02/15/18

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Latest Reality Blog is a legal blog where you are updated on online latest news, gist, entertainment, events, motivational text, and genue articles.
Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike a.k.a Evans

The trial of alleged kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike a.k.a Evans and three others on fresh kidnapping charges was stalled on Thursday at an Ikeja High Court.
Joseph Emeka, Chiemeka Arinze and Udeme Upong, were to be arraigned alongside Evans for the attempted kidnap of Chief Vincent Obianodo, the Chairman of the Young Shall Grow Motors.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the arraignment was stalled due to multiple filing of the seven-count charge of murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, attempt to kidnap and sales and transfer of firearms by the State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
The DPP’s error was pointed out during the proceedings by Mr Olukoya Ogungbeje, Evans’ defence counsel.
According to Ogungbeje, the DPP had initially filed the seven-count charge on Aug. 25, 2017 and amended the August 2017 charge by filing another charge on Oct. 26, 2017 but failed to file the proof of evidence with the October charge.
Evan’s lawyer claimed that there is another seven-count charge dated Jan. 15 before the court.
Ogungbeje also brought to the court’s attention that Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo had in a ruling on Nov. 10, 2017, noted that the charges in the case were “irregularly filed” by the prosecution.
“We are urging Your Lordship to strike out that application, Your Lordship can do so `suo motu’ (on its own motion).
“There is another amended charge before Your Lordship dated Oct. 25, 2017, they made copies of it and dated it Jan. 15, the DPP should withdraw one of the charges and file fresh charges.
“If the DPP files without withdrawing, I will file a motion for dismissal of the case.”
Mrs Titilayo Shitta-Bey, the Director of the DPP -disputed Ogungbeje’s claim, said:“There is nothing wrong with the charge before the court, we can proceed with our amended information dated Oct. 26, 2017.
“The argument of my learned friend has no basis in law.”
Justice Taiwo, in a ruling, agreed with Ogungbeje’s submission, saying “I agree with Mr Ogungbeje on this, the DPP must file fresh, clean and unadulterated charges.
“This case shall be adjourned to enable the DPP file in fresh new charges in accordance with Section 155 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL).
“The DPP is advised to withdraw all other charges at the next adjourned date, ”Justice Taiwo said.
The defendants had allegedly committed the offences on Aug. 27, 2013 at Third Avenue, Festac Town, Lagos.
Evans and his accomplices allegedly killed Mr Chijioke Ngozi and attempted to kill and kidnap Mr Vincent Obianodo, the Chairman of the Young Shall Grow Motors.
It was also alleged that in 2008, Upong sold and transferred two AK47 rifles and 70 rounds of live ammunition to Evans.
Earlier during proceedings, Mr O. Ogu, counsel to Emeka and Arinze, two of Evan’s co-defendants in an application dated Dec. 13, 2017 had asked the court to quash the five-count charges pertaining to Emeka the second defendant.
According to him, the prosecution had put Emeka’s confessional statement in their proof of evidence in a separate criminal case.
“The information contained in the charges does not prove a prima facie case against the second defendant.
“The statement of the second defendant is same, attached to another charge in another matter.
“What the DPP disputed was to use the same confessional statement that is before a different judge.
“That purported confessional statement has nothing to do with that charge.
“In that particular charge it was alleged that the victim was James Oduchi, and not  the chairman of Young Shall Grow.
“We submit that to us, the prosecution has no other reason to place the second defendant on this charge other than to paint him as a serial offender.
“We urge Your Lordship to quash the application.”
The DPP, however countered Ogu’s claims, replying:“We particularly want to draw the attention of this honourable court to the proof of evidence particularly the statement of the second defendant marked Exhibit B3.
“The second defendant had written, `I also followed Evans to another operation in Festac but he did not succeed in kidnapping the victim.
“The second defendant has also written in his statement that, I decided to join Evans in kidnapping because I no longer made money in my internet fraud business.
“There is nothing preventing the prosecution from using the same confessional statement against the second defendant before different judges where he had confessed to a series of offences in the statement.
“We submit that the proof of evidence proves a prima facie case against the second defendant and we urge the court to dismiss the application of the second defendant,” Shitta-Bey said.
Justice Taiwo adjourned the case ùntill March 21, March 22 and March 23 for trial. 
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Latest Reality Blog is a legal blog where you are updated on online latest news, gist, entertainment, events, motivational text, and genue articles.
Nikolas Cruz

Nikolas Cruz, an orphaned 19-year-old, responsible for the mass killing in a Florida school on Wednesday, was charged this morning  with 17 counts of premeditated murder.
The accused, still wearing a hospital gown after being treated for laboured breathing, and weighing in at 5-foot-7 and 131 pounds, was ordered held without bond and booked into jail.
Cruz, who possesses AR-15 rifle, has had a troubled past, perhaps worsened  by his expulsion from the school he went to attack.
Nikolas Cruz the Florida school shooter
His arraignment today followed his being questioned for hours by state and federal authorities following the deadliest school shooting in the U.S. in five years.
Fourteen wounded survivors were hospitalized as bodies were recovered from inside and around Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
Cruz’s  former classmates thought they were having another drill Wednesday afternoon when a fire alarm sounded, requiring them to file out of their classrooms.
That’s when police said Cruz, equipped with a gas mask, smoke grenades and multiple magazines of ammunition, opened fire with a semi-automatic weapon, killing 17 people and sending hundreds of students fleeing into the streets.
It was the nation’s deadliest school shooting since a gunman attacked an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut, more than five years ago. The overall death toll differs by how such shootings are defined, but Everytown For Gun Safety has tallied 290 school shootings in America since 2013, and this attack makes 18 so far this year.
Cruz purchased the AR-15 legally about a year ago, a law enforcement official who is familiar with the investigation told The Associated Press.
The official, not authorised to discuss this publicly, spoke on condition of anonymity. Federal law allows people 18 and older to legally purchase long guns, including this kind of assault weapon.
President Donald Trump’s reaction focused on Cruz’s mental health.
“So many signs that the Florida shooter was mentally disturbed, even expelled from school for bad and erratic behaviour. Neighbours and classmates knew he was a big problem. Must always report such instances to authorities, again and again!” Trump tweeted Thursday.
Authorities offered no immediate details about a possible motive, except to say that Cruz had been kicked out of the high school, which has about 3,000 students. Students who knew him described a volatile teenager whose strange behaviour had caused others to end friendships with him.
Cruz’s mother Lynda Cruz died of pneumonia on Nov. 1 neighbours, friends and family members said, according to the Sun Sentinel . Cruz and her husband, who died of a heart attack several years ago, adopted Nikolas and his biological brother, Zachary, after the couple moved from Long Island in New York to Broward County.
The boys were left in the care of a family friend after their mother died, said family member Barbara Kumbatovich, of Long Island.
Unhappy there,  Cruz asked to move in with a friend’s family in northwest Broward. That family agreed and Cruz moved in around Thanksgiving. According to the family’s lawyer, who did not identify them, they knew that Cruz owned the AR-15 but made him keep it locked up in a cabinet. He did have the key, however.
Attorney Jim Lewis said the family is devastated and didn’t see this coming. They are cooperating with authorities, he said.
Victoria Olvera, a 17-year-old junior, said Cruz was expelled last school year because he got into a fight with his ex-girlfriend’s new boyfriend. She said he had been abusive to the girl.
“I think everyone had in their minds if anybody was going to do it, it was going to be him,” said Dakota Mutchler, also 17.
Cruz was taken into custody without a fight about an hour after the shooting in a residential neighbourhood about a mile away. He had multiple magazines of ammunition, authorities said.
“It’s catastrophic. There really are no words,” said Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel.
The sheriff said 12 bodies were found inside the building, two others outside and another a short distance away from the school.
Sen. Bill Nelson told CNN that Cruz had pulled the fire alarm “so the kids would come pouring out of the classrooms into the hall.”
“And there the carnage began,” said Nelson, who said he was briefed by the FBI.
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Latest Reality Blog is a legal blog where you are updated on online latest news, gist, entertainment, events, motivational text, and genue articles.

A 55-year-old fashion designer, Stephen Enebeli, told an Igando Customary Court in Lagos on Thursday that he would die if he gave money to his wife for the upkeep of the family.
Enebeli said this when he responded to a divorce petition by his wife, Eunice, alleging lack of care for his children.
“I stopped giving her money for feeding and school fees of our children when she started living with another man.
“In my tradition, if a woman marries another husband legally or illegally and the former husband still gives her money for the welfare of the children, he will die and I am not ready to die now,” he said.
The respondent said that his wife sent him packing from their matrimonial home and that he was presently squatting with friends.
“Eunice forced me out of her house because I always fight her for leaving the children at home and going to sleep with other men,” he said.
According to him, Eunice lacks respect for him just because she has more money.
He begged the court to grant him the custody of the children so that he could train them.
“I don’t want another man to father or train my children while I am alive,” he said.
Eunice had urged the court to terminate their 16-year-old marriage for lack of care.
“My husband is an irresponsible husband and father.
“While he was still living with me, he refused to pay house rent, feeding or school fees of the children, I shouldered all the responsibilities.
“I bought him a motorcycle in addition to his fashion designing work so that he could be supportive but he is just lazy and abandoned the motorcycle,” Eunice said.
The 36-year-old food vendor said that her husband was threatening to poison her.
“Stephen always tells me that he will kill me with poison if I make any attempt to divorce him and that he will marry another wife,” the petitioner alleged.
The mother of three pleaded with the court to end the marriage as she was no longer in love with him.
Delivering judgment, the court President, Mr Akin Akinniyi, said that the petitioner was adamant on her request in spite of all mediation from the court and family.
“Since the petitioner insisted on divorce after several interventions, the court has no choice than to dissolve the union in spite of the fact that the husband still claims he loves his wife.
“The court pronounces the marriage between Mrs Eunice Enebeli and Mr Stephen Enebeli dissolved today, both parties henceforth cease to be husband and wife.
“Both parties are free to go their separate ways without any hindrances and molestation, the court wishes you well in your new journey.
“The custody of the children should remain with their mother,”Akinniyi ruled.
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Latest Reality Blog is a legal blog where you are updated on online latest news, gist, entertainment, events, motivational text, and genue articles.
Cyril Ramaphosa

South Africa’ acting President Cyril Ramaphosa has been elected by Parliament as the country’s new president.
He succeeded former President Jacob Zuma who on Wednesday night announced his resignation.
The country’s constitution confers the power to appoint and remove the President of the Republic of South Africa on the National Assembly.
Ramaphosa became acting state president after Wednesday night’s vacancy in the presidency, in accordance with the supreme law of the country.
The parliament on Thursday morning affirmed Ramaphosa as President.
He thanked the lawmakers, Chief Justice, and political parties for giving him the privilege to serve the nation.
He said he would continue to interact with parliament to continuously brief them on the programmes and action of the government and said he would continue to work with leaders of all political parties.
“I will do all these as a servant of our people. Once one is elected as president, you become a servant.
“I will seek to do that task with humility and faithfulness.”
“Many of the lawmakers have spoken about unity and how to work for our people. I will adopt and accept the advice.”
“We have to work together on how to improve the lives of our people rather than grandstanding.”
“Issue of corruption, strengthening state enterprises are issues that we will be addressing. Also issue of patriotism.
“South Africa must come first in everything that we do.”
He said that they should have the opportunity of sitting together to tackle issues affecting the country without screaming at each other.
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Latest Reality Blog is a legal blog where you are updated on online latest news, gist, entertainment, events, motivational text, and genue articles.
  1. President Jacob Zuma
South Africa’s embattled President Jacob Zuma has resigned his office with immediate effect.

The BBC reports that Zuma made the announcement in a televised address to the nation on Wednesday evening.

Earlier, Zuma’s governing ANC party had told him to resign or face a vote of no confidence in parliament on Thursday.

The 75-year-old had been under increasing pressure to give way to Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, the ANC’s new leader.

Zuma, who has been in power since 2009, had been accused of corruption.

His resignation came at the end of a long speech in which he said he disagreed with the way the ANC had acted towards him.

He said he did not fear a motion of no confidence, adding, “I have served the people of South Africa to the best of my ability.”

Meanwhile, the governing African National Congress said it would elect Zuma successor’s on Thursday (today).

“We will possibly elect a new president on Thursday … if not Friday,” ANC treasurer general Paul Mashatile told journalists.

“We want certainty. We would like the incoming president to hold the postponed State of the Nation address without delay.”
The Latest Reality Metro reports that the vote of no confidence, requested by the opposition party, the Economic Freedom Fighters, was initially scheduled for February 22.

The ANC caucus in parliament decided to move the vote forward after it formally asked Zuma to resign on Tuesday.

Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba said that Zuma would speak “at 0800 GMT and satellite trucks were in position at Pretoria’s Union Buildings, the seat of the country’s government.”

But Zuma’s office said there was no “official communication” of any impending address but urged the media to wait.

The Secretary-General of South Africa’s ANC said Zuma did not threaten to challenge his removal by the party in court as speculated by the local media.

The scribe of the ANC, Ace Magashule, had told a news conference that Zuma would respond by Wednesday on the decision to “recall” him.

“President Jacob Zuma has behaved like a leader of the ANC. He has never threatened us with any court action, not at all. He did in fact confirm that he would respond by tomorrow.”

The ANC ordered Zuma to step down as the head of state after marathon talks over the fate of a leader whose scandal-plagued years in power darkened and divided Nelson Mandela’s post-apartheid “Rainbow Nation.”

Leading members of the ANC want new party leader, Cyril Ramaphosa, to replace Zuma as president, Magashule told a news conference.

Zuma has been living on borrowed time since Ramaphosa, a union leader once tipped as Mandela’s pick to take over the reins, was elected as head of the 106-year-old ANC in December, narrowly defeating Zuma’s ex-wife, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.

In spite of the damning decision to order Zuma’s recall, the domestic media have speculated that the 75-year-old might defy the party’s wishes, forcing it into the indignity of having to unseat him in parliament.

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Latest Reality Blog is a legal blog where you are updated on online latest news, gist, entertainment, events, motivational text, and genue articles.


Tragedy struck in Obadolovbiyeyi community in the Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State when a vigilante, Efe Igbnovia, was shot dead by some soldiers.

It was gathered that a local vigilance group had in the early hours of Wednesday arrested some suspected herdsmen for alleged armed robbery on the Benin-Abraka Expressway.

Igbinovia was said to have been asked to watch over the suspects while his colleagues conducted a search for the fleeing members of the gang.

It was learnt that a group of soldiers stormed the area and fired continuously.

Latest Reality Metro learnt that the military men, who were said to have arrived in the community in a Honda with the number plate, AP 641 KTN, shot Igbinovia dead and freed the suspects.

Some angry youths reportedly blocked the path of a commercial bus conveying two of the herdsmen earlier arrested to the Benin Central Hospital for medical treatment before the intervention of personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

One of the youths, Henry Osemwengie, said the vigilance group had earlier arrested six herdsmen for robbery and taken them to the Ogbekun Police Station.

Osemwengie said, “Two other herdsmen, suspected to be members of the gang, were later caught. Igbinovia was asked to stay with them. Before then, the police had been called to come to pick them (herdsmen) because that is what we usually do. Suddenly, a red Honda car with about four men in military uniforms and armed with AK-47 rifles came and started shooting.

“Igbinovia shouted that he had been hit. By the time the other vigilantes returned, he was already down. The soldiers killed him and went away with the two robbers. Robbers, most of whom are Hausas, usually operate there. They keep their cows by the roadside, block the road and start robbing.”

The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Johnson Kokumo, confirmed the incident.

Kokumo said, “The herdsmen were alleged to have blocked the expressway. Two of them (suspects) are with the police undergoing interrogation.”

On the alleged killing of the vigilante by the military men, Kokumo said, “It is an allegation we are investigating. Actually, one of the vigilance members died in the course of duty.”

When contacted, the spokesperson for the 4 Brigade Command of the Nigerian Army, Capt. Mohammed Maidawa, said Igbinovia was shot after he was mistaken for a robber by military troops deployed in the area.

Maidawa said, “Troops deployed in Ologbo for pipeline protection received information of a suspected armed robbery close to their location. They were mobilised to the scene and engaged armed men at the scene.

“Unfortunately, one person, who was later identified as a vigilante, was killed. Preliminary investigation revealed that the vigilance group also responded to a distress call on the robbery. It was a case of mistaken identity. We are going to get in touch with the bereaved family.”

He said he was not aware that the herdsmen were robbers.

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