Category: Judiciary

Parole system: Stakeholders hold appraisal workshop on criminal justice law

 Stakeholders at the Workshop

Parole

By Bushrah Yusuf-Badmus

Ilorin, June 20, 2024 (NAN) Stakeholders in the judicial system on Thursday converged to appraise the legal framework of the parole system and the criminal justice law in Nigeria.

At the appraisal workshop organised by the Cleen Foundation in Ilorin, they agreed that the Parole Act as introduced in 2015 was one of the ways to reduce prison congestion and an improvement on the country’s criminal justice system.

Executive Director, Cleen Foundation, Mr Peter Gad, said the workshop was to bring stakeholders together to discuss the need to depoliticise the parole process as well as standardise the criteria for selection of inmates.

Gad represented by the Finance Officer, Helen Anwanna, said the administration of justice was the cornerstone of any society that upholds the rule of law.

According to him, collective efforts are pivotal in ensuring that this cornerstone remains robust and effective.

”This workshop provides an invaluable platform for us to engage in critical discussions, share insights, and evaluate the current state of our legal framework on parole and its broader implication on criminal justice administration in Nigeria.

”Parole is a critical component of our justice system, aimed at rehabilitating offenders and reintegrating them into the society as law-abiding citizens.

”It reflects a balance between punitive measures and the need for rehabilitation, recognising that the potential for reform and positive change exists within every individual.

”However, for parole to achieve its intended outcomes, it must be underpinned by a sound legal framework and effective administration,” he said.

Mr Gad said all stakeholders should work towards a more efficient and humane criminal justice system that would not only punish wrongdoing but also promoted rehabilitation and reintegration.

The Assistant Controller of Corrections, Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS), Kwara Command Mr Okunola Adebayo, said no one has actually enjoyed parole in Nigeria because the modus operandi was yet to be institutionalised.

Adebayo, who is the Secretary of the Parole Board and the Head of NonCustodial Measure in Kwara, said the National Technical Committee was yet to formalise the modules through which the states could domesticate the system.

”The parole system is a new phenomenon under the Nigerian justice system, even as it is being introduced into NCS, and we are still learning the rope on how to exploit its benefits.

 ”As it is presently, there is no modus operandi, as it has not been well institutionalised.

”In Nigeria today, no one has actually benefited from parole because the National Technical Committee on parole in Abuja is yet to formalise the modules through which the states can domesticate.

”So that we can follow the tenets and enjoy parole system,” he said.

Senior Sulyman, the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of Kwara, said the workshop was apt and timely as justice was not only for the defendant, but also for the victim and the society, which parole among other things sought to reintegrate inmates back to the society.

The commissioner represented by the state Director of Public Prosecution, Idowu Akande, said the parole system in the state will work with three pointers namely remittance of unserved term, reduction of the sentence and substitution of the sentence.

He said part of the conditions to be fulfilled for the paroles include having served 2/3 of their terms with good conduct and those with critical health conditions.

Mrs Ibijoke Olawoyin, the Chief Registrar, Kwara High Court, said the parole system was laudable but the ball needed to be set rolling as it was yet to start working in Kwara.

 She said if the system was well put in place, it would go a long way in decongesting the correctional centres, as well as serve a form of reformation and reintegration to the society.

Olawoyin said it was unfortunate that there was no clear cut of how the parole system ought to work, but pledged the court’s willingness to synergise with other stakeholders once institutionalised.

 She further advised the government to have a reintegration process in place to accept the inmates released on parole either as a form of training or skills acquisition.

The Vice Chairman, Nigeria Bar Association, Ilorin, Mrs Aisha Temim, commended Cleen Foundation for looking inwards to what happened to inmates next after sentence?

The Secretary, Community Policing Advisory Committee, Alhaji Shola Mause, said it was laudable that reforms like this were being brought to the criminal justice system in the country as it was long overdue.

 The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that other stakeholders represented at the workshop are Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), National Human Rights Commission, Nigeria Police Force, Legal Aid Council, Civil Society Organisations, Non-Governmental Organisations and the media.

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

BAY/AMM

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Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Alleged money laundering: Court adjourns Ali Bello, co-defendant’s trial

Adjournment

By Taiye Agbaje

Abuja, June 20, 2024 (NAN) A Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday adjourned an amended money-laundering charge preferred against Ali Bello and his co-defendant, Daudu Sulaiman, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) until July 15.

Justice James Omotosho adjourned the matter for trial continuation after the EFCC’s witness, Olom Otane Egoro, an Access Bank staff, was cross-examined by the defence counsel.

It would be recalled that on Ma 6, EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, had presented Egoro from the Compliance Unit of the bank as the 6th prosecution witness (PW6) of the commission.

The banker, while being led in evidence, had told the court that the EFCC, via a letter, requested for the bank statements of the Kogi Government House, for the period of 2018 to 2021.

He said the commission also asked for other documents, including the account opening mandate for the account and certificate of compliance in respect of the printouts.

The witness thereafter went through the statement of account, detailing the various deposits into and withdrawals from same via transfers and cash.

From his evidence, Egoro had said the withdrawals were N10 million each in different tranches.

The witness, however, did not state who deposited the monies, what the monies were deposited for or who withdrew the same and for what purpose before concluding his testimony in the last adjourned date.

Oyedepo had tendered the documents through the witness and were admitted in evidence accordingly and today was fixed for cross-examination.

However, during the cross-examination by Abubakar Aliyu, SAN, counsel for the 1st defendant (Ali Bello) on Thursday, Egoro admitted there was no lodgement or withdrawal linked to Bello in the exhibit before him.

The witness equally admitted that the staff of compliance unit of the bank are not the ones that run and maintain the servers of the bank where information on bank transactions are generated from.

He added that it was the duty of the bank’s ICT Department to manage the bank servers.

Lawyer to the 2nd defendant (Suleiman), Olusegun Jolaawo, SAN, equally cross-examined the PW6.

After the defence counsel completed their cross-examination, Justice Omotosho discharged Egoro from the witness box and adjourned the matter until July 15 and July 16 for trial continuation.

It would be recalled that Ali Bello and Dauda Suleiman, in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/550/2022, are standing trial on a 10-count charge bordering on money laundering brought against them by the anti-graft agency.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

TOA/SH

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edited by Sadiya Hamza

Court nullifies creation of 33 LCDAs by late Akeredolu

Gun
By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko
Ibadan, June 20, 2024 (NAN) A 24-year-old man, Toheeb Oyedepo, was on Thursday arraigned before an Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court, Ibadan, for allegedly possessing a single barrel gun.
Oyedepo, whose address was not provided, was charged with unlawful possession of a single barrel gun, to which he, however, pleaded not guilty.
The Prosecutor, Insp Olalekan Adegbite, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on April 18 at about 1 p.m. at Okeola area of Ibadan.
Adegbite said that the defendant unlawfully possessed the cut-to-size locally-made gun, of which he could not give satisfactory account.
He said that the offence contravened Section 417 of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
The Magistrate, Mrs Oluwabusayo Osho, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000, with two reliable sureties in like sum.
She adjourned the case till July 11 for hearing. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
CC/DEB/WAS
Debo Oshundun and ‘Wale Sadeeq

2 men in court over alleged shop breaking, theft

Arraignment

By Funmilayo Okunade

Ado-Ekiti, June 6, 2024(NAN) Two men, Zeyyanu Abdullahi, 25, and Fapohunda Ebenezer, 23, on Thursday appeared before an Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ Court over alleged shop breaking and stealing.

The defendants, of unknown addresses, are facing a two-count charge of shop breaking and stealing.

The police prosecutor, Insp Sodiq Adeniyi, told the court that the defendants committed the offence on May 19 at about 01:30 a.m. at Falegan Street in Ado-Ekiti.

He alleged that the defendants broke into the shops of Daramola Tosin and Dare Ogunseeyin.

Adeniyi said that the defendants stole one generator valued at N450,000 belonging to Daramola Tosin and also stole wears valued at N650,000 belonging to Dare Ogunseeyin.

According to him, the offences contravened Sections 324(1)(2) and 302(1)(a) of the Criminal Laws of Ekiti State, 2021.

The prosecutor asked the court for adjournment to enable him study the case file and present his witnesses.

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

Counsel to the defendants, Mr Adefolaju Ayobioloja, urged the court to grant them bail, with a promise that they would not jump bail.

The Chief Magistrate, Dolamu Babalogbon, granted bail to the defendants in the sum of N50,000 with one surety each in like sum.

She adjourned the case till July 18 for hearing.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

FOA/AMM

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Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Theft
By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko
Ibadan, June 20, 2024 (NAN) A 44-year-old mechanic, Rasheed Saheed, on Thursday, appeared before a Grade ‘A’ Customary Court, Ibadan, over alleged stealing of a car worth N5 million.
Saheed, whose address was not provided, is facing a two-count charge of stealing and conduct likely to cause breach of peace.
He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The Prosecutor, Mr Philip Amusan, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on Feb. 17 at 6.00 p.m. at Apata area of Ibadan.
Amusan said that Saheed abandoned the car which was given to him to repair on the highway, being property of one Oluwadamilare Oladeji.
He said that the car key was given to the defendant to remove the car which developed fault on the high way and repair, but he failed to do so.
The prosecutor said that the defendant conducted himself in a manner likely to cause breach of peace.
The offences, according to him, contravened Sections 249(d) and 390(9) of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
The Court President, Mrs Moji Aworemi, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N1 million, with two sureties in like sum.
Aworemi said that one of the sureties must be a blood relation to the defendant and adjourned the case till July 22 for hearing. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
CC/WAS
Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq

2 in court for allegedly stealing woman’s N700,000

Stealing

By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko

Ibadan, June 20, 2024 (NAN) Two men, Okiki Olaniyan, 18, and Hamzat Sodiq, 20, on Thursday, appeared before a Grade ‘A’ Customary Court in Ibadan charged with stealing N700,000.

The defendants, whose addresses were not provided, are standing trial on charges of conspiracy and stealing, to which they pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Mr Philip Amusan told the court that Olaniyan and Sodiq allegedly committed the offences on June 7, at Ogunpa market area, Ibadan.

Amusan said that the duo allegedly stole  N700,000 belonging to one Mrs Esther Ayeni.

He said that the offences contravened Sections 516 and 390 (9) of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

The President of the court, Mrs Sukurat Yusuf granted the defendants bail in the sum of N500, 000 each and two sureties each in like sum.

She adjourned the case until July 22 for hearing. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
CC/EBI/AOS

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Edited by Benson Iziama/Bayo Sekoni

NHRC seeks stakeholders’ solidarity towards refugees plight

Commitment

By Edith Nwapi

Abuja, June 20, 2024 (NAN) The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called on the government and other duty bearers to show more commitments and solidarity towards protecting and supporting refugees.

This also include, migrants, Asylum seekers, stateless persons and internally displaced persons in order for them to rebuild their lives in dignity.

The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr Tony Ojukwu, SAN, stated this on Thursday in  Abuja at a media briefing to commemorate the  2024 World Refugees Day,

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that World Refugees Day is marked on June 20, annually.

NAN also reports that the day is marked to celebrate and honour refugees around the world and encourage the people, who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution.

Ojukwu noted that refugees and other persons living in similar conditions deserve to be protected, bearing in mind that they were usually not the architects of their plights.

He added that they were victims of circumstances like insurgency, natural disasters, harsh economic conditions and human rights violations.

Ojukwu observed that the 2024 theme of the celebration, “Solidarity with Refugees” was a reminder to the fact that everyone needed support.

” A support and a home where basic needs for survival are met, not just a hostile environment which exposes one to different forms of human rights violations.

”There is need to build inclusive health systems and ensuring equitable care for refugees.

” It is imperative to celebrate the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their homes or country against their wish due to conflicts or persecution” he said.

Ojukwu said it was necessary to map out solutions to resettle and help them to have a better livelihood.

” Nigeria has its fair share of this population of concern arising from communal clashes, banditry, farmers and herders’ clashes, Boko Haram among others ” he said.

According to Ojukwu, these have affected their rights to health care, education, employment, dignity of the human person, right to housing, land and property.

He added that, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNCHR), World Refugee Day was a time to shine a light on the rights, dreams of refugees.

Ojukwu stated that the celebration help to mobilise the political will and resources to enable the refugees enjoy a new lease of life.

” As at May 2024, the UNHCR gave Nigerian statistics figures of refugees as 71,728, with refugee returnees at 27,725 which indicated that the Nigerian government needed to focus their attention on the plight of refugees.

”This will bring the numbers of refugees to the barest minimum.

” I am using this occasion to reaffirm the Commission’s steadfastness in advocating for the rights of refugees .

” I am also calling on government and stakeholders to do more in the protection of refugees and ensure that they are safely returned to their communities.

”This is as enshrined in the Refugee Convention and Human Rights Treaties” he said. (NAN)
(www.nannews.ng)

NEO/DE/YGA
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Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Gabriel Yough

Cyclist to spend 1 year in jail for smoking hemp, assaulting policeman

Sentence

By Zainab Oyekan
Jos, June 19, 2024 ( NAN) A Jos Magistrates’ Court, on Wednesday, sentenced a 24-year-old tricycle rider, Benjamin Bulus to one year in a correctional centre for smoking marijuana and assaulting a policeman.

The Magistrate, Shawomi Bokkos, summarily tried and sentenced the convict after he pleaded guilty to the two-count charge of assault and possession of marijuana.

Bokkos, who sentenced Bulus to one year jail term on each of the two-count, said that the sentence was to run concurrently.

The magistrate said that the sentence on the first count of assault was without an option of fine while Bulus was given an option of N20,000 fine on the secound count.

Earlier, the Prosecutor, Insp Ibrahim Gokwat told the court that the case was reported at the Laranto Police station Jos by one Mathias Chung, on May 25.

Gokwat said that Chung made a distress call to the police that the convict was constituting a nuisance in the environment, smoking marijuana near his residence.

When the police arrived the scene, Bulus slapped a policeman and went for his gun, shot at him with intention to kill, but missed his target.

The offences, the prosecutor said, contravened the Plateau State Penal Code Law. (NAN)

OIZ/AOS

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Edited by Bayo Sekoni

Trader jailed 1 year for stealing 7 wheelbarrows

Sentence

By Zainab Oyekan
Jos, June 20, 2024 ( NAN) A Jos Magistrates’ Court on Thursday ,sentenced a 20 year-old trader, Abubakar Sani to one year imprisonment for stealing seven wheelbarrows.

Magistrate Shawomi Bokkos, sentenced Sani after he pleaded guilty to theft.

The magistrate, however, gave the convict an option to pay N20,000 or spend six months in prison and also ordered him to pay N4000,000 compensation to the complainant or spend another 6 months in default.

Earlier, the Prosecutor, Insp Ibrahim Geokat told the court that the case was reported on May 11, at the Laranto Police station Jos by Adamu Ahmed and Babayo Mohammed , the complaints.

The prosecutor said the convict stole the wheelbarrows worth N417,000 and sold them to one Babangifa Mohammed, now at large.

The offence, according to him, is punishable under the Plateau state Penal Code Law. (NAN)

OIZ/SH

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edited by Sadiya Hamza