Crime
Court Orders ICPC To Pay Ojerinde N1m Damages For Detention
The unlawful detention of former Registrar, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Dibu Ojerinde has attracted a fine of N1 million against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
This is the ruling of the Federal High Court, Abuja, presided over by Justice Obiora Egwuatu.
The court also ordered the ICPC to pay Ojerinde the sum of N200,000 to mitigate the hi legal spend on the matter.
According to Justice Egwuatu it was undisputed that there was a pending charge against the ex-JAMB Registrar bordering on conspiracy to sell, sale of forfeited property, and multiple identity cards with different names.
He, however, held that Ojerinde is presumed innocent until he has been proven guilty.
Consequently, he held that although there was a fresh charge against the professor and his arraignment before a sister court was thwarted because of the court vacation, which led to non-sitting of court, detaining him without an order of detention for the duration of custody was a violation of his fundamental rights.
More so, the justice held that though the rearrest of the ex-JAMB boss on January 26 was lawful based on the search warrant obtained from the chief judge of the court, the anti-graft commission ought to have obtained a detention warrant since Ojerinde would not be immediately arraigned.
On that premise, he declared that Ojerinde’s continued detention was unlawful, illegal and a breach of his right to liberty.
He, therefore, ordered that the embattled former JAMB Registrar be released or arraigned immediately.
However, the court held that the applicant had been unable to prove that his right to dignity of person was breached by the ICPC, as he failed to prove that he was either tortured or brought into forced slavery, among others.
In summary, Justice Egwuatu ordered the ICPC to pay Ojerinde the sum of N1 million as damages for the breach of his fundamental right to liberty, and directed the commission to pay him N200,000 as the cost of the suit.
He, however, did not grant the other reliefs sought.
Biztellers reports that in the suit number, FHC/ABJ/CS/179/2023 filed before Justice Egwuatu, Ojerinde, had sought an order to enforce his fundamental rights, following his re-arrest on January 26 within the court premises and his subsequent detention.
In addition, the applicant sought an order of perpetual injunction restraining the anti-graft agency and its officers from arresting or detaining him on account of the suit for which he was facing a criminal charge or to file an amended charge.
Among others, he also sought an order directing the commission to pay him the sum of N500 million only, as exemplary damages for the breach of his rights to personal liberty, freedom of movement, the dignity of the human person and the presumption of innocence as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
Recall that the ICPC had dragged the ex-JAMB boss before Justice Egwuatu in an 18-count money-laundering suit.
He was accused of diverting public funds to the tune of N5 billion.
This petition, was necessitated by the fact that Ojerinde was re-arrested on January 26 by the operatives of the ICPC while he was heading to his car with one of his sons after Justice Egwuatu adjourned further proceedings in the charge preferred against him.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa over allegations of diverting N1.3 trillion in 13% derivation funds intended for Delta State during his tenure.
Okowa, who served as governor from 2015 to 2023, was detained after he voluntarily appeared at the EFCC’s Port Harcourt Directorate on Monday in response to an official summons.
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According to an EFCC source, Okowa is accused of failing to account for the N1.3 trillion derived from the federation account, as well as an additional N40 billion he allegedly invested in shares of UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).
The investigation suggests that Okowa acquired an 8% stake in a major Nigerian bank to support the offshore LNG venture, with funds purportedly misallocated from state resources.
Beyond the LNG shares, investigators are probing whether Okowa redirected state funds to acquire high-value properties in Abuja and Asaba.
Okowa is currently held at an EFCC facility in Port Harcourt as the inquiry continues.
The high-profile arrest comes as Okowa, who was the vice-presidential running mate to Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general election, faces scrutiny over his financial conduct in office.
Amid repeated absences from court, the Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an arrest warrant for Hathiramani Ranesh, Managing Director of Dana Air, who faces charges of fraud and conspiracy tied to alleged misappropriations totaling N1.3 billion.
The ruling, handed down Monday by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, calls for Ranesh’s immediate arrest following his failure to respond to multiple court summonses.
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Justice Egwuatu cited Section 184 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), empowering the court to issue an arrest warrant against defendants who evade appearance.
“The defendant is legally obligated to appear, and the court is authorized to issue a warrant for arrest if he does not,” Justice Egwuatu said, setting January 13, 2025, as the next court date, adding that no objections will be considered unless Ranesh is present.
Ranesh and two Dana Group subsidiaries—Dana Group PLC and Dana Steel Ltd—face serious allegations from the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF).
Prosecutors claim that between 2014 and 2018, Ranesh and his companies engaged in fraudulent activities, including the unauthorized sale of industrial generators valued at N450 million, which had been pledged as collateral in a debenture agreement.
Additional charges allege the misappropriation of N864 million from bond funds meant for operations at the Dana Steel Rolling Factory in Katsina, and a N60.3 million transfer to an external account without authorization.
The charges, filed by Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Moshood Adeyemi, cite violations under the Criminal Code Act.
In court, government lawyer Mojisola Okeya-Esho argued for the arrest warrant, stating that Ranesh had disregarded court orders to appear for arraignment.
Defense counsel B. Ademola-Bello challenged the prosecution, contending that jurisdictional issues must be addressed before proceeding with the case.
Justice Egwuatu dismissed these objections, underscoring that Ranesh’s presence in court is required before other arguments can be entertained.
The matter is now adjourned until January 13, 2025, with the warrant remaining active until the defendant is brought to court.
In a shocking act of violence, armed assailants targeted the Police Rapid Response Squad facility in Owerrinta early Monday morning, resulting in the tragic death of a female detainee.
The attack occurred shortly after midnight along the Umuahia-Aba Federal Expressway.
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State Commissioner of Police Danladi Isa confirmed the incident, revealing that the gunmen arrived in three Hilux vehicles and opened fire on the police facility.
“Our personnel successfully repelled the attack,” Isa stated.
However, the attackers resorted to using dynamite, causing significant damage to the building and exposing the detainees inside.
During the chaos, the gunmen attempted to free detainees, leading to the fatal shooting of the female suspect.
Unconfirmed reports suggest she was in custody related to a child trafficking case.
In the aftermath of the attack, police swiftly initiated a manhunt for the perpetrators, employing advanced technical methods to track their movements.
Commissioner Isa announced the arrest of one suspect, who is currently undergoing interrogation to uncover the identities of additional accomplices.
“We are making significant progress in our investigation,” he affirmed.
Authorities are calling on the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities as the investigation continues.
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