COURT REMANDS YOUNG MAN IN CORRECTIONAL CENTRE FOR ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF AK-47 RIFFLE

One Stephen Emwinyogho has been remanded in the custody of the Correctional Centre on the orders of a Benin High court, Criminal Division, for alleged possession of fire arms and attempted murder charges.

He was alleged to have on or about 11th of February, 2022, Benin City, had in his possession, one (1) pump action rifle and twelve (12) cartridges and thereby, committed an offence contrary to Section 3 (1) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision) Act, LFN, 2004.

The Prosecution also alleged that the Defendant, Stephen Emwinyogho, on or about 11th February, 2022, in Benin City,, attempted to unlawfully kill one Pa Sunday ldiagbonya by shooting him on the leg with the pump action gun, an offence contrary to Section 320 (1) of the Criminal Code.

Trial Judge, Hon. Justice Efe Ikponmwoba, after remanding the Defendant in the Correctional Centre, directed that his case file be duplicated and forwarded to the office of the State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), for legal advice.

Meanwhile, the Court also remanded one 35-year-old Troy Tony, in the Correctional Centre for allegedly defiling a 13-year-old girl on 3rd February 2022 at Sapele Road, axis in Benin City.

The offence is contrary to Section 4 and punishable under under Section 5 (1) of the Edo State Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, 2021.

EDO NUJ WARNS AGAINST ATTACK OF MEMBERS ON LAWFUL DUTIES

The leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State Council has condemned in strong terms, the recent attacks on journalists in the state, especially in the course of their coverage of court proceedings.

Such attacks have been linked to supporters and loyalists of defendants in cases involving criminal charges in the various courts in Edo state.

In a statement personally signed by the Chairman of the Council, Comrade Festus Alenkhe, the union noted that journalists are constitutionally empowered to report activities of members of the public, as such report will give the people the opportunity to have idea of proceedings in the court.

While urging security agencies posted to court premises to provide some level of protection for journalists in the state, the union noted with dismay that such attacks have become so frequent recently.

He cited the case of EFCC versus Roland Osaigbaikhoe Omo-Ogbebor, the former scepter bearer (Omuada) of the Oba of Benin at the Federal High Court , Ikpoba Hill, Benin city in which supporters and loyalists of the defendant almost destroyed the camera of journalists covering the court proceedings.

The union also cited the case involving one Johnson Atseleghe (defendant) versus the Commissioner of Police at the High court in Benm city where some journalists were attacked and threatened not to report the matter.

The union described the various attacks as barbaric and uncivilized.

According to the statement, the union will no longer tolerate any such attack on its members performing their civic duty as it may resort to the law court to seek redress for its members.

“Any journalist who is under threat anywhere in the state while performing their official responsibility is expected to report such unwholesome conduct to the leadership of the union for immediate lawful action,” the statement added.

SEX FOR RANSOM KIDNAP, ARMED ROBBERY SUSPECT REMANDED

A Benin High Court, has ordered one 26-year-old Odogwu Rupet Chika (A.K.A OKUTA), to be remanded in the custody of the Correctional Centre for alleged kidnapping, rape and armed robbery related charges.

The Defendant and others now at large, on 2nd February, 2022, at Ologbo-Nughu Community Farm, Edo State, allegedly conspired to Kidnap a 42-year-old lady and raped her before she was released, an offence contrary to Section and punishable under Section 2 (1) (2) of the Kidnapping Prohibition (Amendment)
Law of Edo State, 2013.

The Defendant and others now at large, were alleged to have also on the same date, time and place, attacked and kidnapped a 19-year-old girl, robbed her of her mobile phones worth N48,000.00 (Forty Eight Thousand naira) and thereafter, raped her before she was released from captivity, an offence punishable under Section 2 (1) (2) of the Kidnapping Prohibition (Amendment) Law of Edo State, 2013.

It was further alleged that the Defendant and others now at large on the relevant details, time and place, kidnapped a 52-year-old woman, robbed her of a cash sum of N270.00 (Two Hundred and Seventy
Naira), and raped her before letting her go, an offence Punishable under relevant sections of the law.

The offence was, allegedly committed by the Defendant and others now at large, while armed with AK-47 riffle, contrary to Section 6 (a) and punishable under Section 1 (1) (2) (a) of the Robbery and Firearms Special Provisions Act, Cap R11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

Consequent upon an ex-parte Motion by the Prosecution, trial Judge, Hon. Justice Efe Ikponmwoba, remanded the Defendant in the custody of the Correctional Centre and directed that his case file be duplicated and forwarded to the state Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), for legal advice.

FREEDOM AMBASSADORS ORGANIZATION COMMENDS INDUSTRIAL COURT JUDGEMENT FOR ABANDONED WORKER

The Freedom Ambassadors Organization (FAO), a non-governmental human rights group, has described Monday’s judgement delivered by the National Industrial Court, Benin City, as an overwhelming victory for the oppressed.

A statement issued by its Coordinator General, Comrade Curtis Ogbebor, said the judgment will help put in check, some of the abnormalities perpetuated by expatriates who run companies in Nigeria, without ensuring employees welfare and safety.

Comrade Ogbebor stated that a Benin based Chinese Tiles Company, Times Ceramics Limited, abandoned a young lady who was a cook to the company after she sustained a 25 degree burns from a hot pot of soup which poured on her while she was performing her duties for the company.

The Coordinator General of FAO, also stated, that though the company initially took the girl to The University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), they hurriedly asked for her discharge from the hospital, took her to their clinic where they gave her insufficient treatment, only to later abandon her to suffer severe pains.

According to Comrade Ogbebor, who is also the interim Coordinator, Edo Civil Society Organizations (EDOSCO), “those foreigners who feels they can subject Nigerians to slavery in their own land will begin to have a rethink from this day onward.“

Comrade Ogbebor added that a Medical Expert in UBTH, recommended plastic surgery which would cost the sum of two hundred and fifty thousand naira, but the company refused to pay the money and opted to discharge her from the hospital, emphasizing that the FAO through their Legal representative, Timothy Obasuyi, wrote to the company, in respect of the matter, but to no avail, hence the Court action.

Delivering judgement in the suit No NICN/BEN/04/2019 Between Bukola Seidic and Times Ceramics Limited, Presiding Judge, Hon. Justice Abiola Adewemimo, held that the victim, Bukola Seidic, who was 25 years old as at the time, was abandoned by the company, having slipped in the kitchen, while the soup she was carrying poured on her and she sustained life-threatening injuries as a result of the slippery tiles fixed in the kitchen

The court observed that though the company took her to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), the insisted that the victim be discharged few days later when the hospital requested for the sum of two hundred and fifty thousand naira for surgery.

Hon. Justice Adewemimo agreed with the victim’s evidence and her Counsel’s submission that the company took her to their clinic where she was poorly treated only to later abandon her, which amounts to negligence of duty of care.

The court believed the victim’s testimony that there was no safety wares and rejected evidence of the company’s health Officer who testified that the victim did not wear safety boot and gloves while on duty hence, she sustained injuries, even as Justice Adewemimo noted that the health Officer refused to call the workers who told him that she was not wearing safety wares to give evidence.

The Court, consequently, awarded the sum of five million naira as compensation and another sum of five million naira as damages for the victim’s destabilization, shock, disfigurement, frustration and pains suffered by the victim.

The Court also awarded the sum of two hundred and fifty thousand naira against the company, adding that the monies must be paid within thirty days of the judgement and that the the sum will attract interest rates upon failure to do so before the thirty days.

NATIONAL INDUSTRIAL COURT SLAMS TEN MILLION NAIRA ON TIMES CERAMICS COMPANY FOR ABANDONING INJURED STAFF

The National Industrial Court, Benin Division, has slammed the sum of five million naira on a Chinese based tiles company, Time Ceramics LTD, for abandoning one of their cooks who sustained 25 degree burns while on duty in 2018.

Presiding Judge, Hon. Justice Abiola Adewemimo, held that the victim, Bukola Seidic, who was 25 years old as at the time, was abandoned by the company, having slipped in the kitchen, while the soup she was carrying poured on her and she sustained life-threatening injuries as a result of the slippery tiles fixed in the kitchen.

The court noted that several letters written to the company by the victim’s counsel, Timothy Obasuyi and a civil society group, Freedom Ambassadors Organization, led by Comrade Curtis Ogbebor were never responded to by the company.

An early morning multiple road crash has claimed the Seventeen liveswith 14 of them burnt beyond recognition by Isara bridge, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

Report indicate that the tanker belonging to the Dangote Group, carrying petrol exploded at about 5am, Friday, after colliding with a Mazda bus with registration number ZT728 KLD and another tanker.

Superintendent Route Commander(SRC) Florence Okpe, who is the FRSC Public Education Officer, Ogun Sector Command, Florence Okpe, attributed the cause of the accident to route violation and dangerous driving, which resulted to the head-on collision and fire outbreak.

“The total number of people involved is not ascertained but a total 17 bodies ( killed) have been identified. One male, a female and a female child only have been identified while others were burnt beyond recognition and no injury sustained.”

”A total of two vehicles were involved with registration numbers ZT728 KLD a Mazda Bus and unknown vehicle of
unknown make (Tanker).”

“The suspected causes of the fatal crash were Route violation and Dangerous driving which resulted to head on collision and fire out break.”

“The vehicles are partially obstructing the service lane. The Nigeria Police Isara and the FOS Morgue by services Isara have been informed. FRSC personnel from Ogere are on ground managing the situation

Ogun State Spokesperson of the FRSC, Florence Okpe, said 14 of the bodies were burnt beyond recognition, adding that the FRSC was able to identify one man, one woman, and a girl.

“The total number of people involved is not ascertained, but a total of 17 bodies have been identified.

“One male, one female, and one female child only have been identified, while others were burnt beyond recognition and no injury sustained.”

“The suspected causes of the fatal crash were route violation and dangerous driving, which resulted in a head-on collision and fire outbreak,” Okpe stated.

Ogun State sector command of the Federal Road Safety Corps(FRSC), disclosed that the Isara Police Division and FOS morgue had been notified ahead of planned evacuation of the deceased.

The Sector Commander, who commiserated with family of the victim’s, described the crash as an avoidable one if one of the drivers had obeyed traffic rules and regulations.

EFCC ARRAIGNS JAMB COORDINATOR FOR ALLEGED N46 MILLION FRAUD

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has re-arraigned a Nasarawa State Zonal coordinator of the Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB), Labaran Tanko, before the Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Abuja for alleged conspiracy and criminal breach of trust to the tune of N46 million naira.

The Defendant was alleged to have between July 2013 and July 2016 in Nasarawa state committed criminal breach of trust by allegedly disposing of 22,257 (Twenty Two Thousand, Two Hundred and Fifty-Seven) units of e- facility scratch cards belonging to JAMB, without duly rendering accounts of the disposal, an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 315 of the Penal Code Law.

He pleaded not guilty to the five-count ammended charges slammed on him and Counsel to the Prosecution, Ekele Iheanacho informed the court that the Defendant is on an existing bail earlier granted by the former Court where the Defendant was first arraigned.

Presiding Judge, Hon. Justice Hassan Babangida, however, granted him bail in the sum of N10 million and a surety in like sum, who must be a civil servant on Grade Level 12 or above and resident in Abuja.

The Defendant claimed that his car got burnt and in the process scratch cards worth N23million were destroyed in the incident, while JAMB claimed that thorough investigation, through simple checks by JAMB revealed that the cards Tanko claimed were burnt alongside his car were used for registration by students in Nasarawa State.

Tanko was first arraigned before Hon. Justice Olasunbo Goodluck who was later elevated to the Court of Appeal Bench

TEENAGERS REMANDED FOR ALLEGEDLY GANG-RAPING WOMAN TO DEATH

An Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court sitting in Ibadan on Friday ordered the remand of two men, Yusuf Adesola, 19, and Folarin Samsudeen, 19, for the alleged murder of a victim they gang-raped.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the defendants, who reside in the Lalupon area of Ibadan, were charged with conspiracy and murder.

The Prosecutor, Insp. Sikiru Opaleye, told the court that the defendants, Adesola and Samsudeen allegedly conspired to commit the act of murder.

Opaleye said the duo between Jan. 20, and Feb. 10, were alleged to have unlawfully accelerated the death of one Bidemi Akinsoji, a female, by having forceful carnal knowledge of her.

He said Adesola and Samsudeen allegedly recorded the act of rape of the victim on their cell phone and sent it on Facebook for the public to view.

Opaleye said the offence was contrary to Section 311 and punishable under sections 319 and 324 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Oyo State 2000.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs O. O. Ogunkanmi, who rejected the plea of the defendants due to lack of jurisdiction ordered their remand at Abolongo Correctional facility in Oyo Town.

Ogunkanmi said the remand was pending the outcome of the advice on the case file by the Oyo State Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP).

She adjourned the matter until April 4, for further mention, NAN reports.

NNAMDI KANU MAY GO BLIND -OZEKHOME (SAN), TELLS COURT

Nnamdi Kanu’s lead Counsel, Mike Ozekhome (SAN), has alerted the Federal High Court, Abuja, presided over by Hon. Justice Binta Nyako, of his client’s deteriorating health.

Ozekhome (SAN), made the position known at the resumed hearing of terrorism related charged brought against Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.

Ozekhome who argued that Kanu was extraordinarily renditioned from Kenya in 2021, stressed that the offences allegedly committed by Kanu have no basis because the place and time of the commission of the offence were not so stated in the charges and that Nigeria has no territorial jurisdiction.

His Lawyer, Mike Ozekhome (SAN), told the court that the DSS has vehemently refused to allow Kanu change clothes contrary to a definite court order that he must be allowed to change clothes.

He submitted that the DSS refused Kanu’s brother access to him in their facility on three occasion.

While urging the Court to prevail on the DSS return Kanu’s reading glasses which they allegedly siezed from him upon his arrest, Ozekhome (SAN), decried the deteriorating state of Kanu’s eyesight which, he said, may may go blind in the custody of the DSS.

Trial Judge, Hon. Justice Nyako said, the complaint has been noted and directed Ozekhome to proceed with his motion.

Arguing the motion which sought to quash the fifteen count charge slammed on Nnamdi Kanu, Ozekhome (SAN), submitted that a prima facie has not been made out against Kanu and that the alleged offence was committed outside the shores of Nigeria, thereby robbing the court of jurisdiction.

Counsel to the Federal Government, Shuaib Labaran, described the motion as unmeritorious and urged the court to dismiss same.

Ruling on the motion was consequently adjourned to April 8, 2022.

Kanu is facing a 15-count charge bordering on terrorism, treason, incitement and operating an unlawful group.

DRUG DEAL: NDLEA FURTHER NAILS ABBA KIYARI

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has disclosed details of how the suspended DCP Abba Kiyari’s team was contacted by drug mules.

Spokesman of the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi made the disclosure on Wednesday.

According to him, “To correct some inaccuracies in the information in the public space that NDLEA officers at the Enugu Airport were the ones who received from the cartel details about the mule coming from Addis Ababa, the agency wishes to quote from the transcript of Abba Kyari’s recorded conversation with our undercover officer and a portion of ASP James Bawa’s statement to the police as documented in the police investigation report, a copy of which was made available to the agency, to state that it’s an established fact that it’s the Abba Kyari’s team that was contacted by the cartel and without doubt, the records clearly show how their ring works.”

“Recall that after NDLEA requested for Kyari and others for interrogation, they were questioned by the police, after which they were handed over along with the report of their interrogation,”

“According to the police investigation report, ASP James Bawa in his statement to the police reveals that ‘he was called by an informant identified as IK from Brazil who told him that a drug courier will be arriving on board Ethiopian Airlines in Enugu.”

“He explained further that a pointer from IK, the Brazil-based informant met with him at about 1420hrs on 19th January 2022 outside the airport and showed him a picture of the courier.”

“Subsequently, they sighted the suspect as he exited the airport terminal after all arrival clearance formalities, and he was arrested with another associate.’”

“In his own recorded conversation with our undercover officer, Abba Kyari also said the following: ‘They are greedy, seriously greedy (referring to his informants), we tried to have them accept 40% but they refused, except 50%, they know the rudiment of the deal very well, they are the ones that do the packing.
“From Brazil, one of the informants accompanied it to Ethiopia. You understand; one of the informants accompanied the goods to Ethiopia, one of the informants that give us information. He is the boy of the big baron.
“From Addis, it will be given to those to proceed further with it, he will get their snapshots without their knowledge. Yes, he will reveal those that are conveying it further, get snapshots of theirs without their knowledge and send them to us (Abba Kyari’s team). So, we already know the goods, pictures and the clothes they are wearing, hope you understand, we know your name, he will give us everything. So, automatically my team will just be waiting, they will just see you and arrest you.”

“Responding to our officer’s question on whether his boys are usually stationed inside or outside the airport, Abba Kyari said, “Yes, yes, some are outside while some are inside. They will just allow you to finish arrival formalities and arrest you the moment you come out,” the statement added.