News

Alleged Defamation: Court acquits journalists, chides police, magistrate over shoddy trial

Published

1 year ago

February 24, 2024

The Kwara State High Court, sitting as an appellate court in Ilorin, has discharged and acquitted two journalists convicted of publishing a defamatory article against a rice factory, faulting the police and trial magistrate’s ruling.

In February 2023, a magistrate’s court convicted Alfred Olufemi, an investigative reporter, and Gidado Shuaib, editor of Abuja-based News Digest, over a report against Hillcrest Agro-Allied Industries Limited.

The report published in News Digest in 2018 detailed how the company’s staff members smoked Indian hemp freely within its premises, violating relevant laws and health regulations.

In his verdict, the trial magistrate, A.S. Muhammad, found the journalists guilty of criminal conspiracy and defamation. He then sentenced the journalists to two months imprisonment with an option of fine.

But the journalists immediately appealed the judgement at the state High Court, where a three-man panel reviewed the trial court’s judgement.

The journalists’ lawyer, Yunus AbdulSalam, urged the appellate court to quash the lower court’s conviction. The Abuja-based lawyer argued that the respondent, the prosecution at the lower court, did not prove its case beyond reasonable doubt as the report of the police investigation it relied on was already issued before the appellants were invited for questioning.

He also argued that the trial magistrate did not regard the testimony of the journalists’ key witness and their defence, among other issues raised during the trial.

Acquittal
Delivering its judgement on 14 February, a three-man panel comprising Justice M.O Adegbite, Justice S.B Olanipekun and Justice S.M Akanbi, ruled that they had no difficulty in resolving the issue in favour of the appellants.

“We find merit in the appeal, set aside the conviction and sentence. We allow the appeal and enter a verdict of discharge and acquittal for the appellants,” said the presiding judge, Justice Akanbi.

Reacting to the outcome of the appeal, the journalists’ lawyer, Mr. AbdulSalam described the decision of the court as a victory for his clients and press freedom in Nigeria.

“For nearly six years, these young journalists fought to reclaim their innocence and I’m happy that the appeal court delivered justice. This is a win for truth, press freedom and rule of law,” he said.

Shoddy police investigation
Meanwhile, in the 25-page judgement obtained by PRNigeria, the presiding judge took a swipe at the police and the trial magistrate over their roles in the conviction of the journalists.

“I think with all due respect to the learned magistrate, he came to the conclusion after taking into consideration the prosecution’s investigation report which came out before the arrest and invitation of the Appellant.”

The judges stated that besides the fact that the evidence of the prosecution witness sharply contradicted the evidence tendered by the witness, the report coming out before investigation leaves much to be desired

They maintained that despite the contradiction in evidence presented by the prosecution, the trial court took the narration of the Investigating Police Officer (IPO) hook line and sinker.

“The shoddy and shady investigation embarked upon by the police must have misled the trial magistrate court to its finding without regard to the evidence of the Appellants,” the judgement read.

“Investigation report came before an invitation of the Appellants to exhibit P6 and the defence of the DW1 were jettisoned for the evidence of the prosecution witnesses. Every doubt ought to have been resolved in favour of the defence in criminal cases.”

Overwhelmed magistrate
The appellate judges also described the magistrate as being overwhelmed by the evidence of the prosecution witnesses without taking into proper account the defence of the defendants.

“The defence of the Appellants ought to be considered. In other words, the principle of natural justice ought to be taken into consideration instead of the prosecution’s evidence alone.The learned trial judge got carried away with the confessional statement and PW2’s evidence without regard to the evidence of the defendants,” the judgement read.

They pointed out that a traverse through the evidence on record showed that the elements contained in section 392 of the penal code, which the magistrate relied on, were not proven by the prosecution.

Former CBN chief absent from court
One of the grounds cited for the acquittal of the journalists was that Sarah Alade, a former acting Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, who the police claimed was defamed was never in court to give evidence.

This newspaper recalls that at the start of the trial in 2019, Mrs Alade, who was then serving as the special assistant to former President Muhammadu Buhari, was named the owner of Hillcrest Agro-allied but never showed up in court.

But midway into the trial, the company claimed it belonged to Mrs Alade’s son, one Ayo Alade, who later appeared in court to give evidence.

“For emphasis, while exhibit P2 says the company is owned by Sarah Alade who is said to be defamed. The evidence of PW1 at page 89 says the company Hillcrest Agro Allied Industry Limited does not belong to Dr.(Mrs.) Sarah Alade,” The court judgement said.

“We are of the firm view also that the finding of the trial magistrate, particularly PW2, the confessional statement held to have sufficiently established the offence of conspiracy and defamation against the 1st and 2nd defendant is not proved.”

“With all due respect, we hold the view for the above-stated reasons that the trial magistrate’s finding was not well founded,” the judges concluded.

News

Abuja raid attack: Three NDLEA officers sustain gunshot injuries, hospitalized

Published

2 hours ago

April 18, 2025

ADMIN

Three officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have been hospitalized for gunshot injuries sustained after they came under attack from some armed men during a raid operation in Jahi area of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja on Thursday night.

The incident occurred when a team of NDLEA operatives acting on intelligence and surveillance report raided an uncompleted building at NNPC area of Jahi where 74 bottles of codeine, 10 litres of codeine syrup, 48grams of tramadol 225mg and 4.9kilograms of skunk, a strain of cannabis, as well as five android phones were recovered.
As the NDLEA team made their way out of the location, they came under gun attack.

Three of the NDLEA personnel involved in the raid sustained gunshot injuries: one in the rib and two others on their back and leg.

The wounded officers were initially stabilized at the Police Clinic in Garki Area 1 before they were transferred to the National Hospital Abuja for further medical attention.
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) expressed appreciation to the staff of the Police Clinic for their prompt support. He also thanked the Chief Medical Director of the National Hospital who was personally reached by him for overseeing the treatment of the wounded officers.
The NDLEA boss who is in Kano on official engagements also spoke on phone with the injured officers to wish them quick recovery. He assured them that the Agency will deploy every means at its disposal and work in collaboration with other security agencies to fish out those responsible for the attack on them.

News

Tinubu preaches hope at Easter gives directive to military to end insecurity

Published

2 hours ago

April 18, 2025

ADMIN

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday asked Christians in the country to use the Holy Week and Easter to reflect on the enduring values of sacrifice, redemption, love, and hope.

The President made the call in a message he signed on Good Friday, two days to the Easter celebrations.

According to Tinubu, he was saddened by the recent insecurity in the country. He also directed security operatives to decisively end the insecurity without delay.

“The recent tragic incidents and the loss of lives in some parts of our country deeply saddened me. I understand the pain and fear these incidents have caused. Let me assure you that my administration’s resolve to restore peace and security remains unshakable. Forces of evil will never prevail over our country,” Tinubu said.

I have given clear directives to the Armed Forces and all relevant security agencies to end insecurity decisively and without delay. With the unwavering courage and commitment of our gallant men and women in uniform, we are turning the tide and making steady progress in reclaiming peace and stability.

“As President of our blessed nation, I draw inspiration from this timeless message of hope and renewal. I remain steadfast in my commitment to delivering the promise of a Renewed Hope, a better, more just, and prosperous Nigeria for all.

“The Holy Week, which spans Palm Sunday through Holy Thursday and Good Friday and culminates in Easter Sunday, calls us to reflect deeply on the enduring values of sacrifice, redemption, love, and hope.”

“I have given clear directives to the Armed Forces and all relevant security agencies to end insecurity decisively and without delay. With the unwavering courage and commitment of our gallant men and women in uniform, we are turning the tide and making steady progress in reclaiming peace and stability.

The President also expressed gratitude to Nigerians for their “patience and resilience as our economy begins to show encouraging signs of recovery.”

“We understand the economic challenges many of you are facing, and we are working tirelessly to restore investor confidence, stabilise key sectors, and build an inclusive economy that serves the interests of all Nigerians.

“During this Easter, we join the global Christian community in thanking God for Pope Francis’s recovery. We pray that his renewed strength continues to inspire his leadership and service to humanity.

“I earnestly pray that Easter’s spirit fills every heart and home with renewed faith in the immense possibilities ahead of us as a nation. Just as Christ triumphed over death, so too shall our country triumph over every challenge we face. The present moment may be cloudy, but it will usher in a glorious day,” he added.

News

Easter: HoR Minority Caucus celebrates with Christians, urges love, peace, national cohesion, calls for end to killings nationwide

Published

3 hours ago

April 18, 2025

ADMIN

The Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives congratulates the entire Christian community in Nigeria, as they join others around the world on the occasion of this year’s Easter celebrations; marking the end of the Lenten period.

This was contained in a statement jointly signed by leaders of the caucus, Rep Kingsley Chinda, Leader, Rt. Hon. Dr. Ali Isa J.C
(Minority Whip) Rt. Hon. Aliyu Madaki , (Deputy Minority Leader)
Rt. Hon. George Ozodinobi
(Deputy Minority Whip) stating that:

” Indeed, Easter is a very unique, and sacred time for every Christian faithful, as it is of significance following the successful completion of the 40-day fasting; which is one of the cardinal tenets of Christianity.

“As our Christian brethren across the country join others around the world to mark this auspicious day; and confident that God Almighty has accepted all prayers and supplications during this time, the Caucus admonish all to sustain the teachings, practice, and lessons of the Lenten period which embodies spiritual, personal, and leadership growth. More importantly, it is necessary to deepen the pivotal messages of the Easter celebrations which are anchored on renewal of faith, resilience and re-invigoration of good deeds, forgiveness of wrong doings, expression of love, joy, and peace to one another, and fostering of compassion, and empathy to all mankind.

“Given our commitment to the preservation and protection of the lives of all Nigerians, and the need to ensure good governance, the Caucus calls on the Federal Government to tackle, headlong the disturbing trend of wanton killings in the country.

“The resumed cases of violence, maiming, kidnapping, and bloodletting in Plateau, Benue, and other parts of the country, portends serious dangers to meaningful growth and development.

“It is appropriate to call on all security agencies to ensure that the negative actions and vicious activities of this group of marauders are comprehensively curtailed, if not entirely wiped out.

“The Caucus urges Christians (and all other Nigerians) to continually pray for our Leaders; at all levels for the right wisdom, knowledge, and understanding towards navigating the country through multi-sectoral, and multi-layered challenges that are not only limiting the realization of Nigeria’s potentials but throwing our people into immeasurable hardship, debilitating hunger, and corrosive poverty.

“Finally, Easter is not just a period for feasting, but also for reflections, new beginnings, and connection with other people, the Caucus admonishes all Nigerians to constantly emphasize virtues that promote unity, and development above negative tendencies that cause divisiveness.