UDUAGHAN; DELTA RECORDED HIGHEST NUMBER OF PROSECUTED KIDNAP CASES

With the reduction in the spate of kidnapping in Delta State, the governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, has said that the state has recorded the highest number of prosecuted kidnap cases in the country.

The governor made this disclosure on Friday during a courtesy visit to him at  Government House Annex, Warri, Delta State by a delegation of judges from the state led by the Chief Judge, Justice Zai-Laye Dawo Smith.

Uduaghan, who apologised for his inability to host the judges in September, thanked them for the way they have been entrenching law and order, their patience with government in spite of intimidation, adding that the timely prosecution has boosted the economic drive of the state government.

He thanked the bench for synergy with other arms of government, saying the three-point agenda of the state was on course.

Speaking on behalf of the delegation of judges from high courts and customary courts of appeal in the state, Justice Smith, who thanked the governor for promoting security and peace in relation to human and structural developments, said it was a tradition by the judiciary to visit a sitting governor after the ceremonial opening of every legal year.

He prayed God to grant the governor and his team the grace to finish very strong at the end of their tenure.

NBA SEEKS VIABLE AND CORRUPTION FREE JUDICIARY IN 2014

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) on Saturday expressed the need for corruption-free judiciary in 2014, saying that all necessary machinery should be put in place to achieve it.

The NBA President, Mr. Okey Wali (SAN), made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

Wali said as the year was gradually coming to an end, adequate steps should be taken to promote a more efficient judicial system in the coming year.

He said that 2014 should be characterised by a more efficient judicial system with adequate working machinery that would enhance effective justice delivery.

He said at present, judges were still saddled with the rigour of taking down proceedings in “long-hand,” saying that these were some of the problems to be remedied in 2014.

“A major problem which requires redress in the judiciary is the issue of funding, and this simply entails the provision of more working facilities to enhance a smooth operation of the system.

“The Nigerian judiciary is one that I know in this age and time, where judges still take down proceedings in longhand.

“If automated recording devices are provided in all our courts, proceedings will definitely be faster, and this will promote the speedy dispensation of justice,’’ he said.

Wali, however, noted that although some of the delays were caused by lawyers, litigants and judicial officers, such situations could be dealt with following practice direction of courts.

MAN DOCKED FOR SEXUAL HARASSMENT

 A 35-year-old man, Kunle Mayford,  has  appeared before an Ojokoro Magistrate’s Court in Lagos State, charged  with sexual harassment of a lady.

Also arraigned alongside Mayford was his wife, Chinyere, who was charged with the alleged assault of her husband’s victim, Miss Morenike Davids.

Mayford, who has no particular means of livelihood, is facing a three count-charge of assault, sexual harassment and theft.

The prosecutor, Inspector Lugard Ahonle, told the court that the accused committed the offences on December14, at   Event Guest House, Baale Villa, Meiran, a Lagos suburb, at 5:30 p.m.

“Kunle forcefully collected a Blackberry phone and a palm-top mobile device from one Morenike Davids,  after which he threatened to beat her up.

“He also harassed the victim sexually and asked her to have sex with him, before her property could be released,” he said.

Chinyere, on the other hand, was alleged to have assaulted  Davids for having her husband arrested.

The alleged offences contravene Sections 171, 262 and 285 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011.

However, the couple pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The magistrate, Mrs A.O. Layinka, granted Chinyere bail on self recognition, being a pregnant woman and ordered that she should sign an undertaking to always be present in court.

She also granted Mayford bail in the sum of N100, 000 with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case till February10, 2014.

EX ICPC BOSS WIFE DIES, TASK CJN TO RESIST TEMPTATION

THE pioneer chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Offences Commission (ICPC), Justice Mustapha Akanbi (rtd) has urged the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Aloma Maryam Muktar to resist temptation. Justice Akanbi, ex-president of the Court of Appeal, who spoke in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital when the CJN paid him a condolence visit over the death of his wife, said, “I think with the background training, with everything that we have done together and achieved together; I think you should be able to resist temptation which will bring the standard of the judiciary down.” He said Nigerian judiciary should be the pride of the nation, saying the CJN should not relent in her bid to reform the judiciary. The retired jurist said: “When you phoned to console with me about the death of my wife, I urged you not to relent on the way you are reforming the judiciary. A lot of people will want you to do things which you yourself may not believe is right. “I am taking advantage of the judges who are here. People think things have gone bad in the judiciary and God in His infinite mercy brought this woman to the seat, and she has been doing very well. You have limited time, but one crowded hour of inglorious life is worth more than an inch. “Today, I am enjoying the honour of somebody who has been appreciated by his country and I continue to do that. I am still part of the judiciary; I want the judiciary to be the pride of this nation. When others lose their heads, we must not lose our own.” Earlier, Justice Muktar consoled with the octogenarian, saying “whatever happens, we still have to thank God. She lived a fulfilled life. We will always be there for you and we will always think about what you are doing. We will always stretch our hands of fellowship to you whenever necessary. Death is what every one of us is waiting for and it will come sooner or later.”