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Court admits exhibits in Premiere Academy’s N500m defamation suit against gender activist

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Justice Kayode Agunloye

 

By Our Reporter

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT), has admitted eight different exhibits tendered by the Premiere Academy of Abuja to establish its N500M defamation suit instituted against an Abuja based gender activist, Lemmy Ughegbe.

The exhibits were admitted by Justice Kayode Agunloye sitting in Kwali division of the court when they were tendered by counsel to the Academy, Barrister Olajide Kumuyi.

Premiere Academy located at Lugbe area of Abuja had sued the gender activist, claiming a sum of N500m from him as compensation for damages suffered in the alleged defamation of its reputation.

In the suit filed by Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, the School is praying the court to prohibit the Child and Gender Rights Advocate from further defaming it in his allegation that a female student of the School, Miss Keren-Happuch died as a result of rape on the school premises.

The School, among others, claimed that the gender activist defamed it in his persistent allegations that the 14-year old student was raped and a condom left inside her, which infected her with sepsis, spiked her blood sugar leading to her death due to hyperglycemia on June 22, 2021.

However, at the proceedings, Barrister Kumuyi, who led the Principal of the school, Mr Christopher Akinsowon in evidence, tendered 8 different materials before the court to support the case against the defendant.

Among the exhibits tendered are the flash drive containing a video clip footage of where the activist addressed a gathering of about 5, 000 lawyers at the 2021 Law Week of the Nigeria Bar Association, (NBA) in Abuja where the alleged defamatory remarks were made.

Others are admission registers of the school for three years showing an alleged downturn in students enrollment as a result of the alleged persistent defamation.

In one of the registers, the school claimed that it was only able to get 59 new applicants in year 2022 that sat for the admission examination stating that the school suffered the fate for the three years.

Also tendered are the September 2, 2021 online news publications of Daily Independent and The Sun newspapers which the activist allegedly used, among others, to spread the alleged defamation of its reputation.

Similarly, a letter from Awomolo SAN Law Firm warning the activist on the alleged defamation and asking him to desist as well as his reply through his lawyer, Johnbull Adaghe justifying his actions were also tendered.

In reaction, counsel to the defendant raised vehement objections against the admission of the documents as exhibits on various grounds.

Among others, the lawyer argued that some of the documents were not front loaded and also not pleaded in the witness statement of the School Principal.

His objections to the documents were countered by the plaintiff’s lawyer, Kumuyi, who drew the attention of the court to some paragraphs in the witness statement on oath where references were made to them.

In a brief ruling, Justice Kayode Agunloye agreed with submissions of Kumuyi and over- ruled the objections of the activist against the documents and admitted them as exhibits.

Meanwhile, based on agreement of counsel, the court has fixed March 18 to play in the open court, the video footage of where the activist allegedly made the defamatory remarks at the Abuja NBA 2021 Law Week.

The case was also adjourned for cross examination of the witness by counsel to the activist.

Premiere Academy had dragged the activist before the court claiming N500 million against the leader of Coalition of Gender Based Violence Responders, CGBVR, Lemmy Ughegbe for defamation.

The school alleged that Ughegbe defamed its character while speaking on the cause of Keren’s death at the NBA Law Week in Abuja among others.

But Ughegbe had while reacting to the suit said he would not be bullied into silence with cheap legal action of the school.

He has since filed his statement of defense which he would tender when giving his own side of the story to the court.

Law & Crime

Valedictory Session:Ewhrudjakpo, Ayemieye, Others Pour Encomium On Late Justice Alagoa

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Bayelsa Deputy Gov.Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo and others

 

By David Owei, Yenagoa.

Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, along with the state Chief Judge, Justice Matilda Ayemieye, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Biriyai Dambo (SAN), and other personalities have poured encomiums on the late Justice Stanley Shenko Alagoa, describing him as one of the best justices of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

Senator Ewhrudjakpo, who spoke at a special valedictory session held at the court of the Chief Judge in Yenagoa at the weekend, said there were a lot of positive lessons to learn from the exemplary life of the late Justice of the Supreme Court.

He eulogized Justice Alagoa as an incorruptible judge, emphasizing that his judicial pronouncements and judgements would be quoted for as long as justice system remains in Nigeria, and called on his family to take solace in his worthy legacy.

His words: “There are two sets of people in the world – those who left their shoes dirty, and those who left theirs clean. The late Justice Alagoa is of the latter group.

“Alagoa was a man of integrity. He condemned corrupt politicians as a challenge to the Nigerian Justice System. It is not how long a man live, but how well.

“Justice Alagoa has taught everyone in Nigeria a lesson; His pronouncements and judgements will be quoted as long as the justice system remains. Let us immortalize him by promoting what he represented.”

In her remarks, the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Matilda Abrakasa-Ayemieye, pointed out that the late Justice Alagoa was the first Bayelsan to climb to the Supreme Court of Nigeria and did so much in contributing towards the development of the country’s legal jurisprudence.

Justice Ayemieye, who described Alagoa as one of the finest jurists at the Supreme Court, explained that he was a man of integrity, whose notable contributions to the growth of the Nigerian justice delivery system would not be easily forgotten.

She, however, used the opportunity to remind the living that they came from God and shall return to Him in due time, stressing that everyone shall give account of him or herself at an appointed time.

On his part, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Biriyai Dambo (SAN), said “it is evident from from his biography that Justice Alagoa was a diligent judge who rose through the ranks to the pinnacle of his illustrious career at the Supreme Court,” and deserved the honour of being given a befitting funeral.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Yenagoa Branch, Mr. Somina Johnbull, noted that the deceased who was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1974, describing him as an exemplary ambassador of the state judiciary having been one of the three judges from Bayelsa that ascended to the Supreme Court.

Other dignitaries present at the session were retired Justice Francis Tabai; the Chief Judge of Rivers State represented by Justice A. Victor; the President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Daniel Ayah, retired Justice Margaret Akpomiemie, the Head of Service, Mrs Biobelemoye Charles-Onyeama, amongst others.

In a related development, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, at the weekend, also led a delegation of political leaders and stakeholders of Bayelsa West to pay a condolence visit to the family of the late His Royal Majesty, King Joshua Igbagara, the paramount ruler of Ibeni -Oyiakiri Kingdom in Sagbama Local Government Area of the state.

Speaking at the Biogbolo residence of the departed first class traditional ruler, the Deputy Governor noted that the Sagbama Area, Bayelsa West, and by extension, the entire state and Nigeria had lost a great leader who positively impacted so many lives

He, however, pointed out that “for the fact that the late King Igbagara lived for about 90 years, his departure should be seen as a heroic incident that calls for celebration having exceeded the biblical age benchmark of 70 years.”

While assuring the Igbagara family of government’s support in the burial of the one-time Chairman of the Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, Senator Ewhrudjakpo, enjoined them and the entire Ibeni-Oyiakiri clan to draw strength from the good life their father and king had lived.

Responding on behalf of the family, the first son of the deceased, Prince Austin Igbagara, expressed gratitude to the Deputy Governor and the political leaders and stakeholders for condoling with them in their trying moment.

Prince Igbagara, who disclosed that the monarch died in Lagos after a brief illness, promised the Bayelsa West delegation that the family would officially inform them when a date is fixed for the funeral of their departed father.

The delegation had Hon. Commissioner for Special Duties (Bayelsa West), Mr. Michael Magbisa, and his tourism counterpart, Mr John Ala: the Chairman of Sagbama Local Government, Mrs. Alice Tangi-Allen; and chieftains of the PDP, Hon. Fyneman Wilson, Dr. O.O. Osusu; Engineer Numupre Wills; Chief Victor Okubonanabo, the Chairman, Local Government Service Commission, Chief Lambert Ototo, among others.

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Law & Crime

Niger CJ frees 45 awaiting trial inmates of Suleja’s Prison custody 

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By Uthman Baba-Al-Naseer, Minna

A total of Forty Five inmates on awaiting trial and Convicts have breath the air of freedom during the visit of the Chief Judge of Niger State, Justice ♎ Halima Ibrahim Abdulmalik statewide working visit to Correctional Centres

The Chief Judge commenced the four days working visit on the 6th,March 2025 in Suleja Federal Medium Correctional centre where five convicts were pardoned for being remorseful while serving their jail terms.

Justice Halima Ibrahim Abdulmalik,in continuation of the visit to bring relief to the correctional facilities across the state, was at the Minna old Medium Correctional centre between Monday, 10th,and Tuesday,11th,2025 and a total of twelve Convicts were discharged.

Also, the Chief Judge ordered for the summary trial of fourteen others to be given lighter convictions from the date of their arrest and detention in the correctional Custody.

At the Minna new Medium Correctional centre in Tunga, a total of twenty five other inmates standing trial were discharged by the Chief Judge while twelve inmates standing trial on various Offences had their cases reviewed.

Justice Halima Ibrahim Abdulmalik concluded the working visit to Children remand home at Angwan Daji where she released five under aged children two among them were kidnapped.

Equally,the Chief judge granted bail to two siblings Anas Umar,and Mubarak Umar who were arrested at Gauraka in Tafa Local government area of Niger State.

They were alleged to have been in possession of aluminum believed to have been stolen and sold to scrap dealers (Yan gwongwon).

The Chief Judge directed the Ministry of women affairs to take the adoption of the two siblings with the aim of keeping them in their custody for proper upbringings.

Justice Halima Ibrahim Abdulmalik, while expressing her disgust on the increasing rates of crime among juveniles,in the state, she called on parents and guardians to leave up to their responsibility of inculcating proper upbringings to their children.

She noted that the involvement of Anas into crime was initiated by his brother stating that their parents have deviated from their parental responsibilities.

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Law & Crime

Rivers Crisis: State Assembly in another troubled water  ……. Wants DSS to Probe CJ over alleged age forgery 

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By Our Reporter
Barely 24 hours in the fight against the state governor,  Siminalayi Fubara,  Rivers State House of Assembly has called on the Department of State Services (DSS) to investigate the State Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Amadi for alleged age falsification.
The call for investigation of the State Chief Judge was made following a motion by the leader of the Assembly, Hon. Major Jack during plenary on Thursday.
Recall that the Deputy Speaker of Rivers  Assembly, Dumle Maol, had raised an allegation of age falsification against the Chief Judge of the state, Simeon Amadi a couple of days ago.
He said, “These documents before me simply say that the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Simeon Amadi, falsified his age in service. Mr Speaker, that is a very serious allegation, and I do hope that this House takes legislative notice.”
The House debated on the topic and resolved to write a letter to the Director of the DSS to do its investigation and revert to the House on their findings.
In his remark, Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, called for an investigation into the alleged age falsification against the state chief judge, Justice Chibuzor Amadi.
Amaehwule also accused the state Governor, Siminalayi Fubara of barring all heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies not to appear before the House or assist the lawmakers in the conduct of investigations.
He said, “The documents are only suggesting a case of age falsification by the honourable Chief Judge of the state, Simeon Amadi. What it means is that there has to be an investigation to that effect.
“Though the House is empowered to conduct investigation by the provisions of Section 128 of the Constitution, the Governor of the State has barred all heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies not to appear before the House or assist the House in the conduct of investigation.
“So, the House is calling on the Department of State Service to institute an investigation on the alleged age falsification by the Chief Judge with a view to ascertaining the veracity or otherwise of the allegation, which will be forwarded to the National Judicial Council (NJC).”
After a voice vote, the House eventually agreed to write the DSS to investigate the age falsification allegation against the Chief Judge.
Meanwhile, the Speaker had asked all Committees to endeavour to submit their reports to the House before the House proceeds on recess, particularly, the House Committee on Public Complaints and Petitions.
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