JUDICIARY
Lalong Vows to Sign Death Warrant for Convicted Kidnappers

From Jude Dangwam, Jos
Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong has vowed to sign death warrant for anyone convicted for kidnapping in the state. He regretted that kidnapping in the state was fast becoming an industry.
Lalong stated this at the weekend, when he swore in the substantive President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Barrister Sati Patrick Dapit and five judges of the State High Court and Customary Court of Appeal in Jos.
“This situation perhaps emboldens the continuous onslaught on the citizens by kidnappers.
While we are addressing the issue with the police relating to arrest, investigation and prosecution, I want to appeal to our Judges to be very firm in trying such Cases when brought before them as Kidnapping is fast becoming an Industry with no one immune from the menace.“As Governor, I have promised to sign the Death Warrant in respect of anyone convicted of kidnapping which is giving our people sleepless nights, driving away prospective Investors and further impoverishing our people. Many of them are forced to pay ransoms to secure the release of loved ones which is making people afraid to pursue their legitimate businesses including farming,” Lalong stated.
He cautioned the new judges to discharge their duties without compromise, “I advise you to be mindful of the attempts to compromise your integrity and impartiality by people who will approach you with tempting proposals of all sorts. As those who have the rare privilege to determine the fate of people that appear before you, be careful not to abuse this precious trust.
“In as much as you have this privilege, you should also realise that you are not above reproach and can be held responsible for your actions by both man and God. Therefore, I advise you to strive to write your name in Gold by abiding to the ethos of your professional calling at all times during your career,” he advised
Responding on behalf of the new judges, the President, Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Sati Patrick Dapit promised that they will do their best to live up to the oath of their office and the ethics of the legal profession.
The sworn-in judges are Hon. Justices Naankwat Dawat Shaseet; Buetnaan Mandy Dongban Bassi, (Plateau State High Court) Pauline Nanlep Njar, Edwin Sati Munlang and Georgina Dashe (Customary Court of Appeal).
CRIME
Woman, 31, Docked Over Alleged Theft of iPhone Worth N500,000

A 31-year-old woman, Opeyemi Bakare, on Tuesday appeared before an Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing an iPhone valued at N500,000.
Bakare, of undisclosed address, was charged with two counts of conspiracy and stealing .
The prosecutor, Insp Iyabo Oladoyin, told the court that the defendant and others at large conspired and committed the offences on May 2 at 3.
30 p. m. in the Dugbe area of Ibadan.According to Oladoyin, the defendant stole an iPhone 12 valued at N505,000, belonging to the complainant, Mr Oluseyi Oba.
The prosecutor said the phone was stolen in Dugbe Market and was tracked to the defendant.
She said the offences contravened Sections 390 (9) and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Magistrate, Mrs T.G. Daodu, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of one million naira with two sureties in like sum.
Daodu thereafter adjourned the case until July 8 for hearing. (NAN)
A 31-year-old woman, Opeyemi Bakare, on Tuesday appeared before an Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing an iPhone valued at N500,000.
Bakare, of undisclosed address, was charged with two counts of conspiracy and stealing .
The prosecutor, Insp Iyabo Oladoyin, told the court that the defendant and others at large conspired and committed the offences on May 2 at 3.30 p.m. in the Dugbe area of Ibadan.
According to Oladoyin, the defendant stole an iPhone 12 valued at N505,000, belonging to the complainant, Mr Oluseyi Oba.
The prosecutor said the phone was stolen in Dugbe Market and was tracked to the defendant.
She said the offences contravened Sections 390 (9) and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Magistrate, Mrs T.G. Daodu, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of one million naira with two sureties in like sum.
Daodu thereafter adjourned the case until July 8 for hearing. (NAN)
CRIME
Prostitute Docked for Allegedly Stabbing Her Colleague

A 40 – year old prostitute, Adeosun Adepeju was on Tuesday arraigned before an Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stabbing her colleague in the stomach during work period.
Adepeju of undisclosed address was standing trial on a count charge bordering on assault.
She pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Prosecuting Counsel, Cpl.
Helen Ojo told the court that Adepeju on May 21, at about 12:30 a.m., at Ring road area, Ibadan, stabbed her colleague, Stella Mago with scissors in her stomach.Ojo said that the stabbing caused the complainant bodily harm.
She added that the offence contravened Section 335 of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State 2000.
The Magistrate, Mrs M. M. Olagbenro admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N300, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
Olagbenro adjourned the matter until May 30, for hearing. (NAN)
JUDICIARY
Ex-CBN Aide reveals No Records of Alleged $400,000 Received for Emefiele

The seventh prosecution witness, Mr John Adetola, told an Ikeja High Court that he did not document the alleged $400,000 he handed to the former Central Bank Governor (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.
Adetola, an executive assistant to the former CBN governor, said this on Monday while being cross-examined by Emefiele’s lead counsel, Mr Olalekan Ojo (SAN), in the ongoing trial of Emefiele.
Emefiele is standing trial on a 19-count charge bordering on receiving gratification and corrupt demands.
Emefiele’s co-defendant, Henry Omoile, is facing a three-count charge bordering on unlawful acceptance of gifts by agents.
Adetola, also admitted that he did not present any WhatsApp chat or telephone conversation to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), informing Emefiele about collecting the $400,000 on his behalf.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Adetola had, in his evidence-in-chief testified that he delivered $400,000 to Emefiele.
However, under cross-examination, Adetola admitted that he did not keep any record of the alleged $400,000 receipt.
He narrated that in 2018, Mr Eric Odoh sent him a WhatsApp message instructing him to collect the sum from one John Ayoh and hand it over to Emefiele when he arrived in Lagos.
“I went to John Ayoh’s house at Lekki; he gave me an envelope. I came back to the office and gave it to the former CBN governor,” the witness said.
The witness also told the court that in his extrajudicial statement, made while in EFCC custody, he did not mention any WhatsApp or telephone conversation with Emefiele regarding the $400,000.
Adetola denied any agreement with the EFCC to testify against Emefiele in exchange for immunity from prosecution.
He added that the EFCC confronted him with WhatsApp printouts related to the alleged money.
While being cross-examined by Mr Adeyinka Kotoye (SAN), counsel to the second defendant, the witness confirmed he had no dealings with the second defendant in relation to his testimony.
During re-examination by EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), the witness was asked why he did not document the $400,000 he allegedly collected on Emefiele’s behalf.
“I didn’t see any need for it,” he replied.
Justice Rahman Oshodi thereafter discharged the witness and adjourned the case until May 27 for continuation of trial. (NAN)