from crime suspects in Nigeria.
No fewer than 20 people have been abducted and scores of
others injured by gunmen who attacked Maitumbi and Kuchi
communities in Bosso and Munya Local Government Areas (LGAs) of
Niger State.
The Chairman of Bosso LGA, Abubakar Gomna, confirmed the
incident in Maitumbi to Channels Television on Monday,
saying the attack lasted almost two hours.
He disclosed that armed men numbering over 30 attacked the
community at about 11:30pm on Sunday and opened fire on some
residents.
“The gunmen came in their numbers and started shooting
sporadically. Some members of the vigilante group tried to stop
them, but they overpowered the vigilantes.
“Some of the vigilantes were shot but are currently receiving
treatment,” Gomna narrated.
He noted that the abductors have demanded a ransom of five
million naira for each of the victims to be released when they
contacted their families.
During the attack on Kuchi community in Munya LGA, at least five
persons were said to have been injured, with at least 17 locals
abducted.
Among those kidnapped were the father and mother of a former
chairman of the local government, Mallam Yahuza.
The state governor, Abubakar Bello, in his reaction to the
incidents condemned the attack on the communities.
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In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mary Noel-Berje,
the governor said he was concerned about the incessant attacks on
innocent citizens by bandits.
He decried what he described as the incessant and nefarious
activities of the gunmen and urged residents in the affected local
governments to remain calm and be supportive of the government’s
efforts aimed at identifying and dislodging the criminals.
According to the governor, the recent meeting of the North
Central State Governors held in Makurdi, Benue State provided ideas
and offered a new approach in dealing with the issue of banditry in
the region.
He stressed that the Federal Government and authorities in the
states were doing their best to restore order in the affected
areas.
Governor Bello also assured the residents of his
administration’s relentless support to the security agencies in the
state.
He, however, urged them to play their part through collaborative
intelligence sharing in order to defeat the bandits disturbing the
peace in Niger.
The governor directed the State Emergency Management Agency
(SEMA) to provide medical assistance and relief to the injured, as
well as those taking refuge at the Maitumbi Primary School in Bosso
LGA.
The Lagos State High Court in Igbosere has dismissed a
15-year-old suit by Edoh Emmanuel against Ganiyu Riliwan for
lacking in merit.
![image](/2020/10/lawreport.jpg")
The claimant had urged the court to order the defendant to pay
him N2.5million, being 10 per cent of the professional fee for a
service in the sale of a property.
![image](/2020/10/NWLRland.jpg")
He also sought 21 per cent interest on the sum less the $2,000
already paid him, with effect from March 14, 2005, until the
judgment is delivered and thereafter at 7.5 per cent per annum
until fully liquidated.
But the defendant, through its counsel John Oloyede, urged the
court to dismiss the suit because there was no valid contract
between parties.
He drew the judge’s attention to the fact that the court had
twice struck out the suit and that the claimant re-filed it to
waste the court’s valuable time and that of parties.
Oloyede recalled how the matter went through the police
investigation and was thrown out.
To him, such a case should not be allowed to pass through the
litigation process.
Justice Babajide Candide-Johnson, in his verdict, held that the
claimant did not establish the existence of any agent/principal
relationship with the defendant.
He said: “The amount of the purchase price of the house was not
stated nor proved.
“The importance of knowing the price the house was sold and
proof of it cannot be overemphasised as it is pivotal to the court
to determine the amount alleged or claimed by the claimant.
“A mere assertion and or pleaded statement of claim should not
be accepted without proof thereof. Apart from not proving the
purchase price, claimant also did not tender the scale of charges
pleaded.
“It is not within the court’s purview to go fishing and looking
for evidence to back up a claim by parties.
“The claimant asserts that there was a gentleman’s agreement
between both parties, but the court does not know if it was the
$2,000 paid that was agreed…
“The ambiguity surrounding this dispute is overwhelming and
unhelpful and the claimant has done less where he should have done
more.
“In line with the above reasoning, I hold that the claimant has
not satisfactorily proved his case.
“Therefore, the claimant’s reliefs fail and this suit is
dismissed. This is the judgment of the court.”