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Tag: law enforcement

  • More Troubles for Emefiele as FG amends charges

    More Troubles for Emefiele as FG amends charges

    Fresh troubles appear to be in the offing for former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele as the Federal Government again amended the charges against him on offences allegedly committed while in office.

    The earlier charges have been increased from six to 20, bordering on forgery, conferring of corrupt advantage, and criminal breach of trust among others.

    The Federal Government had initially filed 19 charges against the former CBN governor bordering on N6.9bn procurement fraud but pruned it down to six to the tune of N1.2bn which he is currently standing trial on.

    In the amended charge, Emefiele was accused of obtaining the sum of $6.2m by pretence by falsely representing the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

    The government said the offence was contrary to section 1(1) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, and punishable under section 1(3) of the same Act.

    The charge read, “That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele male, adult, and Odoh, Eric Ocheme (Still at large) on or about the 8th day of February 2023 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court knowingly obtained by false pretence, the sum of Six Million, Two Hundred and Thirty Thousand United State Dollar ($6,230,000.00) by falsely representing that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation vide a letter dated 26th January, 2023 with Ref No. SGF.43/L.01/201 requested the Central Bank of Nigeria to provide a contingent logistic advance in the sum of $6,230,000.00 “in line with Mr. President’s directive” which representation you knew to be false and you thereby committed an offence.”

    He was also accused of conniving with one Eric Ocheme who has been at large to commit forgery.

    The government said the offence was contrary to section 96 (1) and punishable under section 364 of the Penal Code Law, Cap 89 Laws Federation, 1990.

    It read, “That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele male, adult, and Odoh, Eric Ocheme (Still at large) sometime in January 2023 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court agreed amongst yourselves to cause to be done an illegal act to wit: forgery of a document titled: RE: PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE ON FOREIGN ELECTION OBSERVER MISSIONS dated 26 January 2023 with Ref No. SGF.43/L.01/201 and you thereby committed an offence.”

    Emefiele was also accused of conferring corrupt advantage on his wife Omoile Margret and Brother In-law Omoile Macombo by awarding a contract for the renovation of a portion of the CBN Governor’s residence in Lagos to the tune of N99.8m.

    The government said the offence was contrary to Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.

    The charge read, “That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, male, adult, sometime in March 2020 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did use your position as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria to confer a corrupt advantage on your wife, Omoile Margret, and brother-in-law Omoile Macombo by awarding a contract for the external renovation of the CBN Governor’s Residence lying, being and situate at No. 2 Glover Road, Ikoyi, Lagos in the sum of 99,826,452.47 to Messrs. Architekon Nigeria Limited, a company wherein the duo are directors and majority shareholders and you thereby committed an offence. ”

    Emefiele’s counsel, Mathew Bukka, SAN, pleaded with the court for time, adding that the amended charge was served on them on Wednesday.

    The trial judge, Justice Hamza Muazu, adjourned the matter till Friday January 19, for fresh plea of Emefiele to be taken in the new charges.

  • BREAKING: Court Grants Emefiele Permission To Travel Out Of FCT

    BREAKING: Court Grants Emefiele Permission To Travel Out Of FCT

    Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court has granted the immediate past Governor of the Central Bank, Godwin Emefiele’s request to travel out of the FCT.

    The court said Emefiele must, however, remain in the country.

    On his bail terms, he was restricted to the FCT.

    Emefiele, through his lawyer, Mathew Bukka, SAN, had requested a variation of the terms.

    The Counsel of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, did not object.

    He told the court to ensure that Emefiele wrote an undertaking that he would remain in the country if his plea was granted.

    The charge against the former governor of the CBN was also amended to 20 from 6.

    The amended charges against Emefiele now includes criminal breach of trust, forgery, conspiracy to commit forgery, procurement fraud and conspiracy to commit felony.

  • Tinubu Reacts To Ibadan Explosion

    Tinubu Reacts To Ibadan Explosion

    President Bola Tinubu has expressed sadness over the tragic incident which happened in Ibadan, Oyo state, on Tuesday, January 16.

    This was made known in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President, Ajuri Ngelale, via Dada Olusegun’s X handle on Wednesday, January 17.

    The statement reads: “President Bola Tinubu has expressed sadness over the devastating explosion that occurred on Tuesday night in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

    “The explosion killed two persons and wounded about 80 others. It also destroyed several buildings, vehicles, and other properties. 

    “It is worrisome that the cause of the blast is being attributed to the activities of illegal miners. Those behind the inexcusable and reckless behaviour that has created the conditions for the sad incident to occur must be fished out and punished,” the President said.

    “President Tinubu commiserated with the government and people of Oyo State and called on all concerned agencies of government to unravel the circumstances that led to the tragedy with alacrity.

    “The President directs the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to work with the Oyo State Government to offer immediate and comprehensive relief to the victims.”

  • Niger, others hold Nigerian Passports – Interior Minister Tunji-Ojo…as lawyers call for the need to break the old order of governance

    Niger, others hold Nigerian Passports – Interior Minister Tunji-Ojo…as lawyers call for the need to break the old order of governance

    The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has revealed that some foreigners who have no business doing so are in possession of the Nigerian passport.

    He said there were Ghanaians, people from Niger Republic, and the rest who hold Nigerian passports but added, “What we have been able to do is to introduce a verification system into passport application and issuance.”

    Meanwhile, the President of the Nigeria Bar Association, Yakubu Maikyau SAN, has said there is a need for young lawyers to be properly mentored, as the need to break the old order of governance is necessary.

    Speaking at the National summit of the NBA young lawyers forum, in Abuja, Maikyau emphasized that the young lawyers are positive that with the right guidance and mentorship, they would be able to scale through all the challenges and attain the prestigious ranks in the profession.

    This was revealed at the ongoing Youth Leadership Summit of the Young Lawyers Forum of the Nigerian Bar Association(NBA) themed “Breaking the Old Order of Governance and Advocacy”.

    The event is aimed at bringing stakeholders together to brainstorm on issues revolving around good governance and advocacy.

    In his keynote address, the Minister
    assured Nigerians that with lawyers in President Bola Tinubu’s administration, the government would succeed.

    Tunji-Ojo listed lawyers advising Tinubu to include the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, Chief of Staff To the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and the Principal Secretary to the President, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola.

    The minister expressed his confident that with the caliber of lawyers in Tinubu’s government, the administration was on track to getting things right in the country.

    He said, “this administration has no reason not to get it right. I say this emphatically (because) we have one of the most celebrated lawyers today, the Attorney-General of the federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, Chief of Staff To the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, Principal Secretary to the President, Mr. Hakeem P. When we look at the people advising the president, they are lawyers.”

    Further in his submissions, the Yakubu Maikyau, maintained that the country remains the greatest country on the face of the earth potentially saying potential makes no meaning to you until one converts it to an experience.

    “If have 10,000 naira in your pocket, you will die of hunger unless you convert it into an experience of getting food which you will eat to deal with that hunger. That is the case in Nigeria,” Maikyau said.

    The NBA president however admitted that the generality of Nigerians are unhappy with the results the country has gotten so far despite various processes of governance and advocacies.

    He agreed with the lawyers on the need to break from the old order of governance and advocacy.

    He said he was committed to adjusting to any changes that would occur in the course of interaction between lawyers of the older and younger generations.

    On that note, Maikyau announced a mentorship program for young lawyers saying young lawyers would be assigned to law firms, to learn the “attitude and approach to work” among other things.

    According to him, two young lawyers from the three zones of the NBA would kick start the pilot program and would spend six months at different law firms learning the rudiments of the legal profession.

    Speaking to newsmen, the Chairman, NBA YLF, Governing Council, Abdulrauf Tijjani Aboki said the youth wing’s objective is to promote the rule of law and break from the norm, especially on how to do this right.

    Responding to the recent insecurity challenges, Tijjani said the NBA would continue to support every effort aimed at promoting the rule of law.

    “The issue of insecurity does not know lawyer, doctor, or journalist, if it happens, it happens. But the NBA as an association can do what it can, we can lend our voices, we can prosecute cases Pro-bono(free of charge),: he said, explaining that the Executive and Legislative arm of government has alot to do regarding addressing insecurity.

  • Hoodlums Attack UNILAG Bus During Convocation

    Hoodlums Attack UNILAG Bus During Convocation

    The management of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Lagos State, has announced that unidentified miscreants vandalized the school bus.

    The varsity noted that the hoodlums, during the attack, stole gowns intended for its graduates for the 54th convocation ceremony scheduled to hold on Tuesday (today).

    Graduates have been mandated to pay N15,000 to obtain the convocation gowns.

    However, amid preparations, reports emerged that some graduates who made the payment received a notification from the university administration stating that the distribution of the gowns had been halted due to the vandalism committed by the unknown criminals.

    “We regret to inform you that the distribution of SPGS academic gowns is now suspended. Sadly, the remaining gowns were stolen, and our bus vandalised this afternoon,” the university’s email to one of the graduates read.

    Confirming the development, a lawyer who identified himself as Malachy Odo, said he had received the identical notification from the school through text messages subsequent to his payment of the fee designated for the gown collection.

    “I paid 15k for convocation gown yesterday and this is what UNILAG just sent me. This country is not a real place,” he noted.

  • Surge of Kidnappings: FCT Minister Summons Emergency Meeting

    Surge of Kidnappings: FCT Minister Summons Emergency Meeting

    In response to the alarming surge in violent crime within the nation’s capital, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has initiated a crucial emergency security meeting.

    Recent incidents involving brazen bandit operations, including the tragic killing of several residents, including a 13-year-old Secondary School Student, have prompted heightened concerns.

    Addressing the gathering, Minister Wike reassured FCT residents about their safety, emphasizing the government’s commitment to providing security forces with necessary resources to combat the rising insecurity.

    The closed-door summit, presently in session, brings together heads of security agencies in the FCT, key officials from the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), council chairmen, and traditional rulers.

    Stay tuned for more updates on this developing situation.

  • EFCC arrests ex-Minister Charles Ugwuh over alleged N3.6bn fraud

    EFCC arrests ex-Minister Charles Ugwuh over alleged N3.6bn fraud

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arrested a former Minister of Commerce and Industry, Charles Ugwuh, over an alleged conspiracy and fraud to the tune of N3.6 billion.

    EFCC Spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Monday that Mr Ugwuh was arrested alongside Chief Geoffrey Ekenma on Jan. 11, in New Owerri, Imo.

    Mr Ugwuh, an engineer, industrialist and a former President of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, served as Minister of Commerce and Industry from July 2007 to October 2008.

    Mr Oyewale said that the arrest followed a petition to the commission from a new generation bank on the alleged fraud perpetrated through a company, Ebony Agro Industries Ltd., linked to the ex-minister.

    “Investigations revealed that Ugwuh, a former President of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, and Ekenma, Managing Director, Ebony Agro Industries Ltd., allegedly obtained a loan facility from the bank for the purchase and production of polished rice.

    “However, the suspects, according to the petitioner, failed to meet up his obligations to the bank and all efforts to get him to repay the loan facility proved abortive,” he said.

    Mr Oyewale said that the suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigations were concluded.

  • Abducted girls in FCT: Remi Tinubu calls for prayers

    Abducted girls in FCT: Remi Tinubu calls for prayers

    Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Remi Tinubu, has reacted to the abduction of the Al-Kadriyar sisters in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

    In a post on X, Mrs Tinubu lamented over the devastating loss of Nabeeha, one of the sisters who the abductors killed.

    She extended her condolences to her grieving family and called for fervent prayers for the safe return of the other sisters and others in captivity.

    Her words:

    ”It is with a heavy heart that I acknowledge the devastating loss of Nabeeha and extend my deepest condolences to her grieving family.

    ”In difficult moments like this, I urge the nation to join in fervent prayers for the safe return of these girls. Let us hold the families close to our hearts in prayers.

    I implore our security agencies to intensify their efforts in addressing the pressing matter of kidnappings and insecurity in our nation. The safety and swift return of the Al-Kadriyar sisters and others in captivity should be our paramount concern.

    ”To the parents, especially mothers, I appeal for intensified prayers for our children and for peace to prevail in our beloved country.

    ”May the Almighty God comfort the Al-Kadriyar family for their loss, and may God bring the other children back home safely.”

  • Guber Judgment: Kano, Bauchi, Zamfara, Plateau, Ebonyi Govs in Court as S/Court decides their fate

    Guber Judgment: Kano, Bauchi, Zamfara, Plateau, Ebonyi Govs in Court as S/Court decides their fate

    In wait for their fates on their respective legal battles, at least five sitting state governors have stormed the Supreme Court to witness judgments their appeals.

    They are Abba Kabir Yusuf for Kano, Bala Mohammed for Bauchi, Caleb Mutfwang for Plateau, and Dauda Lawal for Zamfara and Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi.

    Former Plateau state governor and currently a senator, Simon Lalong is also inside the courtroom for the make or mar verdict.

    As expected, the governors arrived in the courtroom with a retinue of followers who were, however, turned back immediately after escorting their principals into the courtroom.

    At the time of this report, the courtroom has been jam-packed by lawyers, journalists, and accredited political party leaders.

    Meanwhile, the justices are being awaited into the courtroom for judgment delivery.

    The states where their governors are expected to know their fates on whether to remain in office or be shoveled out are Kano, Plateau, Bauchi, Cross River, Abia, Zamfara, Cross River and Ebonyi.

  • BREAKING: Court Grants Ex-Minister Agunloye N50m Bail

    BREAKING: Court Grants Ex-Minister Agunloye N50m Bail

    Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court Apo, on Thursday, granted bail to ex-Minister of Power and Steel, Olu Agunloye, in the sum of N50 million.

    Agunloye was arraigned on seven counts bordering on fraudulent award of a contract and official corruption, on Wednesday.

    The judge had ordered his remand in Kuje Correctional Centre pending hearing and ruling on the bail application.

    Moving the application, the Counsel for the former minister, Adeola Adedipe, prayed the court to grant bail to his client by way of self-recognisance or in liberal terms.

    He said Argunloye is not a flight risk and that the notion canvassed by the prosecution was “born out of misconception and communication barrier”.

    Adedipe also appealed to the court not to order the use of a public servant as surety for his client.

    The senior lawyer also argued that the apprehensive misconception about bail and the mischief argued by the prosecution has been cured by Section 352( 4) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).

    Under this provision, Adeola said, “Once a defendant is admitted to bail, even if he absconds, the trial will continue and he will be convicted where necessary.”

    However, the prosecution counsel opposed the bail application.

    Delivering the ruling, Justice Onwuegbuzie said the pendulum of the court swings in favour of granting bail to the defendant.

    He granted N50 million bail to the defendant and ordered him to produce two sureties in like sum.

    The sureties must be “reputable” and “people of means” resident within the FCT.

    They must have properties worth N300 million with a Certificate of Occupancy that must be verifiable.

    They must submit copies of their identity card and photocopies of their international passports to the court.

    The defendant is to submit his passport to the court and must be present for hearing at all times.

    The matter has been adjourned to February 12.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is investigating Agunloye over the $6 billion Mambilla Hydropower Contract.