JUDICIARY
Force Blunt Trauma Caused Bamise’s Death – Pathologist
A pathologist at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Prof. Sunday Shoyemi, on Friday said that the death of a 22-year-old fashion designer, Oluwabamise Ayanwole, was caused by a force blunt trauma on the head.
The pathologist gave evidence before a Lagos State High Court sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square, at the ongoing trial of a Bus Rapid Transit driver, Andrew Ominnikoron.
Ominnikoron is standing trial for alleged rape and murder of Ayanwole.
Shoyemi said that after his examination of both external and internal body of Ayamwole, he established that her death was due to craniocerebral injury following a force blunt trauma.
The witness is also a lecturer at the Lagos State University.
He was led in evidence by Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions, Dr Babajide Martins.
Shoyemi told the court that prior to the autopsy, the body of the deceased was embalmed.
He said that the body had no clothing but noted that a silver-coloured ring was found on the middle right finger of the deceased.
Shoyemi testified that he observed a bruise on the left side of the forehead of the deceased, and a bruise above her right ear.
He also told the court that he observed a large bruise on the back of the skull of the deceased.
“In addition, there was a bruise on the elbow region. These findings were external.
“Upon opening, I saw what we call subdural hematoma which means bleeding into the soft tissue covering the skull or bleeding into the brain.
“This was noticed in the frontal area as well as on the back of the skull.
“At the back of the skull, there were multiple fractures which means bone broken into two or more pieces,” Shoyemi said.
The pathologist also said that there was a fracture on the bone above the ear.
According to him, bruises were also found on both lips of the deceased.
Shoyemi, who was the ninth and last prosecution witness said, “In the light of all the findings and the internal findings, death was ascribed to severe craniacerebral injury following a force blunt trauma.”
The witness further told the court that during the autopsy, he took samples from the deceased’s body for the purpose of identification and toxicology.
He said that the samples were taken to the DNA forensic laboratory.
During cross-examination by the defence counsel , Mr Abayomi Omotubora, the witness told the court that information about the deceased was given to him by the investigating police officer before the autopsy was carried out.
After the cross-examination, the defendant’s counsel informed the court that he had a pending application to recall some prosecution witnesses for further cross-examination.
In response, the prosecution counsel objected.
Justice Sherifat Sonaike reserved ruling on the application until Nov. 2.
Ominnikoron is facing a five-count charge bordering on rape, sexual assault and murder preferred against him by Lagos State Government.
The prosecution had told the court that Ominnikoron conspired with others now at large to rape and murder 22-year-old Ayanwole, a passenger on the BRT he was driving.
The prosecution added that the defendant had sexual intercourse with Ayanwole without her consent, and murdered her about 7.00 p.m., between Lekki Ajah Expressway and Carter Bridge, on Feb. 26, 2022.
The prosecution also alleged that the defendant and others at large, threw Ayanwole out of a moving BRT between Lekki- Ajah Expressway and Cater bridge.
According to the prosecution, the offences contravene Sections 411, 223, 260, and 165 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.
The 48-year-old defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges. (NAN)
JUDICIARY
Court Orders VDM to Remove Defamatory Posts on Falana, Son
An Ikeja High Court has ordered an online activist, Vincent Otse (alias Very Dark Man) to remove defamatory posts against a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana and his son, Folarin, also called Falz.Justice Matthias Dawodu also ordered VDM to bring down the alleged defamatory video which he made on Sept.
24 against the Falanas.The court also ordered the service of originating summons against VDM through his lawyer, Mr Deji Adeyanju within 14 day. The judge said: “the defendant, his agents and privies are hereby restrained from further releasing, publishing or circulating any defamatory videos, comments about the applicant.“He is to bring down the defamatory video about the applicant which was published on Sept. 24 on all his online social media handles pending compliance with the pre-action protocol of the court.“Leave is hereby granted to the applicant to serve the pre-action bundles, originating processes and all other court processes between parties herein on the defendant by substituted means through his lawyer, Deji Adeyanju.“The applicant must file and serve the pre-action bundles, originating processes and other accompanying processes on the defendant within 14 days.”The court made the orders following an ex parte originating application made by Falana and his son against the actions of VDM where he published “unverified audio recording of a one sided narrative by cross dresser Bobrisky” alleging perversion of justice by the family.Falana had in a lawsuit numbered ID/8586GCM/2024, filed against VDM, sought the order of the court to award a sum of N500 million fine for defamation of character against him.Falana in the lawsuit, also prayed the order of the court, directing the defendant to publish an apology on all his social media handles for the defamatory words contained in the viral video. (NAN)JUDICIARY
Man Bags 7 Years Imprisonment for Raping 11-yr-old in Kano
A Federal High Court sitting in Kano, on Monday, has sentenced 33-year-old Nasiru Isa to seven years in the correctional centre for sexually exploiting an 11-year old girl.
The Presiding Hon. Justice S .M. Shu’aibu convicted Isa, who resides in Darmanawa Bayan Gidan Kallo of Tarauni Local Government Area (LGA) of the state, on a one-count charge of sexual exploitation.
Shu’aibu summarily tried and sentenced the defendant after he pleaded guilty to the charge.
He held that the Prosecution Counsel, Abdullahi Babale, proved his case beyond reasonable doubt and consequently sentenced the defendant to seven years without an option of fine.
According to him, the convict is to pay additional N1 million fine as compensation.
Earlier, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Kano State Command, alleged that the defendant committed the offence at Darmanawa Quarters,Tarauni LGA, Kano State on October 5.
Babale said that the defendant allegedly lured his neighbour’s 11-year-old daughter into his wife’s room and sexually exploited her.
“The defendant had sex with the survivor on three different occasions.
“Once in the defendant’s wife’s room and twice at an uncompleted building.
“The defendant gave the survivor bread, groundnut and N20 before sexually exploiting her,” Babale told the court.
The prosecution presented two exhibits, including the confessional statement of the defendant and the survivor’s testimony, to the court to prove his case.
Babale said that the offence contravened the provisions of section 16(1) of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015 and punishable under Sec 26(1) of TIP ACT 2015. (NAN)
JUDICIARY
Alleged kidnap: Ebonyi Court Adjourns Ruling on Fiat Application on Ivo LGA Chairman, 8 others Trial
A High Court in Abakaliki on Thursday fixed Oct. 17 to decide on a fiat tendered by a Lawyer, Mr Emeka Uwakwe on the trial of Mr Emmanuel Ajah, former Chairman of Ivo local government area of Ebonyi over alleged armed robbery, kidnap and murder. Ajah and eight other suspects had on Jan. 17, 2017 robbed one Mrs Pauline Osita of her N2 million, phone and other valuables.
The defendants also on Jan. 18, 2017, allegedly kidnapped one Mrs Catherine Okorie and allegedly killed her on Jan. 22 on the same year.Other eight defendants include: Chibuike Okereke, Mathew Ogbudike, Ezenwa Nwafor Okoro Ugochukwu, Kelechukwu Azubike, John Nwankwor, Chigozie Okereke and Obichi Uzoigwe.Uwakwe was authorized by the Attorney General of Ebonyi state, Ben Odoh, to prosecute the defendants trial.But the move to take over the case of the prosecutor was not granted.The Defence Counsel, C.N Mgbada, C.A. Okenu, Ifeanyi Igwe and J. N Unah argued that Uwakwe would not join in the prosecution.“The reason being that he was a member of the Defence Counsels and had been in the matter from the beginning till date.“We urge the court to reject the document on Uwakwe fiat application,” the added.The Presiding Judge, Justice Elvis Ngene, after the argument adjourned the matter until oct. 17, Nov. 21 and Nov. 28 for ruling on fiat. (NAN