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Tag: Federal High Court

  • Judge, one other arraigned over alleged N58.5m fraud

    Judge, one other arraigned over alleged N58.5m fraud

    A judge of an Area Court in Adamawa State, Suleiman Elkana has been arraigned before a Federal High Court in Yola over his alleged involvement in N58.5million fraud.

    Spokesperson of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Wilson Uwujaren said, in a statement Tuesday, that the judge, who was the Chairman of a group – Justice Multi-purpose Cooperative Society Limited (JMCSL) – was arraigned last Friday with the group’s Secretary, Solomon Philip.

    They were arraigned before Justice Bilikisu Aliyu on a three-count charge of conspiracy and obtaining N58, 550,555 by false pretense.

    An employee of Coscharis Motors, Isreal. C. Nwagbo was said to have entered into a contract with the JMCSL for the supply of 1,846 units of TVC motorcycles for its members.

    Nwagbo, who petitioned the EFCC, said there was an agreement for payment of the motorcycles through monthly deductions from members’ salaries.

    The EFCC said its investigation revealed that the defendants allegedly diverted the money for their personal use.

    One of the counts of the charge reads:‘‘That you, Honourable Suleiman Elkana, Solomon Maken and one Amina Musa, now deceased, sometime in September, 2010 at Yola Adamawa State within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court did obtain by false pretense 446 units of TVC motorcycles valued at Fifty-Seven Million, Nine Hundred and Eighty Thousand Naira (N57,980,000.00) from Coscharis Motors Limited under the false pretense that the said TVC motorcycles would be disbursed to members of the Justice Multi-purpose Co-operative Society, Adamawa State, which you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Sections 1 (1) ( a) and 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006 respectively.”

    The defendants pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to them, following which prosecution lawyer, Isreal Akande, asked for a trial date.

    Defence lawyer, Desmond Adebole moved the defendant’s bail application, following which Justice Aliyu granted them bail atN5 million with one surety each.

    She said the sureties must be resident within the jurisdiction of the court and must be verified by the prosecution. She adjourned to September 26 for the commencement of trial.

  • Again, prosecution’s absence stalls Dokpesi’s trial

    Again, prosecution’s absence stalls Dokpesi’s trial

    For the second time on two consecutive dates, proceedings were again stalled Wednesday before the Federal High Court, Abuja in the trial of businessman, Raymond Dokpesi owing to the absence of the prosecution lawyer, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN).

    Jacobs did not send any of his juniors, but instead, he sent a letter to the court, seeking an adjournment to the next day, a request the defence legal team led by Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN) rejected.

    A similar incident occurred when the case last came up on April 28.

    Jacobs, who was then engaged in the trial of Senate President, Bukola Saraki before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), equally wrote to the court and sought a new date, following which the trial judge, Justice John Tsoho adjourned to June 15.

    When the case was called Wednesday, Dokpesi, dressed in all white outfit, stepped into the dock, following which Adedipe announced a long list of lawyers, including Mike Ozekhome (SAN) and Dayo Akinlaja (SAN) for the defence.

    Justice Tsoho later asked Adedipe if he was aware of a letter written by the prosecution, requesting for an adjournment.

    Adedipe said Wole Olanipekun (SAN), who is leading the defence team told him about it.

    He later sought for a date in late October or early November to enable everybody settle down after the court’s forthcoming vacation and the International Bar Association (IBA) conference.

    He added that Dokpesi just return from a medical trip abroad and would be returning in 0ctober, which also informed his request for either late October or early November.

    When asked by the judge if he was aware that the prosecution suggested tomorrow, Adedipe said Olanipekun, who came to Abuja for the case on Tuesday, has returned to Lagos and would not be returning soon.

    Adedipe also told the court that when he called the prosecution lawyer yesterday, Jacobs could not confirm whether trial will commence in the case.

    He said Olanipekun requested for a fairly long date and that the defendant’s health was also an issue.

    Justice Tsoho adjourned to October 19 for the commencement of trial.

    Dokpesi and his firm, Daar Holding and Investment Limited were arraigned before Justice John Tsoho of the Federal High Court, Abuja on February 17 on a six-count charge bordering on alleged procurement fraud and breach of public trust to the tune of N2.1 billion.

    They were said to have received N2.1billion from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) between October 2014 and March 2015, which diverted to fund the presidential campaign of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), an act said to be a breach of provisions of the Public Procurement Act, Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act.

    Jacobs is simultaneously prosecuting no fewer than eight cases cases on behalf of the Federa Government. His presence in one, in most instances, affects proceedings in the others, which are mostly slated for the same day.

    His absence in the Dokpesi case Wednesday was as a result of his engagement in the hearing of two appeals by Dasuki, before the Court of Appeal, Abuja division, which took place simultaneously with Dokpesi’s trial yesterday morning.

    His presence at the Court of Appeal Wednesday also stalled proceedings in the case involving ex-National Security Aviser (NSA), Smabo  Dasuki before Justice Husein Baba Yusuf, where he also wrote for adjournment.

    Jacobs is currently involved in the two cases involving Dasuki before Justices Baba-Yusuf and Peter Afen of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Maitama, Abuja and the trial of Senate President, Bukola Saraki before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

    He is also involved in the trial of former Head of Service of the Federation (HOSF), Steve Oronsaye before Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court, Abuja; The trial of ex-Chief of Defence Staff, Alex Badeh and trials of former governors of Abia, Plateau and Taraba states – Orji Kalu, Joshua Dariye and Jolly Nyame.

    While Kalu’s case is before Justice Anwuli Chikere of the Federal High Court, Abuja, Dariye and Nyame are being tried before Justice Adebukola Banjoko of the High Court of FCT in Gudu, Abuja.

  • ‘NIS was ill-prepared for botched 2014 recruitment exercise’

    ‘NIS was ill-prepared for botched 2014 recruitment exercise’

    A former Comptroller General of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) David Paradang said Friday that the service was ill-prepared for the botched 2014 recruitment exercise in which about 20 job seekers died and were 165 injured.

    Paradang spoke in Abuja Friday while testifying for the second day in the trial of former Interior Minister, Abba Moro and others before the Federal High Court.

    Moror is charged with a former Permanent Secretary in the Interior Ministry, Mrs. Anastasia Daniel-Nwobia‎, an ex-director in the ministry, Felix .O Alayebami and a firm, Drexel Tech Nigeria Limited, on an 11-count charge.

    They are being tried over their alleged involvement in the botched 2014 recruitment exercise of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) while Moro was Minister.

    They are accused of defrauding 675, 675 graduate applicants of about N675,675,000 having been made to pay N1000 each as processing fees for 5,000 (five thousand) job openings.

    The four defendants were also accused of breaching the Public Procurement Act, No. 65 of 2007 in the award of the contract for the organisation of the recruitment test to Drexel Tech Nigeria Ltd.

    Testifying Friday, Paradang told the court that service was not financially ready for the exercise.

    Paradang was Comptroller General of the NIS from June 2013 to August 2015, during which the botched recruitment exercise was conducted.

    Led in evidence by prosecution lawyer, Aliyu Yusuf, Paradang said: “We had no money to fund the recruitment exercise. But on 14 March, 2014, I was told by NIS zonal controllers that they had received N300, 000 each from the service’s board.

    “The N300, 000 was inadequate as it could not even rent a venue for the recruitment exercise. There were supposed to be ambulances and allowances for the NIS personnel who conducted the job exercise,” he said.

    On how he learnt about the day of the exercise, Paradang said: “At about the third week of January 2014 we were at the National Assembly with all the senior officers of the Ministry when the 1st defendant (Morro) announced that March 15th 2014 has been fixed for recruitment exercise which was very surprising to all of us.

    “After we went back to the office and told the management team of the date of the recruitment exercise that was been announced by Morro we began to get ready.

    “But we started to mobilise road in state command to begin together ready thinking ahead of time to secure venue and make adequate preparation,” Paradang said.

    He added that he was in Plateau State with Morro, on the day of the exercise, when he started receiving text messages, informing him of stampede at the venue of the recruitment exercise nationwide

    “Immediately I heard this I quickly asked for permission from the Minister to allow me return to Abuja to coordinate and he agreed and I left.

    “I was calling each command to give me a verbal report and directed them to write the report at a close of day we had fifteen casualties and 165 injured people.

    “After this, there was national outcry and we went from ward to ward and promised to pay the bills thereafter.

    “The National Assembly later had an open hearing on the case. At the National Assembly, we were asked to state our position and the president spoke in sober tone to the nation.

    “The President (Good luck Jonathan) said that the family of those who died will be given 3 employment and those who were injured will be given a job.

    “The President set up a presidential committee to conduct a fresh exercise except the deceased people who were separated from the exercise.

    “Immediately after the letters were sent (letters of recruitment to victims’ family members) the board (board of the Interior Ministry) asked them (the relatives of the deceased victims) to bring back the letters of appointment. The ministry said that the appointments given to them were illegal,” said Mr. Paradang.

    In a ruling earlier, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba admitted documents containing the names of the board members and a memo containing their response concerning the recruitment exercise, which the defence team had opposed the previous day.

    Justice Dimgba dismissed the defence team’s objection and admitted the documents as evidence, but directed the prosecution to pay the required fees within seven days

    The judge held that the defect in the admissibility of the documents was curable through the payment of the requisite fees.

    He adjourned to July 1 and 5 for continuation of trial.

     

  • Adegboruwa sues FG over deadly Biafra protests

    Adegboruwa sues FG over deadly Biafra protests

    Activist-lawyer Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa has urged the Federal High Court in Lagos to restrain the Federal Government from authorising soldiers and policemen to invade Biafra protests, which often leads to human casualties.

    He is praying for a declaration that he and every citizen are entitled to assemble freely and express their opinions lawfully in the exercise of their fundamental rights guaranteed by sections 39 and 40 of the 1999 Constitution.

    He said the violation of such rights, which are also guaranteed by Articles 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 (1), 11, 20 and 28 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, is illegal, unconstitutional, null and void.

    President Muhammadu Buhari, the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Inspector-General of Police, the Chief of Army Staff, the Chief of Naval Staff and the Chief of Air Staff are the respondents.

    Adegboruwa is praying the court to hold that members of the Independent Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), are entitled to assemble in any part of the country for the purpose of demanding self-determination without any permit or licence.

    The lawyer is praying the court to declare that the arrest, detention and killing of innocent and unarmed citizens in Anambra, Enugu, Imo, Abia and Ebonyi states while gathering in Nkpor, Ifite-Dunu and Nnewi in Anambra State on May 30 to commemorate the International Biafra Heroes’ Remembrance Day by the respondents’ agents is illegal.

    He said the arrest and shooting of the citizens over their “peaceful and lawful gathering” in respect of Biafra constitutes a flagrant violation of their fundamental rights and is therefore null and void.

    Adegboruwa wants the court to hold that the citizens are entitled to their freedom of expression and right to peaceful assembly and association without let or hindrance from the respondents.

    The lawyer urged the court to hold that since Nigeria is entitled to hold “Armed Forces Remembrance Day” in remembrance of dead soldiers during the civil war, the citizens are also entitled to hold and organise “Biafra Heroes’ Remembrance Day” without any threat to their liberty and freedom.

    He asked the court to grant an injunction the Federal Government from further violating the fundamental rights of the citizens through unlawful arrest, detention and killing except and in a manner permitted and sanctioned by law.

    The court, he prayed, should hold that the respondents are not entitled to quell, suppress, subdue and crush a peaceful gathering of the citizens in commemoration of Biafra Heroes’ Remembrance Day.

    He sought an order directing the respondents to release forthwith all detained innocent citizens of Anambra, Enugu, Imo, Abia and Ebonyi state held over the International Biafra Heroes’ Remembrance Day.

    According to Adegboruwa, unless the court acts urgently to restrain the respondents, they would “continue to kill and maim IPOB members and stop other Nigerians from expressing themselves.”

    No hearing date has been fixed for hearing.

  • N378m theft: Witness reveals how ex-NIMASA D-G spent funds

    N378m theft: Witness reveals how ex-NIMASA D-G spent funds

    A Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday heard that former acting Director-General of NIMASA, Calistus Obi, allegedly built a hotel in Asaba, using the agency’s funds.

    Obi, who was a former NIMASA Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Service, took over from Patrick Akpobolokemi, the immediate past DG of NIMASA, who is facing six separate charges of conversion and theft.

    He was charged alongside three companies – Dismass Alu Adoon Ltd, Grand Pact Ltd., and Global Sea Investment Ltd on eight counts bordering on conversion of funds to the tune of over N378 million from NIMASA.

    At Obi’s trial on Wednesday, a witness, who is an investigator with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Orji Chukwuma, said that the accused used NIMASA’s funds to build a hotel.

    He alleged that the money was taken from an account opened for NIMASA’s Technical Ratification Committee on Maritime Labour Congress.

    According to the witness, about N10million was paid to Seastroke International Ltd which was in charge of developing the hotel for Obi.

    He said that Obi also gave N1million to a church in Anambra, but its purpose was not disclosed.

    According to him, a company, Knight and Sheriff, was paid N10million, adding that the company’s account was operated by Obi’s Special Adviser (SA).

    “I was made to understand that the operator of the account was his SA who started using it to keep monies for the first accused (Obi),” the witness said.

    He said that two companies, into which NIMASA’s funds were paid, never had any business with the agency.

    The witness said that Obi made several payments, including to his wife, using NIMASA’s funds.

    “He did not give any explanations as to why these funds were withdrawn and he did not present any documents showing the utilisation of these funds,” the witness said.

    After listening to the witness, the court asked counsel to both parties to reach an agreement as to when it would be suitable for the next adjournment, and communicate back to the court.

  • Judge in cases against Nyako, Saraki, Ekweremadu, others dies

    Judge in cases against Nyako, Saraki, Ekweremadu, others dies

    The number of judges of the Federal High Court dropped by one Wednesday with the death of Justice Steven Evoh Chukwu of the court’s Abuja division.

    The judge, who was said to have died early Wednesday in an hospital in Garki, Abuja, had been reportedly sick for about a month now.

    Although the court’s management failed to issue a formal statement about judge’s death Wednesday, many officials of the court confirmed the development.

    When The Nation visited the deceased judge’s courtroom, Court 9, located on the 4th floor of the courthouse, the officials wore mournful look. The court had not sat for some time now.

    Before his death, Justice Chukwu was handling major cases like the trial of former Adamawa State governor, Murtala Nyako and his two children; the trial of former officials of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), Sani Lulu, Taiwo Ogunjobi and others.

    The judge was also handling the case instituted by five Senators led by Abu Ibrahim, seeking to void the election that produced Bukola Saraki and Ike Ekweremadu as Senate President and Deputy President.

    Born on August 24, 1964 in Afikpo North Local Government Area, Ebonyi State, Justice Chukwu was appointed a judge of the Federal High Court on January 3, 2008.

    Before then, he did his one year National Youth Service at Chief Omoniyepe Chambers, 27 Hospital Road Akure, Ondo State between September 18,1988  – September 17, 1989.

    He was Legal Adviser- Karisto Industrial Systems, Km Aba/Enugu Express Road Aba; Associates Counsel, Prince Chika C. Ezerioha and Associates, Orulu Chambers. 118 Ikot Ekpene Road,Aba (between  1982 – 1992) and. Principal Solicitor in  Mezie Ehugbo Chambers, 100 Jubilee Road Aba (between 1992 -2006).

    The late judge attended Ehugbo Central School, Ekoli Edda, Afikpo South First School Leaving Certificate (1971 -1977) and Government Secondary School, Okposi Ohaozara L.G.A Ebonyi State (WASC) 1977 – 1982.

    He attended Imo State University where he studied Law between (1983 and 1987) and the Nigerian Law School between 1987 -1988.

  • Ex-Immigration boss denies involvement in botched 2014 recruitment

    Ex-Immigration boss denies involvement in botched 2014 recruitment

    A former Comptroller General of Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), David Shikfu Paradang has denied involvement in the 2014 recruitment exercise conducted by his agency which led to the death of about 20 job seekers.

    Paradang spoke Wednesday while testifying as the first prosecution witness in the trial of former Minister of Interior, Abba Moro and three others before a Federal High Court in Abuja.

    Moro is being tried with a former Permanent Secretary in the Interior Ministry, Mrs. Anastasia Daniel-Nwobia‎, an ex-director in the ministry, Felix .O Alayebami and a firm, Drexel Tech Nigeria Limited, on an 11-count charge.

    They are being tried over their alleged involvement in the botched 2014 recruitment exercise of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) while Moro was Minister.

    They are accused of defrauding 675, 675 graduate applicants of about N675,675,000 having been made to pay N1000 each as processing fees for 5,000 (five thousand) job openings.

    The four defendants also were accused of breaching the Public Procurement Act, No. 65 of 2007 in the award of the contract for the organisation of the recruitment test to Drexel Tech Nigeria Ltd.

    Paradang, who was led in evidence yesterday by prosecution lawyer, Aliyu Yusuf, said even as the head of NIS, he was never involved in the planning and execution of the recruitment exercise, but only read about it in the media.

    He said his attention was drawn to a publication in one of the dailies – Sunday Trust – on September 9, in respect of a recruitment exercise purportedly being carried out by NIS

    Paradang said: “As the then Comptroller General of the NIS, I was neither aware of the ‘advertisement’ nor the recruitment exercise. So, it came to me as a surprise.”

    When asked what he did when he became aware of the exercise, the witness said  he called the Secretary of the NIS board, one Dr. Attahiru and asked if the agency was recruiting, to which the man responded ‘yes’.

    Paradnag, who said he was worried by Attahiru’s response, told the court that he further asked him (Attahiru) why he, as the head of the organisation, was not informed of the recruitment.

    He said Attahiru told him not to worry.

    Paradang said he was unsatisfied, and later called two of the board members, who also claimed they were not aware of the exercise.

    Paradang stated that he wrote a letter to the Secretary of the Board, Dr Attahiru that same day, September 9, 2013, expressing his dismay over the advertisement placed for employment.

    At that point, defence lawyers, Chris Uche (SAN), Paul Erokoro (SAN), and Sunday Ameh (SAN) objected to admissibility of a copy of the letter and the witness’ pattern of evidence, saying its amounted to hearsay evidence.

    They argued that though the letter was certified, necessary fees were not paid as required by law.

    The defence team argued that Paradang could not give details of what he was told by others who are not witnesses before the court.

    Erokoro (for Moro) Erokoro argued that though the document was certified, there was no evidence to show that the certification fee was paid as it carries no endorsement certificate

    He said, being a public document, it is not admissible as it has not met all the necessary conditions precedent to its admissibility.

    Uche (for Mrs Daniel-Nwobia) agreed with Erokoro’s position and urged the court to reject the document.

    Ameh (for Alayebami ) argued that the certification had to be done by the person who had the original of the letter, but it was done by the officer of the Ministry of Interior instead of the officer of the Civil Defence who was the Secretary of the board.

    Ameh added that the essence of certification is to show that the content of the document is the same as the original.

    Responding, Yusuf contended that the document, being relevant to the proceedings, is admissible as relevancy determines admissibility.

    He said, the witness (Paradang) had testified that he made the document and sent it to the Secretary of the Board.

    On the issue of fees payment, Yusuf cited Section 104 of the Evidence Act to support his position that such requirement was not necessary in criminal proceedings.

    On the argument on who has custody of the document, Yusuf argued that the board is part and parcel of the Ministry of Interior and as such it is expected to superintend over the affairs of some parastatals under it.

    Trial judge, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba adjourned to June 10, 2016 for ruling and continuation of trial.

     

  • Ondo Baby Factory: Court adjourns suit to July 7

    The Federal High Court sitting in Akure, the Ondo state capital Wednesday adjourned to July 7, the case involving a couple arrested in Ilutitun-Osooro, Okitipupa local government on January 2014 for allegedly running a baby factory in the community.

    The case which was initially presided over by Justice Isaq Sani came up before a new Judge, Justice F.A Olubanjo following the transfer of the former from the Federal High Court, Akure.

    The accused couple, Prince Abiodun and Happiness Ogundeji were arrested by men of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking In Persons (NAPTIP).

    The case has been in Court since February 2014 for prosecution over illegal detention of pregnant teenage girls whose babies, according to sources are often sold at birth.

    Following investigations and findings by NAPTIP, the accused persons are now facing 10-point count charge for unlawful custody of the victims against their wish and for illegally enticing them away as well as depriving them of their parents and guardians.

    The action is said to have contravened section 19, sub section C and E of the trafficking in persons (prohibition) Law Enforcement and Administration Act 2003 as amended in 2005.

    The case was adjourned in response to a prayer by the defendent’s Counsel, Bola Alabi for more time to study the amended charges as being new in the case.

    This came after an earlier directive to the prosecuting Counsel that the amended 10-count charge be read to the hearing of the defendants.

    Responding to the amended charge, counsel to the defendant requested if the defendant had been served.

    Consequent upon the confirmation by the prosecuting lawyer that one of the defendant’s counsel, Chuma Oguejiofor had been served through a law firm, Dele Kuboye & Co, Justice Olubanjo directed the Court Clerk to make copies of the charge and stood the case down to allow the defendants to be served in person.

    The Presiding Judge warned the defendant’s counsel against unnecessary technicalities as delay tactics.

    Justice Olubanjo said she would not want to deny the Counsel ample opportunity to defend their clients,but urged that the culture of speedy administration of Justice be applied.

    She therefore adjourned the case to July 7 for plea and applications on the case, while the defendant’s counsel were given seven days within which they should serve the prosecuting Counsel.

  • PDP: Sherriff’s camp accuses caretaker committee of contempt

    PDP: Sherriff’s camp accuses caretaker committee of contempt

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) crisis may deepen as the Ali Modu Sheriff’s camp is set to initiate contempt proceedings against the caretaker committee headed by Senator Ahmed Makarfi at the Federal High Court in Lagos, it was learnt Tuesday.

    The party’s National Secretary Prof Wale Oladipo and Deputy National Legal Adviser Bashir Maidugu said the caretaker committee remains illegal and lack powers to run PDP’s affairs.

    Sheriff, Oladipo and National Auditor Alhaji Fatai Adeyanju had obtained an order of interlocutory injunction restraining PDP from conducting any election into the offices of the national chairman, national secretary and national auditor which they occupy, pending the hearing and determination of their substantive suit pending before Justice Ibrahim Buba.

    But, while the order was subsisting and the suit pending, the caretaker committee was appointed.

    Oladipo, in a statement Tuesday, described the caretaker committee as a group of lawbreakers.

    According to him, it was “very wrong” for the committee to take over PDP’s headquarters (also known as Wadata House).

    He said: “Sherrif is out of the country and will be back tomorrow (today).  The law breakers are in Wadata deceiving themselves. The law will take its course in the next one week.”

    Maidugu said the caretaker committee was acting in defiance of subsisting court orders.

    “It should be noted that the orders granted by the Federal High Court in Lagos has not been vacated and no appeal has been determined on same. There is an enforcement order granted by the FCT High Court in pursuance of her judgment of the 18th of May 2016

    “The Makarfi committee is simply illegal. It was constituted in violation of the two high court rulings,” he said.

    Sheriff and Oladipo, through their lawyer Ajibola Oluyede, yesterday sought to move their motion to set aside the order made by Justice M. Liman of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt on May 23, which recognised the caretaker committee.

    They are also praying the court to strike out PDP as plaintiff because the caretaker committee lacks the powers to invoke the party’s corporate personality. The defendants are also challenging the court’s jurisdiction.

    According to Oluyede, the proceedings were stalled because the plaintiff was not ready with a response to the three applications, which he said were served on them five days ago.

    The motion to discharge the order was filed on May 26 and will lapse Thursday (June 9).

    Oluyede said the “invasion” of the PDP national headquarters Tuesday by “the illegitimate caretaker committee is an illegality” and will be brought to Justice Buba’s attention when the case comes up Thursday.

    The case before Justice Liman was adjourned till June 16 for hearing of all applications and the originating summons.

    Sheriff, in a statement Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Media, Inuwa Bwala, said: “Our attention has been drawn to the activities at the National secretariat of the PDP to the effect that some individuals masquerading as leaders have handed over to Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi under a contraption called ‘caretaker committee’.

    “We state as a matter of fact that going by proceedings still pending in the courts to the effect that Senator Ali Sheriff remains the National Chairman, whatever transpired was null, void and of no effect whatsoever.

    “Sheriff has not mandated anybody, nor was his authority obtained by Uche Secondus, who has been parading himself as acting on behalf of the National Chairman.

    “While we await the verdicts of the courts, we wish to state that Senator Ali Modu Sheriff is and remains the National Chairman of the party, until otherwise declared by the courts.

    “We allowed the charade to go on at the secretariat without any form of challenge in strict obedience to careful pronouncement on the matter, but we must also state that there is no gathering of groups or individuals, however powerful, such groups or individuals may be, that can be said to take precedence over the law.

    “For the avoidance of doubts, we state categorically that what took place at the PDP secretariat on Tuesday June 7, 2016 was a total disregard to court orders and an extension of the impunity for which the party has been accused of and which has taken the party to where it is today. The public should disregard all the actions and pronouncements.”

  • Customs arraigns Chinese for unlawful exportation of wood

    Customs arraigns Chinese for unlawful exportation of wood

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NSC) Monday arraigned a Chinese, Zhu Jinxin, at the Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly attempting to export several logs of wood that was prohibited.

    The prosecution said he brought the wood in a container to Tin-Can port to be exported to China last November 16.

    NCS said he did so notwithstanding an export prohibition on the wood which was in force at the time.

    The alleged offence, the Service said, is contrary to Section 64(1)(b) of the Customs and Excise Management Act, Cap C45 of Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

    Jinxin pleaded not guilty to the one-count charge.

    Justice Hadiza Shagari granted him bail for N10 million with two sureties.

    Trial will begin on October 4.