News

Court Steps Down Osinachi Husband’s Case Due To Multiple Counsel

Published

2 years ago

June 20, 2022

Editor

The alleged culpable homicide suit against Peter Nwachukwu, husband of the late gospel singer, Osinachi in a Federal Capital Territory High Court on Monday, was stepped down in order for his lawyers to align themselves to represent him.

When the matter slated for hearing before Justice Njideka Nwosu-Iheme came up, the Prosecution Counsel, Aderonke Imana, informed the court that the matter was for hearing and that they were ready to proceed.

A. Ogbonna also announced his appearance as watching brief of the nominal complainant.

The counsel that represented the defendant during his arraignment, Victor Abakpa, however prayed the court to adjourn the matter until Tuesday, as another lawyer from a different chamber just informed that he was taking over the case.

He further stated that he was equally served additional proof of evidence in the court just before the court started the day’s proceedings.

I.A Aliyu on his part informed the court that he was briefed by the defendant on June 18 to take over the case.

The court therefore stepped down the case to 11am in order for counsel to align themselves and come proper before it.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that in Monday’s proceeding, family members of the deceased singer, Osinachi were in court.

Prominent amongst the family members were her two children, mother and twin sister.

The matter which was adjourned until June 16, could not go on due to the absence of the judge.

The defendant was earlier arraigned on June 3, and was remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre after he pleaded not guilty to the alleged homicide charge filed against him by the Attorney -General of the Federation.

He was therefore remanded pending the hearing and determination of the
23-count charge bordering on domestic violence and homicide instituted against him.

Nwachukwu was arrested by the Nigeria Police after his wife died on April 8 following wide spread allegations by their children, family and colleagues that he battered her leading to her death.

According to the charge, the crime he allegedly committed contravenes Sections 104 and 379 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, (ACJA) 2015, Section 221 of the Penal Code and the Violence Against Person’s Prohibition Act (VAPP) 2015.

The charge read in part: “That you Peter Nwachukwu, 56, male, on the April 8 at Aco Estate, opposite Police Station, Lugbe, Abuja, FCT, within the jurisdiction of this court, did commit an offence to with: culpable homicide punishable with death in that you caused the death of Osinachi N.

“This was caused by your various acts of violence and aggravated assault with the knowledge that her death would be the probable consequence of your act.

“Particulars of offence: That you, Peter Nwachukwu, male, sometime between Nov. 14, 2009 and April 2022 at Aco Estate, opposite Police Station, Lugbe, Abuja, FCT, within the jurisdiction of this court, did commit an offence to wit: emotional, verbal and psychological abuse on Mrs Osinachi Nwachukwu (deceased).

“This was caused by humiliating her and making utterances like ‘you are smelling,’ ‘you are mad,’ to her in the presence of her music crew members.”

The statement of offence bordered on emotional, verbal and psychological abuse contrary to Section 14(1) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015 and punishable under the same section of the Act.

The late gospel singer was popularly known for her song “Ekwueme”.

News

Invictus Games: Prince Harry, Meghan Arrive In Lagos

Published

1 hour ago

May 12, 2024

Editor

The Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, accompanied by the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan, has landed in Lagos to embark on a three-day visit to Nigeria.

According to reports, their itinerary includes a meeting with Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at Lagos House in Marina.

Recall that Prince Harry, the founder of the Invictus Games for wounded military veterans, arrived in Nigeria on Friday, continuing his efforts to promote the sporting event.

During their stay in Lagos, the royal couple attended the Dream Big Basketball clinic hosted by the Giant of Africa Foundation at Ilupeju Grammar School. Masai Ujiri, President of the Giant of Africa Foundation, praised the couple for their role in inspiring African youth through sports.

Expressing their excitement to participate in programs aimed at empowering young people in Africa, Prince Harry and Meghan emphasized the importance of such initiatives.

In Abuja, the prince’s team, adorned in yellow, engaged in an exhibition match against a team led by Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff. Despite taking an early lead with players seated on foam mats, some missing legs, Prince Harry’s team was defeated by Team CDS.

Later, the royal couple attended a reception for military families, where they were greeted by traditional dancers who showcased their talents with acrobatic performances.

News

Reign Of Terror: Again, Gunmen Strike In Enugu, Kill Four Policemen, FRSC Officials In Fresh Attack

Published

3 hours ago

May 12, 2024

Editor

There was a reign of terror at Orba and Eha-Alumona in Udenu and Nsukka Local Government Areas of Enugu State, respectively; as gunmen attacked two operatives each of the Nigeria Police Force and Federal Road Safety Corps on Saturday.

The attack came barely 24 hours after two policemen on a stop-and-search duty were attacked and killed on Friday by some gunmen in the state metropolis, less than a kilometre from the Government House.

It was gathered that the latest attack started from the Premier Junction at Eha-Alumona in Nsukka LG and proceeded to the Army checkpoint at Orba in Udenu LG around 4 pm.

The four personnel were killed in the onslaught while others escaped with various degrees of injury.

The hoodlums also attacked and set ablaze a Hilux van belonging to the traditional ruler of Egali Amalla Community in Udenu LG, Patrick Eze, popularly known as Igwe Waziri.

The monarch, who was reportedly caught, in the web of the attack, miraculously escaped unhurt.

The gunmen also burnt an FRSC van during the carnage.

Meanwhile, when our correspondent contacted the state Commissioner of Police Kanayo Uzuegbu, for his reaction to the incident, he said, “I am not aware of the incident. Please contact the Police Public Relations Officer on that.”

However, efforts to get the command’s spokesperson, Daniel Ndukwe, were unsuccessful as he neither responded to the calls nor text messages as at the time of filing this report.

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State had vowed to apprehend the assailants who killed two policemen on Friday with all the resources available to the state government.

PUNCH

News

SERAP, BudgIT, Others Drag CBN To Court Over Cybersecurity Levy

Published

4 hours ago

May 12, 2024

Editor

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project; a not-for-profit organisation, BudgIT, and 136 concerned Nigerians have filed a lawsuit against the Central Bank of Nigeria “over its failure” to withdraw the cybersecurity levy.

In what was described as an “unlawful circular,” the plaintiffs in the suit number FHC/L/CS/822/2024 filed last Friday at the Federal High Court, Lagos State, asked the court to determine “whether the CBN circular dated 6th May 2024, directing financial institutions to deduct from customers’ accounts a cybersecurity levy is unlawful and therefore ultra vires the CBN.”

This is contained in a statement issued by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, made available to newsmen on Sunday.

Last Monday, through a circular, the apex bank ordered all commercial, merchant, non-interest, and payment service banks, among others. operating in the country to start charging a cybersecurity levy on transactions.

The CBN noted that, in compliance with the enactment of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act 2024 and under the provision of Section 44 (2)(a) of the Act, a levy of 0.5 per cent (0.005) equivalent to a half per cent of all electronic transactions value by the business specified in the Second Schedule of the Act, is to be remitted to the National Cybersecurity Fund which shall be administered by the Office of the National Security Adviser.

“The levy shall be applied at the point of electronic transfer origination, then deducted and remitted by the financial institution. The deducted amount shall be reflected in the customer’s account with the narration, ‘Cybersecurity Levy.” the circular stated.

Although, President Bola Tinubu had directed the CBN to suspend the implementation of the controversial cybersecurity levy policy and ordered a review, the plaintiffs asked the court to determine whether the apex bank’s directive “are not in breach of sections 14(2), 44(1) and 162(1) of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], and therefore unconstitutional, null, and void.”

They also demanded that the “CBN, its office, agents, privies, assigns, or any other persons acting on its instructions from enforcing the circular dated 6th May 2024, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed contemporaneously in this suit,” be restrained.

The suit filed on behalf of the plaintiffs by their lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN, read in part, “The CBN circular is unlawful and an outright violation of the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution and the country’s international obligations.

“Unless the reliefs sought are granted, the CBN will enforce its circular directing banks to deduct from customers’ accounts a cybersecurity levy. Millions of Nigerians with active bank accounts would suffer irreparable damage from the unlawful deduction of cybersecurity levies from their accounts.

“The provisions of the Cybercrimes Act on payment of cybersecurity levy strictly apply only to businesses listed in the Second Schedule to the Act. These provisions make no reference to bank customers, contrary to the CBN circular to all banks and other financial institutions.”

The statement noted that while the CBN’s circular “a blatant violation of Nigerians’ human rights including the right to property guaranteed under section 44 of the Nigerian Constitution and article 14 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights to which Nigeria is a state party,” the Federal Government “has a legal responsibility to ensure the security and welfare of the people, as provided for under section 14(2)(b) of the Nigerian Constitution and human rights treaties to which Nigeria is a state party.”

The plaintiffs, therefore, urged the court to “grant the reliefs sought in the public interest and the interest of justice as well as to prevent arbitrariness and ensure the rule of law in the country.”

The cybersecurity levy, as ordered by the apex bank, is to be be remitted to the National Cybersecurity Fund which shall be administered by the Office of the National Security Adviser.

While disagreeing with this, the plaintiffs noted that according to Section 162 (1) of the Nigerian Constitution, the payment of “revenues collected by or on behalf of the Government of the Federation are mandatorily required to be paid into the Federation Account save the revenue excepted by the provisions of the section.”

“The National Cybersecurity Fund established by section 44(1) of the Cybercrimes Act 2015 [as amended] into which it is required to be paid the levy of 0.5% chargeable on all electronic transactions instead of the Federation Account is unconstitutional, null, and void.

“As of 30 April 2024, commercial banks in Nigeria already charge exorbitant fees for electronic transactions, including electronic transfer charges at N53.75 on any amount above N10,000; stamp duty of N50 on every transaction and account maintenance charge deducted per month,” the statement partly read.

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.