The Nation Newspaper

Tag: trial

  • Stepmum faces trial for locking up foster children

    A 35-year-old stepmother, Omoh Okowele, who allegedly locked up her two foster children after beating them to a pulp, is facing trial at an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court.

    Okowele, who lives at Jenbo Street, Moshalasi in Igando, a suburb of Lagos, was arraigned on a three-count charge of deprivation of freedom, maltreatment and assault.

    Police Prosecutor Benson Emuerhi told the court that the accused committed the offences last December 18 between 8.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m. at her residence.

    He said the accused locked up  Blessing, 9, and Daniel, 7,    in a room against their wish,  thereby depriving them of their freedom and liberty.

    According to him, the accused also maltreated and abandoned the children for several hours.

    “On the said date, the accused assaulted Blessing by beating her to a pulp and injured her.”

     

  • Olukere’s illness stalls trial

    Olukere’s illness stalls trial

    •Case adjourned till January 19

    The case against the Olukere of Ikere-Ekiti, Oba Ganiyu Obaasoyin, was stalled yesterday, at an Ado-Ekiti Magistrate’s Court.

    A prison officer, Mr. O. Osamuyiwa, told the court, presided over by Mrs. Dupe Afeniforo, that the Olukere was “seriously sick” and on admission at the Prison Clinic.

    Osamuyiwa said that Obasoyin was to be referred to Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH).

    The Olukere was charged with murder on December 27 in connection with the violence that rocked inauguration of his hotel, Arede Royal Suites, Ikere-Ekiti, on December 23.

    He was charged with conspiracy, attempted murder and murder with Adewole Sunday, Adetowoju Bode, Kayode Michael, Olowolafe Tola and Aluko Taiwo.

    The others were present at yesterday’s proceeding.

    A heavy security cordon was woven around the court premises by the Police, Nigeria Prisons Service (NPS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and Department of State Services (DSS).

    Olukere’s supporters, passers-by, security officers, court workers and litigants strained to catch a glimpse of the prison truck, marked PS 760 A01, thinking that the monarch will come to court with the others.

    Those entering the premises were asked to identify themselves. Over 20 vehicles belonging to security agencies, including an Armoured Personnel Carrier, were stationed within and outside.

    Traffic was hectic on the major road near the complex, with Olukere’s supporters, gathered under the bridge and cursing opponents of their benefactor.

    Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Mr. Gbemiga Adaramola told the court that the state was taking over the prosecution from the police.

    Adaramola told the court that his office had got the case file.

    He sought an adjournment to render legal advice.

    Counsel to the accused Mr. Ademola Adeyemi kicked against an attempt to read the charge in the absence of the Olukere.

    But Magistrate Afeniforo said there was no need to query this since the plea of the accused had not been taken.

    She ordered that the accused be remanded in custody pending legal advice, and adjourned the case till January 19.

    Human rights’ lawyer and Ikere indigene Morakinyo Ogele expressed dismay that the matter has been “politicised.”

    Ogele faulted the DPP’s bid to take over the case, saying “his advice is going to be affected by bias.”

    He said: “There is no way the accused will get reasonable legal advice from the Ministry of Justice; I wonder whether the Ministry of Justice has become a robot in the hands of the state government.”

    Read also: Ekiti monarch, five others remanded in prison for murder

  • Gated streets: Erring communities for trial

    Members of any community who flout the  order on gated streets will, henceforth, be prosecuted, the Lagos State Government said yesterday.

    Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on Community Affairs, Alhaji Tajudeen  Quadri made this known during the launch of the start of  enforcement by the Special Task Force set up by government. The exercise took off from Surulere, Ajeromi Ifelodun, Ikeja, Isolo, Ikosi – Isheri, Ojodu and Amuwo Odofin

    The government directed that all street gates be opened  between 5 a.m., and midnight  daily.

    It frowned at erring communities, warning them against daring the government.

    Quadri described those acting contrary to the law  as posing a  security threat to the government’s resolve to achieve a safe and secured Lagos.

    The government’s policy on gated streets, he said, was meant to earn the confidence of residents and investors.

    The act of denying motorists and pedestrians’ access through those  gates before the stipulated time does not reflect the image of the government as being investor-friendly, he said.

    According to him, the illegal closure of gates also contributes to the activities of criminally-minded individuals who indulge in dispossessing residents of their belongings, thereby making it difficult for security agents to  come to the rescue of victims or apprehend perpetrators.

    “The act of partial or permanent closure of gates against the Street Gated Regulations of the state affects businesses,  encourages miscreants to take advantage of residents and get away with their belongings and in case of fire the community affected will not be easily accessible to rescue teams, the SSA explained.

    He said the policy, being an executive order by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode might warrant the arrest and prosecution of non-complying communities.

    The activities of the affected communities had further made free vehicular movement difficult in those areas where roads leading to the closed gates are not accessible to commuters, he added.

  • Malabu: Italian court orders trial of Shell, Eni

    An Italian court has approved the prosecution of Royal Dutch Shell and Eni in the controversial sale of oil prospecting lease (OPL) 245 oil block.

    OPL 245 is located in an extremely rich oilfield in the Niger Delta, estimated to worth half a trillion dollars.

    The sale of the block has been replete with allegations of graft amid lawsuits.

    A judge in Milan ordered that Claudio Descalzi, an Eni executive, and his predecessor, Paolo Scaroni, should be tried on allegations of impropriety in the deal.

    The trial is expected to commence on March 5.

    But Eni has distanced its directors from any misdeed in the purchase of the lucrative oilfield.

    “Eni’s Board of Directors has reaffirmed its confidence that the company was not involved in alleged corrupt activities in relation to the transaction.

    “Eni expresses its full confidence in the judicial process and that the trial will ascertain and confirm the correctness and integrity of its conduct.

  • Kashamu to delegates: reject candidates under trial

    Kashamu to delegates: reject candidates under trial

    Ahead of  tomorrow’s  national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senator Buruji Kashamu has called on party delegates, leaders and stakeholders to reject candidates undergoing corruption trial before the courts.

    In a statement yesterday, the senator alleged that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was planning to arrest some of the candidates with corruption cases.

    Kashamu said: “While it is true that an accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty, our great party cannot afford to close its eyes to this potential threat.

    “It is a no-brainer that if a national chairman with a corruption case is elected, the party will literally be put on trial with him.

    “This is one avoidable risk that is too much to take. You can be sure that a corruption trial of the national chairman of an opposition party will come with a lot of bad publicity that will sound the death knell the party”.

    Kashamu pleaded with delegates and stakeholders, particularly those from the Southeast, to support the quest by the Southwest to produce the national chairman in the interest of equity and justice.

    “Our brothers and sisters from the Southeast need to be categorical now in support of the Southwest on the ongoing national chairmanship tussle between the Southwest and the Southsouth.

    “The implication of this avoidable tussle is to make uncertain the settled Southeast vice-presidential quest in 2019. If the Southeast expectedly takes a principled stance in support of the Southwest, naturally as a reliable race in adherence to agreements, the Yoruba people would reciprocate without any prompting.

    “What is currently happening is glaringly an orchestrated assault on the Southwest to end up with nothing in 2019, just like we did when our party was in power. This is a dangerously illogical political permutation for 2019 national elections”, the senator added.

    Kashamu said without prejudice to the right of others to seek elective positions at the convention, he however said such should not be done at the expense of established norms and agreements.

    The senator said, “Without prejudice to anybody’s right to aspire for party positions, it is an open secret that the PDP national chairmanship had been conceded to the Southwest pre-Port Harcourt convention.

    “It was because of this that the other positions zoned to the Southwest are innocuous deputies to substantive offices except the National Treasurer.

    “All these are because of the fact that the national chairmanship had already been conceded to the Southwest.

    “It is in the light of the above that I wish to reiterate my call on our notable leaders, elders and delegates to put the interest of democracy and the future of our great party above any pecuniary interest or considerations. This is the time we have to rebrand our party and reposition it”.

  • Lawyer’s ‘forgery’ trial resumes Dec 20

    A Lagos High Court in Igbosere has adjourned further hearing in the alleged forgery trial of a legal practitioner, Kole Bello, till December 20.

    Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo fixed the date last Friday, after first prosecution witness, Asuquo Ibong, concluded his testimony.

    Bello was arraigned alongside Chukwu Victor, Friday Palmer and Osumah Terry last October 30, on a three-count charge of alleged conspiracy, fraud and forgery.

    According to the Lagos State Government, the defendants committed the alleged offences sometime in December 2001, at Lekki Peninsula Scheme 1, Lagos.

    They were accused of conspiring and forging a September 28,1989 Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) with reference no. 63/63/1989, “with the intent that it may be acted on as genuine.”

    The prosecution claimed that the forgery was part of a plot to take over a plot of land belonging to the Estate of the late Mrs Francisca Awolaja.

    The court was also told that they allegedly arranged for someone to impersonate the late Awolaja in order to fraudulently convey her land to one Mr Rotimi Olubeko for the sum of N5 million.

    The alleged offences contravene Sections 422, 423 and 467 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2003.

    The defendants pleaded not guilty.

    Ibong, a lawyer, told the court that Olubeko contracted him to prepare a Deed of Assignment for the property in question.

    “I asked Olubeko whether he had conducted a search on the property, he said yes. I also asked other necessary questions, but he said I should draft the Deed of Assignment. He supplied all necessary things needed for the drafting which includes the C of O and purchasing price.

    “After Olubeko acquired the land, he also briefed me to help him apply for Governor’s Consent for the property. He paid me N75,000 and I started the process. But later I had a misunderstanding with him, so I debriefed myself and returned his money with the document to the property”, Ibong said.

    The witness testified that in 2008, the police told him that that the C of O brought to him by Olubeko was a forgery. Ibong said: “I knew this when I was invited to the Zone 2 Police Station, Special Fraud Unit and Police Headquarters annex, Alagbon.

    “In the statements Olubeko made to the police then, he wrote that I was the one who conducted a search on the property but I refuted his claim in my statements and also detailed my involvment on the transaction that led to acquisition of the property.”

    Under cross examination, Ibong said it was at the police station that he was told that Bello was the one that sold the property to Olubeko.

  • Soldier for trial over Okada rider’s death

    Soldier for trial over Okada rider’s death

    Sergeant Taiwo Owoeye of the Nigerian Army, suspected of killing a commercial motorcyclist, also known as Okada rider, Abubakar Alhaji, last January 27, is to be charged with “wilful murder”.

    Head of the Nigerian Army legal team Bola Oyebanji disclosed this before a Presidential Investigation Panel  for the Southwest.

    The panel was set up by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN)  to review the Armed Forces’ compliance with human rights obligations and rules of engagement.

    The nine-man panel, which is chaired by Justice Biobele  Georgewill, comprises Maj. Gen. Patrick Akem (rtd.); former Ekiti State Attorney-General, Mr. Olawale Fapohunda; Prof. Hauwa Ibrahim and Prof. Jibrin Ibrahim.

    Others are Mrs. Ifeoma Nwakama, Mr. Abba Ambudashi Ibrahim, Mr. Adamu Jimoh Abdukaldir and Dr. Fatima Alkali.

    The panel,  inaugurated last August 11, sat on October 23 and 24, at the Ikeja High Court, Lagos.

    Oyebanji told the panel members that the military investigated the matter and found that Owoeye had a case to answer.

    Earlier while being led in evidence by a representative of the National Human Right Commission (NHRC), Mr. Lucas Koyejo, the deceased’s brother, Salihu Mohammad, narrated  how Alhaji died.

    According to him, “the incident happened on January 27, 2017. From what I gathered, my late brother picked up a passenger on his motorcycle around Morrocco Road in Yaba.

    “He parked his motorcycle behind a stationary car, not knowing that there was someone in the car. Suddenly, the car reversed, and my brother beat the boot of the car in order to notify the occupant that there was someone behind him.

    “Sergeant Taiwo Owoeye angrily got down from his car and slapped my brother twice. He thereafter proceeded to kick him several times in the stomach.

    “When onlookers challenged him, he said there was nothing anybody could do, even if my brother died.

    “My brother thereafter became unconcious and we had to rush him to the military hospital. By that time he had started vomiting blood and other things. He could also not talk.

    “Sadly, he died the next day. We reported the matter at the Panti Police Station where they declined to give us a police report.

    “My brother’s body was not released to us for burial until after four months. When we inquired about the reason for the delay, we were told that the army was trying to conduct an autopsy,” Mohammed said.

    Justice Georgewill advised NHRC officials to follow up on the report and ensure that justice is done.

    In another development, a petition by a businessman, Okorie Onwuchekwa, alleging illegal arrest and detention, was dismissed for being out of the panel’s terms of reference.

    Oyebanji said Onwuchekwa was arrested sometime in 2004 on the allegation of importing weapons to bring down a presidential plane.

    According to him, Onwuchekwa was arrested for alleged treasonable felony 13 years ago and detained and tried alongside  former Chief Security Officer to the late military ruler, General Sani Abacha Major Hamzat Al-Mustapha sequel to  a ruling of a court of competent jurisdiction.

    Upholding Oyebanji’s argument which opposed hearing of Onwuchekwa’s petition, the panel ruled that the issue was beyond its terms of reference.

  • Trial of suspected pirates ‘caught with arms, ammunition’ begins

    The trial of seven suspected pirates who were allegedly caught with arms and ammunition resumed yesterday at the Federal High Court in Lagos.

    They were arrested on a vessel by men of the Nigerian Navy for alleged piracy and dealing in petroleum products without authorisation.

    The defendants were accused of violating laws on money laundering and firearms prohibition.

    They are: Umarama Ovuiro, Adesola Peter, Collins Harrison, Paul Adeyemi, Adedeji Joshua, Samuel Oluwafemi, Abdulrahman Kabir (also known as Tunde), and a vessel, MT Dejikun.

    According to the prosecution, the defendants, on February 19 last year on the Nigerian coast, conspired to deal in petroleum products without lawful authority.

    The complainant – Federal Republic of Nigeria – said the defendants, “while committing piracy, did transfer petroleum products from the MT Maximus vessel”.

    The prosecution said the suspects were in unlawful possession of an AK49 rifle numbered 9973, as well as an AK56 rifle, numbered 15515.

    The defendants were also allegedly caught with a single barrel Magnum revolver, numbered 7080; 161 rounds of live 7.62mm ammunition, six empty AK47 cartridges and six cartridges.

    The alleged offence violates sections 3 and 8 and is punishable under Section 27 (1) (a) of the Firearms Act of 2004.

    The offence of conspiracy, dealing in petroleum products without authority and transferring it to another vessel violate sections 1 (17), 3 (6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act 2004 and Section 15 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011, the prosecution said.

    The defendants pleaded not guilty and were remanded in prison custody.

    At their trial yesterday, prosecuting counsel Mrs E. S. Osiade, a Senior State Counsel at the Federal Ministry of Justice, sought to tender statements made by the defendants after their arrest.

    But the defence counsel objected on the basis that the statements were not made voluntarily.

    Kabir’s lawyer, Mr Jerry Omoregi said: “My client informed me that the statement is a product of great torture which spanned over a period of two weeks while he was in a detention cell of the Nigerian Navy in Apapa.”

    Counsel for Ovuiro, Peter, Harrison, Joshua and Olawufemi, Mr N. C. Onyejiaka, also claimed his clients were forced to make their statements.

    “The original statements which they made voluntarily are not here,” he said.

    Following the defendants’ claim, Justice Muslim Hassan ordered a trial within trial to determine the statements’ voluntariness.

    But, the Navy claimed that the statements were obtained voluntarily after the defendants were duly cautioned.

    Testifying in the trial within trial, a Lieutenant-Commander, O. J. Adeyemi, said he took the statements after cautioning the defendants and that none of them was forced to write.

    “I even bought food and drinks for two of the defendants at different times when they complained that they were hungry. They wrote their statements willingly and not under duress,” he said.

    Justice Hassan adjourned until November 6 and 7 for continuation of trial within trial.

  • Navy docks suspected pirates caught with arms, ammunition

    Navy docks suspected pirates caught with arms, ammunition

    The trial of five seven suspected pirates who were caught with arms and ammunition resumed Tuesday at the Federal High Court in Lagos.

    They were arrested on a vessel by men of the Nigerian Navy for alleged piracy and dealing in petroleum products without authorisation.

    The defendants were accused of violating laws on money laundering and firearms prohibition.

    They include the vessel, MT Dejikun, Umarama Ovuiro, Adesola Peter, Collins Harrison, Paul Adeyemi, Adedeji Joshua, Samuel Oluwafemi and Abdulrahman Kabir (also known as Tunde).

    According to the prosecution, the defendants, on February 19 last year at the Nigerian coast, conspired to deal in petroleum products without lawful authority.

    The complaint – Federal Republic of Nigeria – said the defendants, “while committing piracy, did transfer petroleum products from the MT Maximus vessel”.

    The prosecution said the suspects were in unlawful possession of an AK49 rifle numbered 9973, as well as an AK56 rifle, numbered 15515.

    The accused persons were also allegedly caught with a single barrel Magnum revolver, numbered 7080; 161 rounds of live 7.62mm ammunition, six empty AK47 cartridges and six cartridges.

    The alleged offence violates sections 3 and 8 and punishable under Section 27 (1) (a) of the Firearms Act of 2004.

    The offence of conspiracy, dealing in petroleum products without authority and transferring it to another vessel violate sections 1 (17), 3 (6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act 2004 and Section 15 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011, the prosection said.

    The defendants pleaded not guilty and were remanded in prison custody.

    At their trial yesterday, prosecuting counsel Mrs E. S. Osiade, a Senior State Counsel at the Federal Ministry of Justice, sought to tender statements made by the defendants after their arrest.

    But the defence counsel objected on the basis that the statements were not made voluntarily.

    Kabir’s lawyer, Mr Jerry Omoregi said: “My client informed me that the statement is a product of great torture which spanned over a period of two weeks while he was in a detention cell of the Nigerian Navy Apapa.”

    Counsel for Ovuiro, Peter, Harrison, Joshua and Olawufemi, Mr N. C. Onyejiaka, also claimed his clients were forced to make their statements.

    “The original statements which they made voluntarily are not here,” he said.

    Following the defendants’ claim, Justice Muslim Hassan ordered a trial within trial to determine the statements’ voluntariness.

    But, the Navy claimed that the statements were obtained voluntarily after the defendants were duly cautioned.

    Testifying in the trial within trial, a Lieutenant Commander, O. J. Adeyemi, said he took the statements after cautioning the defendants and that none of them was forced to write.

    “I even bought food and drinks for two of the defendants at different times when they complained that they were hungry. They wrote their statements willingly and not under duress,” he said.

    Justice Hassan adjourned until November 6 and 7 for continuation of trial within trial.

  • Kanu’s kinsman seeks his repatriation from UK to face trial

    Kanu’s kinsman seeks his repatriation from UK to face trial

    For fear that Nnamdi Kanu’s sureties may be held responsible should he fail to return for his trial, a Federal High Court in Abuja has been asked to compel the Federal Government to have him brought back to the country.

    The request is contained in a suit filed on October 5 by an indigene of Abia State, Ugochukwu Kenneth, through his lawyers Obor John and Tersagh Unande.

    Named as de?fendants are:  the British High Commission, the Comptroller-General of Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF).

    Kanu and some other member of his defunct group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), are being tried before Justice Binta Nyako (also of the Federal High Court, Abuja) for alleged treason.

    The court granted only Kanu bail on health grounds on April 25. In meeting the bail conditions, three individuals, including Senator Eyinanaya Abaribe, stood surety for Kanu to guarantee that he would attend court until the trial is concluded.

    But in a suit filed in his name on September 26, also before the Federal High Court in Abuja, his lawyer Ifeanyi Ejiofor, accused the Army of abducting Kanu.

    Ejiofor stated, among others, that Kanu had not been seen since some soldiers invaded his home on September 14, during which shots were fired and people allegedly died. Some were injured, he said.

    Kanu’s lawyer’s claim about his whereabouts was, however, countered in an interview by former Abia State Governor Orji Uzor Kalu, who said Kanu had escaped to Britain through Malaysia.

    The plaintiff in the fresh suit, Uguchukwu Kenneth,agreed with the ex-governor’s position on Kanu’s whereabouts and requested that the NIS be compelled to repatriate him to enable him face his trial, which is expected to resume on October 17.

    Kanneth stated, in a supporting affidavit, that “Senator Enyinnaya Harcourt Abaribe, representing the good people of Abia South Senatorial District of Abia State; Tochukwu Uchendu and Jewish Chief High Priest Immanuel -El Shalom Oka-Ben Madu perfected the bail bond which facilitated the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

    “Upon the perfection of the bail and consequent released of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from prison custody, Mazi Kanu has, to the best of my knowledge, breached all the bail conditions to wit; granting press interviews while on bail, participating in any rally, or being found in a crowd of more than ten persons in the course of the bail.

    The case has been assigned to Justice John Tsoho. It is fixed for October 12 for its first mention.