JUDICIARY
Court Refuses to Grant Abba Kyari’s Co-defendant Bail
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A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday, dismissed a bail application filed by ASP Bawa James, a co-defendant in the alleged drug trafficking case preferred against suspended DCP Abba Kyari and others.
Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling, held that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) had succeeded to prove its argument beyond doubt why the court should not admit James to a bail.
Justice Nwite had, on March 28, fixed today for ruling on bail application filed by James after Kyari and other co-defendants’ bail pleas were rejected on the grounds that James’ application was not ripe for hearing.
The NDLEA had, on March 7, arraigned Kyari (1st defendant) and six others on allegations bordering on a cocaine deal.
He was arraigned alongside four suspended police officers including ACP Sunday Ubia, ASP James, Insp. Simon Agirigba and Insp. John Nuhu as 2nd to 5th defendants respectively.
Also arraigned with them are Chibunna Umeibe and Emeka Ezenwanne, the two alleged drug traffickers who were arrested at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu.Although the five officers pleaded not guilty to all the charges against them, Umeibe and Ezenwanne, who are 6th and 7th defendants respectively, pleaded guilty to five, six and seven counts preferred against them.
Ruling, the judge aligned with the argument of counsel for NDLEA, Joseph Sunday, that James (3rd defendant) was a flight risk and that he might jump bail.
Nwite said that the 3rd defendant had failed to bring up strong evidence to challenge the anti-narcotic agency’s submission that the character of evidence against him was very serious.
He said though the defence argued that the court had the discretionary power to rule in favour of the applicant since the offence was a bailable one, he was mindful to consider the submission of the prosecution.
The judge, therefore, refused to grant James bail and adjourned the matter until May 26.NAN recalls that the defence counsel had argued that ASP James had a good record as staff of the Nigerian police and had conducted himself well in the course of the trial.
But the NDLEA, in its counter-affidavit, said it would be improper and inappropriate for the court to grant him bail considering the nature of the case.
The agency argued that sufficient materials had been placed before the court to refuse the bail plea.
It said that James was charged with serious offence and the agency is also investigating him on money laundering offence which might be charged to court soon.
It alleged that the applicant, if granted bail, might run away from justice considering their connection with elements of police and criminal underworld.
Besides, the NDLEA argued that the suspended officer might undermine the criminal justice process if admitted to bail.
The agency, which said that James’ arrest was in line with the due process of the law, said that it was ready to commence trial without delay with its witnesses lined up.
The agency further told the court that it had shown that the applicant (James) had connection with criminal elements and that he had tremendous influence in Nigerian police and could use his contact to his advantage.
But James, through his counsel, had disagreed with all the allegations by the NDLEA.
He said that contrary to the NDLEA’s allegations, there was no evidence to suggest that he had connection with criminal elements.
He said his suspension as police officer was not that he was already guilty of the offences to which he was charged with but to allow for fair trial.
(NAN)
JUDICIARY
3 Docked Over Alleged Theft of Transformer Valued N50m
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Three men, were on Tuesday, arraigned before an Ikorodu Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, for allegedly stealing an electricity transformer valued N50 million.
The defendants, Kehinde Akinkugbe, Tope Salisu, and Isiaka Amusa, whose addresses were not given, are being charged with conspiracy, stealing and malicious damage.
The defendants, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Prosecutor, ASP Aminu Isaac, told the court that Akinkugbe, Salisu and Amusa, committed the offences at about 2.
30a.m on Aug. 22, at Ajeri Street, Ijede, Ikorodu, Lagos.Isaac said that the defendants maliciously damaged an electricity transformer, belonging to the Federal Government.
The prosecutor said that the defendants were apprehended by residents of the area, who later reported the matter to the police.
He said that the offences contravened Sections 411, 287 and 339 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs A.B. Olagbegi-Adelabu, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N1 million each, with two sureties in like sum.
Olagbegi-Adelabu, ordered that one of the sureties must own a landed property, and should present evidence of three years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
The Magistrate adjourned the case until Oct. 10 for mention.(NAN)
JUDICIARY
Tinubu Swears in Kekere-Ekun as Acting CJN
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President Bola Tinubu has sworn in Justice KudiratKekere-Ekun as the 23rd and second female Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), in acting capacity pending confirmation by the Senate.She takes over from Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, who retired on Aug. 22 at the age of 70.(NAN)
JUDICIARY
Labourer Jailed 18 Months for Attempting to Steal from a Church
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A Jos Magistrates’ Court on Friday, sentenced a 28-year old labourer , Naanswan Daboer to 18 months imprisonment for attempting to steal from a church premises.The Magistrate, Mr Shawomi Bokkos, summarily tried and sentenced Daboer after he pleaded guilty to the crime.The magistrate , however, gave the convict a fine of N100,000.
Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel,Ibrahim Gokwat told the court that the case was reported on July 9, at the “C” Division Police Station by Yohanna Nanjul and Musa John, the complaints. The prosecutor said that the convict trespassed in to the church premises and switched off their security lights but was caught.The offence, according to him, is punishable under the Plateau Penal Code Law. (NAN)