Blog

Cables

By Dorcas Elusogbon

Ile-Ife (Osun), Sept. 25, 2018 (NAN) An Ile-Ife Magistrates’ Court in Osun on Tuesday remanded one Ige Samson, 21, for allegedly stealing electric cables and fittings worth N900,000 from a new building at Ile-Ife.

Samson, whose home address was not provided, is being tried for conspiracy, intent to commit felony, burglary and stealing.

The prosecutor, Insp. Sunday Osanyintuyi, told the court that the accused and others now at large committed the offences on Sept. 20 at 8p.m at Road 15, Line 5, Modomo Area, Ile-Ife.

Osanyintuyi said that Samson allegedly broke into a house under construction owned by one Olujide Olusesan and stole all its electrical cables and fittings.

He told the court that the cables and fittings had just been installed.

The prosecutor said that the offences contravened Sections 383, 390 (9), 411 and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Osun, 2002.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The defence counsel, Mrs Innocental Akhigbe, urged the court to grant the accused bail in most liberal terms.
Akhigbe pledged that her client, who would not jump bail, was willing to produce substantial sureties.

Magistrate Ishola Omisade adjourned the case until Oct. 2, for ruling on the bail application. (NAN)

EDA/JI/PAD

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Editing by Joseph Idika/Peter Dada

Disability
By Sandra Umeh
Lagos, Sept. 25, 2018 (NAN) The Association of Lawyers with Disability in Nigeria (ALDIN) on Tuesday, called on the new leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to promote an “all inclusive” participation in activities of the Bar.

It also urged the new leadership to ensure that “every lawyer is afforded equal opportunities.“

ALDIN made the call in a letter signed by the President and Secretary of the Association, Messrs Daniel Onwe and Gaius Ogah, in Lagos and addressed to the President of the NBA, Dr Paul Usoro.

The Association highlighted key areas of concerns to its members such as: Inaccessible courtrooms and other public buildings.

ALDIN also identified establishment of an NBA desk for disability issues both at National and Branch chapters and employment of Lawyers with disabilities as some of the challenges affecting its members.

Other grey areas, it added, include: amendment of NBA constitution to include lawyers with disabilities in its activities and the inclusion of lawyers with disabilities in NBA annual Conference Planning Committees.

According to the association, the concerns had in no small measure, stultified the capacity of its members, as well as narrowed their opportunities in the legal profession and in life generally.

ALDIN noted that its members had been systematically shut out from the practice of their chosen profession.

According to the association, accessing the temple of justice,by its members, where they were ministers, was being denied by way of architectural barriers of diverse forms.

“Those on wheelchairs will either crawl on all fours to courtrooms upstairs, or be hauled and those on crutches will have to wobble upstairs in excruciating pains.

“The blind are left in the woods without accessible working materials, and the lot of the deaf is in no way any better; their livelihood is thus precarious,” it said

The association underscored the need for the NBA to lend its voice in ensuring that courts and other public buildings were accessible to all.

The association also called on the NBA to assist lawyers with disabilities in securing sedentary jobs in the public and private sectors and in NBA by recommending, them where such vacancies arose.

ALDIN noted that its members were not usually considered in the allocation of opportunities existing in the NBA and the legal profession at large.

According to it, issues affecting ALDIN members are sometimes relegated to the background, either because of negligence or lack of adequate understanding of disability issues.

It, therefore, recommended that NBA establishes a “desk” to be occupied by a lawyer with disability who will be produced by ALDIN, act as  a liaison officer to bring to the fore issues affecting lawyers with disabilities.

“If this is replicated at the various branches of the NBA, It will help in no small way to address our concerns and enhance inclusiveness at the Bar.”  (NAN)
UNS/BOLA/DUA

Edited by Bola Akingbehin/Dada Ahmed

`Prophet’ in court over alleged N2.5m car fraud

Prophet
By Deborah Akpede

Ikeja, Sept.25, 2018(NAN) A 28-year-old self-acclaimed prophet, Chiweike Michael, was on Tuesday arraigned in an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly defrauding a woman of a car valued at N2.5million.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Godwin Awase, said that Michael committed the alleged offence on July 25 at Iba, Lagos.
He said that the accused fraudulently obtained the car belonging to Mrs Stella Osubor.
“The accused collected the complainant’s car under the pretext of delivering her from death.”
Awase said that the complainant approached the accused for prayers; the accused told her that God revealed to him that she should sow seed with her car  to avert death.
“The complainant, who was introduced to the accused by a friend, gave N55,000 cash and her car worth N2.5million with the documents to the accused as requested by him.
“It was when the accused ran away to Anambra with that car that it became clear the complainant was charmed and duped.
“Efforts made to retrieve her car prove unsuccessful.
“The case was reported and the accused was traced to Anambra and arrested, ” the prosecutor said.
The offences contravened Sections 287 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 287 carries three years jail term for stealing, while Section 314 attracts 15 years for obtaining valuables under false pretenses.
The accused, however, denied committing the offences.

The Magistrate, Mrs F.F. George, granted bail to the accused in the sum of N250,000 with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case until Oct. 9 for mention. (NAN)
DOA/OU

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Edited by Obike Ukoh

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Honour
Lagos, Sept. 25, 2018 (NAN) The Sports Writers’ Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Lagos Chapter, has concluded plans to honour Seyi Akinwunmi, the 1st Vice-President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF)  for his significant roles in the development of football in the country and on the Africa continent

The reception for Akinwunmi, who has been re-elected as the 1st vice-president of NFF, according to Lagos SWAN Chairman, Debo Osundun, will hold on Oct. 4 at the SWAN Secretariat at 10 a.m.

Oshundun said that Akinwunmi had contributed immensely to the development of football in the country.

“Barrister Akinwunmi deserves to be honoured having played significant roles in the development of football in the country and on the continent.

“He has also been very supportive to Lagos SWAN and it behooves on us to celebrate him for his strides.

“So, we enjoin our members and other football stakeholders to grace this event to honour him, “Oshundun said in a statement.

NAN reports that the NFF 1st vice-president is the founder of the Akinwunmi Charity Foundation for the developing football at the grassroots.

Akinwunmi was re-elected the 1st NFF Vice President with 41 votes, while Sunday Dele Ajayi has 2 votes at the election held in Katsina on Sept. 20. (NAN)
KOA/KOLE/PDE
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(Edited by Remi Koleoso/Peter Ejiofor)

3 men charged with assault, robbery, get N3,000 bail

Robbery
By Deborah Akpede
Ikeja, Sept. 25, 2018 (NAN) Three accused persons — Mutiu Olajide, Yusuf Olayiwola and Azee Akinola — charged with
stabbing a man with knife and robbing others of valuables worth N355,000, were on Tuesday in Lagos arraigned.

The accused — Olajide, 20; Olayiwola, 19; and Akinola,18 — who reside in Agege, a Lagos suburb, are being tried for damage,
conspiracy, stealing and robbery at an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court.

The accused, according to Police Prosecutor Godwin Awase, committed the offences on Sept. 22 on Ijaiye Road, Ogba,
Lagos.

He said the accused allegedly conspired to damage the windscreen of a Toyota Corolla car belonging to Mr Abudulateef
Adebowale and stole a bag containing his valuables worth N355,000.

“The accused broke the complainant’s car windscreen where he parked it, stole a bag containing four phones valued at
N325,000 and cash of N30,000, totalling N355,000.”

Awase alleged that the accused also attacked Mr Emma Okeh with a broken bottle with the intent to kill him for refusing to
surrender his phone.

“The accused approached the complainant when he was going to work, commanding him to surrender his phone.

“The complainant because he refused to comply was stabbed with broken bottle all over his body and took to their heels.

“One of the accused was, however, arrested and assisted the police to effect the arrest others,”the prosecutor said.

The offences contravened Sections 287, 297, 350 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 287 prescribes three years jail term for stealing, while Section 297
provides 21 years for robbery.

The accused denied committing the offences and were admitted to a bail of N100,000 each with two sureties each in like sum.

The Magistrate, Mr F. F. George, said the sureties should be gainfully employed with an evidence of two years tax payment to
the Lagos State Government.

He adjourned the case until Oct. 17 for further hearing. (NAN)
DOA/KOLE/DA
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Edited by Remi Koleoso/Dele Akinsola

Yobe APC investigates alleged vote-buying ahead of primaries

Vote-buying

By Mohammed Mamman

Damaturu, Sept.25, 2018 (NAN) The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Yobe, says it is investigating allegation of vote-buying by a governorship aspirant ahead of the party’s primaries.

The APC Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Chilariye, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Damaturu that the aspirant was alleged to have given N300, 000 to each delegate ahead of the primaries.

“Yes, we have also learnt of the allegation that an aspirant was giving delegates money with the intent to buy their votes during the party primary.

“I have commissioned some officials to investigate the allegation and, if this is proved against any of the aspirants, the law will take its full course against the aspirant and the delegates involved,” he said.

NAN gathered that those who allegedly collected the money were made to swore to an oath, with a promise of additional N1 million.

Meanwhile, some stakeholders have also called for full scale investigation.

Alhaji Usman Haruna, a chieftain of the APC in Damaturu, said “this inglorious act calls for outright dismissal of any aspirant and delegates involved in vote-buying.”

Also, Alhaji Umar Kukuri, the state Chairman of Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) described the alleged action as a threat to democracy.

“This needs to be fully investigated and the culprits sanctioned accordingly,” the IPAC chairman said. (NAN)

MM/OSA/MZA

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Edited by Shittu Obassa/Maharazu Ahmed

Versace spring/summer ’19 Credit: AP
Brand
Abuja, Sept. 25, 2018 (NAN) U.S. fashion giant Michael Kors, has bought Italian fashion house Versace for two billion dollars.
According to Reuters, Donatella Versace, sister to late Gianni Versace, the founder called a staff meeting to make the announcement on Tuesday.
For Donatella, who paid tribute to her brother Gianni last September with a catwalk show that seemed to signal the end of that era in the brand’s history, this could mean the dawn of a new one.
Versace is a globally recognised brand, synonymous with the glamazon supermodels and fashion excesses of the ’80s and ’90s.
Gianni Versace also worked closely with Princess Diana, and was partly responsible for her sleek makeover in the years leading up to her death; so close were they that she attended the designer’s funeral.
Gianni’s death in 1997 came under the spotlight earlier this year with the release of the Emmy-winning series The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story.
Versace was one of the last remaining independent labels in the luxury fashion industry, with 80 per cent of the company still owned by the founding family at the time of the sale.
A twenty per cent stake was sold for €210m to American private equity firm Blackstock in 2014 to fund overseas expansion. (NAN)
EAL
Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi

Marriage

By David Adeoye

Ibadan, Sept. 25, 2018 (NAN) Four siblings of a 16-year-old marriage, on Tuesday, pleaded with an Idi-Ogungun Customary Court, Agodi, Ibadan, not to grant the divorce request of their father.

Mr Muideen Abdulraheem, 39, had approached the court, seeking the dissolution of his union with Zeinab, mother of their four children for alleged adultery, drunkenness and constant nagging.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 15- year-old first child of the marriage, who spoke on behalf of other siblings, raised his hand during the court proceedings and pleaded to be heard by the court.

When allowed to speak, the teenager blamed the couple for the domestic crisis rocking their home.

According to him, the plaintiff’s irrational attitudes and immaturity to manage his home, contributed to the constant misunderstanding between the couple.

”Our mother too, lacks patience, she cannot endure and nags too much but we are not happy with the misunderstanding going on between our parents.

”We always feel bad, even we rarely concentrate on our studies in school.

”We urge the court to prevail on our daddy not to divorce our mother because their separation will have negative impacts on our life,” he pleaded with the court.

Earlier, the plaintiff had told the court that he could no longer cope with the adulterous and drunken lifestyle of his wife.

He alleged that the respondent, had become an alcoholic, who would nag and demand for money before she could agree to have sex with him.

”I have made several efforts to make her desist from her bad behaviours but all proved abortive,” he told the court.

Abdulrahman testified that his in-laws had formed the habit of taking side with their daughter whenever he reported her to them.

He prayed the court to grant him custody of the children.

In her defence, the 38-year old Zeinab, denied all the allegations, saying, ”I never drink alcohol or commit adultery but Iam ready for whatever step he takes”.

The court’s president, Chief Mukaila Balogun, implored the parties to consider the plea of their children and find amicable resolution of their differences.

Balogun adjourned the case until Oct. 3 for report of either possible reconciliation or continuation of hearing,(NAN)

DAK/KOO/YEMI

Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Yemi Idris-Aduloju