JUDICIARY
Court Discharges 11 Men Charged with Armed Robbery, Conspiracy
Justice Peter Kekemeke of the FCT High Court in Nyanya on Tuesday discharged 11 men standing trial for alleged armed robbery and conspiracy charges preferred against them.
The defendants are Sani Mohammed, 28, Godwin Okagbue, 35, Babayaro Musa-Ayuba, 46, Emeka Okoli, 32, Chijioke Okwo, 43, and Elendu Okorie, 36.
Others are Justin Anorue, 33, Uche Chukwuma, 32, Jack Omelinuniru, 41, Chukwudi Okafor, 22, and Geoffrey Ozomabu, 30.
Ikenna Obika and Chinedu Kongoso are at large.
The police arraigned them on a seven-count charge, bordering on armed robbery and receiving stolen property.
They alleged that on Oct.
16, 2016 at about 1 a.m., the defendants conspired to commit armed robbery at NNPC filling station in Karshi, Abuja, contrary to Section 6 (b) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision), 2004.The also alleged that the defendants on the same day armed with guns, classes, iron cutters and other dangerous weapons robbed and threatened one Abdullahi Arma-Yau.
The Prosecuting Counsel, Mr Simon Lough, added that the defendants also robbed one Ishaku Saidu, Managing Director of the Karshi filling station of his generator and other valuables.
He alleged further that the generator was received by Chukwudi Okafor and Geoffrey Ozomabu around Oct. 16 to Nov. 22.
Lough said that the offences were contrary to Sections 1 (2), 5, 6 (b) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision) 2004, 319 (a) and 327 of the Penal Code.
All the defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges levelled against them.
But, while delivering judgment on the matter, Kekemeke held that the prosecution failed to prove the elements of the charges against all the defendants.
He held that opportunities were given to the prosecution to prove their case but were not utilised in line with the doctrine of fair hearing.
“There was no evidence to link all the defendants together conspiring as alleged or any evidence to show that they were caught with arms.
“The items alleged to have been stolen were not brought to court as evidence nor any proof that stolen goods were found with anyone of the defendants.
“There is no evidence linking the defendants with the allegations levelled against them, the defendants are hereby discharged of the charges against them,” he held.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the eighth defendant, Uche Chukwuma, died while the trial was going on. (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)