Magistrate carpets police over violation of accused’s rights
Magistrate Tubosun Abolarinwa of Ebute Meta Magistrates’ Court, Lagos on Wednesday faulted the police over alleged violation of fundamental human rights of accused persons.
Abolarinwa, who carpeted the police over the infringement of the accused’s rights, said the police should not have kept him in their custody for more than 24 hours as stipulated by law.
The accused -- 39-year-old Ganiu Jimoh, a tri-cyclist – had been in police custody since April 5 for allegedly hitting one Peter Okonkwo in the private part during a scuffle over transport fare.
Okonkwo reportedly slumped and died of the injury he received in the scuffle.
Abolarinwa frowned at the illegal detention, saying the accused should have been charged to court.
Abolarinwa struck out the case since both the two families had entered into plea bargaining with the consent of the police.
Counsel to the accused, Goke Olakulehin had earlier urged the court to strike out the case because of the plea bargaining in accordance with Sections 75 and 76 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State.
Olakulehin disclosed that both families had agreed to settle the case out of court with Okonkwo’s family receiving N353, 000 from the accused.
According to him, the accused had on April 5 at about 8.30 p.m. dropped the deceased with his pregnant wife at Mile 2 Bus Stop on Lagos-Badagry Expressway on the agreement to pay N60 but the passenger reneged and paid N40.
``It was negotiated that the deceased and his wife will pay N30 each before boarding the tricycle, but on getting to their bus stop, Okonkwo gave the accused N40.
The prosecutor, ASP Jack Asuquo, however, did not deny the plea bargaining between both parties, adding that the delay in arraigning the accused was caused by non-release of the report of the deceased’s autopsy.
He said the case file had been forwarded to the Office of the State Director of Public Prosecutions for advice and urged the court to remand the accused in prison pending the advice.
Man, 51, docked over alleged N2m fraud
A 51-year-old man, Patrick Egbe was on Wednesday in Lagos arraigned for an alleged N2 million fraud and for issuing a dud cheque.
Egbe is standing trial before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on a three-count charge of conspiracy, fraud and stealing.
The prosecutor, Insp. Julius Oyakhilome told the court that the accused and one other still at large committed the offence on Nov. 21, 2008 at the premises of Spring Bank PLC, Lagos.
He said the accused fraudulently collected N2 million, property of Spring Bank.
Oyakhilome said the accused also issued a cheque with No. 00000265 which was dishonoured on presentation, due to insufficient funds.
He said the offence contravened Sections 390 (9), 419 and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of State.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Magistrate A. O. Botoku granted him bail in the sum of N250, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
The case was adjourned till Aug. 25 for further hearing.
Lagos trader docked for allegedly producing fake Yoyo Bitters
A 30-year-old trader, Stephen Uzozi was on Wednesday charged before an Ebute Meta Magistrates’Court, Lagos for allegedly producing fake Yoyo Bitters.
Yoyo-bitters is a registered and popular herbal medicine available for sale in Nigeria.
The accused, who is a trader at Idumota market on the island, is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and product adulteration.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
But the prosecutor, Cpl. Emmanuel Ajayi said Uzozi committed the offence by adulterating the product being produced by Yem-Kem Nig. Ltd and attempted to sell same to the public.
He said the accused was aware that such adulterated product was unhealthy for public consumption.
Ajayi said the offence was committed sometimes in April at the a shop owned by the accused at Idumota, contravened Sections 243 (2) and 516 of the Criminal code, Laws of Lagos State.
Magistrate Kemi Doja-Ojo granted the accused bail in the sum of N100, 000 with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case till July 22 for further hearing.
Two arraigned for stealing bus valued N800, 000
Two men Sikiru Kolade, 43 and Uzor Chukwu, 27, were on Wednesday in Lagos arraigned for allegedly stealing a Volkswagen bus valued N800, 000 and dismantling it into spare parts.
The duo are standing trial before a Yaba Magistrates’ court on a four-count charge of conspiracy, stealing, unlawful damage of property and receiving a stolen vehicle.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Chinalu Uwadiore told the court that the accused on June 25 at No. 1 Dada St. Bariga, conspired among themselves to steal a Volkswagen bus.
Uwadiore said the duo stole a Volkswagen bus with Reg. No. XA 768-DTN valued at N800, 000, property of one Oluwadaisi Jimoh.
He told the court that Chukwu received the vehicle from Kolade, knowing same to be stolen.
Prosecutor said the accused unlawfully damaged the vehicle by dismantling and turning it into spare parts.
He said the offence contravened Sections 390, 427, 451and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State.
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Magistrate Demi Ajayi granted them bail in the sum of N250,000 with two sureties each in like sum.
She adjourned the case till Aug. 14 for further hearing.
Convict’s mother cries: ``I am finished, have mercy on my son,’’ as judge sentences him to death by hanging
Despite all efforts by spiritualists to ensure my son does not die, he has been taken from me. I am finished. Please have mercy on my son,’’ were the agonising cries of a mother whose son was on Wednesday sentenced to death.
The convict, Thomas Dafe, was sentenced to death by hanging for killing his girlfriend.
Justice Morenike Obadina of the Lagos High Court on Wednesday found the accused guilty for stabbing his late girlfriend, Stella Bob-Manuel, to death with a penknife for daring to end their relationship.
Dafe, 29, was charged in 2007 with the murder of his girlfriend after she said she was no longer interested in the relationship.
According to the prosecution, the accused and the deceased, who lived together while in the university, took a blood oath of undying love for each other.
during arraignment in 2007, the accused did not take a plea, as all he said was ``I don’t know’’’ when the charge was read to him.
However, in the course of the trial, Dafe confessed to the crime but claimed he did not have the intention to kill the deceased.
Obadina had ordered that the accused be taken to a psychiatric hospital to ensure that he was fit for trial.
The reports from the hospital confirmed his fitness but stated that he was under the influence of marijuana and constantly experienced hallucinations.
In her judgment, the judge said `the fact that the accused had a penknife with him and jammed the door when he entered the deceased’s house established intention.
Counsel to the accused, Omotola Rotimi, Director of the Office of the Public Defender, pleaded for leniency as the accused did not have any previous history of criminal conviction.
However, the judge held that it was a very unfortunate event when parents labour to send their children to school and they engaged in mindless behaviour.
Tricycle rider bags 2 weeks in prison for traffic offences
A Somolu Magistrates` Court in Lagos on Wednesday sentenced a 24-year-old tricycle rider, Kingsley Onwuzurike, to two weeks imprisonment for violating traffic rules.
Senior Magistrate Bola Osunsanmi sentenced Onwuzuruike after he pleaded guilty to a two-count charge of driving against traffic and driving a vehicle without road worthiness.
The magistrate sentenced the tricycle rider to one week imprisonment on each count.
She, however, gave the convict an option of N6,000 fine.
Onwuzuruike pleaded guilty during arraignment.
The prosecutor, Insp. Adegoke Akinlebi, had said that Onwuzuruike drove against traffic on July 1 at Asani St., Bariga.
Akinlebi added that he drove a tricycle that was not road worthy.
He said the offences contravened Section 17 of the Road Traffic Law.
Man pleads guilty to charges, bags 60 years imprisonment
A 43-year-old man, Jimoh Ihiovi, was sentenced to 60 years in prison on Wednesday after he pleaded guilty to a 30-count charge of Advance Fee Fraud, notoriously known as 419.
In her judgment, Bola Osunsanmi of the Somolu Senior Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, said that the convict would serve two years in prison for each count.
She, however, said the sentence would run concurrently, which meant that Ihiovi would be jail for only two years.
She frowned at that the fact that the convict had been in police custody since 2008.
Ihiovi was first arraigned at the Ikeja High Court on March 6, 2008.
The case was transferred to Osunsanmi on the grounds that a magistrate court was ``court of first jurisdiction in such a case’’.
The prosecutor, Insp. Adegoke Akinlebi, said Ihiovi defrauded unsuspecting persons of more than N5 million on the pretext of helping them to secure accommodation.
He said about 30 people were listed as complainants against the convict who paraded himself as an ` estate agent `.
Akinlebi had earlier told the court that the offence contravened Section 419 of the Criminal Code Laws of Lagos State.
Magistrate Tubosun Abolarinwa of Ebute Meta Magistrates’ Court, Lagos on Wednesday faulted the police over alleged violation of fundamental human rights of accused persons.
Abolarinwa, who carpeted the police over the infringement of the accused’s rights, said the police should not have kept him in their custody for more than 24 hours as stipulated by law.
The accused -- 39-year-old Ganiu Jimoh, a tri-cyclist – had been in police custody since April 5 for allegedly hitting one Peter Okonkwo in the private part during a scuffle over transport fare.
Okonkwo reportedly slumped and died of the injury he received in the scuffle.
Abolarinwa frowned at the illegal detention, saying the accused should have been charged to court.
Abolarinwa struck out the case since both the two families had entered into plea bargaining with the consent of the police.
Counsel to the accused, Goke Olakulehin had earlier urged the court to strike out the case because of the plea bargaining in accordance with Sections 75 and 76 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State.
Olakulehin disclosed that both families had agreed to settle the case out of court with Okonkwo’s family receiving N353, 000 from the accused.
According to him, the accused had on April 5 at about 8.30 p.m. dropped the deceased with his pregnant wife at Mile 2 Bus Stop on Lagos-Badagry Expressway on the agreement to pay N60 but the passenger reneged and paid N40.
``It was negotiated that the deceased and his wife will pay N30 each before boarding the tricycle, but on getting to their bus stop, Okonkwo gave the accused N40.
The prosecutor, ASP Jack Asuquo, however, did not deny the plea bargaining between both parties, adding that the delay in arraigning the accused was caused by non-release of the report of the deceased’s autopsy.
He said the case file had been forwarded to the Office of the State Director of Public Prosecutions for advice and urged the court to remand the accused in prison pending the advice.
Man, 51, docked over alleged N2m fraud
A 51-year-old man, Patrick Egbe was on Wednesday in Lagos arraigned for an alleged N2 million fraud and for issuing a dud cheque.
Egbe is standing trial before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on a three-count charge of conspiracy, fraud and stealing.
The prosecutor, Insp. Julius Oyakhilome told the court that the accused and one other still at large committed the offence on Nov. 21, 2008 at the premises of Spring Bank PLC, Lagos.
He said the accused fraudulently collected N2 million, property of Spring Bank.
Oyakhilome said the accused also issued a cheque with No. 00000265 which was dishonoured on presentation, due to insufficient funds.
He said the offence contravened Sections 390 (9), 419 and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of State.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Magistrate A. O. Botoku granted him bail in the sum of N250, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
The case was adjourned till Aug. 25 for further hearing.
Lagos trader docked for allegedly producing fake Yoyo Bitters
A 30-year-old trader, Stephen Uzozi was on Wednesday charged before an Ebute Meta Magistrates’Court, Lagos for allegedly producing fake Yoyo Bitters.
Yoyo-bitters is a registered and popular herbal medicine available for sale in Nigeria.
The accused, who is a trader at Idumota market on the island, is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and product adulteration.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
But the prosecutor, Cpl. Emmanuel Ajayi said Uzozi committed the offence by adulterating the product being produced by Yem-Kem Nig. Ltd and attempted to sell same to the public.
He said the accused was aware that such adulterated product was unhealthy for public consumption.
Ajayi said the offence was committed sometimes in April at the a shop owned by the accused at Idumota, contravened Sections 243 (2) and 516 of the Criminal code, Laws of Lagos State.
Magistrate Kemi Doja-Ojo granted the accused bail in the sum of N100, 000 with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case till July 22 for further hearing.
Two arraigned for stealing bus valued N800, 000
Two men Sikiru Kolade, 43 and Uzor Chukwu, 27, were on Wednesday in Lagos arraigned for allegedly stealing a Volkswagen bus valued N800, 000 and dismantling it into spare parts.
The duo are standing trial before a Yaba Magistrates’ court on a four-count charge of conspiracy, stealing, unlawful damage of property and receiving a stolen vehicle.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Chinalu Uwadiore told the court that the accused on June 25 at No. 1 Dada St. Bariga, conspired among themselves to steal a Volkswagen bus.
Uwadiore said the duo stole a Volkswagen bus with Reg. No. XA 768-DTN valued at N800, 000, property of one Oluwadaisi Jimoh.
He told the court that Chukwu received the vehicle from Kolade, knowing same to be stolen.
Prosecutor said the accused unlawfully damaged the vehicle by dismantling and turning it into spare parts.
He said the offence contravened Sections 390, 427, 451and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State.
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Magistrate Demi Ajayi granted them bail in the sum of N250,000 with two sureties each in like sum.
She adjourned the case till Aug. 14 for further hearing.
Convict’s mother cries: ``I am finished, have mercy on my son,’’ as judge sentences him to death by hanging
Despite all efforts by spiritualists to ensure my son does not die, he has been taken from me. I am finished. Please have mercy on my son,’’ were the agonising cries of a mother whose son was on Wednesday sentenced to death.
The convict, Thomas Dafe, was sentenced to death by hanging for killing his girlfriend.
Justice Morenike Obadina of the Lagos High Court on Wednesday found the accused guilty for stabbing his late girlfriend, Stella Bob-Manuel, to death with a penknife for daring to end their relationship.
Dafe, 29, was charged in 2007 with the murder of his girlfriend after she said she was no longer interested in the relationship.
According to the prosecution, the accused and the deceased, who lived together while in the university, took a blood oath of undying love for each other.
during arraignment in 2007, the accused did not take a plea, as all he said was ``I don’t know’’’ when the charge was read to him.
However, in the course of the trial, Dafe confessed to the crime but claimed he did not have the intention to kill the deceased.
Obadina had ordered that the accused be taken to a psychiatric hospital to ensure that he was fit for trial.
The reports from the hospital confirmed his fitness but stated that he was under the influence of marijuana and constantly experienced hallucinations.
In her judgment, the judge said `the fact that the accused had a penknife with him and jammed the door when he entered the deceased’s house established intention.
Counsel to the accused, Omotola Rotimi, Director of the Office of the Public Defender, pleaded for leniency as the accused did not have any previous history of criminal conviction.
However, the judge held that it was a very unfortunate event when parents labour to send their children to school and they engaged in mindless behaviour.
Tricycle rider bags 2 weeks in prison for traffic offences
A Somolu Magistrates` Court in Lagos on Wednesday sentenced a 24-year-old tricycle rider, Kingsley Onwuzurike, to two weeks imprisonment for violating traffic rules.
Senior Magistrate Bola Osunsanmi sentenced Onwuzuruike after he pleaded guilty to a two-count charge of driving against traffic and driving a vehicle without road worthiness.
The magistrate sentenced the tricycle rider to one week imprisonment on each count.
She, however, gave the convict an option of N6,000 fine.
Onwuzuruike pleaded guilty during arraignment.
The prosecutor, Insp. Adegoke Akinlebi, had said that Onwuzuruike drove against traffic on July 1 at Asani St., Bariga.
Akinlebi added that he drove a tricycle that was not road worthy.
He said the offences contravened Section 17 of the Road Traffic Law.
Man pleads guilty to charges, bags 60 years imprisonment
A 43-year-old man, Jimoh Ihiovi, was sentenced to 60 years in prison on Wednesday after he pleaded guilty to a 30-count charge of Advance Fee Fraud, notoriously known as 419.
In her judgment, Bola Osunsanmi of the Somolu Senior Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, said that the convict would serve two years in prison for each count.
She, however, said the sentence would run concurrently, which meant that Ihiovi would be jail for only two years.
She frowned at that the fact that the convict had been in police custody since 2008.
Ihiovi was first arraigned at the Ikeja High Court on March 6, 2008.
The case was transferred to Osunsanmi on the grounds that a magistrate court was ``court of first jurisdiction in such a case’’.
The prosecutor, Insp. Adegoke Akinlebi, said Ihiovi defrauded unsuspecting persons of more than N5 million on the pretext of helping them to secure accommodation.
He said about 30 people were listed as complainants against the convict who paraded himself as an ` estate agent `.
Akinlebi had earlier told the court that the offence contravened Section 419 of the Criminal Code Laws of Lagos State.
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