JUDICIARY
FCT Prisons: 56 Inmates Freed, 33 Shiites Convicted- NCoS

Justice Husseini Baba-Yusuf, Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, has discharged 56 inmates across two custodial centres in the FCT Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).
The NCoS Public Relations Officer (PRO) of FCT command, Mr Samson Duza made this known in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.
“Out of the 56 inmates discharged, 30 were from the Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre, while 26 others were from the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre.
“During the case review at Kuje Custodial Centre, the Chief Judge discharged five inmates amongst which two awaiting trial inmates were granted bail.
“Three convicted inmates had their fines paid by the Brekete family, Legend Golden Care Foundation and other Civil Society Organisation (CSO), ” he said.
Similarly in a separate case, Justice Belgore delivered a significant judgment concerning members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), also known as Shiites on the same day, at Kuje medium security custodial centre.
“Out of the 58 accused, 25 members, including one female, were discharged and acquitted, while the remaining 33 defendants were found guilty and convicted.
“Sentencing for the convicted individuals is scheduled for the following week.
“At Suleja custodial centre, a total of 102 cases were reviewed and 26 inmates discharged. Among the discharged inmates, 5 were convicted inmates while 21 were awaiting trial,” he said.
Duza said that the Chief Judge in his magnanimity paid the transportation fare of one inmate and compensation for another inmate amounting to the sum of N100,000.
In his address, Controller of Corrections incharge of FCT Command, Olatunbosun Ajibogun appreciated the Judge and his entourage for the visit.
Ajibogun also commended them for their continuous commitment to decongest custodial centres, assuring him of his unreserved support and cooperation to have a sane system.
The jail delivery exercise was part of ongoing efforts by the Nigeria Correctional Service and critical stakeholders in the criminal justice system, to ensure timely dispensation of justice.
This is to also alleviate overcrowding in correctional facilities, and provide inmates with a fair hearing.(NAN)
CRIME
3 Docked for Allegedly Breaking into Bank, Stealing Laptops

Three men, Olufemi Faleti, 59, Ayoade Adewale 41 and Idowu Yusuf, 41, on Friday, were brought before an Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court Ibadan charged with breaking into a bank and stealing laptops.
The defendants,whose addresses were not provided, were charged with conspiracy, house breaking and stealing, to which they pleaded not guilty.
The Prosecutor, Insp Elisha Tellang told the court that the defendants allegedly committed the offences on March 24, at 7:30 p.
m, at First Bank, Asogo, Oyo.He alleged that the defendants broke into the bank and stole two laptops worth N800, 000.
Tellang said the offences contravened Sections 516, 413 and 390(9) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
The Magistrate, Mrs Moyosore Atanda granted each defendant bail in the sum of N300,000 and with two sureties each in like sum.
She adjourned the case until Sept. 8, for hearing. (NAN)
CRIME
Ex-convict Bags 2 years Imprisonment for Stealing Speaker, Mobile Phone

An Ota Magistrate’s Court in Ogun, on Friday, sentenced a 21-year-old ex-convict, Habeeb Jimoh, to two years imprisonment for stealing a Zealot speaker, Infinix mobile phone and other goods worth N595,000.
In her judgment, the Magistrate, Mrs O.
O.
Fadairo, sentenced the convict to two years imprisonment without an option of fine.Fadairo said that the prosecution counsel had proven beyond reasonable doubt that he was guilty of the charge preferred against him.
The convict, of no fixed address, had pleaded not guilty to the charge of stealing.
Earlier, the Prosecutor, Insp. E. O. Adaraloye, told the court that the convict committed the offence on May 28, at about 3.
00 a.m. at Singer area, Ewupe in Sango-Ota.Adaraloye said that the security guard identified him after stealing a Zealot speaker, an Infinix phone and other items, worth N595,000, after which he fled.
According to him, the offence contravenes Section 390 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ogun, 2006. (NAN)
CRIME
Man Bangs 7 years Imprisonment for Drug Trafficking

A Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday convicted and sentenced a 24-year-old man, Emmanuel Chekwube, to seven years imprisonment for drug trafficking.
Justice Lewis Allagoa sentenced the convict after he had pleaded guilty to the four-count charge of drug trafficking.
Allagoa, however, gave the convict an option of five million naira fine.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) had arraigned Chekwube on charges of conspiracy, illegal storage of restricted drug, unlawful use of premises to store banned narcotics and unlawful deal in narcotics.
He had pleaded guilty to the charges.
Following his plea, the Prosecutor, Ms M.
I. Erondu, reviewed the facts of the case and tendered several exhibits before the court, such as: a statement of the defendant, a drug analysis form and packaging of substance form.Also tendered were: remnant of the narcotics, request for scientific aid form and transparent pouch, among others.
The prosecutor then urged the court to convict the defendant based on his plea as well as the evidences adduced.
Consequently, the judge convicted the defendant as charged.
Before the sentence, the defence had prayed the court to tamper justice with mercy, saying that as his client was a first time offender and that he would turn a new leaf.
Delivering his verdict afterwards, Allagoa sentenced Chekwube to seven years imprisonment on each count, which, he said, would run concurrently.
He, however, gave the convict an option of five million naira fine.
In the charge, the convict was said to have committed the offences on May 7 at Amukoko, Ijora area of Lagos.
He was said to have used the premises to engage in illegal storage of 56.2 kg Tramadol Hydrochloride, 1.2 kg Nitrazepam and 72g of Swinol
All the substances are said to have been listed in the NDLEA schedule as banned narcotics, thus contravening the provisions of Sections 12 and 14(b) of NDLEA Act, 2004. (NAN)