metro
False Information: FG files additional evidence against three accused Abuja-based legal practitioners
The Federal Government has filed additional evidence against three Abuja-based legal practitioners over allegations bordering on impersonation.
The Lawyers are facing trial on a four-count criminal charge bordering on false information with intent to mislead the Court of Appeal into entering a consent judgment of N52 million in their favour.
They are: Maxwell Opara, Gold Nwankwo and Jubilate Obasikene, who are all practising in the law firm of Maxwell Opara and Associates.
The Federal Government FG, through the prosecution agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), had equally filed a list of additional witnesses it shall call in the prosecution of the case.
Upon resumed hearing Wednesday, the EFCC’s counsel, Ibrahim Buba, informed Justice Hamza Muazu of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja about the new development.
READ ALSO:
- NSCDC develops alert system for reporting gender-based violence, other crimes
- FG dismisses Transparency International (TI) verdict on Nigeria
- IMF upgrades Nigeria’s 2023 economic growth projection to 3.2%
Buba said the list of additional evidence as well as the list of additional witnesses had already been served on the defendants.
Although the lawyer expressed his readiness to proceed with the trial, the defence counsel who confirmed that the documents were served on them, prayed for a short adjournment to enable them study the documents.
Counsel to Maxwell Okpara (1st defendant), K.C Muemeka, told the court that the said documents were just served on them in court.
Responding, Buba, who consented to the request for an adjournment agreed that indeed, the defence team needed more time to study the additional evidence.
Consequently, Justice Muazu adjourned the case to February 13 and 14 for trial.
The charged, marked CR/444/2022, followed a petition by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to the Chairman of the EFCC, accusing the lawyers of fraudulent representation and impersonation.
They were alleged to have fraudulently entered appearances for the CBN and Unity Bank Plc, without the consent and authorisation of the banks in an appeal marked: CA/A/18M/2017 in respect of a garnishee proceedings involving the sum of N52 million at the Court of Appeal, Abuja.
The offence, according to EFCC, is contrary to Sections 96 and 140 of the Penal Code Law of the Northern Nigeria as applicable in the FCT, Abuja. Eagle
metro
Rampaging cultists gun down SUG official, one other in Edo
Rampaging cultists gun down SUG official, one other in Edo
Fear gripped residents as two students from Ambrose Alli University (AAU) in Ekpoma, a government-owned institution in Edo state, fell victim to a tragic incident of cult violence.
Among them was a member of the university’s Students’ Union Government (SUG). The SUG official, a 400-level student in the Faculty of Agriculture, met his demise on Poultry Road Extension in Ekpoma.
READ ALSO:
- Finally, Port Harcourt-Aba train service begins with four-day free ride
- ICPC tracks N219.84bn in MDAs, constituency projects
- Nigeria’s solid minerals worth over $750bn — Minister
This unfortunate event came shortly after another incident where an individual named Eddy was fatally assaulted for allegedly using fake bank alerts during a transaction. Regrettably, this incident was mistakenly interpreted as an attack by rival cult factions. Consequently, a cycle of violence ensued, resulting in the deaths of the two undergraduates.
Confirming the grim reality of the cult-related killings, Edo’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Superintendent of Police Chidi Nwabuzor, disclosed that arrests have been made in connection to the incident, with investigations underway.
Rampaging cultists gun down SUG official, one other in Edo
metro
Lagos cleric, 45, docked for raping 22-year-old lady
A 45-year-old cleric, Mr Sunday Adewoye, was docked for allegedly raping a 22-year-old lady before a Badagry Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos State on Tuesday.
Adewoye, whose address was not provided, is charged with unlawful sexual penetration and rape.
The prosecutor, Insp Ayodele Adeosun, told the court that Adewoye committed the offenses on April 17 at 5.00 p.m. on Joseph Dosu Way, Badagry.
READ ALSO:
- UCL: Vinicius scores double as Real Madrid hold Bayern Munich in semi-final showdown
- Binance founder bags jail term in US
- FG approves salary increase for civil servants
Adeosun said that Adewoye had sexual intercourse with the 22-year-old lady without her consent, in contravention of Sections 260 and 263 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The Chief Magistrate, Mr Patrick Adekomaiya, did not take the plea of Adewoye.
He said that he needed advice from the state director of public prosecutions.
The chief magistrate ordered that the defendant should be kept in a custodial facility pending the advice.
He adjourned the case until June 3 for mention.
Lagos cleric, 45, docked for raping 22-year-old lady
(NAN)
metro
Pregnant woman among nine people injured in Lagos gas explosion
Pregnant woman among nine people injured in Lagos gas explosion
A pregnant woman and eight other people sustained varying degrees of injuries after a gas explosion rocked the Alaba Lane area of Alayabiagba Community in Lagos, Nigeria.
New Telegraph reports that the incident occurred on Tuesday at around 12:39 pm.
According to Amodu Shakiru, the Head of Public Education at the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, preliminary investigations suggest that a leaking gas cylinder among several being traded in the neighborhood triggered the explosion.
The leak caused a high-tension cable to snap, starting a fire that destroyed four commercial tricycles, six lock-up shops, and a portion of a bungalow building.
READ ALSO:
- UCL: Vinicius scores double as Real Madrid hold Bayern Munich in semi-final showdown
- Binance founder bags jail term in US
- FG approves salary increase for civil servants
“The Federal Fire Service, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, and fire stations in Ajegunle and Sari-Iganmu quickly responded to the incident and were able to contain the fire.
“The Lagos State Ambulance Service also provided initial care to the injured, including the pregnant woman and children.”
“The pregnant woman and eight other victims, both male and female, are currently receiving treatment at the Gbagada Burn & Trauma Center and Ajeromi General Hospital for their burn injuries.”
In a separate incident, reports indicate that no fewer than 14 buildings were gutted by fire in Dosumu Market, located in the Lagos Island area of Lagos State.
Pregnant woman among nine people injured in Lagos gas explosion
UN warns Israel assault on Gaza’s Rafah on ‘immediate horizon’
Gaza: Israeli PM Netanyahu says Rafah attack will happen despite deal
Georgia rocked by clashes over ‘foreign agent’ bill
-
metro13 hours agoLabour Day: Nigerian workers are dedicated, resilient, says NURTW leader
-
Education2 days agoBREAKING: JAMB releases 2024 UTME results
-
News2 days agoGanduje probe: Kano commission invites public for information
-
metro2 days agoBREAKING: Suspected herders kill 3 mourners, farmers in Enugu
-
News2 days agoTerrorist negotiator Tukur Mamu seeks transfer out of DSS custody to Kuje prison
-
Health3 days agoNido infant milk neither registered nor sold in Nigeria – NAFDAC
-
News2 days agoSeun Kuti retracts allegation on P&ID fraud, tenders apology
-
Business2 days agoFuel scarcity: Marketers accuse NNPC of denying them products