JUDICIARY
Court to Hear Application Challenging Jurisdiction in 200bn Libel Suit March 24
A High Court in Ibadan has fixed March 24 to hear an application challenging the court’s jurisdiction to hear a N200 billion libel suit instituted by Awujale of Ijebu Kingdom, Oba Sikiru Adetona against Dr Yinka Ayefele.
Adetona sued the Chaiman of Fresh FM and Gospel Musicial, Ayefele, over a live radio programme aired in the station in 2019.
He alleged that Awujale was responsible for non-survival of companies in Ijebuland as a result of curse placed in the town years back.
Justice Mashud Abas, fixed the date and also granted the application for extension of time for the respondent’s counsel to enter appearance and filed statement of defence
Abas also set aside the earlier court ruling setting down the case for hearing.
The judge adjourned the case untill March 24 for hearing in the application challenging the court’s jurisdiction.
Earlier, Ayefele’s counsel, Yomi Alliyu, SAN, informed the court of his two applications filed and dated March 12 and served on the claimant on March 16.
Alliyu said the first application was an application for extension of time for him to file his memorandum of appearance and statement of defence.
He also prayed the court to set aside its earlier ruling setting down the case for hearing.
Alliyu further informed the court that the second application challenged the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the suit.
In his response, the claimant’s counsel, Olatunji Onalaja, SAN, told the court that he was not opposed to the application of the respondent to enter appearance and filed statement of defence.
Onalaja said the two applications were served on him on Monday and needed to respond to the second application challenging the court’s jurisdiction. (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)