Category: Judiciary

Woman docked for allegedly biting neighbour’s eye during fight

Assault

By Olaitan Idris

Lagos, June 28, 2024 ( NAN) A 39-year-old woman, Charity John, who allegedly bit her neighbour in the eye during a fight, was on Friday docked in a Surulere Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

The police charged John, who resides in Orile, Lagos with conspiracy and assault.

The Prosecutor, Insp Courage Ekhueorohan, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on June 18, at No 9, Makanjuola St., Sari-Iganmu, Orile, Lagos.

Ekhueorohan alleged that the defendant who got into a fight with her neighbour and complainant, Stella Joseph, also bit her on the back and hand.

He explained that an argument broke out following the complainant’s warning to defendant’s son to stop playing with her daughter’s toy.

The offence, Ekhueorohan said, contravened the provisions of sections 173 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The defendant, however, denied committing the offence.

Magistrate  O.O Otitoju admitted the defendant to bail on self recognisance becuase she is expected to write an apology letter and pay the complainant’s hospital bills.

Otitoju adjourned the case until July 9 for mention. (NAN)

IOI/SH

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edited by Sadiya Hamza

5 shop attendants docked for allegedly stealing detergent

Arraignment

By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko

Ibadan, June 28, 2024 (NAN) Five shop attendants were on Friday docked in an Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan, for allegedly stealing 21 rolls of Magik detergent.

The police charged Abosede Akinkunmi, 45; Blessing Onaifa, 42; Deborah Adebayo, 39; Philomina Ita, 35 and Kolade Shayo, 30 with conspiracy and thegt.

They pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecutor, Insp Iyabo Oladoyin, told the court that the defendants allegedly committed the offence on Wednesday, at about 1.30 p.m, at Nourdm Global company, Oluyole, Ibadan.

Oladoyin said the offence contravened the provisions of sections 516 and 390(9) of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

The Magistrate, Mrs Adebola Adeola, admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N10, 000 each with one surety each in like sum.

She adjourned the case until July 16, for hearing. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
CC/SH

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edited by Sadiya Hamza

Farmer docked for allegedly stealing property worth N2.5m

Theft

By Aderemi Bamgbose

Okitipupa (Ondo State) June 28,, 2024 (NAN) A 54 year-old farmer, Tosin Lebile was on Friday docked in an Okitipupa Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ondo State, for allegedly breaking into awelding shop and stealing property worth N2.5million.

The police charged Lebile, whose address was not given with felony, burglary and theft.

The Police Prosecutor, ASP Zedekiah Orogbemi, told the court that the defendant and two others at large, on April 24 around 08.30 p.m at Temidayo Street in Okitipupa, Okitipupa magisterial district conspired to ccommitted felony.

Orogbemi said that defendant and  his accomplices broke into a welding shop belonging to Ilesanmi Akinyemi and stole two welding machines, two grinding machines,  a generator alternator and  three engine plate covers .

The police said the offence is punishable under Sections 516, 411 and 390 (9), Criminal Code, Cap.37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State, 2006.

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

The Chief Magistrate, Mr Philip.Akinlosetu, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N500, 000 and two sureties in like sums.

He added that the sureties, who must be reside within the court’s jurisdiction, must also show and present evidence of two years tax payment to the state government.

The chief magistrate adjourned the case until July 4, for further hearing. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

BAA/SH

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edited by Sadiya Hamza

6 remanded over alleged Armed Robbery

Robbery

By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko

Ibadan, June 28, 2024 (NAN) An Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court, Ibadan, on Friday remanded Haruna Umaru, 22, Umar Abubakar, 30, Sulaiman Haruna, 31 and three others in a correctional facility in Ibadan, over an alleged armed robbery.

The six whose addresses were not fixed, were charged with conspiracy and armed robbery.

The Magistrate, Mrs Olasinmibo Sanusi-Zubair did not take the plea of the defendants for want of jurisdiction.

She directed the police to return the case file to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice.

Sanusi-Zubair   adjourned the case until July 29, for mention.

The prosecutor, Insp Oladejo Balogun told the court that the defendants allegedly committed the offence on May 17, at about 3.59 a.m, at Asani village, Ogbomoso, Oyo State.

He alleged that the defendants while armed with guns, cutlasses and sticks robbed Eluyinka Sodiq of his car worth N6.9 million, phones and cash of N62, 000.

Balogun  said the offences contravened Sections 6 (b) of the Robbery and Firearms Laws of Nigeria, 2004. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

CC/JPE

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Edited by Joseph Edeh

Theft

By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko

Ibadan, June 28, 2024 (NAN) Three housemaids, Munirat Idris, Abibat Aliyu and Salamatu Aliyu, were on Friday, arraigned before an Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court, Ibadan, for allegedly stealing money and property belonging to their employers.

Idris, 35, Aliyu 17, and Aliyu, 19, whose addresses were not provided, are being charged with conspiracy and stealing.

The Prosecutor, Insp Oladejo Balogun told the court that the defendants committed the offence at about 5.30p.m on May 16, at Adenike Olufadewa Street, Alegongo, Ibadan.

Balogun said that the defendants who worked as housemaids, stole money and property belonging to their employer, Mrs Comfort Gbadeyanka, after receiving their salaries.

He said that the defendants stole N560,000 cash, food stuff worth N60,000 and kitchen utensils valued N45,000, belonging to Gbadeyanka.

The prosecutor further said that after leaving Gbadeyanka’s house, the defendants were employed as housemaids in another house, belonging to Mr Harrison Akinsulie.

He said that while working at the house located at Odo-Ona Elewe, Ibadan, the defendants again stole N712,000, a set of wrapper, food stuff and other valuables.

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

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

The Magistrate, Mrs Olasinmibo Sanusi-Zubair granted the defendants bail in the sum of N500,000 each, with two reliable sureties each in like sum.

She adjourned the case until July 9 for hearing.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
CC/AZU

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Edited by Azubuike Okeh

Absence of judge stalls trial of MTN Nigeria CEO, others

Trial
By Taiye Agbaje

Abuja, June 27, 2024 (NAN) The trial of Mr Karl Toriola, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) of MTN Nigeria Communications Ltd; and others was, on Thursday, stalled due to the absence of the trial judge.

Although the matter was fixed for the arraignment of Toriola and other, Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Federal High Court, Abuja was not in court.

The matter was, however, adjourned until Sept. 26 for the defendants’ to take their plea.

Other defendants in the charge are MTN Nigeria Communications Ltd; MTN Senior Executive Officer, Nkeakam Abhulimen; Fun Mobile Ltd, a telecommunications service provider; and Yahaya Maibe, its CEO as 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th defendants respectively.

Toriola is named as 2nd defendant in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/111/2024.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the prosecution; the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) had, on May 14, accused Toriola of evading service of court documents in the alleged copyright infringement charge.

Justice Ekwo had adjourned the matter until today to allow the prosecution effect service of the court papers on the MTN CEO.

But the case, which was listed as number one on the cause list, could not proceed.

NAN reports that on June 22,  a musician, Maleke Moye, who is the nominal.complainant in the suit, had raised alarm over alleged plan by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, to take over the ongoing trial of the telecommunications company and its CEO.

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

NAN reports that in the three count-count charge dated March 19 and filed March 20 by Emeka Ogbonna on NCC’s behalf, the prosecution alleged that the defendants, between 2010 and 2017, “offered for sale, sold and traded for business, infringed musical works of Maleke Moye, an artiste, without his consent and authorisation.”

The commission alleged that the defendants used Maleke’s musical works and sound recordings with subsisting copyright, known as “caller ring back tunes” without the authorisation of the artiste.

The musical works and sound recordings of the musician allegedly infringed upon include “911, Minimini-Wana Wana, Stop Racism, Ewole, 911 instrumental, Radio, Low Waist, and No Bother.”

The defendants were also alleged to have illegally distributed the musical works to their subscribers, without authorisation, thereby infringing on the rights of the artiste.

In the third count, the defendants were alleged of having in their possession, the musical works and sound recordings of the artiste, other than for their personal or domestic use.

The copyright commission said the alleged offence is punishable under Section 20 (2) (a) (b) and (c) of the Copyright Act, Cap. C28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004..(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
TOA/SH

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edited by Sadiya Hamza

Abduction

By Sandra Umeh

Lagos, June 27, 2024 (NAN) The  Nigerian Bar Association Remuneration Committee, (NBA-RC) has urged security agencies  to ensure  quick and safe release of  abducted  Justice Haruna Mshelia of the Borno State High Court.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the police command in Borno, on Monday, confirmed Mshelia’s abduction.

The judge was reported to have been kidnapped alongisde his wife, orderly and some others, in  Biu Local Government Area of the state.

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday, the  Chairman of NBA-RC,  Mr Afam Osigwe (SAN), described the abduction as an attack on the  principles of justice, peace and security.

“I condemn the heinous abduction of a judge  of the Borno State High Court, Justice Haruna Mshelia, his wife, driver and orderly by alleged Boko Haram terrorists.

“This despicable act of terrorism is not only an assault on the individuals directly involved, but also an attack on the very principles of justice, peace and security that our society upholds.

“The kidnapping of a respected judicial officer, his loved ones and support staff  underscores the escalating threat  posed by terrorist factions and their blatant disregard for human life and the rule of law.

“I vehemently condemn this barbaric incident, and call on all relevant security agencies to employ every resource at their disposal to ensure swift and safe return of Justice Mshelia and all others who were abducted,” he said.

Osigwe also urged that those behind the abduction should be apprehended and brought to justice to  serve as a deterrent to others.

“This incident highlights the urgent need for heightened security measures and concerted efforts to combat the menace of terrorism in our country.

“We urge the government and security forces to intensify their operations against terrorist organisations to restore peace and stability to our nation.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Justice Mshelia, his family, the Borno State judiciary and all those affected by this traumatic incident,” he said. (NAN)

UNS/CCN/IGO

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Edited by Chinyere Nwachukwu/Ijeoma Popoola

Edo: Court orders INEC to publish Asamah’s name as LP deputy governorship candidate

Judgment

By Taiye Agbaje

Abuja, June 27, 2024 (NAN) A Federal High Court, Abuja on Thursday, affirmed the nomination and substitution of Prince Kadiri Asamah, SAN, as deputy governorship candidate of Labour Party (LP) for the Edo governorship election fixed for Sept. 21.

Justice Emeka Nwite, in a judgment, agreed with the argument of the party’s lead counsel, Johnson Usman, SAN, that the LP had complied with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022 and other regulations in nominating Asamah as its running mate for the poll.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the party had, on Feb. 23, conducted its governorship primary election for the state where Olumide Akpata won as party’s standard-bearer.

Akpata subsequently nominated Olayinka Faith Alufohai as his hus running mate.

Alufoha, however, withdrew her nomination on March 8 and deposed to an affidavit of withdrawal in support of her letter of withdrawal which she submitted to the party.

Consequent upon her withdrawal, Akpata nominated Asamah as his new running mate whose name and personal particulars were submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and uploaded on its portal on April 15.

However, INEC refused to publish Asamah’s name.

Dissatisfied with the electoral umpire’s decision in not publishing his name, LP and Akpata, through their Counsel Johnson Usman, SAN, filed a suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/556/2024 to sue INEC as sole defendant.

They prayed the court to direct INEC to accept and publish the name of Asamah as the deputy governorship candidate of the party.

Delivering the judgement, Justice Nwite agreed with the argument of Mr Usman, SAN, that Alufohai, having withdrawn her candidature, the LP had the right to submit another name as party’s running mate.

The judge held hat the LP submitted the name of Asamah as deputy governorship candidate within the time provided by provisions of Sections 29 (1), 31 and 32, 84 of the Electoral Act, 2022.

The judge, therefore, said that INEC had no latitude to reject the name.

Consequently, he ordered INEC to accept and publish the name of “Kadiri Yusuf Asamah, SAN, as the running mate/deputy governorship candidate of Labour Party for the forthcoming Edo State Governorship Election fixed for 21st September, 2024.”(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

TOA/SH

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edited by Sadiya Hamza