NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

Supreme Court Justice, Sylvester Ngwuta is dead

68 total views today

By Ebere Agozie

Supreme Court Justice, Sylvester Ngwuta is dead.

Sources at the apex court confirmed that Ngwuta died in the early morning of Sunday in his sleep at his official residence in Abuja at almost the age of seventy.

Ngwuta was said to be getting set for his retirement from the Supreme Court on March 30, 2021 upon attainment of 70 years mandatory retirement age.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that Justice Ngwuta was born in 1951 in Amofia-Ukawu, Onicha Local government Ebonyi.

He started his private legal practice at Abakaliki in July 1978 to October 1995, from where he was appointed a judge of the High Court Abia in October 1995 and thereafter promoted to the Court of Appeal on May 22, 2003.

Ngwuta was finally sworn-in as Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in May 2011.

He was the chairman of judicial panel of inquiry into the Obegu Enyibichirikwo Disturbance 1997-1998.

He has been a member of several Election Petition Tribunal, Governorship and legislative House Election Petition Tribunal; Nasarawa State held at Lafia in February 1999, National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal Plateau State held at Jos in April 1999, among others. (NAN)

Barrow pusher docked for allegedly stealing N48, 000

75 total views today

By Blessing Ibegbu

The police on Wednesday arraigned a wheelbarrow pusher, Nasiru Sani, in a Karu Grade 1 Area Court, Abuja, for allegedly stealing a trader’s N48,000.

The defendant, who resides at Karu Market, Abuja, is standing trial for criminal trespass and theft, offences he denied committing.

Prosecution counsel, Mr Ayotunde Adeyanju, told the court that the complainant (alleged victim), Wasilat Yusuf of the same Karu Market, reported the case at the Karu Police Station on Jan. 2.

He alleged that Yusuf dropped her phone and shop keys  at her neighbour’s shop while assisting him to carry out business transactions.

Adeyanju said that the defendant stole the  keys, went to the shop, opened Yusuf’s  savings locker and  stole N48, 000.

He said the alleged offences contravened Sections 348 and 288 of the Penal Code.

The judge, Mr  Inuwa Maiwada, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N100, 000 with one surety in like sum, and adjourned the case until March 15 for hearing. (NAN)

Man in court for failing to pay Bet9ja game operator

64 total views today

By Dorcas Elusogbon

A 22-year-old man, Damilola Daramola, on Tuesday appeared in an Ile-Ife Magistrates’ Court in Osun for failing to pay N12,700 to Bet9ja game operator.

The Prosecution Counsel, ASP Sunday Osanyintuyi, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on Feb 21, 2021 at Olonade Area, Ile-Ife.
.
Osanyintuyi said that the defendant conducted himself in a manner likely to cause breach of public peace, when he played Bet9ja game worth N12, 700 from Akindele Mercy and refused to pay.

The offence, he said, contravened the provisions of Section 249 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Osun, 2002.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the one-count charge of breach of public peace.

The defence counsel, Mr Unah Sunday, applied for bail for his client in most liberal terms.

Magistrate A.A. Adebayo admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N25, 000 with one surety in like sum.

Adebayo ordered that the surety must swear to affidavit of means, resides within the court jurisdiction as well as produce three recent passport photographs.

He adjourned the case until March 22 for hearing.( NAN)

Boardroom crisis: Court fixes May 11 for definite hearing in suit involving Obasanjo’s ex-aide

87 total views today

By Taiye Agbaje
The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday, fixed May 11 for definite hearing in a suit involving Prof. Anthony Adegbulugbe, a former Special Adviser on Energy in the President Olusegun Obasanjo administration, and others.

Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu fixed the date after all pending motions relating to the substantive matters had been regularised by counsel to the parties.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Adegbulugbe, the chairman, Green Energy International Limited, and two directors, Dr Bunu Alibe and Mr Ayodele Olojede, have been locked in legal battle on the ownership and running of affairs of the oil company.

The company is the plaintiff in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1390/2020, with Alibe and Olojede the 1st and 2nd defendants respectively.

At the resumed sitting, the two defendants, through their counsel, Alade Agbabiaka, SAN, sought for an order of the court to discharge the exparte order granted in favour of the plaintiff on Nov. 4, 2020 which compelled them to attend an Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the company slated for Nov. 12 which they did not attend.

The defendants, while arguing their motion seeking to discharge the order, averred that they did not attend the AGM because its notice ran foul of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) which requires 21 days notice before the meeting can be convened by the company.

They further told the court that the exparte order infringed on their fundamental rights to freedom of association, adding that the order was obtained by the plaintiff by concealing material facts before the court.

They urged the court to vacate the exparte order against them in the interest of justice.

But counsel to the plaintiff, Benbella Anachebe, SAN, opposed the application on the ground that the exparte order complained against had no life again.

He argued that the order was to last for 14 days and that the 14 days had since expired.

In her ruling, Justice Ojukwu held that the exparte order had become an academic exercise, adding that delving into it would amount to premature incursion into the substantive matter.

The judge then fixed May 11 for definite hearing of the substantive matter.
NAN reports that Adegbulugbe, in the suit, is praying the court for a declaration that the two directors; Alibe and Olojede with 22.6 per cent shares cannot impose their will on the majority shareholders who approved and sanctioned agreements reached with third party entities for the benefit of the company.

The complainant also wants the court to restrain the two directors from doing anything inimical to the interest of the firm but use internal mechanism in resolving any dispute.

However in their counter affidavits, the two directors claim that Adegbulugbe usurped the function of the Managing Director of the firm and had been taking unilateral decisions that were against the objectives of the company.

The two defendants averred that the former Obasanjo’s aide had engaged in alleged infractions by involving multinational companies in the operations of the company without their input.

Amongst others, they contended that Adegbulugbe brought third parties under the guise of increasing production of the Otakikpo Marginal Oil Field from 5,600 bpd to 30,000 bpd.

Contrary to the claim of the chairman that the two directors have only 22.6 % shares in the company, the defendants asserted that they are owners of 25 % shares.

The first defendant, in particular, stated that as plaintiff’s Director-Technical, he should have been in charge of all technical matters.

He disclosed that the second defendant and himself were directly instrumental to the award of an oil mining license by the Federal Government of Nigeria to the plaintiff to operate the Otakikpo Marginal Oil Field (OML 11).

“That the 2nd Defendant and myself undertook the task of applying for and securing said license because Adegbulugbe was unable to do so firstly because he did not have the relevant contacts needed to secure the marginal oil field licence and secondly because as a public official then serving in government as Energy Advisor to the administration of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, then President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he was precluded from doing so for reasons of conflict of interest.

“That after joining us on the plaintiff’s board as a co-director, Prof. Anthony Adegbulugbe unilaterally usurped the position of Chairman, Board of Directors without the Board electing him to that position contrary to the provisions of Section 289(4) of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020,” they averred.

The defendants stated that Adegbulugbe’s usurpation of the position of the Chairman of the Board and combining same with the position of the Chief Executive Officer of the Plaintiff is contrary to the provisions of Part A, Section 2(2.7) of the Nigerian Code of Corporate Governance 2018.

This, they said, provides that “the positions of the Chairman of the Board and the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) of the company should be separate such that no person can combine the two positions.”

They therefore prayed the court to protect them as executive directors and as bonafide minority shareholders of the company.

NAN reports that the management crisis is said to be threatening the daily production of targeted 30,000 barrel of crude oil.

Garki Hospital opens up on treatment of corps member shot by police

113 total views today

By Edith Nwapi

The Garki General Hospital, Abuja, never denied a corps member, Nkechi Igwetu, treatment after being shot by a police officer on July 3, 2018.

The Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Adamu Onu, made this known on Monday while testifying before the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) panel.

The NHRC panel is investigating alleged violations of rights by the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS)and other units of the police.

The CMD, was summoned by the panel on Nov.16, 2020.

“The allegations against the hospital are 100 per cent untrue.

“I am here on behalf of Garki Hospital.

” The complainant in her petition alleged that her late sister was denied treatment on that day.

“I am here to say that the allegation is false and clear misrepresentation of fact.

“Garki Hospital Abuja does not demand for the police report before attending to Trauma Patients at thr Accident and Emergency department.

“Garki Hospital does not demand payment before stabilizing Trauma Patients. It is a Tradition that we do not compromise. The case at hand is not different,” he said.

The CMD informed the panel that the hospital CCTV captured what transpired on the day the deceased was brought to the hospital.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Chinenye, a sister to the deceased in a petition before the panel, marked 2020/IIP-SARS/ABJ/10, alleged that her sister was denied care after being shot by the police.

She alleged that she was asked to deposit N50,000  before treatment can be administered on her late sister.

The respondents in the petition are Insp Benjamin Peters; the FCT Commissioner of Police; Inspector-General of Police; CMD, Garki Hospital and the Registrar, Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.

Earlier, counsel for the hospital, Nekabari Annah, objected to the panel hearing the petition on the grounds that the hospital was neither SARS nor a police unit.

According to him, the matter had previously been heard and concluded by a panel set up by the NHRC.

He added that the panel was headed by an Assistant Director with the Commission, Dahiru Bobo.

He also said that the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, the body responsible for Regulating Doctors and Ensuring Good medical Practice, established that there was no prima facie against the hospital.

He, therefore, submitted that the Garki Hospital was not involved in any extra judicial killing, adding that the hospital was involved in the business of saving life.

After his submission, the chairman of the panel, rtd Justice Suleiman Galadima, ruled that Annah’s objection was well taken.

He however said, that in the interest of fair hearing,  the CMD should explain to the panel the circumstances leading to Linda Igwetu’s death.

Galadima,  then adjourned the petition until April 8 for adoption of written addresses. (NAN)

How Legal Aid Council received 45 cases in 1 month

88 total views today

By Ramatu Garba

The Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, Kano State Chapter, said on Saturday that the council received 45 cases in January.

The State Coordinator of the council, Labaran Kabo, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano.

Kabo said that out of the 45 cases, 40 were criminal matters, while five were civil cases.

According to him, during the period under review the council completed 15 criminal cases, while 25 are still pending in court.

He further explained that the five civil cases are still pending in the court.

“Some of the criminal cases were on armed robbery, criminal breach of trust, homicide, rape and theft, while the civil cases were on marriage and land disputes, as well as debt recovery”.

The coordinator said that the council is giving voice to the voiceless and advised those who could not afford to pay for such services to feel free and contact the council.

“Our mandate is to ensure equality and justice for all Nigerians by providing effective free legal aid and assistance in a way that reflects basic constitutional ideals and goals of government to access justice”. (NAN)

Court jails 2 for stealing phone

74 total views today

By Veronica Dariya

A Dutse Grade 1 Area Court, Abuja, on Friday sentenced two men – Sani Adamu and Ibrahim Salisu – both aged 20, to three months imprisonment for stealing a mobile phone.

The Presiding Judge, Mr Hassan Aliyu,  found the defendants guilty of conspiracy and stealing.

Mohammed held that they failed to give the court any reasonable explanations why they committed the crimes.

He hoped that the sentence  would serve as a deterrent to others.

Mohammed, however, gave them an option to pay N43, 000 each as fine.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Mr Tunde Arowolo, told the court that one Mr Abubakar Maaruf reported the case at  Bwari Police Station on Feb. 18.

Arowolo said that Adamu and Salisu snatched Maaruf’s  Tecno Spark 4  worth N33, 000, while trying to convince him to participate in a game.

The prosecutor submitted that during police investigation, both defendants confessed to committing the crimes, but could not give any satisfactory account of the phone.

He said that the offences contravened Sections 79 and 287 of the Penal Code. (NAN)

Police arraign 2 housewives for destroying neighbour’s property

130 total views today

By Blessing Ibegbu

The police on Thursday arraigned two women in a Grade I Area Court in Karu, FCT, for allegedly destroying neighbour’s property.

The police charged Ladi John, 28, and Blessing Nwabueze, 30, with joint act, criminal trespass, housebreaking, mischief and being in possession of dangerous weapons.

They however pleaded not guilty.

The prosecution Counsel, Ayotunde Adeyanju, told the court that the complainant, Linda John, reported the matter at the Karu Police Station on Feb. 1.

He said that the defendants armed with a pestle and knives, trespassed into John’s apartment and broke her 32-inche LED TV, worth N55,000, standing mirror, set of plates and water tank.

Adeyanju also alleged that the defendants poured the complainant’s groundnut oil and kerosene.

The offence, he said, contravened the provisions of sections 79, 348, 353, 327 and 319  of the Penal Code

The Judge, Inuwa Maiwada, admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N100, 000 each with one surety each in like sum.

Maiwada adjourned the case until April 6 for hearing. (NAN)

Lawyers task new EFCC chair, Bawa on integrity, dedication

93 total views today

By Sandra Umeh
Two former Executives of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Bayo Akinlade and Douglas Ogbankwa, have urged the new Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr AbdulRasheed Bawa, to remain incorruptible.

They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that although the appointment of Bawa was greeted with diverse arguments, it now remains for him to stay focused and prove doubters wrong on his capacity.

NAN reports that the Senate on Wednesday confirmed 40-year-old Bawa as new Chairman of the anti-graft agency, which had been without a head since the suspension of its acting chairman, Mr Ibrahim Magu.

In his reaction, Akinlade, a former Chairman of the NBA Ikorodu Branch, said that the arguments surrounding the appointment should now serve as a guide to him on the expectations of Nigerians.

According to him, “at 40, Bawa clearly stands in a unique position to transform our nation.

“The new Chairman is positioned now to change the narrative, he has to prove that our generation can do better, correct the mistakes of our fathers and the generations before us.

“I urge the new Chairman to be brave, incorruptible and focus on the future of this country; he has to lead those under him towards a moral path; he has to stop all the illegal arrests, detentions and bias investigations.

“He must protect our economy from all those who seek to undermine it, and must do justice between those in power and those that are not,” he said.

Akinlade urged that the constitution must be the only master and urged him never to compromise on his integrity.

“Many people will try to discourage him, and try to make him fall into their own hopelessness but he must surround himself with forward-thinking Nigerians with a high moral compass and dream of a corrupt-free Nigeria,” he said.

On his part, Ogbankwa, who is immediate past publicity secretary of the NBA Benin Branch, said that the confirmation of Bawa signals a new dawn in the anti-graft organisation.

“I defer with some persons who oppose his appointment. Bawa is a youth. It is high time officials of the organisation took control, as opposed to the Police running same.

“I know that when you are about to be elevated to a position of authority your detractors come out with gimmicks to pull you down; the chairman must however stay focused,” he said.

According to Ogbankwa the new Chairman should now get down to work and address core areas requiring urgent attention.

“The granting of obnoxious bail conditions should be addressed especially where the administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, provides that the first line of sureties should be blood relatives of the suspects.

“The EFCC should desist from investigating matters pertaining to contracts as the EFCC is not a debt collector as has been stated in a plethora of cases by the Supreme Court and other superior courts of records.

“The EFCC should not only investigate financial crimes, but also economic crimes, as we rarely hear about oil bunkering, under payment of import duties, currency trafficking, forgery of customs documents among others.

“The EFCC Act provides for interim forfeiture of properties using ex-parte orders. So, any car seized without a court order must be released forthwith.

“There should also be an electronic tracking system in place to track all seized properties and a public auction sale of same, after due process, with an open bid, open to public participation and scrutiny,” he said.

Ogbankwa urged the EFCC to also see lawyers are partners in progress and not enemies in the efforts to see a corruption free country.

Businessman in court for allegedly damaging neighbour’s windscreen

46 total views today

By Joy Kaka

A 55-year-old businessman, John Augustine, on Wednesday appeared in a Grade I Area Court, Kubwa, Abuja, for allegedly destroying his neighbour’s windscreen.

The police charged Augustine with criminal trespass, assault, mischief and refusal to issue statement to police.

The prosecution counsel, John Okpa, told the court that the complainant, Umoh Jeremiah, reported the matter at the Dutse Alhaji Police Station, Abuja, on July 9.

Okpa said that the defendant, who is the complainant’s neighbour, trespassed into the complainant’s compound and destroyed his vehicle windscreen and assaulted him.

The prosecution counsel added that the defendant refused to give a statement in respect of the matter while in the police station.

The offence, he said contravened the provisions of sections 327, 265 and 142 of the Penal Code.

The defendant pleaded not guilty.

The judge, Mr Muhammad Adamu, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N200, 000 with one surety in like sum.

Adamu also ordered that the surety must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and produce means of identification.

He adjourned the case until April 7 for hearing. (NAN)

X
Welcome to NAN
Need help? Choose an option below and let me be your assistant.
Email SubscriptionSite SearchSend Us Email