The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Judge

  • Maina’s suit: Judge warns Senate against delay

    Maina’s suit: Judge warns Senate against delay

    A Federal High Court, Abuja, yesterday warned parties in the suit by the Chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT), Mr. Abdul-Rasheed Maina, to avoid delaying the proceedings.

    Justice Adamu Bello gave the warning while granting the application by the respondent’s counsel, Ken Ikonne, who sought an extension of time within which to file and serve a counter affidavit and written address out of time.

    Maina’s counsel Mahmud Abubakar Magaji (SAN) then asked the court for a short adjournment to enable him respond to the counter affidavit and other processes filed by the respondents.

    “Anything that will be a ploy to delay proceedings should be dropped, so that this matter should be given expeditious hearing in the interest of all the parties,” Justice Bello said while granting the application brought before him by the counsel representing the Senate and other respondents, Ken Ikonne.

    He adjourned the matter till March 5, for parties to adopt their written addresses.

    The respondents are Senate President David Mark, the Senate, the Clerk of the Senate, the Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service and its chairman, Senator Aloysius Etok; and the Senate Committee on State and Local Government Administration and its chairman, Senator Kabiru Gaya.

    Joined as a respondent in the suit is the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar.

    Maina was recently declared wanted by the Police Headquarters following an arrest warrant signed by Mark because he refused to honour the Senate’s invitation to defend himself for alleged pension fraud.

    In the substantive suit, Maina is seeking an order setting aside the warrant of arrest issued on Febraury 2, following a resolution by the Senate.

    He is pleading with the court to quash the purported report of the Senate committee’s resolutions that led to the bench warrant.

    According to him, the action violated his fundamental right as guaranteed under Section 35(1) of the 1999 Constitution.

    Maina is praying the court to restrain the Senate from interfering with his official duties and from inviting him having completed and submitted their report without giving him a fair hearing.

    He is also asking for N100 billion as exemplary damages and N500,000 as general damages.

  • Dispute over Newswatch: Judge protests supply of unsolicited copies of newspaper

    THERE was a twist to the hearing of the case challenging businessman Jimoh Ibrahim’s acquisition of majority shareholding in Newswatch Communications Limited (NCL) yesterday.

    Justice Ibrahim Buba protested the supply of “unsolicited copies” of the company’s publications to his office.

    Minority shareholders and former directors of NCL, Nuhu Wada Aruwa and Prof Jibril Aminu had sued Ibrahim and three others, challenging the propriety of the process through which he (Ibrahim), used his company, Global Media Mirror Limited (GMML) to acquire majority shareholding in NCL.

    They also accused the Ibrahim-led management of systematically working to kill the company’s main product – Newswatch weekly magazine – and replace it with a daily newspaper – Daily Newswatch – published by a newly incorporated company – Newswatch Newspapers Limited (NNL) – an organisation in which GMML owns 90 per cent shareholding.

    Justice Buba expressed displeasure that copies of the Daily Newswatch newspapers, which formed the subject of the case on which he is presiding, were being supplied to his office “unsolicited.”

    Shortly after the case was called, the judge turned to the lawyer representing Ibrahim and his company, NNL (the company publishing the newspaper), Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN) and asked if he (Ayorinde) wants him (the judge) to continue to preside over the case.

    “Do you want me to conclude this case? I asked the question because after the last sitting, I found an unsolicited gift on my table. And when I opened it, I found two complimentary copies of Daily Newswatch of February 10 and 11, 2013.

    “My secretary told me she can identify the person that brought it. The issue here is, sending copies of the subject matter of a suit before me to me is not ordinary. It is not ordinary because a judge is also on trial over the case he is handling.

    “If any of the party is not comfortable with me, such person should let me know and I will return the case file to the Chief Judge for re-assignment to another judge. I must however call on parties to refrain from doing things that will undermine the integrity of the court,” Justice Buba held in a brief ruling.

    The judge, had in an earlier ruling refused the plaintiffs’ application for interlocutory injunction restraining the defendants – NCL, GMML, Ibrahim and NNL- from publishing and selling to the public, the Daily Newswatch newspapers pending the determination of substantive suit.

    This was in spite of the plaintiffs’ argument that the new daily newspapers were being published solely by Ibrahim, through NNL, an organisation he allegedly established without the knowledge of other NCL’s shareholders and in which he purportedly allocated 90 per cent stake to himself, leaving 10 per cent for the parent company, NCL.

     

  • Don’t judge me by my tattoo— Yoruba Actress, Dekunbi Adams

    Don’t judge me by my tattoo— Yoruba Actress, Dekunbi Adams

    Rising actress Dekunbi Adams is a graduate of Banking and Finance from Lagos State Polytechnic. In this interview with DUPE AYINLA-OLASUKANMI, the young and down to earth actress shared her reason for leaving AGN, her love for tattoos, among other issues.

    WHY did you decide to leave AGN for ANTP?

    As at the time I left AGN, it was the regime of Ejike Asiegbu. As an entertainer you have to move to places. My moving from AGN was the period when there was crisis in the Association. All the productions done at that time had to stop so I decided to move instead of just waiting and doing nothing. You know, once you are not getting roles, people forget you. So I decided to join the ANTP because at that time, they had started doing well.

    What would you say you have achieved leaving AGN for ANTP?

    Well, I will say I have achieved quite a lot. Because ANTP has different bodies under them, it was easy for me to be able to make a stand, by working with different people under the Association.

    How did the journey into the arts start for you?

    I joined the movie world in 2005 when I was in school. I was a model with Bayo Adegbe of Modela Couture. As an entertainer I needed to take it round so, with my career as a model and my training in broadcasting, I decided to also go into theatre. That was how I joined the industry. I can tell you, it has been interesting since I started.

    Why the transformation?

    Well, this job we do is like a ladder. It is just like when you aspire to get a certificate and you stop at JSS II, it means you cannot get it. Showbiz is an all round thing, so when any aspect of entertainment is mentioned you need to fit in. If someone comes with a modeling offer, you will be able to accept the contract because you already have an ideal about that too. That is the reason I try to engage myself in the entire field that has to do with entertainment. As a broadcaster we talk on TV and radio, and we can also do OAP too.

    Having been in the industry for some time, how have you been able to stay away from scandals?

    Like they say, scandal publicizes us but there are some that affect our careers, especially the movie industry. Though we all agree that it gives us publicity, it is just God that has been helping me to manage scandals so far. Normally it will come and go. It is just like saying one does not have a problem because it comes and goes without me knowing.

    Which of the movies brought you to limelight?

    That will be Atori Aye and Arusi Ola. They were the movies that I did which made people see my work and had me getting more roles.

    What difficulties did you have while trying to climb the ladder of fame?

    The challenges were so much, because the big cock does not want the small ones to grow up. But with God and prayers, one has been able to manage to get to a certain stage. You have show respect and try to be jovial with everyone.

    Aside acting, what else are you into?

    I am into selling of gold and Ghana fabrics. So when I am not on set I take my goods to my clients at home or their offices.

    Tell us about your tattoo and you parents’ reaction

    It is something that I have always loved when I was a kid. So one day, I just went out and came back with it and said mummy see what I have done. She asked me if it was not painful just sitting down while they were piercing my body with needles. Knowing the kind of job I do, I needed to have it.

    How many of them do you have?

    Presently I have this one but I intend to have as many as possible.

    How did your intended in-laws react?

    This is me, it is what I want. You cannot judge me with this; all you need to do is to listen to what I have to say. I don’t care what people say about me, because it is normal for them to talk. My interest does not affect other people’s interest. The only thing I know is that it will prevent me from doing epic movies. If he does not like it, he wouldn’t have taken it that far.

    There are guys who love these things but pretend about it. That is the reason why marriages don’t last these days. They admire ladies outside, but when they get home they see something different. A man saw me and came up to me to tell me he liked my hairdo and asked if he could get my number or if I could take his wife to where I made it, and I said yes. Today the woman and I are best of friends. I told his wife to respect him for that.

    How has your fiancé been coping with your kind of job?

    He is okay with it. Most of the time, he drives me to locations and if it is a job that won’t take time he, waits till I’m through. He met me on the job and he should accept it. If he was not comfortable with it, we wouldn’t have taken our relationship to where we are today.

    Why did you leave your field of study for acting?

    I tell my friends that I love to be with my man. The banking sector does not give you time to be with your loved ones. There is also a form of stigma on women who are bankers. The women in that field find it difficult to settle down because the men believe that they are millionaires and therefore cannot afford to be with them. That was why I decided to do something else, which is entertainment. I started right from school, so I just continued when I graduated. At least I can talk where my mates are boasting about their certificates too.

  • Firm petitions judge on $600m Abuja estate

    Following the dispute on the proposed $600 million Malaysian Gardens Estate, a firm has petitioned the Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory, Justice Lawal Gunmi.

    The firm, Global Formwork Limited, said it was unhappy with FCT Minister Bala Mohammed’s response to the arbitration process.

    The firm said if the FCT administration refuses to come to the arbitration table, it might be forced to ask the court to enter judgment in its favour.

    The Malaysian Gardens Estate was approved by the administration of former FCT Minister Nasir el-Rufai.

    The 14,000-housing units’ project was inaugurated by former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2006.

    Located on about 500 hectares in Saraji District of Abuja, the project became stalled following disagreement between the FCT Administration and the developers.

    The crisis got to a stage that the outgoing Malaysian High Commissioner, Dato Nik Ahmad, petitioned President Goodluck Jonathan on June 14, raising some issues against the FCT minister.

    Both parties later opted to resolve the dispute out of court.

    In a fresh petition to the FCT CJ, signed by the Vice-Chairman, Board of Directors, Malaysian Gardens Estate, Chief George Ebom, the developers alleged that the FCTA was not keen on arbitration.

    The petition reads: “Sir, we respectfully express our appreciation for your prompt response to our application filed before you demanding that an arbitration be set up to resolve the differences in the development of the Malaysian Gardens Estate, Saraji, Abuja.”

  • Judge admits documents in N15b trial of ex-governor Bafarawa

    The Sokoto State High Court has admitted some documents on the N15billion corruption suit against a former Sokoto State Governor Attahiru Bafarawa and 15 others by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The EFCC, December 16, 2009, arraigned Bafarawa before Justice Abbas on a 47-count charge for breach of trust, misappropriation of public funds and money laundering.

    Others on trial with the former governor are: Alhaji Nasiru Dalhatu Bafarawa, Alhaji Isa Sadiq Achida, Hajia Aishatu Binji, Sen. Salihu Bakwai, Alhaji Salihu Maibuhu Gunmi, Adamu Gurori, Alhaji Adamu Gurori, Alhaji Habibu Halilu Modaci, and Sambo Bello Danchadi. Others are Alhaji Abdullahi Ahmed Bida, Chief Mike Umeh, Alhaji Umaru Kwambo, Shehu Koko, Ubale Yahaya, Alhaji Maigari Dingyadi and Alhaji Tukur Alkali.

    The charge reads: “That you, Alhaji Dalhatu Bafarawa, while being the executive governor of Sokoto State, and Hajia Aishatu Binji, whilst being the Commissioner for Finance of Sokoto State; Shehu Koko, the Branch Manager, UBA Plc, Sokoto and Sokoto State Government Accounts Officer, with others now at large, between may 2003 and April 2007, and within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, conspired, without any approval by the State Executive Council to sell UBA Plc shares belonging to the Sokoto State Government and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 96 ( 1 ) and punishable under Section 97 ( 1 ) of the Penal Code.”

    A statement by the Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said the presiding Judge, Justice Bello Abbas of the Sokoto State High Court, admitted in evidence the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the state and local governments’ joint account, signed between the state government and 23 local government chairmen in the state.

    The statement reads: “Also tendered to the court was the cash book of the state Ministry of Local Government, which was allegedly used by the former Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi, to withdraw funds from the account…”

     

     

     

     

  • Judge, lawyers pay tributes

    Members of the inner bar have expressed shock on the death of Justice Kayode Eso, describing it as a huge loss to the country.

    Yusuf Ali (SAN) in his reaction said the death of Justice Eso represented the triumvirate cycle of deaths in the country.

    According to him, “the death of Lam Adesina represented the executive arm, Baba Saraki’s death stood for the legislative while the death of his lordship, Justice Kayode Eso stands for the judiciary. That is the striking balance.

    In his tribute, Adebayo Adelodun (SAN) described the late jurist as one of the best brains to emerge from the judiciary, pointing out that he has left a vacuum that will be difficult to fill.

    “It is a big loss to the nation in general. We will miss him sorely, especially his contribution to the justice system of the country.

    Another lawyer, John Baiyeshea (SAN) remarked that Eso lived and died for the welfare of the oppressed.

    “He used his profession to make things better generally for the generality of the people. He did not allow law to be used for oppression and suppression. “

    In his tribute on the condolence register at Eso’s residence, Justice Peter Aderemi, a retired jurist of the Supreme Court, wrote: “A quintessential and adroit judge has departed this sinful world. Your cherished contribution to the development of law and promotion of justice will remain indelible in the hearts of all of us. May your great soul rest in peace.”

    A visit to the Ibadan residence of the late jurist yesterday showed a solemn atmosphere.

  • Judge’s transfer stalls Bankole’s trial

    FORMER House of Representatives Speaker Dimeji Bankole had his trial stalled yesterday, following the transfer of the presiding judge, Justice Donatus Okorowo to the Federal High Court,Taraba.

    Bankole is facing a 16-count charge of contracts inflation and awards without due process slammed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The contracts financial profile according to the anti-graft agency, is N9 billion.

    Justice Okorowo had adjourned trial till September 24, 25, 26 and 27.

    At the last sitting, the court had admitted some documents tendered against the accused by the EFCC.

    The alleged contracts included: 400 units of 40-inch Samsung TV sets supplied at N525, 000 each instead of N295, 000; 800 units of HP Compaq Desktop Computers at N330, 000 each instead of N160,000; 100 units of Sharp Digital Copier 5316 at N270,000 each instead of N160,000 and 400 units of HP Laserjet at N150,000 instead of N60,000.

    The alleged scam also included: two Range Rover (bullet proof) vehicles, two Range Rover (not bullet proof) vehicles; three Mercedes Benz S-600 cars and 400 DSTV Systems all purchased without due process.

    They included minutes of series of meetings puortedly held in the conference room of the former speaker which contained details the contract scam.

    Bankole, through his counsel, Wale Akoni (SAN), had challenged the document,t saying they were not numbered serially and incomplete.

    The rosecution counsel, Festus Keyamo blamed it on typographical error which he argued did not affect the contents of the documents.

    Admitting the documents as evidence, Justice Okorowo held that since the validity of the documents was not in contention, the court had no option than to rely on it.

    He advised the defence counsel to address the issue in his final address.

    Under cross-examination, a prosecution witness, Adeboye Adeniyi, tendered letters giving details of the contract entered by the House with some companies.

    After he was discharged, the prosecution counsel, Oghenovo Otemu asked for a long adjournment to enable him subpoena other witnesses.

    His prayer was granted by the court despite objection by the defence team.

    The trial was adjourned till September 24, 25,26 and 27.

     

  • Judge withdraws from Ondo PDP, CJ suit

    Judge withdraws from Ondo PDP, CJ suit

    An Akure High Court Judge, Justice B. F. Adeyeye, has withdrawn from a case filed by the Ondo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against the Chief Judge (CJ), Justice Olaseinde Kumuyi.

    He said the withdrawal was to prevent a likely bias.

    Through its counsel, Dapo Agbede, the party had filed the case, accusing Justice Kumuyi of partisanship.

    It alleged that the CJ participated in the ward congress of the ruling Labour Party (LP) and signed the list of the local government executives of the party.

    The PDP also alleged that Governor Olusegun Mimiko and Justice Kumuyi used the machinery of the state to frustrate it and its governorship candidate.

    But counsel to the CJ and the LP, Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), said Justice Kumuyi had filed a preliminary objection, requesting that the case be thrown out because the court lacked the capacity to hear it.

    Following an argument on the preliminary objection, Justice Adeyeye reserved ruling till last Friday.

    But before the Friday ruling, counsel to the PDP, Dapo Agbede, had filed a motion, asking the judge to withdraw from the suit on the ground that he had been the counsel to the governor before he was made a judge.

    The lawyer added that Justice Adeyeye was in the legal team that helped Mimiko to reclaim his mandate from the tribunal.

    According to him, the defendants conspired to frustrate the PDP and its governorship candidate by using preliminary objection.

    The counsel to PDP averred that the judge was a personal counsel to Mimiko in many other cases before he became the governor.

    But Justice Kumuyi’s counsel argued that the motion was an attempt to intimidate the court and prevent the ruling.

    The judge said he was Mimiko’s lawyer before he became the governor and, therefore, he is withdrawing from the suit on the ground of likely bias.

    The motion prevented the judge from ruling on the preliminary objection brought by the CJ and the LP.

    The case was remitted to the court Registrar for re-assignment to another judge.