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EFCC Files Additional Proof Of Evidence Against Emefiele

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Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has submitted additional proof of evidence against the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.
TalkJudith reports that during the court hearing on Friday, Emefiele’s counsel, Olalekan Ojo requested an adjournment to review the new evidence before continuing the cross-examination of John Ikechukwu Ayoh, the second prosecution witness.
Ojo accused the EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, of engaging in “trial by ambush” and not being diligent in their prosecution.
He told the court that he just received the additional proof of evidence from the EFCC.
He said the new proof of evidence was filed on Thursday, saying he needed to study the additional proof of evidence to cross-examine the prosecution witness.
He told the court, “My lord, there is a need to adjourn this case. We were just served these huge documents by the EFCC in court.
“The prosecution keeps dumping documents on us at every sitting. This is trial by ambush.”
Sharing the same sentiment, the counsel to the second defendant, Adeyinka Kotoye, also said he was served the additional proof of evidence five minutes after arriving in court.
In his defence, Oyedepo argued that they provided documents from a former aide to Emefiele in preparation for his testimony, saying it did not affect the ongoing cross-examination.
He added that it was unfair to describe the service of processes by the prosecution as “ambush by trial”.
Oyedepo emphasised that the additional evidence submitted were documents obtained from the phone of a former aide to Emefiele, John Adetona, who is set to testify as a witness.
He also clarified that these documents were provided in advance for Adetona’s future testimony and that he was not scheduled to appear in court on the present or upcoming hearing on May 9.
“The witness (Adetona) whose device the documents were printed from has not given evidence before the court,” Oyedepo said.
“In preparation for his testimony which is not coming up today or May 9, the prosecution rather waiting for the defence to formally demand the hard copies the prosecution team printed the documents out.
“How does that amount to prosecutorial unfairness?”
Oyedepo, however, requested that the court instruct the defence counsels to conclude their cross-examination of the second prosecution witness.
He clarified that the introduction of new documents does not hinder or impact the ongoing cross-examination of this witness.
However, Emefiele’s lawyer disagreed, stating that he needed time to review the new documents as they may contain valuable information for use during cross-examination.
In his ruling, the presiding judge, Rahman Oshodi, agreed with the defendant’s counsel.
Oshodi then adjourned the matter to May 9.
Emefiele and his co-defendant, Henry Omoile, are currently being tried in a Lagos high court on a 26-count charge.
Both the former CBN governor and Omoile pleaded not guilty to all the charges against them.

 

EVENTS

FCTA begins e-ticketing, central booking of traffic offenders

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The Directorate of Road Traffic Services, DRTS, Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, has commenced e-ticketing and central booking of traffic offenders in the territory.

Its Director, Dr. Abdullateef Bello, disclosed this in Abuja on Monday at the inauguration of the initiative designed to drive road traffic enforcement in the FCT.

The court also barred the directorate from stopping vehicles and imposing fines.

Acknowledging the development, Bello said that the directorate had appealed the court judgement.

He added that, in the meantime, the directorate had resorted to using technological devices to enforce traffic rules, which, he said, had legal backing.

He explained that the FCT Transportation Secretariat’s extant laws allowed DRTS to use devices to maintain safety on the roads across the territory.

Bello said that DRTS had acquired technological devices that would record traffic infractions and immediately issue electronic tickets to offenders within a few minutes.

He said that the new system, which would be efficient in tracking and penalizing road traffic offences, was designed to reduce physical interface between enforcement officers and motorists.

“Henceforth, all violators of traffic rules will now be booked electronically and expected to pay the fine within seven days.

“If they fail to pay the fine within the stipulated period, their vehicles will be impounded.

“DRTS will not be stopping vehicles at random. The devices will select those that are violating our traffic rules,” he said.

The director added that the enforcement officers had been trained on how to use the devices, adding that a simulation exercise had also been carried out for a real-time experience.

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EVENTS

BASEPA arrests four for illegal tree felling

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The Bauchi State Environmental Protection Agency, BASEPA, has arrested four individuals for illegal tree felling in Nahuta village along the Darazo-Bauchi Federal Highway.

The incident reportedly occurred during a routine surveillance by the Director General of BASEPA, Mahmud Bose, aimed at enforcing the state’s ban on tree felling.

Narrating the incident on Monday, Bose said he encountered the offenders while driving along the road, adding that he approached them to inquire about their activities without disclosing his identity.

“I discreetly made a call away from the scene, requesting police backup from Darazo Division. I also informed the Chairman of Darazo LGA, who later joined us at the location,” Dr. Bose explained.

According to him, the gravity of their offense became evident to the suspects when the police arrived, leading to their arrest and subsequent detention.

The leader of the group, identified as Ibrahim Isa (not his real name) from Gombe State, confessed that he had purchased the tree from a land vendor in Nahuta village with the intention of converting it into timber for profit.

He acknowledged that tree felling is illegal and admitted it was his first time being apprehended.

At the time of this report, the suspects were in police custody as investigations continued.

Meanwhile, BASEPA has vowed to prosecute the offenders to serve as a deterrent to others engaging in illegal deforestation in the state.

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Chief Judge establishes ‘family court’ in Taraba

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The Chief Judge of Taraba State, Justice Sikas Agya, has designated High Court 9 as a family court to handle cases related to domestic and child welfare issues.

Justice Agya made the announcement on Monday during an advocacy visit by the first lady of the state, Mrs Agyin Kefas, to the state judiciary headquarters in Jalingo.

He stated that the newly designated court would have jurisdiction over various family-related matters, including, divorce, child abuse, neglect and juvenile delinquency.

According to the chief judge, the court’s primary objective is to protect the best interest of children in all cases brought before it.

He highlighted the alarming statistics on sexual abuse, noting that 30 percent of girls and women aged 15 to 49 in Nigeria have experienced some form of sexual violence.

Justice Agya emphasized that the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act 2014 which serves as the primary legislation on such matters, has been domesticated in the state to strengthen legal protection for victims.

He also outlined some of his recent judicial reforms, including the introduction of e-proceeding and e-filing, the establishment of a small claim court, and the renovation of court buildings and judges residence.

On her part, the first lady urged the judiciary to establish mechanisms for the speedy trial of offenders involved in sexual and gender based violence.

She also expressed concern over the rising cases of child rights violations and gender-based violence in the state and pledged her support in collaborating with the judiciary to tackle the issue.

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