JUDICIARY
Plateau Tribunal Dismisses PDP’s Petition, Declares Lalong Winner

The Plateau Governorship Elections Petitions tribunal in Jos on Wednesday affirmed the election of Gov. Simon Lalong.Sen. Jeremiah Useni of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is challenging the election of Lalong in the March 9, governorship poll.
Useni prayed the tribunal to declare him winer of the elections alleging the disparity in the names supplied by Gov. Lalong in form CF001. Delivering judgment, a panel three justices led by Justice Halima Salami, held that the petitioners could did not adequately prove their case.The tribunal held that the information made in form CF001 by Lalong bothering on the disparity of name, was not fundamental in nature.The tribunal also held that the petitioners, failed to prove their allegation of electoral irregularities bothering on falsifications of results and over voting against Lalong and the All Progressives Congress (APC).Speaking after judgment, Mr Pius Akuboh, SAN, Counsel to the APC and Gov Lalong, commended the tribunal for the verdict.Akuboh said that the tribunal commendably dealt with all the issues raised raised and canvassed by the parties from all angles.“This include the qualification of the second respondent to contest the election, allegation of over voting, corrupt practices and non compliance to electoral law.“Painstakingly the tribunal considered interlocutory matters raised by the respective counsels to the parties.“We are satisfied that the judgment is in our favour specifically with respect to the qualification of the governor.“The tribunal unequivocally found as a fact that the governor did not give false information fundamental nature in aid of of his qualification,” he stated.Also speaking, Mr Edward Pwajok, SAN, Counsel to Useni and the PDP, said that they were not satisfied with the verdict of the tribunal.”There are many bus stops in judiciary and that we will challenge the verdict in a higher court.“The tribunal has done its work but it is long journey, today’s verdict is just a first step.“However, we appreciate the people of Plateau and to state that the first petitioner, Sen. J.T. Useni remains confident in the Nigerian judiciary.“Thank God there are higher levels as the judgement itself has already formulate many grounds for appeal. “Because some of the findings were not in sink with the conclusion reached.“For instance, on the issue of the qualification of the governor, the tribunal found out that the lied on oath on the information he supplied in form CF00,” he stated. (NAN)CRIME
3 Docked for Allegedly Breaking into Bank, Stealing Laptops

Three men, Olufemi Faleti, 59, Ayoade Adewale 41 and Idowu Yusuf, 41, on Friday, were brought before an Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court Ibadan charged with breaking into a bank and stealing laptops.
The defendants,whose addresses were not provided, were charged with conspiracy, house breaking and stealing, to which they pleaded not guilty.
The Prosecutor, Insp Elisha Tellang told the court that the defendants allegedly committed the offences on March 24, at 7:30 p.
m, at First Bank, Asogo, Oyo.He alleged that the defendants broke into the bank and stole two laptops worth N800, 000.
Tellang said the offences contravened Sections 516, 413 and 390(9) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
The Magistrate, Mrs Moyosore Atanda granted each defendant bail in the sum of N300,000 and with two sureties each in like sum.
She adjourned the case until Sept. 8, for hearing. (NAN)
CRIME
Ex-convict Bags 2 years Imprisonment for Stealing Speaker, Mobile Phone

An Ota Magistrate’s Court in Ogun, on Friday, sentenced a 21-year-old ex-convict, Habeeb Jimoh, to two years imprisonment for stealing a Zealot speaker, Infinix mobile phone and other goods worth N595,000.
In her judgment, the Magistrate, Mrs O.
O.
Fadairo, sentenced the convict to two years imprisonment without an option of fine.Fadairo said that the prosecution counsel had proven beyond reasonable doubt that he was guilty of the charge preferred against him.
The convict, of no fixed address, had pleaded not guilty to the charge of stealing.
Earlier, the Prosecutor, Insp. E. O. Adaraloye, told the court that the convict committed the offence on May 28, at about 3.
00 a.m. at Singer area, Ewupe in Sango-Ota.Adaraloye said that the security guard identified him after stealing a Zealot speaker, an Infinix phone and other items, worth N595,000, after which he fled.
According to him, the offence contravenes Section 390 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ogun, 2006. (NAN)
CRIME
Man Bangs 7 years Imprisonment for Drug Trafficking

A Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday convicted and sentenced a 24-year-old man, Emmanuel Chekwube, to seven years imprisonment for drug trafficking.
Justice Lewis Allagoa sentenced the convict after he had pleaded guilty to the four-count charge of drug trafficking.
Allagoa, however, gave the convict an option of five million naira fine.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) had arraigned Chekwube on charges of conspiracy, illegal storage of restricted drug, unlawful use of premises to store banned narcotics and unlawful deal in narcotics.
He had pleaded guilty to the charges.
Following his plea, the Prosecutor, Ms M.
I. Erondu, reviewed the facts of the case and tendered several exhibits before the court, such as: a statement of the defendant, a drug analysis form and packaging of substance form.Also tendered were: remnant of the narcotics, request for scientific aid form and transparent pouch, among others.
The prosecutor then urged the court to convict the defendant based on his plea as well as the evidences adduced.
Consequently, the judge convicted the defendant as charged.
Before the sentence, the defence had prayed the court to tamper justice with mercy, saying that as his client was a first time offender and that he would turn a new leaf.
Delivering his verdict afterwards, Allagoa sentenced Chekwube to seven years imprisonment on each count, which, he said, would run concurrently.
He, however, gave the convict an option of five million naira fine.
In the charge, the convict was said to have committed the offences on May 7 at Amukoko, Ijora area of Lagos.
He was said to have used the premises to engage in illegal storage of 56.2 kg Tramadol Hydrochloride, 1.2 kg Nitrazepam and 72g of Swinol
All the substances are said to have been listed in the NDLEA schedule as banned narcotics, thus contravening the provisions of Sections 12 and 14(b) of NDLEA Act, 2004. (NAN)