JUSTICE INUMIDUN AKANDE

Lagos CJ frees 7 prisoners.

The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Inumidun Akande on Wednesday granted pardon to seven prison inmates at the Ikoyi Prison.
The amnesty was part of activities marking the 2011 Annual Law Week of the Nigerian Bar Association Ikeja Branch.
Those freed included Ayuba Isiaka, Sunday Jonah, Emerson Timothy, Kazeem Lawrence, Olatokunbo Otutulorun, Idris Musa and Alaba Olofin.
Speaking during a visit to the prison, Akande noted that the release of the inmates would help to decongest the prison.
She said some of the inmates, who were remanded in prison custody for minor offences, could also not meet their bail conditions.
The chief judge reiterated the commitment of the judiciary to quick dispensation of justice, noting that substantial progress was being made on the problems of inmates awaiting trial.
She assured the prison authorities of support particularly in the area of justice administration and commended the Nigeria Bar Association, Ikeja Branch, for facilitating the visit.
In his address of welcome, an Assistant Comptroller of Prisons, Usman Aliu, disclosed that the prison currently had 1,590 inmates awaiting trial and 109 convicted ones.
Aliu solicited the assistance of the chief judge in the movement of inmates to courts in far-flung places such as Epe.
The Branch NBA Chairman, Adebamigbe Omole thanked the chief judge for releasing the detainees, noting that the gesture had brought smiles to the faces of their relations.
One of the freed inmates, 26-years old Sunday Jonah said he was arrested about four months ago for loitering at Apongbon area of Lagos.

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Court sentences 5 trailer drivers to two years imprisonment each.

An Igbosere Magistrates’ court in Lagos on Wednesday sentenced five trailer drivers to two years imprisonment each for stealing 43 drums of chemicals valued N4.9 million.
The Magistrate, A. O. Awegboro found them guilty on charges of conspiracy and stealing.
She said the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt that the accused actually committed the offence.
The accused are Samuel Oyedokun, 46; Adufe Yinusa, 50; Hamusat Salami, 47; Adisa Suaadiq, 48; and Kadiri Oduwaye, 55.
They were first arraigned on Aug. 7, 2008, for conspiracy and stealing in which they pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Peter Nwangwu told the court that the accused committed the offence between March and June 2008.
Nwangwu said the men were trailer drivers that conveyed chemicals for Chellarams Company from Lagos to Kano but stole some of the chemicals along the way.
He said they stole 43 drums of TD and Polycol valued at N4.9 million, properties of Chellarams.

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Cobbler docked for allegedly defrauding businessman

A 36-year-old cobbler was on Wednesday in Lagos docked for allegedly defrauding a businessman of N196,000 by promising he would secure for him a one-bedroom apartment.
The accused, Femi Komolafe, who posed as an estate agent, is facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, fraud and stealing before a Surulere Chief Magistrates’ Court.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Sunday Olaide told the court that the accused conspired with another at large and obtained N196,000 from one Ganiyu Usman, under the pretext of getting him an apartment at No 41b Ibidun St., Surulere, Lagos.
The prosecutor said the offences contravened Sections 390, 419, and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The Chief Magistrate, Abiola Soladoye, granted the accused N100,000 bail with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case till June 22 for further hearing.

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Blackberry theft lands jobless Togolese in court

A jobless Togolese, who allegedly stole a Blackberry, was on Wednesday charged before a Somolu Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.
The accused, Doji Amosou, 22, is facing a two-count charge of stealing and felony before Senior Magistrate Bola Osunsanmi.
The prosecutor, Insp. Tope Adegbie, said Amosou stole the blackberry, property of one Arinze Ukaegbu, on May 26 at 7, Igbile St., Maryland, Lagos.
He said the accused conspired with others, now at large, to steal the mobile phone valued at N45,000.
He said the offence contravened Sections 390 and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State.
Amosou pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted bail in the sum of N50,000 with two sureties in like sum.
Osunsanmi adjourned the case till July 1, for mention.