JUDICIARY
Strike: NBA Optimistic Courts will Re-open Soon

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has expressed the optimism that the protracted strike by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) will be called off soon.
The JUSUN had, on April 6, embarked on an indefinite strike to press home its demand for implementation of full financial autonomy for the judiciary.
In a statement signed by its President, Mr Olumide Akpata, the NBA said that recent developments indicated that the strike would soon end.
It noted that the strike had taken its toll on NBA members and urged them to remain hopeful.
“The NBA leadership appreciates the sacrifices of its members and, once again, commends the efforts of its branches in standing firm, and putting pressure on state governments to obey the law in this regard.
“No doubt, the strike has taken its toll on our members whose activities revolve around the court system.
“As the strike enters its eighth week, I am happy to inform us that there is finally some light at the end of this tunnel.
“Following an all-stakeholders conciliation meeting held on Thursday May 20, 2021, an action plan was agreed to by all the parties for immediate implementation of financial autonomy for the judiciary, particularly in states,” it said.
The association listed the high points of the agreement to include state governors’ remittance to the judiciary in their respective states, the allocation due for the month of April 2021.
“JUSUN will suspend strike immediately upon receipt of the said allocation by the various state judiciaries.”
“In order to institutionalise this commitment, a fund management law detailing modalities for implementation of effective financial autonomy for the judiciary will be enacted by all states of the federation within 45 days from the date of agreeing to the action plan.
“In light of the foregoing and in the expectation that all the parties will continue to exhibit utmost bonafides, we can, with cautious optimism, anticipate that the strike will be suspended in a few days and all courts in the land will consequently be reopened,” it said.
The association praised its members for perseverance, and sympathised with members of the public who had to bear the social and economic cost of the protracted strike in one way or the other.
“In these extremely perilous times, the hardship that this strike has occasioned for members of the public as well as lawyers, can only be better imagined.”
“Posterity will remember us all for enduring this hardship in the interest of a worthy cause,” it said. (NAN)
JUDICIARY
Woman, 42, Docked Over Alleged Theft Of Soft Drinks Worth N7.688m

A 42-year-old woman, Bukola Solademi, was on Friday arraigned before a Mapo Grade A Customary Court in Ibadan over alleged theft of carbonated drinks and bottled water valued at N7.688 million.
Solademi, however, pleaded not guilty to the one-count charge levelled against her.
The court’s President, Mrs O.
E. Owoseni, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N500,000, with two reliable sureties in like sum.Owoseni said that the sureties must be blood relatives, show evidence of three years tax payment to Oyo State government, present their National Identification Numbers and show evidence of ownership of landed property in Ibadan.
She, thereafter, adjourned the matter till July 4 for hearing.
The Prosecutor, Insp Ayodele Ayeni, had earlier told the court that the defendant committed the offence between March 2024 and April 2025 at Ibikunle, Ayeye area of Ibadan.
Ayeni further said that Solademi stole 12 packs of Bigi water valued at N14,750, 31; packs of big Eva water valued at N309,400, 176 and packs of Mr V water valued at N264,400.
He said that the defendant also stole 405 packs of Predator valued at N1.903,400 and 14 packs of Schewepps valued at N57,600.
The prosecutor listed other items allegedly stolen by the defendant to include: 244 packs of pet coke valued at N882,300; 20 packs of big American cola valued at N128,00012 and packs of Bigi Cola valued at N240,000.
The remaining items were one carton of Lacasera valued at N1,850,240,000; 34 cartons of Pepsi valued at N104,100; 100 cartons of Coca-cola valued at N520,000 and 243 cartons of Fearless valued at N992,300.
The other stolen drinks were: 75 cartons of Bigi Fanta valued at N240,000, 14 packs of Sosa drink valued at N4,000 and 395 packs of Bigi American cola valued at N1.422 million.
Ayeni said that the drinks belonged to one Ajoke Ayinde, a businesswoman.
According to him, the offence contravenes the provisions of section 390(9) of the Criminal Code, Cap. 38, Vol. II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000. (NAN)
JUDICIARY
3 People Docked For Alleged Assault, Causing Woman To Miscarry

Three men, Wasiu Ayanyemi, Ibtahim Adeniji and Oluwabunmi Owoyemi, were on Wednesday docked in an Ikorodu Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, for allegedly assaulting woman and causing her to miscarry.
The police charged Ayanyemi, 40; Adeniji, 49, and Owoyemi, 40, whose addresses were not disclosed with conspiracy to wit felony, breach of peace, and assault occasionally harm.
The three defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Prosecutor, ASP Aminu Isaac, said the offence were committed on May 8, at Benson bus-stop area of Ikorodu, Lagos State.
Isaac said the defendants assaulted a three-month pregnanr woman, Ms Adejoke Olusoj, causing her bodily harm and miscarriage
The prosecutor said the defendants also conducted themselves in a manner likely to cause breach of peace
He added the offence contravened the provisions of sections 411, 168(d), 173 and 245 of the Lagos State Criminal Law, 2015.
The Chief Magistrate, Mr B. A. Sonuga, admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N500,000 each, with two sureties in like sum.
Sonuga adjourned the case until June 16 for further mention. (NAN)
CRIME
Police Arraign Man For Alleged Assault

A 38-year-old man, Yusuf Olasunkanmi, was brought before an Ota Magistrates’ Court in Ogun on Monday, for allegedly assaulting another man with a blow.
Olasunkanmi, whose address was not provided, is facing three-count charges of assault, conspiracy and breach of peace.
The Prosecutor, Insp E.
O. Adaraloye, told the court that the defendant alongside others still at large, committed the offences on April 25, at about 5. 30p.m. at Atan Bus-Stop, Ota.Adaraloye alleged that the defendant and his accomplices conspired to conduct themselves in a manner likely to cause breach of peace by assaulting the complainant, Oke Solomon, with a fist of blow.
He added that the assault caused the complainant, a permanent injury.
The prosecutor said that the offences contravened Sections 351, 355 and 516 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun, 2006.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The Magistrate, Mrs O. O. Fadairo, granted bail to the defendant in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.
She ordered that the sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and be gainfully employed with evidence of tax payment to Ogun Government.
The case was adjourned to June 10, for further hearing. (NAN)