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Tag: Court

Supreme Court Restores Death Sentence For Maryam Sanda After Overriding Tinubu’s Pardon

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The Supreme Court has voided the presidential pardon earlier granted to Abuja housewife Maryam Sanda, restoring the death sentence she received in 2020 for k!lling her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, during a domestic dispute. President Bola Tinubu had previously commuted her sentence to 12 years’ imprisonment on compassionate grounds. But in a split 4–1 ruling delivered on Friday, the Supreme Court reinstated the original death verdict, agreeing with the Court of Appeal and the FCT High Court, which both upheld the conviction. The court dismissed Sanda’s appeal in its entirety, ruling that all issues she raised lacked merit. Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Moore Adumein held that prosecutors had proved the case beyond reasonable doubt, and faulted the Executive for attempting to grant a pardon while the matter was still under appeal.

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EFCC Arraigns Chris Ngige Over Alleged Contract Fraud, Ex-Minister Pleads Not Guilty

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Former Labour Minister Chris Ngige was arraigned on Friday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged contract fraud. Ngige, who also served as governor of Anambra State, faced an eight-count charge before a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Gwarimpa. He pleaded not guilty to all the charges. The EFCC’s charge, dated October 31, claims that Ngige used his positions in government to grant undue advantages by awarding multiple contracts to associates and companies linked to him. Ngige was governor of Anambra State from 2003 to 2006 and held the position of Minister of Labour and Productivity from 2015 to 2023. On December 11, his media aide, Fred Chukwuelobe, confirmed that Ngige remained in EFCC custody, dispelling rumours that the ex-governor had been kidnapped.

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Plateau Court Sentences Policeman To Death For 2020 Killing Of University Student Rinji Bala

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Plateau State Chief Justice David Mann has sentenced Sgt. Ruya Auta to death for the 2020 killing of University of Jos student Rinji Bala, bringing a long-awaited legal case to a close. The judgment, delivered Tuesday at Plateau State High Court 1 in Jos, imposed a sentence of hanging or lethal injection on Auta, who was found guilty of culpable homicide. The ruling followed a thorough review of evidence, witness testimonies, and the circumstances surrounding Bala’s death. The court emphasized that the sentence is meant to uphold the rule of law and reinforce accountability, particularly in cases involving unlawful use of firearms by security personnel. Observers in Plateau State have hailed the verdict as a critical step toward restoring public trust in the justice system. According to reports, Rinji Bala, a 300-level student, was shot dead on May 12, 2020, after being taken into custody with two friends near the Hwolshe area of Jos during the COVID-19 lockdown. Despite no incriminating evidence being found, Bala and his friends were beaten and released. As they ran, Bala was shot in the back, leading to his immediate death. Dr. Garba Pwul (SAN), prosecuting counsel, said justice had been served. “The judgment was actually expected as the convict didn’t deny the offence, he said it was accidental discharge. The prosecution showed the convict had intent to shoot the victim, who was shot in the back on his waist,” he stated. Pwul added that Auta has the constitutional right to appeal, but no notice had been received. Reacting to the verdict, Bala’s father, Peter Bala, said while no one celebrates another’s death, “the law is the law.” He expressed hope that the ruling would deter negligent actions by security personnel in the future. The judgment underscores the importance of upholding citizens’ rights and sending a clear message against unlawful acts by law enforcement officers.

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Anti-Tinubu Post: Sowore Granted Bail On Self-Recognition, Warned Against Mocking Tinubu

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Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court on Tuesday granted activist Omoyele Sowore bail on self-recognition. The judge cautioned Sowore against making any statements that could incite the public against President Bola Tinubu. Sowore was arraigned by the Department of State Services (DSS) on a five-count charge related to alleged cybercrime. The charges accuse the Sahara Reporters publisher of making derogatory remarks about President Tinubu on his social media platforms. The convener of the #RevolutionNow movement pleaded not guilty to all counts after they were read to him. Earlier in the proceedings, Sowore’s lawyer, Marshall Abubakar, filed a motion challenging the competence of the case and contending that the court lacked jurisdiction. The prosecution opposed the motion, noting that they had just been served with the processes and required time to respond. Justice Umar held that the jurisdictional objection was not ready for hearing since the prosecution had only received the processes that morning. He directed that the charges be read to the defendant and allowed the prosecution time to file a counter-affidavit. Ruling on the bail application, Justice Umar granted Sowore bail on self-recognition and adjourned the trial to January 19, 2026.

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Peter Okoye Rejects Report Claiming EFCC Lacks Evidence In Alleged $800,000 P-Square Fund Withdrawal Case

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Peter Okoye, popularly known as Mr P, has debunked claims that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) lacks evidence to support his petition accusing his brothers, Jude and Paul Okoye, of illegally withdrawing $800,000 from their company account. Peter had petitioned the EFCC in 2024, alleging that Jude diverted company funds, ran 47 undisclosed bank accounts, and altered the shareholding structure of their jointly owned company, Northside Entertainment Ltd. A report by Punch last Friday claimed that during a resumed cross-examination at the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja, EFCC counsel Mohammed Bashir told Justice Rahman Oshodi that the commission could not present evidence of the alleged withdrawal. According to the report, Bashir stated: We do not have it. It is his evidence. Let him prove it. I can’t give what I don’t have. The EFCC was also quoted as saying it had no records of the accounts mentioned. Reacting on social media, Peter dismissed the story as jokes and propaganda, stressing that no such statement was made by the EFCC investigator in any court session.

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EFCC Strikes Out Claims That Jude And Paul Okoye Withdrew $800,000

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EFCC has told a Lagos High Court in Ikeja that it has no evidence to back claims that Jude and Paul Okoye of P-Square fraudulently withdrew $800,000, contrary to allegations by their brother, Peter Okoye. Peter had petitioned the EFCC in 2024, accusing Jude and Paul of diverting P-Square funds, operating 47 undeclared bank accounts, and manipulating the shareholding structure of Northside Entertainment Ltd, a company they jointly own. Following the petition, the EFCC filed charges against Jude over alleged financial misconduct in the management of the P-Square brand. During cross-examination, EFCC counsel M.K. Bashir told Justice Rahman Oshodi that the commission could not substantiate Peter’s claim. “We do not have it. It is his evidence. Let him prove it. I can’t give what I don’t have,” he said. Peter had testified on May 23, 2025, claiming he obtained new evidence showing Jude and Paul allegedly withdrew and shared more than $800,000 between March 2023 and October 2024. When confronted with inconsistencies by defence counsel Clement Onwuenwunor, SAN, he adjusted his statement, saying the withdrawal actually occurred between 2013 and 2014. The defence also challenged Peter’s assertion that Jude operated 47 bank accounts. Peter insisted the EFCC held the records, but Bashir denied it: “I do not have 47 bank accounts. It is one of the witness’s claims, but I do not have such a copy.” Onwuenwunor asked the court to compel Peter and the EFCC to produce the alleged accounts. Justice Oshodi rejected the request, ruling that the defence must apply formally since the documents were neither before the court nor part of admitted evidence. Peter was further questioned on his claim that Jude owned 80 per cent of Northside Entertainment. He maintained he had proof, but the defence presented CAC records that contradicted his assertion. Peter also said he only became aware of Northside Music in 2024, when Cynthia Morgan sent him her contract on Northside Entertainment letterhead. He added that although the contract was signed with Northside Music, her albums were credited to Northside Inc. The trial was adjourned to December 12, 2025, for continuation.

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Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Returns To Senate After Serving Six-Month Suspension

Federal High Court Adjourns Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Cybercrime Trial to February 2026

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The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday adjourned the trial of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for alleged cybercrime to February 4, 2026. The hearing, which was scheduled for Monday before Justice Mohammed Umar, could not proceed due to the judge’s absence. The trial, initially set to begin on February 4, 2025, had previously faced multiple delays. According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), proceedings were also stalled on October 21 following a protest led by Mr. Omoyele Sowore demanding the release of Nnamdi Kanu, who was recently convicted on terrorism charges. Akpoti-Uduaghan was arraigned on June 30 on a six-count charge filed by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Mohammed Abubakar, and granted bail. Justice Umar initially adjourned the trial to September 22, 2025, for the commencement of proceedings. However, on the last scheduled date, the defence raised a preliminary objection just as the prosecution was about to call its first witness. Defence counsel, Ehiogie West-Idahosa, SAN, argued that the objection, which challenges the court’s jurisdiction, must be resolved before the trial could proceed. He contended that the case involves an abuse of prosecutorial powers by the Attorney General of the Federation and that the defence had not been served with statements of the prosecution’s witnesses. Although the prosecution, led by David Kaswe, argued against halting the trial, Justice Umar ruled that the objection must first be addressed before any further steps could be taken. Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan faces charges under the Cybercrimes Prohibition, Prevention, etc. (Amendment) Act 2024. She is accused of transmitting false and injurious information electronically to malign, incite, and endanger lives and public order. The allegations stem from statements she reportedly made on April 4 in Ihima, Kogi, and in a television interview, claiming that Senate President Godswill Akpabio instructed former Governor Yahaya Bello to have her killed.

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BREAKING: Court Sentences Nnamdi Kanu to Life Imprisonment

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Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to life imprisonment. The sentence was delivered in Kanu’s absence, as he had refused to attend the hearing, insisting that the court should not proceed with delivering judgment in the terrorism case brought against him by the Federal Government. Kanu had been convicted on seven counts of terrorism, which included inciting violence, issuing illegal stay-at-home orders in the South-East, instructing the making of explosives targeting government facilities, and membership of a proscribed organization. The court ruled that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt, based on compelling evidence presented during the trial. The Federal Government had urged the court to impose the maximum sentence under the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act, 2013, which allows for either the death penalty or life imprisonment for the offences for which Kanu was convicted. Justice Omotosho noted that Kanu’s conviction was supported by uncontested evidence, including videos and recordings of his broadcasts in which he incited violence and threatened lives in pursuit of the secession of Biafra from Nigeria. The life imprisonment sentence marks a significant development in the government’s prosecution of Kanu and the activities of IPOB, highlighting the legal consequences for terrorism, incitement, and actions that threaten national security. The judgement reinforces the court’s stance on safeguarding public safety and upholding the law against members of proscribed organizations.

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