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DEFENCE

Court Dismisses Motion Seeking Judge’s Self-disqualification from Gov. Ortom’s Libel Suit

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A Makurdi High Court on Thursday dismissed a motion filed by one Mr Sesugh Akume, seeking the trial judge in a N150 million libel suit filed against him by Benue’s Gov. Samuel Ortom to recuse himself from the case.

Gov. Ortom filed the suit against Akume and Omoyele Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters for alleging in some online publications that he illegally deducted local government funds in the state.

The governor claimed in the suit that the allegation defamed his reputation, lowered his integrity and engendered hatred on him.

However, Akume filed an interlocutory application, praying the presiding judge, Justice Augustine Ityonyiman, to disqualify himself from further handling the suit.

Akume sought a declaration that the judge should refrain from hearing the matter and return the case file to the state’s Chief Judge for reassignment to another judge.

He argued in his submission that the application was based on a petition he had written to the National Judicial Council against the trial judge over his alleged impunity, bias and violation of code of conduct.

When the motion came up for hearing, Ortom’s counsel, Mr Richard Ayilla, urged the court to dismiss the application, arguing that it was based on apprehension and bias.

Ayilla submitted that Akume’s counsel had participated fully in the previous proceedings in the case and even cross-examined the two witnesses called by the plaintiff, so he could not accuse the judge of impunity.

Responding, Akume’s counsel, Mr Lubem Ukpo, urged the court to grant the application arguing that the apprehension had not arisen as of the time that he fully participated in the proceedings and cross-examined Ortom’s witnesses.

Delivering ruling, Justice Ityonyiman, dismissed the application.

He held that since the fear and apprehension expressed by Akume had not arisen when the defendants’ counsel participated fully in the case, the application for the judge to recuse itself could not be granted.

Justice Ityonyiman adjourned the case till March 25 for defence to begin. (NAN)

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DEFENCE

Police Arrest 4 Suspects, Recover Stolen Property in A’Ibom

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 The Police Command in Akwa Ibom said it had arrested four suspected criminals in Udi Street in Uyo and recovered numerous stolen items.

DSP Timfon John, the Command’s Public Relations Officer said this in a statement in Uyo on Monday.

John said that the suspects were arrested base on credible intelligence and in compliance with the Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Azare’s directive.

She said that an operation which was inaugurated last Friday at exactly 1:15 a.

m., led to the arrest of the four suspects.

”In a significant intelligence-led operation, operatives of the command raided a location in Udi Street, leading to the arrest of two individuals and the recovery of numerous stolen items.

The raid also resulted in the arrest of another two suspected receivers of stolen property,” she explained.

The command’s image maker said that exhibit including 14 sewing machine heads and a generator were recovered from the suspects.

According to her, two complainants have come forward and identified their stolen machines among the recovered items.

She added that investigation into the matter was ongoing. (NAN) 

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CRIME

Police Rescue 28 Kidnap Victims, Detain 10 Suspects In Enugu

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The Police Command in Enugu has rescued 28 kidnap victims and detained 10 suspects in Enugu State.

The command also recovered firearms, ammunition, cash, vehicles, motorcycles and other exhibits in separate coordinated operations within the past 10 days.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Command’s Spokesman, SP Daniel Ndukwe on Tuesday in Enugu.

Ndukwe said that the feat was part of the Command’s sustained efforts to rid Enugu State of unrepentant violent criminals.

“On May 18, at about 6:30 p.m., operatives attached to Umumba Police Division, working with the Neighbourhood Watch, Forest Guards and community members, rescued two male and two female victims kidnapped along Umumba-Ndiuno-Aguoba Road in Ezeagu Local Government Area.

“This followed a tactical bush-combing operation.

“Four male suspects linked to the crime were immediately detained and are currently assisting with ongoing investigations,” he said.

The spokesman said that on the same day, at about 6:34 p.m., operatives from 9th Mile Division responded to a distress call and arrested a suspect.

According to him, the suspect and three others have attempted to kidnap a woman, who raised an alarm.

He said that the suspect, who was severely beaten by the mob, was taken to hospital for treatment and is being investigated further.

“Similarly, operatives from Okpuje Police Division of the Command, in collaboration with Neighbourhood Watch and Forest Guards, on May 17, 2025, carried out a strategic bush-combing operation in a forest bordering Okpuje in Enugu State and Odolu in Kogi State.

“During the operation, they intercepted two men found with ₦150,000 and ₦70,000 respectively, intended for ransom payments, as well as loaves of bread and drinks requested by the kidnappers.

“Upon further incursion, the team encountered armed resistance from the kidnappers but responded with superior firepower, forcing them to flee with gunshot wounds and abandon the victims, a pump-action gun, and two live cartridges.

“The victims were rescued unhurt and the exhibits recovered. Efforts to track down the fleeing suspects are ongoing,” he said.

Ndukwe said that earlier, on May 14, 2025, at about 5:30a.m., operatives from Igbo-Eze North Division, with the Military and Neighbourhood Watch, rescued 21 kidnapped victims in Amaka-Okpodu community in Kogi State.

He said that the victims, some of whom were returning from a traditional marriage ceremony, had been allegedly abducted on May 10, 2025, along Iyionu-Aguibeje Road in Igbo-Eze North LGA by hooded armed men.

“Five male suspects were subsequently detained following credible intelligence, and three firearms were also recovered. Additionally, a minibus and four motorcycles used by the travelling victims were earlier recovered from the scene of the crime.

“In another operation, on May 13, 2025, at about 9:45 p.m., operatives of the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Tactical Squad, acting on credible information, rescued a kidnapped victim along the Enugu/Port-Harcourt Expressway and recovered his Toyota Camry.

“A white Toyota Corolla with registration number ENU 703 LP used by the suspects and a Lexus 330 Jeep abandoned at the kidnapping scene in Premier Layout, Independence Layout, Enugu, were also recovered.

“Operations to hunt down the fleeing suspects are ongoing,” he said.

Ndukwe said that the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Mamman Giwa, had commended the police operatives, the collaborating security agents and law-abiding community members for their efforts in making the operations successful.

The spokesman said that the commissioner reaffirmed the command’s avowed commitment to make Enugu State safer and more secure by rooting out violent criminals and their activities.

He said that the state police boss urged residents to remain law-abiding, vigilant and cooperative with police and other law enforcement authorities. (NAN) 

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CRIME

Police Nab Native Doctor, Recover Arms, Ammunition From Shrine

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The police operatives of the Enugu command, attached to the  Special AntiCultism Squad (SPACS)  have nabbed a native doctor, for alleged possession of fire arms and ammunition hidden in his shrine.

This is contained in a statement issued by the command’s Spokesman, SP Daniel Ndukwe, in Enugu on Monday.

Ndukwe said that the police recovered one locally-made pistol, one revolver pistol, one expended and one live .

38 special calibre ammunition and one live cartridge from his shrine located at Ugwuochie-Iwollo in Ezeagu Local Government Area of the state.

“The recovery followed the suspect’s confessional statements after his earlier arrest, as well as a subsequent raid on the shrine by the operatives.

“The suspect confessed to being a member of the Black Axe confraternity.

“He will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations,” he said.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr Mamman Giwa, commended the operatives for their efforts and urged them to sustain the momentum, ensuring that “Enugu State remains uninhabitable for unrepentant criminals.”

The commissioner also urged members of the public to remain supportive of the command’s efforts. (NAN)

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