Category: Judiciary

Jail

By Nathan Nwakamma

Yenagoa, June 29, 2024 (NAN) A Bayelsa State High Court sitting in Yenagoa has sentenced a 41-year-old man, Baridapsi Needam, to 14 years imprisonment for raping and impregnating his daughter.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the victim gave birth to a baby girl in pendency of the trial.

The Bayelsa Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, Mr Briyal Dambo, in the suit numbered YHC/14C/2022, charged the accused with the offence of rape contrary to Section 1(1) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law of Bayelsa State, 2021.

Pere Amanda Egbuson, Prosecuting Counsel, Bayelsa Ministry of Justice, told the court that investigations revealed that the accused, Needam, started abusing his daughter when she was seven years old.

Egbuson said Needam defiled the daughter by inserting his fingers into her private part before having carnal knowledge of her in 2020 when she got pregnant.

The Presiding Judge, Justice D.E. Adokeme, while delivering judgement stated that the prosecution led credible evidence and made reference to the DNA result which revealed 99.99 per cent positive report that the convict is the father of the child.

The court ruled that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt that Needam committed the offence of rape, and subsequently sentenced him to 14 years imprisonment.

Speaking after the judgement, Egbuson, the lead prosecuting counsel, noted that the judgement would serve as a deterrent to others who engage in such unimaginable acts.

She thanked the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Biriyai Dambo, for his support in ensuring that the DNA analysis was carried out to aid the prosecution.

Reacting to the development, a renowned advocate against Violence against women and founder of Do Foundation, Dr Dise Ogbise-Goddy Harry, commended the court for ensuring justice.

“The State Government through the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Women Affairs, Children Affairs and Social Development and the Bayelsa State Gender Response Initiative Team have done well by keeping the victim and the baby safe.

“This should sound as a warning to all paedophiles to steer clear of our children,” she said.

The convicted Needman, was reported to the Police by members of the

It would be recalled that Bayelsa State Gender Advocacy group, Gender Response Initiative Team (GRIT), handed Needman to the Police, after a concerned neighbour discovered that he was responsible for his daughter’s pregnancy in 2022. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

NN/EMAF

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Edited by Emmanuel Afonne

I am guilty of illicit drug peddling, man tells court

Confession

By Olawale Akinremi

Ibadan, June 28, 2024 (NAN)A A Federal High Court in Ibadan on Friday ordered the remand of a middle aged man, Toheeb Adediran, at the Agodi Correctional Centre, after he confessed to trading in 4.418 kg of Cannabis.

Adediran confessed his guilt following his arraignment before Justice Ekerete Akpan, on a one-count charge of trading in illicit substances.

Akpan consequently adjourned the suit until July 2 for presentation of facts and judgment.

Earlier, counsel to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA) Oyo State Command, Ms Ann Balogun, had told the court that the defendant committed the offence on March 3, in Ogbomoso, Oyo State.

Balogun added that the NDLEA operatives acted on a tip-off from concerned Nigerians that Adediran was in possession of 4.418kg of illicit substance.

The prosecutor stated that the offence contravened the provisions of section 11 (C ) of the NDLEA Act Cap n30 Law of the Federation 2004.

In another development, the court also ordered the remand of Emmanuel Ayorinde in Agodi correctional centre for allegedly mixing 5.25 litres of liquid substances with coding.

Justice Akpan ordered Ayorinde to be remanded after he had pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge of unlawful possession and mixing of harmful substances.

Akpan adjourned the suit until July 15 for hearing on bail application and commencement of trial.

The prosecutor had informed the court that the defendant committed the alleged offences on March 19, at New Garage area of Ibadan, Oyo State.

She alleged that NDLEA operatives apprehended Ayorinde after intelligence reports revealed that he was in the business of mixing illicit harmful drug substances like coding, with liquid, which he sells to people.

Balogun further told the court that the defendant was arrested with 17.4kg of Cannabis Sativa, which he concealed in a sack. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

SEM/KOO/ETS

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Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa and Ephraims Sheyin

Assault
By Ugochi  Joy Ugochukwu
Abuja, June 28, 2024 (NAN) The police in Abuja on Friday arraigned one Godwin Jacob who allegedly stole a grinding machine engine coil and assaulted policemen during arrest.

Jacob, 24, appeared before  a Zuba Chief Magistrates’ Court.

The resident of Tungamaji Village, Abuja,  however,  pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Mr Chinedu Ogada,  told the court that the complainant, Mr Mohammed Abdullahi of the same address,   reported the case at the Zuba Police Station on May 31.

Ogada said that,  on May 30,  the defendant  went to the complainant’s grinding machine workshop and made away with his an engine coil worth N850,000.

The prosecutor added  that the defendant assaulted two  policemen who attempted to arrest him over the alleged theft.

He said that the policemen  sustained injuries and were rushed to a hospital for treatment.

The prosecutor said that the policemen spent N24,000 on medical treatment.

He also said that N150,000 belonging to one them was stolen while attempting to arrest the defendant.

Ogada said that during police investigation, the defendant could not give a satisfactory account of himself.

Ogada  told the court that the offences contravened  Sections 348, 327, 287 and 267 of the Penal Code.

The Chief Magistrate,  Mrs Habiba Bello,  admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N500,000 and a surety in like sum.

She ordered that the surety must reside within the court’s jurisdiction  and produce a means of identification.

She adjourned the case until  July 10 for hearing (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

UGO/IGO

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Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

Death penalty: Supreme Court discharges Army Sergeant

Discharge
By Ebere Agozie

Abuja, June 28, 2024 (NAN) The Supreme Court on Friday discharged and acquitted a Nigerian Army Sergeant, Akawu Bala from death sentence imposed on him by the General Court Martial of the Nigerian Army.

Justice Helen Ogunwumiju while delivering judgment in an appeal filled at the Supreme Court on March 16, 2017 by Bala, discharged him from the death penalty.

Respite came the way of the embattled army sergeant when the five-man panel of justices unanimously discharged him after spending 12 years in Kaduna Correctional Centre waiting for ratification of the death sentence passed on him.

The Apex Court rejected the arguments of the army’s lawyer and thereafter ordered the immediate release of the convict from the correctional centre where he had been on remand since 2012.

Ogunwumiju agreed with Reuben Atabo, SAN, counsel to Bala that the Court of Appeal ought to have discharged the accused person having voided his trial and declared it a nullity.

She subsequently invoked section 193 of the Armed Forces Act 2014 and set the convict free adding that the ordinary meaning of section 193 of the Armed Forces Act 2014 is that the accused person can no longer stand another trial.

Bala was accused by the Nigerian Army of shooting one Isa Mohammed on Dec. 9, 2012 when he was attached to African Petroleum Station at Sabon Tasha, Kaduna with AK47 gun.

The victim of the gunshot was said to have died on December 10, 2012 at Saint Gerald’s Catholic Hospital in Kaduna.

Following his indictment, he was put on trial on murder charge punishable under section 106 of the Armed Forces Act 2014 before the General Court Martial on 2-count charge.

He was found guilty of murder and subsequently sentenced to death by hanging.

However, on Feb. 17, 2017, his appeal against the death penalty was upheld by the Court of Appeal, Kaduna division, on the ground that the charge sheet upon which he was tried and convicted was not signed by a General Commanding Officer as required by law.

Justice Obietonbara Kalo who read the Court of Appeal’s lead judgment declared the process of the trial and conviction of the Sergeant as a nullity but however refused to discharge him from the nullified trial, prompting further appeal to Supreme Court.

Bala’s lead Counsel, Atabo, had argued on behalf of the convict that having declared the trial of his client, a nullity, the Court of Appeal ought to have made a consequential order to discharge the accused person from the flawed trial.

He drew the attention of the apex court to section 193 of the Armed Forces Act 2014 which prohibited retrial of any military personnel after his trial has been voided and set aside.

The Nigerian Army through its lead counsel, Isaac Udoka vehemently objected to the arguments of the defense appellant and prayed that the apex court should order the retrial of the convict in the interest of justice.

Bala had in his defense claimed that he fired gun shot at Isa Mohammed and one other person when they were walking towards him in the dark at the African Petroleum Station.

He equally claimed that his order on them to go back was rebuffed prompting him to fire at them before they could capture him.

The convict claimed that he fired the gun at the two men because it was during the peak of Boko Haram activities in Kaduna that they were walking towards him in the dark. (NAN)

EPA/SH

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edited by Sadiya Hamza

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Fighting
By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko
Ibadan, June 28, 2024 (NAN) Two youths: Rebecca Isioma and Solomon Taiwo, on Friday, appeared before an Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court, Ibadan for allegedly fighting in public.

The duo, whose addresses were not provided, are being tried for alleged breach of peace and affray, to which they pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Mr Philip Amusan, told the court that the defendants allegedly committed the offence on June 14, at about 9.00 p.m. at Oke-Bola area, Ibadan.

Amusan alleged that the defendants engaged each other in a fisticuff and disturbed public peace.

He said the offence contravened Section 83 of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

The Magistrate, Mrs Sukurat Yusuf, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N100,000 each with two sureties each in like sum.

Yusuf adjourned the case until July 19 for hearing. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
CC/KOO/JNC
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Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Felony

By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko
Ibadan, June 28, 2024 (NAN) Five teenagers, namely, Daramola Samuel, Wasiu Usman, Selim Adebayo, Michael Yekini and Akeem Fawasi, on Friday appeared before a Grade ‘A’ Customary Court, Ibadan, for an alleged attempt to commit felony.

The five with no fixed addresses were charged with conspiracy and attempt to commit felony, to which they pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Mr Philip Amusan, told the court that the defendants allegedly committed the offence on Thursday, at about 11.00 a.m., at Oke-Ado area, Ibadan.

Amusan alleged that the defendants attempted to commit felony by gathering at a particular abandoned building within the community to carry out atrocities’ activities.

He said the offence contravened Sections 516 and 509 of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

The court president, Mrs Sukurat Yusuf, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N200,000 each with two sureties each in like sum.

Yusuf held that one of the sureties must be a blood relation to the defendants.

She, thereafter, adjourned the case until July 16, for hearing. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
CC/EBI/JNC
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Edited by Benson Iziama/Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Court remands adolescent in borstal home for taking drugs

Remand

By Mujidat Oyewole

Ilorin, June 28, 2024 (NAN) An Area Court sitting in Ilorin remanded an adolescent in a borstal home for taking drugs

The Judge, Hammad Ajumonbi gave the ruling after the minor’s uncle told the court that his nephew was addicted to hard drugs.

Ajumonbi ordered that the defendant be admitted to the training institute for one year in the Borstal Training Institute.

He also held that the minor should be allowed to learn any skill of his choice during his one-year stay in the home.

Earlier, an officer from the Nigeria Correctional Service, Mr Tiamiyu Hakeem told the court that the defendant’s mother reported the case at the Borstal Training Institute.

Hakeem said that the mother explained how he used money he got from her shop to buy hard drugs and wanted the institute to reform him. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

MOB/NNO/SH

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Edited by Nick Nicholas/Sadiya Hamza

Mechanic jailed 2 months for cheating his client

Jail

By Ugochi Joy Ugochukwu

Abuja, June 28, 2024 (NAN) A Zuba Magistrates’ Court in Abuja, sentenced a 30-year-old mechanic, Ibrahim Adamu  to two months imprisonment for cheating his client

Adamu had pleaded guilty to breach of trust and cheating and begged the court  for leniency.

The Magistrate, Abdulazeez Mohammed, gave the convict an option of  N1million fine.

Mohammed also advised the convict to be of good behaviour and shun a life of crime after serving his jail term.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Mr Chinedu Ogada told the court that the complainant, Ms Hauwa  Yakubu of Zuba Abuja, reported the matter at the Zuba Police Station on May 27.

Ogada said the complainant gave  the convict her car for repairs.

He said the convict collected engine parts which the complainant bought, sold  them and converted the money to his personal use.

The prosecutor said during police investigation, the convict made a confessional statement.

The offence, he said, contravened the provisions of sections 312 and and 322 of the Penal Code. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

UGO/SH

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edited by Sadiya Hamza