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Tag: Judge

  • Alleged N580. 2m theft: Court remands 2 Shari’a Court judges, cashier, 16 others

    Alleged N580. 2m theft: Court remands 2 Shari’a Court judges, cashier, 16 others

    A Kano Chief Magistrates’ Court on Thursday ordered that two State Shari’a Court judges, a cashier and 16 other financial registrars be remanded in a correction centre for alleged N580.2 million theft.

    The police charged Bashir Kurawa, Saadatu Umar, Tijjani Abdullahi, Maryam Jibrin-Garba, Shamsu Sani and Hussaina Imam with five counts of criminal conspiracy, joint act, criminal breach of trust by public servant, theft and forgery.

    Others are Sani Ali Muhammad, Sani Buba-Aliyu, Bashir Baffa, Garzali Wada,, Hadi Tijjani Mu’azu, Alkasim Abdullahi, Yusuf Abdullahi, Mustapha Bala Ibrahim, Jafar Ahmad, Adamu Balarabe, Aminu Abdulkadir,Abdullahi Zango and Garba Yusuf.

    Chief Magistrate Mustapha Sa’ad-Datti, ordered the remand of the defendants and adjourned the matter until Feb.1, for hearing

    Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, Mr Zahraddeen Kofar-Mata told the court that an official complaint was received by the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission from the State Ministry of Justice on Aug. 20, 2021.

    He alleged that between 2020 and 021, Imam used her position as a cashier at the State Shari’a Court of Appeal, conspired with four others and one Suleiman now at large, to forge letter head papers of Sharia Court of Appeal.

    “The defendants forged the signatures of the two signatories to the Stanbic IBTC bank account 0020667440 belonging to the Kano State Sharia Court of Appeal and stole N484 million.

    Kofar-Mata alleged that the defendants fraudulently authorised the bank to transfer the amount to various bank accounts without the consent of the authorised persons.

    He also alleged thatv from 2018 to 2021, the defendants criminally conspired, breached the trust as a public servant, acted jointly and create 15 fake civil servants’ death benefit files and fraudulently siphoned the sum of N96.2 million.

    “The N96.2 million was remitted by the Kano State Pension Fund Trustee to the bank accounts of Kano State Sharia Court Appeal.

    “The defendants stole the said amount through eight Sharia Courts under the Kano State Sharia Court Appeal without the consent of the authorizing authority”

    The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge. According to the prosecutor, the offence contravened the provisions of sections 97, 79, 315, 287 and 363 of Penal Code.

    The Defence Counsel, Malam Garzali Datti, prayed the court to exercise its jurisdiction judiciously and admit the defendants on bail.

    He argued that the application was brought pursuant to section 35 and 36 of the constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria,1999 as amended,168 and 172 of Administration of Criminal Justice Law 2019 Kano.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • NBA attacks Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi for uncomplimentary comments over court Judgment

    NBA attacks Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi for uncomplimentary comments over court Judgment

    The Nigeria Bar Association NBA has condemned in totality the reactions of Ebonyi state governor, Dave Umahi towards the judgment delivered by the Federal High court Abuja .

    Recall that the federal high court in Abuja ruled that the Ebony state governor Dave Umahi alongside his deputy Eric Igwe should vacate their offices for defecting to APC from PDP under which platform they got the mandate.

    Reacting to the judgment, the Governor used uncomplimentary words to describe it and called the judge Hon Justice Ekwo many uncomplimentary names among which are. Umahi decribed the judgment as a jungle justice and labelled the judge ” hatchet man”

    NBA also chided the governor for arrogating for himself judicial powers and magisterial authority when he declared the judgment of a court of jurisdiction ”null and void” saying it an executive rascality taken too far”

    In a statement released by the body, the actions of the governor were described as impunity and rascality of the highest order .

    The NBA has made it clear that it is not interested in the outcome of the case and will continue to stay out of partisan politics but wouldn’t sit idly and watch the judiciary dragged in the mud by the governor.

    The association stated that it got series of calls from sections of people in the country over the misguided comments from the governor and have demanded that appropriate sanctions be taken to protect the sanctity of the judiciary.

    The body has described the overall actions of the governor Umahi as shocking and a national embarrassment to all and sundry.

    According to the statement the NBA had expected the governor to sue for calm for his supporters and assure them that all legal and constitutional avenues would be exploited to challenge the judgment instead of denigrating the office of the judge.

     

  • Evans showed no remorse during trial despite huge evidence – Judge

    Evans showed no remorse during trial despite huge evidence – Judge

    After a five-year trial, kidnap kingpin, Chukwudimeme Onwuamadike alias Evans, on Friday got life imprisonment for conspiring with two others to kidnap Mr Donatius Dunu, Chief Executive Officer, Maydon Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

    Justice Hakeem Oshodi of an Ikeja High Court, who passed the sentence, said that Evans and two others did not show any remorse during the trial in spite of huge evidence against them.

    Lagos State Government prosecuted Evans and five others before the court.

    In a three-hour judgment, Oshodi held that the state proved its case beyond reasonable doubt against Evans and two of his co-defendants – Uche Amadi and Okwuchukwu Nwachukwu.

    The judge convicted the trio on a two-count charge of conspiracy and kidnapping.

    He, however, discharged and acquitted the other co-defendants – Ogechi Uchechukwu, Chilaka Ifeanyi an ex-soldier; and Victor Aduba, also an ex-soldier.

    Oshodi held that there was no evidence linking them to the crimes.

    “It has to be stated that none of the three defendants showed any remorse during the trial. Despite the huge evidence stacked against them, they tried to lie their way out.

    “The court is also mindful of the harrowing experience of the victim of the kidnapping, to be restrained and blindfolded during the period of his captivity until his escape.

    “A lesson must be taught. In this respect, the law is the law which must be upheld.

    “Section 2(1) of the Kidnapping Prohibition Law of Lagos State, 2017 prescribes a punishment of life imprisonment. The court has no discretion.

    “In this respect, the first, second and fourth defendants – Chukwudimeme Onwuamadike a.k.a Evans, Uche Amadi and Okwuchukwu Nwachukwu – are each hereby sentenced to life imprisonment. This is the sentence of the court,” he held.

    Earlier, Oshodi dismissed an allegation made by Evans in his final written address to the effect that he was tortured by the police into confessing to the crimes, in contravention of Section 9(3) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law.

    The judge said that two video tapes of Evans’s confession to the police, which where played in court, showed him smiling while admitting to the crimes.

    He added that a close analysis of his physical appearance in the videos showed no evidence of torture.

    Oshodi noted that during the trial, Evans claimed that on Feb. 14, 2017, the day Dunu was kidnapped, he was at home with his wife.

    “He never elected to call his wife to corroborate this crucial fact, instead, he elected to call his sister (Mrs Ndubuisi Obiechina) to give evidence on his behalf.

    “His sister, during cross-examination, agreed that she did not know the movement of the first defendant (Evans) on Feb. 14, 2017.

    “Without mincing words, the evidence of DW2 (Obiechina) is tainted.

    “She decided to focus on the extrajudicial statement made by the first defendant despite the fact that the court had undertaken an investigation on the validity of the statement in a trial-within-trial,” he said.

    Before the sentence was passed, counsel to Evans, Mr H. O. Ajibola, in his allocutus (plea for mercy), told the court that he believed that Evans had turned a new leaf.

    “I pray my lord tempers justice with mercy; this is his first conviction,” he said.

    Counsel to Amadi, Ms Evelyn Obogwu, said that her client was a first-time offender.

    “He has a son and aged parents who depend on him for livelihood. I urge my lord to be lenient,” she prayed.

    Mr Olanrewaju Ajanaku, counsel to Nwachukwu, also pleaded for mercy for his client, saying that the father of three had become remorseful.

    “I pray your lordship will temper justice with mercy and integrate him into the society because he has learnt his lesson and seen the folly of his ways,” he said.

    Lagos State Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Ms Titilayo Shitta-Bey, in her response, prayed for a harsh sentence on the convicts to serve as a deterrent.

    “In view of the gravity of the offence which is very prevalent in our society, I urge this honourable court to impose a harsh sentence that will serve as a deterrent to people of similar minds.

    “The message has to be sent out loud and clear, through the punishment meted out to the defendants, that there will be zero tolerance for this type of criminal act in our society,” Shitta-Bey said.

    NAN reports that this is the first judgment delivered in the five kidnapping trials Evans is facing at the various High Courts of Lagos State.

    Evans and his co-defendants were arraigned before Oshodi on Aug. 31, 2017, on a two-count charge of conspiracy and kidnapping.

    According to prosecution, Dunu was kidnapped by Evans and his other gang members on Feb. 14, 2017, on Obokun Street, Ilupeju Road, Lagos State, and was shackled and blindfolded during his 88-day ordeal.

    It said that the gang collected 223,000 euros as ransom from Dunu’s family for his release.

    Prosecution closed its case on Jan. 10, 2020, after presenting four witnesses, including Dunu

    Defence closed its case on Aug. 3, 2021, after the six defendants and Evans’s sister, Mrs Ndubuisi Obiechina testified.

    The offences are in violation of Section 2(1) of the Kidnapping Prohibition Law, No. 13, Laws of Lagos State, 2017, and Section 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    NAN

  • UMOREN: How DSS gave me questions and answers to rehearse- Suspect

    UMOREN: How DSS gave me questions and answers to rehearse- Suspect

    Uduak Akpan, the first accused person in the murder of Iniubong Umoren, a final year student of the Department of Philosophy, University of Uyo, on Wednesday, told an Akwa Ibom State High Court how the DSS officers gave him the answers and the questions to rehearse before his video recording.

    Umoren admitted he was the person speaking in the video CD played before the trial judge, Justice Bassey Nkanang.

    The defendant informed the court that he was tortured to sign a statement given to him at the Department of Security Services.

    At the resumed hearing on trial within trial in Uyo, the state capital, on Wednesday, the suspected murderer said he signed the statement to avoid more slaps and beatings from DSS officers.

    The trial judge had adjourned the case for a mini-trial to be conducted, in order to determine the voluntariness of that statement.

    Recalled that counsel to Uduak Akpan, Barr. Sampson Adula, had, last week, objected to its admissibility on grounds that it was not made voluntarily.

    Speaking while being cross-examined during the mini-trial, Uduak Akpan who is facing a two-count of rape and murder admitted that he was the person speaking in the video CD played in the court, but stated that the DSS officers gave him the answers and the questions to rehearse before the video recording.

    He said, “They said I should practice those questions and answers and they also said when they start recording that I should give them the answers according to what I practiced.”

    The first accused had also disowned the statements that two Police officers, the IPO and ASP had testified that he made to them in the course of their investigation in the matter.

    However, when cross-examined in the trial-within-trial, the DSS investigator, Ama Okeke (PW10) told the court that the allegation that the first accused made the statement the Prosecuting Counsel sought to tender in evidence involuntarily was not correct.

    The prosecution witness testified that the DSS has a standard interrogation room with electronic gadgets, cameras, recorder, pen, tables, chairs etc, where a suspect could relax to write or make his or her statement voluntarily.

    “And when the first accused person was in this room, he was asked if he knows why he was in the DSS? My Lord he had voluntarily told my team that it is because he killed Iniubong Ephraim Umoren”, Okeke also testified.

    The witness further testified that it was not also correct that the video recording of the first accused which was played in the court was as a result of questions and answers as alleged by the first accused person, noting that his team only asked Uduak Akpan to narrate what happened that led to the death of Iniubong Umoren.

    The court admitted the video Compact Disc (Video CD) that was played in court in evidence, marked as exhibit two in trial-within-trial.

    However, Justice Nkanang adjourned the case till February 24, for ruling on the trial-within trial and also for the conclusion of the evidence of PW10.

  • WITCH: Court sentences man to death by hanging

    WITCH: Court sentences man to death by hanging

    Justice Agnes Onyebueke of a High Court sitting in Akamkpa, Cross River, has sentenced to death by hanging a man, Ayanime Udo, for killing his twin daughters whom he accused of being witches.

    Justice Onyebueke, who delivered judgement on the matter with suit number HK/6C/2018, stressed that Udo’s act was satanic, demonic, and beyond human comprehension.

    The judge ruled that the defendant had willfully and gruesomely murdered his 11-year-old twins, Mfoniso Anyanime and Emediong Anyanime, in 2017 after calling them witches.

    When cross-examined, the middle age defendant could not defend his allegation of witchcraft against the 11-year old female children he had allegedly given a malt drink mixed with acid from his motorcycle.

    After drinking the malt, one of the twins died on the spot on January 10, 2017, while the second was said to have crawled to the road where a kindhearted person picked and took her to the hospital where she died the following day.

    The incident was first reported in February 2017.

  • Alleged forgery: Judge expresses displeasure over delay in Fani-Kayode’s trial

    Alleged forgery: Judge expresses displeasure over delay in Fani-Kayode’s trial

    Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe of an Ikeja Special Offences Court has expressed displeasure over the delay in the trial of former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode for allegedly forgery.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Fani-Kayode, along with former minister of State for Finance, Mrs Nemadi Usman were facing trial for alleged money laundering and diversion of N4.9 billion at a Federal HIgh Court in 2018

    The prosecution alleged that the former minister had allegedly brought several medical reports to stall the case.

    On investigation by the EFCC, the anti-graft agency found the medical reports allegedly obtained by the former minister from several government hospitals to be fake.

    On Dec. 17, 2021, the EFCC arraigned Fani-Kayode before the special offences court for allegedly procuring execution of documents by false pretence; use of false documents, fabricating evidence and use of fabricated evidence.

    At Friday’s proceedings, Justice. Abike – Fadipe frowned at the prosecution and the defence counsel for wasting the time of the court as the trial could not commence.

    Abike-Fadipe enquired from the EFCC counsel, Mrs Bilikisu Buhari about the amended charge the anti-graft agency had sought to file against the former minister.

    Buhari, in her response, said that the EFCC had not taken any action on the amended charge.

    Defence counsel, Mr Wale Balogun, also told the judge he had not filed an application to get a copy of the proof of evidence from the EFCC because the EFCC had not amended it charge.

    The judge said the parties in the suit had wasted precious judicial time of the court, noting that Balogun ought to have applied for the proof of evidence without waiting for the EFCC’s amended charge.

    The judge adjourned the case until Feb. 23 for commencement of trial.

  • Judge orders Nigerian Navy to pay entitlements of late Ndubuisi Kanu

    Judge orders Nigerian Navy to pay entitlements of late Ndubuisi Kanu

    An Ikeja High Court has ordered the Nigerian Navy to pay the entitlements of a former Military Administrator of Lagos and Imo, the late Rear Adm. Ndubuisi Kanu, to a dedicated interest-yielding account.

    Justice Christopher Balogun gave the order on Monday in Lagos.

    Balogun gave the order in an ongoing suit filed by one of the spouses of the deceased, Mrs Gladys Kanu, seeking that the Nigerian Navy should calculate the entitlements of the late Kanu and pay them.

    In the suit marked LD/3685FPM/2021, Gladys is also seeking to be declared as the sole widow of the former military administrator.

    Gladys is also seeking an order of the court to declare that she is the only woman legally married to the late Kanu.

    According to her, she and the deceased were co-habiting until his death.

    Gladys said that she was married to Kanu for 27 years but was in a relationship with him for 31 years.

    Respondents in the suit are Nigerian Navy, children of the deceased.

    The children are – Kelly Kanu, Simone Abiona (nee Kanu) and Andrey Joe- Ezigbo (nee Kanu).

    The others are Paula Ndidiamaka Kanu, Karen Johnson (nee Kanu), Jeffery Kanu, Laura Kanu and Stephen Kanu.

    Two other wives of the late naval chief, Josephine Ndubuisi-Kanu and Christine Kanu, are also respondents in the suit.

    During Monday’s proceedings, counsel to Nigerian Navy, Mrs C. G. Cirbam, told the court that she filed an application before the court to remove Nigerian Navy from the list of respondents since the burial of Kanu had been conducted.

    Her submission was, however, opposed by the claimant’s counsel, Mr O.Owoh, who informed the court that Nigerian Navy could not be struck out from the list of respondents because it was still holding the entitlements of the deceased.

    The judge, Balogun, granted accelerated hearing in the suit.

    The judge held that the deceased had three wives who bore children for him.

    He said that according to the Administration of Estates Law of Lagos State, all the 10 offsprings of Kanu were his legitimate children and were entitled to benefits from his estate.

    NAN reports that Kanu died in Lagos on Jan. 13, 2021, at the age of 77 as a result of COVID-19 complications.

    After his death, there was a family dispute about how the funeral should be conducted.

    The dispute was resolved by the court on Oct. 11, 2021.

    There is an ongoing dispute in his family regarding administration of his estate.

    The case has been adjourned until Feb. 7 for continuation of hearing.

  • I don’t want to see Nnamdi Kanu in Fendi wears again – Judge orders DSS

    I don’t want to see Nnamdi Kanu in Fendi wears again – Judge orders DSS

    A judge of an Abuja Federal High Court, Binta Nyako, has ordered the Department of State Services (DSS) to allow Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to change his clothes.

    Previously, Nyako had directed the DSS to allow the IPOB leader to have a bath whenever he wants to, change his clothes, eat properly and practice his faith. However, at the court session on Tuesday, Mike Ozekhome, Kanu’s lead counsel, complained that his client is still being subjected to poor treatment in DSS custody.

    He said Kanu is still being kept in solitary confinement and that any other detainee who greets him is also kept in solitary confinement.

    Shortly before adjourning the matter, Nyako reminded the defendant that a detention facility is not a five-star hotel.

    However, she reiterated her previous order that the IPOB leader should be allowed the maximum comfort possible, including changing his Fendi outfit with which he was brought back into the country in June 2021.

    “I don’t want to see him in these clothes again. This one is almost off-white. Also, make sure that you allow him to exercise,” Nyako added.