JUDICIARY
Lalong Congratulates Archbishop Audu At 61, Justice Mensem Over Nomination

From Jude Dangwam, Jos
The Plateau State Governor and Chairman, Northern Governor’s Forum, Simon Lalong has congratulated the new Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Jos in Nigeria, His Grace, Most Rev Dr. Matthew Ishaya Audu on his 61st Birthday.
He described the Archbishop as an epitome of humility, selflessness and godliness who often stands for truth and justice, given voice to the voiceless and reaching out to the poor at all times.
He wished the Chief Shepard God’s protection and good health.
In a congratulatory message signed by his Director of Press and Public Affairs Dr. Makut Simon Macham, Lalong stated that the people of Plateau State particularly Catholics were happy to have him in the State again after his early years of service on the Plateau.
“His Grace, is a man that is well-loved for many reasons. He stands for truth and justice and always speaks for the poor while reaching out to them at every available opportunity. He continues to inspire us all with the word of God and also living an exemplary life” hr said.
Governor Lalong in another related development also congratulated Her Lordship, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem the Acting President, Court of Appeal over her nomination by President Muhammadu Buhari to the Senate for confirmation as substantive President of the Court of Appeal.
Lalong had earlier on asked citizens of the State to pray for her confirmation during the Church service to mark the 2020 Democracy Day and 5th year in office held at Government House Chapel in Jos.
He said Plateau state was appreciative of the President for doing the needful stressing that with the pedigree of Justice Mensem, “She is going to do the Nation, Plateau State, her family and the Judiciary proud by upholding the tenets of justice, truth and integrity”.
He called on the Senators representing Plateau State at the to give her all the necessary support needed to have a smooth screening exercise.
Lalong also thanked the National Judicial Council for recommending her and wished her well as she prepared to undergo screening at the Senate, saying he had no fears that she would give a good account of herself as she has done in the past.
JUDICIARY
Teenager in Court Over Alleged Shop Breaking, Theft

A 19-year-old man, Yakubu Abdullahi, was on Wednesday arraigned before an Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly breaking into a shop and stealing goods worth N565,000
Abdullahi, whose address was not provided, is standing trial on a two-count charge of shop breaking and stealing.
The prosecutor, Insp Olasunkanmi Bamikole, told the court that the defendant and others at large committed the offences on June 6 at about 2.
00 p.m. in Ado-Ekiti.He alleged that the defendant broke into the shop of one Ekundayo Idowu and stole a cash sum of N420,000 and goods valued at N145,000.
He said the total amount of items stolen was N565,000.
According to him, the offences contravened Section 324(1) and (2) and 302(1) (a) of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.
He urged the court to adjourn the case to enable him study the case file and assemble his witnesses.
Counsel to the defendant, Mr Femi Olarewaju, urged the court to grant the defendant bail, with a promise that he would not jump bail.
In her ruling, the Chief Magistrate, Mrs Adefunke Anoma, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N50,000 with one surety in like sum.
She adjourned the case until July 1 for hearing. (NAN)
CRIME
Court Remands 3 men for Alleged Defilement of 16-year-old Girl

An Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court on Tuesday remanded three men at the Ikoyi Custodial Centre for allegedly defiling a 16-year-old girl (name withheld).
The state government arraigned Owhe Oghenero, Kingsley Oni, and Olorunwa Abina on a one-count charge of defilement.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Justice Rahman Oshodi thereafter remanded them at the Ikoyi Custodial Centre, where they were currently being held.
Oshodi adjourned the case until Oct. 27 for commencement of trial.
Earlier, the state counsel, Ms Bukola Okeowo, told the court that the defendants committed the offence sometime in 2023 at Aradagun Area in Badagry, Lagos.
Okeowo alleged the defendants defiled the girl, by having unlawful sexual intercourse with her.
She said the prosecution would present five witnesses against the defendant.
According to the prosecution, the alleged offence contravenes Section 137 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.(NAN)
JUDICIARY
Woman in Court for Allegedly Hitting Sister With Log of Wood

A 35-year-old woman, Jennifer Monday, was on Tuesday charged before a Kaduna Magistrates Court for allegedly hitting her sister (Ruth John) with a log of wood.
The defendant, who lives at of Maraba Rido Kaduna, is facing a two-count of assault and causing grievous hurt.
The Prosecutor, Insp. Chidi Leo, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on June 6 at about 7.
00 p. m. at her residence.He said the complainant went to the defendant’s house to discuss their sick mother and in the process an altercation ensued in which the defendant hit her sister on the head with a log of wood.
Leo said the complainant was rushed to the hospital and reported the matter to the police, leading to the arrest of the defendant.
He said that the offences contravened Sections 58 and 284 of the penal Code of Kaduna State, 2017.
Section 58 attracts one year prison term if found guilty, while Section 284 attracts a prison term not less than five years if found guilty.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Magistrate, Ibrahim Emmanuel, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N200,000 with one surety in like sum.
Emmanuel ordered that the surety must be a blood relation to the defendant and should submit four recent passport photographs to the court.
He further ordered that the surety must show evidence of tax payment from the Kaduna Government.
He adjourned the case until July 20, for hearing.(NAN)