Court Archives | Page 3 of 3

Maradona medical team’s trial postponed until 2025

Our Reporters7 months ago7 months ago02 mins

An Argentine court on Thursday delayed to March 2025 the long-awaited criminal trial of seven of the eight medical professionals accused of negligence in the death of Argentina football legend Diego Maradona. The trial was set to start next month, after a previous postponement in May, but is now on track to begin on March 11 next year, according to a ruling seen by AFP. Maradona died in November 2020 at age 60 while recovering from brain surgery for a blood clot, after decades of battling cocaine and alcohol addictions. He was found dead in bed two weeks after going under the knife, in a rented house in an exclusive Buenos Aires neighborhood where he was brought after being discharged from hospital. He was found to have died of a heart attack. In 2023, an Argentine appeals court said that neurosurgeon Leopoldo Luque, psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov and six others, including nurses, would stand trial in the matter, rejecting an appeal. One of the nurses, Gisela Dahiana Madrid, has asked to be tried by jury separately, and her trial will proceed as planned on October 2. Prosecutors have accused the eight medical professionals of providing “reckless” and “deficient” home treatment to Maradona. A panel of 20 medical experts convened by Argentina’s public prosecutor concluded in 2021 that Maradona “would have had a better chance of survival” with adequate treatment in an appropriate medical facility. They risk prison sentences ranging from eight to 25 years.

Court jails internet fraudster in Enugu

Our Reporters7 months ago7 months ago03 mins

Justice Mohammed Garba Umar of the Federal High Court, sitting in Independence Layout, Enugu has convicted and jailed one Okwudili Joseph for fraud. He was prosecuted on a one-count charge bordering on impersonation and cybercrime by the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The charge reads: “That you, Okwudili Joseph, on or about the 5th day of June, 2024 at Enugu, Enugu State, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, fraudulently impersonated one Jim Warren, a gas detection specialist from the United States of America with intent to gain advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (3) (a) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (4) of the same Act.” He pleaded “guilty” when the charge was read to him, following which prosecution counsel, Mohammed Shehu reviewed the facts of the case and prayed the court to convict and sentence him accordingly, while the defence counsel, G. C. Ugwele prayed the court to temper justice with mercy, arguing that her client has become remorseful of his action and has learned his lesson as well. After listening to both sides, Justice Umar convicted and sentenced Joseph to two years imprisonment with hard labour or to pay a fine of N200,000.00 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira). The convict’s road to jail began with his arrest by EFCC operatives on June 5, 2024 in Nike, Enugu, following credible intelligence that linked him to fraudulent internet activities. He admitted to the commission of the crime upon arrest and willingly tendered his confessional statements.

Court jails 17 Internet Fraudsters in Benin City

Our Reporters7 months ago7 months ago04 mins

Justice Igho Braimoh of Edo State High Court, sitting in Benin City has convicted and sentenced 17 internet fraudsters to various jail terms. The convicts are Oserei John Vianny, Osaro Moses, Desmond Okoduwa, Obi Isaac, Joshua Omoruyi, Iyabosa Omoruyi, Jeffery Omoruyi, Odion Alex Idada, Aisosa Aiyeki, Prosper Aimiomwona, Others are Cherish Omoruyi, Kelly Omoruyi, Victor Osaze, Obobor Moses, Timothy Ogie, Osemuahu Godspower, and Bonny Stephen. They were prosecuted by the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on separate one-count charges bordering on obtaining by false pretence and possession of fraudulent documents. The charge against Oserei John Vianny reads: “That you Oserei John Vianny (m) on or about the 10th of June, 2024 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did have in your possession documents which you knew or ought to have known contained false pretence, thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 6 and 8 (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.” All the defendants pleaded “guilty” to their charges when they were read to them, prompting the prosecution counsel, I.K. Agwai, Ibrahim Faisal and Ahmed Salihu to pray the court to convict and sentence them accordingly. However, counsel to the defendants pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy, stating that they have become remorseful for their actions. Justice Braimoh afterwards convicted and sentenced Vianny, Idada, Cherish Omoruyi, Kelly Omoruyi, Aiyeki, Obobor Moses and Osaro Moses to two years imprisonment or to pay a fine of N200,000.00 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) each, while Iyobosa Omoruyi, Joshua Omoruyi, Aimiomwona, Ogie, Godspower, Stephen, Jeffery Omoruyi, Osaze and Isaac bagged three years imprisonment or to pay a fine of N200,000.00 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) each. Desmond was handed three years imprisonment or to pay a fine of N500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira). Furthermore, the judge ordered the forfeiture of a Toyota Camry, Mercedes Benz 350, Rav4 Toyota, Mercedes Benz C300 recovered from Desmond Okoduwa, Isaac, Aiyeki being proceeds of their crime to the federal government. In addition, all the convicts forfeited their phones, laptops, and money in their respective bank accounts to the federal government and undertook in writing to be of good behaviour henceforth. The convicts’ journey to the correctional centre began with their arrest by operatives of the Benin Zonal Directorate of the EFCC following credible intelligence on their involvement in fraudulent internet activities.