NEWS
Defendants Seek Reassignment of Case, Fresh Bail Application to another Judge
By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
Defendants in a case of criminal conspiracy and theft of gold jewelry valued at N300 million pending at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), high court, have appealed to the Chief Judge of the FCT to reassign their bail application to a vacation judge.The defendants, Rukhayat Usman Abbeyson, Lauretu Ahmed and Sagir Ahmed, through their counsel, Ishaka M.
Dikko SAN, were also requesting that their case should be transferred to any other judge of the high court of the FCT. In the application dated July 26 2024 and signed by counsel to the defendants, they said they no longer have confidence that they will get justice from the trial judge, Justice N.K. Nwosu-Iheme of High Court 52 Wuse Abuja, whom they said may have been compromised.According to the application, “On July 17, 2024, the defendants were arraigned before FCT High Court 52, Wuse zone 2, Abuja for alleged offence bothering on criminal conspiracy and theft, the plea of the defendants was taken and they all denied the allegations.”Thereafter, on their behalf, we moved an application for bail of the defendants which was opposed to by the prosecution and the court adjourned to July 19, 2024. On the said July 19, 2024, the court delivered its ruling and refused to grant bail to the defendants who are being tried for bailable offences.”The counsel in the application noted that the judge refused the bail application despite the fact that the first defendant, Rukhayat Usman Abbeyson, is a nursing mother with four months old twins who were delivered through Cesarean section.The counsel said prior to July 17 2024 when the defendants were arraigned, before the court, the 3rd defendant was taken to court on June 4 2024 for arraignment. “The 3rd defendant later reported to us that the trial judge made a statement suggesting that he has already concluded that the defendants actually committed the offences alleged against them even before the trial,” he said.Recall that the three individuals, Rukhayat Usman Abbeyson, Lauretu Ahmed, and Sagir Ahmed, were charged with conspiracy and theft by the Commissioner of Police in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court. The accused, all residents of FCT Abuja, are alleged to have conspired and stolen jewelry valued at N300 million from Hajia Halima Suleiman on March 23, 2024.According to the charge sheet, the theft occurred at Hajia Halima Suleiman’s residence, No. 26 A, Etang Obuli Crescent Jabi, FCT-Abuja. Rukhayat Usman Abbeyson, who worked as a personal assistant to Hajia Halima Suleiman, is accused of being the mastermind behind the theft. The charge alleges that she had access to the safe where the jewelry was kept and was the only person besides the owner who knew the combination to open it.The list of exhibits includes statements from witnesses and the defendants, a compact disc containing voice notes and calls, bank account statements from Stanbic, Zenith, and Providus banks, purchase receipts, photographs of the stolen jewelry and the safe, and print-outs of chat messages.In their statements, the defendants claim they are being falsely accused and deny any involvement in the theft.
By Laide Akinboade, Abuja
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), has congratulated the Roman Catholic Church on the election of Pope Leo XIV. This significant milestone brings joy to Catholics worldwide, and CAN joins in celebrating this momentous occasion.This was contained in a statement issued by CAN and signed by Archbishop Daniel Okoh, President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Abuja.
Archbishop Okoh described the emergence of Pope Leo XIV signifies renewal and hope for the Catholic Church. He added that CAN is confident that the new Pontiff will advance peace, justice, and inclusiveness, continuing the legacy of his predecessors.He said, CAN prays that Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate be blessed with wisdom, good health and strength to lead God’s people on the path of righteousness. May God guide and strengthen him in his ministry.
President Bola Tinubu has bagged the Lifetime African Achievement award from the Millennium Excellence Foundation based in Ghana.Tinubu while receiving the award commended patron of the Foundation, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, for the invitation extended to him and the success of the event put together by the Foundation.
The president represented by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, received the award as special guest of honour during the 25th anniversary of the Millennium Excellence Prize, in Kumasi, Ghana. Tinubu said, “I salute the visionaries who have nurtured this institution for a quarter of a century and also celebrate the values of honour, integrity, service, and excellence that underpin its work.“Specifically, the organisers for identifying and celebrating Africa’s shining lights, individuals whose lives and work had lifted the continent and inspired generations.“It is no small achievement to have honoured such illustrious figures as the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Prof. Wole Soyinka, President Cyril Ramaphosa and Dr Mo Ibrahim, among others.”He charged the young generation of Africans to rise with courage towards contributing their quota in making the African continent a more united, peaceful and prosperous one.He emphasised the need for such contribution to be carried out in the area of science, technology, education, governance, entrepreneurship and arts.He further called on Africans to always work closely together in shaping their shared destiny, while urging the event organisers to continue to inspire excellence, uphold values of leadership with service and invest in the youth to foster collaboration across borders.“The award ceremony had from inception in 1988 remained a beacon of inspiration and recognition across the continent.“It’s mission of identifying, celebrating and supporting those who had distinguished themselves in the pursuit of African development resonated deeply with the aspirations of Nigeria and indeed, all African nations,” he added.The event featured presentation of the Lifetime African Achievement Prize to Tinubu, the global intra-African trade excellence in Africa to the President/Chairman, African Export-Import Bank (AFREXIM), Dr Benedict Oramah.Also, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, received the Lifetime Africa Achievement Prize for Governance and Public Service, the Founder/Chairman, BUA Group, Alhaji AbdulSamad Rabiu, received African Excellence in Business, while Mr Dumo Lulu-Briggs, received African Traditional Leadership and Business Excellence award. (NAN)
From Ene Asuquo, Calabar
Cocoa allottees in Cross River State’s Abonita Government Estate have demanded immediate withdrawal of soldiers allegedly deployed to the area to intimidate and harass them.
The allotees made demand during an interactive session with journalists at the weekend in Calabar
They called on the Chief of Defense Staff Christopher, Gen.
Musa to withdraw the soldiers giving security to a cocoa merchant in the area by name Mbu LikuThe allotees who include, Joseph Ekong, Pastor Duke Njor, Ekuri Boniface, Nic Ntui,Clement Isong-Amba, Pastor Etta Roland among others alleged that soldiers had on several occasions assaulted and harassed them.
Nic Ntui, who spoke on behalf of allottees, claimed that the soldiers, reportedly accompanying a cocoa merchant Mbu Liku, have been preventing them from accessing their cocoa plots which they legitimately paid money into coffers of the state government.
Ntui alleged that armed soldiers usually stormed the estate, chasing them away, intimidating them, allowing Mbu Liku to harvest cocoa.
“There’s already an existing ruling in suit No: HM/73/2020. And Dismissal in Suit No:HC/MSC 24/2024. An action by way of prerogative orders of mandamus and prohibition,” Ntui maintained.
Recall that there are ongoing disputes over land ownership and allocation at the Abonita axis of the estate, with court cases pending in various jurisdictions.
The affected farmers pray that the ongoing investigation by the military high command be thorough so that the officers involved in deployment of errant soldiers into the farms can be fished out.
The Abonita Cocoa Estate has been a point of contention, with the Cross River State government facing challenges in managing the estate.
Meanwhile an update by the state security Adviser (SSA), to Cross River state, retired Maj. Gen. Okoi Obono, after his April 12, 2025 visit to Abonita çocoa estate to ascertain the veracity of claims by the allotees stated that soldiers at Achufa, Ajassor Mission and Etomi check points were those used by Mbu Liku to intimidate allottees.
The Security Adviser’s update sighted by our correspondent recommended that officers detailing troops to Mbu Liku should be re-deployed and warned, and ensure that soldiers attached to Mbu Liku be withdrawn immediately.
A letter from O. N Agbor & Co Legal Practitioners dated April 4, 2015, signed by S.O Ijeoma Esq, also alledged intimidation, arrest and torture of their clients who are allottees at the Cross River cocoa Estate.
The letter addressed to Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) Armed Forces Complex Area 7 Garki- Abuja, urged soldiers to stop aiding Mbu Liku to intimidate their clients who are small holders’ scheme in the cocoa value chain in Cross River State.
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