JUDICIARY
Court Further Adjourns Fayose’s Trial
A Federal High Court in Lagos, on Thursday, further adjourned until May 17 for continuation of trial of embattled former Gov. Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti, facing money laundering charges.
The trial, scheduled for continuation on Thursday, was adjourned at the instance of defence.
When the case was called, Mr J.
A. Obafemi announced appearance for prosecution while Mr S. Olowolafe appeared for defence. He held brief for Mr Ola Olanipekun (SAN).Olowolafe informed the court that the defendant was unavailable in court on health grounds, and prayed for an adjournment.
Following absence of any objection, the court adjourned the case until May 17, 18 and 19 for continuation of trial.
Fayose is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged N6.9 billion fraud and money laundering.
He was first arraigned on Oct. 22, 2018, before Justice Mojisola Olatotegun alongside his company, Spotless Investment Ltd., on 11 counts bordering on fraud and money laundering.
He had pleaded not guilty and was granted bail on Oct. 24, 2018, in the sum of N50 million with sureties in like sum.
The defendant was, however, subsequently re-arraigned before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke on July 2, 2019, after the case was withdrawn from Olatoregun following a petition by EFCC.
He had also pleaded not guilty to the charge, and was allowed to continue on the earlier bail granted.
The commission has since opened its case before Aneke, and is still leading witnesses in evidence.
In December 2021, EFCC called its 11th witness, one Mrs Joanne Tolulope, who narrated how Abiodun Agbele, said to be an associate of Fayose, allegedly bought property worth millions of Naira crime proceeds.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that during trial before Olatoregun, prosecution called witnesses from several commercial banks, as well as a former Minister of State for Defence, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro.
According to the EFCC, on June 17, 2014, Fayose and one Abiodun Agbele illegally took possession of N1.2 billion for purposes of funding his gubernatorial election campaign in Ekiti.
The commission said that the defendants reasonably ought to have known that the sum formed part of crime proceeds.
It alleged that Fayose received cash payment of five million dollars (about N1.8 billion) from the then Minister of State for Defence, Obanikoro, without going through any financial institution.
The commission also said that the former governor unlawfully retained 300 million in his bank account and took control of the aggregate sums of about N622 million.
The EFCC added that the defendant unlawfully procured De Privateer Ltd. and Still Earth Ltd. to retain aggregate sums of N851 million.
Besides, the ex-governor was alleged to have unlawfully used aggregate sums of about N1.6 billion to acquire property in Lagos and Abuja.
He was also alleged to have illegally used N200 million to acquire a property in Abuja with the name of his elder sister, Moji Oladeji.
The alleged offences contravene the provisions of Sections 15(1), 15 (2), 15 (3), 16(2)(b), 16 (d), and 18 (c) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act of 2011. (NAN)
A businessman, Abdulrazak Yunusa on Monday dragged his former wife, Latifat Sanusi before a Sharia court sitting at Magajin Gari, Kaduna state, alleging that she is threatening to kill him.
The counsel to Yunusa, Faham Ahmad told the court that she threatened to stab him.
“Sometimes she threatens my client with a pestle.
I am afraid she wants to kill me”, he said.He prayed for a restraining against Yunusa to go to her parent’s house and stay pending when the case was finalized.
On her part, the accused denied the claim saying she had no intention of killing the father of her children.
The Judge, Malam Muhammad Kabir referred the case to the police for investigation and adjourned to June 11 .
(NAN)
The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) has directed its members in all federal courts nationwide and other judicial institutions to withdraw their services from June 2.Mr Mustapha Laminu, National Vice President, North Central said this in a statement signed and issued on Friday in Abuja.
Laminu said the strike had become imperative to press home its demands as their members were yet to receive the one month wage award recently paid by government. According to him, this action is to protest against the non payment of five months arrears of wage award, non implementation of N70.000 national minimum wage and the non implementation of the 25/35 per cent salary increase.“The union had written severally to the management on the need to see reasons through 21 day ultimatum, seven days ultimatum and have to shelve the action following the intervention of my lord the Chief Justice of Nigeria.“It is unfortunate that the Judiciary, as an arm of government, is being punished while other arms of government have since been enjoying.“All what we are saying is that our members are stoning us, accusing us of compromising considering the unfold hardship brought about by government policies.“We will continue this action until and unless the government pay us this money,” he said.Laminu alleged that they gathered that the Ministry of Finance had released the new amount to the Accountant General of the Federation but he refused to pay the Judiciary.He therefore called on all Chapters chairmen to ensure compliance to the directive. (NAN)
A Makurdi Chief Magistrates’ Court on Friday ordered the remand of an 18-year old student, Joseph Chive, at a Makurdi Correctional Centre for allegedly killing a 14-year-old girl.
Chive, who lives at Veterinary Layout, Northbank, Makurdi, was charged with illegal possession of firearms and culpable homicide.
The Chief Magistrate, Mr Kevin Mbanongun, did not take the plea of the defendant for want of jurisdiction.
He remanded the defendant and adjourned the case until Aug. 28 for mention.
Earlier, the prosecutor, Insp Godwin Ato, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on May 25, at Veterinary Layout, Northbank, Makurdi.
He said the case was reported at the ‘C’ Division Police Station, Northbank, Makurdi, by the deceased’s father, Mr Victor Ayom.
According to him, the defendant had an altercation with the victim, a 14-year-old girl, Mimidoo Victor.
“While the altercation was going on, the defendant rushed into his room, brought a loaded dane gun and shot the girl on the head.
“The defendant was arrested during police investigation and he confessed to the crime.
“The dane gun was recovered from him,” Ato said.
The prosecutor said the offences contravened Section 3(1) of the Robbery and Firearms Act, 2004 and Section 222 of the Penal Code, Laws of Benue, 2004. (NAN)
My Ex Wife Wants To Kill Me, Man Cries To Court
ShareA businessman, Abdulrazak Yunusa on Monday dragged his former wife, Latifat Sanusi before a Sharia court sitting at Magajin Gari,...
Eid-el-Kabir: FG declares Friday, Monday Public Holidays
ShareThe Federal Government has declared June 6th and 9th as public holidays to enable Muslim faithful celebrate Eid-el-Kabir. This is...
Mid-term Report: Otti’s Govt Lacks Accountability, Transparency, says APC
Share… Accuses Gov of Running ‘One-man Show’ By Mike Odiakose, Abuja The Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress...
Strike: JUSUN Members Lock out Judges, Lawyers, Litigants in Federal Courts in Ibadan
Share Judges, lawyers and litigants at the Federal High Court, Court of Appeal and National Industrial Court in Ibadan, on...
C’ River Govt. Threatens to Sanction Firm for N1.2bn Unpaid Tax
Share The Cross River Government has threatened severe penalty on a firm, Bao Yao Iron and Steel Company, for owing...
Court Remands Man for Allegedly Stealing Electric Cable
ShareA Badagry Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State on Thursday, ordered the remand of a 35-year-old man, Segun Deala, for...
Eid-el-Kabir: FG Declares Friday, Monday Public Holidays
ShareThe Federal Government has declared June 6th and 9th as public holidays to enable Muslim faithful celebrate Eid-el-Kabir.This is contained...
Soaring Temperature: NAHCON Advises Pilgrims to Stay in Tents from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m
ShareThe National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has advised pilgrims to stay in their tents from 10 a.m. to 4...
Troops Neutralise 3 Suspected Bandits, Recover Weapons in Plateau
ShareTroops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) have neutralised three suspected bandits in Wase Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau.Maj. Samson...
C’River Former Commissioner Commends Otu for Developmental Strides
ShareFrom Ene Asuquo, Calabar A former commissioner in the immediate past administration of Former Governor Ben Ayade, Dr Edem Okokon...
Arabic
Chinese (Simplified)
Dutch
English
French
German
Italian
Portuguese
Russian
Spanish