JUDICIARY
Tribunal: Ortom Optimistic of Victory, as PDP Opens Defence

From Chris Gaga, Makurdi
Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has said he is optimistic of victory at the governorship tribunal in a case filed by Emmanuel Jime of the All Progressives Congress(APC) against his re-election.
Gov. Ortom spoke to Journalists shortly after he closed his defence through his Counsel, Sabastine Hon (SAN), in the same petition on Saturday.
DAILY ASSET reports that Ortom appeared in court on Saturday, day after his lone witness had testified before the governorship tribunal.
He said he was confident that the governorship elections that re-elected him were free and fair.
Earlier at resumption of hearing in Court on Saturday, counsel to the
Governor, Sebastine Hon, SAN, told the court that Governor Ortom had closed his case after taking a look at the evidence of the petitioners.
Hon also noted that the burden to prove the petition rests on Jime who is the petition.
“We have critically look ed at the evidence so far led by the petitioners and we have come to the inevitable conclusion that we need not call any more witnesses.
“The burden (of proof) is on my learned brother and his team (for the petitioners). We hereby close the case of the 2nd Respondent,” Hon told the Tribunal.
Ortom’s Counsel also applied for the Registers of Voters tendered by Jime. He was however, told by the Tribunal to make a formal written application and it would be granted.
The Tribunal Chairman, Honourable Justice Henry Olusiyi, therefore adjourned the petition for Monday, August 19, 2019 for the defence of the 3rd Respondent.
Sabastine Hon again told reporters after sitting that Ortom has done
justice to his case.
“We are very hopeful. In our humble estimation, in the course of cross-examination we did justice to the case of the 2nd Respondent.
“Under our laws, the petitioners have the sole and singular duty to prove their case and we don’t have any duty at all except they prove to some extent then, we will have to disprove.”
According to Jime’s lead counsel, Kehinde Eleja (SAN), “if you go by the records contained in the card reader (report) vis-á-vis the votes returned, there is irreconcilable difference, which is evidence of irregularities among others.
“We have put our case across and they (Ortom) call a witness in response to the 59 witness that we have called and we cross examined him accordingly. I believe that we have done the needful and we are hoping for the best.”
Counsel to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Oba Maduabuchi, (SAN), who was next in line to open his case asked the court to grant him Monday, August 19,2019 to open his defense, adding that he will call only five witnesses.
There was no objection from any counsel to the parties in the suit. The tribunal Chairman, Justice Henry Olusiyi thereafter adjourned the matter to Monday, August 19, 2019.
CRIME
Woman, 31, Docked Over Alleged Theft of iPhone Worth N500,000

A 31-year-old woman, Opeyemi Bakare, on Tuesday appeared before an Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing an iPhone valued at N500,000.
Bakare, of undisclosed address, was charged with two counts of conspiracy and stealing .
The prosecutor, Insp Iyabo Oladoyin, told the court that the defendant and others at large conspired and committed the offences on May 2 at 3.
30 p. m. in the Dugbe area of Ibadan.According to Oladoyin, the defendant stole an iPhone 12 valued at N505,000, belonging to the complainant, Mr Oluseyi Oba.
The prosecutor said the phone was stolen in Dugbe Market and was tracked to the defendant.
She said the offences contravened Sections 390 (9) and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Magistrate, Mrs T.G. Daodu, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of one million naira with two sureties in like sum.
Daodu thereafter adjourned the case until July 8 for hearing. (NAN)
A 31-year-old woman, Opeyemi Bakare, on Tuesday appeared before an Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing an iPhone valued at N500,000.
Bakare, of undisclosed address, was charged with two counts of conspiracy and stealing .
The prosecutor, Insp Iyabo Oladoyin, told the court that the defendant and others at large conspired and committed the offences on May 2 at 3.30 p.m. in the Dugbe area of Ibadan.
According to Oladoyin, the defendant stole an iPhone 12 valued at N505,000, belonging to the complainant, Mr Oluseyi Oba.
The prosecutor said the phone was stolen in Dugbe Market and was tracked to the defendant.
She said the offences contravened Sections 390 (9) and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Magistrate, Mrs T.G. Daodu, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of one million naira with two sureties in like sum.
Daodu thereafter adjourned the case until July 8 for hearing. (NAN)
CRIME
Prostitute Docked for Allegedly Stabbing Her Colleague

A 40 – year old prostitute, Adeosun Adepeju was on Tuesday arraigned before an Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stabbing her colleague in the stomach during work period.
Adepeju of undisclosed address was standing trial on a count charge bordering on assault.
She pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Prosecuting Counsel, Cpl.
Helen Ojo told the court that Adepeju on May 21, at about 12:30 a.m., at Ring road area, Ibadan, stabbed her colleague, Stella Mago with scissors in her stomach.Ojo said that the stabbing caused the complainant bodily harm.
She added that the offence contravened Section 335 of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State 2000.
The Magistrate, Mrs M. M. Olagbenro admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N300, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
Olagbenro adjourned the matter until May 30, for hearing. (NAN)
JUDICIARY
Ex-CBN Aide reveals No Records of Alleged $400,000 Received for Emefiele

The seventh prosecution witness, Mr John Adetola, told an Ikeja High Court that he did not document the alleged $400,000 he handed to the former Central Bank Governor (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.
Adetola, an executive assistant to the former CBN governor, said this on Monday while being cross-examined by Emefiele’s lead counsel, Mr Olalekan Ojo (SAN), in the ongoing trial of Emefiele.
Emefiele is standing trial on a 19-count charge bordering on receiving gratification and corrupt demands.
Emefiele’s co-defendant, Henry Omoile, is facing a three-count charge bordering on unlawful acceptance of gifts by agents.
Adetola, also admitted that he did not present any WhatsApp chat or telephone conversation to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), informing Emefiele about collecting the $400,000 on his behalf.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Adetola had, in his evidence-in-chief testified that he delivered $400,000 to Emefiele.
However, under cross-examination, Adetola admitted that he did not keep any record of the alleged $400,000 receipt.
He narrated that in 2018, Mr Eric Odoh sent him a WhatsApp message instructing him to collect the sum from one John Ayoh and hand it over to Emefiele when he arrived in Lagos.
“I went to John Ayoh’s house at Lekki; he gave me an envelope. I came back to the office and gave it to the former CBN governor,” the witness said.
The witness also told the court that in his extrajudicial statement, made while in EFCC custody, he did not mention any WhatsApp or telephone conversation with Emefiele regarding the $400,000.
Adetola denied any agreement with the EFCC to testify against Emefiele in exchange for immunity from prosecution.
He added that the EFCC confronted him with WhatsApp printouts related to the alleged money.
While being cross-examined by Mr Adeyinka Kotoye (SAN), counsel to the second defendant, the witness confirmed he had no dealings with the second defendant in relation to his testimony.
During re-examination by EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), the witness was asked why he did not document the $400,000 he allegedly collected on Emefiele’s behalf.
“I didn’t see any need for it,” he replied.
Justice Rahman Oshodi thereafter discharged the witness and adjourned the case until May 27 for continuation of trial. (NAN)