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Category: Judiciary

  • Attempted robbery: Court sentences man to life imprisonment

    Attempted armed robbery: Court sentences man to life imprisonment

    Imprisonment
    By Joy Kaka
    Abuja, June 11,2024 (NAN) The FCT High Court in Kubwa, on Tuesday sentenced a man, Hassan Aminu, to life imprisonment for attempted armed robbery.
    The Attorney-General of the Federation charged Aminu with four counts bordering of attempted robbery.
    Justice Asmau Akanbi-Yusuf convicted Aminu and sentenced him to one year in prison on count one, 14 years in prison on count four and life imprisonment on count three.
    Akanbi-Yusuf  said that the court could not exercise its discretion in sentencing the defendant regarding count three saying that the law provided the punishment in Section 2(2) A&B of the Robbery and Firearms Act.
    Earlier, the defence counsel, Mercy Afolayan had applied for the court to temper justice with mercy, saying that Aminu had been in prison for the past seven years.
    Afolayan however, applied for the court to put same into consideration while sentencing, adding that he was a first time offender.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the prosecuting counsel, Chelsea Emezina told the court that Aminu and one Awodu Elizabeth at large trespassed the premises of Reverend Philemon Bulus at Durumi, Abuja on Oct.8, 2017.
    Emezina said Aminu and Elizabeth forcefully broke the car glasses of the Reverend and attempted to rob him and his family members at their residence while armed with a knife.
    She said that Aminu voluntarily stabbed the Reverend multiple times with a knife at his residence and got arrested by the Reverend’s brother, David Dauda on the said date.
    The offence,  she said contravened the provisions of sections 348, 327 and 248 of the Penal Code.
    It also contravened Section 2(2) A&B of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act.
    JK/EBI//SH
    ===========
    Edited by Benson Iziama/Sadiya Hamza

  • Surety turns into defendant after allegedly failing to produce accused

    Surety
    By Chinyere
    Lagos, June 11, 2024 (NAN) A  32-year-old man, Rufia Lateef, who allegedly stood as a surety for his friend charged with N10 million fraud and could not produce him for trial, was on Tuesday brought before an Ejigbo Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.
    Lateef, whose residential address was not provided, is standing trial on a two-count charge bordering on perverting the course of justice.
    The prosecutor, ASP Benedict Aigbokhan, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on June 23, 2023, at 2.00 p.m., at Ejigbo, Lagos.
    He said that the defendant stood as a surety for one Sanni Olalekan, who was charged with obtaining the sum of N10 million under false pretences.
    According to him, the defendant had promised to produce Olalekan to the court on July 6, 2023, and every other date his presence was needed, but failed to do so.
    Aigbokhan said that the defendant did not also produce Olalekan on March 14, when the case came up for trial.
    The prosecutor, therefore, requested that the defendant should show cause why the bail bond of N2 million he entered into, should not be forfeited to the Lagos State Government.
    He said that the offences contravened Section 97 of the Criminal Law of Lagos, 2015 and Section 132 of the Administration of  Criminal Justice Law (ACJL), 2011.
    The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.
    The Magistrate, Miss K. A. Ariyo, granted him bail in the sum of N1 million with two sureties in like sum.
    She ordered that the sureties should be gainfully employed and should show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
    Ariyo adjourned the case until July 12 for mention. (NAN)
    OCC/ETS
    ========

  • Man, 19, docked for alleged cell phone theft

    Man, 19, docked for alleged cell phone theft

    Stealing
    By Dorcas Elusogbon
    Ile-Ife (Osun), June 11, 2024(NAN) A 19-year-old man, Ajao Micheal, was on Tuesday docked at an Ile-Ife Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing cell phone.

    Micheal of no fixed address, was charged with unlawful entering and stealing.

    The prosecutor, Insp Sunday Osanyintuyi, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on April 8, at about 11:00 a.m., at Obalufon Street, Ile-Ife, Osun.

    Osanyintuyi said that the defendant unlawfully entered a Bet Naija office and stole one Infinix S5 Lite phone valued at N80,000 belonging to the complainant, Hamzat Faruq.

    According to him, the offences contravene Sections 383 and 390(9) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Osun, 2002.

    The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty.

    The Magistrate, Abosede Sarumi, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N50,000 with one surety in like sum.

    Sarumi said that the surety must swear to affidavit of means, resides within the court jurisdiction and the address to be verified by the prosecutor.

    She said that the surety must be a landowner within the court jurisdiction as well as present three recent passport photographs.

    The case was adjourned until July 8, for hearing. (NAN) (www.nannnews.ng)
    EDA/DEB/IKU
    ==============

    Edited by Debo Oshundun/Tayo Ikujuni

  • Sales rep docked for allegedly stealing cartons of milk

    Sales rep docked for allegedly stealing cartons of milk

    Stealing
    By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko
    Ibadan, June 11, 2024(NAN) A 39-year-old sales representative, Oluwaseun Akinnniyi, was on Tuesday brought before an Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court, Ibadan, for allegedly stealing cartons of milk.

    Akinnniyi, of no fixed address, was charged with obtaining money under false pretences and stealing.

    He however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    The prosecutor, Insp Iyabo Oladoyin told the court that the defendant, a sales representative of Olafik Global Interleaks, Ibadan, committed the offences sometime in May, at Alesinloye market, Ibadan.

    Oladoyin alleged that the defendant collected cartons of milk worth N2, 635, 210. 00 from Olafik Global Interleaks, on the pretext of supplying the goods to customers but failed to do so.

    She said that the defendant rather sold the goods and converted the proceeds to his personal use.

    The prosecutor said the offences contravened Sections 419 and 390(9) of the Criminal Laws of Oyo, 2000.

    The Magistrate, Mrs Adebola Adeola granted the defendant bail in the sum of N1 million and two sureties in like sum.

    She adjourned the case until July 11 for hearing. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    CC/DCO/IKU
    =========
    Edited by Deborah Coker/Tayo Ikujuni

  • Famzhi CEO, Mariam Suleiman jailed 5 years for defrauding investors

    Famzhi CEO, Mariam Suleiman jailed 5 years for defrauding investors

    Judgment

    By Taiye Agbaje

    Abuja, June 11, 2024 (NAN) A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday, sentenced the Chairman and Managing Director of Famzhi Interbiz Ltd, Mariam Suleiman, to five years imprisonment without option of fine for allegedly defrauding investors to the tune of over N2 billion.

    Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a judgment, found Suleiman and her company guilty of the allegations preferred against them in counts one and two by the Federal Government.

    “Upon the provisions of Section 516 of the Criminal Code Act and Section 56(6) of the Securities and Investment Act being read to the defendants, for understanding of the terms of punishment therein.

    “And upon hearing the allocutus of the learned counsel for the defendants and considering same, I am minded not to impose the full punishment on the 1st defendant (Suleiman) particularly,” he said.

    Justice Ekwo, consequently, sentenced Suleiman to three years imprisonment in count one and two years imprisonment in count two which would run concurrently from the date of the order.

    He equally ordered the company to be wound up and all its property to be forfeited to the Federal Government.

    “The said property shall be sold and the proceeds there of used to compensate the victims of this crime,” he declared.

    Earlier in the judgment, he said: “It is clear that the 1st and 2nd defendants conspired among yourselves together with their other staff to do an illegal act.

    “That is, to lure and offer for subscription an unregistered investment collective scheme valued over N2 billion to the unsuspecting general public.

    “On that note, I find that the offence of conspiracy in count one is proved as required by law and I so hold.”

    Justice Ekwo also held that by the evidence of the prosecution witnesses and the exhibits tendered, it was established that the defendants “ran a scheme in pursuance of which members of the public were invited or permitted to invest money in a portfolio for a participatory interest.

    “This evidence was never controverted by the defendants.

    “The position of the law as settled in many authorities is that evidence adduced in court, that is relevant to the issue in controversy, and has neither been challenged nor successfully debunked becomes good and credible evidence, which ought to be relied upon by a trial judge.”

    He said it was also pertinent to note that the MD herself admitted both in her evidence-in-chief and during cross-examination of running the scheme.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) had sued Suleiman and her firm as 1st and 2nd defendants.

    Although they were arraigned on Dec 8, 2021, on two counts bordering on alleged N2 billion fraud, the defendants pleaded not guilty.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    TOA/SH

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    edited by Sadiya Hamza

  • 2 arraigned for alleged unlawful possession of cordtex cord

    Trial
    By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko.
    Ibadan, June 11, 2024 (NAN) Two men, Musa Abdullahi, 40 and Koko Attahiru, 45, were on Tuesday arraigned in an Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court, Ibadan, for alleged unlawful possession of cordtex cord.
    Cordtex is a type of detonating cord generally used in mining. It provides non-electric initiation of blast patterns in open pit mining, quarries and civil works.
    The duo whose addresses were not provided were charged with unlawful possession of cordtex cord.
    They both pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against them.
    The Prosecutor, Insp. Oladejo Balogun, told the court that the defendants allegedly committed the offence on April 30, at about 9:00 p.m., at Akinyele Trailer park, Ibadan.
    Balogun alleged that the defendants unlawfully possessed nine rolls of the cord of which they could not give satisfactory account of.
    He said the offence contravened Section 417 of the Criminal Laws of Oyo, 2000.
    The Magistrate, Mrs Olasinmibo Sanusi-Zubair, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N100, 000 each with two sureties each in like sum.
    Sanusi-Zubair adjourned the case until July 9 for hearing. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    CC/DCO/JNC
    ===========
    Edited by Deborah Coker/Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

  • Man docked over alleged N5m rice fraud

    Fraud
    By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko
    Ibadan, June 11, 2024 (NAN) A 42-year-old man, Musa Akinronbi, was on Tuesday arraigned before an Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan over alleged N5 million rice fraud.
    Akinronbi, whose address was not provided, is facing a two-count charge of obtaining under false pretences and stealing.
    He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against him.
    The Prosecutor, Insp Olalekan Adegbite, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on Jan. 9 at Monatan area of Ibadan.
    Adegbite said that the defendant collected the money from the complainant, Mrs Jimoh Adenike, to sell 56 bags of rice to her, but failed to do so.
    He said that all efforts made by the complainant to retrieve the money proved abortive.
    According to him, the offences contravene Sections 419 and 390(9) of the Criminal Law of Oyo State, 2000.
    The Magistrate, Mrs Oluwabusayo Osho, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N1 million, with two sureties in like sum.
    She adjourned the case till July 10 for mention. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    CC/EOB/WAS
    Edited by Edith Bolokor and ‘Wale Sadeeq

  • Police arraign 4 hoodlums for alleged breach of peace, unlawful assembly

    Police arraign 4 hoodlums for alleged breach of peace, unlawful assembly

    Arraignment
    By Olawale Akinremi
    Ibadan, June 11, 2024 (NAN) The police in Oyo State on Tuesday arraigned four suspected hoodlums  before a Mapo Chief Magistrate Court in Ibadan for alleged breach of public peace and unlawful assembly.

    Those arraigned are Sodik  Adekola, 30; Bolaji Qudri, 20; Nurani Abdulkarim, 31 and Habib Taofeek 25.

    The presiding Magistrate, Mrs O.O. Latunji admitted each of the suspects to bail in the sum of N100,000 each with one reliable surety each in like sum.

    The suspects had pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge of conduct likely to breach public peace and attempted felony.

    Latunji Adjourned the matter until June 20 for trial.

    Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, Insp Oluseye Akinola told the court that the defendants committed the crime on June 3, at Ojaba market in Ibadan, Oyo State.

    Akinola further said that Adekola, Qudri, Abdulkarim and Taofeek were apprehended after gathering unlawfully, smoking illicit substances and holding different dangerous objects.

    He said the defendants had in their possession machetes, broken bottles and sticks. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    SEM/SH

    =======
    edited by Sadiya Hamza

  • Lack of service of court processes stalls hearing in Kano Emirship tussle

    Lack of service of court processes stalls hearing in Kano Emirship tussle
    Service
    By Ramatu Garba
    Kano, June 11, 2024(NAN) Lack of Service of court processes on Tuesday, stalled hearing in the emirship tussle in a Kano State High Court.
    The Kano State Commissioner of Police was unable to serve the 15th emir of Kano Aminu Ado-Bayero and four others court papers.
    The applicants in the matter are the Attorney General of Kano State, Speaker Kano State House of Assembly and Kano State House of Assembly, through their counsel Ibrahim Isah-Wangida Esq, filed a motion exparte dated May 27.
    The applicants are seeking the court to restrain Ado-Bayero, and four other dethroned emirs of Bichi, Rano, Gaya and Karaye from parading themselves as emirs.
    The respondents are: Alhaji Ado-Bayero, Alhaji Nasiru Ado-Bayero Bichi emir, Dr Ibrahim Abubakar ll, emir of Karaye, Alhaji Kabiru Muhammad-Inuwa, emir of Rano and Alhaji Aliyu Ibrahim-Gaya, emir of Gaya.
    Others are the Inspector-General of Police, Director of the  State Security Service, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and Nigeria Army.
    When the case came up for hearing, Counsel to I-G, Mr Abdulsalam Saleh, told the court that all attempts made to serve the first to the 5th respondents  failed.
    “My lord we filed an affidavit of service. We have did our best to ensure service was made on all the five emirates but could not get to them.
    “There was an order from the Federal High Court restraining the police from arresting, intimidating or harassing the respondents that was why we could not serve them” Saleh said
    Counsel to the applicants, Eyitayo Fatogun SAN, applied for another date to enable them file all necessary applications for service on the respondents.
    Justice Amina Adamu-Aliyu, said:” the 6th respondent could not have refused to serve the respondents because there is an order stopping them from arresting or intimidating the five Emirates.
    “As far as the law is concerned, you are only serving them papers, the earlier order can not stop you.
    “How can you give protection to the first respondent and say you were unable to serve him” Adamu-Aliyu said
    She adjourned the matter until June 24, for hearing in the motion on notice.
    NAN reports that the court had on May 27, granted an order of interim injunction restraining the the 1st 2nd, 3rd, 4th & 5th respondents by themselves, servants, privies, from parading themselves as Emirs in the interest of peace in Kano.
    The court also ordered that the five emirs be served through the office of the Kano Commissioner of  Police.
    NAN reports that the house of assembly on May 23, dissolved all the four newly created Emirate council’s in the state and Gov. Abba Kabir-Yusuf, reappointed Lamido Sanusi, as the Emir of Kano.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    RG/SH
    ======
    edited by Sadiya Hamza

  • Absence of defence counsel stalls trial of coordinator of illegal school

    Absence of defence counsel stalls trial of coordinator of illegal school

    Suit
    By Joy Kaka
    Abuja, June 11, 2024( NAN) The absence of a defence counsel, Odu Emmanuel, on Tuesday stalled the trial of Saturday Igwe, coordinator of Akwa Ibom Polytechnic campus in  Nyanya, Abuja,.
    The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) charged the defendant with eight counts bordering on  obtaining by false pretence.
    At the resumed court sitting, the prosecuting counsel, Micheal Adeshola told the court that he had a witness in court but that he received a letter from the defence counsel.
    ” The defendant’s counsel sent a letter for an adjournment on the grounds that he has another matter in the Court of Appeal.
    “In this circumstance, we pray for an adjournment, “Adeshola said.
    Justice Asmau Akanbi-Yusuf  adjourned the matter until July 17 for hearing.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the prosecution alleged that the defendant, while being the coordinator of Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic Osurua Nyanya, Abuja, satellite campus made false statements to officers of ICPC, Denham Aida and Tunji Jabar in November, 2012.
    He alleged that the defendant said he was not aware that the campus had been proscribed by the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Board for Technical Education which was not true.
    The prosecution said that the defendant defrauded one Helen Joseph of N162,000 under the pretence that the National Diploma and Higher diploma programme of the campus was valid and approved.
    He said the defendant defrauded one Ude Obiageli of N250,000 for the said purpose and forged the Polytechnic’s Higher National Diploma Statement of result, issued it to Joseph and forged a provisional admission letter and issued to Obiageli.
    The offence, he said, contravened the provisions of section 1(1)(a)and punishable under 1(3)of the Advance Fee Fraud and other related Offences Act, 2006.
    The prosecution said the offence also contravened the provisions of sections 363 and 364 of the Penal Code.
    The defendant however pleaded not guilty.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    JK/SH
    ======
    edited by Sadiya Hamza