Court Convicts Gateman For Terrorism

Court Convicts Gateman For Terrorism

A Federal High Court, Lagos, on Friday, convicted a gateman, James Paul Tuksa who was charged before the court on three counts charge of terrorism, threat to life and fraud.

Justice Ayokunle Faji, convicted the defendant after found him guilty of all the charges preferred again him by the office of Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF).

The convict, a gateman at 4a, Ibironke Crescent, Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, was said to had sometimes in October, 2016, put a  called to one Victor Omotayo Awosika, of 2, Ibironke Crescent, Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos, on phone, and threatened to kill him and his family members, unless he is paid N5 million as ransom.

He was also said to have fraudulently steal the sum of N5 million from his victim, Victor Omotayo Awosika, the offences which are  24 (2) (a) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) An 2015 and punishable under Section 24 (2) (I) of the same Act. And section 390(9) of criminal Code Cap. Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 

The convict was first arraigned before the court on May 25, 2017, on two counts charge of the offence, which he had pleaded not guilty to.

AGF through its lawyer, Anigbogu O. C., however amended the charge to three counts of the same offences, his plea was retaken and he still maintained his innocence on the charges.

During his trial, the prosecutor, Anigbogu called two witnesses and tendered four exhibits including statement of the defendant after Trial Within Trial (TWT)

The convict’s extra-judicial statement and a CCTV footage were tendered by two prosecution’s witnesses respectively.
However, it was only the convict that gave evidence in his defence.

Justice Ayokunle Faji, while delivering judgment on the charges on Friday, said the prosecution have successfully proved its case against the convict.

Justice Faji consequently, pronounced him him guilty of all the charges and convict accordingly.

Justice Faji however, fixed March 20, 2020, for sentence 

Charges Against The Convict Reads: “that you James Paul Tuksa, ‘M‘ sometime in October. 2016, No 4a Ibironke Crescent, Parkvlew Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos State, within the Jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria did knowingly threatened to kill Victor Omotayo Awosika Jr of No 2 Ibironke Crescent, Park View Estate, Ikoyl, Lagos through a phone call to Victor Omotayo Awosika and his family If he does not make available the sum of Five Million Naira to him and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (1) (b) of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013 and punishable under same section of the Act. 

That you. James PauI Tuksa, ‘M’ sometime in October 2016, of No 2, lbinroke Crescent. Park View Estate, lkoyi, Lagos State. within the jurisdiction 0! the Federal High Court of Nigeria Knowingly and intentionally transmitted or caused the transmission of a text message containing threat to life through an Etisalat Mobile phono number, 09085694295 to Victor Omotayo Awosika and his family of No 2. lbironke Crescent, Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, to his own phone number, 08052960000, to make available the sum of Five Million Naira, to you, and such threat placed him and his family in fear of death, violence or body harm and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 24 (2) (a) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) An 2015 and punishable under Samoa 24 (2) (I) a! the same Act. 

“That you James Paul Tulsa on or about 10th October, 2016 at No 2, Ibironke Crescent Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos State within the Jurisdiction of the Federal High Court 0! Macao did fraudulently steal the sum of N5 Million Naira, property of Victor Omotayo Awosika Jr and thereby committed an offence punishable to section 390(9) of criminal Code Cap. Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004”