By Emmanuel Afonne

An Abuja-based Human Rights lawyer, Mr Pelumi Olajengbesi, has described the judiciary as truly the last hope for the common man.

Olajengbesi was reacting to a judgement by a Federal High Court, sitting in Osogbo, Osun State, which awarded the sum of N5 million as general damages for the abuse of rights of one of his clients, Mrs Adetola Abdulazeez.

The judgement, delivered on Monday by the presiding Judge, Justice Ayo Emmanuel, was against the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Inspector General of Police (IGP).

Olajengbesi, in an interview with NAN, commended the court and applauded the Judge for his courage and judicious adjudication of the suit.

“The judgment will reinforce the slogan which connotes the judiciary as the last hope of the common man and equally rekindle the hope of Nigerians in our judicial system,” he said.

It would be recalled that the applicant on April 18, 2020, during the national COVID-19 lockdown, was grievously dehumanised and publicly assaulted by officers of the Nigeria Police who were identified as Inspector Taiwo and Constable Abass Ibrahim.

The applicant was hounded by the said officers on her way in search of a pharmaceutical store to purchase drugs for her ailing daughter who was down with severe ear infection.

The officers, without just cause, pounced on the applicant with police baton and other whips, causing her grievous bodily injury and emotional distress.

At the hearing of the suit, Counsel for the Police and the IGP, F.B Osei Esq., argued that although Inspector Taiwo and Constable Abass Ibrahim are agents of the Nigeria Police Force, the Police and the IGP cannot be held liable for their acts and omissions.

The Court held that the actions of the officers in the discharge of their official duties as agents of the Nigeria Police amounted to an infringement of the fundamental right to dignity of the applicant, a liability the Nigeria Police Force must shoulder.

Other lawyers in the matter who represented the applicants were Pelumi Olaleye Esq., Abiodun Sonaike Esq., and Emmanuel Omaga. (NAN)

By Ngozi Njoku

A 17-year-old boy, Quadri Taiwo, on Monday appeared in an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly threatening the life of his mother.

The Police charged Taiwo for breach of peace and threat to life, punishable under sections 168 and 56 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty.

The Prosecutor, ASP Kehinde Ajayi, told the court that the defendant committed the offence in November 2020 at Balogun Street, Orile-Agege in Lagos State.

Ajayi said that the defendant threatened the life of Mojisola Taiwo, over a conflicting issue.

He said that Taiwo also conducted himself in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace by sending a series of abusive text messages to his mother.

“Taiwo was, however, arrested after a thorough investigation,’’ Ajayi said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 56 stipulates a one-year jail term for threatening violence.

Chief Magistrate, Mrs A.O Ajibade, however, granted the defendant N50,000 bail with one surety in like sum.

She adjourned the case until Feb. 11, for mention. (NAN)

By Glory Abuh-Adejoh/ Talatu Maiwada

The trial of a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal and five others began on Wednesday in an FCT High Court in Jabi, Abuja.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)  called its first witness.

The prosecution witness, a relationship manager in the Sales Department, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Mohammed Babansule, tendered the statement of account of one of the companies, Josmon Technologies Ltd., the sixth defendant.

Some other documents tendered by the bank official  were the Certificate of Incorporation, Memorandum of Understanding, AEDC receipts, Letter of reference, International passport page of Apeh Monday, the fourth defendant and board resolution to open an account, all for the sixth defendant.

Babansule while giving evidence in chief had said that the statement of account for the sixth defendant was generated from computer system of the bank, printed, signed, endorsed and certified by the bank before sending same to the EFCC.

The witness also confirmed comparing the printed statement to be the same with the one in the bank’s system.

When asked by  Often Uket,  the prosecutor, the condition of the system as at the time the documents were printed, Babansule replied, ” the system, both computer and printer were in good condition and working properly”.

After the  documents were tendered to the court and the defendants counsel did not object to any of them, the judge proceeded to Mark them as exhibits.

The defendants counsel, Akin Olujimi, first defendant counsel, Sunday Itodo, second defendant counsel,  Napoleon Idenala, counsel to third defendant, Ocholi Okutepa, counsel to the fourth and sixth defendants and M.E Oru , then all took turns to cross examine the witness.

He was also asked to confirm if those institutions were the ones that could issue original copies of any documents that emanated from them.

He was equally asked if it was the bank that noticed an unusual inflow and outflow of the six defendant’s transactions and reported to the EFCC.

He answered in the negative  and then in the  positive to the above questions.

At the end of the cross-examination by the defendants counsel, Uket attempted to re-examine Babansule in regards to whether or not the bank had the photocopies of the documents he tendered, but his line of question was objected to by Itodo and the objection was sustained by the court.

Justice Charles Agbaza, discharged the witness and adjourned the matter  until Jan. 21, for continuation of trial.

The News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN), reports that the other defendants in the case are:  Hamidu Lawal, Lawal’s younger brother,  Suleiman Abubakar, Monday Apeh, and two companies – Rholavision Engineering Ltd and Josmon Technologies Ltd.

NAN also reports that the defendants were  first arraigned  before Justice Jude Okeke of the FCT High Court, Maitama, Abuja on Feb. 13, 2019,  however the case had to be transferred to Justice Agbaza  following Okeke’s death.

This development led to the re-arraignment of the defendants on Nov. 30,2020,on 10 amended counts charge bordering on fraud, criminal conspiracy diversion of over N544 million and  diversion of over N544m belonging to the Federal Government.

The offences  the  EFCC alleged the defendants committed during the time Lawal  was the SGF and that he allegedly awarded contracts to these companies in which he had interests. (NAN)

By Olawale.Akinremi

A customary court sitting at Mapo, Ibadan, on Wednesday dissolved a five-year-old marriage between a businessman, Abiola Azeez and his wife, Ayobami in the interest of peace.

The President of the court, Chief Ademola Odunade, also advised Azeez to file a separate suit in order to claim his property, allegedly taken away by Ayobami.

Azeez, a resident of Muslim-Odinjo area of Ibadan, had approached the court to dissolve the marriage over uncomplimentary behaviour by his ex-wife.

He told the court that in spite all his efforts at making his ex-wife happy, she had incurred heart attacks through her uncomplimentary behaviour.

He said that although the marriage was not blessed with a child, he had no rest of mind because of her problems.

“One night, I caught Ayobami writing a suicide note and how she would poison herself to death.

“I was shocked that Ayobami did this not minding that she never lacked anything under my watch as her husband.

“I made efforts to build a house for her, but she rejected it.

“Instead, Ayobami demanded that I should give her N2 million, which I did, but to my surprise, she squandered the money.

“In fact, I have no rest of mind because of her problems,” he said.

Azeez said when he was away on business trip, Ayobami allegedly stole his plasma TV, a refrigerator, a set of chairs, a generating set and two mattresses.

“I don’t want her to kill me, please separate us,” Azeez begged the court.

Ayobami was, however, not in court to respond to the allegations levelled against her.

The bailiff told the court that he had served hearing notices on the respondent, adding that he was surprised Abayomi was not in court. (NAN)

By Blessing Ibegbu

A Grade 1 Area Court, Karu, Abuja, on Wednesday, sentenced a 29-year old applicant, Emmanuel John, to four months imprisonment for stealing plantain worth N10,700.

The convict, who resides at Nyanya, Abuja, had pleaded guilty to charges of criminal trespass and theft.
John, however, pleaded for leniency.

The judge, Anas Isa, in his judgment, sentenced John to four months imprisonment without an option of fine.

Earlier, the Prosecutor, Ayotunde Adeyanju, had told the court that one Onifade Sadiq of Karu market, Abuja, reported the matter at Karu Police Station on Dec. 12, 2020.

Adeyanju said that the complainant alleged that on said same date, John entered his plantain store, located at the above-mentioned address, and dishonestly stole some plantain, valued at N10,700.

The prosecutor said that during police investigation, John confessed to the crime and that the stolen plantain was recovered from him.

According to him, the offences contravene Sections 348 and 287 of the Penal Code. (NAN)

By Chinyere Omeire

The African Bar Association (AFBA) has appointed two Nigerian lawyers as Technical Advisers to the International Commission of Inquiry into alleged systemic racist police violence against people of African descent in the United States.

Spokesman for AFBA, Mr Osa Director, said in a statement that the two appointees – Mr Promise Asikpo and Ms. Faith Onyekperem – would act as Technical Assistants to the AFBA President, Mr Hannibal Uwaifo, who was appointed a commissioner in the commission.

According to the statement, Asikpo will be coming with his wealth of experience in human rights and access to justice, while Onyekperem has vast experience in justice administration, legal secretarial service and compliance law.

The International Commission of Inquiry is scheduled to open its Hearings on Jan. 18, 2021 and close on Feb. 6, 2021.

The commission’s hearings will be virtual due to COVID-19 restrictions and will be broadcast live via zoom.

The 12 Human Rights Commissioners will be divided into six teams which will hear the victims’ lawyers, family members, community representatives and acknowledged experts and upon the conclusion of the inquiry, the commission will transmit its Final Report to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights for necessary action.

The International Association of Democratic Lawyers, The National Conference of Black Lawyers and the National Lawyers Guild of the U.S had in June 2020 set up the Internal Commission of Inquiry following the killing of George Floyd in Minnesota, US.

Meanwhile some lawyers have commended the setting up of the commission of inquiry, saying that it would put other nations on their toes to address all forms of human rights violence.

Mrs Chidera Agbom, a lawyer, said the fact that the findings of the commission would be submitted to the office of UNHRC was a step in the right direction.

“This would provide an invaluable information for investigating and addressing human rights violation globally by UNHRC,” Agbom said.

Also, Mr Kingsley Usiagu, a lawyer at CLP law firm, Ikoyi, Lagos, said: “Nigeria will definitely have a lot to learn from the recommendations of the Commission on addressing systemic violence by law enforcement agencies.

“Racism in the United States is analogous to tribalism in Nigeria, a bane that must to be eradicated.” (NAN)

By Afusat Agunbide -Oladipo

An Ilorin Magistrates’ Court, on Thursday, remanded two pastors, Olumide Peter and Jasulayomi Adetola, for allegedly brainwashing their congregation to disown their biological parents and burn their certificates.

The defendants were charged with criminal conspiracy, unlawful assembly, wrongful confinement and putting persons in fear of injury in order to commit extortion.

The Magistrate, Ibrahim Dasuki, ordered the defendants to be remanded in Oke-Kura Correctional Centre, Ilorin.

He, thereafter, adjourned the case till Jan. 28, for further mention.

Earlier, Counsel to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Mr Ajide Kehinde, said that two children and four adults, who were reportedly abducted by the pastors, were rescued by the corps.

He said that the defendants, who are pastors at Evidence of Christ Fellowship International Church, Agbo-Oba, Ilorin, kicked against Western education, claiming that it was a sin and that any certificate acquired through it was evil.

Kehinde said that the pastors had been extorting money from international organisations by sending recorded videos of the children, claiming that they were victims of natural disasters and internally-displaced persons.

Kehinde said further investigation revealed that the pastors kicked against Western education, urging its congregation to see it as ungodly.

He said that the offences were contrary to Sections 96, 100, 260 and 293 of the Penal Code Law.

The counsel prayed the court to remand the defendants on the basis that one of them was still at large.

He said that releasing the defendants on bail might jeopardise efforts to carry out proper investigation into the matter.

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