Adeleke vs Oyetola: What Supreme Court decided on Monday

POLITICS

Adeleke vs Oyetola: What Supreme Court decided on Monday

 

The Supreme Court has fixed judgment for July 5, 2019 in the appeals filed by Senator Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with respect to the disputed last governorship election in Osun State.

A seven-man panel of the court, led by the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Muhammad, chose the date after taking final arguments regarding the main appeal, marked: SC/553/2019 filed by Adeleke.

Adeleke, who filed four appeals, is challenging the May 9, 2019 judgment of the Court of Appeal, Abuja, which affirmed the election of Adegboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the governor of Osun State.

The Court of Appeal also set aside the majority judgment of the election tribunal which had allowed Adeleke’s petition and declared him winner of the election.

On Monday, by agreement of lawyers in the appeals, the court took submissions from Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) for the appellants and Wole Olanipekun (SAN) for the 1st respondent (Oyetola) in respect of appeal marked: SC/553/2019.

The court said its judgment in the main appeal – SC/553/2019 – will be applied to two other similar one, filed by Adeleke against the Court of Appeal’s decision in relation to the appeals filed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the APC.

The court, which stood down proceedings for a while, is expected to resume soon to take the last fourth appeal by Adeleke, marked: SC/556/2019.

Other members of the panel are: Justices Olabode Rhodes-Vivour, Kumai Aka’ahs, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, Amiru Sanusi, Paul Galunmje and Uwani Abbah-Aji

 

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N69bn alleged fraud: Chief Judge transfers Fayose’s trial to another judge

NEWS

N69bn alleged fraud: Chief Judge transfers Fayose’s trial to another judge

 

The Chief Judge (CJ) of the Federal High Court on Friday transferred the trial of the former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, charged with alleged N6.9 billion fraud, to a new judge.

The CJ, Justice Adamu Abdu-Kafarati, transferred the case from the former judge, Justice Mojisola Olatoregun, to Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke.

The action, followed a petition by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), seeking a transfer of the case.

Fayose was arraigned on Oct. 22, 2018, by the EFCC, alongside a company, Spotless Investment Ltd, on 11 counts bordering on fraud and money laundering offence.

He had pleaded not guilty to the charge and was granted bail on Oct. 24, 2018, in the sum of N50 million with sureties in like sum, while the prosecution opened trial on Nov. 19, and had so far called 13 witnesses out of 15 listed.

On March 20, a drama ensued in court midway into the trial, between the trial judge, and EFCC counsel, Mr Rotimi Jacobs, SAN.

The judge raised concerns on the manner of prosecution by counsel, and had noted that the prosecutor was not doing a good job, adding that he was not competent to evaluate the court’s ruling.

On his part, the prosecutor expressed his displeasure on the grounds that he had always dispensed his duties diligently and had never been derogated by any court.

Meanwhile, at the last proceedings on May 10, the 13th prosecution witness, Mr Adewale Aladegbola, a former driver of a bullion van, had given evidences which the prosecutor described as being contrary to his extrajudicial statement to the commission.

On this premise, the prosecutor informed the court that his witness appeared “hostile” and urged the court to adjourn the case to enable him make necessary application on the situation.

Continuation of trial was billed to resume on June 10.

However, the CJ conveyed the transfer of the case from Justice Olatoregun to Justice Aneke, by a letter dated May 23, a copy of which was obtained by newsmen,NAN reports.

The CJ said: “I refer to the petition of EFCC on this case and your Lordship’s comments thereto.

“It is apparent that the prosecution has lost confidence in the judge trying this case and justice must not only be done but must be seen to have been done, I hereby transfer this case to Hon. Justice C. J. Aneke for hearing.”

A new date for the case before Aneke has however not been confirmed.

The matter will consequently begin afresh before the new judge, as the defendant will take his plea again.

During the trial before Olatoregun, the prosecution had called witnesses, from Zenith Bank, Diamond Bank, as well as a former Minister of State for Defence, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro.

According to the charge, on June 17, 2014, Fayose and Agbele were said to have taken possession of the sum of N1.2 billion, for purposes of funding his gubernatorial election campaign in Ekiti State, which sum they reasonably ought to have known formed part of crime proceeds.

Fayose was alleged to have received a cash payment of five million dollars, (about N1.8 billion) from the then Minister of State for Defence, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro, without going through any financial institution and which sum exceeded the amount allowed by law.

He was also alleged to have retained the sum of N300 million in his Zenith Bank account and took control of the aggregate sums of about N622 million which sum he ought to have known formed part of crime proceeds.

Fayose was alleged to have procured De Privateer Ltd and Still Earth Ltd, to retain in their Zenith and FCMB accounts, the aggregate sums of N851 million which they reasonably ought to have known formed part of crime proceeds.

Besides, the accused was alleged to have used about N1.6 billion to acquire properties in Lagos and Abuja, which he reasonably ought to have known formed part of crime proceeds.

The accused was also alleged to have used the sum of N200 million, to acquire a property in Abuja, in the name of his elder sister, Moji Oladeji, which sum he ought to know also forms crime proceeds.

The offence contravened the provisions of sections 15(1), 15 (2), 15 (3), 16(2)(b), 16 (d), and 18 (c) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011.

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Two delivery men arraigned in court for allegedly stealing goods worth N23m

CRIME NEWS

Two delivery men arraigned in court for allegedly stealing goods worth N23m

Two delivery men, who allegedly diverted their employer’s milk worth N23 million to their personal use, were on Thursday, brought before a Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the defendants, James Oja, 47, and Sunny Ejidike, 52, are facing a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence and stealing.

Mr Augustine Nwabuisi, the Police prosecutor, told the court that the defendants committed the offences on May 3.

Nwabuisi said the defendants had picked the milk in a Mark truck registered AJL 924 XW for delivery to their employer, FCMG, located at No. 13, Fati Atere str., Mushin area of Lagos.

He however told the court that the two defendants diverted the truck, stole all the goods and sold them.

Nwabuisi listed the items in the delivery truck as: 731 tins of Forto instant milk, 179 sachets of Kerry gold milk, 24 cartons of Kerry gold tin, 15 bags of Forto instant milk and 2 bags of Kerry gold milk.

He equally told the court that the total value of the milk was N23 million.

He said, “My Lord, when they missed their delivery day, the head of logistics came to the station and reported the theft.

“During investigations, we discovered that the defendants had rerouted the truck to a different location, offloaded the milk and sold some of them.”

The offences contravened Sections 287 (7), 314 and 411 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2015 (Revised).

The offence of obtaining by false pretences attracts 15 years jail term while that of stealing from one’s employer attracts seven years.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge and were granted bail in the sum of N5 million with two sureties each in like sum.

Chief Magistrate Oluwatoyin Oghere said that all the sureties must be gainfully employed with evidence of three years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

Oghere adjourned the case till August 7 for trial.

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Singer Shakira lands in court over alleged tax fraud

ENTERTAINMENT

Singer Shakira lands in court over alleged tax fraud

 

Popular Colombian singer, Shakira has appeared in a Spanish court on Thursday to answer tax fraud charges.

The prosecutors accused her of failing to pay up to 14.5 million Euros ($16.29 million) in taxes on income earned between 2012 and 2014.

Shakira arrived at Esplugues de Llobregat Court near Barcelona in the morning, through the court’s car park entrance, to avoid the media and was seen briefly through a window, NAN reports.

Prosecutors filed charges last December for the period they said Shakira was living in the region of Catalonia but the singer’s representatives said she did not live in Spain until 2015 and had met all her tax obligations.

The 42-year-old singer and the FC Barcelona Defender, Gerard Pique, have been together since 2011 and they have two children.

Shakira had appeared in court in May to face accusations of plagiarism for “La Bicicleta’’, a song she played with Carlos Vives, though the lawsuit was dismissed after the court ruled that they did not copy it.

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Kashamu’s extradition: Court awards N50,000 each to DSS, NDLEA

NEWS

Kashamu’s extradition: Court awards N50,000 each to DSS, NDLEA

 

A Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday awarded N50,000 each in favour of the Director-General, State Security Service (DSS) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, in a suit instituted by Sen. Buruji Kashamu.

Kashamu is seeking to stop his extradition to the United States, to face drug-related charges.

Kashamu, a Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District at the National Assembly, had in his suit labelled FHC/L/CS/930/2018, joined the following as respondents: The Inspector General of Police, Commissioner of Police, Lagos Police Command, Director General, State Security Service (DSS), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA, and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).

He is urging the court to restrain the respondents and their agents from arresting or detaining him, in any manner whatsoever, or interfering with his right to personal liberty and freedom of movement.

In a ruling, Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, gave the order, following the absence of the Kashamu’s lawyer, Mrs Ifeoma Esom.

Justice Aneke asked Mr O.Bajela who appeared and J.N. Sunday who appeared for the DSS and NDLEA if they had seen a letter from the plaintiff counsel, seeking adjournment over another case she had at the Court of Appeal.

Responding, they expressed dissatisfaction over the frequent adjournment, on the grounds that the case had been adjourned severally at the instance of the plaintiff.

He added that it was the case of the plaintiff and they ought to exhibit diligence.

Consequently, the third defence counsel urged the court to award a cost of N100,000 in its favour against the plaintiff.

In the same vein, fourth defence counsel also asked for a cost of N200,000 against the plaintiff.

Justice Aneke awarded a cost of N50,000 each in favour of third and fourth defendants and adjourned the case until Oct. 31 for hearing..

NAN reports that Aneke had taken arguments in the suit from respective parties and had reserved his judgment until April 29.

On April 29, judgment could not be delivered in the suit as the period fell within the Easter vacation, and the court did not sit.

Recall that on May 10, the case was set down for hearing on June 6.

In a supporting affidavit, the applicant averred that by a newspaper publication, the Attorney General of the Federation was reported to have said that the U.S. Government had been told to make fresh request for his extradition after the former proceedings were dismissed.

He averred that, in a proceeding instituted in England by the U.S. authorities between 2002 and 2003, it was established that he was not the one implicated in the alleged narcotics offence committed in the U.S. in 1994.

He said that consequently, he was not the person sought after by the U.S. authorities.

Kashamu, is, therefore, urging the court to restrain the respondents and their agents from arresting or detaining him in any manner whatsoever, or interfering with the applicants’ right to personal liberty and freedom of movement.

Meanwhile, in a preliminary objection, deposed to by one Kareem Olayinka, the NDLEA averred that authorities of the United States are currently seeking to extradite the applicant to their country, to answer charges relating to Heroine trafficking.

He said that the U.S. government then made a request to the Nigerian government, for the applicant to be extradited sometime in May 2015.

The Agency said that since Kashamu got wind of the extradition request, he has filed multiplicity of lawsuits relating to the issue.

He averred that in all these actions the basic relief sought, is a restraining order against the NDLEA, from arresting and extraditing him to the U.S.

According to the NDLEA, this suit does not disclose any cause of action against the respondent, adding that the multiplicity of the action by the applicant against the NDLEA is intended to divert its energy and attention from discharging its mandate to the nation.

He, avers, therefore, that the NDLEA needs the protection of the court to stop this trend, as the applicant is only engaged in shopping for a forum that will grant his desired reliefs.

The Agency is, therefore, asking the court to dismiss the suit

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Photos: Family fight over right to bury body of a Nursing officer who died 11 months ago in Jos

NEWS

Photos: Family fight over right to bury body of a Nursing officer who died 11 months ago in Jos

 

The remains of Ms Lois Yusuf Davou, a Chief Nursing Officer at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) who died eleven months ago is yet to be buried as her children, her late husband's family and the man she was dating before she passed on, are fighting over the right to give her a befitting burial.

The controversy started many years ago when Lois began having an affair with a married pastor, Yusuf Davou. The Sun reports that their relationship resulted in the pregnancy of their first child, Benjamin. Despite the opposition of the church to their relationship, Lois and Yusuf decided to start a proper home. Yusuf abandoned his first family after he was suspended by the church and moved into an apartment with Lois. There they had two more children, 19-year-old Ephraim and 1 year old Ruth. Lois's parents were vehemently against their union and refused accepting the brideprice Yusuf offered so he could legally get married to Lois.

Unfortunately, Yusuf passed on in 2007, leaving the children behind with their mother. His family disowned Lois and their children, saying they were not recognized by their family.

Years after, Lois found love again in the arms of one John Dominic who paid her dowry and married her properly. She however died on June 21st 2018.

The task of burying the deceased became a daunting one as the hospital management said they could not release the body of the deceased to Dominic as the deceased wasn't bearing his name before she died. They also could not release her entitlements to him. Dominic who had already bought a coffin and planned to bury Lois immediately, had to halt his plans. 

Her son, Benjamin then came in to retrieve his mother's corpse for burial. After much discussions, he was informed by the hospital's administrator, Bitrus Ali, that he must present a letter from the family of the late Yusuf Davou, before her remains can be released to him. He was also directed to clear the debt of his late mother at the cooperative society of JUTH. It was said that before her death the hospital owed her three months salaries but only N20, 000 and N18, 000 respectively were allegedly sent to the family from her salary amounting to about N300, 000.

Confused by the new development, Benjamin instructed his lawyer, L. E. Anyia to write a letter to JUTH, December 17, 2018, to plead with the hospital authority to release his mother’s body for burial. The hospital alleging that there are three families fighting over its ownership, refused and claimed that they need to know who has the legitimate right to bury it.

In a bid to address the issue, Benjamin in company of one of his aunts, paid a visit to Stephen Davou, the elder brother of his late father. Stephen gave Benjamin the permission to bury his mother. Arguing that he didn’t know anything about the relationship between his brother, Yusuf and Lois because he was away from home and recently retired from civil service before he came home and was briefed about the affairs, Stephen initially promised to follow Benjamin to the hospital for clearance the following day to enable him bury his mother. But few hours later he reneged, noting that he was going to bury his late brother’s wife according to Berom tradition.

Following the continuing controversy, the hospital management set up a committee over the matter. Benjamin, Stephen Davou and Dominic John were invited during their sitting and they all agreed that Lois’ body should be released to Benjamin for burial. It was also resolved that the woman’s entitlements be given to her children.

Not satisfied with the committee’s recommendations, JUTH authorities dragged Stephen Davou Jang, John Dominic, Benjamin Davou, to Plateau State High Court, Jos, through its counsel, K.M.G Pwul, praying the court to decide who among the three is entitled to be given her remains for burial. They also wanted the court to determine who among the defendants is entitled to the benefits accruing and due to the late Lois Davou Yusuf.

But in a counter-motion, the deceased woman’s children arguing that the state high court lacks the jurisdiction to adjudicate over the matter as the JUTH is a federal institution dragged the authorities and other parties involved to Federal High Court, Jos. Along the line, the parties, having exhausted the legal options, agreed to settle out-of- court with the children demanding N15 million as damages for time wasted and the trauma they suffered. But so far the hospital has refused not only to pay the amount but to also release Lois’ body for burial.

Speaking on the controversy surrounding the burial of the deceased, the elder brother to late Yusuf Davou, Steven Davou, said he initially agreed that not only should the woman’s body be released to her children to bury anywhere they like but that also her entitlements should be given to them.

“It’s true that the children belonged to my late brother, so we wanted to bury their mother according to our tradition but the children refused, insisting that they want to go and bury their mother in Kwol, Maingo,” he said. “It was when they took me to court that I disowned them. I don’t want to have anything to do with them. I was working to bring them back home but they are not thinking in that direction. The first son said they were born in a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship, so I don’t have anything to do with them. The corpse should be given to them with their mother’s entitlements.”

Also speaking, the second husband of the deceased, John Dominic, says he has agreed with JUTH to release the body to the children for burial so that Lois's spirit can rest in peace.

“I don’t know what is still delaying the burial up till now,” he said. “I had wanted to do the burial. I had dug a grave, bought coffin and prepared everything but JUTH refused to release the corpse to me arguing that she does not bear my name. JUTH took the matter to State High Court for determination of who is the right person to release the corpse to but the children went to Federal High Court to challenge the jurisdiction of the court to attend to the matter. They later withdrew the case and opted for out-of-court settlement. I am not interested in the entitlement of their mother. I was only interested in the burial of my wife but since the children said they want to bury their mother, I have given them the permission to do that, the corpse should be released to them.” he said

On his part, Benjamin says he does not know why the hospital management is yet to release his mother's body to him

“I don’t know why JUTH has not released the corpse. I don’t know when the Director of Administration will give me the body for burial,” he said. “The case has gone to court and we opted for out-of-court settlement but up till now, there is no cheering news from them. I am sad that my mother is 11 months now in the mortuary; there is no reason whatsoever for her body to be kept for that long. I am the first son. They should give me the body of my mother to bury. I am pained that I lost my mother at this age and my pain is compounded by the controversy that was introduced in the plans for her burial. As we speak now, I don’t know what the body looks like in the mortuary. I am begging that the body of my mother should be given to me for burial.” he said

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Justice Abang: PDP reacts as court rules on Akpabio’s claim on expulsion from party

POLITICS

Justice Abang: PDP reacts as court rules on Akpabio’s claim on expulsion from party

 

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Akwa Ibom State has described as shameful and dishonorable Senator Godswill Akpabio’s claim that he never defected but moved to the All Progressives Congress as a result of him being expelled from PDP at the ward level.

Senator Godswill Akpabio had told with evidence the Federal High Court in Abuja that his expulsion from PDP was what compelled him to move to the APC in August 2018.

In his ruling, the trial Judge, Justice Okon Abang on Friday said that the senator only “moved to join APC out of frustration of being expelled by the PDP through a letter dated August 2, 2018”.

The judge held that having been expelled from PDP, Akpabio was at liberty to join another political party of his choice and any attempt to declare his seat vacant as requested by the plaintiff, Legal Defence and Assistant Project would be to punish him for exercising his right to freedom of association under section 40 of the Constitution.

The plaintiff had anchored its suit on section 68(1)(g) of the Constitution which provides that the seat of a legislator who defects from his or her party without any division in the party before the end of the tenure for which the party sponsors the lawmaker’s election shall be declared vacant.

Justice Abang held that the provision of section 68(1)(g) of the Constitution was not applicable to Akpabio, who “neither defected nor decamped” but only moved from the PDP following his expulsion.

Irked by Senator Akpabio’s submission, the PDP in the state said such claim was totally false and shameful.

In a statement signed by the publicity secretary, Ini Emembong and sent to journalists in Uyo, the PDP argued that it was impossible for Senator Akpabio to have been expelled by the party, without the approval of the State Executive Committee of the party.

Ememobong maintained that there was no record showing the existence of such a punitive move undertaken against the senator by his ward or chapter executive.

He also alleged that Senator Akpabio conspired with Ntiedo Usoro, the then Chapter Chairman of Essien Udim to illegally write a letter of expulsion to him and backdate same, adding that Ntiedo having completed his assignment, later defected and joined Chief Akpabio in the APC.

The statement reads in part, “The Akwa Ibom State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has read a news item flowing from the judgement of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, presided over by Justice Abang wherein the trial judge held that Senator Akpabio led evidence to show that he was expelled from the People’s Democratic Party and therefore was justified in law in ‘moving’ to the APC.

“We state that nothing can be farther from the truth than the transparent lie of expulsion shamelessly spewed by Chief Akpabio. We make bold to state that at no time was Chief Akpabio suspended or expelled from the party. Chief Akpabio had announced to the world on August 8,2018 that he was defecting from the PDP to the APC in pursuit of National interest and to stem the tide of defections at the National Assembly. In fact, at different campaigns, he mocked the PDP as being empty since his uncommon defection . At no time did he mention the issue of expulsion, which has now become his creation as a lame defence to keep his seat. He conspired with Ntiedo Usoro, the then Chapter Chairman of Essien Udim to illegally write a letter of expulsion to him and back date same. The said Ntiedo having completed his assignment, later defected and joined Chief Akpabio in the APC.

“There is no way that Senator Akpabio could have been expelled by the party, without the concurrence of the State Executive Committee of the party. There is no record showing the existence of such a punitive move undertaken against the senator by his ward or chapter executive council. Expulsion is a process and not an event. We know that the disgraced senator is running from his shadows and questioning karma, as his conscience is putting him to remembrance of how he masterminded the suspension and eventual expulsion of his predecessor, Obong Victor Attah from the Party(though the act was reversed by the National Exco of the party). His successor, Governor Udom Emmanuel and the incumbent party leadership under Obong Paul Ekpo have decidedly made themselves unavailable for karma to use against him.

“We warn Senator Akpabio to desist forthwith from including the PDP in his serial lies. He is history to us, for all we care and soon, will be history to his Senatorial District- people who have sent the disgraced senator on compulsory political retirement.

“A brave man should prepare to face the natural consequences of his actions and not to engage in perennial doublespeak, disgraceful pendulum motion and irreverent redefinition of established terms.”

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Woman, 42 in court over alleged phone theft

CRIME NEWS

Woman, 42 in court over alleged phone theft

 

Alleged phone thief, Esther Olajide, a 42-year-old woman, appeared in Badagry Chief Magistrate’s court in Lagos State, on Thursday over stealing of phones worth N202, 000.

Olajide pleaded not guilty in court for two charges levelled against her by the police.

She was charged by the police for two counts of stealing and breach of peace.

Clement Okoimose, the prosecutor told the court that the accused committed the offences on May 12, at 2:22p.m, at French Language Village, Badagry.

He told the court that Olajide stole an iPhone Six valued at N80, 000 and a Tecno WX3P worth N72, 000 which belonged to the complainant, Mr. Chukwuka Yunaya.

The Prosecutor said that, “She also stole another Tecno phone valued at N50, 000 from one Esther Efebumyi, all the properties worth N202, 000.

“The defendant conducted himself in a manner likely to cause breach of the peace by pretending to be looking for someone and stranded,” he added.

The above offences contravened the provisions of Sections 285 and 166 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised) as stated by the Prosecutor.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr. Patrick Adekomaiya, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N50, 000 with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case until June 11, for hearing – NAN reports

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Abia APC: Court sacks Martin Apugo as APC candidate

POLITICS

Abia APC: Court sacks Martin Apugo as APC candidate

 

A Justice Daniel Osiagor-led Federal High Court in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, has sacked Ikechukwu Martins Apugo, as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency in the just-concluded 2019 National Assembly election in the state.

Justice Osiagor ruled in favour of a pre-election suit filed by former Speaker of the State House of Assembly and one of the APC aspirants in the 2018 primary election, Rt. Hon. Stanley Ohazuruka, challenging the eligibility of Apugo.

Reading his judgment, Justice Osiagor said, “APC law says that it is only the Collation Officer that can announce the results of the primary election. That the announcement must be made in Abuja, after collating the results. The collation officer testified as The Plaintiff’s Witness as (PW1), telling the court that any other documents that any person brings or will bring to the court as per the results is fake.

“After testifying, the plaintiff’s witness could not tender any original result sheets signed by him and the APC National Chairman as result for Ohazuruka. That after collation of the results, the secretary of APC collated and announced the result here in Umuahia. It contradicted the evidence act and APC law. INEC could not prove that Apugo won the primary election.

“The law deemed it very fit and necessary that primary election does not correspond with the electoral act 2010 as amended. On this ground, the primary election is hereby annulled. The party (APC) should conduct fresh primary election in Umuahia South constituency, so that, substantive candidate will emerge.”

Reacting in an interview with newsmen shortly after the judgment on Tuesday at the court premises, Apugo faulted the position of the Justice Osiagor-led tribunal, cancelling the primaries.

Apugo said, “The judge did it just to say he gave judgment. So, we are still where we are. And again, I heard that he said, he is nullifying the primaries. How can he deliver judgment? Nobody ask him to nullify primary election.

“The people that brought the matter to the court did not ask for nullification; including me. What we want is either declare this person winner or the other person winner of the primaries. And you did not declare anybody the winner; he (judge) said he annulled primary election. So, what does it mean? That means it is neither here and there.”

Recall that Ohajuruka had dragged Apugo to court over the outcome of the primary election.

Ohajuruka had asked the court to declare him the winner of the October 5 2018 primaries of the APC following the excessive rigging that marred the exercise.

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Man Arraigned To Court For Alleged Homosexuality

​CRIME NEWS

Man Arraigned To Court For Alleged Homosexuality

 

A Sokoto Magistrates’ Court on Thursday remanded a 36-year-old guard, Usman Mohammed, over alleged homosexual act with an underage boy.

Mohammed who resides in Tsingalawa Area of Gada Local Government Area is facing a one-count charge of unnatural offence.

The Prosecutor, Nasiru Auta, had told the court that the accused committed the offence on April 3.

Auta said that the accused lured the minor into a room where he worked as a guard and had canal knowledge of him against the order of nature.

The prosecutor said the offence contravened Section 284 of the Penal Code.

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

The Chief Magistrate, Abubakar Adamu, said the court lacked jurisdiction over the matter.

He, however, ordered that the accused be remanded in prison custody.

Adamu adjourned the case until May 17 for mention and possible transfer to a court of competent jurisdiction.

                                                  

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NFF Crisis: Aggrieved Faction Drag Pinnick-led Board To Supreme Court

​SPORTS NEWS

NFF Crisis: Aggrieved Faction Drag Pinnick-led Board To Supreme Court

The Supreme Court is set to deliver its judgement on the leadership crisis that has engulfed the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Thursday.

Chris Giwa and his board had dragged the FIFA-recognised Amaju Pinnick-led board to the Supreme Court, to set aside the verdict of the Appeal Court after they had won at the High Court, claiming that the mandate given to them by the congress of the NFF in August 2013 was sacrosanct.

They also insist that the election in Warri that brought in the Amaju group was held in defiance of a High Court order.

But the defendants have held on to FIFA statutes to argue their case, telling the Supreme Court in their submission that football matters must not be adjudicated in the ordinary court.

They also insisted the plaintiffs had been banned by the world football governing body.

The Supreme Court will decide on Thursday, whether to uphold the verdict of Justice Joseph Tur of the Appeal Court in his judgment in 2016 when he held that the discontinuation of the cases on October 30, 2014, which was affirmed by the court, stands.

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Offa Bank Robbery: Police Arraigns Hotel Owner, Staff, Guests

​BREAKING NEWS

Offa Bank Robbery: Police Arraigns Hotel Owner, Staff, Guests

The Proprietor of Xontec Hotel on Igosun Road, Offa, in the Offa Local Government Area of Kwara State, Mr. Kadir Surajudeen, and members of his staff have been arraigned before a Magistrate’s Court in Ilorin for failing to give police credible information on the gunmen who attacked some banks in the area.

Also arraigned were four guests who stayed in the hotel at the time the assailants allegedly lodged in Xontec Hotel.

The suspected armed robbers, who robbed five banks and killed scores of people on April 5, were alleged to have stayed in the hotel before going for the operation.

The suspects were arraigned on two counts of criminal conspiracy and causing disappearance of evidence, including giving false information.

According to the First Information Report, the offences contravened sections 97 and 167 of the Penal Code Law.

The report said, “On April 6, a team of operatives on investigation into the armed robbery attack extended their investigation based on intelligence gathering to the hotel on Igosun Road in Offa with a view to securing information that could assist discreet investigation into the crime.

“The hotel staff could not, however, satisfactorily give account of questionable lodgers in their hotel prior to the robbery by their failure to maintain or keep proper official lodger register expected to be presented to the police and other law enforcement agencies on demand.

“Others found in the hotel during the investigation failed to give credible information to the police operatives to assist in the investigation concerning their observation in the hotel within the period in question.”

The prosecutor, Mr. David Wodi, told the court that investigation into the case was ongoing.

The defence counsel, Joshua Ijaodola, pleaded with the court to admit the accused to bail pending the outcome of investigation.

He argued that the country’s constitution presumed the accused innocent until the contrary was proved.

The Magistrate, Mrs. M.B. Folorunso, in his ruling, granted the accused bail in the sum of N200,000 each with two sureties each in like sum.

She then adjourned the case till May 3 for mention.

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Business Woman Robbed, Stabbed, Thrown Into A River By A Gang Of Armed Robbers In Delta

​BREAKING NEWS

Business Woman Robbed, Stabbed, Thrown Into A River By A Gang Of Armed Robbers In Delta

 

A gang of armed robbers at the weekend attacked a business woman around Ekrejeta in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.

They allegedly stabbed her on the neck, collected N20, 000 at gunpoint, after which she was thrown into a nearby river.

The victim, it was gathered, Mrs. Betty Kermo, was said to have been attacked at her residence during the wee hours on the fateful day.

The State Police Commissioner, Mr. Muhammad Mustafa, who confirmed the incident, said upon the report of the matter to the police, they swung into action, and arrested two of the suspects, adding that the victim was rescued by fishermen.

He said that the suspects will be charged to court upon completion of investigation, and warned that the police would do everything possible to make lives unbearable to criminals who had refused to relocate from the state to elsewhere.

Also, a 15 year old girl in Ovwian Aladja, Udu Local Government Area of the state was on Sunday allegedly raped by a serial gang of rapists in area.

The victim (name withheld) was said to have been forced into an uncompleted building where she was allegedly abused by the rapists.

The State Police boss, Mustafa who confirmed the incident, said that two suspects were arrested, Jeffrey Okoh and Gabriel Ose 17, upon interrogation, confessed to the crime, saying it was devil’s handwork. He said they would be charged to court on completion of investigation.

In another development, two suspected armed men have been nabbed by the police in Abraka Division. It was gathered that the suspects had attempted rob a business man in the area when nemesis caught up with them.

They were said to have been arrested at the scene of their operation by the police who acted on a tip-off.

Police image maker in the State DSP Andrew Aniamaka, who confirmed the arrest of the suspects, said they were currently being detained at Abraka Police Division for further investigation, adding that locally cut to size guns were recovered from them.

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