Category: Judiciary

Nnamdi Kanu files contempt charge against DSS DG, Bichi

Contempt

By Taiye Agbaje

Abuja, June 10, 2024 (NAN) The leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has filed contempt charge against the Director General, Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Bichi, over his alleged refusal to obey court orders.

Kanu, through his lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, on Monday filed Form 49 titled: “Notice to Show Cause Why An Order Of Committal Should Not Be Made,” at the Federal High Court (FHC), Abuja.

The application, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015, is dated and filed on June 10.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that while the Federal Republic of Nigeria is listed as complainant/1st respondent, Yusuf Magaji Bichi is listed as 2nd respondent/contemnor.

The IPOB leader alleged that despite being served with the orders of the trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako of a FHC in Abuja, made on May 20, Bichi had refused to comply with the said orders.

NAN reports that Justice Nyako had, on May 20, declined to grant an application filed by Kanu to set aside his 2017 bail revocation following the allegation that he jumped bail.

The judge also refused to transfer him to Kuje Correctional Centre or place him under house arrest as requested.

However, Justice Nyako reviewed conditions for visiting the IPOB leader at the DSS facility by his lawyers.

In a ruling, she varied the visitation days from two to three days in a week.

The judge ordered that Kanu should be given a safe and “clean” room to prepare for his defence with his team of counsel not exceeding five in number, instead of three lawyers that was formerly directed.

She equally ordered that Kanu and his lawyers should be allowed such a facility that is required for the preparation of his defence and be allowed to take notes.

However, in the application, Kanu alleged that the DSS DG had failed to abide by the orders.

It reads:in part: “Take Notice that the Defendant will on the ____day of _______, 2024, at the hour of 9 o’clock in the forenoon apply to this court for an order for your committal to prison for having disobeyed the order of this court made on the 20th day of May 2024, which stated in pertinent part as follows:

“You have not complied with the 3 (three) days per week visitation to the Applicant as was ordered by the court.

“You have not provided a safe and ‘clean’ room to the Applicant at the present facility to prepare for his defense with his team of counsel.

“You have not allowed such facility that is required for the preparation of the Applicant’s defence, which facility you have disallowed on every visitation since the said order was entered, as set out below:

“Interdiction, seizure, perusal and photocopying of legal documents relating to the trial preparation of the Applicant.

“By not retracing your steps after you were, on the 31st day of May 2024, served with a Form 48; Notice of Consequences of Disobedience to Court.

“AND TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that you are hereby required to attend the court on the first-mentioned day to show cause why an Order for your Committal should not be made.”(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

TOA/SH

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edited by Sadiya Hamza

Court remands security expert for establishing illegal govt agency

Suit

By Taiye Agbaje

Abuja, June 10, 2024 (NAN) A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday, ordered the remand of Dr Adejare Adegbenro in Kuje Correctional Centre for establishing an illegal government agency.

Adegbenro was alleged to have established National Commission for the Coordination And Control Of Proliferation of Small Arms, Ammunitions And Light Weapons (NATCOM).

Justice Emeka Nwite gave the order after he was arraigned by the Nigerian police on a six-count charge bordering on terrorism, advance fee fraud and cybercrimes.

Adegbenro pleaded not guilty to the counts and the prosecutor, D.S. Akor, prayed the court to remand him in a correctional facility pending the conclusion of the trial.

But the defendant’d lawyer, Chibuzor Ezike, told the court that a bail application had been filed on his client’s behalf.

The bail application was, however, not in the court file.

Justice Nwite, who adjourned the matter until June 24 to take the bail application, fixed July 18 for trial commencement.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/246/2024, the Federal Republic of Nigeria is tye complainant while Dr Adejare Rewane Nurudeen Adegbenro is the sole defendant.

In count one, Adegbenro and others at large were alleged to have, on or before April 17, at Government Secondary School, Tundun Wada, Wuse Zone 4, conspired to commit alleged terrorism.
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They were alleged to have established an illegal organization known as National Commission for the Coordination And Control Of Proliferation Of Small Arms, Ammunitions And Light Weapons (NATCOM) without authorisation.

The act was said to be prejudicial to national security and being an offence punishable under Section 26 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

In count three, he and others now at large were alleged to have , on or before Dec. 4, 2023, with intent to deceive, unlawfully assumed the name, character, designation of a National Coordination Of the National Centre For Control Of Smail Arms And Light Weapons, specifically posing as a government agency dealing with the coordination and control of proliferation of small arms, ammunitions and light weapons.

The offence is contrary to Section 30 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.

In count four, Adegbenro was alleged to have, on April 28, with intent to defraud did obtain funds from certain persons by falsely presenting himself as an authorised agent of the Nigerian Government.

He was alleged to have conducted staff recruitment in “the illegal National Commission For The Coordination And Control Of Proliferation Of Small Arms, Ammunitions And Light Weapons (NATCOM).”

The offence is said to be contrary to Section 1(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006, and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act, among other counts.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

TOA/SH

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edited by Sadiya Hamza

No lodgement, withdrawal traced to Ali Bello in exhibits tendered–Witness

Trial
By Taiye Agbaje

Abuja, June 10, 2024 (NAN) Mr Olomotane Egoro, an Access Bank staff, on Monday admitted that Ali Bello, a co-defendant in the ongoing money laundering trial, neither lodged nor withdrew money in the bank statements tendered in the proceedings.

Egoro, who is also an EFCC 2nd prosecution witness (PW2), stated this while being cross-examined by Bello’s counsel, Abdullahi Aliyu, SAN, before Justice Obiora Egwuatu of a Federal High Court, Abuja.

Upon resumed hearing, Aliyu applied for some exhibits of bank statements tendered by the anti-graft agency.

The bank statements belonged to some companies including Vifaz Multibiz Investment Company, Ary Consulting and Integrated Services, Hayzma Business Enterprise, e-Traders International Limited, and Aleshua Solutions Services.

Other companies’ account statements tendered included that of Whales Oil and Gas, Forza Oil and Gas, Dada Grand Merchant Ltd, and that of the Unnatii and Jamilu Abdullahi.

When Aliyu asked if there was any lodgement or withdrawal made by Bello in those accounts, the EFCC’s witness, after thoroughly going through the exhibits, said: “None my lord.”

The lawyer also asked Egoro to confirm from Exhibit E if there was any payment made to T.B Bank United States, e-Traders International Limited, Aleshua Solutions Services and others, and the witness equally said: “None my lord.”

When asked if there was any withdrawal that exceeded the statutory limit stipulated by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in Exhibit E tendered, the witness said: “I don’t know what the limit was at the time.”

“Do you know what it is now?” the lawyer asked the witness.

Egoro responded that for an individual, the statutory withdrawal limit is N5 million while for a corporate body is N10 million.

The witness, however, agreed that the bank usually adhere to the laid down rules in its transaction.

He acknowledged that for Hayzma Business Enterprise account, the signatory is the 3rd defendant.

He also agreed with the lawyer that for e-Traders’ account in Exhibit G, the only person that made payment into that account was the 2nd defendant.

Egoro confirmed that the 1st, 3rd and 4th defendants never made any payment into the account.

When asked if there was anything wrong in a signatory to an account to withdraw money from the same account, the witness said: “No, my lord.”

He said he was aware that the federal, state and local governments do award contracts to individuals and that when such contracts are executed, payments are made.

The witness admitted that majority of the transactions he earlier identified from the accounts belonging to the 2nd to 4th defendants which were suspected to be proceeds of money laundering from the LGAs or Kogi state were proceeds from a loan of N2 billion accessed from the bank by the 4th defendant’s company.

Justice Egwuatu adjourned the matter until June 24 for counsel for the 2nd to 4th defendants, Mr Nureini Jimoh, SAN, to cross-examine Egoro.

NAN reports that in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/573/2022, Bello and three others are facing trial on an alleged N3 billion fraud charge preferred against them by the anti-graft agency.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

TOA/SH

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edited by Sadiya Hamza

Hemp
By Sandra Umeh
Lagos, June 10, (NAN) The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), on Monday, brought a 25-year-old man, Abdulkarim Saidu, before a Federal High Court in Lagos, for alleged trafficking in 900g of Cannabis Sativa (hemp).

Saidu is facing a-count charge of drug trafficking.

NDLEA counsel, Mrs N. J Mamza, alleged that Saidu committed the offence on March 17, at the Gagari area of Mile 12 in Lagos State.

She alleged that the suspect unlawfully possessed  900g of the illicit substance, which was recovered from him.

She said that the illicit substance deal was listed in the NDLEA schedule as prohibited.

According to Mamza, drug trafficking contravenes the provision of Section 11(c) of the NDLEA Act, 2004.

No date has been fixed for  arraignment of the suspect. (NAN)

UNS/CEO/IGO

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Edited by Chidi Opara/Ijeoma Popoola

Threat

By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko
Ibadan, June 10, 2024 (NAN) A 36-year-old man, Wasiu Abdulahi, was on Monday arraigned before an Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court, Ibadan, for allegedly threatening a man’s life and demanding N1m.
Abdulahi, whose address was not provided, was charged with a threat to life, malicious damage, land grabbing and unlawful demanding of money.
He, however pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The Prosecutor, Insp. Olusegun Adegboye, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on June 5, at about 5.00 p.m, at the Moniya area, Ibadan.
Adegboye alleged that the defendant threatened the life of one Emeka Anichebe with the intent to collect his land situated at Moniya.
He also alleged that the defendant demanded the sum of N1m from Anichebe and threatened to kill him if he did not provide the money.
Adegboye alleged that the defendant damaged Anichebe’s iron gate and fence and stole his N350,000.
The prosecutor said the offences contravened Sections 451, 406 and 399(9) of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
The Magistrate, Mrs Sofia Babalola, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N1 million and two sureties in like sum.
Babalols adjourned the case until July 22 for hearing. (NAN)
CC/CEO/JNC
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Edited by Chidi Opara/Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Man in court for allegedly stealing mattress

Mattress
By Dorcas Elusogbon
Ile-Ife (Osun), June 10, 2024(NAN) An 18-year-old man, Akinloye Ajala, on Monday appeared before an Ile-Ife Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing mattress worth N120,000.

Ajala of no fixed address, was charged with unlawful entering, house breaking and stealing.

The prosecutor, Insp Adesina Elijah told the court that the defendant committed the offences on June 8, around 5.00p.m at Sabo Area, Ile-Ife, Osun.

Elijah said that the defendant unlawfully entered the house of the complainant, Segun Olagbaju, and stole a mattress valued at N120,000.

According to him, the offence contravene Sections 383, 390(9) and 411 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Osun, 2002.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty.

Magistrate Abosede Sarumi granted the defendant bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like amount.

Sarumi said the sureties must swear to affidavit of means, resides within the court jurisdiction and their addresses to be verified with recent passport photograph attached.

She stated further that one of the sureties must a landowner within the court jurisdiction, while second should be his blood relation.

She said the sureties must present three years tax clearance certificate.

The case was adjourned until July 3, for hearing. (NAN) (www.nannnews.ng)

EDA/IKU
Edited by Tayo Ikujuni

Court remands 2 over alleged cultism

Cultism

By Dorcas Elusogbon

Ile-Ife (Osun), June 10, 2024(NAN) An Ile-Ife Magistrates’ Court on Monday, remanded a 26-year-old man, Olayinka Abiodun and Ajayi Tobiloba, 28, over alleged cultism.

The Prosecutor, Insp Sunday Osanyintuyi, told the court that the defendants committed the offence sometime in Jan, at Aba-Iyagani Junction, Ile-Ife.

Osanyintuyi said that the defendants conspired to commit felony to wit, cultism, unlawful possession and conduct likely and going armed.

He said that the defendants paraded themselves to be members of a secret cult, the Eiye confraternity and disturbed the peace of the neighbourhood.

According to him, the defendants had in their possession wraps of a substance suspected to be Indian hemp and other dangerous drugs which they were smoking.

Osanyintuyi said that the defendants conducted themselves in a manner that can cause breach of the public peace, by smoking substance suspected to be weeds in the public area.

The Prosecutor said that the defendants conspired to commit felony by attacking and dispersing workers at Ife City Grammar School, Ile-Ife.

He stated that the defendants robbed people working on a project at Ife City Grammar School by dispossessing them  of their valuable items.

Osanyintuyi explained that the offenced contravened sections: 62, 71,249(d), 401, 402, 430 and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Osun, 2002.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the seven-count charge of conspiracy, cultism, unlawful possession, breach of peace, smoking and armed robbery.

The Defence Counsel, Mrs Sidikat Salawu and Mr Paul Oyeboade, pleaded for the bail of the defendants respectfully in most Liberal terms.

They pledged that they would not jump bail and would provide responsible sureties.

Magistrate Abosede Sarumi asked their lawyers to come with a formal application.

Sarumi ordered for the remand of the defendants in Ile-Ife Nigeria Correctional Service pending the presentation of the formal application for their bail.

She adjourned the case until July 8, for mention.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

EDA/GOM/JPE

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Edited by Gregg Mmaduakolam/Joseph Edeh

2 men in court for allegedly stealing  N12m Oyo Govt. House bus

Arraignment

By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko

Ibadan, June 10, 2024 (NAN) Two men, Mutiu Adeyemo, 50 and Michael Omidiji, 44, who allegedly stole a bus, property of the Oyo State Goverment, were on Monday arraigned before an Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court, Ibadan.

The men, whose addresses were not provided, were charged with conspiracy and theft, to which they pleaded not guilty.

The Prosecutor, Insp Sikiru Opaleye told the court that the defendants allegedly committed the offences on Feb. 20, at 9.30 p.m, at Ikoloba area, Ibadan.

He alleged that the defendants removed the bus, estimated to be worth N12 million, from where it was parked without the state government’s consent.

Opaleye said that the defendants allegedly committed the offences contrary to Sections 516 and 390 (9) of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

The Magistrate, Mrs Olabisi Ogunkanmi granted the defendants bail in the sum of N500,000 each with two sureties each in like sum.

She thereafter adjourned the case until Aug. 12, for hearing. (NAN)
CC/AOS
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Edited by Bayo Sekoni

Terrorism
By Olawale Akinremi
Ibadan, June 10, 2024 (NAN) A 33-year-old terror suspect, Adamu Babangida, on Monday, confessed before a Federal High Court, Ibadan division, to aiding and abetting terrorism.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Babangida had, upon arraignment in March, pleaded not guilty to a seven-count charge of engaging in terrorism, unlawful transportation and possession of live ammunition.
NAN also reports that other charges preferred against the defendant included: aiding and abetting terrorism and obstructing security operatives from carrying out their lawful duties.
At the resumption of trial on Monday, the defendant had, through his counsel, Suraj Musa, said that he was guilty of the charges brought against him.
Musa said that the defendant was willing to enter into a plea bargain arrangement with the Ministry of Justice and Nigeria.
Though the Prosecution, Mrs Aderonke Imama, accepted the plea bargain offer, she, however, insisted that the defence counsel must make the details of the offer known through an application.
Imama said that it might amount to wasting the precious time of the court if the details were not well spelt out.
Consequently, Justice Ekerete Akpan adjourned the suit till Sept. 23 for the plea bargain and judgment.
NAN reports that the prosecution had earlier told the court that Babangida was arrested sometime in January 2023 when he was conveying a 20.76 MN special live ammunition and other sophisticated weapons, with the intention of equipping terrorists.
The prosecution stated that Babangida was resident at NNPC area, Jalingo, Taraba.
She added that the defendant was apprehended by military operatives in Akure, Ondo State, during a stop-and-check operation while transporting the sophisticated weapons with a Toyota bus, with registration number: ARS76XA.
The prosecutor said that the offences contravened the provisions of Sections 26(A), 4(B) 41(A), 43(1A) of the Terrorism, Prohibition and Prevention Act, 2022. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
SEM/GOM/WAS
Edited by Gregg Mmaduakolam and ‘Wale Sadeeq