Judiciary

FG Establishes Family Courts in 16 States

By Web News 566

Ahead of the International Children’s Day celebration 2022, the Minister of Women Affairs, mrs Pauline Tallen, has said that the Federal Government has established family courts in 16 states to ensure child-friendly justice for children, either as victims or as offenders of violence.

Mrs Tallen at a press briefing noted that the establishment of family courts resulted from the effective advocacy and sensitization for effective implementation of the Child Rights Law across the country.

According to her, the theme for the year is ‘Strengthening Supportive Systems for the Protection of the Nigerian Child; A Wake-Up Call.’

Mrs Tallen noted that despite efforts by the government and other stakeholders, children were still vulnerable and victims of abduction, ritual killings, rape, child marriage, domestic abuse, and others.

She added, “As a ministry, we are sometimes overwhelmed with these issues and it will seem as if we are not doing enough.

“More worrisome is the recent increase of violence in schools, where children are physically and sexually abused online and offline.

“In the meantime, the ministry, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, has developed policies and carried out a series of programmes to ensure the safety of children.

“The establishment of family courts in 16 states of the federation is a direct result of the effective and sustained advocacy.”

Mrs Tallen also noted that to ensure the safety and protection of children, she also reconstituted the technical working group on ending violence against children and the management in Nigeria.

Punch/Adetutu Adetule

Judiciary

Court Validates FG’s Stance on LG Financial Autonomy

By Web News 480

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja presided over by Justice Inyang Ekwo on Monday delivered a judgement in favour of the Federal government and Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU, on Local government joint accounts nationwide. 

A statement by NFIU’s Chief media analyst, Ahmed Dikko says the Nigerian Governors Forum sued the Federal Government and NFIU for interfering with state government powers to initiate transactions on Local Government Joint Accounts citing provisions of the 1999 constitution. 

The NFIU issued a guideline on money laundering risk and vulnerabilities advising all banks not to honour transactions from joint accounts. 

The statement explains that the NFIU directed that the States and Local Governments Joint Accounts should be used only for receiving funds and subsequently transferring them to Local government accounts only. 

The guidelines also reduced cash withdrawal from local government accounts to five hundred thousand Naira daily.

While reacting to the judgement,  the Director of NFIU, Modibbo Tukur said from this judgment henceforth, all transactions on Local Government funds will be disclosed to ICPC and EFCC 100% and will be reported continuously.

FRCN, Abuja/ Titilayo Kupoliyi

Judiciary

Anambra Assembly Mourns Member

By Web News 413

The Anambra State House of Assembly has expressed deep shock over the gruesome murder of one of its members, Mr Okechukwu Okoye by unknown gunmen.

Mr Okoye who was the member representing Aguata Constituency two was kidnapped on the 15th of May, 2022.

In a press statement, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mr Uche Okafor says the Legislature received with shock the gruesome murder describing it as unfortunate and heartbreaking.

Mr. Okafor who describes late Okoye as one of the outspoken and articulated lawmakers noted that the Legislative Institution in the state has lost a quality member. 

The Speaker recalls the late Mr Okoye’s sense of humour, hospitality, and commitment to duty among other positive attributes, adding that his demise will really be felt in the House of Assembly.

He urges Governor Chukwuma Soludo not to relent in his efforts towards achieving maximum security of lives and property in Anambra state and called on well-meaning citizens to join hands with the governor in that direction.

Mr Uche Okafor while Commiserating with the immediate family of the deceased, his kinsman, Governor Soludo, and the entire Isuofia community on behalf of the members of the State House of Assembly enjoined them to take solace in the fact that the short but eventful life of the late lawmaker was full of quality service to God and humanity.

Late Okechukwu Okoye was the member representing Aguata constituency two including Isuofia from where governor Cukwuma Soludo hails. 

FRCN, Abuja/ Titilayo Kupoliyi

Judiciary

Court Strikes out  Amended Charge against Nnamdi Kanu

By Web News 486

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Wednesday, struck out the amended six-count treasonable felony charge the Federal Government preferred against the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu.

Trial Justice Binta Nyako struck out the charge, after it was withdrawn by the Prosecution counsel, Mr. K. E. Kaswe.

Kaswe, who is from the Federal Ministry of Justice, withdrew the charge after Kanu’s team of lawyers led by Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, accused Federal government of deliberately frustrating the speedy determination of the case.

Ozekhome, noted that the amended charge was served on him, barely 48 hours to the court proceeding.

He maintained that FG introduced fresh issues in the amended charge, including additional documents and proof of evidence that was not originally attached to the case.

“My lord, in one of the attachments, pictures of lawyers waiting to have a meeting with the defendant at the DSS facility, were snapped with secret camera and displayed.

“Names of his lawyers- Ifeanyi Ejiofor and Maxwell Opara- were also mentioned. They have brought new issues and even changed the wordings of the charge. The fact that the court sustained only seven counts in the previous charge and the have now reduced it to six counts, means that the charge has already been altered”, Ozekhome submitted.

He, therefore, said it was wrong for the Prosecution to insist on proceeding with trial, without firstly re arraigning the defendant.

Owing to Ozekhome’s contention, FG’s lawyer, Kaswe, applied to withdraw the amended charge to enable the matter to proceed on trial.

Kaswe told the court that his first witness was available and ready to testify.

Consequently, Justice Nyako struck out the charge.

Vanguard/ Adebukola Aluko

Judiciary

Osun Settles Victims of EndSARS

By Web News 536

Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, will on Thursday, May 12, pay compensation to victims of police brutalities in the state.

A statement by the Governor’s Spokesperson, Mr. Ismail Omipidan explains that compensations to be paid are in line with the recommendations of the #EndSARS Panel, set up by the Governor, following a presidential directive.

The statement notes that governor Oyetola’s administration is committed to ridding the state of all forms of injustice against the oppression of the weak.

It enjoins citizens of the state to hold external and internal institutions and other citizens accountable in ways that conform to the ethos of Omoluabi.

It should be recalled that governor Oyetola set up a Judicial Panel of Inquiry against Police Brutality, Human Rights Violations, and Related Extra-Judicial Killings, led by a retired Judge of the High Court, Hon. Justice Akinwale Oladimeji.

The panel was to look into cases of assault, illegal arrest, killings, brutality, and other forms of rights abuse by the officers and men of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS,  of the Nigerian Police.

While receiving the report in August last year, the governor assured that the government would implement the recommendations of the panel in a manner that would ensure that justice was served.

But while putting strategies in place for the compensation, there was another presidential directive that states should submit their reports to the Presidency.

However, In his message to Osun youths during the anniversary of #EndSARS, the governor had promised to pay the compensations as recommended by the Panel even after submitting the report to the Presidency as directed.

Abiodun Adeoye

Judiciary

Court Sentences Monarch Killer to Death by Hanging

By Web News 592

An Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti has sentenced a 42 year old Omoniyi Ademola Stephen  to death by hanging for killing a monarch.

The convict was arraigned on one count charge of murder contrary to Section 316 and punishable under Section 319 of the Criminal Code, Cap C16, laws of Ekiti State of Nigeria, 2012.

The charge reads, Omoniyi Ademola Stephen on the 20th day of August, 2018 at Odo Oro Ekiti in Ikole Ekiti Judicial Division, murdered His Royal Majesty, Oba Gbadebo Ibitoye Olowoselu ll, the Onise of Odo-Oro Ekiti.

One of the Chiefs who testified before the court said, ‘’we were at the palace on that day for Onise in Council meeting, around 7:00 a.m., before the commencement of the meeting, Omoniyi Ademola Stephen entered the palace and sat on Kabiyesi’s seat but the Chiefs frowned at his action and drove him away.

After the meeting, late Onise in company of his male clerk were trekking back to the main palace, Ademola came out of his hiding and attacked Kabiyesi with a knife on the road and stabbed him to death, before that day he has been parading himself as the king of the town, he concluded.

To proof his case, the state counsel, Adegboyega Morakinyo called five witnesses and tendered a medical report, statements of the convict, knife and rope among others as exhibits while the convict spoke in his own defence through his counsel Tope Salami and called no witness.

In his judgment, Justice Olukayode Ogundana dispelled the notion that the defendant is insane, consequently, the defendant, Omoniyi Ademola Stephen was sentenced to death by hanging.

Amos Ogunrinde

Judiciary

Ejeh of Ankpa’s Appointment: Court Adjourns Suit

By Web News 595

A Lokoja High Court presided by Justice Nicodemus Awulu has adjourned till May 23, 2022, for further hearing on the suit challenging the appointment of Abubakar Yakubu as Ejeh of Ankpa.

Awulu adjourned the suit after a new lawyer of the defendants filed a new application.

A high court of Kogi State had earlier restrained the state government from carrying out the planned coronation of Yakubu as Ejeh of Ankpa.

Given on March 2, the order was based on an interlocutory application filed by three ruling houses of the Onu Enjema traditional clan in Enjema District of Ankpa Local Council, Guardian reported.

The order restrained Yakubu from “parading or further parading himself as the Ejeh of Ankpa pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit in this honourable court.”

Counsel to the plaintiffs, Philip Abalaka, has said that they were challenging the application by the defendants to vacate the earlier order of Judge Funsho Ajayi of Anyigba High Court.

Punch/Titilayo Kupoliyi

Judiciary

Supreme Court Upholds Ex-Pension Director’s Jail Term

By Web News 544

The Supreme Court has affirmed the six-year jail term handed the former Assistant Director in the Federal Civil Service, John Yusufu Yakubu convicted for his complicity in the conversion of about N24billion from the Police Pension Fund.

The Court of Appeal in Abuja had, in a judgment on May 22, 2018 reversed an earlier decision of Justice Abubakar Talba of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT which convicted him on a three-count charge and gave him an option of fine at N250, 000 per count.

In its judgment in 2018, the Court of Appeal sentenced Yakubu to two years per count, to run consecutively, without an option of a fine and ordered him to refund N22.9billion.

A five-man panel of the Supreme Court, in a judgment on Wednesday, upheld the 2018 decision of the Court of Appeal.

Nation/Adebukola Aluko

Judiciary

Court Frees Kanu of Eight Terrorism Charges

By Web News 497

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Friday, struck out eight of the 15 terrorism and felony charges brought by the Federal Government against the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

Justice Murtala Nyako, while ruling on a preliminary objection filed by the IPOB leader, freed Kanu on eight counts.

In this instant preliminary objection application, I have read the counts and come to the conclusion that counts six, seven, eight, nine, 10, 11, 12 and 14 have not disclosed any offence against the defendant.

“‘Counts one, two, three, four, five, eight and 15 show some allegations, which the defendant has to answer.

“The court shall proceed to try the defendant on those counts,” Justice Nyako said.

Newspeak/ Oluwayemisi Owonikoko

Judiciary

Defection: Appeal Court Dismisses Suit Against Umahi

By Web News 519

The Appeal Court sitting in Enugu has dismissed the suit seeking the sack of Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi and his Deputy, Kelechi Igwe from Office for defection.

The suit filed by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Ebonyi State, in the 2019 Governorship election, Senator Sonni Ogbuoji and his Deputy, Chief Justin Ogbodo Mbam, demanded the Court to declare the seats of Governor David Nweze Umahi and his Deputy, Dr Kelechi Igwe vacant on account of their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to the APC.

Recall that on Tuesday, February 28, 2022, the Ebonyi State High Court sitting in Abakaliki, struck out the same suit and awarded five hundred thousand naira as damages against the plaintiff.

Governor Umahi and his deputy had in November 2020 defected to the All Progressive Congress(APC) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

FRCN Abuja

Judiciary

OAU Student’s Death: Adedoyin, Six Others Have Case To Answer – Court

By Web News 490

An Osun State High Court, Osogbo presided over by the Chief Justice of Osun, Justice Oyebola Ojo has ruled that the owner of Hilton Hotel Ile Ife, Dr. Rahmon Adedoyin, and six staff of the Hotel  have case to answer over the death of a Master degree’s student of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Timothy Adegoke. 

In a ruling on the No Case Submission made  by Counsels to the defendants, Justice Ojo said a prima facie case had been established against all the defendants.

She said, “Evidence before the court states that Timothy Lodged in the hotel owned by Adedoyin. Adesola who is the 7th defendant, the receptionist received the lodger.”

The court also held that wife of the deceased spoke to him while in the facility but he could not be reached afterward by the wife.

The judge consequently directed the defendants to enter their defence.

Counsel to the defendants, Mr Kehinde Eleja, SAN said in view of the ruling, his clients would enter their defense but asked for time to prepare for the necessary processes.

The case was adjourned till the 25th of April, 2022 for opening of defense. 

It would be recalled that the defendants’ counsel led by Yusuf Alli, SAN had told the court at the last sitting that the defendants had no case to answer because the prosecution failed to establish any case against them, while the prosecutor, M O Omosun opposed the claim. 

Adenitan Akinola

Judiciary

Court Declines Abba Kyari’s bail Request

By Web News 534

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has declined the bail request by the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP, Abba Kyari and his co-defendants. 

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, had on the 7th of this month, arraigned DCP Kyari, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, Sunday Ubua, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, Bawa James and two Inspectors of Police, Simon Agirgba and John Nuhu, were arraigned along with two others on eight count charges.

Mr Kyari and the four Intelligence Response Team members are facing charges bordering on illicit dealing in 21.35kg of cocaine between the 19th and 25th of January this year, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under section 11(c) of the NDLEA Act.

After their arraignment, the defendants sought bail on the grounds that the alleged offences do not attract capital punishment. 

While arguing the bail application, the Prosecution Counsel, Mr Joseph Sunday argued that Mr Kyari was a flight risk due to his involvement in allegations of money laundering in the United States, where an extradition application was pending in court.

In a ruling, the judge, Justice Emeka Nwite agreed with the prosecution that sufficient evidence had been placed before the court to warrant the refusal of bail.

Ifeoma

Judiciary

Fuel Souvenir: Court Sentences Lagos Socialite, Ms Ogbulu, to Prison

By Web News 494

A Lagos Mobile Court sitting at the premises of State Task Office in Oshodi has sentenced a socialite, Ogbulu Chindinma Pearl to 27 months in jail for distributing Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) as souvenir.

Chief Magistrate Kehinde Ogundare held that the prosecution had successfully proven the charge against the defendant beyond a reasonable doubt and thereby convicted and sentenced her accordingly.

The defendant was earlier arraigned on March 14, 2022, for the offence of distributing PMS as souvenir during her installation party on March 5, 2022, at Havillah Event Centre, Lagos.

The offence was said to violate section 251(1), 168 (1), 244 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 and Section 195 (2)(b) of the Environmental Management Protection Law of Lagos State 2017.

Delivering judgment, Magistrate Ogundare  sentenced Ms Ogbulu to three months imprisonment on the first count, with an option of N15,000.00 fine.

The court also sentenced her to one year imprisonment each on counts 2 and 3, with an option of fine of N500,000.00 each.

Reporting by Wahab Akinlade; Editing by Daniel Adejo and Tony Okerafor

Judiciary

Court Remands Gold Miner For Killing Police Officer

By Web News 729

A high court sitting in Osogbo, Osun State has remanded a 20-year old artisanal gold miner, Ibrahim Kazeem in Ilesa correctional centre for allegedly killing a police inspector, Adeoye Banjo.

The suspect was arraigned on a two-count charge of conspiracy to commit a felony and wit murder.

He purportedly killed inspector Banjo who was one of the police orderly guarding some Chinese miners in the state in 2019.

Police prosecutor, inspector Olufemi Olanibi told the court that Kazeem and others now at large, on November 25, 2019, in Osogbo, conspired to commit a felony to wit murder inspector Banjo.

Inspector Olanibi noted that during investigations, a sim card belonging to the deceased was found in the suspect’s room when the police carried out a search on his apartment.

The magistrate, M.A Olatunji granted the prayer of the defence counsel, Mr S.O Abiona,  requesting for a copy of the case file as forwarded to the department of public prosecution.

He however ordered the suspect should be remanded in Ilesa correctional facility pending the advice of the Department of Public Prosecution.  

Contact/Isaac Haastrup

Judiciary

Extra Judicial Killings: Families Seek 20 Million Naira Compensation

By Web News 466

The families of two victims of extrajudicial killing, Mr Peter Ikechi and Chief Peter Ekwealor have prayed the Independent Investigative Panel on alleged human rights violations by the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad to grant twenty million naira compensation each, for the death of their children in police custody.

Submitting a written address to the panel in Abuja, Counsel to the petitioner, Mr Ebenezer Egwuatu said the damages would assuage the pains his clients had gone through as a result of the demise of their children in an unwarranted circumstance.

Mr Egwuatu said since evidence before the panel showed that the duo were extra-judicially murdered by the force, the amount would assist the widows and children of the deceased in their upkeep and education.

However, counsel to the Police, Mr Fidelix Ogwobe urged the panel to dismiss the application as the case was not proven beyond reasonable doubt that the indicted officers killed Mr Peter Ikechi and Chief Peter Ekwealor.

Mr Ogwobe rather sought compensation for the family of a police officer who lost his life during the incident.

But counsel to the petitioner, Mr Ebenezer Egwuatu opposed the plea stating that the police did not have any prior complaint before the panel.

The Acting Chairman of the panel adjourned the matter for report.

Mr Peter Ikechi and Chief Peter Ekwealor were said to have died in police custody after a communal clash between Odekpe and Alaluga Communities of Anambra State in June 2020.

Bose Ijelekhai

Judiciary

Man, Sentenced to Death by Hanging for Rape and Murder

By Web News 663

The Ekiti State High Court has sentenced one Tunmise Abraham to death by hanging for the murder of his landlady, one Bukola Olanrewaju.

Abraham was found guilty of raping the landlady before eventually killing her at Olorunda Zone 7, Adebayo Area of Ado-Ekiti in 2019.

It was gathered that the late Olanrewaju had demanded rent arrears and electricity bills from the convict before the ugly incident occurred.

The mother of three was at home alone after her husband had gone to work while the children were said to have gone for holiday coaching when the incident happened.

Abraham was alleged to have broken into the woman’s room, threatened her with a cutlass and tied her up before performing the dastardly act.

It was also gathered that after the act, the tenant fled the house but some of his belongings were found in the room which suggested that he was responsible for the act.

The Director of Public Prosecutions, Julius Ajibare, who prosecuted the case for the state government, called four witnesses to prove the case beyond reasonable doubts.

The court presided over by Justice Oluwatoyin Abodunde found Abraham guilty of the offence and sentenced him to death by hanging to serve as a deterrent to others.

Amos Ogunrinde

Judiciary

Bamise Murder: Court Fixes May 9 for BRT Bus Driver’s Trial

By Web News 739

The Lagos State High Court sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square has fixed May 9, for the commencement of trial of the driver of the Bus Rapid Transport, Andrew Nice Omininikoron, over the alleged murder of his passenger, Bamise Ayanwola.

This is after the Lagos State Government arraigned the driver on four counts bordering on rape, conspiracy and murder of his passenger, Oluwabamise Ayanwola.

The Lagos State Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, Dr Jide Martins, also told Justice Sherifat Sonaike, that on November 25, 2021, the defendant allegedly raped a 29-year-old lady, Nneka Maryjane Ozezulu, without her consent.

He said the incident took place at about 7 pm, at the Lekki-Ajah Conservation Centre off the Lekki Ajah expressway in Lagos.

The DPP also told the court that Andrew Nice conspired with others now at large and forcefully had sexual intercourse with his 22-year-old passenger, Oluwabamise Ayanwola, without her consent after which he murdered her.

Dr Martins said the rape incident happened on February 25, 2022, at about 8 pm, on the Lekki-Ajah Conservation expressway.

He said the defendant and others still at large on February 26, 2022, unlawfully killed Oluwabamise Ayanwola by throwing her out of a moving bus at Carter Bridge after having sexual intercourse with her without her consent.

According to the prosecutor, the offences committed are contrary to and punishable under Sections 411, 223, 260 and 165 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

When all the counts were read to the defendant, he pleaded not guilty to the charge against him.

Following his plea, the DPP asked the court to order a further remand of the defendant at the Ikoyi prison and also asked for a trial date.

With no objections from the defence counsel, Mr Isaac Ezeawem, the court ordered that the defendant should be further remanded at the Ikoyi prison.

Justice Sonaike subsequently adjourned the case to May 9, 10 and 11, 2022 for commencement of trial.

The Punch

Judiciary

Court Remands Murderous Herdsman In Ado Ekiti Correctional Centre

By Web News 502

An Ekiti State Chief Magistrate Court, sitting in Ado Ekiti, today Friday, March 18, 2022, granted an order to remand one Umoru Baba, 20, in the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Ado Ekiti for 30 days.

The Police Prosecutor, Inspector Olubu Apata, requested for the order to allow police to complete their investigation and forward the duplicate case file to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for legal advice.

Umoru Baba had on March 13, 2022, at Reserve Area in Erio Ekiti in Aramoko Ekiti Magisterial District, attempted to murder a 45-year old Oruma Samson at his farm in Erio Ekiti, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 320 of the Criminal Code Cap. C16, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.

In his statement to the Police, the victim Oruma Samson said, he was working on his farm in Reserve Area, Erio Ekiti, when he saw the herder with cows destroying his farm plantations.

Oruma said he begged the herder to please leave the farm, but suddenly, some other herdsmen appeared from the bush and surrounded him.

While trying to escape, the defendant macheted him on the head, his shout for help attracted other nearby farmers who came to his rescue.

Though other herdsmen escaped with the cows, the defendant was arrested with the machete when he was also trying to escape.

Delivering his ruling, Chief Magistrate Kehinde Awosika ordered the defendant ( the Herder) to be remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services, Ado Ekiti pending issuance of legal advice from the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

He, therefore, adjourned the case till April 18 April 2022 for mention.

Amos Ogunrinde

Judiciary

More Revelations Emerge On OAU Student’s Death

By Web News 1239

Fresh facts have emerged from the mysterious death of Timothy Adegoke, Eruwa-born Masters Degree student of the Obafemi Awolowo University as the case resumed on Wednesday in Osogbo, the Osun State capital city.

The Consultant Pathologist from the University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, Dr Waheed Oluogun confirmed that the deceased died of severe haemorrhage, secondary to severe traumatic injury.

Speaking during the sitting earlier today, Dr Oluogun said tissues were taken from the wound sides for microscopic examination of the internal organs which showed normal autolysis or tissue.

“The result came out that there was bleeding into that tissue or wound area. At the beginning, there was complete skeletonization of the entire upper limb with separation of the left elbow joint and left wrist joint.

The cause of death of Timothy Adegoke is severe haemorrhage Secondary to severe traumatic injury.”

Meanwhile, Dr Rahmon Adedoyin, owner of Hilton Hotel where Timothy Adegoke died arrived at the Court amidst tight security.

It would be recalled that the court recently rejected Rahmon Adedoyin‘s bail application.

Adedayo Adelowo

Judiciary

LG Autonomy: JUSUN, NULGE, PASAN Hold Joint Protest in Ibadan

By Web News 635

The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN, Nigeria Union of Local Employees, NULGE and Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria, PASAN in South West have engaged in peaceful protest in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital to demand the implementation of local government financial autonomy bill as passed by the National Assembly.

The peaceful protest which kicked off from the Nigeria Labour Congress Secretariat, Agodi, took the protesters to the Oyo State House of Assembly, OYHA, to solicit the support of the house to hasten the passage of local government financial autonomy bill into law at the state level in the south-west.

Addressing the protesters, the speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Mr Adebo Ogundoyin pledged the readiness of the assembly to support the implementation of the bill.

Mr Ogundoyin added that Oyo Assembly would convene the meeting of assemblies in the southwest to fashion out modalities for the realization of the bill.

Earlier, Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, Oyo State, Olukayode Martins said it was vital that the judiciary, state assembly and local government be granted autonomy to promote good governance.

Funmilola Obagbayegun

Judiciary

Court Strikes Out Estate Agents Case Against EFCC

By Web News 582

An Ogun State High Court sitting in Sagamu has dismissed a case of an alleged breach of human rights filed by a real Estate Developer against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The Estate Developer, Mr. Jacob Oseni, had dragged the anti-graft agency before the Court over the investigation of a land matter with some residents of an Estate, at Alahun Village, Simawa, Sagamu local government area of Ogun State.

The real estate developer had alleged that the EFCC had trampled on his right by inviting him and investigating a land matter between him and residents of the Estate which resulted into withholding of his international passport by the anti-graft agency. 

He had also asked the court to order the EFCC to pay him the sum of N100 million damage for allegedly violating his human rights.

Ruling on the suit, Justice Nasiru Agbelu dismissed the case and ordered the EFCC to return the seized international passport of the applicant stating that the land matter was purely a civil matter that needed to be determined by the Court.

The Judge held that the EFCC had not detained nor tortured the applicant indicating that there was no evidence of his right been trampled upon.

Reacting to the ruling, the counsel to the residents explained that the real matter before the court was a case of fraudulent practice perpetrated by the applicant which prompted them to report the matter to the EFCC.

He said the land in contention was a State government land allegedly sold to his clients fraudulently, which made them to report to EFCC, and in the process of investigation, the real estate agent was asked to submit his travelling documents.

Wale Oluokun

Judiciary

Abba Kyari’s Wife Slumps in Court

By Web News 1261

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has adjourned until the 28th of this month to rule on the bail application filed by the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari and his co-defendants.

The Judge, Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned after taking arguments of the defence and prosecution counsel.

Justice Nwite also ordered that Abba Kyari and his codefendants be further remanded in the detention facility of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, until the adjourned date.

Meanwhile, the wife of the suspended DCP Abba Kyari, slumped at the Federal High Court shortly after the ruling on her husband’s bail application was adjourned untill the 28 of this month.

A lady who identified herself as her friend alleged that she was Asthmatic.

Kyari is facing an eight-count charge on drug trafficking alongside four members of his team and two drug smugglers that were arrested at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu.

FRCN, Abuja

Judiciary

Wife of Slain OAU Master’s Student Breaks Down in Court

By Web News 1194

The wife of Late Timothy Adegoke, the Master’s student of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Bolatito Adegoke today burst into tears while giving evidence in the case to unravel the killers of her husband who allegedly died in Hilton Hotel Ile-Ife owned by Dr Adedoyin.

She was led in evidence by the prosecutor Mr Ochogwe before the Chief Justice of Osun State, Justice Adepele Ojo.

In her evidence in Chief, she told the court that she was a full housewife and lived with her late husband in Abuja. 

She said, “On 5 November 2021, my husband left home for his final exam at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. My husband doesn’t joke with his family, when he was going he arrived the Airport, he called me that he was at the Abuja airport. 

“He had a meeting with tax officers in Ibadan. He was carrying a leather box which he said he would not want to go to Ile-Ife with, I called a friend named Iyabo Ogeji at Akure to collect the leather box from him. He called me that my friend has collected the leather box from him and my friend also called to confirm.

“When he arrive Ife, at Hilton Hotel he called me again. At about 8:00 PM, I called him to report one of our children to him, he told me that I should not worry that he want to wake up by 12:00 AM to read. He said we will talk later. 

“My husband use to call me before he go for the exam but on Saturday 6th November 2021, I did not see his call. I called him more than three times, I was worried and I told my children and started weeping because the issue of kidnapping is rampant in Nigeria. Since that time I continue calling his phone till around 4 pm. When he did not respond to the calls I informed one of our church Shepard in Abuja, he consoled me that I should be patient but I told him that such a thing has never happened since our marriage. 

“I informed his office about the situation. On Sunday 8th November 2021 around 5 PM, I called one of my husband’s sisters in Osogbo, I told her to help me check my husband at the exam hall, I also called one of his friends chartered accountant and he called his friend at Ile-Ife to check hotel and exam hall. I told them that he lodge at Hilton Hotel. 

“When they check Hilton, they said nobody bears that name that lodge in the hotel. I checked that document of my husband in Abuja and I saw the previous receipt of the Hilton Hotel, I snap and send it to my people who are in Ife. The police used the receipt to conduct their investigation. I later reported at the police station where I wrote a statement and signed it.”

In the course of the narration, she further broke down in tears, crying profusely that she wanted true justice for her late husband.

However, under cross-examination by the defendant’s counsel, Mr K K Eleja (SAN) she refused to answer the questions put to her.

The presiding judge, Justice Ojo cautioned her and stood down the hearing for 10 minutes so that the prosecutor could attend to her. 

Akinola Adenitan

Judiciary

OAU Student Murder Case: Court Denies Hotelier, Six others Bail

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An Osun State High Court, Osogbo presided over by Chief Justice of Osun State, Adepele Ojo has denied the bail application of the owner of Hilton Hotel and Resort, Dr Rahmon Adedoyin and six staff over the alleged murder of a Master student of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife. 

The defendants; Dr Rahmon Adedoyin, Magdalene Chiefuna, Adeniyi Aderogba, Oluwole Lawrence, Oyetunde Kazeem Adebayo Kunle and Adedeji Adesola are facing trial on eleven counts bothering on murder, conspiracy, felony amongst others. 

Justice Ojo refused the bail application of the defendants stating that their health condition are not critical. 

Upon arraignment, the counsel to the defendants, Messers Adekunle Adegoke (SAN), K. K Eleja (SAN) and Okon Ita had moved the bail application for seven defendants which was opposed by the prosecutor, M O Omosun. The bail was argued by both the counsel and prosecutor and Justice Adepele Ojo reserved ruling till today. 

The trial Judge maintained that the defendants had not placed anything before the court that suggested that the Ilesa correctional center could take care of the health needs of the suspects.

Trial subsequently resumed after the ruling on bail application.

Akinola Adenitan

Judiciary

Abba Kyari’s Co-Defendants Plead Guilty to Drug Trafficking Charge

By Web News 387

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has produced the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP, Abba Kyari, before the Federal High Court in Abuja for his arraignment on drug trafficking charge.

Kyari, who was brought before the court by armed operatives of the agency, is currently taking his plea to an eight-count charge that was preferred against him and six others.

Others in the dock with him are four other police officers- ACP Sunday J. Ubia, ASP Bawa James, Insp. Simon Agirigba and Insp. John Nuhu, as well as two alleged drug traffickers that were arrested at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu, Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus Ezenwanne.

While Kyari, dressed in blue native attire, and his police Co-Defendants, pleaded not guilty to the charge, the 6th and 7th Defendants, Umeibe and Ezenwanne, pleaded guilty to the charge that was read to them before trial Justice Emeka Nwite.

Some of the charges against them, read; “That you, DCP Abba Kyari, ACP Sunday J. Ubua, ASP Bawa James, Inspector Simon Agirigba and Inspector John Nuhu, all male, Adult on or about the 19th to 25th January 2022, at Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, dealt in 17.55kilogrammes of cocaine without lawful authority and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 11(c) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, CAP N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

“That you, DCP Abba Kyari, ACP Sunday J Ubua, ASP Bawa James, Inspector Simon Agirgba and Inspector John Nuhu, all male, all male, Adult on or about the 19th to 25th January 2022, within the office of the Inspector-General of (IGP) Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired amongst yourselves and with ASP John Umoru (now at large) to unlawfully tamper with 21.35 kilogramames of cocaine seized from Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus Ezenwannne in the custody of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Intelligence Response Team (IRT), by removing and disposing 17.55 kilogrammes of the cocaine and by substituting same with some other substance and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 14(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ACT CAP N30 Laws of the Federation 2004.

Vanguard