TheNewsGuru

Tag: Court

  • Clash: Trial of Ife monarch, other suspects begins

    The trial of Oba Ademola Ademiluyi; Pastor Taiwo Fakowajo and four other suspects arrested in connection with the March 8 clash between some Hausa persons and Yoruba began before Justice Kudirat Akano of Osun State High Court on Wednesday.

    The suspects, who were brought to the court in a prison van, were ordered to be remanded in prison custody when they appeared before the judge on April 28.

    The prosecution counsel, Mr. Simon Lough, said he brought four witnesses to the court but just one of the four, Nasri Malami, was taken for the day.

    Malami, who gave his evidence in Hausa language, said through an interpreter that he identified the monarch, the pastor and another suspect, Akeem Elujoba as those, who beat some Hausa children, who are food vendors for messing up the frontage of Elujoba’s wife shop.

    He said that he went to the duo but said the monarch threatened to beat him if he did not leave the place.

    He told the court that he later went to the police station go report the matter.

    Malami said some of the attackers wore masks, adding that Pastor Fakowajo shot and killed one Salmon Mohammed in his presence.

    He also said that Fakowajo tried to shoot him but he managed to escape.

    He told the court that he lost N8.7m cash to the crisis.

    Malami said under cross examination by the defence counsel, Mr. Marital Agboola, that the Mohammed’s corpse was taken to the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex in Ile Ife adding that the victim had since been buried.

  • Youth sentenced 4 months jail-term for theft of cell phone in a mosque

    Youth sentenced 4 months jail-term for theft of cell phone in a mosque

    A Grade 1 Area Court in Karu, Abuja, on Tuesday sentenced a 22 year-old youth, Shefiu Samaila, to a 4-months jail term for theft of cell phone in a mosque.

    The offence of theft is punishable under section 287 of the Penal code.
    State Prosecutor, Mr. Mahmud Ismai’la, had informed the Court that one Insp. Aliyu Shangbong of the Nigeria Police Force arrested the defendant and took him to Maitama Police Station on June 12.
    He told the Court that the defendant was caught removing cell phone from the pocket of a man who had come to pray at the Annur-Mosque, Wuse 2, Abuja.
    Ismai’la further told the Court that the defendant had been caught on two occasions in the past, stealing phones from pockets of persons who had come to the mosque to pray.
    After listening to the charge, the defendant pleaded guilty and begged the court to tamper justice with mercy.

    The Judge, Mr Hassan Ishaq, while sentencing him to 4 months jail term, however gave him an option of N10, 000 Fine.

    Ishaq warned him to be of good character, especially during this Holy month of Ramadan.

  • 2 men in court for allegedly stealing goats

    Two men- Olaide Adebori, 45, and Sunday Omisakin, 42, were on Tuesday arraigned in an Ile-Ife Magistrates’ Court, in Osun, for allegedly stealing a she-goat and its kids.

    The prosecutor, Insp. Emmanuel Abdullahi, told the court that the defendants committed the offence on June 1, 2017, around 12:00 noon at Olurin Street, Ile-Ife.

    He said that the accused persons were in possession of the she-goat and its kids, reasonably suspected to have been stolen.

    The prosecutor also said that the accused persons conducted themselves in a manner likely to cause breached of peace.
    According to him, the offence was contrary to and punishable under Sections 249 (d), 383, 430 and 516 of the Criminal Code Cap 34 Vol 11, Laws of Osun, 2003.
    The two defendants denied committing the offence.
    The defence Counsel, Mr Samuel Judge, applied for the bail of the defendant in most liberal terms.

    Magistrate Olalekan Ijiyode granted the defendant bail in the sum of N100, 000 with one surety in like sum.
    Ijiyode said that the surety, who must swear to affidavit of means, should reside within the court’s jurisdiction.

    The case was adjourned until June 28, for hearing.

  • Boko Haram : I have no case to answer – Ndume

    Boko Haram : I have no case to answer – Ndume

    The suspended majority leader in the senate, Ali Ndume standing trial on terrorism on alleged terrorism funding has told the federal high court in Abuja that he has no case to answer in the 4 count charges brought against him by the federal government.

    Ndume told Justice Kolawole that the government has not in anyway established a prima facie case against him or link him with any crime.

    In a no case submission argued by his counsel Rickey Tarfa SAN, Ndume insisted that the charges brought against him by the government since November 30, 2011 has not been proved beyond reasonable doubt as required by law at the end of the prosecution case.

    The senator admitted that he had contact with the dreaded boko haram sect and that the contact came into being, when he was appointed into presidential committee on security matters by the govt to negotiate for peace with the terrorist group.

    He maintained that the charges against him were unjust and unfair because he passed the report of his contact with the terrorist to the then, Vice President . Namadi Sambo and the then Director General of Department of State Service (DSS).

    Ndume further told the court that the charge of failure to disclose info on the workings of boko haram cannot be sustained against him because the prosecution did not link any evidence to that effect.

    “Clearly from the totality of the evidence adduced by the prosecution, there is no ingredients of the charges proved as required by law. The analysis of the mobile phones seized from the defendant and subjected to forensic examination did not reveal any offence committed”, the counsel held.

    However the prosecution counsel Grace Okafor urged the court to compel Ndume to open his defense in the charges against on the account that the govt witnesses have effectively link him with the crime.

    The prosecution said that the charge against Ndume has to do with the failure to disclose material information to the security agents on boko haram and rendering support to the terrorist group adding that the Ndume in his own statements tendered and admitted in court confirm that he had enormous info on boko haram which he refused to disclose to government.

    Justice Kolawole after taking arguments from the two parties adjourned ruling to July 4, 2017.

    It would be recalled that the federal government had arraigned Ndume for allegedly sponsoring the activities of the dreaded boko haram sect.

  • Fani-Kayode: Court adjourns trial till July 7

    A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday adjourned the trial of former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode until July 7, due to his counsel’s ill health.

    The court on April 25 adjourned the matter for cross examination after the testimony of the first prosecution witness, Mr Victor Ehiabhi.

    At the resumed hearing, the defence counsel, Abubakar Yusuf, who stood in for Ahmed Raji (SAN), informed the court that the defence would not be able to cross examine the witness due to Raji’s absence.

    Yusuf said that Raji was currently receiving treatment abroad and the prosecution had been informed of the development.

    The prosecuting counsel, Mr Johnson Ojogbane, who did not oppose the application for an adjournment, urged the court to make sure the defence cross examined the witness on the next adjourned date.

    After listening to both counsel, Justice John Tsoho adjourned the matter until July 7 for the cross examination of the first prosecution witness and continuation of trial.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Fani-Kayode was arraigned by EFCC before Justice Tsoho, on a fresh five-count charge bordering on money laundering.

    The ex-aviation minister was accused of allegedly collecting N26 million from the office of the former National Security Adviser, retired Col. Sambo Dasuki, and using same for media campaign.

    Fani-Kayode is also facing another 17-count charge of money laundering before the Lagos division of the court.

     

     

    NAN

  • NJC promoting corruption by reinstating suspended judges – Presidency

    NJC promoting corruption by reinstating suspended judges – Presidency

    The Presidency has berated the National Judicial Council for reinstating six suspended judges who were under investigation for alleged corruption.

    The Special Adviser to the President on Prosecutions, Okoi Obono-Obla, expressed dissatisfaction with the NJC during a live television programme on Channels TV, titled ‘Sunrise Daily’ on Monday.

    No fewer than five of the judges, who were suspended in October last year, had yet to be arraigned by the Federal Government, causing the Nigerian Bar Association to demand their immediate reinstatement.

    One of the reinstated judges, Justice Adeniyi Ademola, was arraigned but the charges were struck out by the court.

    The Federal Government had filed an appeal against the ruling when the NJC reinstated him.

    Obono-Obla said the Presidency was disappointed in the NJC, alleging that the council was indirectly promoting corruption by reinstating the judges.

    He stated that the NJC was aware of the plan of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to arraign the judges but surreptitiously reinstated them.

    The Presidential aide advised the suspended judges not to resume as they would soon be arraigned.

    Obono-Obla added, “I can assure you that the NJC was aware of the intention of the EFCC to file criminal proceedings against those judges. So, why the hurry? Some of those judges also have several petitions written against them to the knowledge of the NJC so what is the hurry?

    “We were in the process of charging them to court and the NJC is aware that the EFCC was in the process of charging these judges to court and as I said earlier, there are also complaints, petitions from members of the public against these judges; so, why have they not looked into some of these petitions?

    “The impression is that they (NJC members) are trying to protect some of these judges. Apart from the criminal allegations against them, there are several petitions against these judges.

    “The NJC will just have to suspend them again. The judges should be stopped from sitting from today because they will soon be charged to court; I can assure you.”

    The President’s aide said he was particularly disappointed that the NJC reinstated Justice Ademola, whose case is still under appeal.

    He said it was unethical for the judge to preside over cases when his integrity was still in question.

    Obono-Obla added, “An appeal is not tantamount to a stay of execution but we are talking of a judge’s integrity; the reputation of the judge, the credibility of the judiciary. This is a judge whose credibility is at stake.

    “He was arraigned for allegedly collecting bribes. He was discharged and acquitted and the decision was appealed. If I were that judge, I would not sit until the appeal is heard because members of the public will not have confidence in his court and the judicial system relies on the confidence of the people.”

    Specifically, those the NJC reinstated to the bench are Justice John Okoro of the Supreme Court; Justice Uwani Abba Aji of the Court of Appeal; Justice Hydiazira Nganjiwa of the Federal High Court; Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court, who has been discharged and acquitted; Justice Musa Kurya of the Federal High Court; and Justice Agbadu Fishim of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria.

  • N3.2bn money laundering: Court to rule on Kalu’s case June 6

    A Federal High Court on Monday in Lagos fixed June 6 foe ruling on the objection by a former Governor of Abia, Orji Uzor Kalu, to the evidence of a prosecution witness in his trial.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had on Oct. 31, 2016, slammed a 34-count charge of N3.2 billion fraud on Kalu and his ex-Commissioner for Finance, Ude Udeogo.

    Also charged with Kalu is his company — Slok Nigeria Ltd.

    The accused had pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    During an examination-in-chief on Monday, a prosecution witness, Mr Romanus Madu, led in evidence by EFCC prosecutor, Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), said he did not author a statement requesting for the sum of N30.8 million bank draft in the course of his duties as a cashier in the Abia State Government House in 2005.

    He identified his name on a document exhibited by the prosecution, but said that he was not the author, noting that his signature was not on the document.

    The prosecutor also showed him two other applications for the bank drafts written by one Obasi John and Ogbonna J, which he also denied knowledge of the two individuals at the Government House.

    He said he did know anything about bank drafts, but that he usually collects cash and hands it over to his “superior”, adding that he was not familiar with the names Obasi and Ogbonna.

    When the prosecutor further sought to extract the witness’ evidence on the three applications, it was opposed by the defence lawyers.

    In his objection, Kalu’s lawyer, Chief Awa Kalu (SAN) said the prosecutor’s action was against the spirit of the Evidence Act.

    He argued that the witness cannot be asked to compare signatures of persons he claimed he did not know.

    In the same vein, counsel to the third accused (Slok), Mr K. C. Nwofo (SAN), also argued that it was only an expert that could be asked questions on such a contentious issue.

    In his response, however, the prosecutor insisted that the witness was “highly qualified” to give evidence on the statement which he argued was written and signed by him.

    According to him, evidence with regards to handwriting is not an exclusive preserve of an expert.

    “The law permits the court to take evidence from the person whose handwriting was said to have been forged or the person who is familiar with the handwriting.”

    After listening to the arguments of both parties, Justice Mohammed Idris adjourned until June 6 for ruling.

    In the charge, the accused were alleged to have committed the offence between August 2001 and October 2005.

    Kalu was alleged to have utilised his company (Slok) to retain in the account of a First Inland bank, (now FCMB), the sum of N200 million.

    The sum is alleged to have formed part of funds illegally derived from the coffers of the Abia State Government.

    Slok and one Emeka Abone, who is still at large, are also accused of retaining in the company’s account the sum of N200 million on behalf of the first accused (Kalu).

    The accused, according to the prosecution, also retained about N2.5 billion in different accounts property of Abia.

    Cumulatively, in all the counts, the accused were alleged to have diverted about N3.2 billion from the Abia State Government’s treasury during Kalu’s tenure as governor.

    The offences contravened Sections 15(6), 16, and 21 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2005 and the Money Laundering Act of 1995 as amended by the amendment Act No.9 of 2002 and Section 477 of the Criminal Code Act, Laws of the Federation, 1990. (NAN)

  • Court grants N500,000 bail to whistleblower on Ekweremadu

    A Gudu Upper Area Court, Abuja, on Monday granted bail in the sum of N500,000 to 50-year-old businessman, Ahmed Echoda, who allegedly gave false information to the Police about Sen. Ike Ekweremadu’s guest house.

    The judge, Alhaji Umar Kagarko, also ordered the defendant‎ to provide one surety who must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and adjourned the case until July 20 for hearing.

    The defendant was arraigned on May 30 on a two-count charge, bordering on criminal conspiracy and giving false information to mislead a public servant, offences he denied committing.

    The judge had adjourned ruling on the defendant’s bail application after the defence counsel, Peters Ugwuoke, applied for his bai.

    The prosecutor, Malik Taiwo, had told the court that ‎the defendant and one Maiwada Adamu, now at large, had given false information to the Inspector General of Police, Special Tactical Squad, Force Headquarters, Abuja on May 26.

    He added that the defendant said House No. 10, Gamges St., Maitama, Abuja, was used for criminal activities, including storage of arms and ammunition .
    The guest house belongs to the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.
    ‎
    The prosecutor said that after the police carried out diligence execution of the search warrant, no incriminating items were found.

    He said by so doing, the defendant misled the police, adding that the offences contravened Sections 97 and 140 of the Penal Code.

  • Bill Cosby goes on trial for sexual assault

    Bill Cosby goes on trial for sexual assault

    For decades Bill Cosby was “America’s Dad,” loved by millions for his role as an affable doctor and benevolent father on long-running hit TV sitcom “The Cosby Show.”

    On Monday the disgraced 79-year-old goes on trial for aggravated indecent assault, accused of drugging and sexually assaulting a former university basketball director at his home in Philadelphia 13 years ago.

    Some 60 women have since emerged to publicly accuse Cosby of four decades of serial sexual abuse — pulverizing his reputation, ending his career and cementing a brutal fall from grace for an actor who shattered racial barriers.

    In remarkably similar allegations the women say that the pioneering black comedian gave them sedatives and alcohol, which left them powerless to resist his advances.

    But the trial in Norristown, Pennsylvania is likely to be the only criminal case brought against Cosby, formerly one of America’s most popular entertainers, as the vast majority of alleged abuse happened too long ago to prosecute.

    A 12-person jury in the Montgomery County Courthouse will decide Cosby’s guilt or innocence in a trial expected to last two weeks.

    If convicted, he risks spending the rest of his life behind bars on a minimum 10-year sentence and a $25,000 fine.

    His accuser is Andrea Constand, 44, who at the time was director of basketball operations at Temple University, Cosby’s alma mater.

    The comedian served on the university’s Board of Trustees until his resignation under an avalanche of scandal in 2014.

    Constand alleges that Cosby plied her with pills and wine, and then sexually assaulted her when she went to his home in early 2004 to discuss plans to move to Canada and switch careers.

  • Court grants Ajumogobia, Obla’s requests to travel abroad for medical treatment

    Court grants Ajumogobia, Obla’s requests to travel abroad for medical treatment

    An Ikeja High Court has granted an embattled Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia and Godwin Obla, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), both facing trial over alleged corruption, permission to travel abroad.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that on May 26, Ofili-Ajumogobia and Obla’s defence counsel, in separate applications, had requested for the release of the duo’s international passports, to enable them seek medical treatment overseas.

    Ofili-Ajumogobia, in a 17-paragraph affidavit in support of her application, claimed to be suffering from high blood pressure, hypertension, palpitations, and stress-related issues.

    Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), had opposed the applications, stating that it was a ploy to stall the trial, noting that their alleged illnesses could be treated in Nigeria.

    Justice Hakeem Oshodi, in a ruling on Thursday, ordered the release of their international passports which has been in the custody of the court, as part of their bail conditions.

    Oshodi also noted that the EFCC did not provide proof that the alleged illnesses of the defendants could be treated in Nigeria.

    “The prosecution failed to give evidence why the applicant’s sicknesses cannot be treated in Nigeria.

    “Also how the prosecutor came to the decision that the defendants would jump bail is best known to him.

    “I believe that the first defendant, as a Federal High Court Judge, has a lot to lose if she considers the idea of jumping bail.

    “The Chief Registrar is hereby ordered to release the international passport of the first defendant to enable her travel abroad between June 7 and June 13, 2017.

    “The first defendant must return the passport to the Chief Registrar on or before July 1, 2017,’’ Oshodi said.

    Granting Obla permission to travel to Houston, Texas, in the U.S. for medical treatment, Oshodi noted that the SAN’s passport must be returned to the court on July 4.

    “The second defendant is also granted leave to travel for medical treatment and must also return his passport to the Chief Registrar on July 4,’’ he said.

    After the ruling, Mr Charles Musa, a legal practitioner, testified as the tenth prosecution witness for the anti-graft agency.

    The EFFC, alleged that Musa, a classmate and friend of the judge, drafted the deed of agreement of Nigel and Colive Ltd, a company linked by the anti-graft agency to Ofili-Ajumogobia with another company, County and City Bricks Ltd.

    According to the EFCC, the account of Nigel and Colive Ltd, was allegedly used to launder funds illegally by Ofili-Ajumogobia during her tenure as a judge.

    Musa, who was being led in evidence by Oyedepo, denied signing or drafting the deed of agreement between the two companies.

    “I sent her an email about the terms of agreement between the companies and she did not get back to me again,” Musa said.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Ofili-Ajumogobia and Obla, a former prosecutor of the EFCC, are jointly charged on two-counts of perverting the course of justice.

    Obla is facing an additional two counts of offering gratification in the sum of N5 million to Ofili-Ajumogobia, a public official, while serving as a judge.

    Ofili-Ajumogobia faces a 26-count charge bordering on unlawful enrichment, taking property by a public officer, corruption by a public officer, forgery and giving false information to an official of the EFCC.

    Both denied all the charges.

    The case was adjourned until July 6 for continuation of trial.

     

     

    NAN