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JUDICIARY

Paul Harris, Alubo, Others Sworn-in as SANs

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Thirty Eight legal luminaries among them, an Abuja-based lawyer, Paul Harris Ogbole and Professor Alubo of the University of Jos were on Monday administered to the revered rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria(SAN).

The ceremony held in the Supreme Court also coincided with the commencement of the 2019-2020 legal year.

Chief Justice of Nigeria, Tanko Muhammad in a speech at the occasion said the Nigerian judiciary would take decisions and conduct its affairs independently without any extraneous influence.

“At the Supreme Court, we are totally independent in the way we conduct our affairs, especially in our judgments, and we don’t pander to any body’s whims and caprices.

“The only deity to be feared is the Almighty God. We will never be subservient to anybody, no matter his position in the society,’’ he said.

Also, Abubakar Malami, the Minister of Justice in his speech said that the new legal year should be used to reflect on the achievements and limitations of the last legal year.

“It should be a time to draw up modalities on how best to foster the desired growth in our Judicial System, and affords the Bench and the Bar the opportunity to reaffirm their commitment towards upholding the canons of the rule of law by adherence and devoted practice of law and justice.

“This practice will go a long way to reinforce the commitment of the Judiciary in sustaining our democracy and in fostering the judiciary as the last hope of the common man’’.

Malami said his address should serve as a clarion call on the Court of Appeal and to the apex Court to be courageous in delivering landmark decisions in favour of justice, equity and fairness.

“The court should not be seen to bow to the pressures of different political actors, being the last hope of every litigant: irrespective of any irregularity that might have occurred in the course of dispensing justice by different election tribunals.

“It is important that this court as a final arbiter remains just and resolute in resolving all issues presented before it”.

He said in a deep reflection of the last legal year, it is worthy of note that administration of justice received boosts in the areas of Anti-Corruption Policy Drive.

“The drive successfully introduced zero tolerance to corrupt practices, and entrenched integrity and ethical conduct in the task of governance.

“Its federal government whistleblowing policy has yielded several Billions of Naira recovered from tax evaders and public officials.

“It has also led to the signing/ratification of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) that ensures transparency, accountability and the Promulgation of Executive Order 8 which is the Voluntary Offshore Regularization Scheme (VOARS).

Paul Usoro, President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) while speaking, said that some members of the inner bar sometimes forget that the rank of SAN was best worn with  humility.

“Humility in general terms exalts a person; it stands you out and elevates you, it is the humility in you that will oil your words and speeches in a way that makes them soothing and respectful to everyone.

“It is the humility in you that would persuade you to share your deserved front-row seats with members of the outer bar who are not entitled to the front row seats as of right when you are in court: but who are unfortunately consigned to stand in a crowded and sometimes, stuffy courtroom because all seats are occupied”.

He said that it is no longer news that some law enforcement agencies seem to derive sadistic pleasure in locking up lawyers and imposing impossible bail conditions for their release.

“The practice of law has consequently become very dangerous and risky, it is now being criminalised by these agencies, all in an effort to demonise and humiliate lawyers and the legal profession,” he said.(NAN)

CRIME

Woman, 31, Docked Over Alleged Theft of iPhone Worth N500,000

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 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)

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CRIME

Prostitute Docked for Allegedly Stabbing Her Colleague

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 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)

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JUDICIARY

Ex-CBN Aide reveals No Records of Alleged $400,000 Received for Emefiele

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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)

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