Crime
Protest Erupts In Abuja Over Benue Judiciary Crisis, Seeks Tinubu Intervention
Protest Erupts In Abuja Over Benue Judiciary Crisis, Seeks Tinubu Intervention
Protest erupts in Abuja over Benue judiciary crisis, seeks Tinubu intervention…Coalition Petitions NJC, Seeks Tinubu, CJN’s Intervention
A coalition of civil society organizations (CSOs) staged a protest at the Three Arms Zone in Abuja on Monday, calling for urgent intervention from President Bola Tinubu and the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, in the ongoing crisis within the Benue State judiciary.
The protesters, holding placards questioning the integrity of some judges, warned that Nigeria’s democracy was at risk and urged the CJN to take action.
Speaking to journalists, the coalition’s Chief Convener, Comrade Igwe Ude-Umanta, criticized the increasing politicization of the judiciary. He accused Benue State Chief Judge, Justice Maurice Ikpambese, of violating judicial procedures by waiving the mandatory security deposit for petitioners at the Local Government Election Tribunal and later relocating the tribunal to Abuja—actions seen as breaching Benue State’s electoral laws.
Despite a Federal High Court order on March 7, 2025, barring the tribunal from sitting outside Benue, an FCT High Court presided over by Justice M.M. Adamu allegedly issued a conflicting order on March 14, allowing the tribunal to operate in Abuja.
Protest Erupts In Abuja
The coalition described this as judicial overreach and called for disciplinary action against both judges.
The group also alleged that powerful Benue politicians in Abuja were colluding with top police officials to suppress protests against the tribunal’s relocation.
They commended the FCT Commissioner of Police for maintaining order during past demonstrations but condemned military intimidation of peaceful protesters.
The coalition urged President Tinubu and the NJC to intervene immediately to uphold the integrity of the judiciary and ensure justice prevails in Benue State.
EFCC Chairman, Official Risk Jail For Court Contempt
EFCC chairman, official risk jail for court contempt. The Bauchi State High Court has issued a contempt notice (Form 48) against the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Head of Economic Governance (EG1), Dare Folarin, over their alleged defiance of a court order in an ongoing legal dispute.
The notice, dated March 12, 2025, warns that failure to comply with the court’s directive could result in imprisonment for the EFCC officials.
Barrister Ahmed Sani, representing the applicants—Aliyu Adamu and three others—stated that the court had previously issued an order restraining the EFCC from taking any action against his clients until the case was resolved.
However, despite being served with the order, Folarin allegedly ignored it and proceeded with the arrest of Adamu.
“In clear defiance of the court’s directive, the EFCC team, led by Folarin, stormed our client’s office, seized documents, and arrested him,” Sani said. “This blatant disregard for judicial authority must be addressed.”
EFCC
He further alleged that Folarin initially refused to accept the court notice and later chased the court bailiff out of the EFCC premises, even threatening to detain him. The bailiff has since sworn an affidavit confirming service of the notice.
Sani warned that if the EFCC and Folarin continue to disregard the court order, Form 49 will be issued, and contempt proceedings will commence against them.
He urged the commission to comply with the court’s directive to avoid legal repercussions.
Trader Sentenced To 18 Months In Jail For Theft In Jos
Trader sentenced to 18 months in jail for theft in Jos. A Jos Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday sentenced a 43-year-old trader, Pam Dung, to 18 months’ imprisonment for house breaking and theft.
Magistrate Shawomi Bokkos sentenced him, after he pleaded guilty to the charge preferred against him.
The magistrate, however, gave the convict an option of a fine of N30,000.
She also ordered the convict to pay N300,000 as compensation to the complainant.
Police
The prosecutor, Insp Daniel Longwant, told the court that the case was reported at the Angle-Jos Police Station on January 30 by one Samilla Nuhu, the complainant.
Mr Longwant said the convict broke into the house and stole household items, including a fridge, sewing machine, woofer speakers, pressing iron, stabiliser, gas cylinder, and mattress valued at N380,000.
Mechanic Bags 2 Years’ Imprisonment For Stealing TV, Room Heater
Mechanic bags 2 years’ imprisonment for stealing TV, room heater. On Tuesday, Magistrate Shawomi Bokkos of Jos Magistrates’ Court sentenced a 14-year-old mechanic to two years imprisonment for house break-in and theft.
The convict had earlier pleaded guilty to the charge against him.
He was, however, given an option of a fine of N100,000 while also ordered to pay N300,000 as compensation to the complainant.
The prosecutor, Insp Ibrahim Gokwat, told the court that the case was reported at the Nasarawa-Gwom Police Station on February 18 by one Nasiru Abdullahi, the complainant.
Court
Mr Gokwat said the convict broke into the house through the window with two others now at large and stole a flat-screen TV, room heater, and 30kg of iron rod.
He said the value of the stolen items was unknown, adding that the convict also stole N147,000 cash.
He said the convict was caught with the iron rods and room heater, adding that his accomplices ran away with the TV.
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