TheNewsGuru

Tag: Prison

  • Rape: Former Spanish footballers sentenced to prison

    Three former Spanish football players were each sentenced on Thursday to 38 years in prison for gang-raping a minor in 2017, the latest high-profile sexual violence case in Spain.

    The three men at the time played for fourth division club Arandina FC.

    “They knew that the victim was underage when they raped her in their apartment in Aranda de Duero in northcentral Spain,’’ the judge said.

    The issue of sexual violence has been thrust in the spotlight in Spain in the wake of several trials, including the so-called Wolf Pack case.

    In this case, five men were sentenced for raping a teenage girl during Pamplona’s annual bull-running festival.

    At issue in the Wolf Pack trial, as well as a string of others, was the fact that Spanish law currently does not legally recognise rape.

    It only looks into it if physical violence or intimidation is employed.

    The Socialist government has appointed a panel to review relevant parts of the penal code.

    In the sentencing of the football players, the judge said the girl, who was less than 16 years at the time, was unable to react to the assault.

    He said this was due to the disparity in age and physical strength between her and the attackers.

    The attack took place with the lights off, taking the victim by surprise and creating an atmosphere of intimidation, the judge added.

    The victim had initially told friends and relatives on social networks that she was not raped.

    But the court said it accepted her subsequent statement that she did not submit voluntarily to the men.

    The three men were convicted for rape and for helping the other two take part.

    Olga Navarro, the players’ lawyer, called the sentence “embarrassing” and said the court was imprisoning three innocent young men, who have denied any wrongdoing.

    The men insist the girl was lying.

    “We’re not rapists. We were naive and they’re trying to screw up our lives,” one of the men, Carlos Cuadrado, said after the sentence.

    Another, Victor Rodriguez, said the sentence was the result of social and media pressure.

    The sentence can be appealed.

  • Two INEC staff sentenced over N362m Diezani Maduekwe’s bribe

    Two INEC staff sentenced over N362m Diezani Maduekwe’s bribe

    A Yola High Court presided over by Justice Nathan Musa, has sentenced two officials of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC ) to 21 years imprisonment each for receiving a bribe of N362 million from former Minister of Petroleum, Mrs Diezani Maduekwe, during 2015 general election.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the convicts, Ibrahim Mohammed and Sahabo Iya-Hamman were arraigned before the court by EFCC alongside Maduekwe(still at large), under the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.

    Delivering judgement on Thursday, Musa said that going by testimonies from 15 witnesses who appeared before the court and the suspects’ responses, it was clear that they were guilty of the offence.

    Musa said that although N362 million was received by the officials, they only shared five per cent of the money to other staff of the commission leaving the balance unaccounted for.

    He, however, said that following plea by their counsel, they have been sentenced to seven years each on each of the three count charges adding that the sentence will run concurrently.

    The judge also urged Inspector General of Police (I-G) Mr Muhammad Adamu to liaise with the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) to arrest the 3rd respondent (Maduekwe) so she can face her charges

  • FG’s request for our transfer to prison unknown to law —Sowore, Bakare

    FG’s request for our transfer to prison unknown to law —Sowore, Bakare

    Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, and his co-detainee, Adebayo Bakare, on Tuesday, described the Federal Government’s application for their transfer from the custody of the Department of State Service to prison as frivolous and unknown to law.

    They said the fresh application filed by the government before Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court in Abuja was meant to frustrate the court’s order for their release from DSS custody.

    They also described the application filed on behalf of the Federal Government by the prosecuting counsel, Hassan Liman (SAN), as contemptuous for being a contravention of the order directing the DSS to release them from custody.

    This is contained in their notice of preliminary objection filed before the court to challenge the Federal Government’s fresh application.

    Sowore and Bakare are being prosecuted before the court by the Federal Government on charges of treasonable felony instituted against them in the wake of their call for #RevolutionNow protests across the country to demand better governance.

    The DSS continues to hold them in custody since August when they were arrested, despite separate court orders directing their release from custody.

    The latest of the court orders was the one issued by Justice Ojukwu on meeting the bail conditions imposed on them after their arraignment.

    They argued, through their legal team led by Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), that the application for their transfer from the DSS custody to prison, showed that there was no genuine interest to prosecute them.

    Grounds of the application read, “The application was filed by the Complainant/Applicant to frustrate the execution of the order of release of the 1st and 2nd defendants/objectors from the custody of the State Security Service made by this Honourable Court on November 6, 2019.

    “There is no genuine intention to prosecute the 1st and 2nd defendants by the complainant/applicant as the statement of witnesses this Honourable Court ordered to be availed the defence team is yet to be issued and served.

    “The grounds upon which the complainant’s/applicant’s application is hinged are frivolous, vexatious, contemptuous, manifestly unarguable and unknown to law.”

  • Court remands 2 FRSC officials in prison for murder

    Court remands 2 FRSC officials in prison for murder

    Justice Ohimai Ovbiagele of Benin High Court on Wednesday remanded in prison custody two Federal Road Safety Commission ( FRSC) officials, Onotu Joseph, 33, and Francis Igboh, 35, for alleged murder of Mr Samuel Odion.

    Earlier, Police prosecutor, SP Peter Ogumba, in motion exparte applied for the transfer of the accused persons from the police detention and be remanded in the Prison custody.

    The accused persons were alleged to have conspired and killed Odion, on Oct. 14, 2019 at Owa Hill, Benin-Asaba Express Road.

    The two accused persons were said to have allegedly given fist blows all over Odion’s body and killed him, and thereafter threw his body inside the bush.

    The accused persons were charged to court on two counts of conspiracy and unlawful killing.

    The offences contravened Sections 324 and 319(1) of the Criminal Code Cap. 48 Vol. II, laws of the defunct Bendel State of Nigeria 1976, now applicable in Edo.

    However, their plea was not taken as the judge adjourned the case until Nov. 12.

  • Court sentences whistle blower to 2 years in prison

    Court sentences whistle blower to 2 years in prison

    Justice Angela Otaluka of an FCT High Court Apo on Monday sentenced a 29-year old whistle blower, James Urah, to two years in prison for giving false information with the intention to mislead the ICPC.
    The Judge, however noted that the convict had spent two years in custody and as such, has been deemed to have served his sentence.
    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the convict, was charged to court in 2017 on a two-count charge of knowingly providing false information and giving a false name.
    He was prosecuted by The Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC).
    The ICPC Counsel, Osuobeni Akponimisingha, told the court that sometime in September 2017, Urah gave false information concerning a Senator who hid money on his farm.
    The convict was said to have claimed that he had personal knowledge of the transfer of a huge sum of money from Abuja to a poultry farm in Niger by his boss.
    Akponimisingha further informed the court that Urah gave his name as John Godwin which was later realised to be a false name.
    Although the convict had pleaded not guilty to the charge, the case suffered some set backs and adjournments as he had no legal representation for several months while he was in custody.
    The trial, however, subsequently commenced after a lawyer was provided for the convict from the Karina Tunyan & Co.
    Defence Counsel, Isioma Kelubia, however argued that the law on which the convict was arraigned are repealed laws.
    She argued that the laws had been struck out from the laws of ICPC.
    In her judgment, Otaluka, however dismissed the claim by saying that as long as the elements of the crime are contained in the constitution, the charges can stand.
    After listening to a very brief allocutus (plea for mercy) by defence counsel who urged the court to temper justice with mercy as he was a first time offender, the court sentenced him accordingly.
  • Court sentences farmer to 10 years in prison for impregnating daughter

    Court sentences farmer to 10 years in prison for impregnating daughter

    A Federal High Court in Lagos, on Friday, sentenced a 58 years old farmer Yesiru Onajobi, to a term of 10 years imprisonment for sexually assaulting and impregnating his teenage daughter .

    Details to follow…….

  • Ex-NBA chairman, magistrate sent to prison

    Ex-NBA chairman, magistrate sent to prison

    A Federal High Court in Yola, on Thursday, sentenced a former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Chairman, Binanu Esthon and Magistrate Shehu Mustapha, to three years in prison each for fraud.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged Esthon and Mustapha with seven counts bordering on fraud in before 2015.

    Delivering judgment, Justice Bilkisu Aliyu, held that the convicts were sentenced for stealing and defrauding 502 retired staff of the Stirling Civil Engineering Nigeria limited in Adamawa in 2007 of N67 million.

    NAN reports that she held that Mustapha stole money belonging to 502 retired workers of the debtor company.

    “The convicts stole from workers who retired and were not paid any benefit over the years.

    “The second convict as a judicial officer who was in the position of authority to give the retired workers justice and reprieve, failed to do so. Rather, caused untold hardship on them.

    “Mustaoha has done a great disservice to the administration of justice in general and his conduct is highly condemned,” she held.

    On Esthon, she said, as counsel for the complainant, he failed in his sacred duty to uphold the rule of law and ensure justice was upheld always as a lawyer.

    Aliyu held that Esthon participated in causing more harm to his clients whose interest he ought to protect.

    She held that the three years sentence was the maximum punishment provided for the offence of criminal conversion by Section 390 of the Criminal Code Act Cap. C38 LFN 2004. and demand for the amendment.

    She ordered the EFCC to take urgent steps to recover the money for onward payment to the retired workers.

    Reacting to the judgment, EFCC counsel, Mr Ahmad Muntaka, said justice had taken it course in the trial.

  • Court sentences Yahoo boys to 4 years in prison, 3 others 3 years each

    Court sentences Yahoo boys to 4 years in prison, 3 others 3 years each

    An FCT High Court on Thursday sentenced an internet fraudster, Chijioke Chinaka to four years in prison for internet fraud.
    Delivering judgment, Justice Mohammed Idris, also sentenced three others to three years each for various cyber crimes.
    Idris sentenced Kelvin Audu, Tunde Adeyemi and Onyeka Okafor to three years in prison each.
    They were arraigned by Economic and Financial Crime Commission on various cyber crime offences.
    The convicts pursuant to plea bargain agreement made on June 24, 2019 and the plea of guilty made, were convicted on July 22.
    “Cyber crimes are flourishing amongst the youth to the extent that even secondary school students engage in it”
    ” I have read the plea bargain agreement it is not inconsistent with the court to adopt the agreement intoto.
    ” Courts have a duty to enforce the provisions of the Act under which an accused is charged,” Idris held.
    He said the section in which they were charged which was section 322 provides;
    ” Whoever cheats shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years or with fine or with both.”
    He added that it was most appropriate that the prosecuting agencies arriagn the accused persons under the prosecution of the right law.
    Idris further held that section 270 (11) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act empowers the court to impose heavier punishment other than the one agreed by the parties.
    ” I intend to go by that provision, consequently, the convict is hereby sentenced to a term of four years each on the four count charge to run concurrently” he held.
    He ordered that proceeds from the crime and other things associated with it be forfeited to the Federal Government.

  • Buhari extends tenure of prisons chief, promotes 10 other officers (FULL LIST)

    Buhari extends tenure of prisons chief, promotes 10 other officers (FULL LIST)

    President Muhammadu Buhari has extended the tenure of the Controller-General, Nigeria Prisons Service, Ja’afaru Ahmed by one year with effect from July 21.
    Mrs Georgina Ehuriah, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Interior, made the disclosure in a statement on Friday in Abuja.
    The statement was signed by Mr Mohammed Manga, Director Press and Public Relations of the ministry.
    Ehuriah, congratulated the Controller-General and urged him to ensure the consolidation of the on-going reforms in the Prisons Service in line with the policy thrust of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
    Ja’afaru whose tenure was to end on July 21, 2019 was recommended for the extension due to his track record of innovative reforms in the Prisons Service.
    The extension was also to consolidate and complete some of the on-going programmes especially on human rights compliance, reformation and health care, agricultural and education programmes for inmates.
    A seasoned prisons administrator, Ja’afaru until his appointment as the Controller-General, headed a number of prison formations across the country.
    He was the Deputy Controller General in the Directorate of Administration and Supply at the Prisons National Headquarters, Abuja.
    Meanwhile, the Civil Defence, Fire, Immigration and Prisons Services Board (CDFIPB) has promoted 10 officers from their former ranks of Assistant Controllers/Commandants and Assistant Comptrollers –General (ACGs).
    The men moved to the ranks of Deputy Controllers/Commandants and Deputy Comptrollers-General (DCGs) across its four Services.
    Mrs Georgina Ehuriah, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Interior, announced this on Friday in Abuja, in a statement signed by Mr Mohammed Manga, Director Press and Public Relations of the ministry.
    According to the statement, President Muhammadu Buhari approved the promotion thus enabling the board to act.
    ‘’The Board in compliance with its guidelines on Appointment, Promotion and Discipline has recently conducted written and oral examinations and interviews for the affected ranks in the respective Services.
    ‘’This is with the aim of filling the available vacancies in tandem with the Federal Character Principle, for which each geo-political zone is expected to produce at least one officer on the rank of Deputy Controllers/Commandants and Deputy Comptrollers-General (DCGs).
    “Consequently, President Muhammadu Buhari has therefore approved the promotion of the officers to their new ranks following their excellent performance both during the written and oral examinations as well as interviews recently conducted by the Board in line with its statutory responsibility.”
    Ehuriah in the statement listed the names of the promoted officers as Azogu Gerald of federal fire service (Imo – South East)
    Officers promoted in Nigeria Prison Service are: Bitrus Filibus (Borno – North East); Aremu Tajudeen (Oyo – South West); and Mbabure John (Delta – South South).
    In the NSCDC THOSE promoted are: Adamu Soja (Yobe – North East); and Aminu Abdullahi Katsina (North West).
    Others from NIS are Ogwu Julius (Benue – NorthCentral); Uebari Saro (Rivers – S/S); Idris Here (Kaduna – N/W) and Didi Adaeze (Rivers – S/S).
    Ehuriah urged the newly-promoted officers of the Services under the Ministry to ensure improved security and service delivery in line with the policy direction of the Buhari administration.
    She congratulated the officers on their promotion and assured them of the support of the Ministry.
    She however, implored them to reciprocate the gesture by giving the best of their service towards ensuring the consolidation of the reform policies of the present Administration.

  • 26-year-old Nigerian dies in Indian prison

    26-year-old Nigerian dies in Indian prison

    A 26-year-old Nigerian detained since last year in an Indian jail in Mathura has died.
    Times of India reported today that the Nigerian identified as Kumbha Roderick, died during treatment at the district hospital on Wednesday morning.
    According to police, Kumbha Roderick was arrested on September 30 last year by Mathura police under section 14 of Foreigners Act (overstaying in a foreign country) and sections 420 (cheating), 467 (forgery of valuable security), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating) and 471 (using as genuine a forged document) of the IPC along with the relevant sections of IT Act.
    Mathura jail superintendent Shailendra Maitrey said that Kumbha was admitted to the jail’s hospital on Tuesday after he complained of uneasiness.
    He added that prisoner’s condition started deteriorating on Wednesday morning after he vomited and was rushed to the district hospital where he died during treatment.
    The official also said that the exact cause of death would be ascertained only after postmortem.
    Chief medical officer RS Maurya said that the inmate was admitted to the district hospital in an unconscious condition around 9.05 am and died at 9.40 am.