Category: Judiciary

3 men in court over alleged possession of Indian hemp

Arraignment

By Funmilayo Okunade

Ado-Ekiti, June 19, 2024 (NAN) Three men, Odogwu Nelson ,28, Endurance Monday,23,  and Akinyemi Sunday,32, were on Wednesday arraigned in  an Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ Court over alleged possession of Indian hemp.

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

The police prosecutor, Insp Akinwale Oriyomi, told the court that the defendants committed the offence on June 8 at about 04:00 p.m. in Ise-Ekiti.

He alleged that the defendants had in their possession weeds suspected to be Indian hemp.

Oriyomi said the offence contravened Section 5(b) of the Indian hemp Act LFN 2004.

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 Sunday Balogun, 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 defendants bail in the sum of N200, 000 with one surety each in like sum.

He adjourned the case until July 30, for a hearing. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

FOA/NNO/JPE

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Edited by Nick Nicholas/Joseph Edeh

Sentence
By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko
Ibadan, June 19, 2024 (NAN) An Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court, Ibadan, on Wednesday sentenced a 21-year-old man, Rildwan Afolabi, to two weeks imprisonment for an attempt to steal.
Afolabi, whose address was not provided, was charged with an attempt to steal, to which he pleaded guilty on Wednesday.
The Magistrate, Mrs Kausarat Ayofe, sentenced Afolabi to two weeks imprisonment at Agodi correctional facility, Ibadan, without an option of fine.
Earlier, the Prosecutor, Insp Toyin Ibrahim, told the court that Afolabi committed the offence on June 8, at about 11.25 a.m. at Ologunero area of Ibadan.
Ibrahim said that the convict attempted to commit felony
to wit: stealing at the aforementioned area.
He said that the offence contravened Section 509 of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State, 2000. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
CC/GOM/WAS
Edited by Gregg Mmaduakolam and ‘Wale Sadeeq

Arraignment
By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko
Ibadan, June 19, 2024 (NAN) Two men, Idowu Oluokun, 49 and Kamorudeen Oladele, 66, were on Wednesday arraigned before an Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court, Ibadan, over an alleged land grabbing.
The duo, whose addresses were not provided, were charged with conspiracy, land grabbing, obtaining money under false pretence and conduct likely to cause breach of peace.
They, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The Prosecutor, ASP Foluke Adedosu, told the court that the defendants committed the offences sometime in August 2023 at Challenge area of Ibadan.
Adedosu said that the defendants obtained the sum of N4 million from one Babatunde Abiodun under the pretence of selling one plot of land to him.
She said that after collecting the money from the complainant, the defendants failed to give him the plot of land, as it belonged to one Adeyanju Demola.
The prosecutor said that the defendants conducted themselves in a manner likely to cause breach of peace by pretending to sell the land legally and encroaching on the said land.
She said that the offences contravened Sections 516, 419 and 249(D) of the Criminal Laws of Oyo, 2000.
The Magistrate, Mrs M. Olagbenro, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N800,000 each, with two sureties each in like sum.
Olagbenro adjourned the case till July 22 for hearing. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
CC/DCO/WAS
Edited by Deborah Coker and ‘Wale Sadeeq

Court dismisses fleeing Anjarwalla’s suit against NSA, EFCC

Order

By Taiye Agbaje

Abuja, June 19, 2024 (NAN) A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday, dismissed a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by fleeing Binance Holdings Ltd’s executive, Nadeem Anjarwalla, against the National Security Adviser and EFCC.

Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a ruling, dismissed the suit for lack of diligent prosecution.

When the case was called, no lawyer appeared for Anjarwalla and neither was the applicant in court.

In a short ruling, Justice Ekwo noted that on March 28 when the matter came up, Tonye Krukrubo, SAN, who appeared for Anjarwalla sought a leave to withdraw his appearance in the matter and the application was granted.

He said the matter was adjourned until today for mention but no lawyer appeared for the applicant.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Anjarwalla, the Binance’s Africa regional manager, had filed a separate right enforcement suit alongside his colleague, Tigran Gambaryan, against NSA and EFCC seeking an order releasing them from detention.

However, Anjarwalla escaped from lawful custody on March 22 and fled to Kenya.

Anjarwalla and Gambaryan’s suits were filed before Justice Ekwo.

In the suits marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/355/24 and FHC/ABJ/CS/356/24 respectively, the duo sued the Office of NSA (ONSA) and EFCC as 1st and 2nd respondents.

They had sought same reliefs.

Anjarwalla and Gambaryan, a US citizen overseeing financial crime compliance at the crypto exchange platform, in their separate applications, sought a declaration that their detention and seizure of their international travel passport, contravened Section 35 (1) and (4) of 1999 Constitution (As Amended).

They said the act amounted to a violation of his fundamental right to personal liberty as guaranteed by the constitution, among others.

Meanwhile, Justice Ekwo fixed July 9 for hearing of Gambaryan’s suit.

The judge fixed the date after Gambaryan’s lawyer, Krukrubo, moved a motion seeking to amend their originating process.

Although EFCC’s lawyer, Olarewanju Adeola, opposed the motion, the judge held that parties, by law, were entitled to amend their processes before judgment.

“I am minded to grant this amendment,” he said.

However, Gambaryan was fined a N50, 000 cost in favour of the EFCC, having joined issues in the matter.

Justice Ekwo, who held that the fine must be paid before the next adjourned date, fixed July 9 for hearing of the preliminary objection and the substantive matter.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

TOA/SH

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edited by Sadiya Hamza

Stealing

By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko

Ibadan, June 19, 2024 (NAN) The Police on Wednesday, arraigned a 26-year-old man, Abiodun Ayodeji, in an Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court, Ibadan, for allegedly stealing the sum of N2,957,950 belonging to a lady.

Ayodeji, whose address was not provided, was charged with conspiracy and stealing.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Prosecutor, Insp Toyin Ibrahim, told the court that Ayodeji allegedly committed the offence sometimes in December, 2023, at Alabi shopping complex, Molete, Ibadan.

He alleged that the defendant allegedly stole the sum of N2,957,950, belonging to one Mrs Seun Arowobusoye, without her consent.

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

The Magistrate, Mrs Kausarat Ayofe, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000 with two reliable sureties in like sum.

She adjourned the case until Aug. 6, for hearing. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

CC/DCO/IU

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Edited by Deborah Coker / Isaac Ukpoju

Tailor docked for allegedly stealing friend’s sewing machine

Theft
By Patience Yakubu
Kaduna, June 19, 2024(NAN) A 27-year-old tailor, Samson Godwin, was on Wednesday docked in a Kaduna Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing his friend’s sewing machine worth N146, 000.

The defendant, who lives in Barnawa area of Kaduna, is charged with theft.

He, however, pleaded not gulty to the charge.

The Prosecution Counsel, Insp Chidi Leo, told the court that the defendant committed the offence in a shop located at Barnawa Market Kaduna belonging to his friend, Raymond Francis.

Leo alleged that the defendant and two others now at large, broke into the shop of the complainant and stole a sewing machine worth N146, 000.

He said that the complainant however saw the stolen sewing machine in his friend’s apartment when he paid him an unscheduled visit.

Leo said the offence contravened the provisions of Penal Code of Kaduna State, 2017.

Magistrate Ibrahim Emmanuel admitted the defendant to a bail of N100, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

He directed that the sureties should be gainfully employed and must also show evidence of two years’ tax payment to the Kaduna State Government.

He adjourned the matter until July 22, for hearing. (NAN)

PMY/CEO/SH

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Edited by Chidi Opara/Sadiya Hamza

Assault

By Patience Yakubu
Kaduna, June 19, 2024 (NAN) A 44-year commercial driver, Salisu Adamu, was on Wednesday, arraigned before a Kaduna Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly assaulting a passenger.

Adamu, whose address was not given, is being charged with assault.

The Prosecutor, Insp Chidi Leo, told the court that the defendant committed the offence at NDA Junction, Kaduna.

He said that Adamu gave the complainant, Haruna Gambo, several fist-blows that caused him severe injuries on his face following a disagreement over N200.

He said that Gambo was rescued by onlookers before the defendant was arrested by a policeman on duty at the bus stop.

Leo said that the offence contravened Section 224 of the Penal Code of Kaduna State, 2017.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 224 of the code prescribes a three-year jail term for offenders.

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

The Magistrate, Ibrahim Emmanuel, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N100,000 with one surety in like sum.

The case was adjourned until July 16 for hearing.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
PMY/NNO/AZU

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Edited by Nick Nicholas and Azubuike Okeh

Stealing

By Ige Adekunle
Sango-Ota(Ogun), June 19, 2024(NAN) Two persons, Abdulateef Olasunkanmi and Sunday Morice, were on Wednesday, arraigned before an Ota Magistrates’ Court, Ogun, for allegedly stealing a cell phone valued N139,000.

Olasunkanmi, 18 and Morice, 28, whose addresses were not given, are being charged with stealing, assault and conspiracy.

The Prosecutor, Insp E.O. Adaraloye, told the court that the defendants and others now at large, committed the offences at about 11.05a.m on June 12, at Arobilaye, Ota.

Adaraloye said that Olasunkanmi and Morice conspired to assault the complainant, Zinsu Joseph, by giving him fists of blows.

He further said that during the assault, the defendants stole the complainant’s phone valued N139,000.

The prosecutor said that the offence contravened Sections 390(9), 451 and 516 of the Criminal Code Laws, Ogun, 2006.

The defendants, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

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

Fadairo said that the sureties who must reside within the court’s jurisdiction, should be gainfully employed and must  present evidence of tax payment to state government.

He adjourned the case until June 20, for further hearing.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

IGE/CEO/AZU

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Edited by Chidi Opara and Azubuike Okeh

Suit
By Taiye Agbaje

Abuja, June 16, 2024 (NAN) A businessman, Musa Saliu, has filed a N500 million against the Inspector-General (I-G) of Police and others over allegations bordering on violation of his fundamental human rights.

Others joined in the suit filed by his lawyer, Femi Motojesi at the FCT High Court, include the DIG, Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department and Funmilola Florence Olorunfemi as 2nd to 3rd defendants respectively.

The action is a fundamental rights enforcement suit brought under Sections 34, 35, 41 and 46; Articles 5 and 6 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights Cap 10 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

Saliu alleged that the police falsely declared him a wanted person in a land dispute in their Special Police Gazette Bulletin.

He, therefore, prayed the court to declare that the publication of his picture and name in the bulletin as a wanted person with Ref No: CB: 3510/LX/FHQ/SEB/ABJ/T.7/Vo. 1/20 amounted to the violation of his fundamental rights.

He submitted that the police lacked such powers “to engage in the act of debt recovery for the 3rd defendant (Olorunfemi) who is a subscriber to the applicant’s (Saliu’s) estate under construction.”

The applicant prayed the court to order the police to unfreeze the account number: 1000129689 with Globus Bank belonging to Emperor City Integrated Limited where he is the alter ego and signatory for being a violation of his fundamental rights.

Saliu, who is also a politician and former New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP)’s governorship candidate in Kogi in 2023 poll, is demanding the sum of N500 million in damages for the violation of his constitutionally guaranteed rights to privacy and dignity of the human person, personal liberty, and freedom of movement when the police declared him wanted.

Saliu, in the suit marked: FCT/ CV/2839/24, is further asking the court to order the police to issue an apology published in the Special Police Gazette Bulletin and two national dailies.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a certified true copy of the suit, dated June 14, was made available to newsmen on Sunday in Abuja.

According to the estate developer, the dispute arose after Olorunfemi paid N25 million to subscribe to one of his houses being built but work halted after the FCT Department of Development Control demolished the estate.

He said Olorunfemi invited the police to recover her money even after he had notified all the subscribers to the estate that he was making efforts to resolve the issue and return to site.

He is contending that the relationship between him and Olorunfemi is civil in nature and has no criminal connotation to warrant the police delving into it.

Saliu submitted that inviting him for questioning, blocking his account and publishing his picture and details as a wanted person in the Police Gazette Bulletin were unlawful.

The matter is yet to be assigned to a judge.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

TOA/SH

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Man in court for allegedly stealing transformer cables worth N800,000

Cables
By Victor Adeoti
Ede (Osun), June 14, 2024 (NAN) A 28-year-old man, Adam Yusuff, on Friday appeared before an Ede Magistrates’ Court in Osun, for allegedly stealing transformer cables worth N800,000.

Yusuff, whose address was not given, is facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, housebreaking and stealing.

The prosecutor, Mr S.O Ibrahim, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on June 2, at about 10.30p.m at Oke-Iresi in Ede town.

Ibrahim said that the defendant, with others still at large, broke into the premises of retired Maj Adewusi Samuel and stole transformer cables belonging to the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company.

He said that the transformer cables, meant to serve three communities in the area, were stolen from the premises of the retired Major by the defendant and others still at large.

The prosecutor said the offences contravened Sections 516, 390 (9) and 411, Cap 34, Laws of Osun.

The defendant who was without legal representation, pleaded not guilty to the three-count charge.

The Magistrate, V.O Adedokun, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N1 million and two sureties in like sum.

Adedokun ordered that the defendant be remanded in Ilesa Correctional Centre pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions.

He adjourned the case until July 25 for hearing. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

VE/AYO/IKU
Edited by Ayodeji Alabi/Tayo Ikujuni