The Nation Newspaper

Tag: CRIME

  • Court gives surety ‘last chance’ to produce British N10.3m fraud suspect

    A Lagos High Court in Igbosere on Monday gave a surety, Nurudeen Ekundayo, till June 24 to explain his failure to produce a British man, Syed Mohammed Kamran, facing N10,320,000 fraud charge.

    Justice Modupe Nicol-Clay renewed her January 21 order for the defendant to either produce Kamran, forfeit his bail bond or be ready to serve his time.

    The judge warned Ekundayo, who was absent in court on alleged account of ill-health, that unless he appeared in person in court at the next sitting, a bench warrant would be issued against him.

    The warning followed an application for a bench warrant made by Lagos State counsel Bisayo Apata.

    The application was opposed by Ekundayo’s counsel, Mrs O. Adeniyi, who pleaded for more time because the surety gravely ill.

    Kamran was arraigned by the police in 2015 before Mrs Abimbola Komolafe of an Ogba Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos for allegedly duping 11 Nigerians of about N120 million.

    He allegedly obtained supplies of diesel but failed to pay for the products.

    He pleaded not guilty.

    The Briton spent several months in Kirikiri Prison custody following his failure to meet bail.

    But soon after he met his bail bond, he allegedly absconded.

    The Nation learnt that Kamran, who relocated to Nigeria from Essex, United Kingdom, was arrested by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Lagos State Police Command, at the Murtala Muhammed Internation­al Airport en route the UK.

    Kamran was re-arraigned before Justice Nicol-Clay in 2016 on a two-count charge of conspiracy and obtaining the N10,320,000 by false pretence from a traditional ruler in Imo State, H.H Ubochi C. Ubochi.

    The prosecution said the defendant committed the fraud through “an elaborate diesel Local Purchase Order (LPO) scam.”

    Kamran pleaded not guilty, following which he was granted bail.

    But soon after he fulfilled his bail bond, Kamran missed court dates, prompting the judge to summon Ekundayo to show cause.

    Last January 21, the prosecution told the court that Kamran had jumped bail.

    Prosecuting Counsel K. Sarumi told Justice Nicol-Clay that Kamran was believed to have fled abroad.
    Sarumi stated this following Ekundayo’s failure to produce the Briton for trial.

    Ekundayo’s counsel, Mrs O. Adeniyi, told Justice Nicol-Clay that her client was ill and had sent his eldest son to inform the court that he was on admission at a general hospital.

    But Sarumi opposed her.

    She said: “The defendant in the main case is a foreigner who was granted bail and ever since absconded, jumped bail. We have information that he has gone abroad.

    “The surety was brought to explain the defendant’s absence. The court directed him to produce the defendant. He isn’t here; there is no letter before the court. Instead, he sent his son.

    ‘I see it as a sign of disrespect to the court. The complainant is always here, he’s a traditional ruler and he has to travel from the East each time the matter comes up. So, I see no reason why the surety cannot be here.”

    She applied for a Bench Warrant against Ekundayo, following which Adeniyi tendered a medical report from a general hospital on her client’s behalf.

    Adeniyi prayed the court for an adjournment to give the surety time to recover from his ailment.

    She added: “This matter escalated the surety’s blood pressure. He and the foreigner met in a club and became good friends.”

    But the judge turned down her application.

    In a bench ruling, Justice Nicol-Clay held: “He has three options: produce the defendant, forfeit his bail bond or be ready to serve his time. The medical report says he is hypertensive. That shouldn’t stop him from appearing.”

  • EFCC arraigns man for stealing

    The Ibadan Zonal office, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday arraigned one Ibraheem Adesina Adeyemi on a one-count charge of stealing.

    The accused was brought before Hon. Justice Ladiran Akintola of the Oyo State High Court, Ring Road area of the Oyo State capital city.

    The charge preferred against the accused reads: “That you Ibraheem Adesina Adeyemi ‘m’ sometimes in the month of April, 2016 or thereabout, in Ibadan, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court, with intent to defraud, did convert to your personal use the sum of N3,000,000.00 (Three Million Naira) only, property of Alhaji Kamoru Atilola, which he gave to you on trust for keep and thereby committed an offence.”

    The offence, according to the charge, is contrary to section 390 (9) of the Criminal Code Cap. 38, Vol.2, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

    Adeyemi, however, pleaded not guilty to the offence when it was read to him.

    Having pleaded not guilty, the EFCC’s counsel, Sanusi Galadanchi, prayed the court to fix a date to commence the trial of the accused.

    But the defense counsel, Bolarinwa Lawal, moved a bail application he had earlier filed on behalf of his client, asking that he be admitted to bail.

    Justice Akintola granted the defendant bail in the sum of two million naira and two sureties in like sum.

    The sureties, he added, shall be resident within the jurisdiction of the court, and shall present their Tax Clearance Certificates for three years which will be verified by the court.

    The case was subsequently adjourned to April 15, 2019 for trial.

  • Alleged bribery: Rickey Tarfa’s trial stalled again

    The trial of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Rickey Tarfa, for alleged perversion of justice, failed to resume at a Lagos High Court in Igbosere on Monday, for the second time consecutively, following the judge’s absence.
    The Nation learnt that Justice Adedayo Akintoye was away on a conference, alongside several other judges in the Lagos State Judiciary.

    The trial will now resume on March 19.

    Last January 21, proceedings could not get underway following Tarfa’s absence without the court’s permission.
    His counsel, Abiodun Owonikoko SAN, told Justice Akintoye that his client had left the country for urgent medical attention.

    He said Tarfa’s condition “was so bad that he had to travel for surgical operations,” and would be away for three months.

    The three months elapsed on Monday.

    EFCC counsel Rotimi Oyedepo confirmed to the court that he received a medical report and a letter from Owonikoko on the issue.

    Oyedepo, however, wondered why the defendant did not seek leave of court before embarking on the trip.

    Justice Akintoye advised the defence to ensure that Tarfa was in court subsequently.

    She said: “I am giving the defendant the benefit of doubt based on the application before the court, he should be in court on the next adjourned date.”

    The court adjourned till Monday for continuation of trial.

    Tarfa was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on March 9, 2016, on a 26-count charge of offering gratification to two judges of the Federal High Court – Justices Hyeladzira Nganjiwa and Mohammed Yunusa.

    He pleaded not guilty.

    The EFCC alleged that between June 27, 2012 and January 8, 2016, Tarfa paid N5.3 million in several tranches into Justice Nganjiwa’s account.

    He was also accused of paying N800,000 into Justice Yunusa’s account in three tranches between February 9 and November 30, 2015.

    Read Also: Alleged bribery: Court summons Rickey Tarfa’s witnesses

    The SAN was also accused of age falsification.

    Upon his arraignment on March 9, 2016 and subsequent re-arraignment on November 16, 2016, Tarfa pleaded not guilty and was granted bail on self recognizance.

    The EFCC has since closed its case, following which Tarfa opened his defence after the court dismissed his no-case submission he filed.

    The defendant’s first witness, Deputy Chief Registrar (DCR) of the Federal High Court in Lagos, Mr Bello Okandeji, is yet to finish his cross-examination.

  • We cut off victims’ fingers, wrists during operation, says suspect

    An alleged notorious armed robber Kunle Akerele alias Poly has said his gang usually cut off victims’ fingers and wrists to force them into submitting their valuables.

    Akerele and other members of his syndicate- Toyin Adewale, Nurudeen Akorede (Sypon), Oluwaseyu Makinde, Tunde Yusuf (To Door) and Bankole Mohammed alias Hunter were arrested by operatives of the Inspector General of Police (IG) Intelligence Response Team (IRT) at Ikotun.

    The suspects who were paraded on Wednesday by Police Commissioner Zubairu Muazu told reporters they cut the fingers and wrists of over 20 victims in one operation for lying to them.

    Admitting he was leader of the syndicate, Akerele said they adopted the strategy after they discovered that most of their victims usually gave them inferior phones each time they went on house raids.

    He said: “We operated at Agege, Aburo and Iyana Ipaja areas of the state. We used to raid people’s homes and when we started, we were not cutting off their fingers or wrists. The people made us become wicked because each time they knew we were coming, they will keep small phones ready for us to collect. They will also tell us they don’t have money at home.

    “One day, one of my boys suggested we get cutlass and teach the people lessons. We tried it and it worked. Our first victim was a rich man who had many expensive cars in his home.

    “When we got in, we asked for his phone and he gave us small Nokia. We saw his gold wedding ring and told him to bring it out but he was acting as though it was hard to bring out. So, we cut off his three fingers and the moment his wife saw what happened, she did not waste time in bringing out hers.

    “It happened on January 13 at Aboru Community. We needed money when we carried out the raid. All the people were busy giving us small phones. After we left the man’s house, we went back and dealt with all those who lied to us by giving us small phones. Over 20 people’s wrists, fingers were cut that day.

    “We did it for future purposes so that the news would spread and the people will be forced to bring out money when next we struck.”

    Asked how the gang got firearm, Akerele said they collected weapons from Tunde (Yusuf) who got them from a local vigilante member.

    Read Also: Police detain SARS operatives over ‘extortion’

    “We settled Tunde after each operation. We do not know his arrangement with the vigilante guy. Initially, we thought the guns were expensive but later we heard he bought them at N20,000 each.”

    According to the police, over 85 phones and 33 laptops were recovered from the buyer of items the gang stole, adding that it was the receiver who led police where the suspects were hiding.

    “Over 85 phones and 33 laptops were recovered from the buyer of the stolen items. My men are after two members of the gang who are now on the run. The case will be charged to court at the end of investigation,” said Muazu.

  • Four to die by hanging in Kwara

    A Kwara state High Court sitting in Ilorin, the state capital has sentenced a notorious criminal, Olatunji Ibrahim Ariyo and four others to death.

    Others include Ganiyu Sulyman Yaro, Timothy Oyebanji, Lukman Olateju Sanda and Akeem Olayinka (deceased).

    They are to die by hanging, the court said.

    Ariyo who is popular in the state capital for his nefarious activities.

    In her judgement, Justice Adenike Akinpelu said that the convicts were tried on a six-count charge for the offences of criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, causing mischief by fire and theft contrary to section 6 (b) and 1 (2) of the Robbery and Firearms Act, Laws of Federation of Nigeria 2004 and sections 337 and 286 of the Penal code.

    The court held that on 25th April, 2015, the convict committed the said offences at Agbarere area, in Ilorin.

    “Each of the convicts is sentenced to imprisonment for a term of two years and the sum of N25,000 is imposed as fine on each of them on count 5 for causing mischief by fire.

    “Each of the convict is sentenced to death to be executed pursuant to Robbery and Firearms Act on count 1, 2, 3 and 4 for the offences of criminal conspiracy to commit armed robbery and armed robbery respectively.

    Making appearance for the prosecution are the state Director of Public Prosecution, Barr. Abdulmumini Adebimpe Jimoh, Senior State Counsels, Kayode Adekeye and B. O Banigbe.

    Toyin Muhammed Onanolapo appeared for the first accused while Ayodeji Azeez represented the second accused in the matter.

    Ariyo with his gang were said to have invaded homes of no fewer than eight families in Ilorin metropolis to carry out robbery attacks.

  • Police arraign woman for issuing dud cheque

    The Police on Thursday arraigned a 49-years-old woman Josephine Williams, in an Upper Area Court, Karmo, Abuja, for allegedly issuing out a dud cheque.

    Williams who was with her three children in court, was docked on charges bordering on criminal breach of trust and cheating.

    The Prosecutor, Ijeoma Ukagha, told the court that one Serge Dussou of Degok Hotel Gwarimpa, Abuja, reported the matter at the Area Command Police Station Life Camp, Abuja, on Jan. 18.

    Ukagha alleged that the defendant booked a room for N8, 000 daily on Sept. 7, 2018 but refused to pay for the accommodation since then.

    She said that the money accumulated to N1.5 million and on Feb. 15, she dishonestly gave him a cheque knowing there was no money in the account.

    The prosecutor said that the offences contravened Sections 312 and 322 of the Penal Code.
    The defendant, however, denied committing the offences.

    Mr F.I Nwodo, counsel to the defendant, applied for her bail on liberal terms.

    The Judge, Alhaji Inuwa Maiwada, however, gave bail to defendant in the sum of N1.5 million with one surety in like sum.

    He said the surety must be a Grade Level 10 officer in the federal civil service or a pastor with proves to show.

    Maiwada also said she should not go back to the hotel and should write an application to maintain peace.

    The case was adjourned until April 4, for further hearing.

    NAN

  • Police arrest cultists who chopped-off man’s wrist

    The Enugu State Police Command has in an overnight operation arrested two suspected cultists in Emene community, an Enugu suburb.

    The command’s spokesman, SP Ebere Amaraizu, in a statement on Thursday said that the suspects were arrested at 8.00 p.m. on Wednesday.

    Amaraizu said that the command’s operatives also recovered a chopped-off wrist, two axes and a black cap from the suspects.

    He said that their victim, whose left hand wrist was chopped off, was identified as one Chijioke Chiaha.

    “It was, however, gathered that some groups of suspected cultists, on March 5 in the night at Eke Obinagu junction axis of Emene, had allegedly engaged themselves in a fight over a yet to be established issue which resulted to some injuries.

    The spokesman said two of the suspected cult members belonging to Junior Aieyes confraternity had been arrested.

    He said that one of the suspects told the police that he got a call from someone (names withheld), believed to be a cult leader in charge of Eke Emene Branch for a certain peace talk with other cult members at Eke Obinagu Emene Junction.

    “On his way to the place, he was nabbed by the security operatives of the command who had intervened promptly based on distress call received.

    “The victim, who confessed he used to be a member of a cult group, said he waited to board a tricycle to his house when suddenly three persons on a motorcycle approached him from behind and chop of his hand and drove away,’’ he alleged.

    Amaraizu said that the suspect in question identified his caller as one of those behind the chopping-off of his wrist.

    The command’s spokesman said that full scale investigation had commenced into the incident.

  • Police rescue two missing children

    Five years after they were declared missing, the police in Lagos have rescued two children, Ikimot, 12, and
    Okashetu Musa.

    The children, according to the police, were rescued at 1, Ogati Street, Fadeyi, and one Christiana Onuchukwu who they now called mum arrested for child’s theft.

    In a statement Tuesday evening my spokesman Chike Oti, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) the children were were rescued after Ikimot walked into Denton Police Station, Oyingbo and reported that she was stolen and handed over to the woman many years ago.

    Oti said: ” She mentioned her abductor’s address and asked the police to reunite her with her parents.

    “Based on her complaint, the DPO in charge of Denton Police Station, CSP Saheed Quadri, led a team of detectives to 1, Ogati Street, Fadeyi, where the suspect was apprehended.

    Read Also: Police uncover plot to use covered number plate for electoral fraud

    “When the suspect and her victims were debriefed, the child stated that she was seven years old when she started living with the suspect and that her present age is 12. She mentioned another little boy called Okashetu Musa as another victim of the suspect.

    “The DPO dispatched a team of detectives to rescue the boy who was abducted when he was six but now eleven years old. In his own account, the boy who could still speak Hausa said he once lived in Ebute Meta with his mother.

    “The leader of the Hausa community in Ebute Meta was invited to the station to help link the child to his parents. The leader, after consultation with his subjects, claimed that the mother of the boy, a blind woman, had relocated to Kastina State having lost hope on the possibility of finding her child.

    “The children have been reunited with their parents while the suspect was on March 5, charged to Ebute Meta Magistrate’s Court 5 with conspiracy, abduction and child stealing.

    “The Commissioner of Police has directed the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) to intensify efforts in ensuring that all the persons connected with the crime are arrested and prosecuted.”

  • Court remands ex-convict over alleged theft

    A Kubwa Grade1 Area Court, Abuja, on Tuesday ordered the remand of 20-year-old ex- convict, Rabiu Abdullahi in prison for alleged theft.

    The judge, Ibrahim Balarabe, remanded the defendant and adjourned the matter until March 18 for ruling on his bail application.

    The defendant of Byanzhin, Kubwa, Abuja, was arraigned on a count charge of theft.

    Prosecutor Babajide Olanipekun, had told the court that one Nicholas Onyemehe, reported the matter at the Kubwa Police Station on Feb.16.

    He alleged that the defendant stole the complainant’s clothes valued at N5, 000, but was arrested as he attempted to escape from the scene.

    The prosecutor told the court that the defendant was an ex-convict, convicted and sentenced for a similar offence in the past.

    He said the offence contravened Section 287 of the Penal Code.

    The defendant denied committing the alleged offence.

    NAN

  • Court remands woman for alleged manslaughter

    A Lagos High Court in Igbosere Monday remanded in prison custody an ex-staff of Olab Private School, Lagos, Rukayat Amisu, following her arraignment for the death of a three-year-old girl who fell into steaming water.

    Justice Adedayo Akintoye made the order after Amisu pleaded “Not guilty” to a one-count charge of manslaughter.

    The Lagos State Government accused the defendant of committing the offence at about 10am on October 21, 2015, at Olab Private School, No. 11, Idowu Street, Lagos Island.

    Prosecuting Counsel Babatunde Sunmonu alleged that the defendant unlawfully killed one Aliyah Ahmed by negligently allowing her to be burnt by hot water.

    “The defendant negligently sat the little girl on top of a container containing hot water and the child fell inside the hot water,” he said.

    Read Also: Court orders actress Monalisa Chinda’s arrest over tax evasion

    The court heard that the baby died afterwards.

    According to Sunmonu, the offence contravened Section 227 of the Criminal Law Lagos State, 2011.

    Following Amisu’s plea, her counsel, A. O. Ladipo, told the judge that he had filed an application for her bail.

    Justice Akintoye adjourned till March 11 for hearing of the bail application.

    The charge against Amisu reads in part: “That, you Rukayat Amisu, on October 21, 2005 at about 10am at Olab Private School at No. 11, Idowu Street, Lagos Island, unlawfully killed one Aliyah Ahmed by negligently allowing her to be burnt by hot water.”