It reflects the inadequacy of our justice system to protect the just and vulnerable
The Nigerian criminal justice system was
again ridiculed with the acquittal of Major Hamza al-Mustapha and
Lateef Sofolahan, over the murder of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, wife of the
acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, after a
14-year trial. The mockery of the judicial system is even more
pronounced as the late Kudirat was clearly murdered in cold blood; yet,
with al-Mustapha’s acquittal, it is as if that fact is a farce. Again,
before this acquittal, some prominent Nigerians were openly campaigning
for al-Mustapha’s release, and attempting to define crime in parochial
terms; even as al-Mustapha’s lawyers filibustered throughout the trial.
It is perhaps even more cynical, that
the court of appeal discharged and acquitted al-Mustapha because the
prosecution could not prove its case beyond reasonable doubt, as
required by law. Yet, the same prosecution made a deal with the
self-confessed murderer of Kudirat, Sergeant Rogers, in order to get at
al-Mustapha who he claimed gave the instructions and the ammunition for
the murder. Now, with a deal in the bag for Rogers, and the prosecution
of his alleged master declared insufficient by the court, the result is
that nobody would suffer for the culpable murder of Alhaja Abiola.
Such an outcome is a mockery of our
common humanity. To show that our system is thoroughly challenged,
Sergeant Rogers, despite his confession of championing several
atrocities as a soldier, is still in the employ of the Nigerian Army,
just as al-Mustapha is now out, and is already laying claim to be due
for the rank of General in the same army. The insanity is completed with
the wild celebration over al-Mustapha’s release, and the disgraceful
reception accorded him by the Kano State government and sundry groups,
as if his mendacious audacity during the ignoble Abacha regime is not
enough reason to keep that critical participant at an arm’s length.
As even al-Mustapha’s fans would accept,
their hero was the chief security officer to General Sani Abacha who
presided over the state murder of several Nigerians, for their political
beliefs. Indeed, it was common knowledge that he was a very powerful
and loyal security chief to his master, and under their care, Pa Alfred
Rewane, Chief Abraham Adesanya, Gen. Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, Mr. Alex Ibru,
Bagauda Kaltho, Mrs Esther A. Tejuoso, Dr. Sola Omatsola and several
others were either shot at or killed by undoubtedly agents of the state.
It is also common knowledge that several witnesses at the Oputa panel
gave evidence of unquestionable cruelty perpetrated, if not by
al-Mustapha, certainly by those under his control.
So, al-Mustapha’s acquittal over the
murder of Kudirat, in our view, merely confirms the vulnerability of our
criminal justice system. For, no one would doubt that Kudirat was
killed by the agents of the state, following her campaign that her
husband be released and that he be handed over the presidential mandate
freely given to him by Nigerians at the 1993 election. It is also
certain that al-Mustapha was chief security officer to that murderous
general, who granted him unprecedented powers, well above his superiors
in the army, and under their watch several murders, including that of
Kudirat, were committed by agents of the state.
Therefore, the fact that al-Mustapha and
his co-accused, Sofolahan could not be convicted at the appeal court,
after their condemnation to death at the trial court is nothing to
celebrate; more so as the prosecution can further appeal to the Supreme
Court. In our view, there is the urgent need to strengthen our criminal
justice system, to avoid a similar unwinding trial of an accused person
for 14 years, after which his innocence is pronounced.
source: http://thenationonlineng.net/new/al-mustaphas-release/
…dissolves 19-yr-old marriage, grants husband custody of the children..
ASABA— A Delta State High Court, Kwale, has dissolved a 19-year old marriage of a Lagos businessman, Mr Fiddis Ogwugwa, on the ground that his wife, Charity, engaged in amorous affairs with the former Executive Director of Law Union and Rock Insurance Company, Mr Olusegun Ilori.
The court in its judgment also ordered Ilori and Charity, to jointly pay N500,000 damages for the trauma and trespass, they caused Mr Ogwugwa and particularly for the irresponsible acts of Ilori in ruining the matrimonial home of Mr Ogwugwa.
Olusegun Ilori was at the time of filing the divorce petition Executive Director of Law Union, while Charity was Project Manager.
The devorce petition was initially filed before a Lagos State High Court, before it was re-filed before a Delta State High Court, Kwale, when the petition was struck out by Justice Dawodu Williams of Lagos High Court.
According to Mr Ogwugwa, he was lawfully married to his wife, Charity, on November 25, 1994 according to the marriage act. The marriage produced two children, a boy and a girl.
He stated that what led to the collapse of the marriage started sometime in the year 2003, when his wife, excusing herself to receiving phone calls at odd hours of the day therefore, the petitioner became suspicious.
He added that between December 2003 and February 2004, he petitioner found an amorous text from Segun Ilori to his wife, he then called both of them and cautioned them about the misconduct to which both denied any sexual relationship.
On April 18, 2010 he sent an email that could be shared between two lovers to his wife, she acknowledged the mail on April 19, 2010, shortly after, she forwarded same mail to Segun Ilori and in error forwarded a copy to him.
This opened floodgate of suspicion that led to the discovery of several amorous email messages between the two lovers.
Upon being confronted by the petitioner, his wife confessed to having an adulterous and unprotected oral sex with her boss in the office on several other occasions.
Consequently, Mr Ogwugwa sought the dissolution of the marriage on the ground that the marriage had broken down and the custody of the two children produced by the marriage and N20 million as special and general damages for the trauma, tresspass and irresponsibility of Segun Ilori, the party cited in the divorce petition as the person responsible for the collapse of the marriage.
In her judgment, the presiding judge, Justice Jahegho Williams, said: “I have carefully considered this petition. They are not contradicted or controverted and as such, assumed to be correct. This court, therefore, has no option in the absence of any other fact mitigating against the petition, has been proved as required by law. I, therefore, dissolve the said marriage of November 25, 1994. Further, I give custody of the children to the petitioner.
“I also award the sum of N500,000 against Charity and Olasegun Ilori, jointly as special and general damages for the trauma and tresspass of them particularly for the irresponsible acts of Segun Ilori in ruining the matrimonial home of the petitioner.”
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/07/sex-scandal-court-orders-ex-director-to-pay-n-5m-damages/#sthash.gEyS0Esi.dpuf
ASABA— A Delta State High Court, Kwale, has dissolved a 19-year old marriage of a Lagos businessman, Mr Fiddis Ogwugwa, on the ground that his wife, Charity, engaged in amorous affairs with the former Executive Director of Law Union and Rock Insurance Company, Mr Olusegun Ilori.
The court in its judgment also ordered Ilori and Charity, to jointly pay N500,000 damages for the trauma and trespass, they caused Mr Ogwugwa and particularly for the irresponsible acts of Ilori in ruining the matrimonial home of Mr Ogwugwa.
Olusegun Ilori was at the time of filing the divorce petition Executive Director of Law Union, while Charity was Project Manager.
The devorce petition was initially filed before a Lagos State High Court, before it was re-filed before a Delta State High Court, Kwale, when the petition was struck out by Justice Dawodu Williams of Lagos High Court.
According to Mr Ogwugwa, he was lawfully married to his wife, Charity, on November 25, 1994 according to the marriage act. The marriage produced two children, a boy and a girl.
He stated that what led to the collapse of the marriage started sometime in the year 2003, when his wife, excusing herself to receiving phone calls at odd hours of the day therefore, the petitioner became suspicious.
He added that between December 2003 and February 2004, he petitioner found an amorous text from Segun Ilori to his wife, he then called both of them and cautioned them about the misconduct to which both denied any sexual relationship.
On April 18, 2010 he sent an email that could be shared between two lovers to his wife, she acknowledged the mail on April 19, 2010, shortly after, she forwarded same mail to Segun Ilori and in error forwarded a copy to him.
This opened floodgate of suspicion that led to the discovery of several amorous email messages between the two lovers.
Upon being confronted by the petitioner, his wife confessed to having an adulterous and unprotected oral sex with her boss in the office on several other occasions.
Consequently, Mr Ogwugwa sought the dissolution of the marriage on the ground that the marriage had broken down and the custody of the two children produced by the marriage and N20 million as special and general damages for the trauma, tresspass and irresponsibility of Segun Ilori, the party cited in the divorce petition as the person responsible for the collapse of the marriage.
In her judgment, the presiding judge, Justice Jahegho Williams, said: “I have carefully considered this petition. They are not contradicted or controverted and as such, assumed to be correct. This court, therefore, has no option in the absence of any other fact mitigating against the petition, has been proved as required by law. I, therefore, dissolve the said marriage of November 25, 1994. Further, I give custody of the children to the petitioner.
“I also award the sum of N500,000 against Charity and Olasegun Ilori, jointly as special and general damages for the trauma and tresspass of them particularly for the irresponsible acts of Segun Ilori in ruining the matrimonial home of the petitioner.”
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/07/sex-scandal-court-orders-ex-director-to-pay-n-5m-damages/#sthash.gEyS0Esi.dpuf
…dissolves 19-yr-old marriage, grants husband custody of the children..
ASABA— A Delta State High Court, Kwale, has dissolved a 19-year old marriage of a Lagos businessman, Mr Fiddis Ogwugwa, on the ground that his wife, Charity, engaged in amorous affairs with the former Executive Director of Law Union and Rock Insurance Company, Mr Olusegun Ilori.
The court in its judgment also ordered Ilori and Charity, to jointly pay N500,000 damages for the trauma and trespass, they caused Mr Ogwugwa and particularly for the irresponsible acts of Ilori in ruining the matrimonial home of Mr Ogwugwa.
Olusegun Ilori was at the time of filing the divorce petition Executive Director of Law Union, while Charity was Project Manager.
The devorce petition was initially filed before a Lagos State High Court, before it was re-filed before a Delta State High Court, Kwale, when the petition was struck out by Justice Dawodu Williams of Lagos High Court.
According to Mr Ogwugwa, he was lawfully married to his wife, Charity, on November 25, 1994 according to the marriage act. The marriage produced two children, a boy and a girl.
He stated that what led to the collapse of the marriage started sometime in the year 2003, when his wife, excusing herself to receiving phone calls at odd hours of the day therefore, the petitioner became suspicious.
He added that between December 2003 and February 2004, he petitioner found an amorous text from Segun Ilori to his wife, he then called both of them and cautioned them about the misconduct to which both denied any sexual relationship.
On April 18, 2010 he sent an email that could be shared between two lovers to his wife, she acknowledged the mail on April 19, 2010, shortly after, she forwarded same mail to Segun Ilori and in error forwarded a copy to him.
This opened floodgate of suspicion that led to the discovery of several amorous email messages between the two lovers.
Upon being confronted by the petitioner, his wife confessed to having an adulterous and unprotected oral sex with her boss in the office on several other occasions.
Consequently, Mr Ogwugwa sought the dissolution of the marriage on the ground that the marriage had broken down and the custody of the two children produced by the marriage and N20 million as special and general damages for the trauma, tresspass and irresponsibility of Segun Ilori, the party cited in the divorce petition as the person responsible for the collapse of the marriage.
In her judgment, the presiding judge, Justice Jahegho Williams, said: “I have carefully considered this petition. They are not contradicted or controverted and as such, assumed to be correct. This court, therefore, has no option in the absence of any other fact mitigating against the petition, has been proved as required by law. I, therefore, dissolve the said marriage of November 25, 1994. Further, I give custody of the children to the petitioner.
“I also award the sum of N500,000 against Charity and Olasegun Ilori, jointly as special and general damages for the trauma and tresspass of them particularly for the irresponsible acts of Segun Ilori in ruining the matrimonial home of the petitioner.”
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/07/sex-scandal-court-orders-ex-director-to-pay-n-5m-damages/#sthash.gEyS0Esi.dpuf
ASABA— A Delta State High Court, Kwale, has dissolved a 19-year old marriage of a Lagos businessman, Mr Fiddis Ogwugwa, on the ground that his wife, Charity, engaged in amorous affairs with the former Executive Director of Law Union and Rock Insurance Company, Mr Olusegun Ilori.
The court in its judgment also ordered Ilori and Charity, to jointly pay N500,000 damages for the trauma and trespass, they caused Mr Ogwugwa and particularly for the irresponsible acts of Ilori in ruining the matrimonial home of Mr Ogwugwa.
Olusegun Ilori was at the time of filing the divorce petition Executive Director of Law Union, while Charity was Project Manager.
The devorce petition was initially filed before a Lagos State High Court, before it was re-filed before a Delta State High Court, Kwale, when the petition was struck out by Justice Dawodu Williams of Lagos High Court.
According to Mr Ogwugwa, he was lawfully married to his wife, Charity, on November 25, 1994 according to the marriage act. The marriage produced two children, a boy and a girl.
He stated that what led to the collapse of the marriage started sometime in the year 2003, when his wife, excusing herself to receiving phone calls at odd hours of the day therefore, the petitioner became suspicious.
He added that between December 2003 and February 2004, he petitioner found an amorous text from Segun Ilori to his wife, he then called both of them and cautioned them about the misconduct to which both denied any sexual relationship.
On April 18, 2010 he sent an email that could be shared between two lovers to his wife, she acknowledged the mail on April 19, 2010, shortly after, she forwarded same mail to Segun Ilori and in error forwarded a copy to him.
This opened floodgate of suspicion that led to the discovery of several amorous email messages between the two lovers.
Upon being confronted by the petitioner, his wife confessed to having an adulterous and unprotected oral sex with her boss in the office on several other occasions.
Consequently, Mr Ogwugwa sought the dissolution of the marriage on the ground that the marriage had broken down and the custody of the two children produced by the marriage and N20 million as special and general damages for the trauma, tresspass and irresponsibility of Segun Ilori, the party cited in the divorce petition as the person responsible for the collapse of the marriage.
In her judgment, the presiding judge, Justice Jahegho Williams, said: “I have carefully considered this petition. They are not contradicted or controverted and as such, assumed to be correct. This court, therefore, has no option in the absence of any other fact mitigating against the petition, has been proved as required by law. I, therefore, dissolve the said marriage of November 25, 1994. Further, I give custody of the children to the petitioner.
“I also award the sum of N500,000 against Charity and Olasegun Ilori, jointly as special and general damages for the trauma and tresspass of them particularly for the irresponsible acts of Segun Ilori in ruining the matrimonial home of the petitioner.”
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/07/sex-scandal-court-orders-ex-director-to-pay-n-5m-damages/#sthash.gEyS0Esi.dpuf
…dissolves 19-yr-old marriage, grants husband custody of the children..
ASABA— A Delta State High Court, Kwale, has dissolved a 19-year old marriage of a Lagos businessman, Mr Fiddis Ogwugwa, on the ground that his wife, Charity, engaged in amorous affairs with the former Executive Director of Law Union and Rock Insurance Company, Mr Olusegun Ilori.
The court in its judgment also ordered Ilori and Charity, to jointly pay N500,000 damages for the trauma and trespass, they caused Mr Ogwugwa and particularly for the irresponsible acts of Ilori in ruining the matrimonial home of Mr Ogwugwa.
Olusegun Ilori was at the time of filing the divorce petition Executive Director of Law Union, while Charity was Project Manager.
The devorce petition was initially filed before a Lagos State High Court, before it was re-filed before a Delta State High Court, Kwale, when the petition was struck out by Justice Dawodu Williams of Lagos High Court.
According to Mr Ogwugwa, he was lawfully married to his wife, Charity, on November 25, 1994 according to the marriage act. The marriage produced two children, a boy and a girl.
He stated that what led to the collapse of the marriage started sometime in the year 2003, when his wife, excusing herself to receiving phone calls at odd hours of the day therefore, the petitioner became suspicious.
He added that between December 2003 and February 2004, he petitioner found an amorous text from Segun Ilori to his wife, he then called both of them and cautioned them about the misconduct to which both denied any sexual relationship.
On April 18, 2010 he sent an email that could be shared between two lovers to his wife, she acknowledged the mail on April 19, 2010, shortly after, she forwarded same mail to Segun Ilori and in error forwarded a copy to him.
This opened floodgate of suspicion that led to the discovery of several amorous email messages between the two lovers.
Upon being confronted by the petitioner, his wife confessed to having an adulterous and unprotected oral sex with her boss in the office on several other occasions.
Consequently, Mr Ogwugwa sought the dissolution of the marriage on the ground that the marriage had broken down and the custody of the two children produced by the marriage and N20 million as special and general damages for the trauma, tresspass and irresponsibility of Segun Ilori, the party cited in the divorce petition as the person responsible for the collapse of the marriage.
In her judgment, the presiding judge, Justice Jahegho Williams, said: “I have carefully considered this petition. They are not contradicted or controverted and as such, assumed to be correct. This court, therefore, has no option in the absence of any other fact mitigating against the petition, has been proved as required by law. I, therefore, dissolve the said marriage of November 25, 1994. Further, I give custody of the children to the petitioner.
“I also award the sum of N500,000 against Charity and Olasegun Ilori, jointly as special and general damages for the trauma and tresspass of them particularly for the irresponsible acts of Segun Ilori in ruining the matrimonial home of the petitioner.”
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/07/sex-scandal-court-orders-ex-director-to-pay-n-5m-damages/#sthash.gEyS0Esi.dpuf
ASABA— A Delta State High Court, Kwale, has dissolved a 19-year old marriage of a Lagos businessman, Mr Fiddis Ogwugwa, on the ground that his wife, Charity, engaged in amorous affairs with the former Executive Director of Law Union and Rock Insurance Company, Mr Olusegun Ilori.
The court in its judgment also ordered Ilori and Charity, to jointly pay N500,000 damages for the trauma and trespass, they caused Mr Ogwugwa and particularly for the irresponsible acts of Ilori in ruining the matrimonial home of Mr Ogwugwa.
Olusegun Ilori was at the time of filing the divorce petition Executive Director of Law Union, while Charity was Project Manager.
The devorce petition was initially filed before a Lagos State High Court, before it was re-filed before a Delta State High Court, Kwale, when the petition was struck out by Justice Dawodu Williams of Lagos High Court.
According to Mr Ogwugwa, he was lawfully married to his wife, Charity, on November 25, 1994 according to the marriage act. The marriage produced two children, a boy and a girl.
He stated that what led to the collapse of the marriage started sometime in the year 2003, when his wife, excusing herself to receiving phone calls at odd hours of the day therefore, the petitioner became suspicious.
He added that between December 2003 and February 2004, he petitioner found an amorous text from Segun Ilori to his wife, he then called both of them and cautioned them about the misconduct to which both denied any sexual relationship.
On April 18, 2010 he sent an email that could be shared between two lovers to his wife, she acknowledged the mail on April 19, 2010, shortly after, she forwarded same mail to Segun Ilori and in error forwarded a copy to him.
This opened floodgate of suspicion that led to the discovery of several amorous email messages between the two lovers.
Upon being confronted by the petitioner, his wife confessed to having an adulterous and unprotected oral sex with her boss in the office on several other occasions.
Consequently, Mr Ogwugwa sought the dissolution of the marriage on the ground that the marriage had broken down and the custody of the two children produced by the marriage and N20 million as special and general damages for the trauma, tresspass and irresponsibility of Segun Ilori, the party cited in the divorce petition as the person responsible for the collapse of the marriage.
In her judgment, the presiding judge, Justice Jahegho Williams, said: “I have carefully considered this petition. They are not contradicted or controverted and as such, assumed to be correct. This court, therefore, has no option in the absence of any other fact mitigating against the petition, has been proved as required by law. I, therefore, dissolve the said marriage of November 25, 1994. Further, I give custody of the children to the petitioner.
“I also award the sum of N500,000 against Charity and Olasegun Ilori, jointly as special and general damages for the trauma and tresspass of them particularly for the irresponsible acts of Segun Ilori in ruining the matrimonial home of the petitioner.”
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/07/sex-scandal-court-orders-ex-director-to-pay-n-5m-damages/#sthash.gEyS0Esi.dpuf
The
tides of trouble for Governor Chibuke Amaechi since his reelection as
chairman of Nigerian Governors Forum, NGF are turning into a weekly
dose.
ONE week after the fracas that rocked the Rivers state House of Assembly, another crisis broke out last Tuesday after supporters of the Minister of State for Education, Bar Nyesom Wike stormed the Port Harcourt Airport to taunt Governor Rotimi Amaechi and four visiting northern governors.
The battle ground was at the Port Harcourt international airport, Omagwa. Thousands of supporters of the Minister had stormed the airport as early as 5 am with an intention to humiliate the governor who was hosting four of his colleagues from the north. They carried placards with various inscriptions with some reading “Amaechi must go”, “Rivers money for Rivers people”, Northern governors go back” etc.
The protesters were mostly members Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI), a political outfit that has Wike as its grand patron.
They blocked the exit gate at the VIP lounge as they chanted anti Amaechi songs. The governor who came in from Abuja at about 10 am once he deplaned crossed over to the VIP lounge nearby where he waited for his four visiting guests.
The quartet of Rabiu Kwankwaso ofKano, Sule Lamido of Jigawa, Babangida Aliyu of Niger and Murtala Nyako of Adamawa later arrived in three different aircraft.
The protesters who had maintained some relative calm even while chanting their anti-Amaechi songs immediately turned boisterous once the governor arrived. It was as if Amaechi’s presence was a tonic for their frenzy.
They became aggressive as the tempo of their songs increased. Some of them ran to the exit gate of the VIP lounge to join in the dance against Amaechi. Some of them who offered comments to Vanguard said the visiting governors should go back and resolve the security challenge posed by the activities of Boko Haram.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/07/rivers-many-storms-to-cross/#sthash.Hov0uolE.dpuf
ONE week after the fracas that rocked the Rivers state House of Assembly, another crisis broke out last Tuesday after supporters of the Minister of State for Education, Bar Nyesom Wike stormed the Port Harcourt Airport to taunt Governor Rotimi Amaechi and four visiting northern governors.
The battle ground was at the Port Harcourt international airport, Omagwa. Thousands of supporters of the Minister had stormed the airport as early as 5 am with an intention to humiliate the governor who was hosting four of his colleagues from the north. They carried placards with various inscriptions with some reading “Amaechi must go”, “Rivers money for Rivers people”, Northern governors go back” etc.
The protesters were mostly members Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI), a political outfit that has Wike as its grand patron.
They blocked the exit gate at the VIP lounge as they chanted anti Amaechi songs. The governor who came in from Abuja at about 10 am once he deplaned crossed over to the VIP lounge nearby where he waited for his four visiting guests.
The quartet of Rabiu Kwankwaso ofKano, Sule Lamido of Jigawa, Babangida Aliyu of Niger and Murtala Nyako of Adamawa later arrived in three different aircraft.
The protesters who had maintained some relative calm even while chanting their anti-Amaechi songs immediately turned boisterous once the governor arrived. It was as if Amaechi’s presence was a tonic for their frenzy.
They became aggressive as the tempo of their songs increased. Some of them ran to the exit gate of the VIP lounge to join in the dance against Amaechi. Some of them who offered comments to Vanguard said the visiting governors should go back and resolve the security challenge posed by the activities of Boko Haram.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/07/rivers-many-storms-to-cross/#sthash.Hov0uolE.dpuf
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