JUDICIARY
Kogi CJ, Justice Ajanah Dies at 64
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The Chief Judge of Kogi State, Justice Nasiru Ajanah is dead. Ajanah died in Abuja at the early hours of today, Sunday, 28, June, 2020 following a brief illness.
The sad incident is another calamity that had bedeviled Kogi Judiciary barely one week the judicial arm of Kogi government lost the Present of Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Ibrahim Shaibu Atadoga.
According to Judiciary source made available to journalists in Lokoja, Late justice Ajanah, aged 64 died early hours of Sunday in Abuja Hospital.
Late Justice Nasir Ajanah was born in 1956 to the family of Alhaji MJ Fari Ajanah in Okene Local Government Area of Kogi State.
His educational career started with the Native Authority (Central) Primary School Okene where he had his Primary Education between 1962 and 1968.
He proceeded to the prestigious Federal Government College, Keffi in 1969 and graduated in 1973 and got admitted to do his Higher School Certificate (HSC) at the same College between 1974 and 1975.
He was admitted into the faculty of Law, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria where he graduated with LL.B Hons.
Late Ajanah proceeded further to the Nigerian Law School and passed his Bar Examination in flying Colors and was called to the Nigerian Bar as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
Late Justice Ajanah started his working career, after a successful National Youth Service, with Kwara State Ministry of Justice where he served as State Counsel between 1982 and 1984.
He later set up his private firm, NASIRU AJANAH & CO., in Okene where he practiced his law between 1985 and 1989.
He was later appointed by the then Kwara State Government as a Judge of Kwara State High Court in 1990, his appointment was transferred to Kogi State in 1991 when the State was created.
As a High Court Judge he had served in several jurisdictions across the State, such as Ankpa Between 1991 and 1993; Isanlu between 1994 and 1996; Okene between 1996 and 1999 and Lokoja from 1999 to date.
Late Justice Ajanah had served in various capacity such as Chairman, Kabba disturbance tribunal in Kogi State (1994); Chairman, Election petition tribunal in Adamawa State (1998); Member of Governing of Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (1999 and 2006.
JUDICIARY
Woman in Court for Allegedly Damaging N2.5m Shop
One Mrs Subomi Kalejaye, on Thursday, appeared before an Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court, Ibadan, for allegedly damaging a shop worth N2.5 million.
Kalejaye, whose address was not provided, is charged with malicious damage and conduct likely to cause breach of peace.
She, however, pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Sgt.
Samuel Owolabi, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on Dec. 9, about 11.49 a.m. at Jericho area of Ibadan.Owolabi said that the defendant maliciously damaged a shop belonging to one Ajomale Ibrahim.
He added that the defendant conducted herself in a manner likely to cause breach of peace by engaging in the act.
According to him, the offences contravene Sections 249(d) and 451 of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
The Magistrate, Mrs Gladys Oladele, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
Oladele adjourned the case until Jan. 27, 2025, for hearing. (NAN)
JUDICIARY
Woman Arraigned for Alleged N6.8m Theft
A 41-year-old woman, who allegedly stole N6.8 million from a company, has appeared before an Ojo Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State.
Irene Onyechi appeared before the Magistrate, Mrs O. M. Ogun, on a count charge of stealing.
She, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The prosecutor, Insp Esther Adesulu, told the court that the defendant committed the offence from June to September.
Adesulu said that the defendant stole from the New Concept Pharmacy located at Ojo.
The alleged offence contravenes Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The court granted the defendant bail in the sum of one million Naira with two sureties in like sum
It adjourned the case until Jan.
16, 2025 for mention. (NAN)JUDICIARY
Alleged N110bn Fraud: Court Admits ex-Kogi Governor to N500m Bail
A Federal Capital Territory High Court on Thursday, admitted former Governor of Kogi , Yahaya Bello to bail in the sum of N500 million with three sureties in like sum.Justice Maryann Anenih had, on Dec. 10, refused the ex-governor’s bail application, saying it was filed prematurely.Delivering the initial ruling, she said, having been filed when Bello was neither in custody nor before the court, the application was incompetent.
There was, however room for the governor’s lawyers to file a fresh application for bail and apply for hearing date. The former governor is facing an alleged money laundering trial to the tune of N110bn, along with two others.He had pleaded not guilty to the 16-count charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.At the resumed hearing on Thursday , Counsel for the former governor, Joseph Daudu, SAN, informed the court that the defence counsel had filed a further affidavit in response to the counter affidavit filed and served by the prosecution counsel.He applied to withdraw the further affidavit, saying, “We do not want to make the matter contentious.”There was no objection from the prosecution counsel, Olukayode Enitan, SAN. The court, therefore, granted the application for withdrawal, striking out the further affidavit.Daudu, also informed the court that discussions had taken place with the leader of the prosecution counsels, resulting in an agreement to ensure a speedy trial.In light of this understanding, Daudu urged the court to grant the bail application.He further requested that if the court would graciously grant the Defendant bail, the court should kindly review the bail conditions for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd defendants.He urged the court to broaden the scope of properties to be used as bail sureties to include locations across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), rather than limiting the location solely to Maitama.The prosecution counsel, Enitan SAN, acknowledged that Daudu SAN had been in talks with the prosecution team.In accordance with the Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC), the EFCC Counsel gave assurance of their cooperation in expediting the trial.He said, “I confirm the evidence given by the distinguished member of the bar that is leading the Defence, J.B. Daudu, SAN, that he has been in conversation with the leader of the prosecuting team.“It is legal tradition that we should cooperate with members of the bar when it does not affect the course of justice.”We have decided not to make this contentious, bearing in mind that no matter how industrious the defence counsel might be in pushing forward the application for bail and no matter how vociferous the prosecution counsel can argue against the bail application, your lordship is bound by your discretion to grant or not to grant the application.“We are therefore leaving this to your lordship’s discretion.”Delivering her ruling, Justice Anenih acknowledged that the offence Bello was charged with was a bailable one and granted the ex-governor bail in the sum of N500 million, with three sureties in like sum.The sureties must be notable Nigerians with landed property in Maitama, Jabi, Utako, Apo, Guzape, Garki and Asokoro.Bello was also asked to deposit his international passport and other travel documents with the court.He is to remain in Kuje Correctional Centre until the bail conditions are met.Daudu also prayed for the variation of the 2nd defendant ‘ bail condition.Z.E Abbas, counsel for the third defendant filed a motion on Dec. 17 for variation of bail conditions and urged the court to grant the application.This variation is based on landed property which earlier restricted them to only Maitama.The prosecution did not object.The judge granted their prayers and granted the property location as Yahaya Bello ‘s.The second and the third defendants were earlier admitted to bail in the sum of N300m each with two surgeries in.like sum with property at Maitama.The case was adjourned until Jan. 29. (NAN))