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Legal Conundrum: Bench Warrant Issued For Surety Accused Of Shielding Offender

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By Tambaya Julius, Abuja

In the heart of Gwagwalada, the FCT’s Upper Area Court takes decisive action as a bench warrant is sanctioned for the apprehension of Gambo Sambo, the accused surety allegedly implicated in the act of screening an offender.

Facing charges related to screening an offender, Sambo, a resident of New Kutunku, Gwagwalada, finds himself at the centre of a legal storm.

In a swift move during the court proceedings, Judge Malam Abdullahi Abdulkarim, responding to an oral plea by the Prosecution Counsel, S.K. Iyakwo, revokes the defendant’s bail due to his unexplained absence.

The judge, not mincing words, issues a bench warrant for Sambo’s arrest, compelling him to be brought before the court.

The surety, in turn, is notified to provide a compelling reason why the bail bond should not be forfeited.

With a looming February 13 hearing date, the legal saga unfolds, leaving room for speculations on the unfolding events.

The prosecutor’s plea to revoke bail stems from the defendant’s failure to appear and defend the charges brought against him.

Detailing the course of events, Iyakwo narrates how Sambo, on April 23, 2023, visited the Gwagwalada Police Station to stand surety for Yakubu Baba of Old Kutunku, Gwagwalada Abuja.

Baba, facing accusations of criminal breach of trust and cheating, had Sambo vouching for him.

Despite assurances, the defendant fails to deliver on his promise to produce Baba for prosecution by May 30, 2023.

The consequence of this failure, as per the bond agreement, could lead to the forfeiture of N550,000 to the Federal Government.

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The deliberate refusal to produce Baba for prosecution constitutes an offense, as outlined in section 167 of the Penal Code, intensifying the legal complexities surrounding this case.

As the legal drama unfolds, the court proceedings leave a trail of questions, demanding answers as the date of the next hearing approaches.

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Trump threatens attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities as talks continue

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U.S. President Donald Trump has reiterated his threat of drastic consequences for Iran over its nuclear programme, including a potential attack on Tehran’s nuclear facilities.

During a meeting at the White House with Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, Trump said: “They can’t have a nuclear weapon, and they got to go fast, because they’re fairly close to having one, and they’re not going to have one.

“And if we have to do something very harsh, we’ll do it. And I’m not doing it for us.

“I’m doing it for the world, and these are radicalised people, and they cannot have a nuclear weapon.”

When questioned by a reporter if this included an attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities, Trump affirmed, “Of course it does.”

The U.S. government and other Western states as well as Israel aim to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

During his first term in office in 2018, Trump unilaterally withdrew from the Vienna nuclear deal, which was designed to limit Iran’s nuclear programme and lift sanctions in return.

Following this, Tehran also ceased adhering to the agreement’s stipulations.

Last Saturday, the U.S. and Iran resumed talks about a possible new nuclear agreement after years of deadlock, with Oman acting as a mediator.

The next round of talks is expected to hold on Saturday in Rome.

Trump confirmed the scheduled date and expressed confidence in resolving the issue with Iran, describing it as “almost an easy” problem.

Earlier Monday, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi announced that he would travel to Tehran this week ahead of the next round of nuclear talks.

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According to Iranian media reports, Grossi is expected in Tehran on Wednesday.

“Continued engagement and cooperation with the agency is essential at a time when diplomatic solutions are urgently needed,” Grossi wrote on X on Monday.

Tehran’s lack of cooperation with IAEA inspectors is a main cause of the growing tensions surrounding Iran’s nuclear programme, along with its production of near weapons-grade uranium. (dpa/NAN

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Alleged N33.8bn fraud: Court adjourns trial of ex-Power Minister

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The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, adjourned the trial of former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, until May 2.

Justice James Omotosho adjourned the matter after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)’s video evidence to counter the allegations by Mamman that his extra-judicial statement was not voluntarily made, was played in the open court.

Justice Omotosho had ordered that the video clip of the interview session conducted by the commission’s officials during their investigation be played in a trial-within-trial, following allegation that the ex-minister did not voluntarily make the statement.

The ex-minister had, through his lawyer, Femi Atteh, SAN, insisted that his statement tendered by the EFCC in the alleged corruption trial was not not made voluntarily.

The EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, disagreed with Atteh’s submission.

The judge consequently ordered that the video clip be played in the open court to ascertain the veracity of the argument.

In the video on Monday, Mamman insisted that he could not write statement due to his ill-health.

Counsel to the EFCC, Abbas Muhammed, asked the EFCC investigator and a witness, Abubakar Kwaido, whether he read the statement of caution to Mamman before the session.

Kwaido confirmed that the cautionary statement was read to the defendant before the video recorded and the statement taken.

Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter until May 2 for continuation of trial.

Oyedepo, the lead prosecuting counsel, had, on Thursday, asked Kwaido whether he harassed Mamman or threatened him with detention but the witness responded in the negative.(NAN)

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Ghastly accident claims 7 lives in Ebonyi– FRSC

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The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Ebonyi has confirmed the death of seven persons in Sunday’s auto crash at Nwafia Oga, Onueke in Ezza South Local Government Area.

The Sector Commander of the corps, Mr Henry Igwe, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday, saying that it occured at about 7.30pm.

Igwe also said that the crash involved a commercial Toyota Bus, with Registration Number UWN 429 ZY and an articulated vehicle, with Registration Number XW 294 ENU.

He said: “20 persons were involved in the crash, consisting of six males and two females.

“The dead include four males and three females, while two females were injured.”

According to him, 11 persons, comprising two males, eight females and one child, escaped unhurt.

The FRSC chief also said that the crash was caused by speed violation.

He said that while the injured were taken to St. Saviour Hospital, Onueke for treatment, the remains of the deceased were taken to the Onueke General Hospital’s morgue.

He said that investigation into the crash had commenced.

“We still urge drivers to drive carefully and obey road signs because it is only the alive that travels,” he said. (NAN)

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