Category: Judiciary

Justice

By Bushrah Yusuf-Badmus

Ilorin, June 21, 2024 (NAN) Kwara Director of Public Prosecution, Idowu Akande, has called for the amendment of the Provision of the Evidence Act by abrogating trial within trial to ensure quick dispensation of justice.

Akande made the call in Ilorin on Friday at the sidelines of a two-day Performance Appraisal Workshop on the Legal Framework on Parole and the Administration of Criminal Justice in Nigeria.

He said the federal and state governments needed to unanimously amend the act, which made it mandatory for the court to first determine if a statement was made voluntarily or not.

“We need to replace the section that says confessional statements shall not be admissible unless it’s voluntary, with, ‘Confessional statements may be admitted by the judge pending the time of the confirmation of its voluntariness’.

“If the judge confirms that it was not voluntarily made, the judge will expunge it.

“’With this, we will not have to hold a trial within trial which takes too much time,” he said.

According to Akande, the fastest trial within a trial takes at least six months, which is a great impediment to a quick dispensation of justice.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the workshop, which started on Thursday, had representatives from the Ministry of Justice, the Federation of Women Lawyers and the National Human Rights Commission.

The Nigeria Police Force, Legal Aid Council, Civil Society Organisations, Non-Governmental Organisations and the Nigeria Customs Service also had their representatives in attendance.

NAN also reports that the workshop was organised by Cleen Foundation with the support of MacArthur Foundation. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

BAY/MAS

Edited by Moses Solanke

Stealing

By Raji Rasak

Badagry (Lagos State) June 21, 2024 (NAN) A Badagry Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, on Friday remanded a 24-year old man, Jimoh Eluah, at a correctional facility for allegedly stealing a plastic can valued N7,000.

Eluah whose address was not given, is being charged with unlawful entry and stealing to which he pleaded guilty.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr L.A Aina ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Awhajigoh Correctional Centre, Badagry.

He thereafter, adjourned the case until June 4, for facts and sentencing.

Earlier, the Prosecutor, Clement Okuoimose told the court that the defendant committed the offences at about 6.00a.m on June 17, at Jubau Petrol Station, Badagry, Lagos.

Okuoimose said that the defendant jumped across the fence and entered into the petrol station with an intent to steal.

He said the defendant stole one empty plastic can valued N7,000, belonging to the fueling station.

Okuoimose said that the offences violated Sections 308 and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

ROR/KOO/AZU
===========
Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa and Azubuike Okeh

Conference

By Sandra Umeh
Lagos, June 21, 2024 (NAN) No fewer than 3,074 lawyers have registered for the Nigerian Bar Association Annual General Conference (NBA-AGC), Mrs Oyinkansola Badejo-Okunsanya, the Chairperson for the 2024 edition of the conference, has said.

Badejo-Okunsanya told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Friday that the figure was commendable when compared with 2,000 registered lawyers in 2023.

NAN reports that the 64th NBA-AGC is billed to hold from Aug. 23 to Aug. 28 in Lagos.

The theme of the conference is: “Pressing Forward, A National Posture for Rebuilding Nigeria”.

Badejo-Okunsanya expressed optimism that a good number of lawyers would emerge at the end of July going by the registered delegates so far.

“As of Thursday, we already had 3,074 registered delegates and this is very encouraging because within same period last year, we had about 2,000 and it was quite worrisome.

“But by June 30, we should see a lot of activities in preparation for the conference and I am very optimistic that this conference will be mind blowing.

“Already we are feeling the excitement because Lagos State is special and is always an exciting venue to have the conference,” she said.

She described Tafawa Balewa Square, the venue for the conference as quite significant, considering the huge number of lawyers.

She expressed confidence that everything would work out for the good of the bar.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
UNS/JNC
========
Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Police arraign 1 mechanic, 2 farmers for alleged phone, cash theft

Theft
By Aderemi Bamgbose
Okitipupa (Ondo) June 21, 2024 (NAN) The police on Friday arraigned one mechanic and two farmers in an Okitipupa Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ondo State for allegedly stealing a phone worth N42,000 and N120,000 cash.

The three accused persons are Sunday Igbajowo, 20 (mechanic), Olamilekan Temitope, 33 and Ayodeji Akinsote, 25, both farmers, charged with felony, burglary and theft.

The Police Prosecutor, ASP. Zedekiah Orogbemi, told the court that the three men on March 11, 2024 around 11 p.m at Igbosika Street, Ode-Aye in Okitipupa magisterial district, conspired to commit felony.

Orogbemi said the men burgled the house of one Samson Setimi and stole one Intel P33 android phone valued N42,000 and N120,000 cash.

He added that the suspects committed offences contrary to and punishable under sections 411, 516 and 390 (9), Criminal Code, Cap.37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State, 2006.

However, the men pleaded not guilty and the Chief Magistrate, Mr Philip Akinlosetu, granted them bail in the sum of N200,000 each and one surety each in like sum.

The magistrate added that the sureties must be residing within the court’s jurisdiction, and must show and present evidence of two years tax payment to the state government, as he adjourned the case till
June 27 for hearing. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
BAA/FEO/HA
===========
Edited by Francis Onyeukwu/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

Arraignment

By Moronke Boboye

Ikeja, June 21, 2024 (NAN) The police in Lagos on Friday arraigned two men before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing and receiving two iPhones 15 pro Max, valued at N3million.

The defendants, Damilare Kehinde,32, unemployed, and Collins Okoro, 26, business man, reside at Igando and Akowonjo, in Lagos, respectively.

Both defendants are standing trial for stealing, obtaining by false pretence, conspiracy and receiving stolen property.

They, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them.

The prosecutor, ASP Racheal Williams, told the court that the duo allegedly committed the offences on May 4, 2024, at Zenith Bank, Awolowo way, Ikeja.

Williams said that the first defendant ordered for two iPhones 15 promax valued at N3 million, from Mr Oluwasegun Odutayo.

The prosecutor said that a dispatch rider delivered the iPhones to the first defendant at the address he gave.

He said that after collecting the iPhones from the despatch riders, the defendant  told him he wanted to transfer the money from the bank and disappeared.

“From there, all efforts made to locate him failed,” she said.

Williams also said that the second defendant, who bought the iphones from the first defendant, was later tracked and apprehended.

According to the prosecutor, the offences contravened Sections 287, 314, 328 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The Magistrate, Mr A. J Odueke, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N500,000 each with two sureties in like sum.

Odueke adjourned the case until June 28 for mention. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

MTO/AYO/IU

==============

Edited by Ayodeji Alabi /Isaac Ukpoju

2 Beninoises jailed five years each for assaulting a woman

Police arraign 3 men over alleged N10m fraud, impersonation

Arraignment

By Olawale Akinremi

Ibadan, June 21, 2024 (NAN) The Police Command in Oyo on Friday arraigned three suspected fraudsters before a Mapo Chief Magistrate Court in Ibadan over alleged impersonation and N10 million fraud.

The suspects are Tajudeen Adeleke, 65, Elijah Adeoti, 54, and Akin Olawale, 69.

They pleaded not guilty to a three-count charge of conspiracy, false presentation and conduct likely to cause breach of peace when they were read to them.

The presiding Magistrate, Mrs O.O. Latunji admitted each of the suspects to bail in the sum of N500,000 with two reliable sureties who must show evidence of landed property in like sum.

Latunji adjourned the suit until July 18 for commencement of hearing.

The police prosecution, Insp Oluseye Akinola had told the court that Adeleke, Adeoti and Olawale committed the crime on June 19, at Mapo area of Ibadan, Oyo State.

According to Akinola, the first defendant impersonated high chief Lekan Alabi, the ‘Abese’ Olubadan of Ibadan in connivance with the second and the third defendants.

He added that they impersonated high chief Lekan Alabi, in order to fraudulently obtain the sum of N10 million from a UK based Nigerian businessman, Waheed Olokobi.

Akinola said the defendants assured Olokobi that they were members of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes and would secure him a piece of land at a Government Reservation Area in Ibadan using their connection. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

SEM/GOM/AMM

============

Edited by Gregg Mmaduakolam and Abiemwense Moru

3 men in court over alleged possession of explosives

Arraignment

By Funmilayo Okunade

Ado-Ekiti, June 21,2024 (NAN) Three men, Adamu Abdullahi, 46, Haruna Musa,57, and Sanni Garba,26, were, on Friday, arraigned in an Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ Court over alleged possession of explosives.

The defendants, of unknown addresses, are facing a charge of possession of explosives.

The police prosecutor, Insp Akinwale Oriyomi, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on June 5, in Ado-Ekiti.

He alleged that the defendants had in their possession three cartridges of 32mm, detonating cord and firing cables.

Oriyomi said that the offence contravened Section 1(c) and punishable under Section 1(e) of the Explosive Act 1964 and Explosive Regulation 1967.

He urged the court to adjourn the case to enable him to study the file and assemble his witnesses.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against them.

Counsel to the defendants, Mr Ademola Richard, urged the court to grant the defendants bail, with a promise that they would not jump bail.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr Olarewaju Owoleso, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500, 000 with one surety each in like sum.

He adjourned the case till July 29, for hearing.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

FOA/JPE

=======

Edited by Joseph Edeh

Unemployed man docked for allegedly stealing catfish worth N2.5m

Theft

By Adepote Arowojobe

Ikorodu (Lagos State), June 21, 2024 (NAN) A 32-year-old unemployed man, Olaniyan Lekan was on Friday docked in an Ikorodu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State, for an allegedly stealing catfish worth N2.5million.

Lekan is charged with conspiracy and theft.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Prosecution Counsel, ASP Christian Okonofua, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on May 25, in Ita-Oloja Odogunyan area of Ikorodu.

Okonofua said that the defendant conspired with others, at large to steal 1,200 pieces of catfish worth  N2.5million, property of Mr Dolapo Oladosu.

The prosecutor said that the offence contravened the provisions of sections 411 and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Magistrate O.A. Onalaja admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N200, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

Onalaja adjourned the case until July 11 for mention. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

ADEX/SH
=======

edited by Sadiya Hamza

Woman in court for allegedly stealing employer’s N1.9m

Stealing

By Moronke Boboye

Ikeja, June 21, 2024(NAN) The police in Lagos on Friday arraigned a 33- year-old woman, Josephine Moses, in  an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing employer’s N1.9 million.

The defendant, a company secretary, who resides at Sam Ethan Air Force Base, Ikeja, is tried for stealing.

She, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecutor, ASP Racheal Williams told the court that the offence was committed on May 17, at La flotte Water Factory, Oshodi, Lagos.

Williams said that the defendant was given N1.3million by her superior to deposit into the company’s account.

The prosecutor said that instead of the defendant paying the money into the company’s account, she converted it to her personal use .

Williams said that when this fraud was discovered, the company decided to audit their account and N600, 000 was also missing, totaling N1.9 million.

The prosecutor said the offence contravened section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The Magistrate, Mr F. O. Ameen granted the defendant bail of N500, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

Ameen adjourned the case until June 28, for mention.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

MTO/JPE

=======

Edited by Joseph Edeh