Couple jailed 10 years for N52m fraud

The Ikeja Special Offences Court yesterday sentenced Harry Uyanwanne and wife, Oluwakemi Odemuyiwa (a.k.a Kristein) to 10 years’ imprisonment for conspiracy and theft of N52 million.

Convicted alongside the couple was their church, Temple International Church, which the judge ordered closed.

The judge, Justice Mojisola Dada, handed down the sentence after convicting the couple of a seven-count charge offence brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Lagos Zonal Directorate.

The couple were first arraigned before the court on February 25, 2020.

They pleaded not guilty, and a trial started in the matter.

The prosecution, led by EFCC counsel Babatunde Sonoiki called five witnesses while the defence counsel two.

One of the counts stated that Odemuyiwa and their church, in March 2016 in Lagos, converted N10 million, property of the late Mrs. Janet Odemuyiwa Adeola.

Another count stated that in March 2016 in Lagos allegedly sold the property at Plot 32, Block 9, Magodo Residential Scheme 1, Ikeja Local Government to one Mr. Kingsley Atere for N42 million on the false presentation that he was authorised to do so by the owner, the late Mrs. Adeola.

Senator Orji Kalu urges Nigerians to imbibe habit of obeying court orders

Senator Orji Kalu (APC- Abia) has appealed to Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of obeying court orders.

Mr Kalu, who represents Abia North at the National Assembly, said this in a statement on Friday in Abuja, adding that obeying court orders would help in entrenching a fair and egalitarian society.

He decried incessant flouting of court orders, saying that it was not in the best interest of the country’s democracy.

“I appeal to all Nigerians in the public and private sector, vocational sector and street sector to imbibe the habit of obeying court orders.

“Everyone or anyone no matter how high or low will directly or indirectly need the court someday,” Mr Kalu said.

The former governor of Abia said that the civility of a man began with obeying court orders whether it was favorable or unfavorable.

“For any democracy to thrive, respect for the law and human rights, as well as adherence to institutions established to shape the country are key.

“Flagrant disregard for any of these often weakens the rule of law and also threatens human rights,” Mr Kalu said.

Nigeria had in recent years recorded incessant disobedience of court orders by some government agencies.

Woman sues boyfriend for dumping her after spending N900,000 on him

A distraught woman has dragged her boyfriend identified as Hassan Umar to a magistrates’ court sitting in Kano, Kano State, for allegedly dumping her after spending N900,000 on him.

Appearing before the court, the woman’s lawyer alleged that the defendant claimed he was in love with his client with an agreement that they would get married.

But after spending the money on him, Umar dumped her and stopped coming to her place.

After the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges that were read out, the Magistrate, Salisu Hussaini, requested that both parties should bring their witnesses in the next adjourned sitting.

Addressing journalists after the court sitting, the woman said;

“I doubt he didn’t charm me. Whatever he asked me I did it instantly. I cooked different types of food for him, including chicken, meat, and even two rams. I spent over N900,000 on him. But from there, he started showing me as if he didn’t care. Later he stopped coming to me.”

Dispatch rider arrested for stealing motorcycle

Adispatch rider, Kabiru Haruna, 27, was, on Thursday, docked in a Karu Grade I Area Court in Abuja for allegedly stealing a Bajaj motorcycle worth N300, 000.

The police charged the defendant, who lives in Kpaduma village, Asokoro extension, with theft and mischief.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecution counsel, Olanrewaju Osho, told the court that the defendant stole the motorcycle where it was parked.

He said that the defendant confessed to the crime.

The judge, Malam Umar Mayana, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N30, 000 and two sureties in like sum.

He adjourned the case until June 26 for further hearing.

Three suspects steal N60m roofing sheets in Lagos

The Lagos State Police Command has arraigned three men, Stanley Gabriel, Yusuf Olaitan, and Ifeanyi Ogbu, for allegedly stealing roofing sheets worth N60m property of a company, Landing Zhao, in the Dopemu area of the state.

The trio were arraigned before Magistrate Adeola Olatunbosun on three counts of stealing and receiving stolen goods.

Two of the defendants, Gabriel and Olaitan, were alleged to have taken the materials from the warehouse of the company, sold them to Ogbu and others still at large, and then shared the proceeds among themselves.

The duo, Olaitan and Ogbu, were first arrested and charged to court before the third defendant was also apprehended and charged to court.

The prosecutor, Rita Momoh, told the court that the defendants carried out the offence between January and May 2023 at No. 1, Shitta Street, Dopemu, Lagos.

Momoh told the court that the offences contravened Section 411, 297(7), 328(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.

The charges read,

“That you, Yusuf Olaitan, Ifeanyi Ogbu, and others at large, between January to May 2023, at No. 1, Shitta Street, Dopemu, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did steal Gerald roofing sheets valued at N60m, properties of one Landing Zhao, and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 287(7) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.

“That you, Ifeanyi Ogbu, and others at large, on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did receive Gerald roofing sheets valued at N60m from one Yusuf Olaitan and others at large, knowing well that it was stolen property of one Landing Zhao and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 328(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them.

The magistrate admitted them to bail in the sum of N500,000 with two responsible sureties each.

She adjourned the case till August 11, 2023, for mention.

Court sentences woman to 144 hours of community service for disposing waste inside drainage

A mobile court has sentenced a woman, Rukayat Oderinde, to 144 hours of community service for emptying her wastes into a drainage channel at No. 17 Hassan Ogunmola Street, Ahmadiyya, a suburb of Lagos.

The court is attached to the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA).

Ibrahim Odumboni, managing director of the authority, disclosed this in a statement in Lagos.

Mr Odumboni said the culprit was caught red-handed on camera while she was disposing of her household waste directly into a drainage channel.

According to him, Ms Oderinde is expected to commence her eight-hour per day community service from Ahmadiyya to Salolo route for the next 18 days, cleaning the environment.

The CEO said the act was strictly prohibited under existing waste management regulations in the state, as they posed serious threats to the overall cleanliness and functionality of the drainage system.

Mr Odumboni said improper waste disposal, particularly through drainage channels, could lead to clogged drains, which in turn caused flooding during heavy rains.

Mr Odumboni reminded residents to cultivate proper waste disposal methods and avoid potential consequences of non-compliance, urging them to use designated waste bins and containers for household waste.

Bayelsa chief judge honours five retired judiciary staff

The Bayelsa chief judge, Matilda Ayemieye, has honoured five retirees of the state High Court, Yenagoa.

Ms Ayemieye also used the occasion to commend Governor Douye Diri for giving Bayelsa judiciary the enabling environment to function.In a statement on Sunday, the spokesperson for the court, Julius Nyananyo, said the chief judge honoured the retirees who had put in between 18 and 34 years of meritorious services in the state judiciary while also lauding them individually for their inputs in moving the judiciary forward.

“The CJ also stated that the retirees were still part of the judiciary family.

The Chief Judge presented gift items to the retirees. The ceremony was an epoch-making event in the annals of the state High Court,” Mr Nyananyo stated.

According to the statement, the chief registrar of the court, Amaebi Orukari, had earlier thanked the state chief judge for hosting the retirees while also appreciating the retiring staff for their services to the state judiciary.

The statement also said the chairman of the Bayelsa State chapter of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), Temekori Derikebamoh, expressed gratitude to the state chief judge for honouring the retiring members of the union.

Man arrested for allegedly raping 16 year old girl in Adamawa

Men of the Adamawa state police command have arrested a 19 year old man identified as Auwal Abdullahi for allegedly raping a 16 year old girl named Blessing whom he claims to be his girl friend.

According to reports, Auwal, a tricycle operator, was arrested on June 6 by the police.

He admitted having raped the girl, but insisted that she is his girl friend.

While narrating the incident, the suspect said he fell in love with Blessing for about 6 months ago and was even planning to get married.

He said he had informed his father about his plan to take her as wife, and that his father asked him to exercise patience until he builds a house.

He said that he met her on the day of the incident where they sell food, and that while he was eating, the girl collected his phone and tapped his number and saved it in her friends phone.

According to him, the girl later used her friend’s handset and kept calling him where they finally arranged and met around 9:30pm.

He further narrated that after spending some minutes with her, he asked her to return back home but she refused, and said she will not go back home, instead, she will be going somewhere else.

He explained that he finally took her into a hotel at Nasarawo borehole where he had sexual intercourse with her and spent their night there.

‘’I left her in the hotel the following morning because she told me that she wouldn’t go out until 11:00am. I was informed that she was chased out of the hotel and gang raped by some hoodlums” he said.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Afolabi Babatola, has expressed concern over the ugly incident and vowed to ensure the prosecution of the suspect.

CP Babatola who spoke through SP Suleiman Yahaya Nguroje, the Command’s PRO, advised parents to monitor the movement of the children more especially the girl child so that they will not continue victims of such people.

Man remanded for stabbing friend to death in Lagos

A Magistrate court sitting in Yaba, Lagos state, has ordered the remand of a 38-year-old man identified as Raphael Agu in the Ikoyi Custodial Centre, Lagos State, for allegedly stabbing his friend, Stanley Ugo, to death.

Agu was dragged before the court on a two count charge of murder.

The prosecution team told the court that Agu and the deceased engaged in a heated argument after he was accused of not disbursing effectively the N15, 000 a developer was erecting around the transformer Bus stop area in Ogudu.

The developer had on May 25, 2023, asked Agu to disburse the money to some of the area boys. After Agu had shared the money, the deceased and one other person came back and accused him of not disbursing the money efficiently. This caused a heated argument which generated into a fight.

The prosecution team told the court that during the fight, Agu stabbed Ugo in the stomach with a knife.

The prosecutor, Thomas Nurudeen, told the court that the offence contravened Section 222 and is punishable under Section 233 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, Nigeria, 2015.

He went on to present a remand application, appealing to the court to remand the defendant for 30 days pending legal advice from the Director of Legal Prosecution.

Granting the request, the magistrate, P.E Nwaka ordered the defendant to be remanded in the Ikoyi Custodial Centre and also directed that the case file be duplicated and sent to the DPP for legal advice.

The case was then adjourned till July 5, 2023.

Court remands security guard in Kirikiri over alleged sexual assault on minor

An Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court on Monday ordered that a security guard, David James, 23, be remanded in Kirikiri correction centre for allegedly sexually assaulting a minor.

The Chief Magistrate, Bola Osunsanmi, who refused to did not take Mr James’ plea, adjourned the matter until June 26 for mention.

Mr James, who resides at 25, Ndubusis Kanu Street, Ajah, Lagos, is charged with sexual assault.

The prosecutor, ASP Raji Akeem, told the court that the offence was committed on April 27 at a private school in Ajah, Lagos.

The prosecutor said that Mr James is the security guard in the school where the four-year-old girl attends.

The offense, he said, contravenes the provisions of Section 261 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Atiku to call 100 witnesses to testify against Tinubu

Atiku Abubakar and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have told the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) that no fewer than 100 witnesses are ready to testify against President-elect, Bola Tinubu and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“The petitioners intend to call not more than 100 witnesses.”

Chris Uche, Mr Abubakar’s lawyer, told the Court on Saturday morning.He further revealed that he and the respondents have agreed on the number of witnesses to take the stand as well as the minutes to be allotted to each witness.

“The parties have all met and considered and agreed on the witnesses and duration of the examination of witnesses and the examination in chief, cross-examination and re-examination and we have also agreed to streamline the number of witnesses as well as the duration of each party to call witnesses subject to ratification by the honorable court,” Mr Uche told the Court.

According to him, it was proposed that 30 minutes be allocated to the star witnesses of the respondents which include INEC, Mr Tinubu and his party, APC.

“We also proposed 30 mins for evidence in chief and 30 mins for cross-examination of the star witnesses for the respondents,” disclosed Mr Uche.

He added that the petitioners “are suggesting that there should be no cross-examination of a respondent witness by a respondent” stressing that “the petitioners intend to call not more than 100 witnesses.”

Meanwhile, Haruna Simon Tsammani, the chair of the five-member panel of justices, adjourned the case to May 22, following Roland Otaru’s request to adjourn the matter for the consolidation of petitions from the Labour Party and Allied Peoples Movement (APM).

Mr Otaru, a lawyer on Mr Tinubu’s legal team, requested adjournment because of the absence of the team’s lead counsel, Wole Olanipekun.

The Court has scheduled Monday, May 22, for the ruling on the application to livestream proceedings.

Court remands Seun Kuti for four additional days

The police in Lagos state have secured an order from a Sabo-Yaba Chief Magistrate Court in Lagos State to remand afrobeat singer, Seun Kuti, for additional four days.

The police had approached the Chief Magistrate, Mrs Adeola Olatubosun, for an extension of the remand order until May 22.

The head of the Chambers of the Nigeria Police, DCP Simon Lough (SAN) in the application filed before the court said the extension is needed to allow further investigation into the case.

Seun is currently standing trial after a video of him slapping and pushing a police officer on Third mainland bridge surfaced online on May 13.

The police charged him with slapping an inspector after driving dangerously on the bridge and deliberately blocking a moving police vehicle.

Kuti was first arraigned on Tuesday, May 16, during which the police secured an order to detain him for 48 hours.

The magistrate, however, held that he should be admitted to bail in the sum of one million Naira with two sureties in like sum, at the end of the 48-hour remand.

She said that one of the sureties must be a landlord within the jurisdiction of the court.

She had adjourned the case until May 22 for mention and directed the prosecutor to duplicate the case file and forward a copy to the state director of public prosecutions for advice.

Court remands father for allegedly raping his 16-year-old daughter in Ondo

A Chief Magistrates’ Court in Akure, has ordered that a motorcyclist, Bayo Akinfenwa, to be remanded at Olokuta Correctional Centre for allegedly raping his 16-year-old daughter.

The incident occurred in March this year at Ayeyemi Akintunde Street in Ondo State.

The defendant was Monday, May 15, 2023, arraigned on a one count charge of rape.

The police prosecutor, Supol Matins Olowofeso told the court that the defendant committed the offence sometimes in March, 2023 in his residence.

The charge read,

“That you, Bayo Akinfenwa sometime in March at midnight at Akintunde Street, in Ondo, did unlawfully have carnal knowledge of your daughter, one 16-year-old Akinfenwa.

According to the charge, the offence contravenes Sections 357 and 358 of the Criminal Law of Ondo State, 2006.”

The magistrate did not take the defendant’s plea.

The prosecutor applied for the remand of the defendant at Olokuta Correctional centre pending the issuance of legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, DPP.

Magistrate Folashade Aduroja ordered the remand of the defendant and adjourned the case till May 25 to enable the defendant file a counter affidavit to the application.

Seun Kuti is still in police custody and may be arraigned in court today

Singer Seun Kuti spent the night in police custody on Monday, May 15.

The singer who turned himself in yesterday, was detained as police couldn’t complete their investigation into allegations of assault leveled against him.

Recall that the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba Alkali, ordered the singer’s arrest after a video of him slapping and pushing a police officer surfaced online.

Seun was moved from the Lagos state police command headquarters in Ikeja to the State Criminal Investigation Department Yaba where he was interrogated into the night.

He was then moved to a cell where he passed the night.

Police sources told LIB that depending on the outcome of his interrogation today, he may be arraigned in court.

Court sentences three to death by hanging for stealing phones, chargers, laptops, sandals and power banks in Ekiti

An Ekiti State High Court in Ado Ekiti, on Monday, May 15, sentenced three persons to death by hanging for conspiracy and armed robbery.

The defendants: Omotayo Deji, 23, Chidiebere Ifeanyi, 25, and Bolaji Usman, 28, were arraigned before Justice Bamidele Omotoso on January 21, 2020, on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy and armed robbery.

The charge reads that the defendants on May 6, 2019, at Aba Erinfun, Federal Polytechnic Road, Ado Ekiti in Ado Ekiti Judicial Division did conspire to commit a felony, to wit; armed robbery and robbed Ademiloye Stephen, Olokuntoye Temitope and Ajayi Kolade of their belongings, such as phones, laptop computer, sandals, phone chargers and power banks valued at M186,000, as at the time of the robbery. They were armed with cutlass and wooden plank.

According to the charges, the alleged offences contradicted Sections 6 (b), 1 (2) (a) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Cap. RII, Vol. 14, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

One of the victims in his statement to the police, said:

“We were sleeping in our room at about 2:30 a.m., suddenly, I heard a loud sound on the door, immediately, we woke up, I saw the defendants armed with cutlass and wooden plank, immediately, they broke the electric bulb with the plank in their hand. They commanded us to lay face down and bring out all our money. We told them that we are students and we don’t have money, but they started beating us on our backs with sticks and cutlasses.

“Thereafter, they started collecting our phones, laptops, chargers, sandals, power banks and others I could not remember and ran away. We were later shouting for help but nobody came out.”

To prove his case, the police prosecutor, Kunle-Shina Adeyemo, called one witness and tendered statements of the victims and defendants, as well as phones among others as exhibits.

The defendants testified through their counsels, without calling witnesses.

In his judgement, Justice Bamidele Omotoso said, “I am of the strong opinion that the prosecution has proved beyond reasonable doubt the offence of armed robbery against the defendants.

“They are hereby found guilty as charged and convicted for the offence of armed robbery.

“The sentence of the court upon you, Omotayo Deji, Chidiebere Ifeanyi, and Bolaji Usman is that you be hanged by the neck until you are dead, and may the Lord have mercy on your souls.”

Tenant arraigned for allegedly assaulting landlady over electricity bill

A 46-year-old tenant, Usman Hammed, on Thursday May 11, appeared in an Ogudu Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos State, for allegedly assaulting his landlady over an electricity bill.

Hammed is being tried for assault, to which he pleaded not guilty.

The Prosecutor, Insp. Donjor Perezi, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on April 8, 2023, at about 9 pm at No 25, Olaniyi Str., Agiliti, Mile 12, Lagos State.

Perezi alleged that the defendant assaulted the complainant, Mrs Josephine Durodola, when she demanded money from him for payment of an electricity bill.

He told the court that the defendant hit the complainant’s head against an iron gate which caused her great pain, and she was hospitalized.

The prosecutor said the offences contravened Section 173 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The Magistrate, M.O. Tanimola, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the section stipulates three years jail term for a convicted offender. She adjourned the case until May 16, 2023, for mention.

Lagos couple remanded for raping teenage housekeeper

The Ogudu Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos has remanded a couple, Omolara Alashe, 36, and her husband, Ramoni Lateef, 40, for assaulting and raping their 19-year-old housekeeper.

The couple, who reside in Igbonla, Ketu, Lagos, is facing trial for alleged rape, assault, stealing and sexual assault.

The chief magistrate, M.O. Tanimola, who did not take the defendants’ plea, ordered their remand at the Ikoyi Prisons pending receipt of advice from the state director of public prosecutions (DPP).

Ms Tanimola adjourned the case until June 8 for mention.Earlier, the prosecutor, Insp Donjor Perezi, told the court that the defendants committed the offences sometime in March at their residence.

Mr Perezi told the court that the husband, being the first defendant, had sexual intercourse with their 19-year-old housekeeper.

According to Mr Perezi, as the second defendant, the wife usually woke the girl up at night, stripped her naked, and instructed her husband to rape the victim.

“Alashe beat the victim up and penetrated her v*gina with her fingers till she started bleeding. She also denied the victim of her salary and seized her GTB ATM and SIM cards,” stated the police officer.

“She also converted her salaries to her personal use,” the prosecutor told the court, adding that “the case was reported to the police, leading to their arrest.”

Lagos Landlord arrested and arraigned for beating his female tenant

A 48-year-old Lagos landlord, Kehinde Davies, has been arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court sitting in Ogba, for allegedly beating up his female tenant.

Punch reports that Davies who is an auto dealer, was arraigned by the police before Magistrate O. I. Raji, on Thursday, May 4, on a two-count charge bordering on battering and conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace.

The prosecutor, Inspector Emmanuel Ajayi, told the court that the defendant allegedly beat his tenant Nafisat Sanusi, on April 16, 2023, around 8.30pm, at No. 17, William Elliot Estate, the Abule Egba area of Lagos.

The prosecutor also told the court that the defendant conducted himself in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace by allegedly beating his client and causing her bodily harm.

According to the prosecutor, the offence committed contravened Sections 172 and 168 (D) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.

However, the defendant denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Following the not-guilty plea, the prosecutor asked the court for a trial date and also urged the court to remand the defendant to a correctional centre pending the determination of the charges against him.

However, the defendant, through his lawyer, pleaded with the court to admit him to bail in the most liberal terms on the ground that he is a first-time offender and that the charges against him are bailable ones.

Consequently, Magistrate Raji, who stood in for Magistrate O. Fagbohun, admitted bail to the defendant in the sum of N100,000, with two sureties in like sum.

The magistrate ordered that the defendant be remanded in the correctional centre till the perfection of the bail conditions, and adjourned the matter till May 25 for mention.

Domestic worker arraigned for allegedly stealing former employer’s cheque book and withdrawing N2.5m

The Lagos State Police Command has arraigned one Victor Williams before a Yaba Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing a bank cheque belonging to his former employer, Alhaji Adekunle Moshood.

Williams was accused of also forging Moshood’s signature on the cheque and withdrawing over N2m from the account. Williams was arraigned before Magistrate P. E. Nwaka on three counts of stealing and forgery on Thursday, April 20.

The police prosecutor, Thomas Nurudeen, told the court that the offence contravened and is punishable under Sections 411 and 287(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State.

The charge read in part,

“That you, Victor Williams, in February 2023 did unlawfully withdraw N500, 000 from the account of your ex-employer, Adekunle Moshood, in the Magodo area of the state over the counter and had subsequently transferred N2m into your account without the consent of the original owner of the account and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State.”

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges read to him in English.

Following his plea, Nwaka granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000 with two responsible sureties in like sum.

He then adjourned the case till May 9, 2023, for mention.

Teenager jailed for damaging police window while trying to escape

A teenager identified as Abass Enitan has been sentenced to nine months in prison without an option of fine for damaging a police station cell toilet window in a bid to escape.

19-year-old Enitan was handed the sentence by Magistrate M. C. Ayinde of the Ikeja magistrates’ court on Tuesday, April 18.

He was reportedly charged with unlawful attempt to escape from custody and willful damage.

The prosecutor, Insp Segun Oke, told the court that Enitan committed the offence on April 3 at the Abattoir Police Station, Agege, Lagos.

Oke said the defendant was arrested after he stole a ram worth N150,000, which belongs to one Mr Bisola Olusanya.

The defendant who was locked up at the police station, broke the toilet window in a bid to escape.

The offence reportedly contravenes sections 339 and 406 of the Criminal Code Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

Handing out the jail sentence, Magistrate Ayinde said;

“This will serve as deterrent to others.”

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