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Tag: Criminal code

  • ‘Review Official Secret Act, Criminal Code, others’

    ‘Review Official Secret Act, Criminal Code, others’

    Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has recommended the establishment of a legal framework that respects human rights.

    The group urged the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) to review laws like the Official Secrets, Criminal Code and Cybercrime acts for their restrictions on free speech and press freedom and amend them in line with international human rights standards and agreements, including the Windhoek Declaration for the development of free, independent and pluralistic press.

    SERAP made the requests through Dr. Bunmi Afinowi, a lecturer in the Faculty of Law, University of Lagos (UNILAG), during its launch of the report entitled: “State of civic space in Nigeria”, at GRA,  Ikeja.

    The organisation called for the strengthening of the independence of regulatory bodies like the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and the Nigerian Press Council (NPC) to ensure impartial regulation and promote self-regulation in the media, arguing that the recent decision of the Federal High Court on the powers of the NBC was a step in the right directions.

    While stating that the government should ensure a diverse representation in the NBC and NPC, including journalist unions, civil society, and academia, the rights organisation argued: “The judiciary has a role to play in this regard by ensuring that it upholds the rule of law and safeguards fundamental human rights as recognised and enshrined in the Constitution.

    “Bodies like the National Human Rights Commission, the Nigeris Union of Journalists, and relevant civil society must ensure prompt and thorough investigations into the attacks on journalists and hold perpetrators accountable.”

    Afinowi advocated the need for professional bodies and civil society to encourage coalitions and ensure adequate funding, capacity building and technical support for civil society organisations working on media freedom and human rights issues, adding that the Federand state governments should be tolerant of criticisms.

    Her words: “The Nigerian government should prevail on law enforcement agencies to refrain from arbitrary arrests and frivolous charges based on exercise of the right to freedom of expression.”

    SERAP further asked the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) to bring the laws in line with the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 (as amended) and international human rights obligations, including under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and International Convention on Civil and Political Rights to which Nigeria is state party.

    Mrs. Funmi Falana (SAN), who represented her husband, Femi Falana (SAN), remarked that democracy is not just about voting but also entails the right of the people to determine how they are to be governed.

    Mrs. Falana said the law also provided for the people to express their minds when they are not being governed properly without fear of being detained, harassed or subjected to any restrictions.

    She listed the laws and conventions to which Nigeria is a signatory and which recognised freedom of expression and assembly.

    She lamented that despite these laws and conventions, people are still being harrassed while police detain journalists indiscriminately.

    The senior lawyer berated the government for not paying damages imposed by the court and wondered why they would not obey its laws.

    She noted that some judges are afraid to make declarations on public interest litigations while hiding under locus standi.

    She said the idea of locus standi is no longer applicable in our laws on public interest matters.

    Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume described  the civic space as the core of open democracy societies.

    Senator Akume said: “When the civic space is protected, citizens and civic society groups can meet, advocate, organise, and exercise their fundamental human and civil right such as access to information, freedom of association, freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, social attributes, peaceful builders and human rights defenders can also be free to mobilise citizens for peaceful moments, speak truth to power as well as seek for accountability and transparency from the respective government.”

    The SGF, who was represented by a Special Assistant, Simon Shingle, remarked: “Without a vibrant civil space, we cannot hold our leaders accountable, we cannot address the pressing issues facing our nation and we cannot fulfill the desperation of our people.

    “When we are discussing about civil space, the role media plays cannot be over emphasised.

    Read Also: ‘Review Official Secret Act, Criminal Code, others’

    “Media serves as an avenue in which information gets to the public, they play a crucial role in informing, educating, and engaging the public.’’

    Dr.Tony Ojukwu, the Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Prof. Tony Ojukwu (SAN),  in his keynote address, stated that civic space in Nigeria  resonate the sentiment of Section 14 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

    Prof Ojukwu said this was because it converts the authority on the key code that gaurantee participation of the citizens in the government and in accordance in the provision of the constitution.

    He  said: “SERAP is here to govern and protect the civic space and rights of the citizen to express, associate.

    “Also the section 39 of the 1999 constitution of the Nigeria as amended says that “every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression including freedom to receive and impact ideas and information without interference. “Section 22 of the 1999 constitution places an obligation of on the  press, radio and television to and other agencies of general mass media to have all times to be free to uphold the responsibility and accountability of the government to the people.”

    He said the civic space have provided the impetus for Chief Security Officers (CSOs ) and journalists to impact democratic ideas on Nigerians.

    Hon.  Akintinde Rotimi jnr,  representing  Ekiti North 1 Federal constituency who is also the chairman House committee on Media and Public Affairs disclosed that they have legislative agenda, for the civil society, pointing out that they  are on the demand side of government and on the supply side of the civic society and the people. He however admitted that there is need for them to do more.

    “ If you are engaging , we need to know what is guiding us. We have a legislative agenda and I would love everyone to get a copy of it and be familiar with it.

    “We have a very clear plan to engage the public especially the civil society. We are very intentional to be the peoples’ house and engage robustly. We want to make sure we are interactive and engaging as possible”, he said.

    Hon. Rotimi remarked that in every democracy, conversations around civil space and media freedom is unending giving the importance and contributions to societal development.

    He said no amount of civil space can be described as too much or too little adding that he has crossed from the demand side of governance to the supply side of governance.

    He argued that the civil society need to address issues of inclusivity and diversity and that while advocating for inclusivity, CSOs must ensure that their structure and key decision makers and leadership reflect the diversity of the community that they serve.

    “For example, an organization advocating women right should ensure women also hold leadership positions in this organization. Even in youth, if you advocate for participation of young people in government, responsibility of so many civil society actors, I think you should be very intentional about building a successful generation of civil society actors that would be able to take it from the grass to great height.

    He however observed that civil society faces challenges from powerful actors and interests which limited their operations and in some cases making it difficult for them to operate freely.

    “CSOs must find ways to counter these traits and protect their autonomy. Civil society needs to check the worrisome issue or proliferation, organization that terms the reputation of civic actors. Many CSOs prefer to work in silos.

    “CSOs can collaborate and pull resources together and expertise to work on misinformation. CSOs can address this challenge by promoting media literacy and fact checking example. CSOs can partner with media organizations to verify  information before dissemination”, he argued.

  • ‘Review Official Secret Act, Criminal Code, others’

    ‘Review Official Secret Act, Criminal Code, others’

    Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has recommended the establishment of a legal framework that respects human rights.

    The group urged the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) to review laws like the Official Secrets, Criminal Code and Cybercrime acts for their restrictions on free speech and press freedom and amend them in line with international human rights standards and agreements, including the Windhoek Declaration for the development of free, independent and pluralistic press.

    SERAP made the requests through Dr. Bunmi Afinowi, a lecturer in the Faculty of Law, University of Lagos (UNILAG), during its launch of the report entitled: “State of civic space in Nigeria”, at GRA,  Ikeja.

    The organisation called for the strengthening of the independence of regulatory bodies like the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and the Nigerian Press Council (NPC) to ensure impartial regulation and promote self-regulation in the media, arguing that the recent decision of the Federal High Court on the powers of the NBC was a step in the right directions.

    Read Also: Why we did not recover $69.4 million electricity debt, by NBET

    While stating that the government should ensure a diverse representation in the NBC and NPC, including journalist unions, civil society, and academia, the rights organisation argued: “The judiciary has a role to play in this regard by ensuring that it upholds the rule of law and safeguards fundamental human rights as recognised and enshrined in the Constitution.

    “Bodies like the National Human Rights Commission, the Nigeris Union of Journalists, and relevant civil society must ensure prompt and thorough investigations into the attacks on journalists and hold perpetrators accountable.”

    Afinowi advocated the need for professional bodies and civil society to encourage coalitions and ensure adequate funding, capacity building and technical support for civil society organisations working on media freedom and human rights issues, adding that the Federand state governments should be tolerant of criticisms.

    Her words: “The Nigerian government should prevail on law enforcement agencies to refrain from arbitrary arrests and frivolous charges based on exercise of the right to freedom of expression.”

    SERAP further asked the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) to bring the laws in line with the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 (as amended) and international human rights obligations, including under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and International Convention on Civil and Political Rights to which Nigeria is state party.

    Mrs. Funmi Falana (SAN), who represented her husband, Femi Falana (SAN), remarked that democracy is not just about voting but also entails the right of the people to determine how they are to be governed.

    Mrs. Falana said the law also provided for the people to express their minds when they are not being governed properly without fear of being detained, harassed or subjected to any restrictions.

    She listed the laws and conventions to which Nigeria is a signatory and which recognised freedom of expression and assembly.

    She lamented that despite these laws and conventions, people are still being harrassed while police detain journalists indiscriminately.

    The senior lawyer berated the government for not paying damages imposed by the court and wondered why they would not obey its laws.

    She noted that some judges are afraid to make declarations on public interest litigations while hiding under locus standi.

    She said the idea of locus standi is no longer applicable in our laws on public interest matters.

    Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume described  the civic space as the core of open democracy societies.

    Senator Akume said: “When the civic space is protected, citizens and civic society groups can meet, advocate, organise, and exercise their fundamental human and civil right such as access to information, freedom of association, freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, social attributes, peaceful builders and human rights defenders can also be free to mobilise citizens for peaceful moments, speak truth to power as well as seek for accountability and transparency from the respective government.”

    The SGF, who was represented by a Special Assistant, Simon Shingle, remarked: “Without a vibrant civil space, we cannot hold our leaders accountable, we cannot address the pressing issues facing our nation and we cannot fulfill the desperation of our people.

    “When we are discussing about civil space, the role media plays cannot be over emphasised.

    “Media serves as an avenue in which information gets to the public, they play a crucial role in informing, educating, and engaging the public.’’

    Dr.Tony Ojukwu, the Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Prof. Tony Ojukwu (SAN),  in his keynote address, stated that civic space in Nigeria  resonate the sentiment of Section 14 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

    Prof Ojukwu said this was because it converts the authority on the key code that gaurantee participation of the citizens in the government and in accordance in the provision of the constitution.

    He  said: “SERAP is here to govern and protect the civic space and rights of the citizen to express, associate.

    “Also the section 39 of the 1999 constitution of the Nigeria as amended says that “every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression including freedom to receive and impact ideas and information without interference. “Section 22 of the 1999 constitution places an obligation of on the  press, radio and television to and other agencies of general mass media to have all times to be free to uphold the responsibility and accountability of the government to the people.”

    He said the civic space have provided the impetus for Chief Security Officers (CSOs ) and journalists to impact democratic ideas on Nigerians.

    Hon.  Akintinde Rotimi jnr,  representing  Ekiti North 1 Federal constituency who is also the chairman House committee on Media and Public Affairs disclosed that they have legislative agenda, for the civil society, pointing out that they  are on the demand side of government and on the supply side of the civic society and the people. He however admitted that there is need for them to do more.

    “ If you are engaging , we need to know what is guiding us. We have a legislative agenda and I would love everyone to get a copy of it and be familiar with it.

    “We have a very clear plan to engage the public especially the civil society. We are very intentional to be the peoples’ house and engage robustly. We want to make sure we are interactive and engaging as possible”, he said.

    Hon. Rotimi remarked that in every democracy, conversations around civil space and media freedom is unending giving the importance and contributions to societal development.

    He said no amount of civil space can be described as too much or too little adding that he has crossed from the demand side of governance to the supply side of governance.

    He argued that the civil society need to address issues of inclusivity and diversity and that while advocating for inclusivity, CSOs must ensure that their structure and key decision makers and leadership reflect the diversity of the community that they serve.

    “For example, an organization advocating women right should ensure women also hold leadership positions in this organization. Even in youth, if you advocate for participation of young people in government, responsibility of so many civil society actors, I think you should be very intentional about building a successful generation of civil society actors that would be able to take it from the grass to great height.

    He however observed that civil society faces challenges from powerful actors and interests which limited their operations and in some cases making it difficult for them to operate freely.

    “CSOs must find ways to counter these traits and protect their autonomy. Civil society needs to check the worrisome issue or proliferation, organization that terms the reputation of civic actors. Many CSOs prefer to work in silos.

    “CSOs can collaborate and pull resources together and expertise to work on misinformation. CSOs can address this challenge by promoting media literacy and fact checking example. CSOs can partner with media organizations to verify  information before dissemination”, he argued.

  • Court: Teenager pleads guilty to undergraduate’s murder

    Court: Teenager pleads guilty to undergraduate’s murder

    A teenager on Tuesday told an Osogbo High Court that he murdered a student of the University of Osun, Mr Timileyin Sonibare.

    Nineteen-year-old Abdulrofiu Sakariyau admitted guilt during arraignment before Justice Kudirat Akano.

    Sakariyau was arraigned along with Yusuf Kareem,18; Ayuba Ibrahim, 20; Isiaq Yusuf, 40; and Abdulkareen Adeoti, 50.

    The others pleaded not guilty.

    Akano consequently remanded them in the Ilesha Prison custody until Dec. 15

    She held that the remand was due to the gravity of the alleged offence.

    Read also: Court remands eight rape suspects in Minna

    The prosecution counsel, Dr Bashir Ajibola, had submitted that the accused murdered the student on June 26 at Oke-Baale area of Osogbo.

    Ajibola said that the accused cut Sonibare’s head, hand and some other parts of his body and killed him, in contravention of Sections 516, 319 and 242 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Osun, 2002.

    Counsel to the accused, Mr Alayo Abayomi and Mr Kazeem Badmus, prayed the court to grant bail to their clients, who pleaded not guilty.

    However, Akano overruled them and ordered that all the five accused persons be remanded until Dec. 15, when the case would be mentioned again.

    NAN

  • Court docks man over motorcycle theft

    Court docks man over motorcycle theft

    A 35-year-old man, Akinyele Sabitu, who allegedly stole a Bajaj motorcycle valued at N95,000 was on Wednesday brought before an Ota Magistrates’ Court in Ogun state.

    Sabitu, whose address is unknown, is facing a count charge of stealing.

    The Prosecutor, Cpl. Abdulkareem Mustapha, told the court that the accused committed the offence on Nov. 9 at about 11.40 p. m., at No. 14, Adeyanju Str., General Hospital, Ota.

    Mustapha said that the accused stole a Bajaj Motorcycle with registration number TRE 458 UU, valued at N95, 000 from the place where the complainant, one Arewole Seun, parked the motorcycle.

    “The accused was caught in the act by some passers-by and handed over to the police,’’ he said.

    Read also: Six docked for beating DPO

    According to him, the offences contravened Section 390(a) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ogun, 2006.

    The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    The Chief Magistrate, Mrs B. B. Adebowale, granted bail to the accused in the sum of N100, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

    She said that the sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and swear to an affidavit of means.

    Adebowale also ordered that the sureties provide evidence of tax payment to the Ogun State Government and submit four recent passport photographs to the court, as part of the bail conditions.

    The case was adjourned until Nov. 23, for hearing.

    NAN.

  • Ekiti: Five docked for stealing 600 bags of cement

    Ekiti: Five docked for stealing 600 bags of cement

    The ongoing construction of the new Erekesan Market otherwise known as “Oja Oba” in Ado-Ekiti by the Ayo Fayose administration has been stalled by alleged theft of about 600 bags of cement and other materials by five workers at the site.

    The five workers: Jegede Olusola, Faleye Sunday, Filani Oladipo, Olabode Felix and Dada Tunde were arraigned before an Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrate’s Court on Thursday on two counts charge of stealing.

    They were all charged to court by Ekiti State government before Chief Magistrate Idowu Ayenimo. The charge was filed against them by Director of Public Prosecution, Mr. Gbemiga Adaramola.

    Apart from stealing 600 bags of cement worth N1.5 million, the accused persons also allegedly stole 16mm iron rods worth N35,000, one roll of binding wire worth N112,000 and 180 pieces of marine board worth N378,000 with all the stolen items valued at N2,055,000.00

    The alleged offence is punishable under Sections 390 and 516 of the Criminal Code, Cap C16, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.

    Work on the new market had stalled for a couple of months which had been attributed to the alleged stealing of construction materials by workers engaged by the contractor who has been in race against time to deliver the project as scheduled.

    The charge sheet reads:  “That you, Jegede Kayode Olusola, Faleye Sunday, Filani Oladipo, Olabode Felix and Dada Tunde between October 6, 2016 to March 31, 2017 did conspire to steal 600 bags of cement worth N1,530,000, 16mm iron rods worth N35,000, one roll of binding wire worth N112,000, 180 pieces of marine board worth N378,000 total value of N2.05m, property of Ekiti State Government at the site of ultramodern Oba’s Market, Old Garage, Ado Ekiti within the Ado Ekiti Magisterial District, thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code, Cap C16, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.”

    At the resumed hearing on Thursday, the prosecutor asked the presiding Chief Magistrate for a short adjournment to enable him respond to the counter-affidavit and Preliminary Objection filed against the charge.

    “We were served this morning, we thought we will be able to respond to the processes but unfortunately we are still typing stage.

    “Consequent upon this, we will be asking for a very short adjournment.”

    The defence counsel, Mr. Obafemi Adewale, did not object to the application.

    In his ruling,  Aiyenimo adjourned the case till August 17 for hearing.

  • Ubah’s diversion of N11b PMS meant to cause artificial scarcity – DSS

    Ubah’s diversion of N11b PMS meant to cause artificial scarcity – DSS

    …Says offence punishable by death

     

    The Department of State Services (DSS) said Tuesday that detained businessman, Ifeanyi Ubah was plotting to plunge the nation into economic and social crises by creating artificial scarcity of petroleum product with his alleged diversion of the over 80million litters stored in his facility.

    The DSS said the alleged diversion of the product by Ubah was not only stealing, but an attempt to cripple the nation’s economy (petroleum being the main source of the nation’s revenue), act punishable by death under the Petroleum Product and Distribution (Anti-Sabotage) Act, 2004.

    A lawyer to the DSS, G. Agbadua said these while arguing a counter-affidavit filed by his client in opposition to an application by Ubah, seeking the vacation of an order granted to the DSS on May 10 for his detention for 14 days pending the completion of investigation.

    Ubah has been in DSS’ custody since his arrest earlier this month following complaint by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), alleging that the businessman diverted the over 80million litres kept in the tank farm of his company, Capital oil and Gas limited based in Lagos.

    The DSS said Ubah’s continued detention is based on the order granted by Justice Halilu Yusuf of the High Court of the federal Capital territory (FCT) in Jabi, an order which Ubah has applied to be set aside, arguing, among others, that the court was misled by the DSS, which allegedly surprised material facts from the court.

    Agbadua, in a written address he adopted yesterday, contended that, as against the argument by Ubah that the diversion was purely a civil case; his action was criminal and was allegedly intended to threaten the nation’s economy.

    While justifying the DSS’ involvement in the case, Agbadua argued that the alleged offence falls within such issues that the DSS could investigate. He said the act was not only punishable under the Petroleum Product and Distribution (Anti-Sabotage) Act, 2004, but also under Section 383 of the Criminal Code.

    Agbadua stressed, in his written statement, that: “The action of the respondent (Ubah) to sabotage the distribution of petroleum products is a capital offence under the Petroleum Product and Distribution (Anti-Sabotage) Act, 2004.

    “The act of the respondent was capable of plunging the country into chaos as a result of scarcity of product had the NNPC not taken a proactive step to forestall such situation. This clearly brings the action of the respondent under the provision of the Petroleum Product and Distribution (Anti-Sabotage) Act, 2004.

    “The punishment of sabotage under this Act attracts death penalty.  It is clear that the respondent was arrested for the conversion of the property of NNPC. It is not just an ordinary stealing, it is stealing of the lifeblood of the nation.

    “Oil is the major source of revenue of the Federal Government. Stealing of the revenue is a crime against the economic interest of Nigeria and therefore, falls within the purview of economic threat of national security dimension,” Agbadua said.

    He said the gravity of the alleged offence informed why a diligent investigation was required to ensure prompt prosecution of the respondent, a position which informed why the applicant (DSS) sought the permission of the court to detain him pending the conclusion of investigation.

    The DSS explained its involvement in the case in its counter-affidavit, in which it said that “the respondent was arrested on reasonable suspicion of his involvement in the commission of crime. He converted PMS belonging to the NNPC kept in the custody of his tank farm to his personal use.

    “The respondent refused to return the PMS to NNPC after repeated demands. The PMS is worth over N11billion. The action of the respondent is affecting the distribution of petroleum products to the populace.

    “The action of the respondent is sabotage of NNPC’s activities as it relates to distribution of petroleum products. If not for the urgent steps taken by the Federal Government, the action of the respondent would have plunged the country into widespread scarcity with its attendant effect on the economy.

    “Petroleum is the lifeblood of Nigerian economy. NNPC is a major stakeholder in the petroleum industry in Nigeria. An attack on the Nigerian economy is an economic threat of national security dimension. The Nigerian populace will suffer untold hardship if NNPC is unable to discharge its statutory responsibilities, including distribution of petroleum products as well as generating revenue for the country.

    “The action of the respondent, if not checked, is capable of undermining the NNPC in the discharge of its duties.  Investigation into the activities of the respondent Is yet to be completed. A premature released of the respondent will adversely impact on the investigation, which is nearing completion.”

    Arguing Ubah’s application earlier, his lawyer, Mrs. Ifeoma Esom prayed the court to either set aside its order of May 10 or order her client’s release because his continued detention was unjustified.

    She argued that the issue on which he was being held was purely civil and contractual, and in respect of which provisions have been made for penalty in the case of default.

    Mrs Esom stated that Capital Oil and Gas has been one of the largest “throughput provider” for the NNPC   for a long time and that providers of such services are allowed to either convert or divert products kept with it as long as it can re-deliver the product within seven days or to pay penalty for non-redelivery.

    “The failure to re-deliver is expressly stated by the contract to be a mere breach of contract, remediable by the payment of penalty to the owner.

    “There can therefore be no issue of crime in conversion of products under a throughput contract (regardless of the ordinary connotations of those words,” Mrs. Esom said.

    After listening to the lawyers, Justice Yusuf adjourned to May 25 for ruling.

     

  • Man arraigned for stabbing

    A man, Ramoni Kareem, who allegedly stabbed a man on the head with a broken bottle, is facing trial at an Ota Magistrates’ Court in Ogun.

    The 38-year-old, who lives at No. 42, Debola St., Iyana-Ilogbo, Ota, has pleaded not guilty to a two-count charge of conspiracy and assault.

    The Prosecutor, Sgt. Chudu Gbesi, told the court that the accused and others still at large committed the offences on March 30 at about 2.00 p.m. at Ijako in Ota.

    He said the accused and his accomplices assaulted a man, Emmanuel Ojo, by stabbing him with a broken bottle on the head.The offences contravened Sections 355 and 416 of the Criminal Code,  Laws of Ogun, 2006.

    In his ruling, the Senior Magistrate, Mr S. O. Banwo, granted the accused bail in the sum of N75,000 with two sureties in like sum.

    Banwo said the sureties must be resident within the court’s jurisdiction and should be gainfully employed with an evidence of tax payment to Ogun Government.

    The case was adjourned until May 3 for hearing.

  • Court sentences man to three months’ imprisonment for contempt

    Court sentences man to three months’ imprisonment for contempt

    A 38-year-old, Tadujeen Folorunsho, is to spend the next two months in jail for contempt of court, an Ota Magistrates ’ Court in Ogun ruled on Monday.

    The senior magistrate, Mr S. O. Banwo, gave the verdict without giving the convict an option of fine.

    Folorunsho, who lives at No. 28, Akintoye St. Iyana-Iyesi, Ota, Ogun, had pleaded guilty to the charge of contempt.

    Earlier, the prosecutor, Sgt. Chudu Gbesi, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on March 14 at about 9.00 a. m. at the court.

    Gbesi said the defendant disregarded the court’s order by jumping bail.

    The prosecutor said that the offence contravened Section 133 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ogun, 2006.

  • Man faces funds transfer fraud charge

    A 37-year-old, Ebube Marvins, who allegedly collected N809, 000 on the pretext of helping a man to transfer to Togo, was on Tuesday brought before an Ado Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ Court.

    The accused, whose address is unknown, is facing a charge of fraud.

    Police Prosecutor Bankole Olasunkanmi told the court that the accused with another man still at large committed the offence on Dec. 9, 2016 in Ado-Ekiti.

    Olasunkanmi said the accused obtained the sum of N809, 000 from the complainant, Mr Ishioku Monday, through electronic transfer and transfer same to an agent in Togo through Western Union Money Transfer.

    “The accused, however, failed to do so after collecting the money.”

    The prosecutor asked for an adjournment to enable him to study the case file and assemble his four witnesses.

    The offence contravened Section 419 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ekiti State 2012.

    The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge and his counsel, Mr Femi Adejumo, applied for bail in liberal terms, promising he will not jump bail.

    The Chief Magistrate, Mr Idowu  Ayenimo, granted bail to the accused in the sum of N200, 000 with two sureties each in like sum.

    The magistrate adjourned the case until April 21 for hearing.

  • Two men docked over theft of phone

    Two men, Afilaka Sunday, 30, and Raymond Michael, 23, were on Tuesday arraigned in a Sango-Ota Magistrates’ Court in Ogun, for allegedly stealing a Lenovo cell phone valued at N50,000.

    The defendants of no fixed addresses are facing two-count charge of stealing and conspiracy.

    The prosecutor, Sgt. Chudu Gbesi, told the court that the accused persons committed the offences on March 3 at about 9.3p.m. at Ewupe Road, Ota.

    Gbesi said that they conspired to steal a Lenovo cell phone valued at N50, 000 belonging to one Adeola Omolayo.

    He said that the offences contravened Sections 390 (9) and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ogun State, 2006.

    The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    The Senior Magistrate, Mr S. O. Banwo, granted them bail in the sum of N100, 000 each, with two sureties each in like sum.

    Banwo ordered that the sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and should be gainfully employed.
    The case was adjourned till April 10 for hearing.