JUDICIARY
Obi, Labour Party to Call 50 Witnesses to Prove Petition Against Tinubu’s Election
The Labour Party (LP) and its Presidential Candidate Mr Peter Obi have told the Presidential Election Petition Court, (PEPC) that they will call no fewer than 50 witnesses to testify in their petition.
LP and Obi are challenging the election of Sen.
Bola Tinubu.Counsel to the petitioners, Prof.
Awa Kalu (SAN) said this on Saturday in Abuja at the resumed proceedings of the pre-hearing phase before the five justices of the court.“We still have a few hiccups at the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) because of the order of this court made on March 8, directing the commission to allow us carry out forensic investigation of BVAs which we have not been able to do.
”To this end, Kalu said that his clients would require seven weeks within which to present their petition in court.
The senior lawyer told the court that with regards to timing, his team was suggesting that 30 minutes be allotted to the witnesses classified as “star witnesses” to demonstrate any electronic evidence.
He, however, said that the 30 minutes excluded the time that would be used to demonstrate video evidence or any other electronic evidence.
“For this class of witnesses, they will be cross examined for 30 minutes by each respondent and re-examination will be for five minutes.
“In respect of other witnesses, we suggest 10 minutes for evidence-in-chief, 10 minutes for cross examination by each respondent and five minutes for re-examination.
“For the respondents, we suggest 20 minutes for the evidence-in-chief of their star witnesses, 30 minutes for cross examination and five minutes for re-examination.
“For their other witnesses, we suggest 20 minutes for evidence-in-chief, 15 minutes for cross examination and five minutes for re- examination.
He also suggested that where a respondent called a witness and other respondents wanted to cross examine such a witness, they would have to do so first before the petitioners take their turn.
Counsel to INEC, Mr Abubakar Mahmoud, SAN, said his client who conducted the disputed election planned to call five witnesses to defend the election of Tinubu.
Mahmoud told the court that his team would require seven days to argue the case of their client.
He said that the commission was proposing 30 minutes for its star witness to give the evidence-in-chief, 15 minutes for cross examination and five minutes for re- examination.
“For the regular witnesses, we propose 10 minutes for evidence-in-chief, 15 minutes for cross examination and five minutes for re-examination.”
He opposed the suggestion by the petitioners that a separate time be given to their expert witnesses for demonstration.
He also said that he was not aware of any hiccups between the petitioner and the commission as was alleged by the counsel to the petitioner.
Mr Roland Otaru, SAN, arguing for Tinubu and Shettima said that he would call 21 witnesses to defend his clients challenged victory excluding expert witnesses.
He requested that all expert reports be front loaded to the respondents within 48 hours.
On timing, he suggested that 20 minutes be allotted to expert witnesses for their evidence-in-chief, 30 minutes for cross examination and five minutes for re-examination.
“For regular witnesses, we suggest 10 minutes for evidence-in-chief, 15 minutes for cross examination and five minutes for re-examination.
Otaru prayed the court to make an order that the schedule of documents to be tendered should be exchanged between parties before the hearing.
For his part, Mr Adeniyi Akintola, SAN, counsel to the All Progressives Congress (APC) said that his client needed only nine days to call its seven witnesses excluding subpoenaed witnesses.
He agreed with the report of Otaru with regards to timing for each witness.
He, however, said that the petitioners had front loaded only three witness statements and wondered why they would need 49 days to call three witness from only three polling units.
The Chairman of the court, Justice Haruna Tsammani, having heard all arguments urged counsels to meet and reach an agreement on the issue of consolidating the petition.
He adjourned the matter until May 22 for continuation of pre-hearing.
The News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) reports that earlier, counsel to INEC had amongst others, moved an application for the court to strike out ground two of the petition.
NAN also reports that ground two of the petition states that the election of the Tinubu is invalid by reason of corrupt practices or non compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.
Counsel to the petitioners prayed the court to dismiss the application for lacking in merit.(NAN)
JUDICIARY
Court Remands Suspects Linked to Bello Turji in Kuje Correctional Centre
A Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, ordered the remand of four suspected terrorists linked to notorious bandit kingpin, Bello Turji, in Kuje Correctional Centre.
Justice Emeka Nwite, in a short ruling, made the order after the defendants pleaded not guilty to the 11-count charge bordering on terrorism.
Justice Nwite consequently adjourned the matter until Feb.
10 for trial.Report says that the four suspects; Musa Muhammad Kamarawa; Abubakar Hashimu, a.
k.a. Doctor; Samuel Chinedu and Lucky Chukwuma, denied their involvement in the offences with which they were charged when the 11 counts were read to them.Report had earlier said that though eight defendants were listed on the face of the charge, three of them, including Bello Turji, were at large.
However, shortly after the court registrar called the case, only four defendants were in court.
Justice Nwite then asked about the whereabouts of Bashir Abdullahi, who is the 3rd defendant.
David Kaswe, who appeared for the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), told the court that Abdullahi was also at large.
Kaswe, who acknowledged the mistake, apologised to the court.
The lawyer, therefore, sought the leave of the court to enter “at large” for Abdullahi and the judge granted the oral application after it was not opposed by the defence lawyers.
NAN reports that the FG, through the office of the AGF, had filed the 11-count charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/633/2024 against the eight defendants, four of who are at large.
In the charge dated and filed on Dec. 16 by M.B. Abubakar, Director, Department of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Musa Muhammad Kamarawa; Abubakar Hashimu, a.k.a. Doctor; Samuel Chinedu and Lucky Chukwuma were sued as 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th defendants.
While Bashir Abdullahi, Bello Turji, Aminu Muhammad and Sani Lawal, who are all at large, are sued as 3rd, 6th, 7th and 8th defendants respectively.
Upon resumed hearing, Kaswe informed the court that the matter was scheduled for arraignment of the defendants and that they were ready to proceed.
He said the defendants had been duly served with the charge.
“We have 11-count charge. May I seek the leave of the court for the charge to be read to the defendants,” he prayed.
But A.M. Lukman, who appeared for the 1st, 2nd and 4th defendants (Kamarawa, Hashimu and Chinedu), told the court that a preliminary objection had been filed against the charge.
The lawyer urged the court to hear their objection.
“What is the objection all about?” Justice Nwite asked.
Responding, Lukman said: “It is on the issue of territorial jurisdiction of this honourable court my lord “
“Is that what the law says,” the judge asked.
Kaswe, who represented the AGF, opposed Lukman’s application on the ground that it was not ripe for hearing.
“Counsel has just served me with the application this morning. It is not ripe for hearing my lord,” he argued.
Justice Nwite, who aligned with Kaswe’s submission, directed the charge to be read to the defendants.
Hashimu, a.k.a. Doctor, however told the court that he did not understand English Language and the counts were read in English and Hausa to the defendants to take their plea.
After they pleaded not guilty to the counts, A.I. Mohammed, who appeared for the 5th defendant (Chukwuma), sought a short adjournment to enable them file their clients’ bail application.
But the judge assured them that the aplkication would be heard as soon as they were ready.
In count one, Musa Muhammad Kamarawa; Abubakar Hashimu, aka Doctor; Bashir Abdullahi; Samuel Chinedu; Lucky Chukwuma; Bello Turji (at large); Aminu Muhammad (at large) and Sani Lawal (at large), sometime between 2018 and 2022 in Sokoto State, were alleged to have conspired among themselves to commit the terror act.
They were alleged to have provided material services to terrorists groups led by Turji, Kachalla Halilu, Danbokolo, Lawali, Atarwatse, Buderi and others, by procuring and supplying illicit drugs, including penta injections and cannabis plants (aka indian hemp); food items; military and police uniforms, camouflage.
They were also alleged to have supplied , boots, caps and building materials, including bags of cement, cover zinc, bags of nails, M.M. iron rod, etc., to terrorist camps in the forests located in Zamfara, Sokoto and Kaduna States.
The offence is said to be contrary to Section 17 of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013 and punishable under the same section of the Act.
In count four, Kamarawa, Muhammad (at large) and Lawal (at large), sometime in 2021 in Sokoto State, allegedly aided and abetted the commission of acts of terrorism by acquiring a military gun truck from Libya and supplying same to a terrorist, Kachalla Halilu, at a cost of approximately N28.5 million (28,500,000).
They were alleged to have paid for the gun truck partly in cash and partly via electronic transfer.
“And which you knew or had reason to believe that this vehicle would be used by Kachalla Halilu, a known terrorist, to commit acts of terrorism.
“You thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 (a) of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013 and punishable under the same section of the Act,” the count read in part.
The offence is contrary to Section 8 (1) (b) of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013 and punishable under the same section of the Act.(NAN)
JUDICIARY
Man Sentenced to Death with Reprieve for Driving car Into Crowd
A man who drove a car into a crowd in Changde City, central China’s Hunan Province, was sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve on Monday for endangering public safety by dangerous means.
On Nov. 19, Huang Wen crashed a car into a crowd in Dingcheng District of Changde after the vehicle stopped, he exited the car and continued attacking people, leaving 30 injured, including 18 students.
Changde Intermediate People’s Court found that Huang committed the crime as a result of investment losses and family conflicts, acting out in an attempt to vent his frustrations.
(www.nannews.ng) (Xinhua/NAN)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)