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Appeal Court affirms 25 years jail term for Boko Haram convicts

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKhbrVvfP4e9UaSRasuevTh7QA0d69MDUvhdvFqSV_ydZFgDdjEpHz0aJgxGsE4OIPv57PdlEYQFXDEZLW2ka0yDlqHzErBm1_vK7JlSfIdYbfgujKfA3cBhyphenhyphenc1pCVEvZvMDQsTUj8FpHD/s2560/%25255BUNSET%25255D.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKhbrVvfP4e9UaSRasuevTh7QA0d69MDUvhdvFqSV_ydZFgDdjEpHz0aJgxGsE4OIPv57PdlEYQFXDEZLW2ka0yDlqHzErBm1_vK7JlSfIdYbfgujKfA3cBhyphenhyphenc1pCVEvZvMDQsTUj8FpHD/s640/%25255BUNSET%25255D.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a>THE Court of Appeal in Lagos, at the weekend, affirmed the judgment of a Federal High Court in the state convicting and sentencing three Boko Haram members to 25 years imprisonment each. 
 
The Appeal Court, in a judgment delivered by Justice Y. B. Nimpar, rejected the appeal filed by the convicts and upheld the judgment of the federal court. 
 
Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court in Lagos had, on September 30, 2014, handed down the verdict after the Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Justice, successfully prosecuted the terrorists before the court. 
 
The state government had filed charges against four accused persons for conspiracy to commit a felony to wit: acts of terrorism, concealing information about acts of terrorism and being in possession of prohibited firearms and ammunition contrary to various sections of the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act, 2013 and the Firearms Act, Cap F.28 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. 
 
Out of the four persons charged, three were sentenced to 25 years imprisonment each, while the fourth accused was discharged and acquitted. 
 
Those convicted and sentenced were Ali Mohammed Modu, Adamu Ali Karumi and Ibrahim Usman Ali. 
 
Dissatisfied with the verdict, the convicts through their lawyer had approached the Appeal Court in Lagos asking that the verdict be upturned on the grounds that they were charged under inapplicable laws, and that the 25-year-jail term was excessive. 
 
One of the convicts, Ibrahim Usman Ali, had specifically argued that he was inadvertently convicted and sentenced for a count with which he was not charged. 
 
While the Court of Appeal agreed that one of the convicts was wrongly convicted under a count with which he was not charged, the court, however, affirmed the judgment of Justice Buba which convicted and sentenced the three terrorists to 25 years imprisonment each.<a href="http://affiliate.mobofree.com/idevaffiliate.php?id=9297_0_1_22" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="" height="90" src="http://affiliate.mobofree.com/media/banners/SELLINGeasy728x90.gif" style="border:0px" width="728" /></a>

Appeal Court affirms 25 years jail term for Boko Haram convicts

THE Court of Appeal in Lagos, at the weekend, affirmed the judgment of a Federal High Court in the state convicting and sentencing three B...

Saraki to appear in court daily

<div style="text-align: center; padding: 5px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9p7c4CwgfIf3B8XJe0BeGDWINnubZyQhRpNqGGXK3jkrjM8UHImiT-ily0R_XbWi-W0PHUlVyJVBE4uHWwJQCzLPoaZbc1yfbNVQECYRvmE9H6nvQ11PNpjLdvhe7PL85FfCZHnwO5qC_/"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9p7c4CwgfIf3B8XJe0BeGDWINnubZyQhRpNqGGXK3jkrjM8UHImiT-ily0R_XbWi-W0PHUlVyJVBE4uHWwJQCzLPoaZbc1yfbNVQECYRvmE9H6nvQ11PNpjLdvhe7PL85FfCZHnwO5qC_/ cursor: pointer;" style="border: 1px solid; border-radius: 2px;padding: 5px; max-width: 320px " width="320px" /></a></div><div class="blogaway-section">THE Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) yesterday ordered daily hearing in the ongoing 13-count criminal charge against the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki. 
 Tribunal chairman Danladi Umar made the order provisions of sections 376 and 315 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA, 2015. 
 This is even as Senators loyal to Saraki came under knocks from the tribunal which frowned at their continued presence at the trials at the expense of their constitutional duties at the hallowed chambers of the senate. 
 Mr. Umar, specifically declared that the Senate was not on trial before the tribunal and therefore senators have no reason being in court daily saying it would be in the interest of the nation that the Senators stay back to discharge their constitutional duty. 
 He spoke after counsel to the Senate President, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN) had requested for an adjournment to enable Senators sit. 
 Umar explained that it is the personality of the accused, who happened to be the Senate President, that was on trial and not the entire Senate. 
 Earlier, in opposing to Agabi’s request, the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), had said it was shameful and disgraceful that the Senators were in court, as according to him, they were not parties and as such, not needed to be in court. 
 Saraki reacts 
 But Saraki said his trial will not disturb the activities of the Senate. 
 At the preliminary stage of the trial, senators had always accompanied the Senate President to the tribunal each time the case came up for hearing. But Saraki said now that the trial proper has commenced and the Senate is in session, he would not want the trial to affect legislative business. 
 “I am the one on trial not the Senate. Even though I have been overwhelmed by the solidarity displayed by my colleagues, it is important that the work of the Senate is not unduly affected by this process, “ he said. 
 The Senate President affirms that the legislative body being an institution, would not be affected by the absence of any of the principal. 
 APC Senators strategise 
 However, worried that the Senate presidency seat maybe snatched by lawmakers of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), following a recent statement by the chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie- Oyegun, Senators from the two warring camps in the Red Chamber – Like Minds and Unity Forum – last night, held a strategic meeting in Abuja. 
 The meeting convened at the instance of a former governor from one of the North-west states, Daily Sun gathered, was to brainstorm on how to counter plans by the PDP to produce the next Senate President. 
 A member of Unity Forum who was at the meeting told our correspondent in a telephone interview that the emergency meeting became necessary, following two major events that happened last weekend and yesterday. 
 “Last weekend, our party chairman, Oyegun said the PDP can take over the Senate. We cannot allow that. That is an open invitation to the opposition. We know how we laboured for this change government and we will not allow the PDP to take over. That was why one of our respected leaders summoned this meeting. 
 “We are scheduling a meeting with the leadership of the party (APC) and other stakeholders this week to brainstorm on the way forward,” the Senator revealed. 
 He did not reveal the identity of lawmakers who were in attendance. 
 Meanwhile, there are apprehensions that there could be a stormy session today, if the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu presides. Some lawmakers like Ahmad Lawan, Kabir Marafa and others who have vowed never to recognize Ekweremadu as Deputy Senate President, may stage a walkout. 
 There are also fears that today’s session could be cut short in order to enable Senators loyal to Saraki accompany him to the Tribunal. 
 Witness’s account 
 When trial resumed yesterday, the Prosecution witness (PWI) Mr. Michael Wetkas continued with his evidence in chief disclosing how Saraki rakes in over N131 million annually as rent from some of his undeclared assets. 
 He told the tribunal in the witness box how Saraki bought properties from the Presidential Implementation Committee on Sale of Government properties using his personal names and names of companies including the property at No. 15 Mcdonald, Ikoyi, Lagos, which he disclosed, was bought from the Committee in the name of one of Saraki’s companies, Tiny Tee Limited. 
 Wetkas said that in the Assets Declaration Form filled by the defendant, he had declared property at No. 15a and 15b, McDonald, Ikoyi, as his own. 
 “When we wrote to the Presidential Committee to verify the property, they responded that from their records, the property is No. 15, McDonald, Ikoyi, Lagos and another one, Block 15, Plot 1 to 4, MacDonald, Ikoyi, Lagos. These are the properties they have in respect to Mcdonald, Ikoyi.” 
 On how Tiny Tee paid for the property, the witness said that 75 per cent payment of that property, which amounted to N123,750,000 was paid through the account of Skyview Property Limited domiciled in Access Bank, the then Intercontinental Bank. 
 Concerning the property at No. 17, Mcdonald, Ikoyi, the Prosecution tendered drafts totalling N256, 300,000, which he told the Tribunal were payments for a property at No. 17, McDonald, Ikoyi, Lagos. 
 According to him, there was a draft for N12, 815,000 as payment of the property. 
 “There was another draft for the total of N24,090,000 broken down into two. The sum of N20 million was from Zenith Bank account of Carlisle Property and Investment Limited while N4,090,000 was from Carlisle Property and Investment Limited account with GTB. Both were part payments of the said property at No. 17, Mcdonald, Ikoyi, Lagos. There was also another draft for N180,675,000 dated April 3, 2007 from Saraki’s personal account with GTB, also part payment for the property at 17, Mcdonald, Ikoyi. 
 “Another draft for N36,135,000 dated January 10, 2007 and cleared in the name of Carlisle Limited account with GTB, was also part payment for the property at No.17 Mcdonald 
 Another draft for N12,045,000, dated January 10, 2007 was also drawn from the account of Carlisle Property Limited with GTB being part payment for No. 17, Mcdonald, Ikoyi.” 
 The drafts, which were payable to the Presidential Implementation Committee for the Sale of Government Houses, were admitted in evidence and tendered as exhibits. 
 So far, about 43 exhibits have been tendered including cheques, bank statements, bank drafts and letters of Identification. There were also bank opening mandates.</div>

Saraki to appear in court daily

THE Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) yesterday ordered daily hearing in the ongoing 13-count criminal charge against the Senate President, Dr...

Man sentenced to death by hanging for killing policeman - Photo.

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYSi-JqB0uQepbtaxxhIm8wthIh0NvRZO-YfiEaP0fghldaaIj38eIDMXS3J1D4YyEo0rAqcpCcfG-y9VpP0ZztVC42AfaCSZHB6wOi9QOxlYjoKLK5gwr9saJRjrYUWfr91I2cn_tM_gj/s2560/%25255BUNSET%25255D.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYSi-JqB0uQepbtaxxhIm8wthIh0NvRZO-YfiEaP0fghldaaIj38eIDMXS3J1D4YyEo0rAqcpCcfG-y9VpP0ZztVC42AfaCSZHB6wOi9QOxlYjoKLK5gwr9saJRjrYUWfr91I2cn_tM_gj/s640/%25255BUNSET%25255D.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;"/></a>Jackson Feutubobai 
 
 
 
 
According Sahara Reporters, this judgment was carried out by a high court in the Oporoma judicial division in Bayelsa state on Tuesday, March 22, after he was found guilty of killing one Inspector Joseph Ofozini. 
 
 
Feutubobai was among the killers of eleven policemen who were reportedly killed in the Lobia II community in the Southern Ijaw local government area of the state on April 5, 2013. 
 
The police prosecutor had informed the court of the accused’s five other cases in various courts, including cases involving an alleged kidnapping and sea piracy. 
 
After hearing the application against the suspect, the presiding Justice, M A Ayemieye sentenced Feutubobai to death by hanging, noting that it is mandatory for those accused of murder to be sentenced to death. 
 
Arthur Andrew Seweniowor, the state prosecuting counsel, who addressed journalists after the sentence, said if the accused fails to appeal in three months, the death warrant will be signed by the governor. 
 
Efieseimokumo Bipedei, who represented Feutubobai before the court, had earlier pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy, arguing that the accused person is a family man with five children dependent on him, asking the court to reduce the sentence to imprisonment. 
 
ThankGod Clinton Ezetu, the second accused person was later discharged and acquitted after no evidence linked him to the murder of the eleven policemen.</div>

Man sentenced to death by hanging for killing policeman - Photo.

Jackson Feutubobai According Sahara Reporters, this judgment was carried out by a high court in the Oporoma judicial division in Bayels...

Supreme Court throws out Saraki’s appeal against CCT

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuKl7nU_AGejsBmEzUa_8AcNOh-vg5f26FvStKg9EilKgAHeZZ2Ynd0sVPIFBhrOAP3B-U6TOs0aZb28SGw0n7Q12czBwJDSz-ilDEmyq5DNu1LQky1AfkgxET7jRwpxuz-XbllccN9_SM/s2560/%25255BUNSET%25255D.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuKl7nU_AGejsBmEzUa_8AcNOh-vg5f26FvStKg9EilKgAHeZZ2Ynd0sVPIFBhrOAP3B-U6TOs0aZb28SGw0n7Q12czBwJDSz-ilDEmyq5DNu1LQky1AfkgxET7jRwpxuz-XbllccN9_SM/s640/%25255BUNSET%25255D.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;"/></a> 
■ EFFORTS by the Senate President, Bukola saraki to stop his trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal failed yesterday as the Supreme Court dismissed his appeal challenging the validity of his trial on charges of assets declaration preferred against him at the Code of Conduct Tribunal. 
 
In a unanimous judgment, a seven-man panel of the apex court headed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed held that Saraki’s appeal against the jurisdiction of the trial and competence of the charges, lacked merit. 
 
Other Justices on the panel who agreed with the judgment were Justices Tanko Muhammad, Sylvester Ngwuta, Kudirat Kekere- Ekun, Chima Nweze and Amiru Sanusi. 
 
But in a swift reaction to the judgment, the Senate President said although he was disappointed over the judgment, he is ready to prove his innocence at the tribunal. 
 
In a statement by his Media Adviser, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki said he believes that he will have his day in court to prove his innocence. 
 
According to him: “He expresses disappointment over the Judgment of the apex court in the country on the six grounds of his appeal. 
 
“He however will like to put it on record that the facts of the substantial matter are not before the Supreme Court since the apex court was only invited to rule on some preliminary issues in the process of commencing the trial. 
 
“The Senate President believes he will have his day in the court to prove his innocence of the charges preferred against him during the trial proper. 
 
“Dr Saraki will like to thank everyone who has expressed support for him from the beginning of the case. He assures everyone that at the end of the day truth will prevail and justice will be served.” 
 
Reading the lead judgment, Justice Walter Onnoghen, held that against the contention of Saraki, the Code of Conduct Tribunal sitting with its Chairman and one member was validly constituted. 
 
It was the contention of Saraki’s counsel that the decision of the Court of Appeal was erroneous in “the interpretation of the constitution by holding that the Code of Conduct Tribunal was properly constituted in law when it sat on September 18, 2015 with just the Chairman and one other member in contravention of the provisions of paragraph 15 (1) of the 5th schedule of the 1999 constitution as to exercise of powers and jurisdiction vested by the constitution and in consequence of, the charge and the entire proceedings inclusive of the ruling of the lower court was null and void and of no consequence.” 
 
Saraki further submitted that to hold that a 2-man panel of the tribunal can sit in adjudication contrary to the express provisions of the constitution raises a serious issue of breach of the principles of fair hearing as enshrined in section 36 of the 1999 constitution. 
 
To resolve the issue, the Supreme Court in its judgment relied on relevant provisions of the statute including paragraph 15 (1) of the 5th schedule of the constitution, section 20 (1) (2) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, Cap. C23, LFN 2004, sections 27 and 28 of the Interpretation Act and section 318 (4) of the 1999 constitution to hold that any sitting of the Code of Conduct Tribunal presided by the Chairman and one member is valid.</div>

Supreme Court throws out Saraki’s appeal against CCT

■ EFFORTS by the Senate President, Bukola saraki to stop his trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal failed yesterday as the Supreme Court di...

Court orders arrest OF, Dr Temitope Aluko

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>– A Chief magistrate court has ordered the arrest of Dr Temitope Aluko 
 
 – The PDP chieftain’s case was filed by the Ekiti state government 
 
An order of arrest has been made for the former state secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Temitope Aluko. 
 
A chief magistrate court in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti state capital ordered the state commissioner of police to arrest the former PDP scribe over alleged perjury. 
 
The order was made on Wednesday, February 1, by Chief Magistrate Adesoji Adegboye, upon a motion ex-parte number MAD/10cm/2016, filed by the Ekiti State government against Mr Aluko and the state commissioner of police, pursuant to section 117 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap C16, law of Ekiti State 2012, Section 79 of the Ekiti State Administration of Criminal Justice Law 2014 and Section 23 (D) of the Magistrates’ Courts Law 2014. 
 
The Punch reports that In the motion which was filed and moved by the state Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Mr Gbemiga Adaramola, an order of the court was sought to issue warrant of arrest against Aluko to be executed by the state commissioner of Police for the purpose of committing him (Aluko) for trial for the offence of perjury. 
 
Chief Magistrate Adegboye said the order was granted as a means for the first defendant (Aluko) to attend the court for defence. 
 
 
 
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd-MXYKOG6uKjWuHN2sPvXIkwy9KsY6tUceU0xZ19j-rFoWQdaXbNK2N3SEe9xddWot_Lrm6x9-4i5J_jDac2g3WIWI8inESs_siqlLyXjaAwqvYL26Uy51KW6Y5sMQlbLtiMr-v35QoV-/s2560/%25255BUNSET%25255D.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd-MXYKOG6uKjWuHN2sPvXIkwy9KsY6tUceU0xZ19j-rFoWQdaXbNK2N3SEe9xddWot_Lrm6x9-4i5J_jDac2g3WIWI8inESs_siqlLyXjaAwqvYL26Uy51KW6Y5sMQlbLtiMr-v35QoV-/s640/%25255BUNSET%25255D.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;"/></a>Court paper ordering the arrest of Dr. Tope Aluko 
 
 
 
The matter was premised upon an application to the state Attorney General by a lawyer, Mr Sunday Olowolafe, calling for the prosecution of Mr Aluko for alleged perjury. 
 
The legal practitioner said: “I hereby apply to your office that Dr Temitope Kolawole Aluko be arrested and sued for perjury in view of the interview recently granted on Channels Television by 8:00pm on Sunday 31 January, 2016. 
 
“The said Dr Temitope Kolawole Aluko now recanted the evidence he gave in the cause of the hearing of the Ekiti State Governorship Election Petition as a star witness even up to the Supreme Court. The Certified True Copy of the State on Oath, evidence of Dr. Temitope Kolawole Aluko in Court on the 12/11/14 and Nigerian Tribune and The Punch newspapers of Monday, 01/02/2016 that reported the interview granted are hereto attached. 
 
“It is to be noted that if this act (Perjury) is not looked into, it will definitely defile the cause of justice and consequently rubbish the judicial proceedings.” 
 
 
In the affidavit filed in support of the motion ex-parte by special assistant to the state governor on public communications and new media, Lere Olayinka, he said Mr Aluko, who was a witness before the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal swore to a statement on oath on August 4, 2014 wherein he stated that the Election was not only free and fair, but devoid of violence, thuggery, hooliganism, snatching of ballot boxes, and related forms of electoral disorderliness. 
 
Olayinka further averred that Aluko tendered and adopted his statement on oath on November 12, 2014 and further gave evidence under cross examination. 
 
He stated that all what Aluko said on Channels Television on Sunday, January 31, 2016 were contrary to and opposite in direction to his evidence before the Ekiti State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal. 
 
Issuing the warrant of arrest against Aluko, Chief Magistrate Adegboye said since the court had the power to grant the order and it will serve the interest of justice, the State Commissioner of Police should arrest Aluko for the purpose of investigating and prosecuting him. 
 
 
Source; Naij.com</div>

Court orders arrest OF, Dr Temitope Aluko

– A Chief magistrate court has ordered the arrest of Dr Temitope Aluko – The PDP chieftain’s case was filed by the Ekiti state government...

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Appeal Court affirms 25 years jail term for Boko Haram convicts

Saraki to appear in court daily

Man sentenced to death by hanging for killing policeman - Photo.

Supreme Court throws out Saraki’s appeal against CCT

Court orders arrest OF, Dr Temitope Aluko

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