JUDICIARY
Court to Hear Application Challenging Jurisdiction in 200bn Libel Suit March 24

A High Court in Ibadan has fixed March 24 to hear an application challenging the court’s jurisdiction to hear a N200 billion libel suit instituted by Awujale of Ijebu Kingdom, Oba Sikiru Adetona against Dr Yinka Ayefele.
Adetona sued the Chaiman of Fresh FM and Gospel Musicial, Ayefele, over a live radio programme aired in the station in 2019.
He alleged that Awujale was responsible for non-survival of companies in Ijebuland as a result of curse placed in the town years back.
Justice Mashud Abas, fixed the date and also granted the application for extension of time for the respondent’s counsel to enter appearance and filed statement of defence
Abas also set aside the earlier court ruling setting down the case for hearing.
The judge adjourned the case untill March 24 for hearing in the application challenging the court’s jurisdiction.
Earlier, Ayefele’s counsel, Yomi Alliyu, SAN, informed the court of his two applications filed and dated March 12 and served on the claimant on March 16.
Alliyu said the first application was an application for extension of time for him to file his memorandum of appearance and statement of defence.
He also prayed the court to set aside its earlier ruling setting down the case for hearing.
Alliyu further informed the court that the second application challenged the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the suit.
In his response, the claimant’s counsel, Olatunji Onalaja, SAN, told the court that he was not opposed to the application of the respondent to enter appearance and filed statement of defence.
Onalaja said the two applications were served on him on Monday and needed to respond to the second application challenging the court’s jurisdiction. (NAN)
JUDICIARY
Man Seeks Divorce After 17 years, Citing Loveless Marriage

One Moshood Kolobo of Temidire Community, Oko-Olowo area, Ilorin, on Wednesday applied to the Area Court, Centre-Igboro, for the dissolution of his marriage to his wife, Hafsat Kolobo, citing lack of love.
Moshood told the court that he was no longer interested in the 17-year Islamic union, saying that the marriage lacked love and emotional connection.
He therefore urged the court to grant his request for a divorce.
The defendant (Hafsat) pleaded with the court to give her two weeks, saying, “I was just called and informed to appear in court today without knowing the details.
“This is shocking, after 17 years and five children. I am asking the court to give me two weeks.
”The Presiding Judge, Mr Toyin Aluko, adjourned the case until June 23 for further mention. (NAN)
CRIME
Man Remanded for Allegedly Raping Physically Challenged Teen

An Ikorodu Chief Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday remanded a 50-year-old man, Linus Anozie, in a correctional center for allegedly engaging in anal intercourse with an 18-year-old physically challenged person.
Anozie, whose address was not provided, is standing trial on a one-count charge of sexual assault.
The Chief Magistrate, Mr B.
A. Sonuga did not take the defendant’s plea.He remanded him in a correctional facility and ordered that the file be sent to the office of the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice.
Sonuga adjourned the case until July 31, pending legal advice.
Earlier, the prosecutor, ASP Aminu Isaac, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on June 9 at about 11.
00 a.m. at Ogunlana Estate, Akin Ogunlewe Street, in the Igbogbo area of Ikorodu.He told the court that the defendant unlawfully had anal intercourse with an 18-year-old physically challenged man (name withheld), without his consent.
According to the prosecutor, the offence contravene the provisions of Section 261 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. (NAN)
JUDICIARY
Police Arraign Man Over Alleged Assault

The Police in Lagos on Wednesday arraigned a 36-year-old man, Joseph Obuseh, in a Badagry Chief Magistrates` Court for allegedly assaulting a man by cutting his forehead with a cutlass.
The defendant, whose address is unknown, is being charged with assault; however pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The prosecutor, Insp Ayodele Adeosun told the Court that the defendant committed the offence on Feb.
22, at about 11. 00.a.m, at No. 24, James Arigbabuwo Str., Igbekele, Morogbo, Badagry, Lagos.Adeosun alleged that the defendant unlawfully assaulted Imonigia Ameem by using a cutlass to cut his forehead, which caused him bodily harm.
“He ran away for two months after the incident but was arrested and handed over to the Police for prosecution.
“The offence contravened Section 173 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos, 2015,” he said.
The Chief Magistrate, Mr Patrick Adekomaiya, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
He said one of the sureties must be gainfully employed.
Adekomaiya adjourned the case until July 15, for mention. (NAN)