Politics

Court denies ex-JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ojerinde, bail over N900m fraud allegations

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A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday, refused to grant Prof. Dibu Ojerinde, former Registrar, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) bail over alleged fraud preferred against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

Justice Obiora Egwuatu declined the oral application for bail by counsel to the defendant, P.O  Olorunishola, SAN, after the ICPC lawyer, Ebenezer Shogunle, opposed the submission.

The former chief executive officer of JAMB is the sole defendant in the suit marked: CR/97/21 bordering on alleged misappropriation of about N900 million.

Ripples Nigeria had reported in March 2021 how the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) arrested Ojerinde.

Ojerinde allegedly perpetrated the fraud as JAMB registrar from April 10, 2012, to August 1, 2016, and the Registrar of the National Examination Council (NECO) between 1999 and 2007.

The commission said the suspect has, since his arrest, been answering questions on allegations of multiple identities, abuse of office, money laundering, tax evasion, making false statements, and awarding fraudulent contracts to untraceable shell companies.

Politics

Nnamdi Kanu arraigned in court

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The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu who was recently bundled back to Nigeria has been arraigned in court.

He was reportedly arrested on Sunday, and appeared before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, under very tight security.

World News

US court sentences ex-policeman to 22 years in jail for George Floyd’s murder

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A court in Minneapolis, United States, on Friday sentenced a former policeman, Derek Chauvin, to 22 years and six months in prison for the murder of an African- American, George Floyd.

The murder of Floyd, 48, on May 20 last year caused one of the biggest demonstrations against racism and police brutality in the US in decades.

The American hip-hop artiste died after Chauvin knelt on his neck for nine minutes.

The ex-police officer was convicted of second-degree murder and other charges last month.

Chauvin, 45, was also told to register as a predatory offender and barred from owning firearms for life.

Prosecutors had demanded a 30-year sentence for the convict.

The judge, Peter Cahill, who handed down the term, said Chauvin’s sentence was based on his “abuse of a position of trust and authority as well as the cruelty shown to the deceased.”

He said: “What the sentence is not based on is emotion, or sympathy. But at the same time, I want to acknowledge the deep and tremendous pain that all the families are feeling, especially the Floyd family.”

Entertainment

Update: Court grants Baba Ijesha bail

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A Special Offences and Domestic Violence Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos State, has granted bail to Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju Omiyinka, also known as Baba Ijesha in the sum of N2million with two sureties.

Baba Ijesha was arrested and detained by the Lagos state police after he was alleged to have sexually molested a minor twice.

The minor is the14-year-old foster child of a popular comedian, known as Princess.

During Omiyinka’s trial on Thursday, the court held that one of the sureties must be a blood relation, resident in Lagos, and must have a tax clearance certificate of three years preceding today. Such relation must also make a monetary bond of N1million to the Chief Registrar of the court.

The other surety must be a legal practitioner whose call to bar certificate must be verified by the court.

He has seven days to perfect the bail but today he was released to the head of the legal team, Babatunde Ogala SAN.

The court then adjourned to the 26th, 27th, and 28th of July for the prosecution to open its case against the defendant.

Politics

Bribery: Court sentences former lawmaker, Farouk Lawan to seven years in prison

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An Abuja High Court has sentenced a former member of the House of Representatives, Farouk Lawan to seven years in prison.

Lawan, during trial on Tuesday was found guilty of count one, two, and three bothering on corruptly asking for and obtaining same from Femi Otedola, in order to exonerate Zenon Petroleum and Gas Limited from the list of companies in the fuel subsidy scam.

Count one stated that the former chairman of the House of Reps ad-hoc committee on Petroleum Subsidy regime corruptly asked the Chairman of Zenon Petroleum and Gas Limited, Femi Otedola, for a bribe of $3 million as an inducement to remove the name of his company from the report of the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on monitoring of fuel subsidy regime.

The presiding judge, Justice Angela Otaluka, noted that the evidence listed and submitted before the court by the prosecution counsel, remain unshaken during cross-examination.

The judge also noted that the conduct, responses, and submissions of the defendant and witnesses, in this case, establish the charge in the count.

Count two stated that the defendant collected the sum of $500,000 as a bribe to exonerate Zelon petroleum and gas from the fuel subsidy probe report.

Justice Otaluka added that the defendant demanded a balance of payment, after receiving the first and second tranche of the payment, and as at the early hours of 24th April 2012 when the accused received the second tranche, no complaint was made to any security agency or anti-corruption agencies, as he claims he accepted the money to show as evidence before the house.

The judge further said the defendant failed to convince the court that his acceptance of the said bribe was to serve as evidence before the House Committee that the Chairman of Zelon Petroleum wants to bribe the Committee involved in the probe.

For count one and two the court sentenced Lawan to seven years while for count three he was sentenced to five years.

The sentences are to run concurrently.

The court also ordered that the defendant return the sum of $500,000 to the Federal Government.

Politics

Nigerian judge kidnapped inside court

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A judge identified as Alhaji Husaini Sama’ila has been abducted by gunmen at a Sharia Court in Bauren Zakat village, Safana Local Government Area of Katsina State.

Sources say the armed men broke into the court around 3pm on Tuesday and abducted the judge.

It is not clear why the judge was in court during the industrial action embarked upon by the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN).

Katsina is one of the states most affected by terrorism and banditry in the North-West.

Entertainment

ECOWAS court awards N90m in damages to Nigerian Air Force woman tortured, dismissed after superior officer raped her

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The ECOWAS court has delivered judgment in a suit filed by an aircraftwoman who was raped by her superior officer, Flight Lieutenant B. S. Vibelko, and dismissed from the Nigerian Air Force after she lodged a complaint.

The court awarded $200,000 (N90 million) to the applicant (name withheld) on Friday and mandated the Air Force to investigate and prosecute Vibelko for the rape of the victim.

The applicant had accused one of her superiors, Vibelko, of drugging and raping her on May 17, 2011, sued him and the Air Force, Chief of Air Staff, and Attorney-General of the Federation for her unlawful dismissal.

Until her illegal dismissal in 2015, the court held that the applicant was an aircraftwoman in the Nigeria Air Force. She was enlisted into the Nigerian Air Force on August 15, 2010, with Service No NAF10/25157F. She had put in over five years of active and meritorious service before her persistent victimisation, culminating in her dismissal.

In a judgement delivered on Friday, Justice Dupe Atoki, who read the judgement, described the applicant’s experience as “undeserving of a human being”.

She held that “the brutal rape of the applicant is beastly, undeserving of a human being, and the failure of the Nigerian Air Force to investigate and punish its perpetrator is a show of impunity by the Air Force and the Nigerian authorities.

“The Nigerian Air Force and the Nigerian authorities are hereby ordered to arrest, investigate and prosecute the perpetrator… what amount of money is enough to compensate a teenager gruesomely raped by her superiors on her way to womanhood.”

The court further ordered that her dismissal be converted to retirement with attendant benefits. The court ordered that the applicant be paid $200,000 (about N90 million) as compensation and a report of compliance be submitted by the Nigerian authorities within three months of being served notice of judgement.

The Applicant was represented by her counsel, Marshal Abubakar.

The applicant had narrated that she “was sexually assaulted and brutally raped and deflowered by her superior officer in the Nigerian Air force, one Flight Lieutenant B. S Vibelko”.

Attached to the suit were medical reports confirming the rape and breach of virginity.

The Applicant in the suit further narrated that she made a frantic effort to resist the rape but the said Flight Lieutenant B.S. Vibelko overpowered her, hitting her head against the wall several times in the process, after which she eventually fainted while he had his way.

The suit filed by her counsel further stated, “The Applicant avers that subsequent upon the fact deposed to above, on May 18, 2011, at about 12;00hrs. GMT, she woke up to find herself on admission at the accident and emergency ward in 345 Aeromedical Hospital Kaduna.

“The Applicant further avers that as a result, her health suffered greatly, physically and in status and she contacted severe sexually transmitted infections which resulted into chronic pelvic inflammatory disease growing solid mass close to her uterus.

“The Applicant further avers that resulting from the foregoing; she suffered constant intermittent fainting, severe discharge, chronic lower abdominal pains, dizziness and swollen vulva.

The Applicant further avers that her male superiors in the Nigeria Air force rather than investigate and mete out appropriate sanctions subjected her to unprecedented intimidation, victimisation and threat to her life.

“The Applicant avers that she was often locked up in the guardroom for no reason, placed on constant punishment duties constantly accused and put through various degrees of punishment, imprisonment with hard labour, often dragged on the ground and beaten to the point of comatose whilst nude with bruises all over her body.

“The Applicant avers that she received several death threats from several officers of the Nigerian Air Force who threatened to kill her for daring to expose an officer of the Nigerian Air Force for raping her.

The Applicant further avers that a regimental entry was made into her file stating that she should never be promoted with her colleagues up until her unlawful dismissal, which was dutifully carried out. The Applicant avers that she sighted the said regimental entry in the Personnel Management Group (PMG), Sam Ethnan Base, Ikeja, Lagos.”

According to her, from September 28, 2015, to October 1, 2015, she served various unjustifiable rifle punishment ordered by Squadron leader Ilori, the OC provost, “for daring to report the rape incident”.

She said on October 1, 2015, she was diagnosed with severe high fever upon which she was required to report to the hospital but that Squadron Leader Ilori mandated her to stay on at the guard post. But she said shortly after, she suffered severe dehydration, fainted and had to be revived after a quick first aid treatment.

But as soon as she opened her eyes around 8 pm, she was ordered by her superiors to immediately go back to her duty post in line with the established military rule of ‘obey before complaint’, she said.

She narrated how she was also verbally and physically assaulted by one Flight Lieutenant, after which she was detained in a cell for ten days from October 1, 2015 – October 10, 2015, without food.

According to her, she was also later locked up by Squadron Leader Ejiga and was subjected to “severe beating, torture, degrading treatment” in the cell.

She also narrated how she regained consciousness in the hospital after one of the sessions of abuses she suffered, only to find that her hand had been cuffed to the hospital bed.

The applicant had medical reports and photographs of when she looked critically ill to support her claims before the court.

Among other things sought from the court, the applicant had asked for a declaration that the “dismissal of the Applicant as a soldier in the Nigerian Air Force by the Defendant without arraignment, prosecution and sentence by a duly constituted Court Martial is irregular, illegal, unlawful, null and void whatsoever as to the act of the Defendant herein constitute a violation of the Applicant’s Fundamental Rights to fair hearing as stated in the provisions of SECTION 36 (1), (5) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (As Amended) Third Alteration Act, Article 7 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, Articles 8, 10, 11 (1) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights”.

It sought an order of the court to compel the “Defendant, its agents, organs, servants, privies or by whatever name called to pay over to the Applicant her monthly salary and other allowances from the month such sum is last paid until the date judgment is enforced in this suit”.

It also sought an order directing the “Defendant, their agents, organs, privies, servants or by whatever name called to pay over to the Applicant the sum of $10 000 000. 00 (about N4.5 billion) only as general damages for the physical, psychological and mental torture suffered by the Applicant due to the various human rights violations she was subjected to by the defendant.

An order of this Honourable Court compelling the defendant, its agents, organs, servants, privies or by whatever name called to pay over to the Applicant the sum of $20, 000,000.00 (about N9 billion) only as aggravated and punitive damages that will serve as a deterrent to the defendant.

“An order of this Honourable Court directing the defendant to pay over to the Applicant the sum of $500 000.00 (about N225 million) only being the solicitor’s fees and other incidental costs.

“An order of this Honourable Court directing the Defendant, its agents, organs, servants, privies or by whatever name called to immediately reinstate the Applicant to the rank her contemporaries in the Nigeria Air force currently occupies,” the document stated.

Politics

Court awards N210m compensation to victims of police brutality in Bauchi

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The Federal High Court, Bauchi, on Saturday awarded N210 million compensation to three victims of police brutality in the state.

Justice Hassan Dikko held that two of the victims – Ibrahim Babangida and Ibrahim Sama’Ila – were tortured to death by the police after they were accused of stealing 24 chickens belonging to a retired police officer.

He awarded the sum of N100 million each to the families of the deceased as compensation.

The third victim, Abdulwahab Bello, was awarded N10 million for brutality, senseless arrest, and torture by the police.

The three victims were accused of stealing chickens by the retired police officer on July 21, 2020.

They were arrested and detained at the Township Division “A” Police Station in Bauchi.

According to Bello, one Superintendent Baba Ali, who was the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) at the time, used a pestle to torture him and his two friends who died as a result of the brutality.

He said: “The DPO hit Ibrahim continuously until his last breath.”

Bello and families of the deceased persons later filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Bauchi.

Listed as respondents are one officer simply identified as Ali, Sgt. Jibrin Mohammed, the Commissioner of Police in Bauchi, the Inspector- General of Police, and the Police Service Commission.

Politics

Nigerian govt tenders $1.3m cash in court as exhibit against ex-air chief

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The Federal Government on Thursday tendered as exhibit, a cash sum of $1.3 million recovered from the Abuja mansion of a retired Air Commodore, Umar Mohammed, before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

The foreign currency was counted in the open courtroom with the aid of an electronic counting machine, and admitted as an exhibit during the continuation of the trial of Commodore Mohammed, over alleged fraud and money laundering charges brought against him by the government.

As the trial resumed, the prosecution counsel, Labaran Magaji, tendered the exhibit with other currencies, saying they were recovered from the defendant’s possession.

In the same vein, the defence counsel, Dr Hassan Liman (SAN), examined the prosecution witness, Stephen Olatubosun, through whom the exhibit was tendered and informed the court that his client intends to file a no case submission on the ground that prima facie case had not been established against him.

However, the trial judge, Justice Inyang Eden Ekwo, after listening to the parties, ordered the Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court to deposit the foreign currency with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), pending the conclusion of the trial.

The case was subsequently adjourned to May 27, for adoption of final addresses, by the parties in the no-case submission motion.

The former air chief is facing a three-count charge of alleged money laundering, illegal possession of firearms and classified documents without authority.

He was accused of receiving $1.3 million in cash from Worldwide Consortium PTY Ltd in 2016, through his company Easyjet Airlines in violation of the Money Laundering Act 2011.

Entertainment

Court sentences man to life imprisonment for raping eight-year-old boy in Akwa Ibom

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The Akwa Ibom State High Court sitting in Uyo has sentenced a 40-year-old man, Aniekan Udom, to life imprisonment for raping an eight-year-old boy in Uyo, the state capital.

The court, presided over by Justice Bennett Ilaumo, on Wednesday, held that the accused, a native of Ikot Nkim, in the Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area, was guilty of rape.

The state counsel, Maria Akpan, while reading the facts of the case, told the court that the accused was caught in the act.

According to him, the accused was caught by the victim’s lesson teacher, Iniobong Nta, at the backyard of their residence at Anyan-ikot Street, off Abak Road, Uyo, as he was inserting his penis into the victim’s anus.

Akpan told the court that upon sighting Nta, the accused ran away, but was later apprehended by the police.

The accused, who was a neighbour of the victim’s parents, pleaded guilty to the offence, which was committed on Friday, August 28, 2020.

The police medical report confirmed that the victim was raped and that clinical evaluation indicated that he was in pain and had bruises around his anal region.

Justice Ilaumo, in his judgment, sentenced the accused to life imprisonment.

His verdict: “Upon the charge being read to the accused person and upon his guilty plea after hearing the facts as stated by the state counsel, I enquired of the accused if the facts were true and correct and he admitted that they were. I have aligned the same with Section 1 (1) (a) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, 2020, and found that the facts align with the provision of the law therein.

Upon the accused person’s plea, therefore, I find him guilty as charged. The sentence upon conviction for this offence is imprisonment for life.”

Politics

Court fixes April 19 for lawsuit seeking to halt Kano govt from taking N300bn loan

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A Federal High Court sitting in Kano, on Tuesday, March 16, fixed April 19, for hearing in an application filed by the Centre for Awareness on Justice and Accountability(CAJA), seeking for an order stopping the Kano State Government from borrowing N300 billion from China for a light rail project.

Ripples Nigeria gathered that the interim injunction suit was filed by Kabiru Sa’idu-Dakata and CAJA, challenging the state government from obtaining the loan from China.

The respondents in the suit are the Kano State Government, Senate President, Kano State House of Assembly, Central Bank of Nigeria, Ministry of Finance, Debt Management Office, China EXIM Bank and China Embassy.

At the resumed sitting counsel to the plaintiffs, Mr Bashir Yusuf, told the court that the matter was slated for hearing of several applications.

He told the court that party seeking to be joined in the suit served his client in court.

“We need time to study and respond on the application appropriately and sought for an adjournment”

Responding, counsel to the the State government, Chief Marcelliinus Duru, also argued that the issue of jurisdiction was very fundamental once an issue is raised before the court.

Duru had earlier filed a motion and counter affidavit dated and filed Jan. 26, challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear and determine the suit.

Also responding Counsel to the Senate President, Prof. Mamman Lawan-Yusufari , SAN, sought for an extension of time, adding that his client was served in January.

”The documents did not reach my table until March.

” We are asking for an extension of time to file our response. We are out of time because of the delay the Senate President getting the documents personally”

Justice Sa’adatu Ibrahim-Mark, adjourned the matter until April 19, for hearing.

The plaintiffs in their prayers, sought the court to interpret whether the state government has the power or authority for their failure to follow due process to obtain N300 billion loan from China Exim Bank for the issue of light rail.

The group alleged that all these procedures of external borrowing have not been complied with by the first respondent.

“The revenue of Kano government as at 2019, it added, stands at not more than N40.6 billion and the eternal loan requested by the first respondent is about N300 billion,” the plaintiffs stated.

The plaintiffs further prayed that the court to interpret the section that says all states in Nigeria must ensure that their total loans do not exceed 250 per cent of their revenue of the preceding year.

Entertainment

Oyo court dissolves 26-year-old marriage over ‘voodoo’

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An Oyo Customary Court in Ibadan on Friday terminated a 26-year-old marriage union between a Lagos State-based businesswoman, Kemi Oyeniyi, and her husband, Olusola, over “voodoo” suspicion.

The wife accused her husband of planning to kill her by planting a broomstick on her footpath among other things.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) President of the court, Ademola Odunade, held that the court will not watch until there is bloodshed before acting.

Mr Odunade consequently dissolved the marriage in the interest of peace while he granted custody of the first two children, aged 15 and 18, to Mr Olusola and the last one who is 13, to Ms Oyeniyi.

He ordered Olusola to pay N5,000 for the child’s monthly upkeep.

Earlier, Ms Oyeniyi said: “if I had known that Olusola was randy and wife-killing husband, I will not have married him.

“I missed so many opportunities to work in Saudi Arabia because Olusola opposed the idea.

“When we eventually reached an agreement, I caught Olusola one day planting a broomstick on a footpath he knew I will pass.

A few days before I travelled, my pastor told me that my husband has planted a killer-charm in my body and that I should plead with him to free me.

“In Saudi, my children and relatives sent me many video recordings of how Olusola flirts about with ladies of his children’s age, even kissing them in their presence,” she alleged.

She said that Mr Olusola attempted to sleep with her younger sisters.

In spite of these, I sent him a lot of money to pay our three children’s school fees, but he kept squandering the money,” Ms Oyeniyi said.

Meanwhile, the defendant consented to the divorce but denied all the allegations levelled against him.

“She is a pathological liar who abandoned me immediately she returned from her trip abroad.

“It is true that she sent me some money, but I made judicious use of it,” Mr Olusola said.

Politics

Deposed Myanmar leader Suu Kyi appears in court, hit with additional charge

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Deposed Myanmar leader, Aung San Suu Kyi appeared in a court hearing on Monday via video link and was hit with an additional charge during proceedings.

The lawyer of the embattled 75-year-old leader, Min Min Sow told Reuters news agency that her client who looked healthy during proceedings from the capital, Naypyidaw, asked to see her legal team.

After her arrest, Aung San Suu Kyi was initially charged with illegally importing six walkie-talkie radios as well as violating a natural disaster law by staging a campaign rally during the COVID pandemic.

However, the third charge, added on Monday, was under a section of the colonial-era penal code prohibiting the publication of information that may “cause fear or alarm” or disrupt “public tranquillity”, her lawyer said.

Meanwhile, violent demonstrations have continued as anti-coup protesters rallied across the country again in defiance of a security force crackdown that killed at least 18 people on Sunday.

Entertainment

Court sends Ilorin ‘yahoo boy’ to prison over love scam

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A 34-year-old graduate, Kelvin Isioma Monye, was on Monday February 15, 2021 sentenced to six months imprisonment by Justice Mahmood Abdulgafar of the Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin, having found him guilty of offences bordering on romance scam.

Monye, a graduate of Agricultural Science, was arraigned on a two-count charge by the Ilorin Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

His problem started on January 12, 2021 when some concerned residents of Tanke area in Ilorin petitioned the Commission over the activities of some internet fraudsters around the neighbourhood. A statement by head, media and publicity of the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, said Investigations into the petition led to his arrest.

Particulars of count 2 of the charge read:”That you, Kelvin Isioma Monye (alias: Hassan George), sometime in the month of June 2018, in Ilorin within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did cheat by personation, by portraying yourself as a white male named Hassan via your email address kelvinmonye37@gmail.com to one Louise Evan and induced her to send you $1000 in gift cards, a representation you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 324 of the Penal Code Law.”

He pleaded ‘guilty’ to the two counts.

While reviewing the facts of the case, Olasode Olumide, an operative of the EFCC told the court that Monye was arrested on January 13, 2021.

“He was profiled and in the process an iPhone 6 and a Sony Laptop were recovered from him”, Olumide said.

The witness said several fraudulent documents were printed out from Monye’s email address in the presence of his lawyer. He stated that further findings showed that the defendant was a Nigerian, but claimed to be an American citizen.

The witness, however, informed the court that the defendant in the course of investigation brought a draft of N460,000 as restitution of his crime”

In his judgment, Justice Abdulgafar convicted and sentenced Monye to three months imprisonment on each of the two counts, adding that the sentences would run concurrently.

The judge, in addition ordered that the iPhone 6 and Sony Laptop which were used as instruments of the crime be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria, including the sum of N460,000 which he restituted .

Entertainment

Nigerian fraudster, Invictus, to be sentenced Tuesday in the US

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Nigerian international fraudster, Obinwanne Okeke, popularly known as Invictus, will be sentenced on Tuesday, February 16, by a US court for carrying out multi-million-dollar scam running into millions of dollars.

The 33-year-old Okeke who was once listed on the Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 and described as an inspiration to many Nigerian youths before he was exposed, is said to have defrauded American citizens through fraudulent wire transfer instructions in a massive, coordinated, business e-mail compromise scheme.

He will be sentenced by a Virginia Court and faces a maximum of 20 years in prison if he is convicted

Okeke was arrested on August 6, 2019, by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), after an intensive investigation that spanned over two years. Though he initially pleaded not guilty, he later changed his stance and pleaded guilty to two charges of Internet fraud in the US that caused $11m losses to his victims.

Before his exposure and subsequent arrest, Okeke who was the CEO of Invictus Group, was a big player who had investments in oil and gas, agriculture, private equity, alternative energy, telecom and real estate, with presence in three countries including Nigeria, South Africa and Zambia.

In December 2020, a Federal High Court in Lagos ordered the permanent forfeiture of N235,451,969 found in his bank account.

Entertainment

Court orders paternity test for Nollywood actress’ daughter

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A Magistrates Court in Lagos State has ordered that a DNA paternity test should be conducted on the daughter of a Yoruba movie star, Ronke Odusanya.

M. O. Tanimola, the magistrate, gave the order on Wednesday when the case was brought before her at Court 8, Samuel Ilori Court House, Ogba, Ikeja magisterial district, Lagos.

The estranged lovers welcomed their daughter in 2019.

The curvy actress and the father of her child, Olanrewaju Saheed, popularly known as Jago, are currently in court for several reasons including the welfare of their daughter, Oluwafifehanmi.

When the matter came up in court on Wednesday, Saheed, through his lawyer, requested the court to order a DNA test to ascertain the paternity of the child, on the grounds of suspicion of infidelity.

The actress and her lawyer agreed to the request on the condition that the DNA fees and other bills be footed by Saheed.

The actress’ lawyer also pleaded with the court to ensure it is a court-supervised DNA test.

Ms Tanimola, ruling, decided on an undisclosed hospital on Lagos Island for the test to be done, and for the results to be sent directly to the court.

She adjourned the case till March 31, for further hearing.

In December 2020, both parties were enmeshed in a messy separation scandal that was broken by a popular Instagram gossip blog.

Among other things, the blog alleged that the famous actress ‘‘ruined the father of her child, financially by making him sell off his assets to fulfill her luxurious desires.”

Responding to the allegations, the movie star said in a post on her Instagram page that the rumours were untrue but she had chosen to remain calm as the truth would eventually reveal itself.

While my silence will be taken for cowardice, I will be calm because the truth always reveals itself. I can defend myself but I won’t, i want my daughter to grow up reading such irritating and fact-less information. The court of social media has always been myopic and manipulative.

“Remember you did not make me, you cannot break me. Bank statements can reveal who has been receiving money from who and for what. Investigate before publishing. For the platform used for peddling such absurdity, seeds sown will surely germinate,” she said.

Odusanya, 47, made her acting debut in the 2001 Yoruba film, “Baba Ologba.”

Also a cross over actress, she has featured in several Nigerian films.

Entertainment

Court sentences man to death by hanging in Akwa-Ibom

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The Akwa-Ibom State High Court sitting in Uyo, the state capital, has sentenced a 40-year-old man, Kufre Archibong to death by hanging for armed robbery.

The judge, Okon Okon on Monday, found Archibong guilty of robbing one Bassey Akpan, a 43-year-old public servant in his residence at Nung Uyo Idoro, Uyo on 26th April, 2017.

Justice Okon held that the accused be “hanged by the neck until he is dead” praying God to have mercy upon his soul.

The convict was arraigned with one Micher Ettetuk alias Uko Onu on December, 19, 2017 for conspiracy to commit armed robbery punishable under Sections 6 (b) and 1 (2) (a) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

They both pleaded not guilty to each of the count with the Police presenting investigation report.

Politics

EFCC presents first witness against Mama Boko Haram in alleged N41.7m fraud case

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The trial of Aisha Alkali Wakil alias ‘Mama Boko Haram’ who is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on a fresh three count criminal charge of conspiracy, inducement and obtaining by false pretence to the tune of N41, 777,750.00 commenced before Justice Aisha Kumaliya of the Borno State High Court, Maiduguri Tuesday, January 26, with the prosecution calling its first witness, PW1, Bilkisu Muhammed Abubakar, who was allegedly induced by the defendants to execute over N41m supply contract for Complete Care and Aid Foundation, owned by Wakil, but refused to pay.

Led in evidence by the prosecuting counsel, Mukhtar Ali Ahmed, the PW1 narrated how supplies contracts were awarded to her by Mama Boko Haram and Tahiru Alhaji Saidu Daura, the chief executive officer and programme manager respectively of Complete Care and Aid Foundation and Complete Care respectively.

According to the witness,: “I worked as a volunteer in the Organisation for two years during which I was engaged to make supplies of beverages and toiletries to the NGO and later to the home of Wakil, even though I told them I was not a contractor.

“I supplied to Complete Care and Aid Foundation office two sets of televisions, two sets of telecom, nine stabilizers, thirteen extension wires, cutleries, three electronic kettles, two gas cylinders, toiletries, beverages, bottled water, amongst others for thirteen (13) months.

“I was also buying lunch for Wakil and her daughter, one Khadija Alkali, for four straight months.

“I was asked by Wakil and Daura to write down whatever item I supplied to them. Subsequently, I also furnished the house of Wakil based on request by her; I supplied everything in the house”.

PW1 further told the court that: “I supplied one Italian bed, a complete set of show glass, two centre tables, one Italian dining table and one cushion chair to her husband. She also asked me to supply four beds, five big mattresses and sixteen pillows to be used by her husband and children.

“I also supplied food flasks, electronics, gas cooker, one deep freezer, two industrial fans, four rechargeable fans, three sets of bed side carpets to Aisha Alkali Wakil, her husband and children. I supplied ten ready-made clothes and ten veils as well.

“Wakil also directed me to transfer money to one Ekechukwu Modo to buy her foodstuffs from Enugu. I transferred money in five tranches to Modo’s First Bank account and to one Harira in Malaysia for the purchase of Arabian gown.

“My lord, during the naming ceremony of Wakil’s grandchild, I supplied all the things needed to the tune of N1.5M”.

The witness further revealed that, Mama Boko Haram, after much pleading paid the sum of N10m into her account for every item supplied and services rendered but refused to pay the balance of N31.7m.

The prosecution counsel, Mukhtar Ali Ahmed tendered the Letter of Award of Contract for the supplies, Store Certification, Notification of Delay in Payment, Letter of Introduction and Authorization for the transfer of N1.5M which were all admitted in evidence by the court.

Forty different receipts issued to Bilkisu, tellers and a hand writing documents of items bought by the vendor were also admitted in evidence.

Justice Kumaliya, after listening to the testimony of the PW1, ordered that the proceedings recorded by the court be transmitted to the defendants for study and cross examination of the prosecution witness due to the absence of their counsel.

The trial was adjourned till February 15, 2021 for cross examination of prosecution witness.

Mama Boko Haram was arraigned alongside Tahiru Saidu Daura, and Prince Lawal Shoyede, Programme Manager and Country Director respectively of Complete Care and Aid Foundation (Non-Governmental Organisation).

One of the counts reads: “That you Aisha Alkali Wakil, Tahiru Saidu Daura and Prince Lawal Shoyede whilst being Chief Executive Officer, Programme Manager and Country Director respectively of Complete Care and Aid Foundation (Non-Governmental Organisation) sometimes in June 2018 at Maiduguri, Borno State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, dishonestly induced one Haija Bilkisu Mohammed Abubakar of Ihasan Venndor Services, to deliver to you; House Furniture, electronics and food items worth N34, 593, 000.00 (Thirty Four Million Five Hundred and Ninety Three Thousand Naira) only under the guise of executing a contract for the supply of the said items to Complete Care and Aid Foundation (Non-Governmental Organisation) and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 320 (a) and Punishable under Section 322 of the Penal Code Cap 102 Laws of Borno State.”

Politics

Court strikes out Justice Yinusa’s bribery trial, says he’s immune from criminal prosecution

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A case of bribery and corruption the Economic and Financial Crimes (EFCC) levelled against a judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Mohammed Yinusa, has been dismissed by a Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos State.

The trial judge, Justice Sherifat Solebo, said that since Justice Yinusa still serves as a sitting judge, “he is immune from any criminal prosecution.”

The EFCC had levelled a 9-count charge of attempted perversion of the course of justice and corruption against Yinusa.

The commission claimed that Yinusa in 2015 had constant and confidential communications with a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Ricky Tarfa, who was handling three lawsuits before him.

According to the anti-graft agency, Yinusa allegedly collected a N1.5 million bribe from Tarfa for the purpose of giving favourable rulings and judgments in the cases.

Justice Yinusa was equally said to have allegedly received N750,000 from a former SAN, Mr Joseph Nwobike, between March 2015 and September, 2015, to get “favourable” judgment in some cases.

The Federal High Court judge was charged alongside the second defendant, Esther Agbo, an employee of Rickey Tarfa and Co..

Esther, according to the EFCC on May 14, 2015 allegedly paid the N1.5 million from Tarfa into Yunusa’s UBA account.

When the matter resumed on Monday, Counsel to the 2nd defendant, Mr Olusegun Odubela (SAN) told the court that the 1st Defendant’s counsel, Professor Yemi Akinseye-George (SAN) wrote to the National Judicial Council (NJC) for a review of the report recommending Justice Yinusa’s suspension.

Odubela said the NJC set up another committee to consider the recommendations upon which the 1st Defendant, Justice Yinusa was suspended.

He said that at the NJC’s 93rd meeting held on December 17, 2020 that a report of the review committee was submitted and accepted based on which the NJC lifted the suspension of Justice Yinusa and directed that he should return to work.

He added that the NJC on December 23, 2020 wrote to the chief judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho to convey its decision to lift the suspension of the 1st Defendant following which the CJ himself conveyed the information to Justice Yinusa via a letter written on the 11th of Jan. 2021.

He told the trial judge that the letter was tendered in court and accepted as an exhibit with no objections from the EFCC Counsel, Mr Wahab Shittu.

Odubela said with the development, and in the light of the court of appeal decision in the case of Nganjiwa Vs Fed.Republic of Nigeria, that the court should strike out the name of Justice Yinusa from the charge before it.

Counsel to EFCC Shittu objected to Odubela’s prayer arguing that it was misplaced.

But ruling on the matter, Justice Solebo said that in view of the exhibit tendered before the court showing that Justice Yinusa is still a sitting judge, he is immune from any criminal prosecution.

She, therefore struck out his name from the charge and discharged him.

The judge asked the EFCC to amend the charge against the second defendant, Esther Agbo and adjourned the matter till January 26.

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