Connect with us

JUDICIARY

Why Ebonyi Assembly Speaker, Chief Judge use Bullet-proof Vehicles—Nwifuru

Published

on

Share

Gov. Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi, says that the state chief judge and house of assembly speaker use bullet-proof vehicles just like himself because all tiers of government should be equal.

Nwifuru made the declaration on Tuesday night in Abakaliki during a dinner he organised for the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the federation, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, who is in the state on an official programme.

The governor said he believes that the three tiers of government should operate with the same official paraphernalia to achieve overall peace, harmony, growth and development.

“The legislature and judiciary deliver dividends of democracy to the people more than the executive arm though people might say this view is because I come from the legislative arm.

“I cannot remember as a governor, when last I reached my local government area chairman or village head but legislators are in steady contact with these people,” he said.

Nwifuru who served as the Speaker of the state House of Assembly between 2015 and 2023, said that judges risked their lives by sentencing convicted criminals.

“These criminals work for politicians and judges have sleepless nights while trying to sentence them on conviction.

“When these criminals regain freedom through prerogative of mercy, you will discover that the judges are at risk when these criminals meet them on the road,” he said.

He noted that though his administration has not totally achieved its aspirations towards the state judiciary, it was not complaining.

“I promise that before the end of my administration, Ebonyi will be a place people from other places would come to learn,” he said.

In his remarks, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, thanked the governor for hosting him and attorneys-general of the five states of the south east zone.

“I like the passion with which you discharged your duties and the remark that you have an able and efficient attorney-general.

“This is because you gave him the platform to be efficient as a commissioner or minister,” he said.

He pledged that his ministry would do all within its powers to implement all federal government policies to reform the nation’s judiciary.

The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Ebonyi, Mr Ben Odoh, said that the state was happy to receive the minister and other state attorneys-general. (NAN)

JUDICIARY

Pastor Arraigned over Alleged Rape of Married Woman in Edo

Published

on

Share

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.

Continue Reading

JUDICIARY

Court Bars Bello from Acting as Nasarawa APC Chairman

Published

on

Share

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).

Continue Reading

JUDICIARY

Unemployed Man Arraigned for Allegedly Impersonating Military Officer

Published

on

Share

 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)

Continue Reading

Advertisement

Read Our ePaper

Top Stories

NEWS7 minutes ago

NIS Trains Passport Officers, Announces Arrests of Aliens

ShareBy Eze Okechukwu Godson, Abuja The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has begun a capacity building training for its Passport Control Officers...

NEWS10 minutes ago

APC Senators Rise to 70 in Senate as Four PDP Lawmakers Defect

ShareBy Eze Okechukwu, Abuja The number of All Progressives Congress senators in the National Assembly rose to 70 yesterday, following...

NEWS13 minutes ago

Threat on Peter Obi Challenges Nigeria’s Unity, Democracy – Abaribe

ShareBy Eze Okechukwu Godson, Abuja Former Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe has described the threat and restriction of movement placed...

NEWS17 minutes ago

Police Arrest Bayelsa Judge’s Abductors

ShareFrom Mike Tayese, Yenagoa Abductors of a Judge of the Bayelsa State High Court, Justice Ebiyerin Omukoro, have been arrested...

OPINION6 hours ago

The Impact of Incessant Attacks in Farming Communities

ShareBy Efe Omoghene Rural communities across Nigeria’s Middle Belt and the North, which were once the major cities’ food pipeline,...

Federal Ministry of Education Federal Ministry of Education
NEWS6 hours ago

What’s Going on with Education in Nigeria?

ShareBy Dakuku Peterside Walk into almost any public school in Nigeria, and you feel the weight of history pressing down...

NEWS6 hours ago

Reps Vow to Ensure Timely Justice Delivery in FCT

ShareBy Ubong Ukpong, Abuja The House of Representatives on Wednesday, said that timely justice delivery in the Federal Capital Territory...

NEWS6 hours ago

SEC Committed to Promoting Innovation, Safeguarding Investments – Agama

ShareBy Tony Obiechina, Abuja The Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Dr. Emomotimi Agama, has reaffirmed the...

NEWS6 hours ago

Sule Denies Involvement in Benue Killings, Mulls Legal Action over Allegations

ShareFrom Abel Zwanke, Lafia Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule has dismissed as “Malicious and unfounded” allegations linking him to the...

NEWS6 hours ago

Residents Protest LG Boss’s Decision to Deny Approval for Hospital Project in Ilorin

ShareFrom Abdullahi Abubakar, Ilorin Residents of Ilorin East Local Government Area in Kwara State on Wednesday, staged a peaceful protest...

Copyright © 2021 Daily Asset Limited | Powered by ObajeSoft Inc