JUDICIARY
CJN Urges Alternative Dispute Resolution in Admiralty Cases

From Anthony Nwachukwu, Lagos
For a faster, less expensive and more satisfactory resolution of admiralty cases, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Tanko Mohammad, has urged judicial officers to consider Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), where necessary, rather than only litigation in settling cases.
This came as the judiciary and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) have started recording convictions of pirates and related criminals based on the 2019 Suppression of Piracy and other Maritime Offences (SPOMO) Act, which is now strengthening the arm of the law against maritime criminalities.
Mohammad made the call in his keynote address to eminent jurists and legal experts at the ongoing 2nd Nigerian Admiralty Law Colloquium in Lagos, with the theme, Maritime Safety, Security and Shipping Development: Reflections and the Way Forward.”
The CJN, who was represented by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun (JSC), commended NIMASA for the various strides taken thus far in ensuring a secure maritime environment, adding that “consequently, the colloquium has so far come up with resolutions which will positively impact the maritime sector.
“Within the contest of positive resolutions at this colloquium, it is important to discuss the impact of resolving disputes in an alternative way, hence I must not fail to draw your attention to the fact that litigations do not always give the best solution for parties involved in maritime disputes.
“In other words, as judicial officers, it behooves us to adopt alternative dispute resolution mechanism, as this may bring about faster resolution of disputes, taking into consideration the highly expensive nature of litigations. Certainly, ADR affords litigants a less complicated option.”
The CJN further acknowledged the maritime sector as one with specialised laws and regulations governing its operations in Nigeria, stating that owing to its attendant economic value, it is also expected to be troubled by both unique and dynamic challenges.
According to him, it is on this premise that the colloquium was organised to afford judicial officers the opportunity as stakeholders to deliberate on pertinent issues affecting the maritime sector.
“NIMASA has been given the statutory mandate to, among other things, ensure the safety and security of vessels on Nigerian waters and inside this mandate, NIMASA has thought it wise to convene this colloquium to rob minds with other stakeholders and participants on their experience,” Mohammad said.
“To this end, the theme of this colloquium, ‘Maritime Safety, Security and Shipping Development: Reflections and the Way Forward,’ could not have come at a better time bearing in mind that the need to enhance maritime safety and security has indeed fostered development in the sector.”
Therefore, he urged judicial officers to take cognisance of the fact that the desired resolutions “expected in maritime disputes are maintained at all costs in order to boost confidence in the court system as well as maritime operations and management.”
JUDICIARY
Pastor Arraigned over Alleged Rape of Married Woman in Edo

From Joseph Ebi Kanjo, Benin
A 38-year-old pastor, Simeon Okehielem of the Synagogue Prayers Ministry has been arraigned before an Edo State High Court for allegedly raping a married woman, Isoken Vivian Aigbedo.
The pastor, who was accused of engaging in sexual relationships with married women within his congregation, was docked before the court in Benin City, on Thursday last week.
The charges against Pastor Okehielem followed a year 2022 incident in Uholor Community of Benin City where the cleric allegedly drugged and raped the woman leading to the birth of a child.
Recent DNA results reportedly confirmed the pastor as the biological father of the child, which prompted the Nigerian Police to re-arrest and formally arraign him.
The presiding judge, Justice Erhabor, granted an ex-parte order to remand the suspect at the Benin Correctional Custodial Centre for 14 days, pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Ministry of Justice, Edo State.
The State Prosecutor, P.O. Odion told the court that the alleged offence occurred in February 2022.
Okehielem was slammed with two-count charge on alleged rape and administering a stupefying substance with the intent to commit a felony.
The charge sheet, marked Suit No: BLOD/2323M/2025, reads: “That you, Okehielem Simeon ‘m’, in or about the month of February 2022, in Benin City within the Benin Criminal Division, did rape one Mrs Isoken Vivian Aigbedo and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 4, punishable under Section 5(1) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, 2021.
“That you, Okehielem Simeon ‘m’, in or about the month of February 2022, in Benin City within the Benin Criminal Division, with intent to commit a felony, administered a substance to stupefy one Mrs Isoken Vivian Aigbedo, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 256 of the Criminal Law of Edo State, 2022.”
Speaking to journalists after the court session, the victim’s legal counsel, Clinton Ogbebor, applauded the Police for its diligence.
“We are in court today over the alleged rape of my client, Mrs Isoken Aigbedo, by one Pastor Simeon Okehielem,” he said.
Ogbebor confirmed that the case file would now be forwarded to the office of the DPP for legal advice, after which the trial will proceed accordingly.
The development has stirred debates across Benin City, with residents and religious leaders expressing shock and calling for justice.
The case has been adjourned pending further legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution.
JUDICIARY
Court Bars Bello from Acting as Nasarawa APC Chairman

A Senior District Court 3, Lafia, Nasarawa State, on Thursday restrained Mr Aliyu Bello, the embattled Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, from presenting himself as Chairman or a member of the party.This followed a motion filed by Suleiman Turaki, Counsel to Ibrahim Iliyasu, the Chairman of APC in Gayam Electoral Ward of Lafia Local Government Area of the state.
Report says that on July 1, Iliyasu, alongside 13 other officials of the party in the ward, suspended Bello from the party over alleged anti-party activities. The order signed by Abdullahi Lanze, Senior District Judge of the court, stated that the prayer was granted after hearing the application presented by the applicant’s counsel.The order specifically restrained Bello, his agents, privies, supporters or any person acting on his behalf, authority, or direction, from presenting himself as a member or Chairman of the party.The court also barred Bello from issuing statements, carrying out functions, or acting in any manner whatsoever, through the media or otherwise, as a member or Chairman of APC.This would be pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice. (NAN).JUDICIARY
Unemployed Man Arraigned for Allegedly Impersonating Military Officer

A 30-year-old unemployed man, Sadiq Usman, on Thursday appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly parading himself as a military officer.
Usman is facing a two-count charge of impersonation.
He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The prosecutor, Supol Josephine Ikhayere, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on May 24 at about 3.
30 p. m. at Alaba Rago Market area of Ojo, Lagos State.Ikhayere said that the defendant, who was unemployed, unlawfully had in his possession a Nigerian military camouflage uniform, cap, belt, and boots.
“He paraded himself as a member of the Nigerian Army and had in his possession two Nigerian Navy identity cards,” she said.
According to her, the defendant was arrested when he failed to give a satisfactory account of the items.
The prosecutor said that the offences contravened sections 77(a)(b) and 79(a)(b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Section 77 stipulates a three-year jail term for anyone found guilty of impersonating a member of the armed forces or the police.
Section 79 stipulates two years imprisonment for unlawfully wearing the uniform of the armed forces.
The Magistrate, Mr Lateef Owolabi, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N150,000 with two reliable sureties in like sum.
He ordered that the sureties must show evidence of tax payments to the Lagos State Government.
Owolabi adjourned the case until July 1 for mention. (NAN)