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JUDICIARY

Nasarawa Assembly Heads to Appeal Court Against Ex-SSG

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Nasarawa State Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule
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From Beauty John ,  Lafia

The Nasarawa state house of Assembly said it was prepared appeal in a higher court, the judgement nullifying the indictment of the former Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Aliyu Ahmed Tijjani over alleged N248.5m unaccounted funds for school projects in the state.

Speaker of the house, Rt Hon Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi,  made this known, while addressing Newsmen in Lafia, the state capital, Saturday.

DAILY ASSET recalls that on June 2, 2020, the state House of Assembly had indicted Tijjani. An ad-hoc committee was set up to investigate the release of N1billion for the renovation and fencing of public secondary schools in the state when Tijjani was the the commissioner for Education.

Following the indictment, the  assembly recommended the sacking of the former SSG and insisted that he refunded  over N248.5 million as unaccounted funds to the state government coffers

Balarabe said the house suspects foul play in the judgement granted in Tijjani’s favor by the High Court in Akwanga.

The speaker reiterated that to some of them, they were not surprised over the court judgement and they did not expect anything less than the Judgement delivered yesterday.

“This is because we asked series of questions that the former SSG works and resides in Lafia and we have many courts in Lafia and what informed his decision to take the matter to the High Court in Akwanga?” he asked.

“So we could not get a definite answer but with the outcome of the judgement  yesterday, our question is best answered,” he stated.

“It beats one’s imagination to notice that the former SSG even had prior notice of what the outcome will look like as he went with his supporters to celebrate the judgment before the court’s decision, think about it, it is clear,” he added.

The speaker said the House was surprised by the judgement that the former SSG was not given a fair hearing.

“Some of you the journalists are present when we invited the former SSG to the plenary over the issue, he promised that he will take all responsibility of his actions”.

” And from that, I have also set up a committee to investigate the matter  in which they have invited him and he had also  promised again that he will take responsibility of any infraction,” he added.

When asked if he is aware that the corruption allegation against the former SSG is before the EFCC, he said ” I cannot speak for the EFCC.

” We have already uncovered corruption allegation against the former SSG, so EFCC is an independent government agency doing its job at its level which I will not comment on that ” he said.

The speaker reiterated that the House had confidence in the Court of Appeal and would get the right judgement accordingly, while calling on the people of the state to remain calm and be law abiding over the issue.

“I have directed our counsel to study the judgement and we will appeal the judgement, and I assure you we will get good judgment at the higher level, this is just a court of first instance, so we will go to the higher ladder” he said.

It would be recalled that on Aug.7, 2020, a High Court sitting in Akwanga, Nasarawa State declared the indictment of former SSG, Alhaji Aliyu Tijjani over alleged N284.5 million fraud by the House of Assembly as null and void with reference to Fair hearing.

Tijjani challenged the decision of the House especially its recommendation that led to his sack by Gov. Abdullahi Sule on June 8, 2020.

Delivering judgment, Justice Mustapha Ramat, nullified the decision of the House on the grounds that it failed to afford the SSG fair hearing in the matter.

JUDICIARY

Pastor Arraigned over Alleged Rape of Married Woman in Edo

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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.

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JUDICIARY

Court Bars Bello from Acting as Nasarawa APC Chairman

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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).

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JUDICIARY

Unemployed Man Arraigned for Allegedly Impersonating Military Officer

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 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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