JUDICIARY
Kebbi Jubilates, as Malami Retains Justice Portfolio
From Haruna Aliyu Usman, Birnin Kebbi
As president Buhari Wednesday inaugurated his cabinet who for the next four years will pilot the affairs of the country in their respective ministries, he has put to paid rumours making the rounds in Kebbi and outside that Abubakar Chika Malami would not retain his seat as minister of justice and the attorney general of the federation.
The people of Kebbi were pleasantly surprised as Malami got back on the driving seat to continue his ministerial duties of steering the justice sector for the next four years of Buhari’s government.
Few hours after the inauguration DAILY ASSET sought the views of people in Birnin Kebbi.
Hajiya Umaima, a Birnin Kebbi resident said Malami’s return was an act of God and his outstanding performance. She added that she was not surprised because of the confidence the President has reposed in the Minister. “what is left for all us to pray for him to succeed, his success is for the entire country not for kebbi alone,” Umaima said.
Another resident, Usman hailed the decision to return Malami because he was able to bring his legal expertise to bear on his official duties as cabinet minister, adding “we expect him to add to what he has done already in the justice ministry.”
He described Malami’s first four years as full of events and cited the funds repatriation committee which Malami spearheaded as one of his major breakthroughs in the country.
in his comment, Balkisu Abass said in the last four years of his reign as minister of justice, he courageously arraigned the then sitting -Senate president, Bukola Saraki and others in collaboration with the anti – graft agency, theEconomic and financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to fight corruption, he was instrumental to the fall of the former chief justice of the federation, Walter onnoghen, therefore giving him another chance to serve the nation is a welcome development.
She however, urged him to be transparent and uncompromising for him to succeed in the new dispensation.
Others who also spoke with DAILY ASSET were optimistic that Malami will rebrand the justice system in the country to benefit the common man in and advised him to strive to reduce corruption and redirect efforts to quick dispensation of justice to all category of people which will go along way in de-congesting prisons across the country.
Malami who was a governorship aspirant during the 2015 election was rumoured to have been persuaded by Buhari to step down for the incumbent governor, Atiku Bagudu.
Sources in Kebbi’s political circles said Malami might eventually take another shot at the Governorship of the state when the next opportunity presents itself.
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.
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). 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)
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