JUDICIARY
Don’t Threaten PLASIEC with Court Appeal, Counsel Tells PDP
The Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) in Plateau says it is not bothered by an appeal case threatened by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the judgment against the party by a state High Court on Sept. 29.
Counsel to PDP Edward Pwajok (SAN) had earlier threatened the state electoral body to appeal a judgment delivered by Justice Ishaku Kunda of High Court IV, Jos, against it in a case challenging the party’s exclusion from the Oct.
9 local government elections.But Chief Garba Pwul (SAN), the counsel to Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC), said on Wednesday in Jos that the PDP is entitled to filing an appeal case.
“We are ready to meet them at the appellate court. We are far from being worried that PDP is appealing the judgement delivered by the High Court.
“In fact, if anything, we are delighted that they are appealing. This is because an appeal is good for the judiciary and the legal profession.
“Such appeal will confirm the soundness of the lower court’s decision and erase any doubt. An appeal will only re-enforce the victory of PLASIEC.
“That judgment, as far as the law is concerned, is sound and purely in accordance with the law.
“On Sept. 29 we got a judgment against them, in their own case against us, and yet, they are threatening to appeal. We are waiting and not afraid at all.
“PDP should know that the facts will not change at the Court of Appeal neither will the law change. What will only change is the personalities or the judicial officers.
“All the same, if at the end, the unlikely happens at the appellate court, PLASIEC will, of course, allow the elections to be conducted with the party.
But Counsel to PDP Edward Pwajok insisted that the party will appeal, describing the judgment of the state High Court as “a summersault, full of discrepancies which must be challenged at the appellate court”.(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)