JUDICIARY
Man Docked for Allegedly Obtaining N1.7m under False Pretence
A 44-year-old man, Benjamin Bright was on Wednesday docked in an Ikorodu Magistrates’ Court, Lagos State, for allegedly obtaining N1. 7 from two trader under false pretences.
Bright, of no fixed address, is charged with four counts of fraud, obtaining under false pretence and stealing.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The prosecutor, Insp Christian Okonofua, told the court that the defendant committed the offence sometimes around March to June, 2021 at Ogolonto and Aga area in Ikorodu, Lagos State.
Okonofua said that the defendant fraudulently obtained N1,169,700 from one Alhaja Osashushua Abiola with those who invested through her and N561,100 from one Mr Samson Olumide with those who invested through him.
The prosecutor said the defendant also fraudulently obtained money from not less than 215 traders in pretence that the money would be used for investment in order to grant them loan knowingfully well is false.
He said the complainant reported the matter to the police and the defendant was arrested.
The prosecutor said that the defendant was arraigned on July 10, 2012, by the EFCC for obtaining money from various investors whom he deceived by making them believe that the money would be invested in his purported companies.
He also said that Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye of the Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja has convicted and sentenced the defendant, Benjamin Bright, to 63 years imprisonment without option of fine.
According to the prosecutor, the offence contravenes the provisions of sections 314(3), 287(1), 314(1)(2) and 287(1) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2015.
The Magistrate, Mrs T.A. Shotobi, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N1million with two sureties in like sum.
Shotobi said that the sureties must have three years evidence of tax payment, one of the sureties must be a clergy, Community Development Chairman, Head of his family or notable politician with a verifiable address.
The magistrate adjourned the case until Sept 29 for mention. (NAN)
JUDICIARY
Court Strikes Ex-Kogi Governor’s Bail Application
Justice Maryann Anenih o a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) high court on Tuesday struck out the bail application filed by former governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi.Anenih struck out the application on the grounds that it was filed when the former governor was yet to be taken into custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The application was filed on Nov. 22, while the former governor was taken into custody of the anti-graft agency on Nov. 26 and arraigned on Nov. 27.(NAN)Details later….
JUDICIARY
5 Men Face N25m Worth of Milo Products Theft Charge
Five men, on Monday appeared before an Ota Magistrates’ Court in Ogun, for allegedly stealing a truck load of Milo products worth N25 million.The defendants, Temidire Ramon, 35, Aminu Yusuf, 26; Olusola Opadare, 35; Oludayo Adeleye, 38, and Amodu Jimoh, 51, are standing tial on a two-count charge of stealing and conspiracy.
The prosecutor, Insp E. O.Adaraloye, told the court that the defendants committed the offences on Oct. 13, 2020, at Agbara in Ogun.Adaraloye, said that the defendants conspired and stole a truck load of Milo products valued at N25 million, belonging to Nestle Company.He said that the offences contravened Sections 390(9) and 516 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun, 2006.They, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.The Magistrate, Mr O.A Onagoruwa, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N500,000 each with two sureties each in like sum.He ordered that the sureties must be gainfully employed and must reside within the court’s jurisdiction.Onagoruwa also ordered that the sureties must show evidence of tax payment to Ogun State Government.He adjourned the case until Dec.12 for hearing. (NAN)JUDICIARY
Court Grants Mother Custody of 2 Children
A Grade 1 Area Court, Kubwa has granted Maryam Muhammad custody of two children from her former husband, Bashir.
The judge, Musa Sabo ordered Bashir to pay Muhammad N175,000 for a self contained apartment in arrears following the plaintiff’s claim of already paid rent.
Sabo added that Bashir should secure a self contained apartment or pay the plaintiff N250, 000 annually for accommodation.
He said that the children would spend first and third term holidays with their father and second term holidays with their mother.
The judge said the father could pick his children up every weekend for outings within 10a.m to 6.pm from the mother and notify her before hand.
He also ordered him to pay outstanding school fees if any and pay the plaintiff arrears for the fees she claimed to pay after verifying same as she failed to prove it.
Sabo ordered Bashir to pay N40,000 from October 2023 To February 2024 and subsequently pay N45,000 monthly for the children’s upkeep..
Regarding the children’s medication, he ordered Bashir to make an arrangement based on his financial capability.
Earlier, the plaintiff approached the court for custody of her children, maintenance, Islamiyya school fees, enrollment of one of the children in a special needs school and transportation.
She also sought for Bashir to refund N770, 000 which she paid for her house rent with the children and pay for the medicals of the children.
Bashir however said his ex-wife paid the rent without his consent adding that he is a civil servant and not financially capable.
“I do not earn up to N2 million annually and I am currently paying N600,000 rent annually. My children are already under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS),” he said.(NAN)