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Tag: FCT High Court

  • I can no longer tolerate my wife’s masturbation, husband tells court

    A 44-year-old businessman, Ekpolador Ebi, told an FCT High Court, Kubwa, that he would no longer tolerate his wife’s masturbation.

    Ebi made this known when he testified in his divorce petition against his wife, Gloria Onajero, in Abuja.

    He urged the court to end the marriage, which had produced two children because of his wife’s unfaithful and intolerable character.

    The petitioner questioned the paternity of his children, when he found out his wife’s extra-marital affair with one Richard.

    He also noted that his wife’s “ugly character” has had a negative impact on their children.

    “She masturbates on a regular basis. I have warned her severally but she wouldn’t stop. Now it has affected my first daughter.

    “I caught her on three occasions; I spoke to the mother about it and she promised that it would be resolved but it did not.

    “Now, I noticed since we separated, that the children have developed confidence issues in school.

    Read Also: Monarchs drag Fayemi to Court over appointment of Chairman

    “My first daughter has also developed anger issues; she slams the door at you when you try to scold her. All these never used to be,” he testified.

    Ebi also told the court that he ran away from his home because his wife and her mother frustrated all his good intentions.

    According to him, his wife also beats the children with so much force and without mercy and when he tried to caution her, her mother supports her.

    The petitioner urged the court to, aside dissolving the marriage, help him recover his property from his wife.

    “My wife came into this marriage with nothing, but when she left, she went away with everything I had.

    “She took all the original documents of my property, including our marriage certificate.

    “I want everything back, including my first daughters’ international passport which has a five-year-visa on it.

    “I also want this court to order her to stop calling me at odd hours. She calls me around 1 AM, 2 AM or 3 AM for no good reason,” he said.

    Mr Festus Ukpe, Counsel to the respondent, applied to the court to grant them two dates of adjournment to enable him and his client prepare their defence.

    The presiding judge, Justice Bello Kawu, adjourned the matter till March 21 and March 30. 

     

  • Court sentences clergy to seven years imprisonment for rape

    An FCT High Court Maitama, on Tuesday sentenced a clergyman Pastor Basil Princewill, founder Mountain Mover Ministry International Nyanya, to seven years in prison for rape.

    Princewill was charged with four counts bordering on rape, impersonation and attempt to cause abortion and abetting miscarriage.

    Delivering judgment, Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf said,” l must consider the faith of a young girl and the society.

    “It is even worrisome when the person involved is a man of God who we should look up to as next to God, those who serve in the Lord’s vineyard are expected to be an example to the society.

    “We have a duty to send signal that this attitude should not be tolerated, it is regrettable that the person who called himself man of God will be involved in such shameful disgraceful and satanic act,” he said.

    The judge said that by this conduct, he deserved to be kept away from the public.

    He would face the prison walls like a monastery so that when he comes out, he would have been born again.

    He said to consider the fact that he was a first offender “accordingly the accused person is sentenced to seven years for the offence of rape and five years for the offence of abettment which will run concurrently.”

    Read Also: Clergy cautions traders against price hike

    Baba-Yusuf held that out of the four count, the defendant is convicted on count one, which is rape and count three which is abettment to cause abortion.

    He said that the testimony of the three prosecution witnesses are collaborated, PW1, was the mother of the victim, PW2, the victim herself and PW3, the doctor where the victim was taken to.

    “I believe the evidence of the PW2 (victim) to be true and the PW1 (her mother) told the story in the same way the victim told the court too.

    “The evidence of the accused was inconsistent and confusing also and the direct evidence given by the victim to her mother narrated the ordeal the victim went through in the hands of the accused,” he held.

    He said that though, the convict denied not raping the victim but his evidence contradicted itself and therefore, convicted on the allegation of rape.

    In the third count of abettment to cause abortion, the pastor was also convicted.

    He was however, discharged for the offence of impersonation and attempt to cause miscarriage.

    According to the judge, the prosecution did not prove the ingredients of the alleged offence.

    The clergyman was alleged to have forcefully had sexual intercourse with a 14-year-old girl, between July 27 and Dec. 31, 2011 at Mountain Mover Ministry International and his house at Nyanya, Abuja, without her consent and impregnated her.

    He was said to have given her drugs with a view to aborting a pregnancy.

    Princewill was also alleged to have, on or about January, 2012, attempted to cause miscarriage on the victim when he gave her drugs to take and abort the pregnancy, which resulted to her bleeding.

    The witness, Dr Felix Ogunbade of Fountainhead Medical Centre, Mararaba, Nasarawa State, told the court in the course of hearing that “the examination conducted on Favour as of the time she was brought to the clinic revealed that she was given an abortion drug.”

    The witness, who had earlier testified in the case as the third prosecution witness, was recalled by the prosecution after the charge was amended.

    The case was filed by the police on June 4, 2012 with the prosecution closing its case on Dec.  9, 2016 after calling four witnesses to prove its case, with the defence also closing its case on May 24, 2017 having testified for himself without calling any one.

    The offence according to police, are contrary to sections 282, 179, 95 and 85 of Penal Code.

    NAN

  • ICPC arraigns public servants for alleged N26.7m fraud

    The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) yesterday arraigned two public servants at an FCT High Court, Apo, for alleged N26. 7 million fraud.

    ICPC charged Ademola Oluwatoyi, an officer with the Nigeria Law Reform Commission and Ala Kolade, who works in the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation with three counts bordering on fraud.

    Prosecutor Mr Ogechuku Iwuagwu told the court that the defendants committed the alleged offence in December, 2013 while in active service.

    He alleged that Oluwatoyin used his position and awarded contract worth N16. 3 million to his company, Mutoy Adekunle Enterprise.

    Iwuagwu also alleged that Oluwatoyin used his position and received N9.2 million through his Skye Bank account from the chambers of Mr Ala Abayomi & Co, being part of N10. 4 million paid for consultancy in a workshop organised by the commission.

    The prosecutor said Kolade, while serving in the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation, acquired contract for consultancy worth N10. 4 million from the Nigeria Law Reform Commission.

    Justice Olukayode Adeniyi admitted the defendants to N10 million bail each, with one surety each in the like sum.

    He said the surety must be a deputy director in the civil service with a verifiable address in the FCT.

    Adeniyi adjourned the case till May 8

  • Arraignment of CJN stalls judicial activities at FCT High court

    The arraignment of Justice Walter Onnoghen, Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) over alleged infractions of the CJN’s assets declaration on Monday stalled judicial activities at the FCT High Court, Apo.

    Most courtrooms did not proceed with cases as earlier scheduled except the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal for Osun State.

    Read Also: CJN’s Trial: Onnoghen absent as CCT proceedings begin

    Justice Onnoghen is being arraigned by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) following a petition on January 7, alleging non-declaration and false declaration of his assets between 2005 and 2016.

    The petition lodged by Anti-Corruption and Research-Based Data Initiative (ARBDI), drew the CCB attention to what it called serious concerns bordering on flagrant violations of the law and constitution of Nigeria by the CJN.

  • Court convicts photographer for yellow card forgery

    An FCT High Court in Apo on Thursday convicted a photographer Akwu Josiah, 28, charged with the possession of forged international certificate of vaccination (Yellow Card) and conspiracy.

    He was, however, remanded in the custody of Kuje prison pending his sentence.

    The convict, who was arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had denied committing the offences.

    Mr Osuobeni Akponmisingha, the ICPC prosecuting counsel, alleged that Josiah had sold a yellow card with serial number A061720, to one of the commission’s officers for the sum of N2,000 before he was arrested.

    The prosecutor said the offences contravened the provisions of sections 368; 97 of the Penal Code, and CAP 532; laws of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, 2006.

    Justice Olukayode Adeniyi, who declared the convict guilty, said that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt that the convict was in possession of the forged yellow card.

    Read Also: Mechanic in court for alleged theft

    Adeniyi held that the confessional voluntary statement, in which the convict admitted to have sold the yellow card to the disguised ICPC officer, was enough proof on which a man could be convicted.

    The judge also said that the prosecution had satisfactorily established that the convict conspired with an accomplice, now at large, to sell fake yellow cards.

    “I hereby enter a verdict of `guilty’ for him,’’ the judge said.

    He said: Based on the evidence before the court, the prosecution has proved the charge of forgery and conspiracy against the convict beyond reasonable doubt.

    “The convict is hereby declared guilty and remanded in Kuje Prison custody till Jan. 24 for sentencing,” Adeniyi ruled.

    Josiah was arraigned in court on November 24, 2014.

    He was arrested at the Indian High Commission, Abuja, on Oct. 24, 2014, where he was selling yellow cards for visa applicants.

    NAN

     

  • 2019: Court upholds Enoh’s election as APC Governorship Candidate in C/River

    An FCT High Court, Apo, on Monday upheld the election of Senator John Enoh as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the March 2 governorship election in Cross Rivers.

    Mr Uguru Usani, Minister of Niger Delta Development, who lost out in the governorship primary, had dragged APC, INEC and Enoh to the court to contest the outcome of the exercise.

    Delivering judgment, Justice Olukayode Adeniyi, held that the plaintiff had failed to adduce evidence to substantiate his claims.

    The judge said documentary evidence before the court indicated that the APC governorship primary was conducted on Sept. 30, 2018.

    The judge also held that the court was satisfied with evidence that showed that APC conducted the exercise in collaboration with the state executives of the party.

    He further said the court admitted in evidence a proof that officials of the INEC were at hand to monitor the exercise.

    Adeniyi, therefore, said the action ought not to have been instituted as the party had satisfied all requirements as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act in the conduct of the exercise.

    “In the final analysis, the judgment of this court is that the case lacks merit and the court lacks the jurisdiction to undo what has been done rightly. The suit is hereby dismissed.’’

    Read Also: Man in court over alleged diesel theft

    The recalls that Usani had claimed that the exercise was conducted solely by the state executives contrary to the provisions of Para. 14 and 20 of the APC Guidelines.

    The plaintiff had averred that he participated in the process, adding scored the highest number of votes,

    “I was shocked to find out that my name was fraudulently replaced with that of Enoh,’’ he said.

    Usani had therefore, sought a declaration of the court to hold that he was validly elected as the governorship candidate of the party in the primary.

    He also sought amongst others, a declaration that forwarding Enoh’s name by APC to INEC as its candidate in Cross River was illegal, unconstitutional, null and void.

    NAN

  • Court grants EFCC leave to arraign Alison-Madueke, Omokore

     An FCT High Court, Apo on Monday, granted the  Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) leave to arraign former petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, and a former Chairman of Atlantic Energy Drilling company, Olajide Omokore, on Feb. 25.

    Alison-Madueke and Omokore, are to be arraigned on five counts bordering on conspiracy and illegal act of accepting and giving gratifications.

    Trial judge, Justice Valentine Ashi, granted the EFCC leave, after the prosecution counsel, Mr Faruk Abdullahi  told the court that while investigations were on going,  the former minister left the country and is currently in the UK.

    Justice Ashi, also ordered the EFCC to put its house in order.

    He alleged that Alison–Madueke, refused to honour an invitation by the EFCC to appear at the commission.

    The suspects, are to be arraigned for allegedly accepting and giving  gift  of   properties described as penthouse 22,Block B, Admiralty Estate, Ikoyi, and penthouse 21, building 5, block C, Banana Island, Lagos.

    The EFCC said the alleged offence,  contravened the provisions of Sections 26(1) and 17 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences  Act, 2000.

    Read Also: EFCC confirms moves to extradite Alison-Madueke

    The prosecutor, Mr Faruk Abdullahi  told the court that while investigations were on going,  the former minister left the country and is currently in the United Kingdom.

    He  also said that on invitation by the EFCC Mrs  Madueke refused to honour the invitation but all process are set in place to ensure she comes back to face trial.

    The counsel for the second defendant, Tayo Adeniyo SAN, told the court that his client was not served with the charges and his client was read to clear his name.

    NAN

  • Court slams N1m bail on man over alleged wife battery

    A businessman, Edirin Oghenejode, who allegedly assaulted his wife, was on Thursday released on N1 million bail by the orders of an FCT High Court in Apo.

    Justice Valentina Ashi, granted bail to Oghenejode after he pleaded not guilty to a two- count- charge of battery and inflicting physical injury on his wife.

    Ashi, who announced the bail condition, also ordered the defendant to produce one surety in like sum and that the surety must be a civil servant of Grade level 9 residing in the FCT.

    He advised the defendant to settle with his wife and adjourned the case until Dec. 6 for hearing.
    Oghenejode resides at No. 579 Gidado Idris Street Wuye District, Abuja.

    The prosecutor, Mr Fidelis Ogbobe, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on Dec.30, 2017.

    He said that the defendant battered his wife, one Mrs Ule Oghenejode, of the same address.
    “The defendant intentionally inflicted physical injury on his wife’s right eye,” he said.

    Ogbobe also said that the defendant deliberately abandoned his wife and son without any means of subsistence.

    The offence contravened Sections 19 and 16 of the Violence against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015.

    Counsel to the defendant, Mr Adurobu Anthony, applied for the bail of the defendant, stating that he was granted administrative bail and had not defaulted in anyway and would abide by the conditions.

  • Defamation: Court adjourns Dokpesi’s suit against Lai Mohammed, AGF 

    FCT High Court, Apo, on Monday adjourned until Oct.23, the alleged N5billion defamation suit, instituted by Chief Raymond Dokpesi against the Minister of Information and Culture and Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

    Dokpesi, a chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and chairman emeritus of DAAR Communications Plc, filed the suit on April 30, seeking N5 billion damages from the defendants for alleged defamation.

    Read Also:‘N2.1b fraud’: Dokpesi received funds without executing contract, says witness

    He alleged that Information Minister, Lai Mohammed and the Attorney-General, Abubakar Malami (SAN), defamed his character by the inclusion of his name on the treasury looters’ list.

    The plaintiff had told the court that the Information Minister had on March 30, during a press conference, portrayed him as “a corrupt and crooked person, a dishonest man and a thief.”

    Dokpesi through his counsel, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), told the court that the minister’s action negatively affected his reputation and that his image had been seriously injured.

    The plaintiff said he had suffered considerable distress, odium, obloquy, ridicule in political analysis in the media.

    Dokpesi besides the N5 billion damages,  is also asking the court to order the defendants to publish a full retraction of the said publication.

    He further asked the court to order the defendants to tender an unreserved apology to him in all the major electronic and print media outlets in the country.

    He further urged the court to grant a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants, their servants, agents, partners, representatives, from further writing, publishing defamatory words about the plaintiff.

    At the resumed hearing on Monday, the plaintiff’s counsel, Ennaemeka Adasu, holding brief for Ozekhome, informed the court that the matter was slated for hearing and all the five plaintiff’s witnesses were in court.

    He, however, told the court that the defendants’ counsel only this morning in court, served the plaintiff with a notice of preliminary objection on the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the suit.

    Adasu , who argued that the service on his client in court this morning was done in bad faith and in the circumstance, requested for an adjournment to enable him respond to the objection.

    Justice  Adegboyega Adeniyi, upheld the plaintiff counsel’s submission and adjourned  the case until Oct. 23 for hearing of the preliminary objection.

     

  • Court to rule on Metuh’s case July 11

    An FCT High Court, Maitama, on Thursday fixed July 11 for ruling on the no-case submission filed by Olisa Metuh, a former PDP spokesman, accused of destruction of evidence.

    Metuh was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC ) in January 2015 on a two-count charge bordering on alleged destruction of evidence.

    The case which was before Justice Ishaq Bello, was adjourned until July 11, with consent of counsel as the court did not sit.

    The case was earlier adjourned to May 31, for ruling on the no- case submission.

    Metuh’s counsel, Dr Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), had on Oct. 10, 2017, told the court that they would enter a no-case submission at the close of the prosecution’s case.

    Arguing the no-case submission, Ikpeazu had told the court that the prosecution had not established any case to warrant the defendant to be called to enter his defence.

    He said that the application was in pursuant to the provisions of Sections 302 and 357 of ACJA.

    The counsel added that the defendant had a constitutional liberty and could not be prosecuted where he either refused to make a statement or withdraw any part of his writing in the course of making a statement.

    Also read :  Court declares Innoson wanted for fraud

    Ikpeazu said that the defendant also had a right to cancel any part of his statement voluntarily.

    He reminded the court that the charge by EFCC was that Metuh destroyed his statement and obstructed EFCC officials by willfully tearing his statement.

    Ikpeazu argued that a piece of paper not signed did not qualify as a statement by the defendant, and urged the court to discharge and acquit the defendant.

    However, the prosecuting counsel Mr Sylvanus Tahir, urged the court to establish whether or not a prima facie case had been made against the defendant

    Tahir added that cancellation was different from tearing which was obstruction, and prayed the court to call upon the defendant to enter his defence.