Federal high Court jos declares Patrick Dakum winner of the governorship candidacy tussle

By Bodunrin Kayode

The Jos Division of the Federal High Court has dismissed a suit filed by Amb. Yohana Margif seeking the court to declare him as the lawful candidate of the Labour party.

With this development Dr Patrick Dakum was declared as the legitimate Gubernatorial candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in Plateau State for the upcoming 2023 General Elections.

Justice Ageshi affirmed that Margrif withdrew his candidature by virtue of the documents tendered by Dr. Dakum in court.

Federal high Court jos declares Patrick Dakum winner of the governorship candidacy tussle

Alleged defamation: Court to hear N1bn suit against Ned Nwoko Feb. 27

A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Abuja, has adjourned a N1 billion defamatory suit filed by Dr. Gabriel Ogbechie against Mr. Ned Nwoko until Feb  27 for hearing.

Justice Chizoba Oji adjourned the matter after counsel for the parties stated their positions on their resolved to explore an out-of-court settlement.

When the matter was called for hearing, Ogbechie’s counsel, Ekemejero Ohwovoriole, SAN, informed the court that the out-of-court settlement had broken down as the defendant had not reached out to him since the last adjourned date.

But Onyeka Nwokolo, who appeared for Nwoko, told the court that he had not been able to proceed with the planned reconciliation because his client had been indisposed.

Nwokolo, who said that he discussed the possibility of the settlement with his client, said he was still convinced that the window for settlement could still be explored.

He admitted that he had not been able to communicate the outcome of their discourse with the claimant’s lawyer.

Ohwovoriole, however, disagreed with Nwokolo’s submission, stating that the defendant had 180 days from May 30, the last adjourned date, to explore the avenue.

The lawyer said he was ready to proceed with the case.

Justice Oji agreed with the submission of Ohwovoriole and called for commencement of hearing in the suit.

She however advised both parties to explore the out-of-court-settlement option before the next hearing date.

The judge adjourned the matter until Feb. 27 for further hearing or report on the outcome of the reconciliation.

Ogbechie, in the writ of summons marked: CR/560/2021, had sued Nwoko as sole defendant.

In the suit, Ogbechie is claiming, among others, a retraction of the defamatory publication allegedly made by Nwoko, a written apology and the sum of N1 billion as damages.

Alleged defamation: Court to hear N1bn suit against Ned Nwoko Feb. 27

Court remands man for allegedly insulting, intimidating police officer on duty

A Karu Upper Area Court, Abuja on Monday remanded a 36-year-old man, Hedges Samuel, in prison for allegedly insulting and intimidating a police officer discharging her duties.

The judge, Ishaq Hassan, ordered that the defendant be remanded in prison until Nov. 17, to determine bail conditions.

The defendant, who resides at Phase 2 Extension, Jikwoyi, Abuja was arraigned for intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace and criminal intimidation, refusing to answer public question and signing statement.
He, however, denied commiting the crime.

The prosecutor, Olarewaju Osho, told the court that Insp. Rose Ugwuanyi, a police officer attached Jikwoyi Divisional Police Headquarters, reported the matter at the Jikwoyi police station on Nov. 1.

“The complainant alleged that was asked by her superior officer to investigate a case of cheating reported against the defendant.

“While the complainant was performing the duty, the defendant started raining insults on her, saying she was stupid and that he had heard how everyone brought to the station feared her (officer).

“The defendant went further to threaten the officer, that he would deal with her, saying that as soon as he is out of the station, the officer will pay with her life.

“The defendant also told the complainant in the presence of other police officers and civilians, that he will not fear the officer as everyone did, rather that the officer has met “her match, which is him,” Osho told the court.

The prosecutor said that when the defendant was being interrogated concerning his utterances, he intentionally refused to make a statement.

He added that during police investigation, the defendant was seen hitting his chest before the IPO investigating the case.

The offence contravened sections 397, 142 and 143 of the Penal Code

Court remands man for allegedly insulting, intimidating police officer on duty