JUDICIARY
Tribunal: Ortom Optimistic of Victory, as PDP Opens Defence

From Chris Gaga, Makurdi
Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has said he is optimistic of victory at the governorship tribunal in a case filed by Emmanuel Jime of the All Progressives Congress(APC) against his re-election.
Gov. Ortom spoke to Journalists shortly after he closed his defence through his Counsel, Sabastine Hon (SAN), in the same petition on Saturday.
DAILY ASSET reports that Ortom appeared in court on Saturday, day after his lone witness had testified before the governorship tribunal.
He said he was confident that the governorship elections that re-elected him were free and fair.
Earlier at resumption of hearing in Court on Saturday, counsel to the
Governor, Sebastine Hon, SAN, told the court that Governor Ortom had closed his case after taking a look at the evidence of the petitioners.
Hon also noted that the burden to prove the petition rests on Jime who is the petition.
“We have critically look ed at the evidence so far led by the petitioners and we have come to the inevitable conclusion that we need not call any more witnesses.
“The burden (of proof) is on my learned brother and his team (for the petitioners). We hereby close the case of the 2nd Respondent,” Hon told the Tribunal.
Ortom’s Counsel also applied for the Registers of Voters tendered by Jime. He was however, told by the Tribunal to make a formal written application and it would be granted.
The Tribunal Chairman, Honourable Justice Henry Olusiyi, therefore adjourned the petition for Monday, August 19, 2019 for the defence of the 3rd Respondent.
Sabastine Hon again told reporters after sitting that Ortom has done
justice to his case.
“We are very hopeful. In our humble estimation, in the course of cross-examination we did justice to the case of the 2nd Respondent.
“Under our laws, the petitioners have the sole and singular duty to prove their case and we don’t have any duty at all except they prove to some extent then, we will have to disprove.”
According to Jime’s lead counsel, Kehinde Eleja (SAN), “if you go by the records contained in the card reader (report) vis-á-vis the votes returned, there is irreconcilable difference, which is evidence of irregularities among others.
“We have put our case across and they (Ortom) call a witness in response to the 59 witness that we have called and we cross examined him accordingly. I believe that we have done the needful and we are hoping for the best.”
Counsel to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Oba Maduabuchi, (SAN), who was next in line to open his case asked the court to grant him Monday, August 19,2019 to open his defense, adding that he will call only five witnesses.
There was no objection from any counsel to the parties in the suit. The tribunal Chairman, Justice Henry Olusiyi thereafter adjourned the matter to Monday, August 19, 2019.
CRIME
Man Bags 18 Months Imprisonment For Gambling With Employer’s N1m

An Ota Magistrates ‘Court in Ogun, on Monday, sentenced a 24-year-old Point of Sales (POS) attendant, Yusuf Olamilekan, to 18 months imprisonment for stealing N1 million belonging to his employer.
In her judgement, the Magistrate, Mrs O.O. Fadairo, sentenced the convict to 18 months imprisonment with an option of fine of N60, 000.
Fadairo said that the convict should also restitute N1 million to the complainant, Emeka and Jane Company.
She added that the Prosecution Counsel had proven beyond reasonable doubt that the convict was guilty of the charge preferred against him.
Olamilekan, whose address was not provided, had earlier pleaded not guilty to the charge of stealing.
The Prosecutor, Insp E.O. Adaraloye, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on April 7, at 6 p.m., at Sango-Ota.
Adaraloye said that the defendant unlawfully withdrew N1 million from his employer’s account, Emeka and Jane Company, without consent, to play a game of chance.
He said that the now convict subsequently lost the money, adding that the offence contravened Section 383 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ogun, 2006. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
IGE/DCO
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Edited by Deborah Coker
An Ota Magistrates ‘Court in Ogun, on Monday, sentenced a 24-year-old Point of Sales (POS) attendant, Yusuf Olamilekan, to 18 months imprisonment for stealing N1 million belonging to his employer.
In her judgement, the Magistrate, Mrs O.O. Fadairo, sentenced the convict to 18 months imprisonment with an option of fine of N60, 000.
Fadairo said that the convict should also restitute N1 million to the complainant, Emeka and Jane Company.
She added that the Prosecution Counsel had proven beyond reasonable doubt that the convict was guilty of the charge preferred against him.
Olamilekan, whose address was not provided, had earlier pleaded not guilty to the charge of stealing.
The Prosecutor, Insp E.O. Adaraloye, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on April 7, at 6 p.m., at Sango-Ota.
Adaraloye said that the defendant unlawfully withdrew N1 million from his employer’s account, Emeka and Jane Company, without consent, to play a game of chance.
He said that the now convict subsequently lost the money, adding that the offence contravened Section 383 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ogun, 2006. (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)