Appeal Court affirms ex-Lagos Court registrar’s 10-year imprisonment

The Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal has dismissed an application filed by a former Lagos court registrar, Oluronke Rosulu, who was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment by an Ikeja High Court for defrauding a former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Ishaya Bamaiyi( retd.) of $330,000.

Rosolu had been convicted by Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo of the Lagos High Court, Ikeja on the two-count charge of conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretences brought against her by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on December 21, 2015.

Consequently, the appellant, through her lawyer filed a notice of appeal on December 30, 2015, challenging her conviction.

However, in a judgment delivered today, the Court of Appeal dismissed her appeal and affirmed the decision of the lower court.

Rosulu had aided Fred Ajudua, a one-time Lagos socialite, to defraud Bamiayi when they were both remanded at the Kirikiri Maximum Prison, Lagos for different offences.

The prosecution had told Justice Lawal-Akapo that Ajudua made a false representation to Bamaiyi that the $330,000 was the professional fees for the law firm of Afe Babalola and Co. to facilitate Bamaiyi’s release from prison, a claim which the firm denied.

During the trial, Rosulu had denied going to the Kirikiri Maximum Prisons or knowing Ajudua.

However, counsel to the prosecution presented a number of witnesses who testified that Rosulu went to the prison on different occasions to collect the money from Bamaiyi on behalf of Ajudua.

While delivering her judgment, Justice Lawal-Akapo had said:  “The representation that she never collected $330,000 from the complainant is deceptive; the accused could not provide a strong alibi for her whereabouts when the fraud occurred.

“I find the accused guilty as charged.  As a registrar of court, the accused should have been an image maker of the judiciary, but she acted in the contraryå.

‘‘On count one, I sentence the accused to 10 years imprisonment and on count two I sentence the accused to 10 years imprisonment.

“Both sentences are to run concurrently.”

 

Source: Sahara Reporters

Court Registrar, Two Others Charged With Diversion Of N2.2bn

The Federal Government yesterday filed a nine-count charge of funds diversion against the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Ahmed Saleh and two other officials of the court. It accused them of diverting, among others, about N2.2 billion belonging to the court.

The others are Muhammed Abdulrahman Sharif and Rilwanu Lawal.

The charge marked FCT/HC/CR/13/2016 was filed by the Office of Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Maitama, Abuja.

Besides, the accused were charged with receiving N74.4 million gratification as public officers from contractors, who executed projects for the court between 2009 and 2016.

It was learnt yesterday that the charge is a precursor to the one to be filed against some of the judges being investigated by the Department of State Services (DSS).

It was also learnt from the Federal Ministry of Justice that works is at an advance stage on the planned charge.

It was learnt that Saleh was yesterday confirmed for appointment as the Executive Secretary at its meeting in Abuja.

Credit:

Court Registrar, two others charged with ‘diversion of N2.2bn’

4 Brothers Bag 72 Months For Forging Court Registrar’s Signature

Four brothers are to spend the next 72 months behind bars in Lagos for forging the official stamp and signature of a Lagos High Court registrar.

The men are Abayomi Oluwa, 64; Ismaila Oluwa, 69; Tajudeen Oluwa, 60; and Musa Oluwa, 58. An Ikeja Magistrates’ Court which handed down the verdict, sentenced each of them to 18 months for forgery and eight months for conspiracy.

The Magistrate, Mr A.A. Adesanya, however, did not give the convicts option of fine. He said:“From the evidences and facts provided before the court, the accused were not truthful in their evidences and testimonies; they are, therefore, found guilty of the offences.

“You are hereby sentenced to 18 months in prison for forgery and eight months jail term for conspiracy each without an option of fine; the sentences should run concurrently.’’

Read More:

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/08/4-brothers-bag-72-months-forging-court-registrars-signature/