Tag: Court

The anus of an 11-year-old girl is currently leaking blood due to constant sexual assault by her father identified as Moses Udoh.

Udoh, aged 38, was arrested after the victim reported the incident to his sister.

He was subsequently arraigned by an Akure Magistrate’s Court on a two-count charge of indecent sexual assault of a minor and threat to life.

Police prosecutor, Inspector Taiwo Oniyere, informed the court that the defendant committed the offence at his residence located at No 20 Igboniki Street, along LAO, Akure, Ondo State.

He said Udoh forcibly had sexual intercourse with his 11-year-old biological daughter and caused her harm.

Oniyere said Udoh threatened to kill his daughter if she revealed his sexual escapade with her.

He said the offence committed contravened Sections 25(a) and 86(2) of the Ondo State Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law of 2021.

Narrating her ordeal, she said: “My father has been forcibly having sexual intercourse with me through my front and my back.

“He started it when I was 10 years old and I cannot count the number of times he has done it.

“Whenever my father was sleeping with me in the night, he would increase the volume of his MP 3 radio so that my voice would not be heard by neighbours.

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“He instructed me not to tell our neighbours about it and also threatened to kill me and the person.

“When I noticed that blood was coming out of my anus, which is now causing discomfort for me, I decided to tell his sister.”

The plea of the defendant was not taken due to the nature of the offence.

Oniyere urged the court to remand the defendant to the correctional centre, pending legal advice from the office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).

Presiding Magistrate, Temilola Olusola-Olujobi, ordered remand of the defendant to Olokuta Correctional Centre.

The case was ordered to be transferred to the Family Court and adjourned to December 10, 2024 for trial.

The Ebute-Metta Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State has remanded a maid, Alice Udey, the prime suspect in the alleged theft of jewellery valued at $60,000 belonging to her former employer and others.

Chief Magistrate Nike Olagbende remanded Udey in police custody and adjourned till December 19, for further proceedings.

The court was told that prosecutors are seeking to amend the initial charges following testimony from more complainants, including 68-year-old Mrs. Theresa Isemene, who reported her iPad stolen after hiring Udey for less than 24 hours.

Others also reported that thier money and valuables got missing days after hiring the suspect.

The police are investigating whether  or not Udey is part of a syndicate posing as domestic workers to gain unauthorised access to homes in affluent neighbourhoods.

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In October, Lagos Police Command spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, a Superintendent of Police, confirmed Udey’s arrest.

Udey, 33, was said to have been arrested by investigators from Ikoyi Police Station, Lagos after a 16-month search.

She was accused of stealing over $60,000 worth of jewellery just hours after being hired as a maid.

According to the police, Udey secured her position through seemingly legitimate channels.

The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has accepted to hear a N5.2 billion suit filed against a Chinese, Li Xing, for making false claims against his former employer.

Justice F. A. Aliyu, sitting in Court 53 of the High Court of the FCT in Apo, Abuja, has scheduled the hearing for January 29 in the suit filed for the claimant by Eloka Okoye of the firm of Kehinde and Partners LP.

Xing, an ex-employee of Pure Biotech Company Limited, is accused of making false claims of tax evasion, money laundering, and forgery against a fellow Chinese, Mr. Liu Yangxi (the Managing Director of Pure Biotech), who recently fired him for alleged misconduct.

Yangxi stated in his statement of claim that Xing, without any justification, maliciously carried out a campaign of calumny against him by sending an email to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), accusing him of tax evasion and money laundering, among others.

The claimant averred that the defendant also published malicious falsehood against him to companies in which he has interests with the intent to tarnish his image and reputation in the minds of those companies.

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Yangxi added that the defendant’s letters to the FIRS, as werll as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Weihai International Economic and Technical Corporation Co. Limited in China, were malicious falsehood targeted at injuring his reputation and “as a vendetta for terminating his (defendant’s) employment with Pure Biotech Company Limited”.

The claimant is praying the court to, among others, order Xing to pay him N5 billion as general damages and N20 million for aggravated/exemplary damages for malicious falsehood.

He is also praying the court to declare all the letters written by the defendants again at him to the FIRS, EFCC, Weihai International, among others, as amounting to malicious falsehood.

Justice Aliyu has fixed January 29, next year, for hearing, and Xing is expected to file his response before the date.

The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has accepted to commence hearing on a N5.2billion suit brought against a Chinese, Li Xing, accused of making false claims against his former employer.

Justice F. A Aliyu, sitting in Court 53 of the High Court of the FCT in Apo has scheduled hearing for January 29 next year in the suit marked: CV/4554/2024 filed for the claimant by his lawyer,  Eloka Okoye of the firm of Kehinde and Partners LP.

Xing, an ex-employee of Pure Biotech Company Ltd, is accused of making false claims of tax evasion, money laundering and forgery against a fellow Chinese, Mr. Liu Yangxi (the Managing Director of Pure Biotech), who recently fired him for alleged misconduct.

Yangxi stated, in the statement of claim, that Xing, without any justification, maliciously carried out a campaign of calumny against him by sending an email to the FIRS, accusing him of tax evasion, money laundering, among others.

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He added that the defendant also published malicious falsehood against him to companies in which he has interests, with the intention to tarnish his image and reputation in the minds of those companies.

Yangxi, who is the claimant, added that the defendant’s letters to the agencies like the FIRS, EFCC, Weihai International Economic and Technical Corporation Co. Ltd in China are malicious falsehood targeted at injuring his reputation and “as a vendetta for terminating his (defendant’s) employment with Pure Biotech Company Ltd.

The claimant is praying the court to, among others, order Xing to pay him N5billion as general damages and  N20million for aggravated/exemplary damages for malicious falsehood.

He also wants the court to declare all the letters written by the defendants again at him to the FIRS, EFCC, Weihai International, among others, as amounting to malicious falsehood.

Justice Aliyu has fixed January 29 next year for hearing, before which Xing is expected to file his response.

A litigant, Chief Mufutau Kehinde, has asked the Court of Appeal in Ibadan, Oyo State, to suspend the construction of the Abeokuta/Kobape dual road, pending the determination of his appeal against the judgment of Justice Mobolaji Ojo of the Ogun State High Court.

Kehinde, in his appeal CA/IB/286/2019 filed by his lawyer, Dr. Dada Awosika (SAN), listed the Attorney-General of Ogun State and the Director-General, Bureau of Lands and Survey, as respondents.

The appellant is praying for an order of injunction pending the determination of his appeal, restraining the respondents either by themselves or anyone acting under their authority from further constructing or tampering with all that piece or parcel of land along Abeokuta/Kobape dualised road within the 1.5km acquisition measuring approximately 85.3 hectares.

He informed the court via his Motion on Notice that the land “is more particularly shown on (1) Survey Pian No. ADC 97 (OG) drawn by Surveyor Ogunseye (2) Survey Plan No. ARC 98 (OG) drawn by Surveyor Ogunseye, (3) Provisional Survey Plan showing an area measuring 12.374 hectares, and (4) Survey Plan No. OG/1296/2003/103 drawn by Surveyor Adewale A. Oluwafemi.”

The appellant averred that the lower court’s judgment of May 15, 2019, resolved all three issues in favour of the defendants against his claims, while also dismissing all four legs of his claims. 

Dissatisfied with the judgment of Justice Ojo, he filed a Notice of Appeal dated 30th May 2019. 

He averred that despite their knowledge of his appeal, he has “in the last couple of weeks observed massive construction, rebuilding and regeneration taking place within the area of land which is also the subject matter of this appeal. 

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“Subsequent enquiries undertaken by the appellant revealed that the third parties undertaking construction on the res (subject matter) of this appeal were put on the land by the Respondents to this Appeal notwithstanding that this Appeal is yet to be heard and determined in line with due process.”

He argued that this alleged abnormality had raised substantial points of law that the appellate court was likely to resolve in his favour. 

He added: “It is imperative in the interest of justice that further development, construction and/or regeneration of the res of this Appeal be halted so that fait accompli is not foisted on this Honourable Court. 

“This application is to ensure that the Appeal if successful, is not rendered nugatory or eroded by irreparable damage sought to be caused to the Appellant and the subject matter by the respondents. 

He backed his application with an affidavit in support of the appeal deposed to by one Folabomi Temitope, a Litigation Executive in the law firm of Messrs. D.A. Awosika SAN & Partners LLP.

Justice Mojisola Dada of an Ikeja Special Offences Court has issued a bench warrant against the former Managing Director of Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Ahmed Lawal Kuru, for failing to appear before the court for his arraignment on a N76 billion fraud.

Justice Dada gave the order yesterday for the arrest of Kuru, the 2nd defendant following his failure to appear in court for arraignment alongside other defendants.

The order followed the application by prosecuting counsel, Dr. Wahab Shittu (SAN) for a bench warrant against Kuru.

The 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th respondents respectively are Kamilu Alaba Omokide, Capt Roy Ilegbodu, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc. and Super Bravo Limited.

They were to be arraigned on a six-count, bordering on making a false statement, fraudulent conversion, abuse of office, stealing and dishonest conversion of property filed against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

However, the arraignment of the defendants could not go as scheduled, due to the absence of Kuru and his lead counsel, Olasupo Shasore (SAN).

When the case was called, the EFCC’s prosecuting counsel, Shittu announced his appearance while Prof. Taiwo Osiptan (SAN), appeared for the 1st defendant, Kamilu Omokide and the 3rd defendant, Capt Ilegbodu.

Olalekan Ojo (SAN) announced his appearance for the fourth defendant (Union Bank of Nigeria Plc), while Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), appeared for the 5th defendant (Super Bravo Limited).

Mr. I. B. Amefula, who appeared for the 2nd defendant, told the court that the lead counsel, Shasore, was on his way to the court with Kuru.

As a result, Justice Dada stood down the matter.

When the matter resumed more than 30 minutes later, Amefula told the court that Shasore was out of the country and that the learned silk was not aware of the arraignment. He prayed the court to revoke the bench warrant.

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Justice Dada declined his request and said the bench warrant would only be revoked if the 2nd defendant makes himself available at the next date of adjournment.

The judge subsequently adjourned the matter till January 20, next year.

In the charge sheet dated October 29, the EFCC alleged that sometime in 2011, Union Bank Nigeria Plc, with the intention of causing and/or inducing unwarranted sale of Arik Air loans and bank guarantees of Union Bank, made false statements to AMCON regarding Arik Air Limited’s performing loans ànd later transferred the sum of N71 billion, to corporation.

The commission alleged that Kuru, Omokide, who is the Receiver Manager of Arik Air Limited and the Chief Executive Officer of Arik Air Limited in Receivership, Capt Ilegbodu, sometime in 2022, allegedly stole and fraudulently converted to their use of NG Eagle Limited the total sum of N4.9 billion.

EFCC said that Ilegbodu, as MD/CEO of Arik Air Ltd in receivership, in May, did stole the sum of N22.5 million, by fraudulently converting same to the use of Magashi Ali Mohammed property of Arik Air Limited.

They also stated that on July 11, 2019, Kuru and Omokide as receiver and manager of Arik Air, while being public officers, abused their office authority, intentionally and in violation of the discharge of their functions, directed to be incorporated a Company called NG Eagle Limited, RC Number 1600277 for the purpose of obtaining undue advantage for themselves and or cronies.

Omokide, Kuru and Ilegbodu were  alleged to have also on February 12, 2022, and obtained undue advantage for themselves and cronies and  intentionally authorized the tear down and destruction of 5N-JEA with Serial No. 15058 valued at $31.5 million, an arbitrary act, which is prejudicial to the economic stability of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Arik Air Limited.

EFCC said that on November 29, last year, Omokide, Kuru and Super Bravo Limited dishonestly converted to the use of Super Bravo Limited three (3) Boeing aircrafts known as Manufacturer Serial Number 33944 Registration Number 5N MJG, Manufacturer Serial Number 35638 Registration Number 5N MJN and Manufacturer Serial Number 34761Registration Number 5N MJE property of Arik Air Limited.

According to EFCC, the offences committed contravened Sections 96, of the criminal law of Lagos State 2015, section 278 (1)(a) of the criminal law of Lagos State 2011, 278 (1) (b), 278(6), Sections 73 of the criminal law of Lagos State 2015 and 278 (1) (a) of the criminal law of Lagos State 2011.

• Sets trial for February 27

Respite yesterday came the way of 109 foreign nationals held on charges of cybercrimes as a Federal High Court in Abuja granted them bail in the sum of N17 billion.

Justice Ekerete Akpan granted them bail while ruling on an application by their lawyer, Ogwu Onoja, SAN.

Justice Akpan ordered the 109 defendants to produce five sureties, each of whom will sign a bond of N200 million guaranteeing that the defendants would no jump bail.

The sureties are to provide evidence that they are residents of Abuja and must each have landed property worth N200 million.

According to the judge, the sureties are to also swear to affidavit of means and submit to the court the original copies of documents of the properties pledged, which shall be verified by the court’s registrar.

The judge also ordered that the defendants and their five sureties must deposit all their original travelling documents with the court’s registrar and must not travel out of the country throughout the period of their trial.

Justice Akpan further ordered the defendants and sureties to each deposit two copies of their recent passport photograph with the court’s registrar.

The judge said he knew the defendants are foreigners, but that under Nigerian laws, a defendant is presumed innocent until the contrary was established.

He ordered that the males among the defendants be remanded in Kuje prison, Abuja, while the females should be kept at the Kefi prison in Nasarawa State.

The judge adjourned till February 27 for the commencement of trial.

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The foreigners, who are said to be citizens of China, Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines, Thailand, Brazil, Malaysia and Myanmar, pleaded not guilty when they were arraigned yesterday.

They were recently arrested by the police in their residence at plot 1906, Cadestral Zone 807, Katampe District of Abuja, where they were said to be engaging in cybercrime by allegedly promoting “a fraudulent and unregistered gaming platforms.

In a six-count charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/599/2024 and filed in the name of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the foreigners were also charged with cybercrime, money laundering and unlawfully residing in Nigeria.

It was alleged in one of the counts that they did aid, abet, conspire among themselves “to commit an offence, to wit; cybercrime and you thereby commited an offence contrary to and punishable under section 27 (1) (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015 (As Amended, 2024).”

They were also alleged to have “knowingly access a computer and network and input, alter, delete of suppress data resulting in inauthentic data with the intention that such inauthentic data would be considered or acted upon as if they were authentic or genuine and you thereby commit an offence contrary to and punishable under section 13 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015 (As Amended, 2024).”

In another count, the 109 defendants alleged to have “knowingly and without authority caused loss of property to persons in Nigeria and outside Nigeria when you caused the inputting and suppression of data by deceiving people to believe that the unregistered and gambling platforms they were marketing were authentic “for the purpose of conferring economic benefit on yourselves and you thereby commit an offence contrary to and punishable under section 14 (1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015 (As Amended, 2024)”.

They were said to have, with intent to defraud, “did promote via electronic messages on the internet, a fraudulent and unregistered gambling platform, materially misrepresenting facts about the said fraudulent gambling platform upon which reliance, persons in Nigeria and outside Nigeria suffered enormous economic losses and you thereby commit an offence contrary to and punishable under section 14 (2) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015 (As Amended, 2024).”

They were alleged to have  removed “from Nigeria proceeds generated from operating a fraudulent and unregistered gambling platforms, namely:  9f.com, c2.top, 8pg.top and you thereby commit money laundering, contrary to and punishable under section 18 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”

The defendants were also accused of entering “the territory of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with a business permit of 30 days duration and failed, or neglected to leave the Nigerian territory at the expiration of the said permit and remained in Nigeria without a valid resident permit or appropriate valid visa and you thereby contrary to section 4 (2) and punishable under section 44 (1) (c) of the Immigration Act 2015.”