JUDICIARY
Alleged N400m Fraud: EFCC to Re-arraign Olisa Metuh May 30
![](https://dailyasset.ng/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/EFCC-LOGO.jpg)
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will, on May 30, re-arraign former National Publicity Secretary of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh, on allegations bordering on N400 million fraud. Metuh is expected to be re-arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite of a Federal High Court (FHC), Abuja.
On Monday from Court 8, where Justice Nwite presides, hearing notices had already been issued, though it could not confirm if counsel to the parties had been communicated.
NAN reports on Feb. 15 that the retrial of the ex-PDP spokesman had been reassigned to Nwite, the new judge in the Abuja division.Prior to the reassignment, the matter was before a sister judge, Obiora Egwuatu.
The matter was assigned to Justice Egwuatu last year following his transfer to Abuja division of the court. Egwatu had fixed Oct. 14, 2021, for Metuh’s re-arraignment after the Court of Appeal’s decision which nullified the trial court’s judgment. But on the adjourned date, the judge was not in court.He was said to have gone for the judges’ seminar in Lagos State.The court, therefore, fixed Feb. 15 for the former PDP spokesman’s retrial. But a check by newsmen at Court 9, where the matter was expected to take place showed that the case between the Federal Government and Metuh was not on the case list.
However, NAN gathered that the matter, which was yet to commence before Egwuatu, had been reassigned to Justice Nwite, who was recently transfered to Abuja division after the retirement of Justice Anwuli Chikere.
It was, however, gathered at Court 8, the chamber of Nwite, that the deputy chief registrar of FHC had informed that many case files be transfered to Nwite’s court, including Metuh’s matter. The Court of Appeal, Abuja had, on Dec. 16, 2020, nullified a Federal High Court judgement that convicted and sentenced Metuh to seven years imprisonment for money laundering.
In a unanimous decision, a three-man panel of Justices of the appellate court held that the judgment of the trial judge, Okon Abang, delivered against Metuh on Feb. 25, 2020, was tainted with bias.
The appellate court held that Abang had by disparaging remarks he made in the judgement betrayed his premeditated mindset against the defendant (Metuh) whom he accused of writing various petitions against him.
According to Justice Stephen Adah who delivered the lead verdict of the appellate court, allowing the trial court’s verdict to stand “will set a dangerous precedent.” Consequently, it voided the conviction and sentence that was handed to Metuh and his firm, Destra Investment Limited, and remitted the case file back to the high court for a re-trial by another judge.
Metuh was jailed over an allegation that he received the sum of N400 million from the former National Security Adviser, Col. (retd.) Sambo Dasuki, prior to the 2015 presidential election, without contract approval or execution. His earlier conviction followed a seven-count charge that was preferred against him and his firm by the EFCC. (NAN)
JUDICIARY
3 Docked Over Alleged Theft of Transformer Valued N50m
![Court Sentences Applicant to 6 Months in Prison for Stealing Cell Phone](https://dailyasset.ng/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/criminal-handcuffed-hand.jpg)
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
![](https://dailyasset.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/kekere.jpeg)
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
![](https://dailyasset.ng/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/court-hammer-e1533055911300-1-746x430-1.jpg)
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)