Terrorism Charges: Nnamdi Kanu Knows Fate Dec 15
The Supreme Court of Nigeria has officially set December 15, 2023, as the date for delivering its judgment in the highly anticipated case involving the federal government of Nigeria and the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu. This announcement was made by the apex court on Thursday, following the completion of final submissions by the legal teams representing both the federal government and Nnamdi Kanu. Recall that the Court of Appeal in Abuja, on October 13, 2022, ordered the release of Kanu from detention, while also dismissing a 15-count terrorism charge brought against him by the FG. The three-member panel unanimously reached this decision, stating that the Nigerian government had violated established laws by forcibly bringing Kanu from Kenya for trial, thus stripping the trial court of jurisdiction. Following this verdict, the FG, dissatisfied with the ruling, appealed to the Supreme Court and obtained a suspension of the judgement’s execution pending the appeal’s determination.
MohBad’s Childhood Friend, Primeboy Turns Self In To Police
The Lagos State Police has made a significant breakthrough in the investigation into the untimely death of afrobeat sensation, MohBad, as they have confirmed the arrest of Ibrahim Oluwatosin, popularly known as Primeboy. SP Benjamin Hundeyin, the official spokesperson for the Lagos State Police, took to Twitter to make the announcement earlier on Thursday. According to Hundeyin, Primeboy voluntarily surrendered himself to the authorities, leading to his immediate arrest for questioning and further legal proceedings. Recall that Primeboy was declared wanted with a reward of N1 million given to anyone who had any information about him. “Following his being declared wanted, Owodunni Ibrahim Oluwatosin, aka Primeboy, has turned himself in. He has immediately been taken into custody for interrogation and other necessary actions,” Hundeyin stated. In the wake of this arrest, the Lagos State Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to conducting a thorough and diligent investigation into the circumstances surrounding MohBad’s tragic demise, which occurred on September 12, 2023. “The Lagos State Police Command once again assures family, friends, fans of MohBad, and the general public that no stone will be left unturned in ensuring a most diligent investigation. The Command equally assures that all persons found culpable in the death of Mr. Ilerioluwa Aloba, aka MohBad, will definitely be brought to justice,” Hundeyin emphasized.
Court Remands Naira Marley In Prison As Police Declare Mohbad’s Ally Wanted
A Magistrate Court in Yaba, Lagos State, has remanded Azeez Fashola, popularly known as Naira Marley, and Lagos socialite, Balogun Eletu, aka Sam Larry, into police custody. This decision comes at the request of the Lagos State Police Command, which sought a 30-day remand for the individuals while they investigate further. However, Magistrate Adeola Olatunbosun ruled for a 21-day remand instead. Meanwhile, the Lagos State Police Command has declared Owodunni Ibrahim, also known as Primeboy, wanted due to his failure to respond to police invitations during the ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, widely known as Mohbad. Lagos police spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, described Ibrahim as approximately 1.64 meters tall, male, dark-complexioned, with tribal marks, and of Yoruba descent. His last known address is 3rd Power, Oke Eletu, Ikorodu. Hundeyin urged anyone who may have information on Ibrahim’s whereabouts to contact the nearest police station or call 0803 688 5727. Additionally, the state Commissioner of Police, CP Idowu Owohunwa, has offered a reward of N1 million to anyone providing useful information leading to Ibrahim’s arrest. This development follows the tragic death of Mohbad, a former signee of Naira Marley’s record label, at the age of 27 in Lagos.
Naira Marley Lands In Police Custody Over MohBad’s Death
The Lagos State Police Command has officially confirmed the arrest and detention of Azeez Fashola, aka Naira Marley, the CEO of Marlian Records. This arrest is in connection with the tragic demise of his former signee, Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad. The Command’s spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, took to Twitter late Tuesday night to announce Naira Marley’s detention, stating, “Azeez Fashola, aka Naira Marley, has been taken into custody for interrogation and other investigation activities.” This news came shortly after Naira Marley himself tweeted that he had returned to Lagos, Nigeria, with the intention of assisting the police in their ongoing investigations into Mohbad’s untimely death. He expressed his commitment to playing his part in seeking justice for Imole. In his tweet, Naira Marley said, “I’d like to share that I’ve just arrived back in Lagos, Nigeria to assist the authorities with the ongoing investigation. It’s important I do my part for Imole. I’ll be meeting with the police with hopes for the truth to be uncovered and for justice to prevail.” This move follows Naira Marley’s previous promise to return to the country to clear his name, as he had raised concerns about his safety and claimed that someone was attempting to falsely implicate him in Mohbad’s death. In related developments, the police had previously arrested Balogun Olamilekan Eletu, also known as Sam Larry, in connection with Mohbad’s tragic passing.
Man Gets Life Jail For Defiling 4-Year-Old Girl Inside Lagos Church
In a significant verdict, Justice Abiola Soladoye of the Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court has sentenced Ifeanyi Ndieze to life imprisonment for sexually assaulting a four-year-old girl within the premises of a Lagos church. During the trial held on Tuesday, the judge determined that the prosecution had successfully substantiated the charge of sexual assault by penetration, in accordance with Section 261 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. The court heard that the child positively identified the defendant as the individual who had carried her during a church event and subsequently assaulted her by inserting his finger into her private parts. This disturbing incident led to the child’s severe bleeding, which was discovered by her mother during bath time. Medical professionals confirmed that the child had been forcibly penetrated, and her underwear, soaked with blood, was submitted as evidence. The defendant’s denial of the offense was described as an act of pathological dishonesty by Justice Soladoye. In light of these findings, Ifeanyi Ndieze was declared guilty of sexually assaulting the four-year-old child and sentenced to life imprisonment. Furthermore, his name will be added to the Lagos State Sexual Offences Register as part of the judgment. Justice Soladoye took the opportunity to emphasize the importance of parental responsibility and cautioned against leaving young children in the care of their siblings. The prosecution was led by Lagos State counsel, Mrs. Olufunke Adegoke, who presented four witnesses and four exhibits to support the case. The offense, which took place on October 29, 2020, on Salau Street in Lagos, was prosecuted by the Lagos State Government.
Alleged Harassment: OAU Lecturer Sues Colonel, Police CP, Seeks N10m Damages
A University lecturer and human rights activist, Prof. Chijioke Uwasomba has dragged Colonel Abubakar Abdulkadir Alkali of the Special Investigation Bureau of the Nigeria Army Military Police before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory over alleged harassment and violation of his fundamental human rights. He also demanded the sum of N10 million as exemplary damages for threat to arrest him by the police at the instance of the Army Colonel. The Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, was also listed as second respondent in the suit marked W/7744/23. The plaintiff in the fundamental human rights enforcement suit filed by his lawyers, Onyeisi Chiemeke and Abdul Mahmud, claimed he got series of invitations with threats of arrest from the police following a breach of agreement by the respondent. Uwasomba, a lecturer in the Department of English at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife therefore demanded, among others, “the sum of N10 million as exemplary damages for the said wrongful invitation” and threat to arrest him by the personnel of the police at the instance of Colonel Alkali for no legal justification. He also demanded a declaration that the orders for his invitation and arrest by the police and its agents “based on the misleading information” by Alkali of a business transaction (agency relationship) between them was wrong, unlawful, illegal and a violation of his fundamental rights to personal liberty and freedom of movement as guaranteed by Sections 35, 41 and 44 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 and Article 6, 12 and 14 of the African Charter of Human and Peoples Rights, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. The OAU don asked the court to restrain the respondents, their servants, agents and/or privies, jointly or severally, or any law enforcement agency acting pursuant to their instructions from threatening, harassing, arresting or detaining him and members of his family based on the complaint of the first respondent, in violation of his rights to dignity of human person, personal liberty, freedom of movement and right to work guaranteed by Sections 34, 35, 37 and 41 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999. Uwasomba also asked the court to declare that the first and second respondents were not empowered by the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or any other statute or instrument to threaten, harass, arrest or detain him in violation of his Fundamental Rights to dignity of human person, personal liberty, freedom of movement and right to work guaranteed by Sections 35, 37 and 41 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999. Meanwhile, no date has been fixed for hearing of the case.
FG Denies N50bn Plea Bargain With Emefiele
The Federal Government on Sunday, distanced itself from a purported N50 billion planned non-prosecution plea bargain with the embattled former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele. The detained ex CBN Boss was reported to have entered into a plea bargain with government on condition of surrendering N50b to facilitate his early release from the custody of the Department of the State Service DSS and cancelling his trial on charges comprising money laundering, breach of Public Procurement Act and abuse of office. However, on Sunday, the Attorney General of the Federation AGF and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi said neither his office or the Presidency have had anything of such nature with Emefiele. The position of the Federal Government was made public in a statement by the Director of Information in the Federal Ministry of Justice Mrs Modupe Ogundoro. The statement reads in part: “The attention of the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice has been drawn to a report by Sahara Reporters alleging that the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele and the Federal Government of Nigeria, have agreed to a non-prosecution plea bargain arrangement. “The report further alleges that Mr. Godwin Emefiele and the Federal Government of Nigeria, represented by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, have signed a non-prosecution plea bargain agreement and that the agreement is awaiting the signature of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, “The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice hereby states clearly that these reports are completely false. “It would be noted that the legal team representing Mr. Godwin Emefiele had expressed their intention in court at the last hearing to initiate a plea bargain arrangement. “However, no such arrangement has been reached with Mr. Godwin Emefiele or his representatives. “We wish to advise the media and members of the public to kindly disregard the said false report. “The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice will continue to take all actions in the interest of the Nigerian public,” Fagbemi assured.
US Court Mandates Chicago Varsity to Disclose Tinubu’s Academic Records to Atiku
A United States Court has issued a directive to the Chicago State University (CSU) regarding the release of President Bola Tinubu’s academic records to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. The presiding judge, Nancy Maldonado, has dismissed Tinubu’s objections and set a two-day deadline for CSU to provide the requested documents to Atiku. Judge Maldonado upheld the earlier ruling made on September 20 by US Magistrate Judge Jeffery Gilbert, which had ordered CSU to release Tinubu’s academic records in response to Atiku’s request. The judge emphasized that Atiku, the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), had the right to access these records. In her ruling, Judge Maldonado stated, “For the reasons stated in the Court’s accompanying Memorandum Opinion and Order, the Court overrules President Tinubu’s objections and adopts Judge Gilbert’s recommended decision in full. The Court, therefore, grants Mr. Abubakar’s application under 28 U.S.C. § 1782.” Furthermore, the court has set a timeline for CSU to comply with the directive. CSU is instructed to produce all relevant and non-privileged documents in response to specific requests by Atiku’s legal team by 12:00 p.m. (noon) CDT on Monday, October 2, 2023. Additionally, the Rule 30(b)(6) deposition of CSU’s corporate designee must be completed by 5:00 p.m. CDT on Tuesday, October 3, 2023. Atiku’s request for Tinubu’s academic records stems from his ongoing legal challenge to the outcome of the February 25 presidential election in Nigeria. Atiku, the PDP candidate, has argued that the documents are essential in supporting his claim that Tinubu allegedly forged a certificate from CSU in 1979, which he submitted to Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the 2023 presidential election. This court ruling represents a significant development in the legal proceedings surrounding the presidential election and the authenticity of Tinubu’s academic qualifications.
Appeal Court Has Delivered 7,295 Judgements, 3,665 Motions -President
The President of Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem has revealed that the court delivered a total of 7,295 judgments and 3,665 motions in the 2022/2023 legal year. Speaking at the commencement of the 2023/2024 new legal year, Justice Dongben-Mensen recalled that a total of 98 panels were constituted to hear election petitions across the country to handle a total of 1,209 petitions that were filed. Breaking down the delivery, she noted that among the petitions, five were filed at the presidential election petition court and have been concluded, while some of 147 filed at the Senatorial election tribunal have been delivered and 417 petitions from the House of Representatives election are also being attended to. Also, a total of 557 petitions associated with the State Houses of Assembly, and 83 Gubernatorial Elections petitions are being disposed off, added that twenty-eight States participated in the Governorship elections, and petitions were filed in 24 states. Concluding, she appealed to the Minister of the FCT, Nyeson Wike to provide a large piece of land for the construction of the Abuja Division, adding that Abuja division is currently overwhelmed by voluminous documents and suffers from lack of adequate storage facilities and office space. A former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr. Kanu Agabi (SAN) said on Monday that Nigeria’s continued survival greatly depends on the transparency of judicial officers in the discharge of their judicial functions. Agabi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria has therefore pleaded Judges and Justices not to lose confidence and principles in themselves no matter the challenges. He expressed that, in spite of the contributions and sacrifices of judicial officers to the survival of the country, they are still been unwarantedly attacked and criticised. He warned that the country would be doomed unless the unjust attacks against judicial officers are stopped. “It is only here that judicial officers work harder than slaves and yet, they are not appreciated. But the consolation is that the Judges in Nigeria are no match to the devil they are contending with. “Whether we like it or not, we have to be proud of our Justices. They are brilliant and bold and some of them appointed as Justices in other countries. “A mistake by one Justice should be not be generalised to warrant general condemnation from any quarter. They surpass Judges from other countries. They deserve commendation for resisting the evils. “Majority of judicial officers are standing in the face of challenges and unless we are careful with the way we attack Judges, we will lose our minds and conscience”, he said. He said, those who criticise judicial officers are at liberty to do so, but they have to cautious in the way they go about it adding that, while criticising the judiciary, they must not abuse it. The former Minister of Justice spoke against granting of outlandish bail conditions to suspected criminals. He noted that the law presumes them innocent until guilt is established adding that, granting of outlandish bail that will keep them in custody is unconstitutional According to him, “We need not to slam bail conditions that are unattainable as the principles which govern bail conditions are the same as fine governed by the constitution”. He challenged the current AGF to use his office to improve the welfare and work conditions of judicial officers. In his speech, the AGF and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) said that President Bola Tinubu’s administration will address the issue of shortage of Justices at the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.
Tribunal Ruling: Shettima, Gbajabiamila, Ribadu, govs, arrive court
The Vice President of Nigeria, Kashim Shettima, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, the chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdulahi Ganduje and six state governors have stormed the presidential election petition court for the judgement on the petitions challenging the February 2023, Presidential Election. The governors are Bauchi state governor, Bala Mohammed, Nasarawa state governor, Abdulahi Sule, Yobe state governor, Mai Mala Buni, Ekiti state governor, Biodun Oyebanji are among those that have arrived the PEPC. Others are Imo state governor, Hope Uzodima, his Kogi state counterpart, Yahaya Bello, Minister of state for Defense, Bello Matawale, the Labour Party chairman, Julius Abure, lawyers and supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Labour Party and the Allied Peoples Movement (APM). The petition court sitting at the Court of Appeal in Abuja will be giving judgement in the three petitions challenging the emergency of Bola Tinubu as the winner if the election. Already, television stations had, the previous day, set up their outside broadcast equipment in preparation for the live broadcast of the judgement. Recall that the Chief Registrar of the Court of Appeal, Umar Mohammed Bangari had, on Monday confirmed the judgement day and added that the judgement will be televised live by interested television stations for the public to follow to promote transparency and openness. Access to the court room was tough as security officials had to identify people with accreditation tag before accessing the court room. The Labour Party, PDP and their presidential candidates as well as the APM, in their petitions, are seeking the nullification of Tinubu’s election on the ground of substantial non compliance with the law. The five member panel of Justices will soon commence sitting. NIGERIAN ANCHOR had reported earlier this morning that there is heavy security presence at the appellate court. More details later…