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Author: Joy Kaka

  • Alleged armed robbery: Absence of prosecution counsel stalls trial of woman, 3 others


    Alleged armed robbery: Absence of prosecution counsel stalls trial of woman, 3 others 

    Stall
    By Joy Kaka
    Abuja, June 26, 2024( NAN) The absence of a prosecution counsel, Fidelix Ogbobe, on Wednesday stalled the trial of Blessing Akaaza, Garba Raymond, Ismaila Murtala and Nuhu Jezuli in the FCT High Court, Zuba.
    The police charged the defendants with two counts bordering on armed robbery.
    At the resumed sitting, the defence counsel, Gabriel Okpata said that the matter was for continuation of trial but the prosecution sent a letter saying that he was on official training.
    Okpata however asked the court for an adjournment.
    Justice Kezziah Ogbonnaya adjourned the matter until Oct.21 for hearing.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the prosecution alleged that the defendants and others at large conspired while armed with a gun and other dangerous weapons on Sept.9, 2022.
    He said the defendants robbed one Garba Kwamkur of $65,000, N5 million and other valuables in his residence at Garki, Abuja on the said date.
    The offence, he said, is punishable under sections 6(b), 1(2)(a) and (b) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision) Act, CAP R11 LFN 2004
    The defendants had pleaded not guilty.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    JK/SH
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    edited by Sadiya Hamza

     

  • Alleged N20m fraud: Absence of prosecution counsel stalls trial of CEO, 2 others  

    Alleged N20m fraud: Absence of prosecution counsel stalls trial of CEO, 2 others

    Suit
    By Joy Kaka
    Abuja, June 25, 2024( NAN) The absence of prosecution counsel, Sam Ugbwebulam, on Tuesday, stalled the continuation of trial of Chief Executive of Dampat Nigeria Ltd, Rose Abanum, before a FCT High Court, Zuba, over alleged N20 million fraud.
    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Abanum, and her co-defendants -Anselem Enigwe and Njumor Chukwunwike-  on 12 counts bordering on fraud .
    At the resumed sitting, the defence counsel, Okechukwu Osuwa, informed the court that the prosecution counsel was absent, adding that the matter was for cross examination.
    ” The second witness in the matter was supposed to be cross-examined today, but, in the absence of the prosecution counsel, we ask for an adjournment,” Osuwa said.
    Justice Kezziah Ogbonnaya of the FCT High Court,  Zuba, subsequently adjourned the matter until Oct.16 for continuation of hearing or report of settlement.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the prosecution alleged that Enigwe and Abanum conspired with Dr Patrick Nwaolisa, Chinedu Nwawuibe and Chief Femi Ulokesan, who are at large, and obtained N20 million from Roada Engineering Limited on July 29, 2013.
    The EFCC alleged that the defendants obtained the amount by false pretences under the guise that the Niger Delta Development Commission awarded a contract to Golden Construct Company Ltd to construct the 30 Kilometre Umuagwu Ogbodimibe Umunwawa Road and bridges in Umahia, Abia state.
    Ugbwebulam said that the defendants claimed they would sublet same to Roada Engineering Limited for the said sum.
    He alleged that the defendants forged the Niger Delta Development Commission letter dated April 25, for the said contract purportedly awarded to Golden Construct Company Ltd and acted upon same as genuine to the detriment of Roada Ltd.
    The prosecution said that Abanum, a sole signatory to Dampat Energy Ltd account with Zenith bank, retained the sum of N17 million in the company’s account, which she ought to know was a proceed of crime on July 29, 2013.
    He added that Enigwe retained N1.2 million in his account being money which he ought to know was proceeds of crime and transfered N17 million from his account belonging to Dampat Ltd and N770,000 to one Nwawuibe Chinedu.
    He said Chukwunwike cashed N15.5 million from Dampart Ltd and transferred to Abanum in July, 2013 with the knowledge that the money was a proceed of crime.
    The offence, he said, contravened the provisions of section 8,1(1)(b) and punishable under 1(3)of the Advance Fee Fraud and other related Offences Act.
    The prosecution said the offence also contravened the provisions of sections 363 and 366 and punishable under 364 of the Penal Code.
    The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    JK/AOS
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    Edited by Bayo Sekoni

  • Alleged culpable homicide: Absence of prosecution counsel stalls trial of 2 men


    Alleged culpable homicide: Absence of prosecution counsel stalls trial of 2 men

    Stall
    By Joy Kaka
    Abuja, June 25, 2024( NAN) The absence of a prosecution counsel, Adama Musa, on Tuesday stalled the trial of Joseph Samuel and Moses Ntayi in the FCT High Court, Zuba.
    The police charged the defendants with two counts bordering on culpable homicide.
    At the resumed  sitting, the defence counsel, Ugochukwu Ogara said that the matter was for continuation of trial but had been told that the prosecution was not feeling well.
    Ogara however asked the court for an adjournment.
    Justice Kezziah Ogbonnaya adjourned the matter until Oct.21 for hearing.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the prosecution alleged that the defendants conspired and struck one Peter Friday of Kuje, Abuja on the neck and cut other parts of his body with a cutlass on Oct.23, 2021.
    The prosecution said it caused Friday severe body injury and eventually led to his death.
    The offence, he said, contravened the provisions of sections 97 and 220 of the Penal Code.
    The defendants however pleaded not guilty.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    JK//SH
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    edited by Sadiya Hamza

  • Attempted robbery: Court sentences man to life imprisonment

    Attempted armed robbery: Court sentences man to life imprisonment

    Imprisonment
    By Joy Kaka
    Abuja, June 11,2024 (NAN) The FCT High Court in Kubwa, on Tuesday sentenced a man, Hassan Aminu, to life imprisonment for attempted armed robbery.
    The Attorney-General of the Federation charged Aminu with four counts bordering of attempted robbery.
    Justice Asmau Akanbi-Yusuf convicted Aminu and sentenced him to one year in prison on count one, 14 years in prison on count four and life imprisonment on count three.
    Akanbi-Yusuf  said that the court could not exercise its discretion in sentencing the defendant regarding count three saying that the law provided the punishment in Section 2(2) A&B of the Robbery and Firearms Act.
    Earlier, the defence counsel, Mercy Afolayan had applied for the court to temper justice with mercy, saying that Aminu had been in prison for the past seven years.
    Afolayan however, applied for the court to put same into consideration while sentencing, adding that he was a first time offender.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the prosecuting counsel, Chelsea Emezina told the court that Aminu and one Awodu Elizabeth at large trespassed the premises of Reverend Philemon Bulus at Durumi, Abuja on Oct.8, 2017.
    Emezina said Aminu and Elizabeth forcefully broke the car glasses of the Reverend and attempted to rob him and his family members at their residence while armed with a knife.
    She said that Aminu voluntarily stabbed the Reverend multiple times with a knife at his residence and got arrested by the Reverend’s brother, David Dauda on the said date.
    The offence,  she said contravened the provisions of sections 348, 327 and 248 of the Penal Code.
    It also contravened Section 2(2) A&B of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act.
    JK/EBI//SH
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    Edited by Benson Iziama/Sadiya Hamza

  • Absence of defence counsel stalls trial of coordinator of illegal school

    Absence of defence counsel stalls trial of coordinator of illegal school

    Suit
    By Joy Kaka
    Abuja, June 11, 2024( NAN) The absence of a defence counsel, Odu Emmanuel, on Tuesday stalled the trial of Saturday Igwe, coordinator of Akwa Ibom Polytechnic campus in  Nyanya, Abuja,.
    The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) charged the defendant with eight counts bordering on  obtaining by false pretence.
    At the resumed court sitting, the prosecuting counsel, Micheal Adeshola told the court that he had a witness in court but that he received a letter from the defence counsel.
    ” The defendant’s counsel sent a letter for an adjournment on the grounds that he has another matter in the Court of Appeal.
    “In this circumstance, we pray for an adjournment, “Adeshola said.
    Justice Asmau Akanbi-Yusuf  adjourned the matter until July 17 for hearing.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the prosecution alleged that the defendant, while being the coordinator of Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic Osurua Nyanya, Abuja, satellite campus made false statements to officers of ICPC, Denham Aida and Tunji Jabar in November, 2012.
    He alleged that the defendant said he was not aware that the campus had been proscribed by the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Board for Technical Education which was not true.
    The prosecution said that the defendant defrauded one Helen Joseph of N162,000 under the pretence that the National Diploma and Higher diploma programme of the campus was valid and approved.
    He said the defendant defrauded one Ude Obiageli of N250,000 for the said purpose and forged the Polytechnic’s Higher National Diploma Statement of result, issued it to Joseph and forged a provisional admission letter and issued to Obiageli.
    The offence, he said, contravened the provisions of section 1(1)(a)and punishable under 1(3)of the Advance Fee Fraud and other related Offences Act, 2006.
    The prosecution said the offence also contravened the provisions of sections 363 and 364 of the Penal Code.
    The defendant however pleaded not guilty.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    JK/SH
    ======
    edited by Sadiya Hamza

     

  • Businessman docked for allegedly assaulting his landlord

    Businessman docked for allegedly assaulting his landlord

    Assault

    By Joy Kaka

    Abuja, June 5, 2024 (NAN) A businessman, Smith Tosin, was on Wednesday, docked in a Kubwa Magistrates’ Court, in Abuja, for allegedly assaulting his landlord.

    The Police charged Tosin of Hill top, Byazhin, Abuja with criminal force, assault and defamation of character.

    The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty.

    The prosecution counsel, John Okpa told the court that the defendant dragged his landlord, Mr Chuks Nwado’s shirt while at Liberty junction, Byazhin, Kubwa, Abuja on May 29.

    Okpa alleged that the defendant did so without any provocation and called Nwado a thief in public.

    The offence, he said, contravened the provisions of Sections 265 and 392 of the Penal Code.

    Meanwhile, the defence counsel, Lilian Ibrahim, has pleaded with the court to grant the defendant bail citing Section 158,162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), and 36(5) of the 1999 constitution.

    Ibrahim urged the court to exercise its discretion judiciously and judicially in the defendant’s favour by admitting him to bail.

    Magistrate Oyepeju Mustapha admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum.

    Mustapha said the sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction, have sustainable means of livelihood and their addresses must be verified by the court’s registrar.

    She adjourned the case until July 8, for hearing. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    JK/DCO/AMM

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    Edited by Deborah Coker and Abiemwense Moru