By Anifowoshe Oladipupo

Former Arsenal and Ghana international Thomas Partey has been formally charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault involving three women, the UK’s Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), Aconfirmed on Thursday.

The charges relate to alleged incidents that took place between 2021 and 2022.

According to the CPS, Partey faces two counts of rape involving one woman, three counts with a second woman, and one count of sexual assault involving a third.

He is scheduled to appear before Westminster Magistrates’ Court on August 5.

Jaswant Narwal of the CPS said the charges were approved after a detailed review of evidence in collaboration with the Metropolitan Police.

“We remind all that criminal proceedings are active and the defendant has the right to a fair trial,” Narwal added, urging the public to avoid commentary or online posts that could jeopardize the legal process.

Partey, born in Krobo Odumase, Ghana, joined Atlético Madrid in 2012 and later moved to Arsenal in 2020 for £45 million.

He made over 100 appearances for the Premier League side and was a key figure in their recent campaigns, including back-to-back second-place league finishes.

Injuries disrupted his time in England, but he rebounded with 52 appearances in his final season, helping Arsenal reach the semi-finals of both the Carabao Cup and Champions League.

Internationally, Partey has earned 53 caps for Ghana, scoring 15 goals.

By Anifowoshe Oladipupo

The Delta State High Court in Asaba has awarded ₦30 million in damages to Mr. Tobechukwu Cyril Ananweude, CEO of Karizma Kraft, over his unlawful arrest and detention by the police in connection with a civil contract dispute.

Justice Onome Marshal-Umukoro ruled that the arrest, instigated by a breach of contract complaint, was unconstitutional.

Six respondents, including the Delta State Commissioner of Police, a private individual, a judicial officer, and four police officers, were held jointly liable and ordered to issue a written apology.

Ananweude was arrested twice in April and May 2024 following a complaint by Mr. Udaya Chidiebere, who had paid ₦8 million for an interior decoration project.

The businessman claimed he and his brother were detained and coerced into signing an agreement under duress.

The court condemned the use of law enforcement in civil disputes and restrained the respondents from further harassment.

The case, the judge said, reaffirms citizens’ rights against abuse of power.

By Adenike Lawal

The Federal High Court has found Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central guilty of contempt and ordered her to publicly apologize and pay a ₦5 million fine to the Federal Government.

The court directed that the apology be published in two national newspapers and on her official Facebook page within seven days.

In a related ruling, the court also ordered her immediate reinstatement to the Senate, declaring her six-month suspension unlawful and in violation of Section 14(2) of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act.

The judge described the Senate’s action as excessive and undemocratic, stressing that constituents should not be denied representation due to internal disciplinary processes.

The ruling underscores both the accountability of lawmakers and the importance of upholding democratic representation.