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JUDICIARY

Nnamdi Kanu Declines to Take Plea for 15-count Charges, Engages Ozekhome

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Leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, yesterday at the Federal High Court in Abuja declined to take his plea in the 15-count terrorism charges instituted against him by the Federal Government.

He accused the government of ambushing him with the fresh charges served on him late Monday.

Kanu, through his lead counsel, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), alleged that the government has breached the principle of fair hearing with the way and manner the new charge was brought to them.

At the resumed trial, Ozekhome complained that the fresh charge was the sixth in the series adding that his client cannot proceed to take a plea in the charges he has not studied to prepare for defence as required by law.

“My Lord, as I am talking now, Kanu does not know the charge yet. He is just interacting with me. He cannot be made to take a plea to charges he has not seen.

“The principle of fair hearing is just being violated by the Federal Government. The frail-looking Kanu standing in the dock there has not been allowed to access his family as directed by this honourable court,” he said.

In addition, Ozekhome claimed that the proof of evidence was not legible enough for their understanding of the fresh charges.

“I went to DSS to see him and I was almost stripped naked before I could see him.

“We pray that the arraignment is adjourned till tomorrow to enable his lawyers to study the new charge along with him in the interest of justice,” he added.

The request for adjournment was not opposed by Mr Shuaib Labaran who stood for the Federal Government, prompting Justice Binta Nyako to fix tomorrow for the arraignment.

The judge ordered that Kanu and his lawyers be allowed to have an interface in the courtroom before taking him to DSS custody.

Earlier, Kanu had, through his lawyer, complained of poor feeding, clothing and denial to practice the religion of his choice.

Justice Nyako in response reminded him that the detention facility is not a five-star hotel but however ordered that Kanu be allowed to come to court tomorrow in new clothes.

The judge declined the request that a foreign lawyer, Mr Bruce Fein, be allowed into the courtroom to observe the trial adding that the request would be granted upon a written application and approval by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court.

Meanwhile, the embattled Biafra Nation agitator, Nnamdi Kanu has engaged the services of a constitutional lawyer and human rights activist, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, to fortify his defense in the fresh terrorism charges brought against him by the Federal Government.

Ozekhome stormed the Federal High Court in company of Ifeanyi Ejiofor who had earlier been leading the team of lawyers for Kanu.

Ejiofor confirmed to newsmen that changes have been effected in the defense in view of the new charges from the Federal Government.

Meanwhile, security has been beefed up at the Court premises and its environs.

All roads leading to the Court have been effectively blocked by operatives of the Department of the State Services, DSS, to ward off possible threat to life and businesses by hoodlums.

Also yesterday, Justice Binta Nyako of an Abuja Federal High Court ordered the Department of State Services, DSS, to allow Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, change his clothes.

She gave the order after Kanu’s lead Counsel, Mike Ozekhome, informed her of how the DSS was treating Kanu in custody.

Speaking during yesterday’s proceedings, Ozekhome disclosed that the IPOB leader was still subjected to solitary confinement, adding that inmates who greeted him were subjected to the same treatment.

Responding, the judge directed the DSS to allow the IPOB leader enjoy some comfort.

Justice Nyako, however, informed the defence Counsel that a detention facility is not a five-star hotel.

“I don’t want to see him in these clothes again. This one is almost off-white. Also, make sure that you allow him to exercise,” Nyako said.

Kanu is facing charges bordering on terrorism and treasonable felony before Justice Nyako.

The Federal Government had on Monday night, filed new terrorism charges against the pro-Biafra agitator.

JUDICIARY

Court Acquits Medical Doctor of Cybercrime Charges

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The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed cybercrime charges filed by the Inspector-General of Police against a female medical doctor, Bolanle Aseyan. Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice Peter Lifu discharged and acquitted Aseyan, stating that the police failed to prove the essential elements of the alleged offences.

The Inspector-General had arraigned Aseyan on a four-count charge of defamation, harassment, and intimidation against another doctor, Olufunmilayo Ogunsanya.
The police alleged that Aseyan used social media platforms to harm Ogunsanya’s reputation. He was said to be her former boyfriend. The charges were filed under Section 24 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention) Act, which addresses online threats and cyber harassment.
To support the case, the police presented three witnesses. Aseyan also called two witnesses to testify in her defence during the trial. Justice Lifu, while reviewing the matter, noted both doctors were once in a romantic relationship before it turned sour. He further observed that the two had sexual relations while in the United Kingdom and later made conflicting social media posts against each other. The judge held that the prosecution failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt and therefore could not secure a conviction. Specifically, the judge said the defendant’s alleged Twitter handle used in the cyberbullying was not tendered as evidence before the court. Justice Lifu also said there was no proof of threats or intimidation, but rather evidence of a previous affectionate relationship. Consequently, the judge dismissed all four charges, discharged and acquitted Aseyan, and declared the case closed. He ordered the police to immediately return all seized items, including her international passport, upon service of the judgment. Aseyan said she met Ogunsanya online in 2019 and travelled to the United Kingdom in 2020, where she claimed she was raped. She stated that upon arrival in Leeds on March 7, 2020, tired and disoriented, Ogunsanya offered her wine shortly after she got to his home. She alleged that after taking the drink, she passed out and later woke up to find that he had allegedly had sex with her without consent. Aseyan further claimed that Ogunsanya maltreated her before she returned to Nigeria shortly after the alleged incident. (NAN)

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JUDICIARY

Kwara Court Sentences Abdulrahman Bello to Death by Hanging for Murder of Hafsoh Lawal. 

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From Abdullahi Abubakar, Ilorin. 

A Kwara State High court sitting in Ilorin has sentenced Abdulrahman Bello, a self-acclaimed cleric and the killer of Hafsoh Lawal, a final year student of the Kwara State College of Education to death, by hanging. This was contained in a judgement delivered by Justice Hannah Ajayi on Thursday, in which, four other defendants were set free and cleared of any wrongdoings.

‎Charged with five-count, the judge started by acquitting the four out of the five defendants namely Ahmed Abdulwasiu, Jamiu Uthman, Suleiman Muyideen and Abdulrahman Jamiu of any complicity, subsequently setting them free of taking part in the death of the victim (Hafsoh Lawal).

However, Justice Ajayi, while delivering judgment on the main culprit, described Bello’s act as cruel, wicked, and an extreme display of human wickedness, saying all evidence proved that Hafsoh was killed in order to be used for money ritual and trading in human parts.

‎The judge further noted that Abdulrahman’s confession of love and plan to marry the victim, are all concocted lies to lure her to his residence in order to kill her. ‎She therefore sentenced Abdulrahman Bello to death by hanging while setting free the other four suspects not guilty.

It would be recalled that the victim went missing, sometimes in February 2025, shortly after attending the naming ceremony of a family member. When she left, but didn’t return later in the day, her parents went into panic mode, and search party was raised, and a complaint was lodged at the police station.

Her phone line was tracked, and traced to the suspect’s (as it were) area. Upon invitation and interrogation, it was discovered that he is a serial killer, who had killed many victims before Hafsoh.

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JUDICIARY

Pastor Arraigned over Alleged Rape of Married Woman in Edo

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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.

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