar suit with the same facts before a Federal High Court in Umuahia in suit number: FHC/UM/CS/30/2022.

  • Court orders two labourers to sweep police station for two weeks

    Court orders two labourers to sweep police station for two weeks

    A Magistrates’ Court sitting in Wuse, Abuja yesterday ordered two labourers, Ezekiel Mandela, 23, and Musa Kennedy, 35, to sweep the premises of the Galadimawa Police Station for two weeks for stealing one rod.

    The labourers, of Bliss Construction Company, were convicted of joint act, mischief and theft.

    The judge, Mrs Chioma Abgaza, sentenced them without an option of fine.

    Agbaza ordered that the convicts keep the surroundings of Galadimawa Police Station clean for two weeks.

    Read Also: Court bars Ibas from appointing Sole Administrators in Rivers Councils

    She, however, warned them to desist from committing crimes and be of good conduct.

    Earlier, the prosecution counsel, C.C. Okafor, told the court that one Oladele John of Plot 802, Kaura district, FCT, reported the matter at Galadimawa Police Station on April 2.

    Okafor said the convicts on the same day stole one iron rod valued at N 20,000, cut it into pieces and was caught when they were about to sell them.

    She said the offence contravened Sections 327 and 287 of the Penal Code.

    The labourers pleaded guilty and begged for mercy, promising never to repeat the act again.

  • Court bars Ibas from appointing Sole Administrators in Rivers Councils

    Court bars Ibas from appointing Sole Administrators in Rivers Councils

    A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State Capital has barred the  Sole Administrator Ibokette Ibas from appointing Sole Administrators to run the 23 local council areas.

    Justice Adamu Turaki  Muhammed gave the order following a motion exparte application filed by PILEX Centre for Civic Education Initiative led by Courage Msirimovu challenging the decision to install Administrators in the Local Government Councils as a Sole Administrator for the period of six months.

    Read Also: Rivers preparing new budget, Ibas tells National Assembly Caucus

    At the hearing, the Court stated that the motion exparte was filed on March 28, 2025 and prayed the court for many reliefs including, an order of interim injunction restraining the respondent (Ibas), or his agents from appointing the Sole Administrator or whatever name called for the 23 LGAs. They also prayed for any other order deemed necessary in the circumstance.

    Granting the prayers, Turaki said he found enough reason to grant the prayers and fixed April 14, 2025 for hearing.