Category: Judiciary

Internet fraudster jailed 2 years for swindling an American woman

impersonation

Sentence
By Uche Bibilari
Gwagwalada (FCT), June 6, 2024 (NAN) A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Gwagwalada on Thursday sentenced an Internet fraudster, Eze Josiah to two years imprisonment for swindling an American woman of 300 dollars.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), had arraigned the convict on two counts of cheating by impersonation for pretending to be an American citizen on Facebook.

He pleaded guilty to the charge and begged the court for leniency.

Delivering judgment, Justice Aliyu Shafa, also gave him an option of fine of N500, 000.

Shafa ordered the convict to depose to an affidavit of good behaviour, adding that the HP laptop and iPhone eight, being the  instruments used to commit the crime be sold and the proceeds deposited in the Federal Government’s account.

Earlier,the convict in his plea for mercy promised not to make sure mistake in his life again and to be of good behaviour.

The Defence Counsel, J.M. Mafwil in support of the allocutus by the convict pleaded with the court to tamper justice with mercy.

Mafwil told the court that the convict was a first time offender and a young man, adding that the court should consider lesser sentence or fine while sentencing the convict.

The Prosecution Counsel, Idris Haruna, told the court that the convict sometimes in January 2024, within the jurisdiction of the court, committed the crime of cheating by personation.

Haruna said that the convict pretended to be Kelvin, an American citizen on Facebook.

He said that the convict in that assumed character fraudulently obtained the sum of 200 dollar which was an equivalent of N270,000, through gift cards from one Jessica, an American.

He also, said that the convict pretended to be Prisca Helen, an American citizen on Facebook and defrauded one karlos an American citizen.

He said that the convict in that character fraudulently obtained 100 dollar through gift card from his victim.

The prosecutor said the offence contravened the provisions of Section 321 of the Penal Code and punishable under Section 324 of the Penal Code.

Haruna in oral application pleaded with the court that the instrument used for the crime which includes, an HP laptop and iPhone eight be forfeited to the federal government. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
UU/SH

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edited by Sadiya Hamza

Murder
By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko
Ibadan, June 6, 2024 (NAN) An Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan on Thursday ordered the remand of two men: Dauda Ahmed 25 and Abdul Isiaka, 30, in a correctional facility in Ibadan over alleged murder.

The duo, whose house addresses were not provided, are being tried for conspiracy and murder.

The Magistrate, Mrs M. Olagbenro, did not, however, take their plea for want of jurisdiction.

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

She adjourned the case till Sept. 23 for mention.

Earlier, the Prosecutor, ASP Foluke Adedosu, told the court that the defendants committed the offences on May 27, at about 9.30 p.m., at Ogbomoso, Oyo State.

Adedosu said that the defendants unlawfully caused the death of one Isaac Ayanniyi by stabbing him in the chest.

She said that the offences contravened Section 324 of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State, 2000. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
CC/KOO/WAS
Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa and’Wale Sadeeq

2 remanded for allegedly robbing man of his motorcycles

Robbery

By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko

Ibadan, June 6, 2024 (NAN) An Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court, Ibadan, on Thursday ordered two men,  Ibrahim Muhammed and Muhammed Tukur, to be remanded in an Ibadan correctional facility for allegedly robbing a man of his motorcycles.

The duo, whose addressees were not provided, were charged with conspiracy and robbery.

The Magistrate, Mrs M. Olagbenro, did not take the plea of the suspects for want of jurisdiction.

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

She, thereafter, adjourned the case until Sept. 23 for mention.

The Prosecutor, ASP Foluke Adedosu told the court that the suspects allegedly committed the offence on May 21, at about 6.00 a.m, at Onidundun village, Ibadan.

She alleged that the suspects, at gun point, robbed Azeez Adebayo of his two unregistered Bajaj motorcycles worth N850, 000 each.

The prosecutor said the duo committed an offence contrary to Section 516 and 402(1) of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State, 2000. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

CC/CEO/JPE

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Edited by Chidi Opara/Joseph Edeh

Cashier in court for allegedly stealing employer’s N1.5m

Stealing

By Ngozi Njoku

Ikeja, June 6, 2024 (NAN) The Police in Lagos on Thursday arraigned a 35- year-old woman, Bukola Babatunde in an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing her employer’s N1.5m.

The defendant, a cash officer who resides in the Agege area of Lagos  is being tried for stealing

The defendant however pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecutor, Insp Innocent Odugbo told the court that the offence was committed in March 2023  at Obasa Plaza, Agege, Lagos.

He said Mr Sunday Osho, the complaint came to the charge room to report the defendant.

Odugbo said that the complainant said he employed the defendant in 2021 as a cash officer in his business, and in March 2023 she resigned her appointment.

The prosecutor said that the complainant said that the work of the defendant was not audited before she left; adding that when it was later done it was discovered that N1, 535,350 was missing.

He said that the defendant when interrogated couldn’t give a satisfactory account of the missing money.

The offence according to the prosecutor contravened section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The Magistrate, Miss M.F Onamusi granted the defendant bail in the sum of N200, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

She said the sureties must be gainfully employed and one of them must be blood related.

Onamusi adjourned the case until June 13, for mention. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

NG/DCO/JPE

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Edited by Deborah Coker/Joseph Edeh

Theft
By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko
Ibadan, June 6, 2024 (NAN) A 26-year-old man, Lukman Azeez, was on Thursday arraigned before an Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan for allegedly stealing phones.

Azeez, whose address was not provided, was charged with theft, to which he, however, pleaded not guilty.

The Prosecutor, ASP Anthony Igori, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on May 27, at about 8 p.m. at Yemetu area of Ibadan.

Igori said that the defendant stole one ITel phone worth N80,000, belonging to one Mrs Gbadegesin Olaitan and another Tecno phone worth N120,000, belonging to one Mr Olusola Malumi.

He said that the offence contravened Section 390(9) of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

The Magistrate, Mr Olaolu Olanipekun, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N100,000, with two sureties in like sum.

He, thereafter, adjourned the case till July 9 for hearing. (NAN)
CC/ISHO/WAS
Edited by Yinusa Ishola and ‘Wale Sadeeq

Group lauds 300% increase in salaries of judicial officers s

Salary
By Sandra Umeh
Lagos, June 6,  2024 (NAN) The Advocacy for Justice and Accountability (AJA), a non-governmental organisation, on Thursday, lauded the increase in the salaries of judicial officers.

AJA also appealed to the Federal Government to extend the gesture to all other workers.

The Country Director of AJA, Mr Ogedi Ogu, who made the commendation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, said  that the increase was long overdue.

NAN reports that the Senate, on Wednesday, approved a bill  granting 300 per cent salary increase for judicial officers at both the federal and state levels.

The Senate approved a report presented by its Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters.

Reacting to the development, Ogu said that other Nigerian workers deserved the same treatment.

“For us in the Advocacy for Justice and Accountability, improvement in workers’ salaries and emoluments should not be selective.

“We are not saying that the 300 per cent increase in the salaries of judges is not welcomed. It is very much welcomed.

“However, government must understand that there ought to be a machinery where things of such flow naturally without making it to the pages of newspapers,” he said.

According to Ogu, it is important to have a well-structured approach.

“We believe that the welfare of workers should be improved across all strata, and we will continue to hold government accountable.

“If the economy is strong, the 300 per cent increment today would remain relevant for some years to come,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

UNS/KOO/IGO
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Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Ijeoma Popoola

Stabbing
By Adepote Arowojobe
Ikorodu (Lagos State), June 6, 2024 (NAN) A 28-year-old woman, Simbiat Akinmurele, was on Thursday arraigned before an Ikorodu Magistrates’ Court, Lagos State, for allegedly stabbing a woman and causing her grievous harm.

Akinmurele is facing a two-count charge, to which she, however, pleaded not guilty.

The Prosecutor, ASP, Christian Okonofua, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on May 24, at about 10:30 a.m., at No. 28, Otambala Street, Ikorodu.

Okonofua said that the defendant broke a beer bottle and unlawfully stabbed one Mrs Kemi Oseni, the complainant.

According to the prosecutor, the offences contravene Sections 168(d) and 245 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Magistrate A.O. Onalaja granted the defendant bail in the sum of N200,000, with two sureties in like sum.

Onalaja adjourned the case till June 13 for mention. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
ADEX/DCO/WAS
Edited by Deborah Coker and’Wale Sadeeq

Woman begs court to save her from ill-tempered hubby

Divorce
By Olawale Akinremi
Ibadan, June 6, 2024 (NAN) A food vendor, Shakirat Oguntade has prayed a Mapo Grade A Customary Court in Ibadan to grant her prayer for divorce from her estranged husband, Ganiu.

Oguntade in her petition told the court:”my life took a turn for the worse since I moved in with Ganiu because of his temper.

”He is  hot tempered and irresponsibility”.

She added that her estranged husband also kept monitoring her affairs.

”My lord, Ganiu, who is a herbalist has restricted me from having any friend in the neighbourhood for no reason.

”He has sent six other wives packing. I am the seventh wife he has married.

”I have no child with Ganiu because he is always cursing me.

”Worst still, he gives me only N200 as daily feeding allowance, so, I basically live eating rice and beans that I sell,”Oguntade told the court.

However, Ganiu was not in court to respond to the allegations leveled against him.

The bailiff tended evidence of several hearing notices he had served on the respondent before the court.

Delivering his judgment, the President of the court, Mrs S.M. Akintayo, held that the union between Oguntade and Ganiu was invalid and could not be described as a marriage that conformed with native laws and customs.

”Therefore, there is no marriage to be dissolved between the petitioner and the respondent due to absence of payment of bride price and proper handing over of the bride.

”Since Shakirat has indicated that she is no longer willing to continue with the cohabitation, she is free to go.

”Also, the respondent is restrained from harassing, threatening, disturbing and interfering with the private life of the petitioner”, Akintayo ruled. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

SEM/KOLE/SH

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Edited by Remi Koleoso/Sadiya Hamza

Court remands 2 over alleged kidnapping in Ibadan

Kidnapping
By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko
Ibadan, June 6, 2024 (NAN) An Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court, Ibadan on Thursday ordered the remand of two men – Umaru Abubakar, 32 and Sidi Umaru, 20, in correctional facility for allegedly kidnapping two men.
The duo, of no fixed addresses, were charged with conspiracy and kidnapping.
The Magistrate, Mr Maruff Mudashiru, did not take the plea of the defendants for want of jurisdiction.
He directed the police to return the case file to the Director of Public Prosecution for legal advice and adjourned the case until Aug. 29 for mention.
Earlier, the prosecutor, Insp Femi Oluwadare, told the court that the defendants allegedly committed the offences on March 12, at about 10.00p.m, at Ago-Are Tede Ibadan expressway.
Oluwadare alleged that the defendants kidnapped the duo of Chinedu Udonsi and Ibikunle Olaoyejide while on transit to Ibadan.
He alleged that the defendants allegedly collected the sum of N10 million as ransom from one Jude Nnaji for the release of the abductees.
He said the offences contravened Section 4(2) of the Oyo State Kidnapping Prohibition Law, 2016. (NAN) (www.nannnews.ng)
CC/KOLE/IKU
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Edited by Remi Koleoso/Tayo Ikujuni

Man, 30, remanded over alleged kidnapping

Kidnapping

By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko

Ibadan, June 6, 2024(NAN) An Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court, Ibadan, on Thursday ordered the remand of a 30-year-old Sanda Umaru, in a correctional facility in Oyo, over  alleged kidnapping.

Umaru, whose address was not provided, is being tried for alleged kidnapping.

The Magistrate, Mr Maruff Mudashiru did not take the plea of the defendant for want of jurisdiction.

He, however, directed the police to return the case file to the Director of Public Prosecution for legal advice and adjourned the case until Aug. 29, for mention.

Earlier, the Prosecutor, Insp Femi Oluwadare told the court that the defendant allegedly committed the offence on May 10, at about 12.30 p.m, at Idi-Ayunre Ibadan express way.

Oluwadare alleged that the defendant unlawfully kidnapped the duo of Emiola Akindele and Kehinde Akinoso from their farms.

He alleged that the defendant allegedly collected N10 million in ransome from Olawale Hammed for the release of his victims.

The prosecutor  said the offences contravened Section 4(2) of the Oyo State Kidnapping prohibition law, 2016. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

CC/KOO/JPE

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Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Joseph Edeh