High Court

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has strongly condemned the arrest and detention of the former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Professor Usman Yusuf, describing it as a political manoeuvre aimed at silencing opposition voices.

Professor Yusuf was apprehended by officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at his residence in Abuja on January 29, 2025. He was subsequently arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja on January 30, 2025.

Justice Chinyere Nwecheonwu of the Federal High Court in Abuja refused to grant Yusuf’s bail, stating that the case should be adjourned to allow the EFCC time to amend the charges against him.

Reacting to the development, NEF’s spokesperson, Professor Abubakar Jika Jiddere, described the arrest as part of a broader political scheme to suppress opposition voices critical of certain government policies. The group has called for Yusuf’s immediate release, emphasising that silencing dissenting voices undermines democracy.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has nullified the judgment of the Federal High Court concerning the Rivers State local government elections.

The Appeal Court ruled that the Federal High Court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the suit filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC), which was the first respondent in the case.

Consequently, all orders and decisions made by the Federal High Court regarding the matter have been set aside.

This decision reaffirms the validity of the Rivers State local government election and overturns the earlier ruling that sought to challenge it.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

A ruling was passed in Kano as Chief Judge Justice Dije Aboki sentenced five vigilante group members to death by hanging.

The verdict stemmed from their involvement in the tragic extra-judicial killing of 17-year-old Ahmed Musa on January 22, 2022, at Sabon Titi, Panshekara, Kumbotso Local Government Area. 

The convicted individuals, associated with Sani Abacha Youth Centre, were identified as Emmanuel Korau, Elisha Ayuba, Irimiya Timothy, Auwalu Jafar, and Mustapha Haladu.

Counsel Lamido Dinki led the prosecution, unveiling a harrowing tale of a vicious attack on Musa as he crossed Sabon Titi, Panshekara Road. 

Descending from a tricycle armed with a wooden club, the defendants brutally assaulted Musa.

Attempting to evade the attack, Musa suffered a fatal stab wound to his neck from the first defendant’s sharp knife.

Subsequently, the assailants forcibly dragged him into their waiting tricycle, leaving Musa fatally injured. 

Despite prompt efforts, Ahmed Musa succumbed to his injuries upon arrival at the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital Kano. 

Prosecutor Lamido Dinki built a compelling case with the testimony of five witnesses, establishing the culpability of the defendants.

The defence, under Ahmad Muhammad, presented the convicted individuals and an additional person, all of whom vehemently denied the charges. 

The defendants asserted they approached Musa for arrest based on a complaint lodged against him.

However, Justice Aboki, presiding over the case, expressed satisfaction with the prosecution’s evidence and praised the diligent work of Lamido Abba Soron Dinki.

“The prosecution has presented its case beyond reasonable doubt. I, hereby, sentence the five defendants to death by hanging,” declared Justice Aboki. 

This ruling sends a powerful message against extra-judicial violence, noting the court’s commitment to upholding justice and preserving the sanctity of human life.

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

A young man identified as Emmanuel has dragged the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanw-Olu, to court over claims that the governor is his father and has refused to acknowledge paternity.

Emmanuel’s lawyer, John Aikpokpo-Martins, revealed this in a Facebook post on Tuesday. 

According to Aikpokpo-Martins, his client had approached the Delta State High Court claiming that the governor is his biological father. He noted that his client requested the governor to waive his constitutional immunity to undergo a DNA test to confirm the claim. 

He further stated that the governor had filed court processes refusing to waive his immunity and undergo a DNA test. As a result, the court has adjourned the case to January 17, 2023, to hear the objection of the governor. 

In the court processes seen by the Daily Reality, Emmanuel sought the following orders : 

“A declaration that the Defendant is the biological father of the claimant begotten from Madam Grace Moses of Oleri, Delta State.

“An order directing and compelling the Defendant to acknowledge and accord the claimant all the rights of a son in accordance with all the laws applicable whether customarily, statutorily or constitutionally.

“An order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendant from further denying the parenthood of the claimant”

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

The Economic Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has reacted to the ruling of the Federal High Court committing EFCC Chairman to prison for contempt of court.

The Federal High Court sitting at Abuja had ordered the arrest and detention of EFCC Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, on Tuesday.

In reaction to the development, EFCC Spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, in a press release on Tuesday, described the ruling as shocking. He argued that the the ruling casted aspersion on the person of their chairman

“This ruling is surprising as it creates a wrong impression of the person of the Executive Chairman of the EFCC as encouraging impunity. As far as the relationship between the EFCC and the judiciary is concerned, The Executive Chairman, Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa has been an apostle of rule of law, due process, and close collaboration between the two institutions in justice administration ” He said.

The commission added that owing to error in the ruling, the commission will embark on a legal voyage to set aside the ruling of the court.

“Taking into cognizance the procedural lapse in the contempt proceedings the commission has initiated a process to set aside the entire contempt proceedings and committal of the Executive Chairman for contempt.” He added

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

The Department of State Services, DSS, said its preliminary investigation has established that the Desert Herald publisher, Tukur Mamu, sponsors terrorism. 

This was made known by the DSS through its lawyer, Ahmed Magaji, in an affidavit supporting a motion before the Federal High Court, FHC, in Abuja on Tuesday.

According to the DSS, Mamu was on his way to a meeting with foreign terrorists when he was arrested by Interpol last week. They also disclosed that he is a logistics manager of both local and foreign terror organizations. 

The presiding Justice, Evelyn Maha, has granted the motion sought to detain Mamu for 60 days in order to allow unhindered investigation.

The Daily Reality had reported that Mamu was arrested in Cairo while on his way to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia alongside his wives.

By Uzair Adam Imam 

A wrestler who murdered his wife for requesting a divorce letter has been sentenced to death by Adamawa State High Court.

The man, identified as Thank-You Grim, was said to be a renowned wrestler from the Silli community in Guyuk Local Government Area of Adamawa state.

The Chief Judge, Justice Nathan Musa, while delivering the judgment on Tuesday, said the prosecution had convinced the court that the man had committed the offence and the court, therefore, sentenced him to death by hanging. 

Narrating the incident, some residents told journalists that Grim had thrown his wife, Kwalla, on the ground before using a pestle to hit her in the head, which led to her death.

It was gathered that the couple had lived separately since January 2018 following irreconcilable differences.

However, when the deceased fell in love with another man and wanted to remarry, she asked Grim for a divorce letter, a development that frustrated him. 

The resident disclosed that instead of granting her request, the wrestler lured the deceased to come over to collect the letter. 

At she arrived, the man started pleading with her to return to him, a proposal she outright rejected.

That was said to be the start of their argument, resulting in him hitting her with a pestle, leading to her death.

By Muhammad Sabiu

A 28-year-old Shu’aibu Adamu, who was found guilty of killing his wife, has been sentenced to death by hanging by the Jigawa State High Court in Dutse.

According to Section 221(b) of the Penal Code, the crime of culpable homicide is punishable, said the presiding judge, Hon. Justice Ahmed Muhammad Abubakar.

Justice Ahmed stated in his ruling that the prosecution’s case was proven beyond a reasonable doubt by the testimony of four witnesses.

The court determined the accused to have committed the crime, which carries the death penalty.

Justice Ahmad sentenced him to death by hanging.

The prosecution’s attorney had informed the court that the event occurred on June 24, 2018, in Warwade Town, Dutse Local Government Area of Jigawa State, when the convict and his wife, Sahura Umar, 20, of the same locality, quarrelled.

By Ibrahim Nasidi Saal

The Independent Corrupt Practices And Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned Professor John Kester Ifeanyichukwu over allegations of bribery and inducement of officers of the Commission.

In a single-count charge brought before Honourable Justice A.O. Otaluka of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), High Court 12, sitting in Apo, Abuja, ICPC is accusing the Professor of issuing a cheque valued at $40,000 to a staff of the Commission.

The cheque was part of the $50,000 and a house in Abuja, promised to the officer to compromise the investigation by retrieving the accused person’s devices, Macbook S/N Ciml8bugdty3, Macbook S/N W80204j7atn and iPhone Pro11 which were in the custody of ICPC for investigative activities.

John Kester Ifeanyichukwu had earlier been reported to the Commission by the Presidency for alleged acts bordering on corruption, extortion and money laundering.

ICPC, in a charge No: CR/025/2022, informed the court of how the defendant induced one of its operatives to smuggle out a particular iPhone and a laptop and replace them with a dummy that was to be provided by his personal assistant.

The accused person’s action is contrary to section 18 (B) and punishable under section 18 (D) of the corrupt practices and other related offences act, 2000.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him. Therefore, he was admitted to bail in the sum of N10 million and two sureties in like sum. The sureties must be residents within the court’s jurisdiction, and one of them must have a landed property n Abuja.

The trial judge also ordered that the defendant’s international passport and other valid travel documents must be submitted to the court before the next adjourned date; otherwise, his bail will be revoked.

The case has been adjourned to June 21, 2022, for the commencement of the hearing.

By Muhammad Sabiu

Paul Owne, the suspect who stood trial on charges relating to the abduction and sale of some nine children from Kano, has on Friday been sentenced to serve a 104-year jail term by the Kano State State High Court.

Pleading guilty to the 38-count charges against him, Mr Owne was convicted accordingly by Justice Zuwaira Yusuf, who ruled that there was no any option to pay a fine.

However, reports have indicated that other suspects who stood trial alongside Mr Owne pleaded not guilty.

Pronouncing the judgement, Justice Yusuf stated, “I find Owne guilty on counts two, eight, nine, 27 and 34. I hereby sentence him to seven years imprisonment on each of the counts without an option of fine, in addition to paying the sum of N100,000 fine.

“The court also found Owne guilty on counts three, five, 10, 11, 22, 28 and 38. I sentence him to seven years in a correctional centre on each of the counts,” she added.

According to the justice, the convict was also found guilty on counts four, 12, 13, 29 and 38. Therefore, he was sentenced to serve a 4-years jail term on each of the counts without giving him the option to be fined.

Therefore, the years for each charge put together equal 104 years.

Recall that in October 2019, a hashtag #JusticeForKano9 had trended on social media, especially Facebook, in the aftermath of the abduction and trafficking of the nine kids from Kano to Anambra. They were also alleged to have been forcefully converted to another religion.

This later led to the arraignment of Mr Owne alongside six others on November 13, 2020.