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Tag: law enforcement

  • Emefiele Meets Bail Conditions, Freed From Kuje Prison

    Former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, has been released from the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja after fulfilling the conditions for his bail. 

    Adamu Duza, the facility’s spokesperson, confirmed this release on Saturday, stating that Emefiele regained his freedom on Friday, December 22.

    Emefiele, along with Sa’adatu Yaro, a CBN employee, and her company, April 1616 Investment, faced accusations of procurement fraud. 

    The charges initially amounted to 20, but were later reduced to one by the federal government in November.

    The allegations against Emefiele centered on favouring Yaro by awarding contracts for the purchase of 43 vehicles totaling N1.2 billion between 2018 and 2020. 

    These included various Toyota models and were purportedly obtained at inflated prices.

    Upon his arraignment, Emefiele pleaded not guilty to the revised charges. 

    He had been in detention at the Kuje facility awaiting the court’s ruling on his bail application, which was granted on November 22 by a Federal Capital Territory High Court, setting bail at N300 million. 

    The conditions required two sureties with properties in the Maitama district in Abuja.

    Emefiele’s legal issues began in June when the Department of State Services (DSS) arrested him following a suspension by President Bola Tinubu.

    Subsequently, in July, he faced charges related to “illegal possession” of firearms at a federal high court in Ikoyi and was granted bail at N20 million.

    This week, a federal government probe panel raised further allegations against Emefiele, accusing him of maintaining multiple foreign bank accounts and engaging in other financial misconduct during his tenure as CBN governor.

  • CBN Rescinds Ban on Cryptocurrency Transactions

    The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has retracted its prohibition on cryptocurrency transactions in Nigeria.

    This policy reversal was conveyed in a circular no. FPR/DIR/PUB/CIR/002/003, dated December 22, 2023, and signed by Haruna Mustafa, Director, Financial Policy and Regulation Department.

    Earlier, in February 2021, the apex bank had imposed a ban on cryptocurrency transactions in Nigeria, citing concerns over potential money laundering and terrorism financing risks, as well as the absence of regulatory measures and consumer protections.

    However, citing evolving global trends and regulatory developments, the CBN acknowledged the necessity of regulating Virtual Assets Service Providers (VASPs). This recognition aligns with the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) updated Recommendation 15 in 2018, which urged the regulation of VASPs to prevent misuse of virtual assets for illegal activities. The Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 also included VASPs within the definition of financial institutions.

    The new guideline issued by the CBN is aimed at providing clarity to financial institutions under its purview regarding their relationships with VASPs operating in Nigeria. Notably, this guideline supersedes previous directives, particularly circulars FPR/DIR/GEN/CIR/06/010 dated January 12, 2017, and BSD/DIR/PUB/LAB/014/001 dated February 5, 2021.

    Despite the lifting of the ban, the CBN reiterated that banks and financial institutions are still prohibited from directly engaging in trading, holding, or transacting in virtual currencies on their own accounts.

    Under the revised directive, banks and financial institutions are mandated to promptly comply. The CBN also reminded these entities of its previous circular, BSD/DIR/PUB/LAB/014/001 dated February 5, 2021, which urged them to identify and close the accounts associated with cryptocurrency transactions.

  • Senate confirms 11 Supreme Court Justices

    The Nigerian Senate, Thursday, confirmed the appointment of 11 Supreme Court justices sent by President Bola Tinubu to fill the vacancies in the apex court.

    The confirmation was made possible after the consideration and adoption of a report by the Senate Committee chairman on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, during plenary.

    Recall that President Tinubu had asked the Senate to confirm the nominees, who were recommended by the National Judicial Council to fill the vacant positions following death and retirement of some justices.

    The nominees confirmed are Justice Haruna Tsammani (North East) who chaired the Presidential Election Petition Court, Justice Moore Adumein (South South), Justice Jummai Sankey (North Central), Justice Chidiebere Uwa (South East) and Justice Chioma Nwosu-Iheme (South East)

    Others are Justice Obande Ogbuinya (South-East), Justice Stephen Adah (North Central), Justice Habeeb Abiru (South West), Justice Jamilu Tukur (North West), Justice Abubakar Umar (North West) and Justice Mohammed Idris (North Central).

    The chairman of the committee, Senator Tahir Monguno while presenting his panel report, said the nominees possessed the necessary qualifications and experience to occupy the position and that there was no petition against them. He subsequently recommended their confirmation.

    However, with the confirmation of the 11 justices, the Supreme Court now has the complete statutory requirement of 21 justices on its bench.

  • Kano Guber: S/Court reserve ruling on Yusuf’s appeal

    The Supreme Court of Nigeria, Thursday, reserved judgment in an appeal instituted by the Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf and it’s party, the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).

    The Governor is before the court, praying it to set aside the decisions of the state governorship Tribunal and Appeal Court which nullified his victory in the March 18 governorship election.

    The five-member panel of justices headed by Justice John Okoro heard the matter in suit number SC/CV/1179 and cross appeals questioning the membership of Abba Yusuf abiding with the outcome.

    In his argument, the Governor, through his counsel, Wole Olanipekun SAN, faulted the nullification of his victory on grounds of the INEC presiding officer failing to sign or stamp the ballot papers.

    Olanipekun noted that it has nothing to do with the Electoral Act, insisting it is on INEC’s guidelines and as such not sufficient grounds to deem the votes unlawful warranting nullification.

    Olanipekun told the Apex Court panel that based on the evidence given by an expert witness during the Tribunal stage of the matter, only about 1,800 ballots were not signed or stamped. And that those are insignificant figures and as such insufficient to void the election.

    On the membership of Yusuf, Olanipekun stressed that it is the internal affair of the party concerned, with the courts therefore lacking jurisdiction to decide on the choice of a political party’s candidate. He therefore prayed the court to upturn the decision of the Appeal Court which affirmed the decision of the Tribunal sacking the governor.

    However, the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC), through its counsel, Abubakar Mahmoud, insisted that the key witness whose testimony was the ground for deducting the 165,616 votes of Yusuf deemed unlawful was a subpoened to give evidence.

    According to INEC, the witness testimony was inadmissible having not been front loaded along with the main petition at the Tribunal and as such his testimony and exhibits tendered are therefore incompetent.

    He maintained that the 165,616 ballot papers were authentic and originated from INEC and not elsewhere, adding that it’s not the duty of a voter, on the day of election, to check if a ballot paper is signed or stamped and without date of election, adding that’s the task of a party agent.

    Mahmoud further informed the Apex Court panel that the recounting of votes was done privately at the Tribunal chambers after the deduction of the contested 165,616 votes. He adds that even when they were brought to the Court of Appeal they weren’t demonstrated.

    INEC’s Counsel further told the Apex Court panel that only a portion of the unlawful ballots were examined at the Tribunal.

    Mahmoud thereby clarified that he is not taking sides except with respect to the correct interpretation of the law.

    On Yusuf’s membership of the NNPP, he stated that is an internal affair of the political party concerned and not for an external body, citing previous decisions of the apex court.

    He therefore added that it is not a constitutional matter as being claimed by the APC which relies on Section 177(c) of the Constitution, as amended, and Section 77 of the Electoral Act.

    He informed the Apex Court that the NNPP submitted the name of Abba Yusuf as its candidate for the governorship election, and that if the APC had anything against Yusuf’s candidacy it should have done so after INEC published the names of candidates.

    On his part, counsel for the All Progressive Congress (APC), Akin Olujimi, drew the attention of the court to the Section 177(c) of the Constitution, urging it to ride on it to determine the matter as it’s a constitutional issue

  • Nigerian Army Honours113 Retiring Generals

    The Nigerian Army hosted a grand dinner gala to honor 113 retiring generals in an event to commemorate their remarkable service to the nation.

    Among the distinguished group were a full General, a Lieutenant General, 67 major generals, and 44 brigadier generals, individuals who either retired or were slated for retirement within the year.

    The ceremony, graced by esteemed figures including retired Gen. Lucky Irabor, the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, former Chief of Army Staff, and retired Maj.-Gen. Samuel Adebayo, Ex-Chief of Defence Intelligence, stood as a testament to these senior officers’ 35 years of unwavering dedication to the nation.

    Minister of Defence, Muhammad Badaru, lauded the retiring generals for their extensive experience, exceptional skills, integrity, discipline, dedication, loyalty, and inclusive mindset. Badaru emphasized the pivotal role these attributes would continue to play in guiding the retired officers in their future endeavors. He urged them to consider entering politics, citing their potential to instill discipline and patriotism in governance.

    While expressing gratitude to the retiring officers, Chief of Army Staff, LT.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, commended their honorable service and congratulated them on their meritorious disengagement from military duty. He extended heartfelt appreciation for their immense contributions to national security and wished them success in their retirement.

    Maj.-Gen. Jimmy Akpor, Chief of Administration (Army), underscored the significance of the dinner gala, stating its purpose was to pay tribute to the retiring generals for their unwavering commitment to the nation. He reiterated that such events were instituted by past Nigerian Army leaderships to ensure a memorable departure for retiring officers.

    In an expression of gratitude on behalf of the retired generals, Maj.-Gen. Victor Ezugwu conveyed profound thanks to the Chief of Army Staff for the honor bestowed upon them. He assured everyone of their continued dedication to upholding the core values and ideals of the Nigerian Army, even in retirement.

  • Chief, 20 residents kidnapped in Taraba by Gunmen

    Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers, in the early hours of Tuesday, kidnapped a Second-Class Chief and 20 residents in the Pupule area of Yorro local government of Taraba state.

    The gunmen, according to locals, invaded the community around 2:am and took away 21 members of the community.

    Reports from the locals also indicated that, Umaru Abubakar, a Second- Class Chief in the area, his son and his pregnant daughter as well as his police orderly were kidnapped during the operation.

    “Twenty one members of our community here in Pupule, were kidnapped this morning. The gunmen invaded our community around 2: am and carried out the attack.

    “They kidnapped a second-class chief of our area, Alhaji Umaru Abubakar Nyala, his son and pregnant daughter as well as his police orderly,” the source who pleaded anonymity narrated.

    Usman Abdullahi, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Taraba State Police Command, also confirmed the attack.

  • FCTA to demolish 200 houses for presidential fleet

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has ordered the demolition of 200 houses in Nuwalege community, close to the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja, to make way for the Presidential Fleet.

    Director, Department of Development Control, Mukhtar Galadima, disclosed this on Tuesday during a community and citizens’ engagement in the community.

    “About a month ago, the authority of the Nigerian Air Force wrote to the honourable minister about their needs and desire to remove this village, because it is part of the presidential fleet plots,” he said.

    “So, the minister in his wisdom requested them to allow the FCT administration to handle it, because it’s the responsibility of FCT administration. The Nigerian Air Force approached the Department of Development Control on their desire.

    “So, as part of our responsibility, we have to do what you call a community and citizens engagement which is why we are here today to discuss with the community and to tell them of our intention, because it will be unfair to just bring the machine here and start removing their houses.

    “So, we visited the chiefs at his palace to meet him and we told him our reason for coming to this place today”.

    While speaking on the number of houses that will be demolished, Galadima revealed that about 150 to 200 houses with additional commercial stores that are attached to these houses will be taken out.

    On the aspect of compensating the affected individuals, he said, “We will discuss with the Air Force, because obviously discussion behind the scene indicates that some forms of compensation were paid, but we have to be certain that this compensation actually were paid, and also who was really given this compensation.

    “We are going to conduct further investigation between FCT administration, that’s the Department of Resettlement and Compensation, as well as the Nigerian Air Force and find out if compensation has been paid, to who and When?

    “And then we will discuss with our colleague at the Department of Resettlement and Compensation whether at any point in time, there was any compensation that ascertained their claims as regard to the number of structures and people that are going to be affected by this expansion project.”

    “There are certain things that we have to look into with consideration like the security, because obviously, this part of some of this settlement is where you have some of these people of the underworld trying to disguise and hide.

    “And looking at this, Air Force formation, which is the presidential fleet, is too close , for this thing to co-habit. So we will see if there is that urgent desire to remove part of this community, we will do it.

    “So, we have to do some community engagement. It is not the entire community because we have gone around and we have seen the areas affected by the presidential fleet plot and the areas that are outside that plot.”

  • Adamawa Guber: Binani loses petition against Gov Fintiri

    The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Monday dismissed the petition by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its governorship candidate, Senator Aisha Dahiru Binani seeking to invalidate the election of Umar Ahmadu Fintiri as the duly elected governor of Adamawa State.

    The Appellate Court held that the iFintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP was lawfully declared winner of the poll by the Adamawa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.

    A judgment written by Justice Tunde Oyebanji Awotoye threw out the case of Binani and APC on various grounds of abnormalities.

    Among the grounds, the Appeal Court held that Binani and APC failed to call Polling Agents who participated in the conduct of the election as witnesses but unfortunately called Campaign Coordinators who were not at the election venue.

    Justice Awotoye said that the three witnesses called to establish malpractices in 27 Local Government Areas who were Campaign Coordinators are mere hearsay witnesses having not been party agents.

    The Court held that it is against the law to attach probate values to the testimony of the Campaign Coordinators since such is worthless in the face of the law.

    Besides, Justice Awotoye said that the brief of argument filed by Binani and APC was in contravention of the law, hence, incompetent and deserved to be ignored.

    Also, Justice Awotoye held that the records of appeal transmitted to the Court of Appeal by Binani and APC were not complete and in law mot icompetent for the Court to make any finding.

    The Court declared as illegal act, the declaration of Binani and APC as winners of the election adding that the only authority to make declaration is the Returning Officer.

    The Court also said that it was wrong for Binani to be taking Panadol for the headache of the Resident Electoral Commissioner REC who opted to take laws into his own hand.

    “In the eyes of the law, the Resident Electoral Commissioner is on his own. He should be allowed to take responsibility for his illegal and unlawful act”

    The unanimous judgment dismissed the appeal in its entirety and award a cost of N1M to be paid to Fintiri and PDP by Binani and APC.

    The Adamawa State Governorship Electoral Petitions Tribunal had, in October, dismissed the petition filed by Binani seeking Fintiri’s sack from office.

  • Rivers Crisis: Lawyers call for investigation over alleged ex-parte order

    As controversy over the suspension of 26 lawmakers in the Rivers State House of Assembly took a new turn yesterday, Lawyers In Defence of Democracy, has called for investigation in the alleged ex-parte order stopping the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, from conducting fresh election to fill the seats of the lawmakers.

    The group is calling on the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, to investigate the alleged secrete ex-parte order issued on friday by Justice Donatus Okorowo.Last week, four lawmakers in the Rivers State House of Assembly suspended 26 other members of the House.

    The Rivers State High Court also ordered that a fresh election should be conducted to fill the seats of the 26 lawmakers.

    But there was a new twist into the controversy yesterday, when a group lawyers who stormed the court discovered how Justice Okorowo, issued a fresh on December 15, restraining INEC from conducting fresh election to fill the seats of the suspended lawmakers.

    Barrister Okere Kingdom Nnamdi leading a group Concerned of Lawyers in Defence of Democracy at a briefing however called on the Chief Judge if the Federal High Court to order full scale investigation into thr process that led to the issuance of the ex-parte order .

    According to him, the investigation is necessary in order not to soil the reputation of the judiciary. He said, “We’ve done so much in the defence of this democracy and we will continue to do everything within the am bit of the law to defend this democracy. “We gathered that there is going to be a ruling Justice Donatus Okorowo, on Monday, 18th December, 2023 and that they intercepted the information. “I know the workings of the court, the application was filed last week Wednesday and it was hurriedly assigned between the day it was filed and last Friday to Justice Okorowo and ruling is expected to be delivered today, December 18.” One interesting thing I want the media to know is that, there is a twist to what we saw in the media.

    The Registrar in the court of Justice Okorowo has confirmed that the application was filed and that it was brought before their court. He added that the ruling was delivered on Friday. “The question we are asking this morning is, what is the urgency in that matter. Why will such application be filed on Wednesday, got to Justice Okorowo on Friday and sat on same that day and deliver ruling on it? “We have applied for the certified true copy of the order and paid and we are going to pursue this matter to logical conclusion.

    “We are calling on the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to investigate the order said to have been given by Justice Okorowo. This Nigeria cannot be taken bum politicians into their pockets. “This is not Federal High Court of Wike, if he has pocketed everyone, he can’t pocket the Federal High Court.”Federal High Court has reputation, this kind of applications are often seen in other courts. You can rarely see this kind of application in the Federal High Court because it has reputation. “The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court must look into how this case was filed, how it got to Justice Okorowo’s Court and how his Registrar claimed that they sat on Friday, whereas, what we gathered yesterday was that the ruling was going to be delivered today.

    “This calls for urgent and thorough investigation. We are challenging the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to maintain the integrity of the court. We are also calling on the NJC toook into the matter very critically.

    Democracy must be sustained and firmly rooted in this country and as lawyers in defence of democracy, this is not the first time. We are intervening in issues like this whenever we observe illegalities coming up. “These people who have come to file this application, as we speak are not members of Rivers State House of Assembly in the eyes of the law.

    The Rivers State House of Assembly has invoked the constitutional provision of Section 109(1) (g) of the 1999 Constitution. Until that section is expunged, the law remains. In the eyes of the law, the former Speaker and his other colleagues are former members of rye Rivers State House of Assembly.

    They should go to the Court of Appeal to challenge the decision of the Rivers State High Court. “The Rivers State High Court and the Federal High Court have co-ordinate jurisdiction, they should approach the Court of Appeal to set aside the decision of the state high court and not Federal High Court. “The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has been notified that they have been suspended.

    “By coming here to get an other, we will be making mockery of the judiciary amd we can’t be making mockery of the judiciary. We are advising them to go to Court of Appeal and appeal the decision of the state high court. “Rivers State High Court and the Federal High Court have equal, powers, the 26 lawmakers should go on appeal and not destroy the reputation of the federal high court.

    They should go to the Appeal Court amd challenge the procedure that suspended them.”

  • 3 Dead, 7 Injured In Lagos – Ibadan Expressway Accident 

    An unfortunate incident occurred at the Conoil filling station area along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, resulting in three fatalities and seven injuries involving a Toyota Hiace bus (RLG 846 XA) and a trailer (JJN 32 YX).

    This occured on Saturday night, as reported by Florence Okpe, the spokesperson for the Ogun Sector Command of the FRSC in Abeokuta.

    The crash, which happened around 9:23 p.m., was attributed to excessive speed that caused the bus driver to lose control. 

    Okpe highlighted that among the 18 individuals involved (16 men and 2 women), three lost their lives, while seven sustained injuries, necessitating their transfer to Idera Hospital in Sagamu for treatment. 

    The deceased were taken to the same hospital’s morgue.

    Anthony Uga, the Sector Commander, emphasized the importance of considering the current period of increased traffic and limited visibility due to weather conditions. 

    He condemned the habit of speeding among drivers, advocating for a more sensible speed limit as the safest approach.