Judiciary

Chris Brown Freed on $6.7M Bail in London Assault Case

Published

4 weeks ago

May 21, 2025

By Adenike Lawal

American R and B star Chris Brown has been granted bail by a United Kingdom court after being charged with grievous bodily harm with intent in connection with a nightclub attack in London.

The Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday approved Brown’s release on a six point seven million dollar bail, allowing the singer to continue his European tour which kicks off on June 8 in Amsterdam.

The thirty six year old was accused of violently assaulting music producer Abe Diaw at Tape, an upscale Mayfair club, during a February 2023 visit. Prosecutors allege Brown repeatedly struck Diaw with a bottle and followed with punches and kicks, with the incident captured on CCTV.

Brown’s associate and fellow artist Omololu Akinlolu, known as Hoody Baby, was also charged in the case. Both men are expected to appear in court again on June 20 and have not yet entered pleas.

With his tour hanging in the balance, the judge’s decision spares Brown from missing upcoming shows. However, the case adds to the artist’s long history of legal troubles and reignites debates about fame, accountability and justice.

Brown remains one of the most commercially successful R and B acts, despite repeated controversies throughout his career.

Judiciary

Court Rejects FG’s Arrest Bid Against Senator Natasha

Published

1 day ago

June 16, 2025

By Onyeanya Ebere

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday rejected the Federal Government’s request for an arrest warrant against suspended Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Justice Muhammed Umar ruled that Akpoti-Uduaghan could not be arrested as she had not been served the defamation charge or notified of her arraignment.

The prosecution had claimed her lawyer was served in court earlier that day, but the judge said personal service was required.

The court granted the prosecution’s request for substituted service through her lawyer and adjourned arraignment to June 30.

The Federal Government alleges that the senator made defamatory claims during an April 3 live TV interview, accusing former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello and Senate President Godswill Akpabio of plotting her assassination.

She is also accused of making damaging claims about Akpabio during a private phone call, suggesting links to organ trafficking.

The prosecution lists Bello, Akpabio, and others as witnesses.

The FG insists the remarks were reckless and intended to harm reputations.

Judiciary

BREAKING: Court Grants Emefiele Bail with N2bn Property Bond Condition

Published

2 days ago

June 16, 2025

By Adenike Lawal

A Federal High Court on Monday granted bail to former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Governor, Godwin Emefiele, under stringent conditions reflecting the weight of the charges against him.

The court ruled that Emefiele must provide two sureties, each owning landed properties valued at no less than ₦2 billion.

Additionally, the sureties must sign a binding undertaking to be remanded in custody should Emefiele fail to appear for trial.

He was given 72 hours to meet the bail conditions or face immediate remand in prison pending the commencement of his trial.

Emefiele is facing multiple charges stemming from his tenure as head of Nigeria’s apex bank, with the court’s ruling underscoring the judiciary’s firm stance on accountability.

Judiciary

Court Dismisses Akpabio’s Motions, Slams ₦100,000 in Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan Favour

Published

6 days ago

June 11, 2025

By Njoku Chijioke

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has dismissed two motions filed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and awarded ₦100,000 in costs against him in favour of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The motions, dated March 3 and March 25, 2025, with suit numbers CV/395/M1/2025 and CV/395/M2/2025, were struck out on May 21, 2025, after Akpabio applied to withdraw them.

The legal dispute arose from a confrontation between Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan during a plenary session of the Senate on February 20, 2025.

Following the incident, the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions initiated disciplinary action against Akpoti-Uduaghan.

However, the proceedings were halted by a ruling of the Federal High Court on March 10, 2025, delivered by Justice Obiora Egwuatu.

In response, Akpabio approached the Court of Appeal seeking an extension of time to seek leave to appeal the High Court’s ruling, leave to appeal the decision itself, an extension of time to file his notice of appeal, and a stay of further proceedings pending the hearing and determination of his appeal.

In its ruling, the Court of Appeal granted Akpabio’s request to withdraw the motions, struck them out, and imposed a ₦100,000 cost in favour of the first respondent, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The court also directed that Appeal No. CA/ABJ/PRE/ROA/CV/395M/2025 be deleted from its records.

The ruling marks a legal win for Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan amid ongoing tensions with the Senate leadership.