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Tag: Ikeja High Court

  • Police arraigns unemployed man for alleged defilement of minor

    Police arraigns unemployed man for alleged defilement of minor

     

     

    An unemployed man, was Monday arraigned before an Ikeja High Court for allegedly defiling a 13 year old girl, names withheld

    The suspect, Solomon James, who has been in prison since January last year is facing a one count charge of defilement before the court.

    According to the State Prosecutor, T.A Adeye, the teenage girl was sent to buy sugar on January 5, 2016 by her mother.

    The prosecutor alleged that Solomon met her on the road and lured her into an abandoned barbing salon where he allegedly defiled her.

    Adeye told the court that four witnesses are willing and ready to testify against Solomon in the matter.

    Solomon however pleaded not guilty to the one count charge of defilement.

    The presiding Judge, Justice Sedoten Ogunsanya, adjourned the matter till October 17 for commencement of trial and ordered the defendant to remain in prison custody pending commencement of trial.

     

  • Alleged libel: Court grants Magu’s request for substituted service on Sun newspaper

    Alleged libel: Court grants Magu’s request for substituted service on Sun newspaper

    Justice Josephine Oyefeso of an Ikeja High Court has ordered that a motion exparte  filed by Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu be served on three journalists working with the Sun Newspaper.

    The EFCC boss had earlier this year sued the Sun Newspaper before the Lagos High Court over what he claims were false and malicious publications against his person.

    Joined in the suit as co-defendants are the Editor, Saturday Sun, Fred Itua, James Ojo and Lawrence Enyoghase.

    Counsel to Magu, Mr Wahab Shittu Wednesday moved a motion exparte seeking to serve the originating processes on the three reporters who authored the publication by pasting it on their last known address given at No. 2 Coscharis Street, Off Happy Home Avenue, Kirikiri Industrial Layout, Apapa, Lagos.

    The court granted the request of the EFCC counsel for substituted service.

    The EFCC boss  is seeking N5billion compensation for the alleged  libellous imputations and statements made against him in a story published  March 25, 2017 edition of the Saturday Sun.

    The report had alleged that the EFCC Boss purchased for himself  two mansions on different streets in the highbrow Maitama area of Abuja.

    Magu is however contending that the publication captioned “Magu under Fresh Probe over 2 Abuja Mansions” and authored by Fred Itua, James Ojo and Lawrene Enyoghasu, “willfully and maliciously made false, destructive, and defamatory statements against him

    Magu however maintained that neither himself nor his wife owned any property in Maitama.

    In addition to the demand for N5 billion compensation, Magu demanded that the publishers  issue a public apology and immediate retraction in writing of these false libelous statements, within seven days of the publication.

    Sun Newspapers refused to published a retraction prompting Magu to eventually file the suit.

    Justice Oyefeso has adjourned the matter to November 15, 2017 for trial.

     

  • How two brothers lured, raped, obtained N19, 000 from victim

    How two brothers lured, raped, obtained N19, 000 from victim

    A 22-years old lady (names withheld) Monday narrated to an Ikeja High Court her ordeal in the hands of two brothers, Bright and Chijindu Nwachukwu, who raped and defrauded her of N19, 000.00.

    Bright (31) and Chijindu  (23) are both standing trial before Justice Josephine Oyefeso on two count charge of rape and obtaining money by false pretense.

    The offence, according to the prosecutor, Mrs C.K Tunji- Carrena, are contrary to sections 135, 137 and 312 (3) of the Criminal law of Lagos state 2011.

    The defendants had pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    Led in evidence by the prosecutor, the victim who is a graduate of Biology and an entrepreneur, told the court that she met the first defendant, Bright for the first time on February 12 this year at Iyana Ipaja, on her way to the University of Lagos, Akoka where she had just graduated to sort out a medical registration.

    She maintained that she had never met him prior to that day.

    The witness said the defendant approached her in French Language and asked her for an address of one Diamond warehouse which she also told him she does not know where it is situated.

    She also noted that there was a man beside Bright who asked me to describe the place to him if I know there.

    She however left the two men at the spot and checked her time after the conversation only for her to realized that she could not meet up with her appointment and decided to return home.

    According to the witness, she met with the first defendant and the other man again on her way home and he asked the same question and she maintained she did not know the place.

    “I wanted to be on my way but the other man that was with him pleaded with me to help him. At this point, Bright handed him some foreign currencies. He held my hand and said that we should follow him.

    “At that moment, I don’t know what I was doing again, I just followed them and we crossed to the other side of the road at Iyana-Ipaja and boarded a bus towards Sango. I paid the transport fare for the three of us and we later alighted at a bus-stop which I didn’t know the name.

    “We took a tricycle to another place where we met the second defendant  Chijindu who disguised as a store-keeper. We entered the place and they brought out something that looks like a photo-film and washed it in a liquid and it turned into a N1000 note.
    ” He folded the money and asked me to take a bite and took an oath that if I tell anyone about what taking place, I would die,” she said.

    She further told the court that the second defendant, Chijindu told her to bring some money so that they can print more money but she did not have cash on her.

    “He collected my ATM card, pin number and headed to the bank.

    “While they (second defendant and storekeeper) were away, the first defendant asked me if I eat fish and I replied in the affirmative. He again reminded me that I would die as a result of the oath I had with him earlier if I tell anybody about what happened.

    “I became so scared and I started crying and I pleaded with him that I don’t want to die. Bright then told me that the only option to avoid death is to have sex with me. I started begging him again not to have sex with me but he eventually had his way.

    “When Chijindu came from where he had gone to withdraw the 19,000 that I had in my First bank account, he ordered me to delete the alert message sent by my bank. He also came back with another man who claimed to be a pastor.

    He brought in a bucket of water and after looking through it, he said my mother has some money in her drawer and I should go home and bring the whole money. He instructed me not to talk to anyone until I accomplished the mission”.

    The Witness said she caught glimpse of a sign post “Toluwalase” memorised  it.

    She also told the court that when she got home, she met her mother and her brother who later told her that she was acting strange and restless.

    “My mother later came to me and held me , seeking to know what happened to me and I told her I don’t want to die . She was shocked and we were both crying.

    My mother told me that God is the owner of my life and I came back to my senses and told her all that happened.

    According to the witness, her mother later put a call through to her pastor and she was later taken to the family hospital due to the sexual assault and was later referred to St Leo hospital in Ikeja.

    She also said the matter was also reported at Area G police station in Ogba from where she was referred to Mirabel Centre at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) for check- up and counseling.

    During cross-examination by the defence counsel, Mr. Ikenna Okoli, the witness maintained that she gave her ATM to the second defendant and money was withdrawn from her First bank account.

    She also insisted that the first defendant had sex with her without her consent.

    The matter was thereafter adjourned till October 10, 2017 for continuation of trial.

     

  • Why my reign is being challenged, Oba Akiolu tells court

    Why my reign is being challenged, Oba Akiolu tells court

    Oba Rilwan Akiolu of Lagos Tuesday told an Ikeja High Court that his selection and ascendancy to the throne followed the age-long traditional customs and traditions.

    He told the court at resumed hearing that his reign as the Oba of Lagos is only being challenged because he declined the request of the claimants to succeed him.

    Oba Akiolu stated this while being cross- examined by counsel to the claimants, Mr Babatunde Fashanu (SAN), at the resumed hearing of a suit challenging his selection as the Oba of Lagos before Justice Adebowale Candide-Johnson.

    According to him, “the claimants had wanted to meet me somewhere to sign a document regarding the succession but I refused.

    “It is not an individual chair; it belongs to the past, present and future.

    “All human beings should not hate each other, we are equal in the eyes of God but not equal in our love for God,” Akiolu said.

    He told the court that he has no grudges against individuals who he allegedly disliked by preventing them from succeeding him as the next Oba of Lagos.

    Akiolu’s selection to the throne of Oba of Lagos is being challenged by Prince Adedoyin Adebiyi and Prince Rasheed Modile who are both of the Akinsemoyin Ruling House of Lagos.

    Adebiyi and Modile were candidates chosen by the Akinsemoyin Ruling House to contest the Obaship title in 2003 after the demise of Oba Adeyinka Oyekan, the then Oba of Lagos in 2003 but lost the race to Oba Akiolu.

    They are contending that he has no rightful claim to the throne.

    But Oba Akiolu is insisting that he is the rightfully elected and bona-fide monarch of Lagos.

    Joined as respondents in the suit are the state governor, the Attorney-General of Lagos State, Prince Awobade Pearse, a representative of the Ologun Kutere Ruling House and Chief J.J Junaid – Eko, the head of the traditional white cap chiefs of Lagos.

    They also include Prince Kola Balogun and Mr Musibau Kelani, who are the respectively the Head and Secretary of the Eshilokun royal family.

    Responding to claims that he was elected less than 90-days after the demise of Oyekan contrary to customs, Akiolu said that such a  rule was non – existent

    “There have been 21 Obas of Lagos before the late Oba Oyekan, in the Lagos State selection of Obas, there is no 90-day rule.

    “By the grace of God, I am a lawyer, I am duty bound to speak the truth, I have a duty to assist the court.

    “The 90-day rule does not exist in the selection of Obas,” he said.

    He disagreed with the claims of Adebiyi and Modile that he was not a descendant of Oba Ologun Kutere, a former Oba of Lagos who reigned from the late 1700s to the early 1800s.

    He insisted on being a descendant of the late Oba Ologun Kutere and supported his claim with history of his royal lineage.

    According to him, “Oba Ologun Kutere had five children, one of which was Akiolu,  Akintoye was the last child and Akiolu and Olusi were the older children.

    “Akintoye was three – months old when Oba Ologun Kutere died, I don’t know how old Akiolu was when his father died.

    “By the grace of God, I am a direct descendant of Akiolu Ologun Kutere”, he contended.

    Asked by Fashanu to state in order of seniority, the children of Oba Ologun Kutere, Akiolu replied that he does not know. “I don’t know, I don’t work at the births and deaths registry. What is important is that Akiolu is the child of Ologun Kutere.

    “There have been three members of the Akiolu family who ran for the Oba of Lagos including an Akiolu family member known as Baba Ita-Ado, I can’t remember when he ran and I cannot tell lies.

    “All Lagos princes who have no curse placed on them are entitled to run for the kingship, it is however the prerogative of the king makers to choose who will be king”, he maintained adding, ” many are called, few are chosen,” he said.

    Akiolu maintained that his being capped as Oba during his coronation ceremony by a representative of the Eleboro family was not illegal despite the ceremony not being overseen by Chief Eleboro personally.

    To butress his position, he said that one of the former monarchs of Lagos, Oba Adeniji Adele was capped by one Chief Gafar contrary to claims that in the history of Lagos, no Oba has been capped by any person other than Chief Eleboro.

    He however contended that he was capped by the Eleboro family.

    Justice Candide-Johnson has adjourned the matter till July 5 for continuation of hearing.

  • Court stops LGs from issuing marriage certificates

    Court stops LGs from issuing marriage certificates

    Justice Ibironke Olatunbosun Harrison of an Ikeja High Court has barred local government areas from issuing marriage certificate with immediate effect.

    She said it is unlawful and unconstitutional for them to be issuing such certificates.

    She made the declaration while delivering judgement in a suit filed by a lawyer, Olumide Babalola, on September 29, 2016  against Ikeja Local Government Area challenging the power of the local government areas to issue modified and/ or customised marriage certificates different from the one provided in Form E under Section 24 of the Marriage Act LFN 1990.

    Other respondent in the suit is the Registered Trustees of Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON).

    Babalola had sought four reliefs from the court including  “a declaration that the first and second defendants do not have power to issue modified and/ or customised marriage certificates different from the one provided in Form E under Section 24 of the Marriage Act LFN 1990;

    “A declaration that the 2nd defendant’s Local Government Unified Marriage Certificate is unknown to our law, unconstitutional, null and void;

    “A perpetual injunction restraining the defendants, their agents, officers, employees and representatives from further issuing modified and/ or altered marriage certificates apart from the form as provided under Form E (1st Schedule) and Section 24 of the Marriage Act, LFN 1990; and

    “A perpetual injunction restraining the 2nd defendant, their agents, officers, employees and representatives from further issuing ‘Local Government Unified Marriage Certificates.”

    Babalola also supported his application with a 29 paragraph affidavit, three exhibits and a written address.

    In spite of service of summons, the defendants neither filed any process nor appeared in court to put up any defence against the suit.

    On March 24, 2017 the court granted the claimant’s prayer to argue his case.

    In his submission, Babslola argued that marriage was on the Exclusive Legislative List and that the Marriage Act stipulated that all marriage certificates were to be in Form E of the first Schedule of the Marriage Act LFN, 1990.

    He claimed that the second defendant and its branches now issue their own form known as the Local Government Unified Marriage Certificate, which was also issued to him.

    Babalola prayed the court to declare the local government areas’ action illegal, unconstitutional, null and void and grant all the reliefs he sought.

    Justice Harrison agreed and granted the four reliefs by the claimant.

    Justice Harrison held in her judgement delivered May 15  that marriage being an Exclusive List item, was under the purview of the federal government, which is regulated by the Federal Ministry of Internal Affairs.

    She further held that the issuance of modified or customised marriage certificate by local government areas contravened Section 24 of the Marriage Act and Item 6, Part 1, 2nd Schedule of the 1999 Constitution as amended, which lists marriage on the Exclusive Legislative List.

    “It should be noted that while registration of marriages is regulated by local government being under the Concurrent List, formation of marriage is under the Exclusive Legislative List within the domain of the federal government regulated by the Federal Ministry of Internal Affairs – item 6 of 2nd Schedule of 1999 Constitution,” she said.

    She held further:, a marriage had been declared invalid by the Supreme Court on the ground that the marriage certificate was not in line with Form E as provided by the Marriage Act.”

    Harrison said in line with the Supreme Court decision in Anyaegbunam Vs Anyaegbunam, 1973 3 ECSLR 243, it was trite that the local and state governments could not make separate arrangements outside that provided for in the Marriage Act Form E.

    The judge however declined to nullify all marriages conducted so far by local government areas, directing that such certificates be surrendered and be replaced by fresh ones that would be issued in compliance with the law.

     

  • I thought the pastor will not defraud me, Titi Atiku tells court

    I thought the pastor will not defraud me, Titi Atiku tells court

    Mrs Titi Atiku, wife of former Vice President Abubakar Atiku, on Tuesday told an Ikeja High Court, that she trusted a business partner who allegedly defrauded her of N918 million because of his status as a pastor.

    “I thought that the first defendant, being a pastor, he will not defraud me.

    “I thought that he was being genuine with me during our business dealings “ Mrs Atiku said while being cross examined in the ongoing fraud trial against a pastor, Nsikakabasi Akpan-Jacobs, Abdulmalik Ibrahim and Dana Motors Ltd.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had slammed the accused with a 15- count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing and fraudulent conversion of property worth N918 million belonging to THA Shipping Maritime Services Ltd.

    Mr Amos Ibe, the defence counsel to Akpan-Jacobs while cross examining Mrs Atiku, questioned why she used different monikers in company documents relating to the fraud.

    “Before I start cross examining you Ma, should I refer to you as Your Excellency?

    “Why was the name Florence Doregos used in the petition from the EFCC which is exhibit one, as well as other fake names in documents you used to transact business with the first defendant?,” Ibe queried.

    Replying, Titi said: “I am Her Excellency forever, it was under my instruction and direction that the petition was written.

    “My name is Florence Doregos, my name is Titi Amina Atiku Abubakar, the Mrs in the petition is a mistake made by my Lawyer.

    “Florence is my name and it was easy for me to use Doregos while I was in state service.

    “The name of my biological father is Dorego Albert, we are from Ilesha but I have cousins who are from the Republic of Benin.

    “I can choose Doregos, I can choose Albert as my surname, they are all my names, even Dino Melaye, his name is Daniel but he calls himself Dino.

    “I can twist my name anyhow I want.”

    Responding to Ibe’s questions about her identity when she married the former Vice-President, she said “I married my husband at the Ikoyi Registry in 1971.

    “I was a Christian before I married my husband, Angelina is my baptismal name, Florence is my confirmation name.

    “When I got married to my husband, I converted to Islam and I have been called Amina Titilayo, Titilayo was what I was called at home,” she said.

    Ibe, however, still questioning Mrs Atiku’s real identity, told her that a book written in honour of her husband titled ‘Atiku: The Story of Atiku Abubakar,’ claimed that she was from a Local Government Area in Adamawa.

    “I am from my husband’s Local Government Area by virtue  of marriage.

    “Whether I’m from the moon o, that’s not the matter on ground,” she said.

    Ibe, sought to tender the book written in honour of the former Vice-President to the court but it was rejected by Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye.

    “The document does not fall under the definition of a public document under the Evidence Act, it is a private document, it is therefore rejected,” Ipaye said.

    NAN reports that THA Shipping Maritime Services Ltd, a company created in 2000 belonged to Mrs Atiku, Akpan-Jacobs and Fred Holmes.

    She was allegedly to be the majority shareholder with 49 per cent shares, while Holmes and Akpan-Jacobs each had 25 per cent shares.

    Akpan-Jacobs, who also doubled as the company’s Managing Director and Secretary, was accused to have gone to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and  altered the share holding in his favour and forging the company’s board resolution.

    He allegedly under the new share arrangement allotted 70 per cent shares to himself and 15 per cent shares each to Titi and Holmes.

    According to the EFCC, welding a fraudulent shareholding power, Akpan-jacobs sold a property belonging to the company to Dana Motors Nigeria Ltd for N918 million.

    The property is located at Plot C63 A, Amuwo-Odofin Commercial Layout along Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, Lagos.

    During Tuesday’s proceedings, the defence disputed Mrs Atiku’s claims that she invested over N1.2billion into the business transactions with the defendants.

    “Your petition stated that you invested over N200 million and in another document it stated that you invested over N1.2billion, which fact is correct?

    “Do you have accounting reports, did you hire an auditor to look at the accounts, how did you arrive at N1.2billion?

    “N200 million is the money I spent in building the bonded terminal, by the time it was ready, it was worth N1.2billion.

    “Akpan-Jacobs never gave me any records, I was in the state service, I did not get any auditor, Akpan-Jacobs has the evidence of the money I spent, I didn’t know that our business transactions will become a court case,” she said.

    Mrs Atiku while in the witness box, accused Akpan-Jacobs of using her company property as a collateral for a bank loan that he sought when he wanted to run for the Akwa-Ibom gubernatorial elections.

    “He used my bonded terminal as a collateral for a loan when he wanted to run for governorship of Akwa-Ibom, when he couldn’t refund the money the bank wanted to acquire the bonded terminal, he sold it to Dana Motors Ltd,

    “I was the largest shareholder of THA Shipping Company with 49% of shares, my German partner Fred Holmes had 26% and Akpan-Jacobs has 25%,

    “Akpan-Jacobs never contributed a dime to the company, I couldn’t be involved in all the documentation because I was in service.

    “He did the registration and promotion of the company, he brought all the papers to me at the villa to sign, he later fraudulently changed the shareholding powers of my shipping company to favour himself.

    “He gave me 15 percent, Holmes 15 percent and he took 70 percent shareholding power for himself.

    “I never entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with him to sell the company, that is why I’m in court, when he couldn’t repay the loan, he sold the company to Dana Motors Ltd.

    “When the fraud happened, we initially agreed to settle out of court, but instead of settling, he went to sell the cranes and the company, giving the EFCC N16 million which I received, “ she said.

    Akpan-Jacobs lawyer, asked the court to cancel the next court date slated for May 24 for continuation of the trial on the grounds of his Ill health.

    “My Lord, I ask for the previously adjourned date of May 24 to be vacated because I am currently battling ill health,” Ibe said.

    Mr Babatunde Sonoiki, the EFCC counsel however, opposed Ibe’s request.

    “There have been four adjournments at the cost of the plaintiff, she flies in at great risk to her safety from Abuja for every court date and she is supposed to be helping take care of a newborn of one of her children.

    “We have another witness who has travelled on four occasions for 15 hours by road from Yola and the case keeps being adjourned, I will like to request for a cost of N750,000 from the defendants to cover the financial expenses of the plaintiff,” he said.

    Justice Ipaye granted a cost of N100,000 against Akpan-Jacobs and adjourned the case until July 5 and 6 for continuation of trial. (NAN)

  • Obaship tussle: I’m bona fide Oba of Lagos, Akiolu tells court

    Obaship tussle: I’m bona fide Oba of Lagos, Akiolu tells court

    About 14 years after his installation, the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, on Monday appeared in an Ikeja High Court in a suit challenging his emergence as the paramount ruler of Lagos, saying he is the bona fide monarch.

    “I am here to justify my appointment, you cannot build something on nothing, it will be broken.

    “By native law and customs and by law, I am the bona fide Oba of Lagos,” said Akiolu, who was accompanied to the court by 10 white cap chiefs.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Akiolu’s installation as the Oba of Lagos is being challenged by Prince Adedoyin Adebiyi and Prince Rasheed Modile, two members of the Lagos royal family.

    Joined as respondents in the suit are the state governor, the Attorney-General of Lagos State, Prince Babatunde Akitoye and Chief Junaid Eko.

    Both Adebiyi and Modile are claiming that Akiolu is not entitled to the throne because he is not a member of a ruling royal family by not being a direct descendant of Oba Ado, the first Oba of Lagos.

    According to the claimants, only members of the Ologun Kutere and Akinsemoyin ruling houses are entitled to the throne.

    They also alleged that proper customary rules and procedures were not followed when he was appointed as Oba in May 2003.

    While being led in evidence by his lawyer, Mr Adetokunbo Mumuni, Akiolu told the court the procedure he followed before being installed.

    “After I made my intention known to my family that I wanted to be Oba of Lagos, I applied for the throne.

    “In May 2003, the head of the kingmakers and the then Sole Administrator of Lagos Island Council called at my residence.

    “At that time I was preparing to go to the mosque and I was told that I received a letter from the state government and the State Executive Council.

    “The letter accepted my nomination that I have been approved to be a worthy successor of the late Oba of Lagos.

    “It will be exactly 14 years tomorrow (May 23, 2003) that the my appointment was approved.

    “By the grace of Almighty Allah, there is nothing like rotation in the succession to the throne of Oba of Lagos,” Akiolu said.

    Before cross-examining Akiolu, lawyer to the claimants, Mr Babatunde Fashanu (SAN), told the court that for the purpose of the trial, Akiolu should be addressed as the defendant and not as the Oba of Lagos while in court.

    “I apply that all referrals to the defendant as the Oba of Lagos should be expunged from the records of this honourable court.

    “Within the walls of this courtroom, he is a defendant and when we step out of the courtroom, I will lie down and greet him as ‘kabiyesi’ because I am like a son to him,” he said.

    Akiolu also told the court that he had a prior relationship with Fashanu’s father when he was working as a lawyer during his early years of legal practice 32 years ago.

    “I know your father, I used to carry files for him when we were working together.”

    Fashanu’s request to expunge referrals of Akiolu as Oba of Lagos was, however, not granted by the court.

    In responding to Fashanu’s question whether proper customary procedure was followed when he became Oba, Akiolu said he was installed according to the customs of Lagos as Oba by kingmakers.

    “Akiolu is a direct descendant of Oba Ologun Kutere, there is no registered declaration for the throne.

    “It is the old customs and the recommendations of the Price Commission which is over 100 years ago that is still valid till today.”

    Akiolu also debunked claims that Akiolu royal family was not one of the ruling houses because it was non-existent.

    He said: “Despite the letter from Lagos State Government confirming my appointment as Oba and stating that I am from the Akiolu royal family, I want to make it clear that a royal family and ruling house means the same thing.

    “My appointment as the king is the first time in history that kingmakers will be unanimous in selecting an Oba of Lagos.”

    Justice A. Candide-Johnson adjourned the case until June 19 for continuation of trial.

  • Court to EFCC : No evidence linking Ricky Tarfa to two judges

    Court to EFCC : No evidence linking Ricky Tarfa to two judges

    An Ikeja high court was Thursday told that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had no evidence linking Mr Rickey Tarfa (SAN) to alleged bribery of two judges.

    His counsel, Mr Abiodun Owonikoko (SAN) made this assertion at resumed proceedings into allegation of bribery of the judges by the EFCC.

    Tarfa is facing charges of offering gratification to a public official and perverting the course of justice.

    According to the EFCC, Tarfa allegedly bribed Justice Mohammed Yinusa and Justice Ngajiwa to pervert the course of justice.

    Tarfa however denied the charges.

    Owonikoko, who was cross-examining while cross-examining a witnessof  the EFCC, Mr Danladi Daniel maintained that the EFCC has no evidence directly linking Rickey Tarfa’s chambers to the bank account of the judges.

    He claimed that the account the EFCC was referring to in the matter belongs to another person who share same name with Justice Mohammed Yinusa .

    “Our findings revealed that the alleged UBA bank account which belonged to Justice Mohammed Yinusa,  belonged to someone who bears the same name, one Mr Mohammed Auwal Yinusa,” he said.

    He presented to the court an affidavit sworn by the said Mohammed Auwal Yinusa claiming ownership of the bank account.

    Owonikoko explained that Tarfa had prior relationship with Justices Yinusa and Ngajiwa before they became  judges.

    According to him, “Justice Yinusa was one year junior to Rickey Tarfa when he was studying law at the university of Maiduguri from 1982-1986 and they are friends. Justice Ngajiwa worked at the chambers of Rickey Tarfa for over 17 years.

    “Ever since Ngajiwa became a judge,  Rickey Tarfa has never had a case before him. Before Ngajiwa became a judge, he had over 300 cases he was handling at the Rickey Tarfa chambers some of which are still pending in court,” he said.

    Owonikoko also accused the EFCC of not concluding their investigations before charging the Tarfa to court

    “Justice Yinusa’s statement to the EFCC was given on October 17, 2016 which is seven months after he was charged in February 2016.

    “The call logs from MTN which allegedly showed the communications between the defendant and the judges were obtained on February 11, which is six days after the defendant was charged.

    “The defendants phones were retrieved by deceit by the operatives of the EFCC,  they told Tarfa’s driver that his boss was requesting for his phones and when he brought the phones, they were seized. The phones did not become an exhibit of the EFCC until February 9, after the defendant was charged,” Owonikoko argued.

    Owonikoko noted that the EFCC did not profile Tarfa during the course of their investigation.

    “You did not try during the course of your investigation to profile Rickey Tarfa and his lawfirm.

    “His law firm is the biggest lawfirm in Nigeria, employing over 100 lawyers with branches in Lagos, Abuja, Port-Harcourt and Yola. He currently has two retired judges working as consultants for his chambers,” he said.

    Responding to Owonikoko’s accusations, Daniel said “The defendant signed a consent of  analysis form for his phone, it is not true that the phones became exhibits after Feb. 9, 2017.

    “We have documents linking one Esther Agu, a staff of Rickey Tarfa’s chambers to Justice Yinusa, though, we don’t have documents showing that the defendant directly made any payment to the judge.

    Daniel also stated that he was not aware that since Justice Ngajiwa became a judge, the defendant has not had any case before him.

    Daniel during his evidence-in-chief, revealed details of text message as well as voice communications between Tafar and the judges.

    “On January 2, 2014, there were three text messages between the defendant and a member of his staff stating that they were in court for a case to be assigned before Justice Yinusa.

    “There are biometrics captured by MTN communications of the defendant and Justice Yinusa the voice communications were from Tarfa’s MTN, number- 08034600777 and Justice Yinusa’s MTN number-08035967291,” he said.

    The detective also read aloud details of the voice communications including late night calls between the SAN and the judge.

    “Esther Agu, a staff of the defendant made a payment of N2.5million into the bank account of Justice Yinusa.

    “Based on the account records, the payments were made on May 15, 2015.

    “The payments were made when there were three EFCC cases in which Tarfa was the counsel for the opposing parties before Justice Yinusa.

    “The communications started sometime in February 2015 and ended sometime in September 2015 after judgments were delivered in those cases.

    “There were some text messages between Justice Ngajiwa and the defendant on Ocober 16, 2014 in which Justice Ngajiwa sent his Guaranty Trust Bank details to the defendant.

    “The defendant also sent another person a text message on that day to pay $5, 000 into the bank account of the judge,” Daniel said.

    Justice Aishat Opesanwo adjourned the case to July 7 for continuation of trial.

     

  • Housekeeper slit throat of septuagenarian

    An Ikeja High Court on Wednesday heard how a housekeeper, Christian Yavine, allegedly murdered one Mrs Mariam Abiola, 79, the mother of his employer by slitting her throat.

    However, Yavine, a Beninoise, who was 18 when the murder was committed three years ago, denied the charge brought against him by the state.

    The policeman’s evidence was translated into French in the courtroom by an interpreter for Yavine’s understanding.

    The Investigating Police Officer, Insp. Godsgift Moses, being led in evidence by Mr Akin George, the State Prosecutor, said that “on July 3, 2014, I and ASP Adetunji Fisayo, paid a visit to the crime scene.

    “The room where the deceased was murdered was scattered with a lot of blood, seen on the mattress and the pillow.

    “Our investigation team proceeded to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja to inspect the remains of the deceased.

    “On close observation, there was a deep cut across the throat of the deceased and she had several minor cuts on her neck, which shows a sign of a struggle,” Moses said.

    On how he took charge of the case, Moses said: “I am a police inspector attached to the Homicide Division of the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Panti, Yaba, Lagos.

    “I met the defendant on July 2, 2014 at 4 p.m. while I was on duty at the State CID, the original case file and exhibits were handed over to me.

    “The defendant spoke Yoruba but I did not understand, so I asked a colleague Sgt. Adeola Lawal to interpret the language in English for me.

    “Lawal interpreted his statement for me and it was read to the defendant and he confirmed that that was what he told Lawal.

    “On July 7, 2014, we served the pathologist, Prof. John Obafunwa, with the coroners form and an autopsy was conducted by Obafunwa’s office to find out the primary cause of death,” Moses said.

    The prosecutor showed Moses two long kitchen knives, a black rope and a long pestle allegedly used in the crime, which were identified by him and marked as exhibits by Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye.

    NAN reports that the prosecutor, George, argued that Yavine allegedly committed the offence on July 1, 2014 at the residence of his employer located at Block 74, Flat 2, Ijaiye Low Cost Housing Estate, Pen Cinema in Agege, near Lagos.

    “The defendant killed a septuagenarian, Mrs Mariam Abiola, the mother of his employer by stabbing her repeatedly in the throat with a kitchen knife.

    “The defendant committed the murder after his employer, Mrs Joke Akinsemoyin, left the deceased and the teenage housekeeper in her home to go for a vigil, scheduled for 10.30 p.m. in her church.

    “When Akinsemoyin returned in the early hours of the morning, she inquired about her mother from Yavine and he told her that she was sleeping in the bedroom.

    “When she wanted to go into the bedroom to check her, she was refused entry by Yavine and she immediately became suspicious.

    “After a physical struggle with the defendant, she gained entry into the bedroom where she saw the body of her mother lying in a pool of her blood on the bed,” he said.

    Three witnesses, including Moses, have so far testified for the prosecution in the trial.

    Ipaye adjourned the case until May 4 for continuation of trial.

  • Businessman arraigned for punching woman to death

    A businessman, Kingsley Oshiegbu, was Wednesday arraigned before an Ikeja High Court for allegedly killing one Ifeoma Ndidi with his fist.

    State prosecutor, Mr. M.T Adewoye, the incidence occurred on April 1, 2015 at No 7, Majaro street, Agege, Lagos.

    Oshiegbu, who was arraigned on a one count charge of involuntary manslaughter contrary to and punishable under section 222 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011.

    When the charge was read to him, the defendant pleaded not guilty.

    The prosecutor told the court presided by Justice Hakeem Oshodi that Oshiegbu allegedly killed Ndidi by giving her a blow on her head.

    He alleged that the defendant had a misunderstanding with the deceased which led to exchange of verbal words and abuses.

    He said that the situation became so intense that defendant, out of annoyance, gave the deceased a fist blow on the head.

    Ndidi was said to have collapsed immediately and later died.

    Counsel to the defendant, Mr Shaw Jason, told the court that the defence had filed an application dated March1, 2015, praying the court to grant bail to his client on liberal terms.

    “I wish to also notify the court that the defendant has been in prison custody for the past two years” Jason said.

    The trial judge, Justice Hakeem Oshodi however adjourned the matter till June 26, 2017 for ruling.