News
Court frees suspects linked to Deborah’s murder over police failure to diligently pursue suit
A magistrate court in Sokoto has struck out a suit against suspects involved in the alleged murder of Deborah Emmanuel, a female student of Shehu Shagari College of Education.
On May 12, Deborah was attacked by a mob and set ablaze over comments purportedly considered to be an insult to Prophet Muhammad.
A video of the student being stoned and beaten with sticks was shared on social media.
The incident sparked outrage and condemnation across the country and the police command in Sokoto, subsequently, arrested two suspects in connection with the killing.
Bilyaminu Aliyu and Aminu Hukunci, the suspects were later arraigned before a magistrate court in the state on charges bordering on criminal conspiracy and inciting public disturbance.
Between the arraignment in May and September 2022, the case was adjourned at the instance of the police for several reasons.
On October 20, 2022, the case started over before another magistrate, Shaibu Ahmed.
On November 3, the police prosecutor told the court his witnesses were not present in court as they were not able to serve them.
The court adjourned to November 10 and advised the prosecution to ensure the witnesses were in court.
On November 28, the police prosecutor was absent from court and the case was adjourned to December 8. On the next adjourned date, both the prosecution and defendants were absent and the court adjourned the case to December 29.
On December 29, the defendants were present in court but the prosecution was absent.
M.B Abdallah, counsel to the defendants, then applied for the case to be struck out due to the absence of the prosecution.
But the court refused the application and adjourned the case to January 30, 2023.
The defendants then made another application for the striking out of the case and it was granted.
In his ruling, the magistrate held that “it would be unjust to further adjourn this case at the instance of the prosecution when they have been given several adjournments to call their witnesses but could not call any”.
“In the interest of justice and in accordance with the law, I hereby grant the application of the learned counsel to defendants to strike out this case for lack of evidence and lack of diligent prosecution,” the judge said.
Reacting to the outcome of the case in an interview with TheCable, Sunny Akanni, national coordinator of Olive Tree Citizen’s Rights Initiative (OTCRI), said the police were not keen on prosecuting the matter.
“I certainly suspect a foul play on the side of the police,” he said.
“As a lawyer, from day one, we know when a police prosecutor is not keen on prosecuting a case, this we can easily see in his readiness, particularly when the investigation is completed,
“This has portrayed the police as an organisation that is biased and supports the wishes of the government and not the constitution.
“I am going to write a letter to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and attached the records of proceedings of the court to it.
“He needs to see what his men did in Sokoto, trivialising an important case as this.”
Akanni added that if the police refused to re-arraigned the two suspects he would file a suit against the IGP to compel the force to prosecute the suspects.
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi state.
TheCable understands that Usman Ododo, Kogi governor, brought Bello to Abuja this morning and invited EFCC to come pick him up.
The EFCC had charged the former governor with alleged money laundering, breach of trust, and misappropriation of N80.2 billion.
In April, the commission declared Bello wanted after several attempts to arrest him proved unsuccessful.
On August 20, the court of appeal in Abuja ordered Bello to surrender himself for arraignment.
Ola Olukoyede, EFCC chairman, would later allege that Bello withdrew $720,000 from Kogi coffers to pay his child’s school fees in advance.
The anti-graft agency also filed a 19-count charge against Bello over alleged money laundering.
However, the arraignment was stalled due to the absence of the former governor.
In May, Abdulwahab Mohammed, counsel to Bello, told the court that the former governor’s whereabouts remain unknown and that he was nurturing some safety concerns.
On August 20, the court of appeal in Abuja ordered Bello to surrender himself for arraignment.
Dele Oyewale, EFCC spokesperson, had said the court’s ruling was a “vindication” of the EFCC’s stance that Bello must face trial.
Sources had told TheCable that Bello has been hiding in plain sight — holed up in the “protective custody” of the Kogi state government — since he was declared wanted by the EFCC.
President Bola Tinubu has asked the house of representatives to confirm Olufemi Oluyede as the substantive chief of army staff (COAS).
Tinubu’s request is contained in a letter read by Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house of representatives, during plenary on Tuesday.
Tinubu said Oluyede’s confirmation is in accordance with the provision of section 218(2) of the 1999 constitution as amended and section 18(1) of the Armed Forces Act.
The president said the army chief’s contribution to the military and Nigeria makes him “well-suited” for the role.
He said Oluyede has been professional in his duties, adding that his confirmation should be done “expeditiously”.
On October 30, Tinubu appointed Oluyede as the acting COAS following the prolonged illness of Taoreed Lagbaja, the former army chief.
The Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has suspended the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Moses Ekuma and his Housing and Urban Development counterpart, Francis Ori.
It was gathered that they were suspended on Monday during the State Executive Council meeting in Abakaliki, the state capital.
A statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Jude Okpor, which was sighted by our correspondent on Tuesday morning, read, “Following cases of gross misconduct and dereliction of duties by some government officials and matters related thereto, the Chairman of Council directed the indefinite suspension of the Honourable Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development and three months suspension of the Honourable Commissioner for Health respectively.”
It was also learnt that the development may be connected to the alleged theft of pieces of property belonging to the Ministry of Health by its officials and the reported underperformance of the Housing and Urban Development commissioner and his shoddy handling of the Amaeze Housing Scheme in the Ishielu Local Government Area of the state.
Recall that the governor was in the health ministry’s premises on Saturday night and met a scene where six officials were caught allegedly diverting government materials.
He, therefore, ordered their arrest and eventual prosecution.
Ododo surrenders Yahaya Bello to EFCC
Naira depreciates to N1,770/$ in parallel market
Port Harcourt Refinery begins crude oil processing
‘Thank you for keeping me since 1942’ — Mama Rainbow writes God
Tinubu writes reps, seeks Oluyede’s confirmation as COAS
Tacha announces relocation to UK
Governor Nwifuru suspends health, housing commissioners
‘You’ll pay huge price for allowing illegal migrants into US’, says Trump as he vows to punish Canada
Sanwo-Olu suspends media aide over misrepresentation of facts
Tope Adebayo speaks on his ‘best director’ win at BON Awards
Soma debunks ex-girlfriend’s abuse allegation, threatens lawsuit
Polygamy best form of marriage for Africa, says Okey Bakassi
Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.
She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others
-
Business1 week agoLagos state government to commence upgrade of major junctions in Ikeja axis, seeks residents’ cooperation
-
Special Features3 days agoIyabo Ojo, Brainjotter, Dayo Oketola, Penzaarville, Tomiwa and others to speak at the Bodex Social Media Hangout 5.0
-
Education1 day agoAkwa-Ibom to probe 26 schools as video depicts poor nutrition at boarding house
-
News1 week agoNnamdi Emeh: Suspect Facing Charges In Court, Process Independent Of Police Influence
-
Politics1 week agoAiyedatiwa takes commanding lead in Ondo guber poll after winning 15 of 18 LGAs
-
Special Features5 days agoDG ARCON, Dr Olalekan Fadolapo to speak at Bodex social Media Hangout 5.0
-
Business3 days ago31 electricity towers affected as vandals destroy transmission lines in Edo communities
-
News1 day agoLagos state government shuts establishments in Gbagada, Ogudu, others over noise pollution, environmental violations