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Tag: Magistrate

  • Man remanded for breaking into cemetery, stealing iron rods from grave

    Man remanded for breaking into cemetery, stealing iron rods from grave

    An Ikeja Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday remanded a 28-year-old man, for allegedly breaking into a cemetery and stealing iron rods used to cover a corpse in a grave, valued at N1.1 million.

    The defendant, Mubarak Kajola, whose residential address was not disclosed, was arraigned on a three-count charge bordering on illegal trespass, stealing and possession of fire arms.

    He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    Earlier, the prosecutor, Insp. Funmi Akinleye, told the court that the defendant ”illegally, improperly and indecently” broke into the Ayobo Cemetery and interfered with dead bodies.

    She said that the defendant on Aug. 11 broke the slabs used in covering dead bodies, and stole the iron rods which belonged to Ayobo-Ipaja Local Council Area valued at N1.1 million.

    The prosecutor told the court that the defendant was armed with a plastic mock rifle.

    Akinleye said that the offences contravened sections 165(b), 280(1), 287, 312 and 312 (a)(b).

    The Magistrate, Mrs Oyenike Fajana, ordered that the defendant be remanded at the the Kirikiri Correctional Center.

    She adjourned the case until Aug. 17 for facts and sentencing.

     

  • Magistrate nabbed for disguising as lady to write Law exams for his girlfriend+Photos

    Magistrate nabbed for disguising as lady to write Law exams for his girlfriend+Photos

    A newly appointed Magistrate, Musa Semwogerere has been nabbed for posing as a woman to sit for exams for his girlfriend at the Law Development Centre (LDC) Lira, Uganda.

    According to local media, he was promoted to the rank of grade one magistrate by the Judicial Service Commission two weeks ago.

    Semwogerere fondly called Mukisa Anthony was caught red-handed on Friday, July 28, 2023 while writing exams for his girlfriend, Irene Mutonyi.

    The accused has been charged with two counts of forgery and remanded to prison till August 3. Pictures of him dressed as a woman with braided hair have gone viral on social media and stirred reactions.

    LDC director, Frank Nigel Othembi in a statement said Semwogerere’s offense was in contravention of Section 351 of the Penal Code Act and Impersonation contrary to Section 381 of the Penal Code Act.

    Othembi said; “We reported the matter to the Police and he has been charged with two counts of uttering a false document contrary to Section 351 of the Penal Code Act and Impersonation contrary to Section 381 of the Penal Code Act and remanded to prison till August, 3, 2023. We will ensure that this case is prosecuted fully to its conclusion, including all other culpable persons.

    “LDC is currently conducting final written examinations across all its three Campuses- Kampala, Lira and Mbarara. LDC does not condone any act of examination malpractice. We will continue with our zero tolerance policy towards any such conduct.”

    In another statement, the Judiciary confirmed that the suspect was a grade one magistrate appointed recently by the Judicial Service Commission but revealed that he will be relieved of his appointment.

    “Semwogerere Ammaari Musa was appointed a judicial officer on June 12, 2023 by the Judicial Service Commission alongside 86 other persons to the position of Magistrate Grade One on probation. According to the Chief Registrar, Her Worship Sarah Langa Siu, the Judiciary is finalizing the appointment process of the said officers after which they will be sworn in,” the judiciary said.

  • Portable to be arraigned in court today

    Portable to be arraigned in court today

    Barring any last-minute changes, singer, Habeeb Okikiola aka Portable, will be arraigned before a magistrate court in Ota, Ogun state on Monday, April 3.

    Recall that he was arrested by men of the state police command on Friday, March 31.

    The spokesperson of the Nigeria Police Force, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said that Portable will be facing at least a six-count charge, when he appears at the court following his unruly conduct and incitement against police officers last week Monday.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that Portable was eventually arrested by the Nigeria Police, after he had earlier resisted arrest.

    The Zazoo crooner was arrested on Friday after the 72-hour ultimatum given to him by the Ogun State police command expired.

    The Ogun State Police Command spokesman, Abimbola Oyeyemi, confirmed on Friday that Portable was arrested and is currently being detained at the Command’s headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta.

    The PPRO disclosed that Portable was arrested after failing to honour five invitations.

    However, Portable had given reason he resisted arrest by operatives of the Nigeria Police on Tuesday.

    Recall that the Zazoo crooner was handed a 72-hour ultimatum by the Ogun State police command to report himself to the nearest police station after he was captured in a viral video resisting arrest by policemen.

    Following the expiration of the ultimatum on Friday, the singer was arrested by the police and detained at the State Police headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta.

    In a new video making the rounds on social media, Portable was seen trying to defend himself at the Police headquarters.

    According to him, he didn’t know that the men who stormed his bar in the Sango Ota area to arrest him on Tuesday were police officers.

    “I didn’t know the people that came to my bar were police officers,” he said while standing in front of a police chief.

  • “No food was given to me while in the police cell” -Suspect begs magistrate for meal

    “No food was given to me while in the police cell” -Suspect begs magistrate for meal

    There was mild drama at a Kenyan court as a security guard, facing assault charges told a Senior Principal Magistrate. Keynes Odhiambo, to buy him a plate of ugali before his plea would be taken.

    Japheth Olindo, a private guard, left the court in stitches on Monday, March 13, when he implored the magistrate to grant him bail because someone might rob him of his beautiful wife if he goes to jail.

    In his words: “Your honor before charging me kindly buy me ugali; I am very hungry. No food was given to me while in the police cell. I am about to faint in your court.”

    According to Olindo, he had not eaten his favourite dish, ugali, since he was arrested over the weekend.

    He claimed this has made him weak and unable to take his plea. The magistrate promised to buy him food after taking a plea.

    “I have heard your concerns and for today I will make sure that I buy you food before leaving this court, just take your plea and count on my promise,” the Magistrate told him.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that Olindo was charged with assault and causing grievous harm.

    After pleading not guilty to the charge, he went on to plead with the magistrate to consider releasing him on a favourable bond since he only earns Sh6,000 as a guard.

    “As I stand in the dock my worry is if I will be detained for long someone might rob me of my beautiful wife. She is even here in court together with my child, kindly release me on Sh2,000 bond and I will comply with court directions by ensuring that I always come to court whenever required,” he told the magistrate.

    Olindo is charged with assaulting two people on March 10 at the Sugoi area within Turbo Sub County.

    He denied the charges claiming that his employer framed him after he reported them at Turbo police station for assaulting him.

    The court released him on Sh10,000 cash bail from Sh20,000 after he pleaded with the court.

    The matter will be mentioned on March 16, 2023.

  • MURDER: Court remands House Leader, Doguwa in Goron Dutse Prison

    MURDER: Court remands House Leader, Doguwa in Goron Dutse Prison

    The majority leader of the House of Representatives, Alhassan Doguwa, has been remanded in Goron Dutse Prison by a magistrate’s court in Kano for culpable homicide, conspiracy, mischief, unlawful possession of fire arms and inciting disturbance.

    Doguwa, arraigned on Wednesday, was charged with others at large (Nazifi Asnanic, Nafiu Musa, Hamisu Amadu and Abdulhadi Alaramma).

    “That Alhassan Doguwa was charged with burning a building that resulted to the burning of Alasan Mohammed and Aminu Malam Amadu to death, while Bashir Yani, Labaran Sule and one Amadu injured by the fire,” one of the charges read in part.

    The offences are contrary to Section 97, 114, 247, 336 and 221 of Penal Code.

    The prosecution counsel prayed the court to remand the two defendants and set another day for arraignment to enable the office of the attorney general to review the case.

    Doguwa’s counsel, Abdul Adamu, prayed for bail and assured the magistrate that they will not jump the bail.

    He added that the accused would strictly abide by the bail conditions, in view of the fact that he is a serving member of House of Representatives and member-elect for Doguwa/Tudunwada Federal Constituency.

    MURDER: Court remands House Leader, Doguwa in Goron Dutse Prison

    The prosecution counsel however argued that any person charged with culpable homicide shall not be granted bail unless at high court.

    Citing Section 127 of Criminal Justice Law 2019, the prosecution counsel argued that the court lacks jurisdiction to try the offence and as such, it can not grant bail to the accused.

    In his ruling, Senior Magistrate Ibrahim Mansur ordered that the accused be remanded in Goron Dutse Prison and adjourned the case until March 7.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that Doguwa is an All Progressive Congress (APC) member representing Doguwa/Tudun Wada Federal Constituency of Kano State.

  • Police Command denies walking out magistrate from detention facility

    Police Command denies walking out magistrate from detention facility

    The Police Command in Lagos State says that no Area Commander walked out any magistrate from inspecting detention facilities at any police station in the state.

    This is contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the command’s spokesman, SP Benjamin Hundeyin.

    Hundeyin said that the command’s attention was drawn to a news item making the rounds that the Police Area Commander in Ikorodu walked out Magistrate Ganiyat Anifowose from the premises of the Area Command.

    He said that the clarification became necessary in view of the embarrassement the said story had brought to the command.

    According to him, on July 27, 2022, the magistrate came to the Area Command with about 10 lawyers, which is totally against the procedure for monthly-cell visits by magistrates.

    Hundeyin saud that the lawyers who came in company with the magistrate were taking pictures and making video recordings, a practice the Area Commander staunchly refused, because, it was against laid down procedure.

    “Furthermore, magistrate-cell visit is totally different from Police Duty Solicitor Scheme (PDSS) visit, which is targeted at providing legal services to suspects who are indigent.

    “This, the Police have been doing well in collaboration with the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria. It was, therefore, inappropriate for the magistrate to have visited the detention facility accomoanied with a PDSS team.

    “In the instant case, the visit by the magistrate was conducted contrary to the Provisions of the ACJL 2021, which the Police have been trained on and are abiding by.

    “The Area Commander having observed all the lapses, had no choice but to insist on the right procedure,” he explained.

    The spokesman said that contrary to the reports in the social media, the Area Commander never walked any magistrate out of the Police Command, rather, he asked the lawyers to wait outside the station, since they were not part of the monthly visit by law.

    The image maker noted that at no point did armed men harass the magistrate, stressing that armed men were routinely within the premises of police formations.

    “Having set the record straight, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Abiodun Alabi, reiterated that the Police Command would continue to co-operate and work with the judiciary and all other stakeholders in the administration of justice.

    “This is to ensure a smooth dispensation of criminal justice within the state,” he said.

  • Court remands man in prison for allegedly beating thief to death

    Court remands man in prison for allegedly beating thief to death

    A 29-year-old man, Aliu Oladeji, has been remanded in a custodial centre, by an Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan, Oyo State, for allegedly beating a thief to death.

     

    The police charged Oladeji, who resides in the Ayedaade area, with conspiracy and murder.

     

    The Magistrate, I. O. Osho, on Wednesday, did not take the plea of the accused.

     

    Osho ordered that he should be remanded in the Abolongo Custodial Centre, Oyo town, pending legal advice.

     

    She directed the police to return the case file to the Oyo State Directorate of Public Prosecutions for legal advice.

     

    Osho adjourned the matter until July 4, for mention.

     

    Earlier, the prosecutor, Inspector Foluke Adedosu, told the court that Oladeji conspired with others in the area to commit the offence.

     

    Adedosu said Oladeji on March 4, around 2.30am, caused the death of one Sodiq, when he beat him up.

     

    The prosecutor noted that the offence is contrary to Section 316 and punishable under sections 319 and 324 of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State 2000.

  • Magistrate collapses at Ayade’s office during protest for unpaid salaries

    Magistrate collapses at Ayade’s office during protest for unpaid salaries

    Magistrate Richard Bassey on Tuesday collapsed at the gate of the governor’s office in Calabar during a protest over unpaid 24 months salary.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that 30 Magistrates dressed in their full regalia have been embarking on a peaceful protest at the governor’s office to drive home the demand for their accumulated salaries since Monday.

    They appealed to Governor Ben Ayade to pay the salaries owed them.

    The incident happened on the second day of the protest.

    Bassey’s colleagues revived when they poured water on him and took him to a nearby hospital.

    Speaking to journalists after the incident, the Chief Magistrate of Cross River, Solomon Abuo decried what he described as ill-treatment meted to them by the state government.

    Abuo said since they were employed, they had undergone several screening, adding that the protest was their last resort.

    “We will continue to protest until we are paid.

    “This is very embarrassing, in 2020 one of the Magistrates was arraigned before a fellow Magistrate over his inability to pay rent; most of us can’t pay our house rents and are squatting with colleagues.

    “Is it wrong for one to serve the state as a judicial officer, are we supposed to go through this kind of humiliation,’’ he asked.

    No official of the state government addressed the protesters since the protest began on Monday.

    Justice Eyo Effiom-Ita, Acting Chief Judge of the state, said that he was aware that the Magistrates had not been paid for a long time.

    Effiom-Ita said different presentations had been made to the governor.

    “The governor said he did not give clearance for their appointment, so, he will not pay them; until the governor changes his disposition, there is nothing anyone can do,” he said.

  • Drama as suspect tells magistrate ‘You’re too young to send me to jail’

    Drama as suspect tells magistrate ‘You’re too young to send me to jail’

    There was drama in a Zimbabwean court when a suspect threatened to assault a magistrate, Caroline Tafira, whom he felt, as a female magistrate, lacked the capacity to adjudicate his case.

    Tatenda Mkanganwi of Tabungaidzwa village, who is charged with sexual assault, flew into a rage, stormed out of the dock and had to be restrained by security officers who were manning the court proceedings after he told the magistrate that she was too junior for him and that she did not know him well.

    He yelled at the magistrate, telling her she was too young to send him to jail after she had pronounced that he be remanded in custody for continuation of trial.

    Magistrate Tafira remanded Mkanganwi in custody and ordered him to be examined by two doctors before he could be brought back to court.

  • Bribery: Court sentences Magistrate to three years imprisonment

    Bribery: Court sentences Magistrate to three years imprisonment

    An FCT High Court, Maitama, on Thursday sentenced Magistrate Mohammed Balogun, to three years imprisonment for demanding gratification to influence judgment.

    Justice Ishaq Bello who convicted Balogun, however, gave him N500, 000 option of fine.

    The convict was charged to court by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), on a two-count charge bordering on demanding gratification.

    Bello while delivering the judgment, noted that the convict pleaded for leniency, claiming to be first time offender.

    He also said that the convict had suffered psychological distress because his family deserted him since the matter started.

    “Considering the fact that he was entrusted with mantle of authority as a chief magistrate to do justice to all manner of people without fear or favour.

    ” What he did is outright abuse and disregard of his oath of office and this is not a conduct expected of a judicial officer” he held.

    The judge held that he acknowledged the position of the prosecution that the convict is a first time offender.

    “Nevertheless, I hereby sentence the convict to a three-year period of imprisonment or to pay a fine of N500, 000.”

    The ICPC alleged that Balogun on Sept. 21, 2003, demanded from one Dr Isidore Nnadi, N100, 000 in order to influence the judgment of his two cases pending in his court in his favour.

    The offence is contrary to Section 10 (1) and (2) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

    The ICPC also alleged that Balogun collected from Nnadi N50, 000 to influence the judgment in his favour.