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Tag: Judge

  • Another judge orders Metuh’s remand in Kuje prison

    Another judge orders Metuh’s remand in Kuje prison

    • As PDP spokesman denies destroying statement

    Detained spokesperson of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh, was arraigned Thursday before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja for allegedly destroying the statement he made to operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Metuh is currently being held at the Kuje prison, Abuja following his earlier arraignment before the Federal High Court, Abuja on a seven-count charge of money laundering for allegedly receiving N400million from the former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki and allegedly making doubtful investment of $2million.

    Thursday, he was arraigned before Justice Ishaq Bello on a two-count charge.

    He pleaded not guilty, following which the judge ordered that Metuh be further remanded in Kuje prison.

    Count one of the charge filed on January 18 reads: “Statement of offence: Destruction of document to prevent its production as evidence, punishable under Section 166 of the Penal Code CAP 532 LFN, Abuja (2004).

    “Particular of offence: Olisa Metuh, on the 5th day of January 2016 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, destroyed the document, to wit: a statement made under caution to investigators/operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on the 5th of January 2016 with the intention of preventing the same from being produced or used as evidence in a court of law.

    Count two reads: “Statement of office: Mischief contrary to Section 326 and punishable under Section 327 of the Penal Code CAP 532 LFN, Abuja (2004). Particular of offence: Olisa Metuh, on the 5th day of January 2016 within the jurisdiction of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with intent to cause wrongful loss or damage to the property of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) committed mischief by destroying/tearing into pieces a statement you made under caution to investigations/investigative of the EFCC.”

    The offence is said to be punishable under Section 166 of the Penal Code Cap 532 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, (Abuja) 2004.

    Shortly after Metuh pleaded not guilty, prosecution lawyer, Sylvanus Tahir, urged the court fix a date for the commencement of trial.

    Responding, Metuh’s lawyer, Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, prayed the court to grant the accused bail, taking into consideration the punishment which does not exceed two years.

    Justice Bello, while ordering Metuh to be remanded in prison custody, adjourned the matter to January 25, 2016 for hearing on the bail application.

    Earlier, the judge questioned the rationale behind separating this charge from the earlier one before Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    Bello noted that since the alleged attempt to destroy evidence flowed directly from the case already before the Federal High Court, it would have been proper and reasonable to accommodate the new charge in the pending one.

    In his response, Tahir said the fresh charge was brought under a different law, the Penal Code as against the Money Laundering Act under which the older charge was brought.

  • Judge stops magistrates from granting orders to EFCC

    Judge stops magistrates from granting orders to EFCC

    Federal Capital  Territory (FCT) Chief Judge Justice Ishaq Bello has ordered magistrates in the FCT to stop granting remand orders to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The EFCC has, of late, relied on FCT Magistrates’ Courts for remand warrants to justify its continued detention of suspects being investigated for corruption and other economic crimes.

    The commission, last week, said it had obtained a detention warrant from a Magistrates’ Court in the FCT to enable it keep the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh, pending the conclusion of investigation.

    Justice Bello gave the directive yesterday during his visit to the Keffi Medium  Prison, Nasarawa State.

    The chief judge, who expressed concern about the high number of awaiting trial inmates, also stopped the courts from entertaining cases of capital offences, including robbery and murder on which the court ordinarily lacked the jurisdiction.

    “I understand that EFCC has been bringing some cases to you and you have been granting them remand orders. You must no longer do this from today.

    “You must not arraign people for offences as armed robbery, murder and other capital offences before Magistrates’ Courts, which they don’t have competence to handle.

    “On no account should you (referring to the magistrates at the event) take cognisance of cases outside your jurisdiction and which you do not have power to try.

    “You must decline jurisdiction on such cases. You must not do this from today,” Justice Bello said.

    He directed the magistrates, the prison authorities and FCT High Court’s Deputy  Chief Registrar, Magistrates, Sunday Ochimana to compile such cases before Magistrates’ Court in the FCT for him to reassign to the High Court.

    The judge’s position was informed by his realisation, while reviewing cases of some awaiting trial inmates, that some of them were charged before the courts for capital offences.

    One of such cases was that of Queen Usa, charged with conspiracy and  armed robbery.

    Justice Bello directed that the case be transferred to Court 18 of the High Court of  FCT.

    But Section 293 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 allows magistrates to remand suspects on holding charge for two weeks.

     

    Justice Bello, who reviewed about 322 criminal cases, freed five awaiting trial inmates on the grounds that they were  being held unjustly.

    Among the 322 inmates, 301 were from the medium prison (all male), while 21 were from the Old Prison in Keffi (for male and female).

    Those in Justice Bello’s  entourage were judges, magistrates and other top officials as well as prosecutors in the Federal Ministry of Justice, led by the Director of Public Prosecutors, Mr. Mohammed Diri, and Prosecutors from the Legal Department of the Nigeria Police Force.

  • Don’t judge Islam with some Muslims’ misbehaviour, says don

    A senior lecturer at the department of Arabic and Islamic Studies, University of Ibadan, Prof. Abdul – Hafiz Oladosu, has urged world leaders not to judge Islam from negative attitude of some Muslims.

    He spoke at the opening of the 100th edition of annual Islamic Vacation Course, IVC organised by Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria,  (MSSN), Southern Zone at the IVC permanent site, kilometre 30, Lagos /Ibadan Express way.

    Oladosu said the misbehaviour of some Muslims should not be used as a basis for judging what Islam really stands for.

    He said: ‘’It’s not Islam that should be held responsible for the misbehaviour of Muslims. The same way you don’t hold a car responsible when it has an accident. You need to question the driver and owner of the car.  Allah gave the religion of Islam to the Muslims. It is we the Muslims that we are misrepresenting the gift from Allah.  The world should try to read about Islam and not about Muslims. ‘’ he said

    He urged Muslims to find their way back  to the teachings of Islam so as not to allow the public to stigmatize Islam as a religion of trouble maker rather than religion of peace.

    The don also explained that the West could not be exonerated from the rising insecurity in the world.

    “ The gun and the bullet being used by ISIS is not manufactured in Iraq. It’s the West that produced the weapons being used by ignorant Muslims who believed that it is when they use it that they can achieve certain aims.  The West should stop this hypocritical posture. “

    National President of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Mallam Muhammad Jameel, urged the Federal Government  to disregard the banning of Islamic dress in the name of security as such would lead to denial of fundamental right to practice one’s religion.

  • CJN queries High Court judge for alleged misconduct

    CJN queries High Court judge for alleged misconduct

    The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mahmud Mohammed, has sent a memorandum to Justice Mohammed Yunusa of the Federal High Court, Lagos, for alleged misconduct.

    The memo, dated November 19,  was addressed to Justice Yunusa through  the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta.

    The CJN demanded an explanation from Justice Yunusa on a petition sent to the National Judicial Council (NJC) by a businesswoman, Mrs Rachidatou Abdou, who is a party in a suit before the judge.

    Justice Yunusa was given 14 days  to respond to the CJN’s memorandum.

    In her petition of November 11, Mrs. Abdou, a Beninois resident in Nigeria, narrated how Justice Yunusa allegedly connived with the lawyer to her opponent to deny her justice.

    The petitioner said she wrote to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) on alleged manipulation of incorporation documents of a company, Rana Prestige Industries Limited, which she co-owned with a fellow Beninois, Mr. Gnahoue Sourton Nazaire.

    She said her grouse about the co-director was that he allegedly colluded with the lawyer, who handled the incorporation, to change the share capital holding structure from 50 per cent each between her and Nazaine to 60 per cent and 40 per cent in favour of her partner.

    Mrs Abdou said her partner allegedly forged her signature to change the share holding of the company.

    The petitioner also said her co-director allegedly connived with his younger brother, Mr. Denon Modeste, who she described as an employee of the company, to divert the company’s funds while she was in France for six years.

    She accused Justice Yunusa of conniving with the lawyer to her opponent to frustrate EFCC’s probe of her petition.

    Mrs Abdou said her opponent, through their lawyer, filed three suits to stop EFCC’s investigation of her petition.

    The petitioner expressed shock that Justice Yunusa had allegedly been communicating with the lawyer to her opponent before the suits were filed and when they were still pending, contrary to judicial officers’ ethics.

    She averred that Justice Yunusa spoke severally with the lawyer to her opponent and exchanged Short Messaging Service (SMS) with him.

    Mrs Abdou vowed to expose the alleged conversation anytime she is invited.

    The petitioner alleged that her co-director had been boasting in Cotonou that he had pocketed the judge in the matter.

    She also said Justice Yunusa’s judgment in a suit delivered on August 18, confirmed her worst fear and confirmed her allegation when she was fined N6,000,000 as damages.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Conduct Tribunal judge seeks extra security

    Conduct Tribunal judge seeks extra security

    The Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Mr. Danladi Umar, has written to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, to beef up the security around him.

    The request was said to be sequel to the increasing number of sensitive cases involving politically exposed persons before the tribunal.

    It was learnt that the application of Umar may be referred to both the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies for necessary action.

    More cases involving some former governors and ministers were being awaited in CCT at the time of filing this report.

    Investigation conducted by our correspondent indicated that the CCT judge sent a copy of the letter to the Department of State Security Service (DSS)

    It was gathered that Umar wrote the letter during the week as part of steps to overhaul his security apparatchik.

    Although it was not obvious that the life of the judge was under threat, it was gathered that his mobile lines had come under intense pressure, leading to call restrictions.

    The judge was also said to have restricted his movement to his office and home in order to stave off influence.

    A reliable source, who spoke in confidence with our correspondent, said: “The CCT judge has asked for security beef up in CCT, Umar’s office, home and around his family.

    “The application has been submitted to the CJN for necessary contact with appropriate security agencies.

    “I think the letter was just a pre-emptive step to guarantee adequate security for the judge in view of the increasing number of sensitive matters at the tribunal.

    Responding to a question, the source said: “There is no threat to the tribunal so far, but Umar felt he needed more protection.”

    At press time, it was gathered that the DSS had been served a copy  of Umar’s letter.

    “Security agencies will debrief Umar on what he wants before taking action. What is certain is that there will be enhanced protection for him.

    “The state will not ignore the request from the CCT chairman.”

    Meanwhile, there were indications yesterday that more former governors and ministers will be arraigned before the CCT any moment from now.

    Although the actual number of those on trial list could not be ascertained at the time of filing this report, a reliable source confirmed that “a sizable number of former office holders who refused, padded or hid their assets will be arraigned soon.

    “The Code of Conduct Bureau has gone far in recommending these former office holders for trial and the signing of the necessary warrant is being awaited.

    “As soon as the warrant is signed, we will release the names of those affected. But we do not want to prejudice the ongoing process.”

    The constitution says: “Subject to the provision of this Constitution, every public officer shall within three months after the coming into force of this Code of Conduct or immediately after taking office and thereafter (a) at the end of every four years; and (b) at the end of his term of office, submit to the Code of Conduct Bureau a written declaration of all his properties, assets, and liabilities and those of his unmarried children under the age of eighteen years.

    “The Bureau shall have power to receive declaration by public officers made under paragraph 12 of part 1 of the Fifth Schedule to this Constitution.

    “Examine the declarations in accordance with the requirements of the Code of Conduct or any law.

    “Retain custody of such declarations and make them available for inspection by any citizen of Nigeria on such terms and conditions as the National Assembly may prescribe.

    “Ensure compliance with and, where appropriate, enforce the provisions of the Code of Conduct or any law relating thereto.

    “Any statement in such declaration that is found to be false by any authority or person authorized in that behalf to verify it shall be deemed to be a breach of this Code.

    “Any property or assets acquired by a public officer after any declaration required under this Constitution and which is not fairly attributable to income, gift, or loan approved by this Code shall be deemed to have been acquired in breach of this Code unless the contrary is proved.”

    “Receive complaints about non-compliance with or breach of the Provisions of the Code of Conduct or any law in relation thereto. Investigate the complaint and, where appropriate, refer such matters to the Code of Conduct Tribunal.”

  • Three quarters of Nigerians are lawless, says judge

    Three quarters of Nigerians are lawless, says judge

    A judge of the Lagos State High Court, Justice Gani Safari, has said three quarters of Nigerians deliberately break the law.

    Speaking at a one-day symposium titled: The constitution, law enforcement agencies and you, organised by the Human Rights Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Ikeja Branch, Justice Safari, who represented the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Funmilayo Atilade, as the guest of honour, noted the difficulty law enforcement officers face in carrying out their duties.

    “Three quarters of Nigerians are lawless,” he said, “I have to say it the way it is. Unless he is compelled, the average Nigerian does not want to obey the law.

    “This is something we all know, and that is why I personally don’t envy our law enforcement agencies, because they have a job to do to enforce the law, against people who are not willing to obey the law.

    “In doing so, they are also enjoined to have respect for the rights of fellows.”

    He continued: “Somewhere along the line an officer gets caught up in the line of duty and gets accused of overstepping his bounds, like the instance where a police officer was charged to court for murder for misusing his firearm which led to the death of a citizen.

    “There was also a time when a Divisional Police Officer was charged for misuse of his firearm during a riot. If you look at your environment, we all go out on a daily basis, you’ll realise that the average Nigerian does not comply with simple instructions, until he is made to do so.”

    Justice Safari’s views were echoed by B. J. Fasopin, a Deputy Route Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC).

    Fasopin, who represented the FRSC’s Corp Marshall, said Nigerians are difficult when it comes to obeying the law.

    “I stopped a lawyer for not wearing a seatbelt, and he said he was going to court he had a case and it was his right not to wear a seatbelt.”

    The event, which was held under the chairmanship of Justice I. Buba of the Federal High Court, Lagos, also featured speeches by Professor Lanre Fagbohun of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (UNILAG Campus), Mrs. Omotola Rotimi the Director of the Lagos State Office of the Public Defender, Mrs. Gloria Egbuji of the Crime Victims Foundation as well as representatives of the Nigerian Police, the Nigerian Civil Defence Corp, Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) and the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA).

    Prof Fagbohun, who identified violations of human rights among all levels of society, urged law enforcement agents to see themselves as guardians of human rights.

    Mrs. Rotimi identified the government agencies who are most culpable in the infringement of human rights, based on the statistics available to her agency.

    She said: “Of all the enforcement agencies that operate in Lagos State, statistics show that the officers of the Nigerian Police Force take the lead in the infringement of the rights of the citizens. Next in  line is the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority.

    “The officers of the Kick Against Indiscipline, and the Federal Road Safety Corp are other major law enforcement agencies that take pride in infringing the rights of the ‘bloody civilians’ in the state.”

    The first Vice Chairman of the Ikeja NBA’s Human Rights Committee, Mrs. Gloria Nweze, said the programme was in response to several complaints received by the Committee daily from the public about their unpleasant experiences from Federal and State law enforcement agencies including the Police, FRSC, Civil Defence Corps, LASTMA and KAI.

    Mrs. Nweze said: “We investigated many of these complaints and the Committee came to the conclusion that there is a need to organise a programme of this nature to enlighten both the public and officials of these agencies on their rights and powers under the law.”

    A former chairman, the Ikeja NBA, Mr. Dave Ajetunmobi, presented plaques of appreciation to the speakers on behalf of the branch.

     

  • Judge orders detention of The Nation man, six others

    •Three hours ordeal ends in lecture

    Seven journalists were  yesterday detained at the Ota High Court in Ogun State on the order of a judge.

    The detainees are Daud Olatunji (Vanguard), Samuel Awoyinfa (The Punch), Ernest Nwokolo (The Nation), Abiodun Taiwo (Daily Times), Sulaiman Fasasi (National Pilot), Wale Adelaja (TVC) and Johnson Akinpelu (Alaroye).

    The seven were in the court by 11:44am for two matters- cases involving victims of Pakoto demolition and killing in Oke – Ore community- which were believed to have been listed for hearing yesterday.

    The reporters, who arrived in two vehicles, pulled up quietly opposite Court 1 where other visitors had parked.

    They had hardly disembarked when a police orderly, who identified himself as Adeyemi Oluwaseun, accosted them.

    Upon learning their identification, the police officer returned to his duty post.

    But a minute later, the Assistant Court Registrar (ACR) inquired in a haughty tone about the reporters’ mission.

    She demanded a letter of authority from the chief judge or a senior judiciary officer permitting them to enter the court.

    Dissatisfied with the reporters’ explanations, she went to the judge while the court was in session. When she returned, she said the judge had ordered their arrest after she misinformed him that they were filming the court premises.

    From 11:45am to 2:44am, the reporters were detained inside the administrative wing of the court. One of them almost fainted, following the psychological and humiliating experience.

    But a snake that emerged from the bushy court premises and which bit one of the male judiciary officials forced the judge to send the journalists away after reprimanding them.

    The name of the judge could not be immediately ascertained but the birthday cards sighted in his office were addressed to N. I. Agbelu.

    Three workers rushed the victim to the State Hospital Ota for treatment; others stayed behind to hunt for the snake, which slipped into one of the crevices on the staircase leading to the entrance of the ACR’s office.

    Before releasing the journalists at 2:44pm, the judge spent 25 minutes lecturing them, saying the court is not a public place.

    He said: “I put you under arrest. You are under arrest. You will discover that this compound is fenced round, is that not so?

    “If you are representing public interest, you must know we have a head in this court. I am a judge and I have unlimited jurisdiction in the state.

    “I can even say somebody should be arrested without question, but in exercising my power, I have to inquire into many things.

    “You cannot say because you are representing public interest, you will burst into any compound or burst into my house. You have a right as a journalist, but, where yours stops mine starts.

    “And if I am the owner of a house, I have a right to my privacy. What I am saying is that judiciary has its own right too. You are infringing on our own right too. You don’t know?

    “A report came to me that some people invaded the court, claiming that they are journalists.

    “It is not a local market and it is not an open market; you are approaching the court. If you are interested in a particular matter in a company, will you just burst into the company, saying you are journalists?

    “That is what I am telling you. You don’t just go into a place and start filming and then say you are a journalist.

    “I am telling you it is not a public place. I am telling you, the court is not a public place.”

  • Judge detains The Nation man, six others in Ogun

    Judge detains The Nation man, six others in Ogun

    Seven journalists were arrested and detained at the Ota High court premises for the better part of Tuesday on the order of a judge attached to the state High Court 1, Ota, Ogun state.

    The detained Journalists are Daud Olatunji (Vanguard), Samuel Awoyinfa (The Punch), Ernest Nwokolo (The Nation), Abiodun Taiwo (Daily Times) , Sulaiman Fasasi (National Pilot), Wale Adelaja (TVC) and Johnson Akinpelu (Alaroye).

    The seven were in the court premises by 11:44am to make an inquiry in respect of two cases involving victims of Pakoto demolition and killing in  Oke – Ore community, which were believed to have been listed for hearing Tuesday at the Ota arm of the Ogun state  Judiciary.

    The reporters who arrived in two vehicles, pulled up quietly opposite court 1 where other visitors had packed,   and they had hardly disembarked when a Police orderly who identified himself as Adeyemi Oluwaseun, accosted them, upon identification as pressmen, the Police officer returned to his duty post.

    But a minute later, the Assistant Court Registrar (ACR) – a woman, emerged and inquired in a hectoring tone about the reporters’ mission even as she demanded to see a letter of authority from the Chief Judge or a senior judiciary officer permitting them to enter the court premises.

    Unwilling to be persuaded that they are journalists in the court to carry out their constitutionally guaranteed jobs, she  dashed to the judge while the court was in session and when she emerged, she said the judge had ordered the arrest of the reporters, apparently she had misinformed him that they
    were filming the entire court premises.

    For three hours from 11:45am to 2:44am, the reporters were detained inside the administrative wing of the court during which one of them, who was having stomach upset, almost fainted following the psychological and humiliating experiences they were put through.

    But a poisonous snake that emerged from the bushy court premises and which eventually bite one of the male judiciary staff as well as causing not a small pandemonium and apprehension, forced the judge to send the journalists away after reprimanding them.

    The name of the judge could not be immediately ascertained but the birthday wishes on imposing cards sighted in his office, reads N. I. Agbelu.

    The judge said following the prevailing emergency, the Assistant Court Registrar had to see to the welfare of the staff to enable them attend to the emergency.

    While three of the staff rushed the victim to a state hospital in Ota for treatment, others stayed behind to hunt for the snake which slipped into one of the crevices at the staircase leading to the entrance of the ACR office.

    However, before the victim was rushed to the hospital, an improvise tourniquet was used to tie the affected leg at a position above the knee level while  over  a dozen incisions were also made on the leg with a razor blade to drain away the venom of the poisonous snake.

    But there was  palpable anxiety when the fear – striken judiciary staff sighted the victim’s blood rushing out from the razor cuttings and which had already started turning into dark colour in less than five minutes after the bite, causing them to make haste to rush him to the hospital before a grave harm is done.

    And before freeing the journalists by 2:44pm after they were herded into Judge’s office, and also spent 25 minutes lecturing them on what is public place in the eyes of the law, said the court is not a public place.

    He said: “I put you under arrest. You are under arrest. You will discover that this compound is fenced round, is that not so?

    “It is not on the major road that you can just come in.  If you are representing the public interest, you must know we have a head in this Court. I am a judge; I have an unlimited jurisdiction in the state.

    “I can even say somebody should be arrested without question, but in exercising my power, I have to inquire into many things.

    “You cannot say because you are representing public interest, you cannot just burst into any compound or burst into my house. You have a right as a journalist, but, where your own stops my own starts.

    “And if I am the owner of a house, I have a right to my privacy, fundamental right to privacy, because I want to educate you. If you want to infringe on my right that is where your own right stops which I am entitled to.

    “What I am saying is that judiciary has its own right too. You are infringing on our own right too. You don’t know?

    “A report came to me that some people invaded the court claiming that they are journalists filming the whole place.

    “It is not a local market and it not an open market, you are approaching the court. If you are interested in a particular matter in a company, will you just burst into the company, saying you are journalists?

    “That is what I am telling you. You don’t just go into a place and start filming and then say you are a journalist.

    “If we said you are trespassing into our land, do you have any defence answer me now?  I am telling you it is not a public place I am telling you, the court is not a public place.”

  • Judge’s absence stalls pastor’s trial

    The current engagement of Justice M. M. Koko of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja has temporarily stalled the trial of 40-year old pastor, Paul Agada, who is charged with stealing over N200 million belonging to his employer.

    Agada, who was employed as General Manager in charge of Business Development and Strategy over a chain of businesses owned by Goomeej Nigeria Ltd, owners of Lugard Beach Hotels, Lokoja, Kogi State and Mr. Biggs outlets in Lokoja, Okene, Abuja and Lagos, was arraigned on a 21-count charge filed by the Inspector General of Police (IGP).

    In the suit, Agada was charged with forgery, stealing, dishonesty, among others.

    He pleaded not guilty to the charge and was granted bail. Trial was to commence when Justice Koko was appointed as a judge of one of the election petition tribunals, following which the judge adjourned the case indefinitely.

    Count of the charge reads: “That you Pastor Paul Agada ‘m’, sometimes in 2010, in Abuja, within the judicial division of this court, with intent to defraud, did forge petty expenses vouchers belonging to Goomeej Nig Ltd. (your employer and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 364 of the Penal Code Law.”

    Count two: “That you Pastor Paul Agada ‘m’, sometime in 2010, in Abuja, within the judicial division of this court, with intent to defraud, did forge internal memo dated 25/02/2010 belonging to Goomeej Nig Ltd (your employer) and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code Law.”

    Count three “That you Pastor Paul Agada ‘m’, sometime in 2010, in Abuja, within the judicial division of this court, did steal N199,536,499.00 property of Goomeej Nig. Ltd (your employers) and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 289 of the Penal Code Law.”

    In count four, he was accused of stealing his a 5.5 KVA power generating set worth N120,000, belonging to his employer while counts five and six charged him with stealing his employers’ N100,000 and N600,000 respectively.

    In other counts, he was charged with stealing various sums of money belonging to his employers.

  • PDP seeks sack of Rivers tribunal judge

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged the President of the Court of Appeal (PCA), Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, to sack Justice Victor Uchenna Okorie, one of the judges serving in the Rivers State Legislative Election Petitions Tribunal, sitting in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

    Justice Okorie, who was initially the chairman of Panel One of the tribunal, was redeployed as a member of Panel Three after the PDP wrote the PCA, alleging that the judge, who is of the Customary Court of Appeal in Imo State, was not qualified to act as chairman of a tribunal, under Paragraph 1(1) and (2) of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution.

    In a fresh letter to the PCA, dated August 12, PDP’s lawyer, Godwin Obla (SAN), argued that it would be detrimental to his client’s interest should Justice Okorie be retained in any capacity where he could play any role in the determination of other petitions in which the PDP was a defendant.

    The lawyer alluded to PDP’s role in the judge’s removal as tribunal chairman.

    The letter reads: “We write to express our grave concern that immediately after the reconstitution of Panel One, which removed him (Justice Okorie) as Chairman, the latter was constituted into Panel Three, before whom PDP will appear in all pending petitions before it.

    “The net effect of the above is that PDP will continue to appear before the very one, against whom it had successfully raised objection in respect of his capacity as Chairman in the earlier panel.

    There is no gainsaying the fact that his present position as a member of Panel Three is a ‘demotion’, as it were, from his earlier exalted position of ‘Chairman’ of Panel One, a fact that will definitely continue to play out in his mind; needless to further point out the inevitable or likelihood of human passions of bias and prejudice awaiting the PDP as a party.

    “It, therefore, stands to reason from the above that the continued inclusion of Justice Okorie in the panel, where PDP is appearing as a party against another adversary, will inexorably compromise the integrity of the structure of justice system before whom our client has been made to appear in defence of its mandate in the electoral process.”

    The lawyer urged the PCA, as the appointing authority, “to take the necessary step to address our concern and that of the PDP and remove Justice Okorie from all the election petitions tribunals currently sitting nationwide, in which the PDP is a party, seeing that he is not ready to disqualify himself”.

    Obla said his client’s challenge of Justice Okorie as a member of the election tribunals was not about his competence as a judge in other capacities.