Details of his death are still sketchy but it was gathered that Okeke died at the national hospital in Abuja on Tuesday afternoon.

The 64-year-old was said to have complained of pains, after which he got worse.

Okeke hailed from Idemili north local government area of Onitsha, Anambra state. He was called to the Nigerian bar in 1985 and completed his National Youth Service in 1986.

The deceased was appointed as a judge in the FCT high court in 2007, where he rose to become the ninth most senior judge before his death.

Okeke was known to have handled many cases including that of Adeniyi Ademola, a retired federal high court judge who was accused of corruption alongside his wife Olubolade, and Joe Agi, a senior advocate of Nigeria.

In a ruling on April 5, 2017, the judge upheld the defendants’ no-case submissions and dismissed the charges against them.

He also sentenced Olusegun Runsewe, director-general of the National Council of Art and Crafts (NCAC), to prison for contempt of court.

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The Chairman of the tribunal, Umar Danladi made the remark in a ruling to determine the constitutionality of those restraining orders made by the courts.

The Federal High Court, FCT High Court and the National Industrial Court at various times in Abuja gave the restraining orders halting the trial of the CJN pending the determination of suits bearing Danladi as defendant.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that some defendants in the three suits included the President, Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CBB).

Danladi held that the three courts had no supervisory roles on the tribunal, adding that the tribunal was not under obligation to stop its constitutional duties over decisions of co-ordinate courts as the tribunal.

“The orders of the Federal High Court, National Industry Court and the FCT High Court are not bidding on the tribunal.

“This is because the tribunal is established by the Constitutional to adjudicate on allegations of non-assets declaration just as the Code of Conduct Bureau is established to prosecute those who failed to declare their assets.

“Court orders not emanating from a superior court have no constitutional powers to restrain the tribunal from performing its functions. These orders presented are null and void.

“The tribunal shall therefore go ahead to continue with the proceedings involving the Federal Government and Justice Walter Onnoghen, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN)’’, he said.

At the resumed session, Malam Aliyu Umar (SAN) the Prosecutor informed the tribunal of the readiness of the prosecution to commence it case.

Umar had asked the tribunal to show proof that Onnoghen was served personally as he expressed worries on the absence of the defendant.

NAN reports that the Registrar of the tribunal went on to confirm that the CJN was duly served on Jan.14.

NAN also recalls that the tribunal had on Jan. 14 fixed Jan. 22 to entertain two interlocutory motions filed by counsel to the parties.

Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), counsel to Onnoghen had filed a motion challenging the jurisdiction of the tribunal to entertain the six-count charge brought before it against the CJN.

The prosecution on the other hand had filed a motion praying the tribunal to order Onnoghen to step aside as the CJN pending the determination of the criminal charges filed against him.

Olanipekun had informed the tribunal of the three subsisting orders that restrained Danladi from continuing with proceedings.

Olanipekun, who cited various legal precedents to substantiate his argument, also said the defendant had appealed against the Jan.14 decision of the tribunal to hear the matter.

He said the tribunal chairman must do well to respect the hierarchy of courts by restraining himself from continuing with the matter until the Court of Appeal, Abuja, had made its pronouncement.

The prosecutor had objected to Olanipekun’s submission, adding that the focus should have been why the CJN absented himself from the proceedings.

The prosecutor also said he could had asked the tribunal for a bench warrant of arrest to be issued on the CJN, but that his team would continue to show respect to Onnoghen.

He said it was incumbent on the defendant to respect the sanctity of the rule of law to appear and stand justice without further delay.

The chairman of the tribunal, therefore, adjourned until Jan.28 for continuation of proceedings.

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Osaretin allegedly duped innocent Nigerians in a fake business deal that happened between March and November 2015. He placed an advertisement on www.unaedi.org.ng supposedly belonging to Universal Agricultural Empowerment and Development Initiative, using same to swindle prospective investors, into parting with over $328,974.37 under the pretence that his organization specialized in marketing goods and services globally.

He was first arraigned on April 9, 2018 on a one-count charge of fraud.

The count reads: “That you Ighodaro Austin Osaretin sometime between March 13, 2015 to November 9, 2015 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, did obtain the sum of $328,974.37 from several customers across the globe through the advert you placed on www.unaedi.org.ng”.

He pleaded “not guilty” to the charge when it was read to him.
Subsequently, Justice Kekemeke fixed April 16, 2018 to hear his bail application.

He was granted bail in the sum of N10 million and two sureties in like some, who must not be below the position of an assistant director in the Federal Civil Service, and who must possess landed properties.

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, had on April 20, 2016 arraigned Ugbolue and Lawrence Pepple, both former aides to Kuku on two separate charges bordering on criminal conspiracy, false declaration of assets and fraudulent acquisition of property to the tune of N55 million.

Kuku (a fugitive) and Ugbolue were alleged to have conspired among themselves and awarded contracts running into millions to companies in which they had interests.

It was alleged that Ugbolue was the sole signatory of Great & Gamaliel Alliance Limited, the company which provided integrated management of communications and stakeholders’ engagement chain for the office of the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta.

On his part, Pepple was the director and sole signatory for KER Global Wave Limited, which was awarded a contract to provide Reintegration Support Services by the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta under the Presidential Amnesty Programme.

Testifying, Nnamdi, a compliance officer at the United Bank for Africa, UBA, who testified as PW1, told the court that, “a sum of N35, 206,564.89 was paid to the account of Great & Gamaliel Alliance Limited between March 4 and May 15, 2014 through the Office of Special Adviser to President on Niger Delta”.

Counsel to EFCC, Faruk Abdullah, sought to tender account opening documents, statement of account and mandate card in evidence, but the admissibility of the documents was objected to by Ugbolue’s counsel, G. E. Ezeuko, SAN, on the grounds that the documents were originals of public documents adding that, only certified true copies of public documents are admissible.

Ezeuko argued that, “one of the account statements has no certificate of identification and the one with certificate of identification did not comply with Section 84 (4) of the Evidence Act”.

He also noted that one of the account statements was not in the proof of evidence given to him.

Responding, Abdallah argued that, “we concede that the documents are originals of public document. However, contrary to the submission of the defendant’s counsel, the original of a public document is admissible as it’s a primary document itself. The Supreme Court had settled this when it held that, such document is the best form of document”.

Abdallah added that, “It’s only when you intend to tender a secondary evidence of a public document that it must be certified”.

Justice Kolo deferred ruling on the admissibility of the documents. He, however, admitted the documents, in the interim, as exhibits D & E adding that, “in the event the documents were found inadmissible everything relating to it would be expunged from the court record”.

The judge, thereafter, adjourned to September 20, 2017 for continuation of trial.

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Okoi Obono-Obla, Special Assistant to the President on Prosecution, in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, said the appeal became necessary as result of decision taken by the National Judicial Council (NJC).

“I want to debunk the false impression created in some sections of the media that the NJC was not aware or that there was no appeal filed by the office of the Attorney -General of the Federation against the ruling of Justice Okeke.

“Nothing can be further from the truth. The Office of the Attorney-General filed notices of appeal against the ruling of Justice Okeke over his ruling discharging and acquitting the three defendants on April, 7.

“Accordingly, the Court of Appeal pursuant to Order 8 Rule 2 (a) of the Court of Appeal Rules has invited counsel to the appellant (the Federal Republic of Nigeria) and the respondents to attend court on June 6, to reconcile documents for record of appeal.”

Justice Ademola resumed sitting on June 7 as was directed by the NJC after being away for eight months to stand trial on charges of criminal conspiracy to receive gratification.

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Fajimite asked for the adjournment to enable him study the 2007, 2008 and 2009 Financial Reports from the office of the Accountant General of Taraba.

The reports were submitted on Monday by defence witness, Aminu Ayuba, the Acting Accountant General of Taraba.

Rotimi Jacobs(SAN), the counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said, “it is not fair for us spending two days on one witness.”

Jacobs, who objected to the adjournment, told the court that the defence is privy to the certified true copies of the exhibits since Monday, adding that “They had been studying it since morning.”

The judge, Justice Adebukola Banjoko, ordered that the photocopies of the exhibits be made available to the defence and adjourned the case until May 24.

Before the application for adjournment, Fajimite led Ayuba in evidence, where he told the court that by virtue of his position, no query was ever given to Nyame relating to financial misappropriation.

He said that he was at Taraba State Government House from 1999 to June 2005, and worked under two chief accountants, and never reported directly to Nyame on financial matters.

He also said that every staff must duly sign the payment voucher, including the governor, as he was not exempted.

Rev. Jolly Nyame is facing a 41-count charge of misappropriation of state funds to the tune of N1.64billion.

The post Ex-Gov Nyame begs for adjournment to enable him peruse exhibits in alleged N1.64bn fraud case: appeared first on New Mail Nigeria.

Justice Affen has fixed March 25, 2017 for the arraignment to hold.

Fiberesima, former Chief Executive Officer, State House Medical Centre, Abuja, is alleged to have abused his position as the Chief Physician to the President in 2012 to award contracts to a company where he has interests.

The defendant, who is also known as, Fortunate David and David Thank God Fiberesima, was to be docked by the EFCC on a 6-count charge of money laundering and abuse of office.

However, when the charge was to be read to the defendant for him to enter his plea, Justice Affen observed that, “all charges are under the ICPC Act not that of the EFCC”.

The judge wondered why EFCC should take over ICPC cases as the two agencies refused to be merged as one when the idea was brought up few years back.

Efforts by the prosecuting counsel, Y. Y. Tarfa to explain that according to Section 7(2) of the EFCC Act, the Commission was mandated, empowered and charged to “enforce all other law or regulations relating to economic and financial crimes” were, however, turned down by the judge, who insisted that the charge be either amended or transferred to the appropriate authority for prosecution.

In the circumstance, the case was adjourned.

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The Chief Judge of the FCT High Court, Justice U.I. Bello had on January 23, 2017 thrown out Dariye’s letter seeking for transfer of his case to another judge, and ordered him to go and continue with the trial as his allegation of “manifest and undisguised bias” was baseless and unfounded.

The said letter dated December 13, 2016 had stalled the last sitting of January 18, 2017 prompting the trial judge to adjourn to February 15, 2017 pending the instruction of the CJ. Pwul had also brought before the court two motions, one which was dated December 6, 2016 asking for the “recall of some prosecution witnesses”, and the other dated December 13, 2016 asking the judge to disqualify his lordship from presiding over the case.

At the day’s sitting, Pwul who was sighted at the court premises was not in the courtroom, but instead sent Dashuwar Nantok to represent the defence. Dariye gave a rather wry smile as he took his place in the dock.

But the day’s proceeding could not continue, as Nantok informed the court that “we need time to reply to prosecution’s response to the two motions, which we only received on Monday, February 13, 2017”.

Prosecution counsel, O.A. Atolagbe, however pointed out to the court that “with the decision of the Chief Judge dismissing Dariye’s allegation of bias against your lordship, events seem to have overtaken the second motion”.

But the trial judge, noted that since “it has not been withdrawn by the defence, we’ll be back here on March 2, for adoption of motions and responses”.

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The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Attorney General of the Federation in 2005 charged six police officers to court for the alleged killing of the traders

NAN further recalls that the accused persons were arraigned on a 9-count charge of conspiracy and culpable homicide, which contravened the provisions of Sections 97 and 221 (a) of the Penal Code Law.

The police officers standing trial in the case were: Danjuma Ibrahim, Othman Abdulsalami, Nicholas Zakaria, Ezekiel Acheneje, Baba Emmanuel and Sadiq Salami.

They were charged with culpable homicide over alleged killing of the traders: Ifeanyi Ozor, Chinedu Meniru, Isaac Ekene, Paulinus Ogbonna, Anthony Nwodike and Augustina Arebun.

At the adjourned date on Monday for the judgment, both the defence and prosecuting counsel were in court, but the defendants were around, and the court did not sit either.

Later, date was taken and announced.

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Justice Adeniyi Ademola, a Federal High Court Judge, his wife, Olabowale and Joe Agi (SAN) are standing trial before Justice Jude Okeke on allegations bordering on fraud and possession of illegal arms.

The witness said the firearm was Avar magnum with capacity of eight rounds with cartridge of 12 inches each.

“The law is clear about issuance of licence for this type of firearm for private use. Only the President reserves the right to approve application for licence for such firearm. This was not so with this present situation,” he said.

Another witness, Awoyemi Adisa, an accountant with the Federal High Court tendered some documents on salaries and emolument of the first defendant (Ademola). .

Adisa informed the court that the consolidated annual salary for a federal judge was about N6.3 million.

He also told the court that the judges were given N5.3 furniture allowance in every four years, adding that the document covered 2009 and December 2016 financial year.

According to him, others welfare packages for judges included N305, 000 as medical allowance and a slot for an overseas trip once in a year.

Adisa said a total of 6, 300 US dollars was paid for the defendant’s overseas trip and for his medical allowance in 2016.

He also said a total of N180, 474 was remitted to him as leave allowance for the out-gone year.

Adisa further told the court that a judge was entitled to a car advance worth N7.2 million repayable within 5 years.

Giving evidence also, Miss Christie Ende, the Deputy Registrar of the Federal High Court, tendered the certified true copies of some of the cases handled by Ademola.

These included the case of Federal Government against Dr Sani Shaibu and Teidi Friday Ukpong against the Chief of Naval Staff.

Also the case between Jenkins Duvie Giane Gwede and the Delta State House of Assembly was admitted as evidence.

She said the third defendant (Agi) had appeared as counsel in the listed cases decided by Ademola.

Another witness, Stephen Opara, an official of the Department of State Service (DSS) who interviewed and took Mrs Ademola’s statement also tendered the video in court.

Ademola was one of the seven judges prosecuted after the sting operations carried out by the DSS on October, 2016

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