JUDICIARY
Justice Binta Nyako Withdraws from Nnamdi Kanu’s Trial
Justice Binta Nyako of a Federal High Court in Abuja, on Tuesday, recused herself from the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)
Justice Nyako withdrew from the case following oral applications by Kanu and his lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, upon resumed hearing in the seven-count terrorism charge filed by the Federal Government.
At the resumed hearing, the Federal Government’s lawyer, Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, said the matter was got continuation of trial and he was ready to proceed.
But Kanu’s lawyer, Alloy Ejimakor, asked the court to adjourn the trial due to two pending appeals challenging the court’s jurisdiction.
Awomolo argued that a criminal trial cannot be stalled because of a pending appeal and that the defence should file for a stay of proceedings at the appellate court.
The judge stated that the parties should not delay the matter, having ruled that the court would not attend to any applications until the end of the trial.
Ejimakor insisted it was inappropriate to continue with the trial when he had not adequately prepared his client.
He asserted that all court orders directing that his client should be allowed to prepare for his defence had allegedly been disobeyed.
Justice Nyako then directed that a prosecution witness be called.
While Ejimakor was addressing the court, Kanu stood up from his seat in the dock and ordered him (Ejimakor) to sit down in anger.
“Sit down! I say you should sit down!” Kanu screamed from the dock.
He insisted that the Supreme Court had ruled that his fundamental rights should not be violated by the detaining authority, especially regarding access to his lawyers.
Turning to Justice Nyako, the IPOB leader said: “My lord, I have no confidence in this court any more and I ask you to recuse yourself because you did not abide by the decision of the Supreme Court.
“I can understand it if the DSS refuse to obey a court order, but for this court to refuse to obey an order of the Supreme Court is regrettable.
“I am asking you to recuse yourself from this case,” Kanu stated.
But Awomolo countered the argument on the Supreme Court’s judgment delivered in 2023.
He argued that the apex court mandated the lower court to proceed with the hearing and determination of Kanu’s trial.
He stated that Kanu’s claims did not align with the Supreme Court’s verdict.
“This is clearly an incompetent and audacious observation,” Awomolo said.
The judge responded that, as far as she was concerned, there was nothing in the Supreme Court’s lead judgment that supported Kanu’s assertion.
She expressed surprise that Kanu would stand up and yell at his counsel.
“I hereby recuse myself from this case and remit the file to the Chief Judge for further necessary action,” Nyako stated.
The judge said she could not proceed with a trial where a defendant lacked confidence in the court.
Awomolo expressed his appreciation to the judge, lamenting that it was a very unfortunate day.(NAN)
Three men were arraigned before an Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan on Friday over alleged theft and destruction of a maize plantation valued at ₦25 million.
The defendants—Olaide Oyesola (40), Sataru Yunusa (45), and Odubayo Olufisayo—whose house addresses were not disclosed, are being charged with a six-count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing, malicious damage, unlawful entry, assault, and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.
The prosecuting counsel, Insp Salewa Hammed, told the court that the defendants conspired to steal maize worth ₦5 million and maliciously damaged a plantation valued at ₦25 million.
He further alleged that the defendants unlawfully excavated sand from the farmland valued at ₦23 million, assaulted workers, and forcibly chased employees of Atolans Resources Limited from the land.
Hammed alleged that the defendants also unlawfully entered the property in possession of Atolans Resources Limited, which was represented in court by one Adelani Adesope.
He said the defendants committed the alleged offences between January and November 2024 at Victoria Garden City, Kilometer 8, Old Oyo Road, Ibadan.
Hammed said the offences contravened Section 383 and are punishable under Sections 81, 249(d), 390(9), 451, and 516 of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Magistrate Maaruf Mudashiru granted them bail in the sum of ₦5 million each, with one surety each in like sum.
The magistrate adjourned the case until Aug. 7 for hearing.(NAN)
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday arraigned an estate agent, Ntai Bagshaw, for allegedly defrauding accommodation seekers of N70 million.
Bagshaw appeared before an Ikeja Special Offences Court alongside his company, Terraworks Ltd.
, on a two-count charge of obtaining money under false pretences and stealing.The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
EFCC counsel, Mrs Fadeke Giwa, urged the court to remand the defendant pending hearing and determination of his bail application.
Giwa also prayed the court for a trial date.
Justice Ismail Ijelu ordered that the defendant should be kept at the Ikoyi custodial facility.
He adjourned the case until May 13 for hearing of bail application of the defendant.
EFCC is alleging that the defendant, with intent to defraud, obtained under false pretences, money meant for payment for a detached Duplex on Renat Axis in Ogudu GRA, Lagos State.
The commission also alleged that the defendant unlawfully converted the sum to his personal use.
According to EFCC, the offences contravene Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act No. 14 of 2006, and Section 278(2)(b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos state, 2011. (NAN)
An Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court on Thursday remanded a man, Erickson Iyanagbe for allegedly defiling a 15-year-old minor (names withheld).
Iyanagbe was arraigned by the Lagos State Government on a one-count charge of defilement.
The defendant, whose residential address was not given, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Justice Abiola Soladoye ordered the the remand of the defendant at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre pending the commencement of trial and determination of the case.
Soladoye adjourned the case until July 9 for the commencement of trial.
The State Counsel, Mrs Ibukun Ibikunle told the court that the defendant allegedly committed the offence sometimes in 2023 on Chosen Avenue, Greenville Estate in Ajah, Lagos.
Ibikunle alleged that the defendant defiled the minor by having an unlawful sexual intercourse with her.
The
prosecutor said the offence contravened Section 137 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015. (NAN)
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