WordPress

Author: Omeire Cecilia

  • Self-acclaimed inverter installer faces N2.1m fraud charge

    Inverter

    By Chinyere Omeire

    Lagos, June 26, 2024 (NAN) A self-acclaimed solar installer, Abdulwahab Abdullah, on Wednesday appeared before an Ejigbo Magistrates’ Court, for allegedly obtaining the sum of N2.1 million under the guise of installing a solar inverter.

    Abdullah, 39, whose residential address was not provided, is standing trial on a three-count of fraud, breach of peace and stealing, preferred against him by the police.

    The prosecutor, ASP Benedict Aigbokhan, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on Nov. 24, 2023 and Dec. 1, 2023, at Ikotun, Lagos.

    Aigbokhan said the defendant falsely presented himself as a professional solar inverter installer and obtained the sum of N2.1 million from the complainant, one Mr Egbo Edafetano.

    He said the defendant was not competent and  could not render a good service.

    Aigbokhan said the defendant conducted himself in a manner likely to cause breach of peace by converting the sum of N2.1 million to his personal use without doing the job.

    Aigbokhan said the offences contravened Sections 168 (d), 287 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos, 2015.

    The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    The Magistrate, Miss K. A. Ariyo, granted him bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.

    Ariyo ordered that the sureties should be gainfully employed and should show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.(NAN)
    OCC/JNC
    ========
    Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

  • 2 in court for alleged N5.2m visa scam

    2 in court for alleged N5.2m visa scam

    Visa
    By Chinyere Omeire
    Lagos, June 26, 2024 (NAN) A 35-year-old woman, Olajumoke Imoh, and one Solomon Olugbenro, 43, on Wednesday appeared before an Ejigbo Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, for an alleged N5.2 million visa scam.

    The defendants whose residential addresses were not provided, are standing trial on a four-count charge bordering on fraud, conspiracy and breach of the peace.

    The prosecutor, ASP Benedict Aigbokhan, told the court that the defendants and others still at large, committed the offences sometime in June 2023, at Abesan Estate, Ipaja, Lagos.

    He alleged that the duo fraudulently obtained the sum of N5.2 million on the pretext of procuring a United States of America visa for the complainant, Mr Akinsanmi Akinyemi.

    The prosecutor said that the defendants conducted themselves in a manner likely to cause breach of the peace by not procuring the visa.

    According to him, the offences contravene Sections 168 (d), 314, 323 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos, 2015.

    The duo denied the charge.

    The Magistrate, Miss K.A. Ariyo, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N1 million each, with two sureties each in like sum.

    She ordered that the sureties should be gainfully employed and show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

    Ariyo adjourned the case until July 9, for mention. (NAN)(www.nannnews.ng)

    OCC/CEO/IKU
    Edited by Chidi Opara/Tayo Ikujuni

  • Absence of BRT driver stalls murder trial

    Absence of BRT driver stalls murder trial
    Trial
    By Chinyere Omeire
    Lagos, June 24, 2024 (NAN) The absence of a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) driver, Andrew Ominnikoron, charged with rape and murder of his passenger, Oluwabamise Ayanwole, on Monday stalled his trial.
    Ominikoron, 47, is charged with five counts of rape, conspiracy, sexual assault and murder.
    The Lagos State Government had accused him of the rape and murder of a 22-year-old fashion designer, Ayanwole.
    At the resumed hearing on Monday, counsel to the defendant, Mr Abayomi Omotubora, told the court that his client was absent in court due to a leg injury.
    He told the court that the defendant fell in the bathroom and sustained an injury on his left leg.
    The trial Judge, Justice Sherifat Sonaike, however, summoned a prison warder to explain why the defendant was not present in court.
    The warder explained that the defendant sustained an injury on his left leg and was receiving treatment.
    The judge ordered the Director for Public Prosecutions, Dr Babajide Martins, to ensure the presence of the defendant in court at the next sitting.
    She adjourned the case until Oct. 17 for continuation of trial.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the prosecution counsel had said that the incident occurred on Feb. 26, 2022, at  7.00 p.m., near Lekki- Ajah Conservation Centre, Lekki-Ajah Expressway, Lagos.
    The prosecution alleged that the defendant had forcible sexual intercourse with  Ayanwole, before killing her.
    The prosecution said that the offences contravened Sections 165, 223, 260 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
    Ominnikoron pleaded not guilty. (NAN)
    OCC/SH
    =======
    edited by Sadiya Hamza

  • Man, 36, arraigned for alleged theft of N5.2m

    Stealing

    By Chinyere Omeire
    Lagos, June 21, 2024 ( NAN) A 36-year-old man, Yetunde Alao, who allegedly stole $5,006 Canadian dollars (about N5.2 million), on Friday appeared before an Ejigbo Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.
    The defendant, whose residential address was not provided, is standing trial on a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.
    The Police Prosecutor, Benedict Aigbokhan, told the court that the defendant and others still at large committed the alleged offences on June 2, at Akeem Balogun Street, Idimu, Lagos.
    According to him, the defendant allegedly stole a cash sum of $5,006 Canadian dollars, equivalent of N5.2 million, five Jackets worth N500,000 and an international passport, belonging to one Mr Anthony Alao.
    He told the court that the offences contravened Sections 287 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    The Magistrate, Miss K. A. Ariyo, granted him bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.
    Ariyo ordered that the sureties should show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government as part of the bail conditions.

    She, however, adjourned the case until July 2 for mention.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    OCC/KOO/JNC
    ============
    Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

  • Woman, 39, faces N2.4m fraud charge

    Fraud

    By Chinyere Omeire

    Lagos, June 21, 2024 (NAN) A 39-year-old woman, Nancy Nwokolo, a staff of  Remosakar Women Empowerment, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), on Friday appeared before an Ejigbo Magistrates’ Court, for allegedly obtaining the sum of N2.4 million under false pretences.

    The defendant, whose residential address was not provided, is standing trial on a three-count charge of fraud, conspiracy and stealing.

    The prosecutor, ASP Benedict Aigbokhan, told the court that the defendant, and others still at large, committed the offences on March 4 and July 11, 2023, at No.14, Adetayo St., Ikotun, Lagos.

    He said the defendant fraudulently obtained the sum of N2.4 million from the complainant, one Mr Smart Chukwu, under the guise of investing the money for him.

    Aigbokhan said the defendant used her position as a staff of the NGO to defraud the complainant.

    The prosecutor said the defendant did not invest the said money but converted it to personal use.

    He said the offences contravened Sections 287, 314 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    Nwokolo, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    The Magistrate, Miss K. A. Ariyo, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.

    Ariyo ordered that the sureties should be gainfully employed and should show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

    She adjourned the case until July 5 for mention. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    OCC/AYO/JNC
    =============
    Edited by Ayodeji Alabi/Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

  • Lawyers laud Tinubu’s Democracy Day speech

    Democracy

    By Chinyere Omeire/Sandra Umeh
    Lagos, June 12, 2024 (NAN) Some lawyers in Lagos have commended President Bola Tinubu over his Democracy Day speech, saying it came at the right time to assuage the myriad of challenges being faced by Nigerians.
    The lawyers disclosed this in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday.

    They told NAN that the President outlined the true position of the country’s journey to democracy.

    Mr Chibuikem Opara, a Senior Counsel, at Justification Chambers, Ikeja, said the speech was well articulated and came at the right time.
    Opara, however, urged the president to match words with action.
    “The president and his team should find a way to lift the prevalent gloom.
    “That’s the only way to ensure that the labours of our heroes past and the heroes of June 12, will not be in vein,” he said.
    Mr Onyekachi Ubani, former Vice President, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), also commended the president for his quick intervention in ending the industrial action by the organised labour.
    Ubani was reacting to the portion where President Tinubu indicated that government had agreed on a new minimum wage with labour.
    “ Part of the President’s  broadcast read;
    “In this spirit, we have negotiated in good faith and with open arms with the organised labour on a new national minimum wage.
    “We shall soon send an executive bill to the National Assembly, to enshrine what has been agreed upon,  as part of our law for the next five years or less.
    “In the face of labour’s call for a national strike, we did not seek to oppress or crack down on the workers as a dictatorial government would have done.
    “We chose the path of cooperation over conflict,” he had said.
    Ubani noted that with the portion of the speech, the principles of democracy had been thoroughly upheld.
    He further applauded the current administration for not “wielding the big stick” on partakers of the recent industrial action, adding that same, exemplied true democractic leadership.
    “The aspect of not punishing those who shut down the national grid, is very commendable. It then means that the ethos of democracy is being consciously imbibed by government.
    “It is indeed very commendable that government intervened swiftly in addressing the concerns raised by labour and have now reached a consensus without allowing same to linger,” Ubani said.
    According to him,  in the past, such industrial actions will  have lingered without quick resolve, adding that same is  not the case today, with the current administration.
    “The swiftness with which the issues were resolved by this government, is highly commendable.
    “If President Tinubu continues with the good steps he is currently taking to reform the economic and other aspects of social life, we will certainly get there.
    “My happiness is that we have been able to celebrate 25 years of uninterrupted democracy  and we are growing from strength to strength.
    “We will get there,” he said.
    Mr Chris Ayiyi, the Principal Partner, Ayiyi Chambers, however, expressed mixed feelings on the freedom of the press, over the years.
    According to him, freedom of the press should be the priority of this government.
    “I know the present administration inherited insecurity,  however, they should try more to minimise kidnapping in the country.
    “It is important that the economic reforms of this government are channelled toward empowering the youth, so the young ones will stop leaving the shores of the country,” he stated.
    Mr Ademola Owolabi, also a Lagos-based lawyer, congratulated all Nigerians for the 25 years of unbroken democracy.
    Owolabi said that democracy must not become an end, rather, must be a means to good and progressive governance.
    He suggested that Nigeria should reduce its states from the current 36 to 18, adding that the local governments  should be  completely handed over to the states.
    Owolabi added that the Senate should be scrapped.
    The legal practitioner said that the citizens should make sacrifices in the interest of the country.
    Mr Julius Ayoola, in his own opinion, said that the present government was on the right path.
    He, however, urged the government to cut down on its spending.
    “Nigeria is not doing so badly, but there are key areas we need to improve on, like the judiciary,” Ayoola said. (NAN)
    UNS/OCC/CCN/JNC
    ================
    Edited by Chinyere Nwachukwu/Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

  • Surety turns into defendant after allegedly failing to produce accused

    Surety
    By Chinyere
    Lagos, June 11, 2024 (NAN) A  32-year-old man, Rufia Lateef, who allegedly stood as a surety for his friend charged with N10 million fraud and could not produce him for trial, was on Tuesday brought before an Ejigbo Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.
    Lateef, whose residential address was not provided, is standing trial on a two-count charge bordering on perverting the course of justice.
    The prosecutor, ASP Benedict Aigbokhan, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on June 23, 2023, at 2.00 p.m., at Ejigbo, Lagos.
    He said that the defendant stood as a surety for one Sanni Olalekan, who was charged with obtaining the sum of N10 million under false pretences.
    According to him, the defendant had promised to produce Olalekan to the court on July 6, 2023, and every other date his presence was needed, but failed to do so.
    Aigbokhan said that the defendant did not also produce Olalekan on March 14, when the case came up for trial.
    The prosecutor, therefore, requested that the defendant should show cause why the bail bond of N2 million he entered into, should not be forfeited to the Lagos State Government.
    He said that the offences contravened Section 97 of the Criminal Law of Lagos, 2015 and Section 132 of the Administration of  Criminal Justice Law (ACJL), 2011.
    The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.
    The Magistrate, Miss K. A. Ariyo, granted him bail in the sum of N1 million with two sureties in like sum.
    She ordered that the sureties should be gainfully employed and should show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
    Ariyo adjourned the case until July 12 for mention. (NAN)
    OCC/ETS
    ========

  • Lawyers urge govt to deploy technology for speedy justice delivery

    Justice
    By Chinyere Omeire
    Lagos, June 8, 2024 (NAN) Some lawyers in Lagos on Saturday urged government to deploy technology into the justice system to enable speedy dispensation of justice.
    The lawyers made the call in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), while reacting to the recent increment in the salaries of judicial officers.
    They commended government for the recent 300 per cent increment in the salaries of judicial officials, but recommended that technology be deployed to ease the work of judicial officers, especially judges.
    According to Mr Ademola Owolabi, Principal Partner, Owolabi chambers, Lagos, the increment in the salary of judges is a step in the right direction.
    “But, it is not enough. Judges are a very small fraction in judicial administration. If you pay judges that much, how much are you paying the registrars and other court officials?” he queried.
    Owolabi said that judges would not work effectively except court officials were equally motivated.
    He suggested an across the board review of the renumeration.
    Owolabi advised that the justice system should embrace the use of technology for speedy justice delivery.
    He expressed displeasure on how judges spend long hours writing court proceedings on paper.
    “Judges spend much time writing when we can deploy technology robust enough to do verbatim reporting in all High Courts, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court,” Owolabi said.
    Mr Julius Ayoola, Principal Partner, Ayoola chambers, expressed pleasure over government’s effort to adhere to global practices where judicial officers were paid well.
     He said that good salaries would make corruption unattractive.
    “Security of emoluments would mean that no amount of money can be offered to any judicial official because he is well remunerated.
    “Judicial officials, especially judges, are not spirits, they like good things just like everyone.
    “They should be able to afford good homes, good cars, affordable education for their children with their  normal income,” Ayoola said.
    He, however, urged government to look towards deploying technology to the courts to ease the work of judges.
    Mr Chris Ayiyi, the Principal Partner of Ayiyi chambers, Apapa, in his opinion, commended government for a work well done.
    He added that government should complement their efforts by employing more judges to reduce judges’ dockets.
    He said that judicial officers work long hours due to long list of cases in their dockets.
    “I will also advise government to deploy the use of technology so that judges will reduce the use of writing proceedings manually,” he said. (NAN)
    OCC/ETS
    ========