Fines ex-Anambra gov’s wife N1m, strikes out case over non-prosecution
A Chief Magistrate’s Court sitting in Ado Ekiti has ordered the sealing of Crown Emirate Hotel in Ikere Ekiti, Ekiti State, following the deaths of three persons during a convocation party stampede.

The court also granted a request by the state Attorney General to allow the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) to take over the case.

Chief Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun issued the order after 12 suspects were arraigned by the police over the incident.

During the proceedings, the police prosecutor, Martins Akala, filed an ex parte motion seeking the remand of the suspects in a correctional facility for 30 days to enable further investigation.

The suspects were charged with conspiracy, criminal negligence and manslaughter, supported by a 10-paragraph affidavit.

Kunle Adeyemo, Deputy Director and Legal Officer for Ekiti State, told the court that he had the authority of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Dayo Apata, SAN, to take over the matter.

Defence counsel opposed the application, arguing that there was no reasonable basis to remand their clients and that their right to liberty would be infringed. They also urged the court to dismiss the application, stating that the defendants were not at the scene of the incident.

The magistrate, however, ordered that all suspects be remanded in correctional custody pending legal advice from the DPP and adjourned the case until May 19, 2026, for hearing.

Also, an Enugu State Magistrate’s Court has ordered Mrs Patricia Nwobodo, wife of former governor of old Anambra State, Jim Nwobodo, to pay N1 million for failing to prosecute a case she instituted.

Mrs Nwobodo had filed a four-count criminal charge against a Lagos-based cleric, Basil Ogbuanu, and three of his workers.

Delivering the ruling at the Enugu South Magisterial District, Magistrate D.K. Ekoh said the order followed the persistent absence of the complainant in court since January 2026.

The magistrate held that the conduct of the complainant reflected a lack of interest in prosecuting the case.

“A complainant whose complaint was investigated and to her knowledge is aware of the charge proffered against the defendants decides to stay in her luxury home without prosecuting her complaint, should as well pay damages to the person(s) she wrongfully complained against,” he said.

The court struck out the matter, awarded N1 million in costs against Mrs Nwobodo and directed that the defendants should not be re-arrested on the strength of the same complaint.

The defendants — Ezeh Patrick Muoneke, Arinze Onoja, Sedro Theodore and Basil Ogbuanu — were arraigned on January 20, 2026, on charges of conspiracy, deprivation of liberty and assault.

During proceedings, the police prosecutor, B.C. Nnadozie, told the court he had not seen the complainant since the case began and could not proceed with witness statements.

Counsel for the defendants, Emeka Oko, urged the court to dismiss the charge, stating that his clients, who are artisans and a Lagos resident, had been burdened by repeated travel to Enugu for a case the complainant was unwilling to pursue.