Connect with us

JUDICIARY

Enugu Tribunal: PDP Closes Defense, Calls Three Witnesses

Published

on

Share

Enugu Governorship Election Tribunal

From Sylvia Udegbunam, Enugu

The People Democratic Party (PDP) Enugu yesterday closed their defense with three witnesses at the governorship election tribunal sitting in Enugu.

The Party had on Wednesday presented Festus Uzo including DSS official and yesterday concluded with the third subpoena witness, Mr Victor Ude, a legal practitioner, to testify against Mr Chijioke Edeoga of the Labour Party (LP).

Ude tendered Mbah’s NYSC letters of redeployment, deferment, reinstatement letter to continue his NYSC programme after completing his part two in Law school, approval letter for Mbah to continue his service, final clearance letter after completing his NYSC programme, among others.

Tendering the letters, the LP lead counsel objected to the admissibility of the document, saying he would give him reasons in their final address.

The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal is hearing the petition filed by Mr Chijioke Edeoga of the LP against the election of Gov. Peter Mbah of the PDP.

Edeoga is praying the tribunal to disqualify Mbah over alleged NYSC certificate forgery and manipulation of election results.

During cross examination, the witness said that there was a letter from the NYSC that said Mbah should be reinstated.

Read Also: As Chijioke Edeoga, LP Await Ruling of Enugu Guber Election Tribunal

The witness said that he wrote the letters to the NYSC and got reply as well.

Ude said he was not aware of the Inspector General of Police (I-G) reply on the investigation of the NYSC on March 2023.

The lead counsel of the LP, Mr Adegboyega Awomolo, said that there was no evidence of delivery and acknowledgment of the letters from NYSC.

“As a Lawyer, you know importance of delivery and acknowledgment of official letters to government departments,” he said.

Awomolo said that by the witness letter, Mbah was to conclude his NYSC Sept. 16, 2003 as he was in the office of the governor of Enugu State as the Chief of Staff in August 2003.

He said that in 2007, the EFCC charged the subpoenaed witness with Mbah for money laundering at the Federal High Court, Lagos.

Tendering the charge with case file number FH/C/09/07, the respondents’ counsels, Mr Bode Ola, counsel to Gov. Peter Mbah, the PDP counsel, Mr Anthony Ani. and Humphrey Okoli, the INEC objected to the admissibility of the document and said they would articulate their reasons in their final addresses.

The Tribunal admitted the document as an evidence.

The Chairman of the three-member Tribunal, Justice M.K Akano adjourned the sitting until 16 August for adoption of final written addresses.

JUDICIARY

Pastor Arraigned over Alleged Rape of Married Woman in Edo

Published

on

Share

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.

Continue Reading

JUDICIARY

Court Bars Bello from Acting as Nasarawa APC Chairman

Published

on

Share

A Senior District Court 3, Lafia, Nasarawa State, on Thursday restrained Mr Aliyu Bello, the embattled Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, from presenting himself as Chairman or a member of the party.This followed a motion filed by Suleiman Turaki, Counsel to Ibrahim Iliyasu, the Chairman of APC in Gayam Electoral Ward of Lafia Local Government Area of the state.

Report says that on July 1, Iliyasu, alongside 13 other officials of the party in the ward, suspended Bello from the party over alleged anti-party activities.
The order signed by Abdullahi Lanze, Senior District Judge of the court, stated that the prayer was granted after hearing the application presented by the applicant’s counsel.
The order specifically restrained Bello, his agents, privies, supporters or any person acting on his behalf, authority, or direction, from presenting himself as a member or Chairman of the party.The court also barred Bello from issuing statements, carrying out functions, or acting in any manner whatsoever, through the media or otherwise, as a member or Chairman of APC.This would be pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice. (NAN).

Continue Reading

JUDICIARY

Unemployed Man Arraigned for Allegedly Impersonating Military Officer

Published

on

Share

 A 30-year-old unemployed man, Sadiq Usman, on Thursday appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly parading himself as a military officer.

Usman is facing a two-count charge of impersonation.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecutor, Supol Josephine Ikhayere, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on May 24 at about 3.

30 p.
m. at Alaba Rago Market area of Ojo, Lagos State.

Ikhayere said that the defendant, who was unemployed, unlawfully had in his possession a Nigerian military camouflage uniform, cap, belt, and boots.

“He paraded himself as a member of the Nigerian Army and had in his possession two Nigerian Navy identity cards,” she said.

According to her, the defendant was arrested when he failed to give a satisfactory account of the items.

The prosecutor said that the offences contravened sections 77(a)(b) and 79(a)(b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Section 77 stipulates a three-year jail term for anyone found guilty of impersonating a member of the armed forces or the police.

Section 79 stipulates two years imprisonment for unlawfully wearing the uniform of the armed forces.

The Magistrate, Mr Lateef Owolabi, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N150,000 with two reliable sureties in like sum.

He ordered that the sureties must show evidence of tax payments to the Lagos State Government.

Owolabi adjourned the case until July 1 for mention. (NAN)

Continue Reading

Advertisement

Read Our ePaper

Top Stories

NEWS10 hours ago

Mbah Reshuffles Cabinet, Swears-in Head of Service, Six Commissioners

ShareFrom Sylvia Udegbunam, Enugu Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah has recently rejigged his cabinet, swearing in a new Head...

NEWS11 hours ago

NCS Strengths Tie with China Customs

ShareBy Tony Obiechina Abuja The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has deepened its strategic engagement with the General Administration of Customs...

BUSINESS11 hours ago

FCTA Setup Vetting Committees to Scrutinise Sale of Govt Properties

ShareBy Laide Akinboade, Abuja The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), at the weekend set up vetting committees to scrutinise the...

NEWS12 hours ago

Ex-NALDA Executive Secretary, Prince Ikonne Congratulates Super Falcons on Remarkable Victory

Share…Urges Revitalization of Enyimba FC, Sports Development in Abia State By Mike Odiakose, Abuja’s The immediate past Executive Secretary of...

Metro13 hours ago

Tinubu, Idris Mourn Leon Usigbe, Veteran Statehouse Correspondent

ShareBy Johnson Eyiangho, Abuja President Bola Tinubu expresses sadness over the passing of Dr. Leon Usigbe, a journalist with The...

NEWS13 hours ago

Barau Commends Super Falcons on Historic 10th WAFCON Triumph

ShareBy Eze Okechukwu, Abuja The Deputy President of the Senate, Sen. Barau Jibrin, has congratulated Nigeria’s National female football team,...

NEWS14 hours ago

Senate Denies Rift between Akpabio, Opeyemi

ShareBy Eze Okechukwu, Abuja The senate has denied reports of any rift between the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Senate...

NEWS16 hours ago

2027: Gang-up against Tinubu ‘ll Amount to Nothing – APC Chieftain

ShareA Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun, Dotun Babayemi, said any gang-up against the re-election of President...

NEWS19 hours ago

Former Pro-Chancellor Fed University Minna, Prof Alkali Mourns Profs Mohammed, Oculi

ShareBy Mike Odiakose, Abuja Former Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger...

NEWS20 hours ago

100 Days after NSGF’s Approval, 204 NNN Beneficiaries Abandoned, Statutory Deduction Blocked by NNDC

ShareStrong indications have emerged suggesting that the New Nigerian Development Company (NNDC) may have abandoned atleast 204 beneficiaries and hijacked...

Copyright © 2021 Daily Asset Limited | Powered by ObajeSoft Inc