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JUDICIARY

Nasarawa Assembly Heads to Appeal Court Against Ex-SSG

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Nasarawa State Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule
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From Beauty John ,  Lafia

The Nasarawa state house of Assembly said it was prepared appeal in a higher court, the judgement nullifying the indictment of the former Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Aliyu Ahmed Tijjani over alleged N248.5m unaccounted funds for school projects in the state.

Speaker of the house, Rt Hon Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi,  made this known, while addressing Newsmen in Lafia, the state capital, Saturday.

DAILY ASSET recalls that on June 2, 2020, the state House of Assembly had indicted Tijjani. An ad-hoc committee was set up to investigate the release of N1billion for the renovation and fencing of public secondary schools in the state when Tijjani was the the commissioner for Education.

Following the indictment, the  assembly recommended the sacking of the former SSG and insisted that he refunded  over N248.5 million as unaccounted funds to the state government coffers

Balarabe said the house suspects foul play in the judgement granted in Tijjani’s favor by the High Court in Akwanga.

The speaker reiterated that to some of them, they were not surprised over the court judgement and they did not expect anything less than the Judgement delivered yesterday.

“This is because we asked series of questions that the former SSG works and resides in Lafia and we have many courts in Lafia and what informed his decision to take the matter to the High Court in Akwanga?” he asked.

“So we could not get a definite answer but with the outcome of the judgement  yesterday, our question is best answered,” he stated.

“It beats one’s imagination to notice that the former SSG even had prior notice of what the outcome will look like as he went with his supporters to celebrate the judgment before the court’s decision, think about it, it is clear,” he added.

The speaker said the House was surprised by the judgement that the former SSG was not given a fair hearing.

“Some of you the journalists are present when we invited the former SSG to the plenary over the issue, he promised that he will take all responsibility of his actions”.

” And from that, I have also set up a committee to investigate the matter  in which they have invited him and he had also  promised again that he will take responsibility of any infraction,” he added.

When asked if he is aware that the corruption allegation against the former SSG is before the EFCC, he said ” I cannot speak for the EFCC.

” We have already uncovered corruption allegation against the former SSG, so EFCC is an independent government agency doing its job at its level which I will not comment on that ” he said.

The speaker reiterated that the House had confidence in the Court of Appeal and would get the right judgement accordingly, while calling on the people of the state to remain calm and be law abiding over the issue.

“I have directed our counsel to study the judgement and we will appeal the judgement, and I assure you we will get good judgment at the higher level, this is just a court of first instance, so we will go to the higher ladder” he said.

It would be recalled that on Aug.7, 2020, a High Court sitting in Akwanga, Nasarawa State declared the indictment of former SSG, Alhaji Aliyu Tijjani over alleged N284.5 million fraud by the House of Assembly as null and void with reference to Fair hearing.

Tijjani challenged the decision of the House especially its recommendation that led to his sack by Gov. Abdullahi Sule on June 8, 2020.

Delivering judgment, Justice Mustapha Ramat, nullified the decision of the House on the grounds that it failed to afford the SSG fair hearing in the matter.

JUDICIARY

Woman in Court for Allegedly Damaging N2.5m Shop

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One Mrs Subomi Kalejaye, on Thursday, appeared before an Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court, Ibadan, for allegedly damaging a shop worth N2.5 million.

Kalejaye, whose address was not provided, is charged with malicious damage and conduct likely to cause breach of peace.

She, however, pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Sgt.

Samuel Owolabi, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on Dec.
  9,  about 11.49 a.m. at Jericho area of Ibadan.

Owolabi said that the defendant maliciously damaged a shop belonging to one Ajomale Ibrahim.

He added that the defendant conducted herself in a manner likely to cause breach of peace by engaging in the act.

According to him, the offences contravene Sections 249(d) and 451 of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

The Magistrate, Mrs Gladys Oladele, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

Oladele adjourned the case until Jan. 27, 2025, for hearing. (NAN)

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JUDICIARY

Woman Arraigned for Alleged N6.8m Theft

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Court Sentences Applicant to 6 Months in Prison for Stealing Cell Phone
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A 41-year-old woman, who allegedly stole N6.8 million from a company, has appeared before an Ojo Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State.

Irene Onyechi appeared before the Magistrate, Mrs O. M. Ogun, on a count charge of stealing.

She, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecutor, Insp Esther Adesulu, told the court that the defendant committed the offence from June to September.

Adesulu said that the defendant stole  from the New Concept Pharmacy located at Ojo.

The alleged offence contravenes Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The court granted the defendant bail in the sum of one million Naira with two sureties in like sum

It adjourned the case until Jan.

16, 2025 for mention. (NAN)

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JUDICIARY

Alleged N110bn Fraud: Court Admits ex-Kogi Governor to N500m Bail

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A Federal Capital Territory High Court on Thursday, admitted former Governor of Kogi , Yahaya Bello to bail in the sum of N500 million with three sureties in like sum.Justice Maryann Anenih had, on Dec. 10, refused the ex-governor’s bail application, saying it was filed prematurely.Delivering the initial ruling, she said, having been filed when Bello was neither in custody nor before the court, the application was incompetent.

There was, however room for the governor’s lawyers to file a fresh application for bail and apply for hearing date.
The former governor is facing an alleged money laundering trial to the tune of N110bn, along with two others.He had pleaded not guilty to the 16-count charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
At the resumed hearing on Thursday , Counsel for the former governor, Joseph Daudu, SAN, informed the court that the defence counsel had filed a further affidavit in response to the counter affidavit filed and served by the prosecution counsel.He applied to withdraw the further affidavit, saying, “We do not want to make the matter contentious.”There was no objection from the prosecution counsel, Olukayode Enitan, SAN. The court, therefore, granted the application for withdrawal, striking out the further affidavit.Daudu, also informed the court that discussions had taken place with the leader of the prosecution counsels, resulting in an agreement to ensure a speedy trial.In light of this understanding, Daudu urged the court to grant the bail application.He further requested that if the court would graciously grant the Defendant bail, the court should kindly review the bail conditions for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd defendants.He urged the court to broaden the scope of properties to be used as bail sureties to include locations across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), rather than limiting the location solely to Maitama.The prosecution counsel, Enitan SAN, acknowledged that Daudu SAN had been in talks with the prosecution team.In accordance with the Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC), the EFCC Counsel gave assurance of their cooperation in expediting the trial.He said, “I confirm the evidence given by the distinguished member of the bar that is leading the Defence, J.B. Daudu, SAN, that he has been in conversation with the leader of the prosecuting team.“It is legal tradition that we should cooperate with members of the bar when it does not affect the course of justice.”We have decided not to make this contentious, bearing in mind that no matter how industrious the defence counsel might be in pushing forward the application for bail and no matter how vociferous the prosecution counsel can argue against the bail application, your lordship is bound by your discretion to grant or not to grant the application.“We are therefore leaving this to your lordship’s discretion.”Delivering her ruling, Justice Anenih acknowledged that the offence Bello was charged with was a bailable one and granted the ex-governor bail in the sum of N500 million, with three sureties in like sum.The sureties must be notable Nigerians with landed property in Maitama, Jabi, Utako, Apo, Guzape, Garki and Asokoro.Bello was also asked to deposit his international passport and other travel documents with the court.He is to remain in Kuje Correctional Centre until the bail conditions are met.Daudu also prayed for the variation of the 2nd defendant ‘ bail condition.Z.E Abbas, counsel for the third defendant filed a motion on Dec. 17 for variation of bail conditions and urged the court to grant the application.This variation is based on landed property which earlier restricted them to only Maitama.The prosecution did not object.The judge granted their prayers and granted the property location as Yahaya Bello ‘s.The second and the third defendants were earlier admitted to bail in the sum of N300m each with two surgeries in.like sum with property at Maitama.The case was adjourned until Jan. 29. (NAN))

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