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Tag: Customary Court

  • Delta gets new Customary Court of Appeal President

    Delta gets new Customary Court of Appeal President

    Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta on Tuesday swore in Justice Catherine Ojugbana-Orishedere as the Acting President of the state Customary Court of Appeal.

    In a speech at the event in Asaba, Okowa said that his adminstration had provided the state judiciary with the right tools, personnel and conducive environment for ease of administering justice.

    He gave assurance that his outgoing administration would not cease to promote the growth and development of native laws and customs.

    “As this administration winds down, we can take pride in our modest efforts to provide the judiciary with the right tools, personnel and environment conducive to administer justice without any let or hindrance.

    “Overall, I believe we have fared well in improving the welfare and working conditions of the bench and the staff in the customary court system, within the limits of available resources,” he said.

    Okowa affirmed that Section 6 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), from which the Nigerian Judiciary derives its powers to administer justice, empowered District and Area Customary Courts to adjudicate in land disputes, marriage, succession, inheritance, guardianship and custody of children in rural communities.

    He said that those charged with the responsibility of administering justice under the customary court system “must be men and women of impeccable character”, free from selfishness, greed and covetousness.

    He further said that the judges must also be driven by the principles of natural justice, fair hearing, equity, common sense and good conscience, being the bedrock of the customary court system.

    Okowa poured encomium on Ojugbana-Orishedere, saying that she had demonstrated a high standard of professionalism and ethical conduct that would enable her to succeed in her new position.

    According to the governor, her appointment was on merit and well-deserved.

    He said that Ojugbana-Orishedere’s appointment followed Justice Patience Onuwa Elumeze’s retirement on Monday upon her attainment of the mandatory 65 years.

    “Today’s swearing-in of Justice Ojugbana-Orishedere is in line with the 1999 Constitution (As Amended), which stipulates that the highest-ranking judge in the Customary Court of Appeal will act as President, pending its confirmation by the National Judicial Council.

    “I note with delight that Justice Ojugbana-Orishedere comes prepared for the office having served in various capacities in the customary court system as Assistant Chief Registrar, Deputy Chief Registrar, Accounting Officer, Chief Registrar and judge,” Okowa said.

    He described Ojugbana-Orishedere as an erudite jurist, versatile academic, experienced administrator and dedicated public servant, who presided over Area Customary Courts in Kwale, Ogharefe and Koko at different times in her distinguished career.

    The governor urged her to redouble her efforts by being a good example of hard work, transparency, accountability, fairness and justice.

    Responding, Ojugbana-Orishedere said that she was humbled by her appointment and thanked the governor for finding her worthy to serve.

    She also thanked the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Theresa Diai, for the part she played in her appointment and her continued support to judges in the progress of the judiciary.

    She paid special tribute to her predecessor, Elumeze, for her inspiring role in the dispensation of justice in the state.

  • Insecurity: Imo Police commence manhunt for killers of Customary Court Chairman

    Insecurity: Imo Police commence manhunt for killers of Customary Court Chairman

    The Imo Police Command has confirmed Thursday’s killing of a Customary Court Judge, Mr Nnaemeka Ugboma, while presiding over a matter.

    The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, ASP Henry Okoye, confirmed the incident in Owerri on Friday.

    Okoye said that the incident happened at Ejemekwuru, under Obudi-Agwa Division, in Oguta Local Government Area of the state.

    He said that the command had commenced a manhunt for the assailants.
    “We have commenced investigation to fish out the perpetrators of the dastardly act in order to bring them to justice,” he said.

    A reliable source told newsmen on the condition of anonymity that the gunmen came into the courtroom, dragged him out and shot him in the head and zoomed off.

    “He was just about to rise for the day when the incident occurred,” the source further said.

    It was learnt that some soldiers rushed down to the scene and took the victim to the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, where he was reportedly confirmed dead by a doctor.

    The source further said that the attackers went to the place in a commercial minibus.

    Thenewsguru.com reports that the manner of the gruesome murder of the 55-year-old Customary Court Chairman has introduced a new dimension to the complex security challenge in the state.

    It further raised more concerns about the precarious security situation in the state.

    Recall that on Jan. 24, gunmen attacked and killed Christian Ihim, the APC Chairman in Umuchoke ward in Okwe, Onuimo Local Government Area of the state.

    The attackers reportedly also kidnapped five other chieftains of the party in the community.
    Earlier on Jan. 19, gunmen attacked and kidnapped the Sole Administrator of Ideato North Local Government Area, Christopher Ohizu.

    Ohizu, who was kidnapped in his residence in Arondizuogu, alongside two others, also had his building and vehicles, razed down by the gunmen.

    Also, on Dec. 15, 2022, the Labour Party candidate for Onuimo State Constituency, Christopher Elehu, was killed after the gunmen set his Okwe country home ablaze.

    A fortnight ago, gunmen attacked a Police check point at Ihitte Junction on Owerri-Aba Road, Owerri, killing a female police sergeant, Chinyere Obialor, during a gun duel.

    Meanwhile, the state Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr Ugochukwu Alinnor, has described the killing as “unjustified and alien to us as a people. “It is to say the least, insane.

    “These are desperate times and desperate measures must be taken,” Alinnor stated.

    Also, the state Secretary of the association, Mr Chukwurah Onuorah, condemned the incident, describing the murder of Ugboma as the height of insecurity in the state.

    Onuorah said: “A court is a place we consider as sacred, same way we consider the Church or temple.
    “A person who presides over in the court is a priest and the person is there to render justice.

    “Someone who was out to render justice now met with injustice because of the poor system in the country.”

  • Edo judge rescued in gun battle, policeman killed

    Edo judge rescued in gun battle, policeman killed

    The abducted President of Igueben Area Customary Court, Mrs. Precious Aigbonoga, has been rescued while a policeman lost his life in the process.

    She was rescued in the early hours of Thursday by a combined team of military operatives and police special anti-kidnapping squad attached to the police headquarters in Benin City, at a place called scorpion heel, inside the forest where she was held captive.

    Recall that Mrs. Aigbonoga was abducted on Monday, January 9, around Ugoneki axis on her way to Igueben Local Government Area of Edo State for a court sitting.

    Announcement of her rescue was made known in a statement signed by Chief Nosa Francis Edo-Osagie and Festus Osagie Usiobaifo Esq; Chairman and Publicity Secretary of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Benin Branch, respectively.

    According to the statement, “His Honour was rescued unhurt in the early hours of today, 12th day of January 2022, following an attack launched against the kidnappers…

    “It was gathered that in the process of rescuing the victim, there was an exchange of heavy gunfire between the police and the bandits which led to one of the gallant police officers paying the ultimate price.”

    Mrs. Aigbonoga was reportedly shot by the kidnappers and is receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.

    The NBA team while appreciating the police for its prompt intervention in the rescue of the victim, also commiserated with the Edo state Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Adamu Dankwara, on the loss of his gallant officer, even as he prayed to God Almighty to grant the family of the slain officer the fortitude to bear the loss.

    They expressed appreciation to Nigerians, especially members of the Benin Bar for standing by the family of Mrs Precious Aigbonoga during her time in captivity.

  • My husband wants to kill me with charm on our bed, woman tells court

    My husband wants to kill me with charm on our bed, woman tells court

    A middle aged woman, Maria Yakubu, has on Friday, dragged her husband, Gana Yakubu, to a Customary Court sitting in Nyanya, Abuja, for allegedly spreading charm on her bed.

    The businesswoman said this in a divorce petition she filed against her husband in court.

    According to her, “Since we finished building our new house and moved in, I and my husband started having misunderstandings, whenever I come back home, it’s always one problem or the other.

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    “Sometimes my husband will come home with another woman. Just to get me angry, I never reacted, it was not easy but I kept trying not to react.

    “On one faithful day, I came back home and entered my room, and saw charm on my bed, I confronted my husband and he denied, then I involved the police. My husband later confessed that he was the one that spread the charm.”

    Maria further begged the court to grant her divorce, saying: “I don’t want to die in this marriage.”

    The presiding judge, Shitta Abdullahi, however, adjourned the case until Monday, August 8, for defence hearing.

  • Lagos govt fires judge who dissolved marriage, snatched complainants’ wife

    Lagos govt fires judge who dissolved marriage, snatched complainants’ wife

    The Lagos State Government has fired a customary court member, Ishola Razaki Adeyemi for a gross misconduct and violations of rules.

    Seven years ago , Adeyemi allegedly dissolved a marriage and afterwards engaged the wife of the complainant, Olayemi Ayeni.

    In a viral video, Ayeni  had accused Adeyemi of dissolving his marriage, denying him access to the children and impregnating the woman.

    Meanwhile, Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) said the case was being  investigated by the Judicial Service Commission.

    A statement by the Executive Secretary, Titilola Vivour Adeniyi gave an update on the matter.

    Adeniyi said findings of the investigation “subsequently led to the termination of the appointment of the Member of the Customary Court”.

    The official mentioned that the agency has made frantic efforts to reach out to the social media accounts of the poster of Adeyemi’s rant videos.

    “Unfortunately, their accounts have not been active since 2018. All efforts to reach out to the complainant have been to no avail,” he said.

    The DVSA urged anyone with useful information about him to reach out via @dsvrt on twitter or @dsva on instagram or on 0813-796-0048.

    In July 2020, Chief Judge of Lagos, Justice Kazeem Alogba spoke ostensibly about the matter.

    While swearing in 5 presidents and 16 members to the bench of the Customary Court, he warned them to avoid conflict of interest.

    Alogba revealed that there had been complaints of court officials taking wives or husbands of litigants.

    “We get complaints about members and presidents taking over litigants’ wives, but I have implicit trust in you.

    “You are all looking very handsome but please let that handsomeness tell in your work, not in other people’s wives”, he said.

  • Polygamy: Marrying another wife is allowed – Court rules

    Polygamy: Marrying another wife is allowed – Court rules

    An Igando Customary Court has ruled that marrying another wife is allowed in African tradition, especially when the parties were married under the native law and tradition.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Customary Court, presided over by Mr Koledoye Adeniyi gave the ruling on Thursday while dissolving a 30-year-old marriage between one Kayode Akinyade and Iyabode.

    In the ruling, the President of the court said the marriage between the couple could no longer stand on allegations of fetishes, disrespect, home abandonment, infidelity, quarrels and threat to life.

    He ruled that there was no more love after a careful review of the allegations and counter-allegations by the litigants.

    The court, however, found nothing wrong with the petitioner marrying another wife, saying it is allowed in African tradition, especially when the parties were married under the native law and tradition.

    It said that the evidence of the parties did not show that Kayode did anything at any point to empower his wife to reciprocate her efforts in supporting him as his first wife.

    It frowned at the way the respondent abandoned her matrimonial home for years without her husband’s consent.

    On the issue of fetishes, the court said it believes in the efficacy of charms, being a customary court.

    It, however, said that the petitioner could not prove it against the respondent.

    Kayode, who was the petitioner, dragged his wife to court, accusing her of fetish practices and threatening his life.

  • “My wife is stronger than I am, she beats me at will,” husband tells court

    “My wife is stronger than me and she has turned me into a punching bag,” a man, Lukman Owolabi, told a Customary Court sitting in Ikole in Ekiti State on Thursday.

    The wife had filed a suit seeking the dissolution of their 23-year-old marriage over constant fighting and threat to life.

    However, the husband, who denied beating his wife, told the court his wife was one who had been beating him, saying “she is stronger than me.”

    “My wife beats me whenever we fight because she has power more than me.”

    Owolabi, who said the marriage had produced six children of between ages six and 22, urged the court to dissolve the union.

    Apart from the vexed issue of constant beating by the wife and threat to life, the estranged couple also wanted the court to intervene in a landed property to ascertain the legitimate owner between them.

    The wife, Esther, who operates a restaurant and bar in the town, claimed ownership of the land, while the husband insisted the land belongs to him.

    The President of the court, Mrs Yemisi Ojo, fixed further hearing for Feb. 13.

     

  • Court dissolves 9-year-old marriage for frequent provocation, beating

    An Ado-Ekiti Customary Court on Tuesday dissolved a nine-year-old marriage between Yemi Lawrence and her husband, Alaba, for frequent provocation, beating, and molestation.

    The President of the court, Mr. Joseph Ogunsemi‎, held that the marriage had broken down and consequently dissolved the marriage.

    Ogunsemi awarded custody of the three male children to the petitioner and ordered the respondent to pay N5,000 as monthly upkeep allowance on each of the children and be responsible for their education at all levels.

    He ordered that the upkeep allowance be deposited with the court’s registrar for onward delivery to the petitioner.

    Ogunsemi, however, ruled that the petitioner should allow the respondent to have access to his children.

    He also ordered that the respondent should not be seen around the vicinity of the house of the petitioner unless with the consent of the petitioner.

    Yemi, a 31-year-old food vendor, had told the court on Oct. 4 that Alaba beats her up for trivial reasons, especially whenever she denies him sex.

    She said her husband failed ‎ to provide money for the feeding of their children and whenever she asked him for money, he would beat her up.

    The mother of three tendered the pictures of the injuries she sustained as a result of the incessant beatings.

    She told the court that she had to leave the house with her three male children to save her life, and appealed to the court to dissolve the marriage to enable her have peace of mind.

    The respondent, Alaba of no fixed address, refused to appear in court even after he was duly served a summons from the court.