The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Court

  • Alleged fraud: Court sends pastor to prison

    A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja yesterday ordered that a cleric, Pastor Dennis Ogbede, be remanded in prison custody.

    Justice Modupe Osho-Adebiyi gave the order shortly after Ogbede was arraigned on a three-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Justice Osho-Adebiyi ordered that Ogbede be kept in prison until he meets the conditions attached to the bail granted him.

    Ogbede, the director of Alidenco Systems Nigeria Ltd, was arraigned for allegedly defrauding Maje Umar Nafiu of Maje Investment and Construction Company Ltd to the tune of N35million in land acquisition in 2009.

    The EFCC also accused the defendant of presenting to Nafiu, fake land titles for Wumba area of the FCT.

    The commission alleged that Ogbede agreed to refund N25million through three post-dated Zenith Bank Plc cheques, which all failed to clear upon presentation at the bank in December, 2015.

    The offences violate Section 1(1) of Dud Cheque Offences Act and punishable under section (i) (i) of the same Act.

    Ogbede pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him.

    After Ogbede’s arraignment, prosecution lawyer, Samuel Ugwuegbulem, sought a date for the commencement of trial.

    Defence lawyer Isaac Imo applied for bail for the defendant.

    Imo said the defendant is a religious leader and also has a pending civil suit in court, challenging the refund of the N35million.

    Ugwuegbulem said he would not oppose the bail application, because it was the discretion of the court to grant bail.

    Ruling, Justice Osho-Adebiyi granted bail to the defendant at N2million and two sureties in the like sum.

    The judge said the sureties must be civil servants, one which must be of the rank not less than Grade Level 14, with landed properties in the FCT.

    She adjourned till May 30 for trial.

     

  • Court nullifies Assembly’s resolution endorsing Kogi CJ’s removal

    THE Kogi State High Court sitting in Koton-Karfe yesterday set aside and nullified the April 2nd resolution of the state House of Assembly, recommending the removal of Justice Nasir Ajanah, as the chief judge, for alleged gross misconduct.

    It also set aside the resolution of the Assembly, recommending the Chief Registrar of the Kogi State High Court, Alhaji Yahaya Adamu, to the state Judicial Service Commission (JSC), for disciplinary action for alleged gross misconduct.

    Justice Alaba Omolaye-Ajileye quashed the resolution in his ruling on a motion brought by the CJ and the Chief Registrar.

    Justice Omolaye-Ajileye said he had come to the “irresistible conclusion” that the resolution of the House, arising from its sitting of April 2, recommending removal or stepping aside of the CJ, for gross misconduct must not be allowed to stand.

    He said the resolution haven been reached in “clear violation of the orders of this court”.

    “It is, accordingly hereby set aside and declared a nullity,” the judge said.

    He also set aside and declared as a nullity, the recommendation of Adamu, to the Judicial Service Commission, for disciplinary action over alleged gross misconduct.

    He said the House of Assembly is subject to the rule of law, and is required to obey and not break the law.

    “With the positive orders of this court made on December 13, 2018 and reinforced on December 18, 2018, Kogi State House of Assembly ought not to have done anything to give the impression that it was trying to preempt the decision of this court.

    “It is tragic that the respondents, whose primary responsibility is to make laws for the peace, order and good government of Kogi State, would be the same institution to be associated with violation of court orders,” he declared.

    He added that it was his considered view, that the action of the state assembly, in sitting on the matter and issuing a resolution for effect, was “a blatant and an impudent act which ought not to be tolerated or encouraged in a democratic setting”.

    According to him: “It was an audacious and arbitrary display of naked power, an act that is contrary to all constitutional and democratic tenets.”

    Ajanah and Adamu in their interlocutory application, prayed for an order nullifying and setting aside the resolution passed by the state assembly at its sitting on April 2, 2019.

    The court had on April 12, this year, adjourned sine die, ruling on the motion, following the sudden withdrawal of police personnel from the court premises.

    Justice Omolaye-Ajileye had noted that with deteriorating security situation arising from the sudden withdrawal of police personnel from the court and the intelligence reports reaching him, it was no longer safe for the court to sit and, therefore, adjourned indefinitely.

     

  • Three men arraigned for alleged theft of N1.3m cartons of stout beer

    Three men were Tuesday arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing 70 cartons of Guinness Big Stout valued at N1.3 million belonging to their employer.

    The defendants include Monday Ali, 20; Kunel Akindele, 30 and Sakiru Oloyele, 33, all resident in Agege area of Lagos.

    The defendants were alleged to have stolen the cartons of stout belonging to their employer, Fafem Haulage Nigeria Limited.

    They are facing a two count charge bordering on conspiracy and theft before Magistrate J.A Adegun.

    Police Prosecutor, Clifford Ogu, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), told the court that the defendants committed the offence on March 31 at ACME Road, Ogba, Lagos.

    He said that the defendants conspired and stole 70 cartons of Guinness Big Stout beer.

    According to the prosecutor, the defendants were sent to deliver the drinks to a branch in Ikeja, but diverted the goods to unknown destination.

    He alleged that they sold the goods and converted the money to their own uses.

    They however pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    Magistrate Adegun granted them bail in the sum of N5000, 000 each with one surety each in the like sum.

    Adegun ordered that the sureties must be gainfully employed and show evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

    He adjourned the case till May 13.

  • House help absconds with employer’s N5.1m gold necklaces

    The police Tuesday arraigned a 19-year-old house help, Alice Egun, before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing five gold necklaces worth N5.1 million belonging to her employer.

    Egun, who lives with her employer in Iju Ishaga area of Lagos as at time of incident, is facing a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and stealing before Chief Magistrate O.A. Layinka.

    The Prosecutor, Akeem Raji, a Superintendent of Police (ASP), told the court that the defendant committed the offence with others at large on March 8, at 2 p.m. at her employer’s house.

    ASP Raji alleged that the defendant stole the gold necklaces belonging to the complainant, Hajiya Joke Kudehinbu.

    According to him, Egun ran away from her employer’s house with the stolen items to an unknown destination.

    He said it was the complainant’s sister who later sighted the defendant at Ojota and alerted the police and got her arrested.

    He told the court further that all efforts to recover the stolen gold from the defendant failed.

    When the charges were read, the defendant pleaded not guilty.

    Chief Magistrate Layinka granted her bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

    She ordered that the sureties must be gainfully employed and show evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

    She said the sureties must also reside within the court’s jurisdiction.

    Chief Magistrate Layinka thereafter adjourned the case till May 20.

  • Court sentences two men to life for acid attack on couple

    An Ile-Ife High Court in Osun State on Monday sentenced two men to life in prison for acid attack on a couple.

    Delivering judgment, Justice R. A. Siyanbola sentenced Kamil  Folorunsho, 25 and Rilwan Abioye, 23, for pouring acid on  Mr Ismaila and Mulikat Akinlabi.

    Justice Siyanbola found them guilty of count-three of causing grievous harm.

    The Prosecutors, Mrs Ajibola Alade, the Chief State Counsel and Mr A. O. Adeniji, the Acting Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Osun Ministry of Justice, told the court that the convict attacked the couple with acid on the face and the body.

    READ ALSO: Police arraign trader for acid attack on friend’s manhood

    The prosecutors said that the convict committed the offence on Dec 16, 2013 around 2 p.m. at Eleyele Street, Ile-Ife.

    They added that the offence contravened the provisions of sections 320, 324 and 332 of the Criminal Code,  Laws of Osun,  2002.

    The Defence Counsel, Mr Samuel Judge and Mr Victor Egede, pleaded with the court to tamper justice with mercy.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the accused were arraigned on Dec 12, 2016.

    They pleaded not guilty.

  • Man in court for alleged N5m fraud

    A 37-year-old man, Chinedu Onuegbu has been arraigned before a chief Magistrates Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State for alleged fraud.

    Onuegbu allegedly defrauded his victims, Nwaopara Amanna and Omenuko Stanley of 30,000 liters of Diesel valued at N5, 484,400.

    The suspect reportedly committed the offence at the premises of Port Harcourt refinery, in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers state in 2016.

    He was charged with a single count charge of fraud.

    The charge was read out to him before the court and he pleaded not guilty.

    He was later admitted to bail in the sum of N100, 000 with two sureties.

    His legal representation had earlier applied for his bail release, and the presiding Magistrate, Sokari Andrew-Jaja granted his application.

    Court later adjourned the case till May 15 for hearing.

  • Court remands two for allegedly attempting to kill Ogun APC chair

    An Abeokuta Magistrates’ Court yesterday ordered that two men be remanded in prison for allegedly attempting to kill the Ogun State All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman, Chief Derin Adebiyi.

    The police charged Akinola Lukman, 38, and Dare Sowunmi, 25, with attempted murder.

    Magistrate Olarewaju Onagoruwa, who did not take the plea of the defendants, ordered the prosecution to return the case file to the Director of Public Prosecutions for legal advice.

    He adjourned the case till May. 24.

    Prosecuting Sergeant Boniface Agboh alleged that the defendants committed the offence on January 26 at about 1:55am. at 32, Legislative Quarters, Ibara, Abeokuta.

    He alleged that the defendants, armed with a cutlass and gun, robbed the complainant of his four phones valued at N850,000, a solar charger and N2.5 million cash.

    Agboh said the offence contravened Section 1(2) A,5(R) of the Armed Robbery and Firearms (special provision) Act Cap 389 of the federation of Nigeria 1999 and Section 320 Laws of Federation 2004.

     

  • Court remands man, 70, for alleged N2.2m job scam

    A Senior Magistrates’ Court in Ilorin, Kwara State, on Wednesday ordered that a 70-year-old man, Ibrahim Akande, be remanded at Oke-kura Prison for alleged N2.2 million job scam.

    Akande, who lives at 57, Olaniya Compound, Ilorin, is charged with two counts of criminal conspiracy and advance fee fraud.

    Senior Magistrate Abdulrahman Dasuki who gave the order, adjourned the case till May 6, for further mention.

    Prosecuting Inspector Folorunsho Zacheous told the court that on April 4, the office of the Inspector-General of Police X-Squad, Ilorin, received a letter of complaint from a lawyer, Olatunbosun Moses, who represents I.D. Hammed & Co of 10B, Ammilegbe Road, Ilorin.

    Read Also: Court dissolves 9-year-old marriage over deceit

    He alleged that the defendant, who was a member of Powerful Prayer Bible Church, Unity Road, Ilorin, sometime in August 2017, conspired with Oyetunde Abayomi, now at large and defrauded some members of the church to the tune of N2.2 million.

    Zacheous alleged that the N2.2 million was paid into the defendant’s First Bank account by unsuspecting youths who were promised employment with the Federal Road Safety Corps in Abuja

    The prosecutor said the offence contravened Section 97 of the Penal Code Law and Section 3(1) of Advance Fee Fraud and other related offences, 2006.

    The accused person pleaded not guilty to the charge.

  • Court sacks APC Reps-elect

    The Federal High Court sitting in Katsina has sacked the All Progressives Congress (APC) re-elected House of Representatives member representing Bakori/ Danja  federal constituency, Amiru Idris, as the party’s candidate in the February, 23, 2019 House of Representatives election. The Judge ruled that Engineer Yakubu Danja is the party’s rightful candidate for the election since he scored the highest number of votes at the October 5, 2018 party’s primaries.

    Juistice Shagari further declared that APC did not observe three primary principles before substituting Danja’s name with that of Idris before going ahead to submit the latter’s name as its candidate in the election. She said “APC did not make formal application on the substitution of Danja’s name to INEC; neither did the party notify the commission about the substitution. APC did not also state verifiable reasons necessitating the substitution.”

    “The substitution of the plaintiff name ( Engineer Yakubu Danja) with that of the second defendant (Amiru Idris ) as the first defendant (APC) candidate in the Federal House of Representatives election is null, unlawful and of no effect. The reliefs sought by the plaintiff are hereby granted and the originating summons succeeds.”

    The Nation recalled that Danja had approached the high court seeking seven reliefs including a declaration that he was the APC right candidate for the election  since he scored the highest figures of 314 at the 5, October, 2018 party’s primaries as against Idris 305.

     

  • Court sacks APC House of Reps member –elect in Katsina

    The Federal High Court Katsina, has sacked All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representative member representing Bakori/ Danja  Federal Constituency, Amiru Idris as the party’s candidate in the February, 23, 2019 House of Representatives election.

     The Judge, Juistice Shagari ruled that Engineer Yakubu Danja is the party’s rightful candidate for the election since he scored the highest votes at the October 5, 2018 party’s primaries.

     Juistice Shagari further declared that APC did not observe three primary principles before substituting Danja’s name with that of Idris before going ahead to submit the latter’s name as its candidate in the election.

     She said ’’ APC did not make formal application on the substitution of Danja’s name to INEC; neither did the party notify the commission about the substitution’’.

     She also said APC did not state verifiable reasons necessitating the substitution.

     Justice Shagari said ”The substitution of the plaintiff name( Engineer Yakubu Danja) with that of the second defendant (Amiru Idris ) as the first defendant(APC) candidate in the Federal House of Representatives election is null, unlawful and of no effect. The reliefs sought by the plaintiff are hereby granted and the originating summons succeeds.”

     The Nation recalled that Danja had approached the high court seeking seven reliefs including a declaration that he was the APC rightful candidate for the election  since he scored the highest figures of 314 at the 5, October, 2018 party’s primaries as against Idris 305.

     Danja also sought among other reliefs” A declaration that the 1st defendant( APC)  does not possess the power and authority to forward to the third defendant(INEC) any other name, particularly that of the second defendant(Idris) than the name of the plaintiff(Danja) who secured the highest number of the votes in the primary election  organized by the 1st defendant  and supervised by the 3rd defendant on 5th October, 2018, to contest on the platform of the 1st defendant of the office of member representing Bakori/Danja at the Federal House of Representatives or, at the general elections scheduled for 2019.

     “A declaration that the plaintiff, having secured the highest number of votes at the primary election conducted by the first defendant, and monitored by the 3rd defendant on 5th October, 2018, to nominate a candidate that would represent the 1st defendant for the office of member representing Bakori/Danja at the Federal House of Representatives remains the candidate of the 1st defendant for the Bakori/Danja constituency at the general election scheduled for 2019.”

     Justice Shagari dismissed the argument put up by Idris that thugs attacked delegates at the primary, the development which made 37 delegates sustained varying degrees of injury, and that the APC had the right to present a candidate of its choice for the election.

     She declared that Idris did not put up convincing facts about the incident, adding that the Supreme Court had rightly ruled that any candidate who feels cheated at party primaries can seek reliefs from courts or appropriate tribunal.

     The judge declared” A mere letter of complaint and few pictures about thuggery attack put up by the second defendant do not change the fact that the plaintiff scored the highest figures at the primary. The law remains the law and it is trite. The aspirant with the highest number of scores should be declared a winner’’.