The Nation Newspaper

Tag: remands

  • Court remands two for alleged robbery

    Court remands two for alleged robbery

    An Ado-Ekiti Magistrates’ Court has ordered the remand of two men, Ojo Sunday, 22 and Sanni Gafaru, 20, for alleged robbery.

    They will remain at Ado-Ekiti Prisons pending the receipt of a legal advice from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

    Sunday and Gafaru, who were arraigned by the police commissioner, are facing charges of conspiracy to commit robbery and robbery.

    They were alleged to have robbed Akintola Odunayo and Olabanji Raphael on January 30 in Ado-Ekiti, while armed with weapons.

    The offence is punishable under Section 403 (2) of the Criminal Code Cap C16 Laws of Ekiti State 2012.

    The Officer in Charge, Legal Section, Criminal Investigation and

    Intelligence Department, Mr. Femi Falade, sought the remand of the accused via Form K.

    The request is in line with sections 264 (1) and (2) of Ekiti State Administration of Criminal Justice Law, 2014.

    The accused were arrested with exhibits. They have confessed to the crime. They have been identified by the victims.

    The Magistrate, Mrs. Doyin Akosile, ordered the remand of the accused in prison, saying the duplicate file should be sent to the DPP for legal advice.

    She adjourned the case till March 8.

  • Court remands NCRI boss in prison

    Court remands NCRI boss in prison

    The Acting Executive Director of National Cereals Research Institute (NCRI), Badeggi, Niger State, Dr. Samuel Agboire, has been remanded in prison by a Federal High Court in Minna, for recruiting 34 workers illegally.

    He was accused by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), of not following the Federal Character Commission (FCC) Act of 2004 when he recruited the workers.

    Justice Yellim Sulaiman Bogoro gave the order yesterday when Agboire was arraigned on a three-count charge.

    He said he would remain in prison until the determination of his application for bail.

    ICPC said Agboire refused to comply with the FCC establishment act and extant circulars by employing 34 workers at NCRI and failed to provide information to the FCC as required, therefore committing an offence contrary to Section 14 Sub-section 3 (a) and punishable under Section 15 Sub- Section 1 of the FCC Act.

    He was alleged to have failed to comply with the directive issued by the FCC in a circular of September 1, 2014, reference FCC/CAM/S.18/1c, on procedure for recruitment into the federal public service in connection with his employment of 34 workers at NCRI and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 14 Sub-section 3 (b) and punishable under Section 15 Sub-section 1 of the FCC Act Cap F7 Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    Agboire was also charged with abusing his office as acting executive director by employing 34 workers, contrary to FCC Act 2004, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 14 Sub-Section 5.

    He pleaded not guilty to the three-count charge.

    Alhaji Mahmud Magaji, his counsel,  implored the court to grant him bail.

  • Court remands three kidnapping suspects

    Court remands three kidnapping suspects

    An Ebute-Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court yesterday remanded in prison three men who allegedly kidnapped two Filipinos in Ikorodu, Lagos State.

    Yinka Adebanjo, 29; Seun Ogunsumbo, 31 and Ishau Awokoya, 32, were arraigned before Chief Magistrate Oluyemisi Adelaja on a four-count charge of conspiracy, kidnapping and unlawful possession of arms and ammunition.

    Prosecuting Inspector Chinalu Uwadione said the defendants committed the offences on July 5, at Odonla in Ikorodu.

    He said they kidnapped Jammie Lacar and Mario Maglundo, who work with Mateco Industry West Africa, and demanded N4 million ransom for their release.

    The defendants also had in their possession arms and ammunition concealed in a DVD player, Uwadione alleged.

    According to him, the offences contravened Sections 2, 3 and 11 of the Kidnapping Prohibition Act of Lagos State 2017 and Section 329 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.

    Their pleas were not taken.

    Following Uwadione’s application, Chief Magistrate Adelaja remanded them in Prison, pending advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

  • Alleged $9.7m gift: Court remands Yakubu in prison

    Alleged $9.7m gift: Court remands Yakubu in prison

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Andrew Yakubu, to be remanded in Kuje prison until March 21.

    Justice Ahmed Mohammed gave the order yesterday after listening to arguments on Yakubu’s bail application, after the ex-NNPC boss was arraigned on a six-count charge.

    Justice Mohammed said Yakubu should remain in prison pending when ruling is delivered on his bail application on March 21.

    Yakubu, who among others, is charged with money laundering and failure to make full disclosure in relation to the about N3 billion recovered in his Kaduna home, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    The ex-NNPC boss, who has been in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for the past one week, was brought to court yesterday by the commission.

    Shortly after Yakubu took his plea, his lawyer Ahmed Raji informed the court about the pending bail application he filed for his client.

    Arguing the application, Raji urged the court to grant his client bail on self-recognisance or on liberal terms.

    Raji urged the court to order interim release of the defendant’s international passport to enable him travel abroad for medical treatment.

    Raji said Yakubu was about to treat prostate cancer in the United Kingdom, when the EFCC’s invitation came.

    He said: “By combined provisions of Sections 158-165 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, except in capital offences, an accused is ordinarily entitled to bail.”

    Opposing the bail application, prosecution lawyer Ben Ikani urged court not to grant bail to Yakubu on self-recognisance.

    Ikani contended that the medical reasons cited by the defence could not hold water as he said the anti-graft agency monitored Yakubu while in detention.

    H said: “While under our custody, EFCC monitored his health daily. We have facility and we have been taking care of him.

    “We have better medical facilities all around Abuja. That he is sick and wants to go on medical treatment abroad is like a fairy tale because there is no report of experts to ascertain his health status.

    “But, if the court is mindful of granting their request, we submit that the court applies stringent conditions to make him appear for trial.

    “We plead with the court to refuse granting the defendant bail on self-recognisance,” Ikani.

    At the conclusion of argument on the bail application, Justice Mohammed adjourned to March 21 for ruling.

  • Court remands technician over truck theft

    A 27 year-old Ghanaian technician with China Railway Construction Company, Paul John, who is being prosecuted at Ebute Metta Magistrate’s Court for allegedly stealing a truck worth N12 million has been remanded in prison custody.

    John was said to have conspired with two others now at large to steal the truck.

    It was learnt that the defendant was asked to look after the truck with registration No. LA265FZE while the driver was running an errand for the company. He took the vehicle to Ibadan and sold it instead.

    Investigating Police Officer (IPO), Dibia Godwin informed the court that John stole the truck on June 20 by 9:30 a.m. at China Railway Construction Company, Ebute Metta, Lagos.

    The Police Prosecutor, Corporal Iyobosa, told the court that the offences contravened Section 409 and 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State.

    The accused pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and stealing.

    Magistrate B.O. Ope Agbe in her discretion admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N12 million and two sureties in like sum.

    The accused could not perfect the bail and was remanded in prison custody.

    The case was adjourned till October 12 for mention.

     

  • Court remands suspects in prison

    A Chief Magistrate in Ebute Metta has ordered the remand of a 24 year-old robbery suspect, Daramola Segun, in prison custody.

    Daramola was arrested by operatives of the State Criminal Investigative Department (SCID), Panti, Yaba with one cut-to-size locally-made barrel gun, two live cartridges and charms.

    It was learnt that the suspect had conspired to rob one Nwema Simon on June 21, 2015, in his store at 25, Agboola Street, Odogunyan, Ikorodu area at about 11:30 pm.

    The defendant, whose plea was not taken, was arraigned on a three-count charge of conspiracy, possession of firearms and armed robbery.

    That offence, according to the police, contravened Sections 409, 297 and 328 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

    The prosecuting police, Ajayi Emmanuel, filed an application that the defendant be remanded in prison custody pending legal advice from the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

    The presiding magistrate, M.O. Olajuwon, granted the prosecutor’s plea and ordered that the defendant be remanded in prison custody pending legal advice from DPP.

    The case was adjourned till September 29.

  • Court remands  two for attempting to swindle Ogbeha

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said yesterday it had arraigned  two suspects before the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court for attempting to swindle Senator Tunde Ogbeha of £11,000 to clear a phony consignment of £10million.

    Abiodun Akorede (aka Kwesi John Mensah) and Sherif Olaseni Ajaga (aka Rowland Komolafe) were put on trial  before Justice H.U. Baba.

    They have, however, been remanded in Kuje Prison till January 20.

    According to a statement by EFCC Head of Media and Publicity Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, the suspects were charged with  criminal conspiracy and attempt to obtain money under false pretence.

    The statement said: “The accused, who pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge, were arrested by operatives of the commission, following a petition by Senator Ogbeha, alleging attempt to swindle him in a non-existent transaction.

    “The retired army general allegedly received a telephone call on December 5 last year from Morris Williams, who claimed to be a worker with a worldwide organisation.

    “Williams was said to have told the petitioner that his company was ready to award him (the complainant) £10,000,000 for his consignment that was mishandled by an unnamed courier company.

    “Williams was also said to have told the complainant that Messrs Kwesi John Mensah and Rowland Komolafe would meet him in Nigeria to deliver the money.

    “There was, however, a caveat. He would pay the clearing/service fee of about £11,000.”

    The EFCC gave insights into how the two suspects were arrested by its team.

    The statement added: “Aware that he was not expecting any consignment, the petitioner told the accused that his driver would pick them on arrival in Nigeria to his office in Abuja for further discussion.

    “It was during the meeting in his office that the accused  were handed over to the EFCC.”

    Justice Baba ordered that the suspects be remanded in Kuje Prison and adjourned the case till January 20.

  • Court remands policeman in prison custody

    An Abakaliki Magistrate’s Court at the weekend remanded a police officer, Bassey Otu, in prison custody for allegedly killing Timothy Nwanga with a rifle.

    The late Ndubuisi was allegedly shot during a crisis between tricycle operators and policemen in Abakaliki, the state capital.

    Otu was arraigned on a charge of killing Nwanga (22) on May 11 on 61, Gunning Road, Abakaliki, by shooting him with a rifle.

    The offence is punishable under Section 319(1) of the Criminal Code cap 33 Vol.1 laws of Ebonyi State.

    The prosecutor said: “That you, Bassy Otu, on May 11 at 61, Gunning Road, Abakaliki, did unlawfully kill Timothy Nwanga by shooting him with a rifle and committing an offence punishable under Section 319(1) of the Criminal Code cap 33 Vol.1 laws of Ebonyi State”.

    Magistrate Ifeanyi Solange said the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter and remanded Otu in Abakaliki prison.

    Sources said the suspect has been dismissed from service.

  • Court remands 11 in prison

    A Kogi State Magistrate’s Court yesterday remanded 11 persons in prison custody for alleged criminal conspiracy and thuggery, contrary to sections 97 and 217 of the Penal Code.

    Other offences are alleged kidnapping and thuggery, contrary to Section 11 of the Kogi State Act and Prohibition Law of 2010.

    The accused are Shaibu Abubakar, Bala Yusuf, Leke Alhaji Shehu, Salihu Ibrahim, Onuche Onoja, Musa Audu, Mark Sunday, Monday Adejoh, Christopher Otuwe, Femi Adebisi and Ojonugwa Daniel.

    The prosecutor, Samuel Ikutanwa, told the court that on March 20, the accused were arrested by the police following a tip-off that some members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who were dissatisfied with the party’s primaries for the chairmanship election in Olamaboro Local Government, were storming Lokoja with weapons to cause disorder.

    He said three single barrel guns, one short double barrel gun, three live cartridges, one screw driver and one sword iron were recovered from the accused.

    They pleaded not guilty when the content of the FIR was read to them. Their counsel Mr. Samuel Momoh urged the court to grant them bail.

    The prosecutor objected to the bail application on the grounds that investigation was still ongoing and that one of the offences attracted 20 years imprisonment.

    He urged the court to remand the accused in prison custody, saying if granted bail, they would interfere in investigation and cause more crisis as the chairmanship election was near.

    After listening to the arguments, the Magistrate, Suleiman Abdullahi, remanded the accused in prison custody and adjourned the case till April 18 for hearing.

     

  • Court remands 11 suspected vandals in prison

    Justice Musa Kurya of the Federal High Court, Lagos yesterday ordered that 11 suspected petroleum pipeline vandals be remanded in prison.

    The order followed the arraignment of the suspects on a four-count charge brought against them by the Federal Government.

    They are: Sidi Egbayelo, Sunday Shedrack, Edem Okon, Kofa Godwin, Rosemon Neito, Ejona Kpamkpam, Moses Victor, Christopher Sunday, Peter Tay, Remon Uchugwu and Mike Sabato.

    They pleaded not guilty. The prosecuting lawyer, Justin Enang, urged the court not to grant them bail because their offence borders on economic sabotage. He said the defendants may abscond if granted bail.

    Defence lawyer, McAnthony Aikharialea, prayed the court to grant his clients bail, saying he would provide a reliable surety, who will ensure that they come for their trials.

    The defendants, he said, were ordinary fishermen, who were arrested by a police patrol team while fishing.

    He said the defendants were not near the pipelines when they were arrested.

    Justice Kurya adjourned ruling on the bail application till February 11.

    The accused persons were arrested on December 21, last year at Atlas Cove, Lagos.

    They are accused of tampering with petroleum pipelines, which are property of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code, Cap C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

    They are also alleged to have stolen 220 drums of petroleum motor spirit (PMS) valued N5.3 million, property of the NNPC, an offence punishable under Section 390 of Criminal Code, Act, Cap C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

    They are also accused of unlawfully dealing in petroleum products without appropriate authority, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 1 (17) (b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.