News
Court Sentences Lecturer Over Assault
Dr. Fred Ekpe Ayokahi, the Senior Lecturer with the Federal University of Lafia, who has been standing trail at the High Court Obi in Obi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State has been convicted and sentenced to serve jail term of six months.
Dr. Ayokahi was sentenced in a case No. NSD/LF233c/2022 between him and the State Commissioner of Police over criminal conspiracy, House breaking, abduction, voluntarily causing grievous hurt without provocation and assault against one Blessing Mathias, 20 years old, has been in detention since 22nd October, 2022 at the Nigeria Correctional services in Lafia.
The suspect was first arraigned in court, alongside three others before the State Chief Jude, Justice Aisha Bashir Aliyu, where the case was assigned to Justice Solomon W. Ayenajeh of the High Court Obi.
Those arraigned with the Varsity Don are Emmanuella Ayokahi, Bob-Praise Ayokahi and Saint-Dan Ayokahi, as the 2nd, 3rd and 4th defendants, who are all his children, while one of the accomplices, Vera Ogbonnaya is still at large.
After several processes filed, issues joined and witnesses taken on the case with exhibits, the Counsel to the 1st to 4th defendants, A. U. Idris Esq had approached the court of an offer for plea bargain, after his clients have pleaded guilty to the crime charged.
It was gathered that, both the parties involved in the case of Dr. Ayokahi and Blessing Mathias have consented to the plea bargain agreement, where charges against the 1st and the 4th defendants are amended.
The convict and the 2nd to 4th defendants were hitherto charged with two count charges of criminal conspiracy and physical assault with canes and sticks, contrary to sections 96 and 264 and punishable under section sections 97 and 265 of the Penal Code, Laws of the Northern Nigeria, 1963 respectively.
Presiding over the matter today, April 20th, 2023, Justice S. W. Ayenajeh convicted the 1st defendant and sentenced him to jail for six months for criminal conspiracy and another six months for assault.
The judge however said that, the sentence will run concurrently in consideration of his plea.
Justice Ayenajeh said, the six months period, which Dr. Fred had been in the custody of the Nigeria Correctional Service will be reckon with.
He added, consequent upon the plea bargain and taken into cognizance the ages of his children, the 2nd to 4th defendants were however let-off under a six months probation order for six months’
Justice Ayenajeh order that, within the six months period, they 2nd to 4th defendants will be tax with keep the premises of the Nasarawa State High Court of Justice clean and will also be of good conducts, while the third defendant was admonished to shave his dreg locks.
Dr. Fred Ayokahi, when given the opportunity to talk, he thanked his Lordship and parties in the matter for the consideration and the leniency accorded him.
The convict however drew the attention of the court that, as a father and teacher in the federal institution, he was not and has never been found wanting in the discharge of his duties, that he has taken further step to compensate the victim, Blessing Mathias as part of his consent for the plea bargain.
The prosecuting counsel and the State Attorney-General, Abdulkarim Abubakar Kana said, the step taken by the government was to provide for the defendant the second chance in life, particularly the children who are still coming up with bright future.
Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on New Media and Public Communications to Nyesom Wike, the former Governor of Rivers State and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has responded to the recent appointment of Bashir Ojulari as the new Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.).
Olayinka took to X (formerly Twitter) to address discussions surrounding this leadership transition. His post aimed to clarify that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not dismiss Mele Kyari, a northerner, to replace him with a southerner, as some speculated. Instead, Olayinka pointed out that Ojulari, like Kyari, hails from the northern region of Nigeria.
According to Olayinka’s post on his official X account, he emphasised that Bashir Ojulari is from Kwara State, located in North Central Nigeria. Additionally, the new Board Chairman, Ahmadu Musa Kida, originates from Borno State in the North East.
His post stated: “Bashir Ojulari, the new NNPCL CEO, is a northerner from Kwara State, North Central Nigeria. The new Board Chairman, Ahmadu Musa Kida, is also a northerner, from Borno State, North East Nigeria.”
Olayinka’s statement came in response to narratives suggesting that the appointment was politically motivated to favour one region over another.
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has strongly condemned the extrajudicial killing of 16 travelers in Uromi, Edo State, while warning against retaliatory violence targeting Southerners in Northern Nigeria.
In a press statement released on Tuesday, MBF Spokesman Luka Binniyat denounced inflammatory threats from individuals claiming to represent Northern interests in response to the killings.
Recalled that the victims, were allegedly armed hunters, traveling from Port Harcourt to Kano when they were attacked by a mob that accused them of being kidnappers.
“The MBF strongly condemns the unlawful killing of any Nigerian citizen, including those who lost their lives in Uromi,” the statement read. “However, we categorically reject any attempt to use this tragic incident as a pretext to unleash violence against Southerners residing in Northern Nigeria.”
The forum assured that the Middle Belt would not become a battleground for reprisals, emphasizing that it remains a safe haven for all law-abiding Nigerians. It urged community leaders and youths to remain vigilant and prevent any attempts to instigate violence, calling for anyone with such intentions to be handed over to authorities.
The MBF also reaffirmed its commitment to justice for all victims of violence across Nigeria. The statement highlighted the ongoing security challenges facing Middle Belt communities, citing persistent attacks by armed herdsmen with little government intervention.
” We hope that the swift response to the Uromi killings would serve as a precedent for broader action against criminal elements terrorizing the region.
“Thousands of our people remain in captivity, and vast portions of our land are still under the control of violent outlaws—primarily Fulani militants,” the statement noted.
“Justice must be served across the board.”
The MBF concluded by reiterating its support for the ongoing investigation into the Uromi incident and calling for a fair and decisive crackdown on all forms of criminality across the country.
BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto
The Deputy Speaker, Sokoto State House of Assembly, Kabir Ibrahim kware, has commended governor Ahmed Aliyu for executing numerous developmental projects without taking loan from any financial institution.
Ibrahim Kware whp gave the commendation when he led other members of the State Assembly on Sallah homage to governor Aliyu, added that, the governor is very prudent in managing resources to achieve results.
“There was never a time you approached us with a request for permission to borrow money from any financial institutions whether at home or abroad,”he affirmed.
This , according to him, is worthy of commendation considering the myriad people- oriented projects the governor is executing across the state.
Speaking on behalf of the State’s Judiciary, Sokoto State Chief Judge, Justice Muhammad Sa’idu Sifawa, commended the governor for the construction of additional Court rooms at the State High Court.
Justice Sifawa also expressed delight over the way and manner the governor responds to issues affecting the Judiciary, which he said, is a clear testimony of the good working relationship existing between the three arms of government in the state.
Responding to the commendations, governor Ahmed Aliyu appealed for more synergy among the three tiers of government in the overall development of the state.
A statement by Abubakar Bawa, the Press Secretary to governor Alhmed Aliyu reaffirmed his principal’s unwavering commitment of the executive arm to providing the direly needed dividends of democracy to the people of the state,in line with his campaign promises.
The governor also urged lawmakers to present all the needs of their constituencies for prompt and diligent implementation.
“”I want to assure you that my doors are always open for you at any given time, to listen to the demands of your people.”
He reminded them on the need to put politics aside and work together with the executive arm for the progress and even development of the people they represent.
Turning to the members of the State Judiciary, the governor appealed to Judges and Khadis to ensure the quick dispensation of justice, so as to decongest the correctional centres.
“It is worrisome to see how inmates are languishing in correctional centres for minor offences in the name of awaiting trial.
“We recently appointed seven additional Judges and 7 Khadis, which is the first in the history of Sokoto State.
“The idea is to enhance the manpower in our Judiciary so as to speed up the dispensation of justice,” he added.
The governor further assured the members of the Judiciary of his administration’s readiness to ensure their welfare at all times.