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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.

Editorial

Pro-Wike group appaulds judiciary as member regains freedom

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By

Georger Turnah

By David Owei, Yenagoa.

The pro-Wike political group, the New Associates in Bayelsa, has applauded the Judiciary for not yielding to intimidation in the case involving its member, Ms Awudumu Reigneth.

Judicial logo

Reacting to Reigneth’s release after meeting her bail conditions, the convener and lead of New Associates, Georger Turnah, commended the Judiciary for demonstrating its strong independence in the face of intimidation.

Turnah, in a press statement signed by his media assistant, Kevin Loveday-Egbo, stated that Chief Magistrate Baitmizimo demonstrated exceptional courage.

‘’We would also like to commend Chief Magistrate Obiri Baitimizimo for her courage and boldness in ensuring justice, even in the face of obvious intimidation. The Bayelsa State Judiciary has once again demonstrated its independence and integrity by not yielding to the grand plan of Diri’s administration to keep Reigneth incarcerated as punishment for exercising her rights to free speech and expression. The courageous decision made by the magistrate to grant bail in the most liberal terms underscores the importance of a functional judiciary in safeguarding democracy, which is an exemplary high for the State Judiciary.’’

Turnah, while also commending Reigneth for ‘’unwavering courage and determination in the face of oppression’’ also applauded the professionalism and commitment of the legal team.

He however, expressed disappointment that” oppressive tactics and intimidation have become the hallmarks of the Diri-led prosperity administration’’ and implored the government to face serious issues of governance.

‘’As we celebrate Reigneth’s freedom, let us remain steadfast in our commitment to justice, equality, and democracy for all Bayelsans. Together, we will overcome the challenges posed by this current administration and build a state that reflects the hopes and aspirations of its people.

 

” We call on Governor Diri to focus on serious issues of governance, particularly the insecurity that is ravaging our State, rather than dissipating energy on targeting perceived enemies and wasting public funds on political battles. It is time to put the best interests of Bayelsans first.’’

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Editorial

DSS pledges to partner with FIDA in Niger state to combat child abuse

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By Naseer Uthman-Baba, Minna
The Director Niger State Command of the Department of State Security Service (DSS) Alhaji Usman Bello Hussain has pledged his command preparedness to partner with the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), in Niger State,in the Protection of  Gender Base Violence in the state.
He assured  the Service  readiness in ensuring the Protection of the right of girl-child and women against any forms of molestation in Niger state
According to the state director of the service, FIDA as a Professional body and non governmental organization that is saddled with the responsibility of the Protection of girl-child,women vulnerables and gender based related cases,” we are ready to partner with your association to realize your objectives”.
Receiving the executive members of FIDA in his office in Minna,Thursday,Alhaji Usman Bello noted that the Command under his leadership will continue to collaborate with any relevant association that will bring to his knowledge any issues that will undermine the security of the state and the generality of the citizens.
He underscores the increasing involvement of under-aged girls and women in all sorts of social vices that is inimical to the Society describing the trend as unacceptable.
He pointed out that he has been working with FIDA in his various places of assignment before his deployment to Niger state assuring that FIDA in Niger State will continue to enjoy his partnership towards ensuring crime free among women and girl-child  in Niger State.
” I have worked with your colleagues in my various commands. FIDA are always part of my various commands. They are always in my office when I was in Maiduguri and other commands that I served before my deployment to Niger State.
” FIDA in Niger State will not be an exception. My office is open to you at any time you can just work in so that the partnership will continue” he assured.
Speaking earlier,the chairperson the Ñiger State chapter of FIDA,Mrs Bolanle Jibogun told the the director that they were in his office as part of the ongoing advocacy visits to relevant agencies in the state Particularly the security agencies.
 The visit she disclosed is to inform the state command of the new law already passed into law by the National Assembly which is yet to replace the outdated penal code in the country.
Jibogun explained that the new law known as  violence against persons (VAP) if domesticated in Niger State will replace the penal code which according to her has not served it purpose of punitives to offenders.
She described the penal code as archaic which according to her has suffered to serve the real purpose of punishing any offenders that was charged under it ,in the court
Mrs Bolanle Jibogun told the director that the advocacy visit was to formally introduce the new law to the director to peruse and aquit his command with the law with a view to commencing the use of the VAP law in the prosecution of offenders..
” We are in your office  as part of our ongoing advocacy visit to formally introduce the new law to your command.
” The violence against Person law VAP if Fully domesticated in Niger State,it will replace the already archaic penal code. This new law carry more severe punishment than the penal code.
” The VAP carry all aspects of sections that will even carry more conviction and sentencing than than the penal.We are here in your office to Present a copy to your legal department” she told the director.
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Law & Crime

Fear,tension grip kashikoko Community in Niger state as bandits threaten to kill Eye-witness to arm- piteted Police officr 

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By Naseer Uthman-Baba

Fear and palpable tension is now brewing in Kashikoko Community in Lavun Local government area of Niger State as some suspects from Washe village who attacked a Mobile Police Officer Sergeant Aliyu Ndako and cut off his hand, robbed him of his money and other valuables are now targeting the eyewitness who was there with a view of killing him to errase the evidence against them.

It should be noted that the Police Area Commander in Bida, ACP Bakare Abiodun had earlier released the prime suspect arrested by vigilante group and handed over to him for investigation without any reasonable justification.

The District head of Kashikoko Saidu Minin Nagya whom the suspect claimed to have send them to assassinate the Police Sergeant Aliyu Ndako,has also been released on bail by men of the state Criminal investigation and intelligence Department ( SCIID) of the Niger State Police Command.

The Operatives of the SCIID in Minna, have put the investigation on hold on premise that the case has been transferred to Assistant Inspector General of Police Zone AIG Zone seven while the other suspects kept terrorising Kashikoko Community Threatened to wreck another harvok on them.

A Minna based legal practitioner Barrister Ebuka Egbunike Charles has earlier petitioned the Commissioner of Police Niger State Command on the attack of the Police Sergeant by some suspects from Washe

The district head of Kashikoko Saidu Minin Nagya was alleged to have ordered the attack on the victim Aliyu Ndako which led to the cutting off the hand of the Police Sergeant Aliyu Ndako who is attached to the Palace of the Etsu Nupe Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar.

The Legal practitioner, decried that ” If people who are alleged in the commission of crime of these nature are left uninvestigated despite repeated Petition to the police,the society will not be safe for the descent and the Police as an institution of security to protect lives and properties will be reduced to Public servants whom merely received salaries without corresponding justification”

He then called on the Commissioner of Police in Niger State to promptly act within the ambit of section 214 of the 1999 Constitution as amended and section four of the police Act. 2020Already, tension and apprehension is now brewing in the Community as they are now threatened to launch an attack on an eyewitness who was there during the attack on the Police Sergeant with the intention to kill him so as to erase the evidence against hi

At this point Barrister Ebuka Charlces has called on the Inspector General of Police IGP Kayode Egbetokun to as a matter of urgency to order for the arrest of the District head to explain his roles in heinous crimes of attempted murder, causing grievous hurt without provocation,armed robbery,and joint acts.

The Commissioner of Police in Niger State, was earlier Petitioned ” yet these people are still going about threatening the Community. The IGP should for the interest of security and safety of the Kashikoko Community order for the arrest and the Prosecution of these and people and summon the Area Commander in Bida ACP Bakare Abiodun “

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