Category: Judiciary

Murder
By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko
Ibadan, June 24, 2024 (NAN) An Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court, Ibadan, on Monday remanded three men: Kehinde Olagbemiro 55, Kunle Oguntoye, 45 and Morakinyo Mukaila, 57, in a correctional facility in Ibadan over alleged armed robbery and murder.
The deendants, whose addresses were not provided, were charged with conspiracy, armed robbery and murder.
The Magistrate, Mr Maruff Mudashiru, did not take the plea of the defendant for want of jurisdiction.
He directed the police to return the case file to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), pending legal advice.
He, thereafter, adjourned the case till Sept. 2 for mention.
The Prosecutor, Insp Femi Oluwadare, told the court that the defendants committed the offences between March 25 and June 3 at about 2.00 a.m. at Rhuoga Energy Ltd., Igboora, Oyo State.
Oluwadare said that the defendants and others at large robbed the aforementioned company of its earthen and terminating wires worth N15 million, while armed with guns, cutlasses and other dangerous weapons.
He said that the defendants also unlawfully caused the death of one 56-year-old Lukman Adejumo and Fatai Jimoh, both security guards with the company, by tying them with rope on their hands, legs and neck.
According to him, the offences contravene Sections 516 and 319 of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State, 2000. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
CC/WAS
Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq

Commercial driver bags life imprisonment for abducting, defiling 10-year-old girl

Imprisonment

By Ngozi Njoku

Ikeja, June 24, 2024 (NAN) A Lagos State Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court has sentenced a 24-year-old commercial driver, Abdul Hudu, to life imprisonment for defiling and abducting a 10-year-old girl (name withheld).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice Rahman Oshodi held that the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubts the two count charge of abduction and defilement against Hudu.

The court sentenced the convict to two years imprisonment on count one while he was sentenced to life imprisonment on the second count

Oshodi, in his judgment, said that the facts of the case were distressing as Hudu cruelly abducted the 10-year-old survivor from the safety and care of her parents for three agonising days.

“Her father could not eat and her mother cried incessantly, sick with worry, over their missing child.

“The callous disregard you showed for a child’s well-being, the emotional torment inflicted on her parents is shocking and worse still, during those three days, you repeatedly defiled and sexually assaulted this vulnerable young girl at the tender age of 10.

“she experienced unthinkable trauma and violation at your hands, which no child
should ever have to endure and her innocence was stolen.

“Throughout this trial, you have shown no remorse you lied blatantly in your testimony, denying the clear evidence against you, including your prior statement to the police.

“The web of falsehoods you spun to evade responsibility only compounded your culpability,” the judge said

Oshodi held that it was a severe case of child abduction and defilement and the law viewed the offences as deserving of severe punishment to reflect society’s abhorrence in order to punish the offender and to protect other children from suffering a similar fate.

He held that the fact that the convict was a first-time offender did not deflect the magnitude of the offences.

“In light of the gravity of the offences, the aggravating features and the
absence of remorse, I sentence you as follows

“On count one, the offence of abduction contrary to section 141, I sentence you to two years imprisonment and it shall commence on the date of your arrest, July 23 2019, as shown in exhibit A-A1.

“On count two, the offence of defilement contrary to section 137, I sentence you to the mandatory sentence of life imprisonment and you shall also be registered as a sex offender.

“The sentences are to run concurrently, you will serve your custodial terms at the Maximum-Security Custodial Centre or wherever the Nigerian Correctional Service may direct,” Oshodi said.

The judge further said that through the convict’s wicked actions, he had brought the punishment upon himself.

“I hope you will use your time in custody to reflect and reform,” Oshodi said.

NAN reports that the State’s Lead Counsel, Mr Babajide Boye, called three witnesses: the survivor, her father and one Ms Oluchi Nwoke-Okoi, a nurse with the Women at Risk International Foundation.

The convict during the trial testified in his own  defence.

The prosecutor said that the convict committed the offences on June 30, 2019, on Adekunle Street, Idi Araba, Mushin, Lagos.

The prosecutor told the court that the survivor was returning from an errand in
the night when the convict accosted her.

He said that the convict hit her with an object and covered her face with something in a cloth, causing her to lose consciousness and she later woke up in his room.

According to the evidence before the court, the convict had unlawful multiple intercourse with the survivor over three days in different
locations and later dropped her off near her house.

She narrated the events to her father, who took her to the hospital and police station. (NAN)
(www.nannews.ng)

NG/AOS

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Edited by Bayo Sekoni

Driver gets life imprisonment for abducting, defiling minor

Imprisonment
By Ngozi Njoku
Ikeja, June 24, 2024 (NAN) An Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court on Monday  sentenced a 24-year-old commercial driver, Abdul Hudu to life imprisonment for defiling and abducting a 10-year-old girl.

Justice Rahman Oshodi held that the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubts the two-count charge of adduction and defilement against Hudu.

The convict was sentenced to two years in prison on count one and life imprisonment on count two.

Oshodi, in his judgment, said that the facts of the case were distressing as Hudu cruelly abducted the 10-year-old survivor from the safety and care of her parents, for three agonising days.

“Her father could not eat and her mother cried incessantly, sick with worry over their missing child.

“The callous disregard you showed for a child’s well-being, the emotional torment inflicted on her parents is shocking.

“Worse still, during those three days, you repeatedly defiled and sexually assaulted this vulnerable young girl at the tender age of 10.

“She experienced unthinkable trauma and violation at your hands, which no child should ever have to endure and her innocence was stolen.

“Throughout this trial, you have shown no remorse; you lied blatantly in your testimony, denying the clear evidence against you, including your prior statement to the police.

“The web of falsehoods you spun to evade responsibility only compounded your culpability.

“This is a severe case of child abduction and defilement and the law views the offences as deserving of severe punishment to reflect society’s abhorrence in order to punish the offender and to protect other children from suffering a similar fate,” the judge said.

He also held that the fact that the convict was a first-time offender did not deflect the preceding.

“In light of the gravity of the offences, the aggravating features and the
absence of remorse, I sentence you as follows:

“On count one, the offence of abduction contrary to section 141, I sentence you to two years imprisonment and it shall commence on the date of your arrest, July 23, 2019, as shown in exhibit A-A1.

“On count two, the offence of defilement contrary to section 137, I sentence you to the mandatory sentence of life imprisonment and you shall also be registered as a sex offender.

“The sentences are to run concurrently. You will serve your custodial terms at the Maximum-Security Custodial Centre or wherever the Nigerian Correctional Service may direct you,” Oshodi ruled.

The judge said that the convict brought the punishment upon himself through his wicked actions.

“I hope you will use your time in custody to reflect and reform,” Oshodi said.

NAN reports that the State Lead Counsel, Mr Babajide Boye, had called three witnesses: the survivor, her father and one Ms Oluchi Nwoke-Okoi, a nurse with the Women at Risk International Foundation.

The convict, however, testified as the sole defence witness.

Certified copies of his extra-judicial statement dated July 23, 2019 were received and marked as exhibit A-A1.

The prosecutor had submitted that the convict committed the offence on June 30, 2019 on Adekunle Street, Idi Araba, Mushin, Lagos.

He told the court that the minor was returning from an errand in the night when the convict knocked her unconsciousness and abducted her. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

NG/CEO/SH

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Edited by Chidi Opara/sadiya Hamza

Student docked for alleged indecent assault

Emefiele awarded contracts to his wife,  brother-in-law- Witness tells court

Contract

By Edith Nwapi

Abuja, June 24, 2024 (NAN) Mr Michael Agboro, a  prosecution seventh witness alleged that the suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Godwin Emefiele awarded contracts to companies belonging to his wife and a his broher-in-law.

Emefiele is standing trial on an alleged 20-count amended charge, preferred against him by the Economic and financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before a FCT High Court in Maitama, Abuja.

He was alleged to have engaged in criminal breach of trust, forgery, conspiracy to obtain by false pretence and obtaining money by false pretence, when he served as the apex bank’s boss.

The EFCC alledged that the former CBN boss forged a document titled: Re: Presidential Directive on Foreign Election Observer Missions dated Jan. 26, 2023 with Ref No. SGF.43/L.01/201 and purported same to have emanated from the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (AGF).

Besides he is also accused of using his office as CBN governor to confer unfair and corrupt advantage on two companies; ”April 1616 Nigeria Ltd and Architekon Nigeria Ltd”.

Agboro, an investigator with the Independent, Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) who testified earlier was cross-examined further by Emefiele’s counsel, Mathew Burkaa, SAN.

When asked if the defendant conferred unfair and corrupt advantage on himself, he answered :”he  conferred on Saadatu Yaro, who is a Public Officer working under him. He also conferred on his wife and brother-in-law.

When asked if Emefiele alone could award and approv contracts, he answered that the contracts were approved by the defendant.

Answering if there was no difference between CBN and Emefiele, he said :”the difference is that the defendant was an employee of CBN.

When asked if the defendant was a member of the tender’s board or procurement department, he said he did not know.

”We limited our investigation to him, his wife, relatives and associates.

”Our findings revealed that the defendant was not a director or shareholder or an account signatory in either April1616 limited or Architekon Nigeria limited.

He also admitted that there was no evidence of any payment made to Emefiele by these companies in the course of performing his duties at the CBN.

Also when asked if in the course of their investigation they interviewed people in the CBN to determine whether the two firms executed the jobs they were contracted to do, the witness said “yes”.

However, when asked if the team in their final report stated this fact, the witness said he could not recall if they did.

Agboro being led in evidence by the EFCC counsel, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN on Marrch 11 tendered several documents including company registration documents and award as well as payments for contract relating to the two forms.

He added that documents his team, comprising of persons drawn from the ICPC, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and the Department of State Service (DSS), showed that while a Director of ”April 1616”, Yaro, is a Public Officer, with the CBN, Emefiele’s wife, Margaret Omoyile and his brother-in-law, Mac Congo were directors in Architekon.

Justice Hamza Muazu adjourned the matter untilTuesda, for re-examination of the witness.(NAN)
(www.nannews.ng )

NEO/SH
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edited by Sadiya Hamza

Spray

By Sandra Umeh
Lagos, June 24, 2024 (NAN) A Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday, remanded two men, Friday Chieze and Kingsley Nnam in a correctional facility for allegedly selling unregistered body spray.

Chieze and Nnam are being prosecuted by the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control, charged with selling of unregistered body spray.

The Prosecutor, Mrs Ngozi Emma-Afoke, said that Chieze operated with a business name, Friday Fragrance Business, while Nnam traded under the name, NIFAKO Global Resources Enterprise.

She said that the defendants committed the offence on Jan. 18, at the Ojo Trade Fair Complex in Lagos.

Emma-Afoke said that Chieze and Nnam sold unregistered cosmetics products known as Riggs Body Spray.

She said that the unregistered products contained substances likely to cause injury to the health and safety of unsuspecting users.

The prosecutor said that the offence contravened Section 1(1), 1(4) and 6 of the Food, Drugs and Related Products (Registration) Act 2004.

The defendants, pleaded not guilty to the charge

The Defence Counsel, Mr Kingsley Onyemaechi, prayed the court to grant the defendants bail.

Justice Yellin Bogoro ordered that the defendant be remanded in a correctional facility.

Bogoro adjourned the matter until July 1, for ruling on the bail application.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

UNS/AZU
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Edited by Azubuike Okeh

Copyright Infringement: Musician kicks as AGF takes over MTN criminal trial

Trial

By Taiye Agbaje

Abuja, June 22, 2024 (NAN) A musician, Maleke Moye has alleged injustice in the directive by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, for a take over of the ongoing trial of MTN Nigeria and its CEO, over alleged copyright Infringement.

The musician said that the minister’s directive for the prosecuting agency, Nigeria Copyright Commission (NCC), to hands off the trial and forward the case file to his (AGF) office portends impending dangerous precedence.

Moye’s position is contained in a press release issued by his lawyer, Rockson Igelige, which was made available to newsmen on Saturday in Abuja.

It will be recalled that NCC filed criminal charges against MTN Nigeria Communications Ltd, Karl Toriola, its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Nkeakam Abhulimen, Fun Mobile Ltd. and Yahaya Maibe alleging copyright infringement.

In the three-count charge, before a Federal High Court, Abuja, NCC alleged that the defendants, between 2010 and 2017 “offered for sale, sold and traded for business’’, infringed musical works of Moye without his consent and authorisation.

The commission alleged that the defendants used musical works and sound recordings of Moye with subsisting copyright, as Caller Ring Back Tunes, without the authorisation of the artiste.

According to NCC, the alleged offences are contrary to and punishable under Section 20 (2) (a) (b) and (c) of the Copyright Act, Cap. C28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

At the last hearing in the trial before Justice Inyang Ekwo on June 15, NCC prosecution lawyer, Gladys Ojo had accused MTN Nigeria’s CEO, Toriola, of evading service of court documents

However, in a letter dated June 19, referenced DPPA/JACK/271/24, the AGF, through the office of the Director of Public Prosecution, directed the NCC to “promptly” hands off the trial, forward the case file and court processes to his office.

According to the AGF, the decision was taken, following a petition by MTN Nigeria and its CEO, and in line with Section 174 (1) (b) of the1999 Constitution, relating to entry of “Nolle Prosecui” in a criminal matter.

The section provides: “The Attorney-General of the Federation shall have power – (b) to take over and continue any such criminal proceedings that may have been instituted by any other authority or person.”

Section 174 (3) further provides that, “In exercising his powers, the Attorney-General of the Federation shall have regard to the public interest, the interest of justice and the need to prevent abuse of legal process”.

In a copy of the petition by the MTN Nigeria to the AGF, dated May 14, obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the company alleged that the charge was constituted to smear and embarrass MTN and its CEO.

MTN through its lawyer, Ogden Alade contended that the criminal charge was calculated to “harass embarrass and force the hands of its clients to do the bidding of the musician by paying hundreds of million of Naira for alleged act of infringement”

MTN said it complied with the provision of applicable laws in the musician songs and did not connive with any person to defraud or violate the right of the musician

The company added that it had indicated its goodwill and readiness to settle the case amicably under just and fair circumstances without undue pressure and influence, as well as prejudice to its rights and defence.

MTN said there is an ongoing civil suit on the alleged copyright infringement where the musician is seeking damages of N500 million, before another Federal High Court.

“The prosecution of the case and trial of MTN and its CEO will erode the corporate image of MTN and depletes its profitability, thereby affecting its share price in the Nigeria’s stock market and taxes payable to the Federal Government by the company.

“It will also discourage foreign investment for fear of harassment

“It is in the light of this, that we wish to crave the kind indulgence of your good office in critically examining this matter and exercising your powers under Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution in the overall interest of justice and to prevent abuse of legal process,” the letter read in part.

Reacting to the decision of the AGF to the MTN petition, the musician alleged that the minister used his office ‘as a tool for oppression against an ordinary Nigerian”.

“While we concede that the AGF is empowered under the law as the Chief Law Officer, to discontinue any criminal trial, we also know that the sacred trust vested in the AGF must not be abused.

“The responsibility of entering a ‘nolle prosequi’ must actually be exercised justifiably.

“Sadly in this instance, there is no justification, whatsoever, for the AGF to thwart the prosecution of MTN.

“The case, indeed, serves the crucial purpose of giving justice to Mr Moye who has expended time resources and energy to create a work of art which MTN and its cronies have willfully stolen and appropriated the income to themselves,” Moye’s lawyer said.

He called on the AGF to allow justice to take its course and direct MTN to present its case in court.

According to him, doing otherwise would suggest that the AGF did not trust the Federal High Court, where the matter is pending, to do justice in the case. (NAN) (www nannews.ng)

TOA/ROT

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Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi

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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
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Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

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
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Edited by Ayodeji Alabi/Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma