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Tag: Judge

  • Police confirm abduction of High Court judge

    Police confirm abduction of High Court judge

    The Police Command in Akwa Ibom has confirmed the abduction of a High Court Judge, Justice Joy Uwana and her driver in Oron Local Government Area of the state.

    According to reports, the judge was abducted on Monday along with her driver, while her police orderly was killed in the attack which occurred on Uyo-Okobo road.

    SP Odiko Macdon, spokesman of the police command in the state confirmed the incident to NAN on Tuesday in Uyo.

    He said that the police has commenced investigation to track the kidnappers and ensure the safe release of the judge and her driver.

    “The Command has received that report, a very bad dastardly act indeed.

    “We are on it and the Commissioner of Police, Olatoye Durusinmi has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the matter.

    “We have been on it all day and we will spare no resources in ensuring that the needful is done to ensure that she reunites with her family.

    “Our heart goes to the family of the deceased officer attached to the judge, who was brutally murdered.

    “It is very unfortunate; this is not what Akwa Ibom is known for,” Macdon said.

    He urged people in the state to go about their normal businesses, and assured that the perpetrators of the heinous crime would be brought to book.

    Macdon said the police command would continue to synergise with sister security agencies to ensure that the state remain peaceful.

    He warned criminal elements in the state to relocate as the state is no more conducive for their heinous crimes.

    “We enjoin the good people of Akwa Ibom to go about their lawful businesses,” the command spokesman added.

  • Police in Benue arrest 4 over murder of retired judge

    Police in Benue arrest 4 over murder of retired judge

    Police in Benue paraded four suspected killers of former President of Benue Customary Court of Appeal, retired Justice Margaret Igbetar, before newsmen on Tuesday in Makurdi.

    Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Bartholomew Onyeka, told newsmen that the suspects confessed that they killed the jurist over family inheritance.

    The decomposing body of retired Justice Igbetar was found with deep cults on her back inside her kitchen on Aug. 24.

    Onyeka said following her gruesome murder police arrested one Joseph Aondohemba, her nephew.

    “The suspect confessed to have planned and recruited other people to help him to kill his aunty and led a team of detectives to Adikpo in Kwande Local Government Area where two others were arrested.

    “The two arrested at Adikpo were Igbazenda Gbidye (63) and Dzungwenen Ukor (40).

    “These suspects admitted that Aondohemba reported to them that his father died and left a lot of property in the hands of his aunty (the deceased) and she had refused to hand the said property over to him.

    “They agreed to join him in eliminating her so he could have access to his property.

    “One Akuhwa Barnabas (32), driver to the deceased, corroborated their statements and admitted that he gave the gang access to the house and manned the gate until they finished the assassination process.’’ Onyeka said.

    The police commissioner added that the four suspects would be arraigned after the completion of investigation.

    Onyeka also told newsmen that between July and September, police in Benue arrested 85 persons in connection with kidnapping, armed robbery, culpable homicide, cultism, rape and unlawful possession of firearms.

    The police recovered 12 locally-made pistols, four AK47 riffles, four single and double barrel guns, 160 ammunitions and four cartridges, during the period, he said.

    Onyeka assured that police would soon secure the release of Benue Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Mathew Abo, who was kidnapped recently.

    NAN

  • Don’t blame judges for delays in justice dispensation, says Appeal Court Judge

    Don’t blame judges for delays in justice dispensation, says Appeal Court Judge

    Hajiya Binta Zubairu, Justice of the Court of Appeal (JCA) on Sunday in Zaria said judges are not the cause of delay in the dispensation of justice as erroneously believed by some Nigerians.

    Zubairu made this known on the sidelines of a reception organised in her honour in Zaria on recent elevation as a Justice of the Court.

    Judges are being wrongly accused of delay in dispensing justice by the public.

    “Judges work as a team with the prosecution, lawyers and others. Speedy dispensation of justice requires the prompt efforts of the police, prosecution, assembling of exhibits by lawyers and presenting them correctly before the judges in court in accordance with the laws.

    “Most times  the judges or magistrates are ready to adjudicate but the prosecution would not be ready or the lawyers will come with one excuse or the other.

    “These are facts that are glaring in Courts but because we the judges can’t voice out their frustration, all the blames are shifted and heaped on us, ” she said.

    She said most times it takes the police longer than usual to conclude investigation in a simple case.

    Zubairu commended the  Zazzau emirate for identifying and rejoicing with her over her promotion and appointment.

    According to her, her elevation to the court of appeal is for the joy of the entire Zazzau Emirate and humanity.

    She expressed gratitude to the Almighty God for making her the first female in the Zazzau Emirate to be elevated to the rank of Justice of the Court of Appeal.

    “As a child, it was not my wish to be a magistrate or a judge. I wanted was be a principal of a school.

    “I wanted to be a principal because as a kid I desired to see that all children go to school to be educated.

    “I have not in my wildest imagination, thought I will be a judge but destiny took me to the judiciary,’’ she said.

    Earlier, the Emir of Zazzau, Malam Ahmad Bamalli said “the emirate was proud of justice Zubairu’s as the first female from the emirate to attain that height in the judiciary.

    The emir enjoined the celebrant to be good ambassador of the emirate by exhibiting high sense of honesty and professionalism in her endeavour.

    Also speaking, the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force Committee on prison decongestion and former FCT Chief Judge, Justice Ishaq Bello urged young judges to imbibe the culture of hard-work and dedication to enable them excel.

    Bello while congratulating Justice  Zubairu, advised her to follow the ethics of the profession for effective delivery.

    NAN

  • Justice Igbetar: Police vow to unearth mystery surrounding her assassination

    Justice Igbetar: Police vow to unearth mystery surrounding her assassination

    The Benue State Police Command has launched a massive investigation to unearth the mystery surrounding the assassination of a retired Judge of the Benue State Customary Appeal Court, Justice Margaret Igbetar.

    Justice Igbetar was reportedly killed by persons suspected to be assassins at her residence in Makurdi on Thursday.

    A statement by the Benue State Police Command said some arrests have been made and vital exhibits for comprehensive investigation recovered.

    The statement signed by the Benue Police Public Relations Officer, Anene Catherine read,

    “On 24/8/2023 at about 1530hrs information was received at ‘E’ Police Division Makurdi, that Justice Margaret Mary Igbetar (rtd) could not respond to calls and was nowhere to be found. Detectives were immediately deployed for investigation.

    “A search conducted within her house at Wantor Kwange street, Gboko road, Makurdi led to the discovery of her dead body in a pool of blood inside her kitchen. It was also observed that she had deep cuts at her back.

    “Further investigation led to the arrest of one Aondohemba Joseph and recovery of exhibits for detailed investigation.

    While commiserating with family and friends of the deceased, the Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, CP. Bartholomew Nnamdi Onyeka PSC (+) condemned the dastardly act, assuring of his commitment to unravel the mystery behind the death and bring perpetrators of this barbaric act to book.

  • Nigerian judiciary mourns as two judges passed on same day

    Nigerian judiciary mourns as two judges passed on same day

    It was a black Sunday for the Nigerian judiciary as Justice Chima Centus Nweze of the Supreme Court and Justice Peter Hoommuk Mallong of the Federal High Court passed away last Sunday.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) two senior judicial officers died on July 30.

    The spokesman of the Supreme Court, Dr. Festus Akande confirmed the development when contacted a moment ago.

    In a brief statement, the Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court, Hassan Sulaiman, also confirmed Justice Mallong’s death.

    Sulaiman’s statement reads: “It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the death of our own, hon. Justice Peter Hoommuk Mallong,a judge of the Federal High Court, who passed away on 30th July 2023 unexpectedly after a brief illness in Abuja.

    “We will miss him more than words can express. Funeral arrangements will be communicated to the public in due time.”

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has expressed shock about Justice Nweze’s death.

    In a statement by NBA’s National Publicity Secretary, Akorede Lawal, the association’ President, Yakubu Maikyau (SAN) was said to have recieved the news of Justice Nweze’s passing with shock..

    It reads: “The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, OON, SAN has received with shock and dismay the news of the passing of Hon. Justice Chima Centus Nweze, Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, which sad event occurred on Sunday, 30 July, 2023.

    “Hon. Justice Nweze was an astute and erudite jurist. His lordship’s numerous decisions have shaped, impacted and developed our law and jurisprudence. He was a disciplined, hardworking, and courageous judicial officer.

    “The NBA President condoles with the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kayode Ariwoola, GCON, the entire Nigerian Judiciary, the government and people of Enugu State, friends and family of Hon. Justice Nweze over the demise of his lordship and prays that the Almighty God comforts his lordship’s family and friends.”

  • Counsel staff mebers’ ill health stalls hearing in Obi, LP petition at PEPC

    Counsel staff mebers’ ill health stalls hearing in Obi, LP petition at PEPC

    Hearing in the election petition of the Labour Party and its presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi was stalled at the Presidential Election Petition Court, (PEPC) on Wednesday in Abuja.

    At the resumed hearing, counsel to the petitioners, Prof. Awa Kalu, SAN told the court that he was constrained to ask for an adjournment due to unforseen circumstances.

    “My lords, our plan was to continue our case but we had an unexpected development at the secretariat.

    “The unexpected development has to do with the  Illness of two of our key staff members for which reason I am constrained to pray for an adjournment until tomorrow.”

    When the presiding judge, Justice Haruna Tsammani asked for the response of Mr. Abubakar Mahmoud, SAN, counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) he said he was not opposing the application.

    “My lords I thought learned counsel would have given us heads up on this, however, in the circumstance,  I am constrained not to object and this will count as a day out of their three weeks.”

    Counsel to the All Progressives Congress, (APC) Mr. Lateef Fagbemi, SAN and that of President Bola Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima also did not object to the application.

    Justice Tsammani then adjourned the matter until Thursday saying today would be counted as a day within the petitioners’ three weeks.

    Speaking to newsmen, Kalu said that the set back would not affect his client’s case.

    He said that his team would use the remaining days to prove his client’s case.

    Having told the PEPC that they would need three weeks to prove their case, the petitioners now have 19 days to go.

  • Judge drops sentence for Mexican woman convicted of killing rapist

    Judge drops sentence for Mexican woman convicted of killing rapist

    An indigenous woman in Mexico who was sentenced to six years and two months for killing her rapist may not go back to prison, as a judge suspended her sentence.

    The judge suspended criminal proceedings at the request of the public prosecutor’s office, which reviewed the case again and decided to withdraw the charges.

    The relatives of the deceased man can appeal.

    The woman, known as Roxana R, was found guilty on May 15 of using excessive force to defend herself against her rapist in 2021.

    According to the report, the woman, 23, first knocked the perpetrator unconscious, strangled him, and finally tried to dismember the body.

    She kept the body for at least 20 hours and then brought it to the street in a plastic bag.

    The court acknowledged that the woman acted in self-defence when she killed her attacker in 2021, but said she used excessive force.

    When the verdict came down, the woman said “it was my life or his life.”

    She said she feared for her life and “only wanted to defend her life from a rapist.”

    The single mother from the southern state of Oaxaca, who women’s organisations supported, spent nine months in pre-trial detention before being released for the duration of the trial.

  • Judge denies nullifying Abia Gov-elect, Otti’s candidacy

    Judge denies nullifying Abia Gov-elect, Otti’s candidacy

    A Federal High Court denied nullifying the candidature of the Abia Governor-elect, Dr Alex Otti.

    The court, however, said it nullified the election of the candidates for Kano Labour Party(LP) that contested during the 2023 General Election.

    A  plaintiff, Mr Ibrahim Haruna-Ibrahim, had filed an application seeking the court to revoke and set aside the certificate of return issued to all LP candidates declared winner in Kano and the 35 states of the Federation including the FCT Abuja.

    The respondents in the suit are: Labour Party and Independent National Electoral Commission.

    Justice Muhammad Nasir-Yunusa, said the candidates who participated in the 2023 general election in Abia were not parties before his court.

    “This court lacks jurisdiction to make an order for the issuance of certificate of return.

    “They are at liberty to seek redress in the appropriate Division of the court” he said

    He said INEC was bound to insist receiving the registered members of the first respondent and that of other political parties 30 days before primary election in compliance with section 77(3) of the electoral act 2022.

    The section states that a party that has not complied with the section 77(2)(3) of the electoral act 2022 cannot be declared winner of the election.

    The court declared the primary election of LP in Kano as null and void” Nasir-Yunusa said.

  • Niger judiciary fires judge, demotes two

    Niger judiciary fires judge, demotes two

    Niger State Judicial Service Commission (NJSC) has dismissed from service the Magistrate Court Judge of Salka in Magama local government council of the state, Mohammed Bako Iya over gross misconduct and abuse of Judicial power.

    Announcing the development at a press briefing in the state capital, Minna, the Secretary of the commission, Abdulrahman Ahmed Garafini, also stated that the Commission has demoted two sharia court judges by one grade level.

    They are Abdullahi Nasiru, the Sharia Judge of Kotun Bola, Minna, and his colleague in Badeggi, Mohammed Baba Enagi.

    They were accused of misconduct and abuse of office.

    The NJSC secretary said the sanctioned judicial officers would also serve a tutelage of one year in other courts.

    The decisions of the commission, he said, were taken at its 136th meeting this month after consideration of the recommendations by the committees set up to investigate petitions against the judges.

    According to him, out of seven petitions, three were against the dismissed judge, adding that two were sufficiently proved by the petitioners.

    He told reporters that the report and recommendations of the Justice Mohammed Mohammed-led committee also indicted Mohammed Bako for “practically jettisoning his call as a judicial officer” by representing and shielding a suspect, Saba Idris, from arrest by police and the court.

  • Just In: Unidentified gunmen kill judge while presiding in Imo

    Just In: Unidentified gunmen kill judge while presiding in Imo

    Unidentified gunmen on Thursday, allegedly murdered one Nnaemeka Ugboma, the chairman of Ejemekwuru Customary Court in the Oguta Local Government Area (LGA) of Imo State.

    According to monitored report , Ugboma was killed by gunmen who operated in motorcycles while presiding over a court session.

    The incident brought the court sitting to an abrupt end as lawyers, court staff and litigants fled.

    The slain jurist hailed from Nnebukwu community in Oguta LGA.

    “He was killed in his court while sitting. His killers came with motorcycles. They came into the court, dragged him out and shot him dead and drove off.

    “His corpse was there as people in court fled. The whole thing is confusing because nobody knew any reason why they killed him. He was from Nnebukwu community in Oguta LGA here,” a source said.

    When contacted, the Chairman of the Owerri branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ugochukwu Allinor, who confirmed the killing said that the branch would communicate to the public soon.

    The spokesperson for the police in the state, Henry Okoye, did not take his calls when contacted and he had yet to respond to a text message sent to his mobile number as of the time of filing this report.

    The slain judge is the Elder brother to Ms Chioma Ugboma of News Agency Of Nigeria