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Showing posts with label Court. Show all posts

PRESS STATEMENT: KUNLE AJAYI, ONDO AAC GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE, COMMENDS THE SUPREME COURT ON THE AFFIRMATION OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AUTONOMY

PRESS STATEMENT: KUNLE AJAYI, ONDO AAC GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE, COMMENDS THE SUPREME COURT ON THE AFFIRMATION OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AUTONOMY

KUNLE AJAYI 

The Gubernatorial Candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the November 16th Ondo State Elections, Kunle 'Wizeman' Ajayi commends the Supreme Court for it's affirmation of Local Government Autonomy. 


 In it's lead judgement read by Justice Emmanuel Agim, the apex court observed that the refusal of state government on financial autonomy for local governments has gone on for over two decades.


The Supreme Court also said Local governments has since stopped receiving the money meant for them from the state governors who act in their stead. The supreme court therefore ordered that the 774 local government councils in the country should manage their funds themselves.


This is also a great victory for the National Association of Local Government Employees (NULGE) and workers generally in Nigeria as their long fights has now come to success.


The AAC candidate believes that Local Government is the closest to the people and should be the centre point of development. Sadly, governors have been usurping this for primitive accumulation of wealth and power. So, the position of the Supreme Court will engender democracy and help more Nigerians to hold their Leaders accountable. 


This judgement is also a great loss to Lucky Aiyedatiwa and other governors who had gone to court to battle against Local Government Autonomy. We warned them that the truth will prevail. These governors hate democracy and believe that Nigerians must be exploited more in order to satisfy their greed. Now, they have lost woefully!


We call on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to dissolve Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC) immediately. The agency is more or less a section of the ruling party and it's quite anti-democratic!


We remember with nostalgia how our party, the African Action Congress (AAC) was robbed in the last Ondo State Local Government Elections in 2020. And we are happy that we protested this in a long and well detailed petition, but sadly, the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu never constituted the Elections Tribunal to look into our grievances. Such is the tyrannical methods governors use in hoodwinking democracy from below. 


Finally, the African Action Congress (AAC) urge INEC to immediately meet with all Local Government stakeholders and draw a timetable for a uniform Local Government Elections nationwide. We will continue to push for real democracy even when rogue forces are so reluctant to give up!


Signed,

Abiodun Lijofi,

Spokesperson,

Ajayi/Dada IrapadaOndo Gubernatorial Campaign Committee.

11th July, 2024.

KUNLE AJAYI 

The Gubernatorial Candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the November 16th Ondo State Elections, Kunle 'Wizeman' Ajayi commends the Supreme Court for it's affirmation of Local Government Autonomy. 


 In it's lead judgement read by Justice Emmanuel Agim, the apex court observed that the refusal of state government on financial autonomy for local governments has gone on for over two decades.


The Supreme Court also said Local governments has since stopped receiving the money meant for them from the state governors who act in their stead. The supreme court therefore ordered that the 774 local government councils in the country should manage their funds themselves.


This is also a great victory for the National Association of Local Government Employees (NULGE) and workers generally in Nigeria as their long fights has now come to success.


The AAC candidate believes that Local Government is the closest to the people and should be the centre point of development. Sadly, governors have been usurping this for primitive accumulation of wealth and power. So, the position of the Supreme Court will engender democracy and help more Nigerians to hold their Leaders accountable. 


This judgement is also a great loss to Lucky Aiyedatiwa and other governors who had gone to court to battle against Local Government Autonomy. We warned them that the truth will prevail. These governors hate democracy and believe that Nigerians must be exploited more in order to satisfy their greed. Now, they have lost woefully!


We call on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to dissolve Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC) immediately. The agency is more or less a section of the ruling party and it's quite anti-democratic!


We remember with nostalgia how our party, the African Action Congress (AAC) was robbed in the last Ondo State Local Government Elections in 2020. And we are happy that we protested this in a long and well detailed petition, but sadly, the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu never constituted the Elections Tribunal to look into our grievances. Such is the tyrannical methods governors use in hoodwinking democracy from below. 


Finally, the African Action Congress (AAC) urge INEC to immediately meet with all Local Government stakeholders and draw a timetable for a uniform Local Government Elections nationwide. We will continue to push for real democracy even when rogue forces are so reluctant to give up!


Signed,

Abiodun Lijofi,

Spokesperson,

Ajayi/Dada IrapadaOndo Gubernatorial Campaign Committee.

11th July, 2024.

Nigeria's Supreme Court grants full autonomy to Local Governments

Nigeria's Supreme Court grants full autonomy to Local Governments

 Supreme Court Orders FG To Pay Allocations Directly To LGAs

Bars Governors from sacking LG Chairs 

 



The Federal Supreme Court of Nigeria has granted a full financial autonomy to the local governments in the country.


In a suit between the federal government and state governments, the Supreme Court ruled that the federal government should pay monthly allocations directly to the local governments account. It also bars the State Government from arbitrary removal of the local governments' chairmen.

The Supreme Court has also barred governors from dissolving democratically elected officials for Local Governments.



The Court also orders the Federal Government to henceforth withhold allocations to Local Governments governed by unelected officials appointed by the Governor.

In a landmark judgement on Thursday, Court said not doing so, would amount to a breach of the 1999 Constitution.

Earlier, federal government was ordered by the Supreme Court to henceforth pay allocations directly to local government councils from the federation account.

The seven-member panel of justices held that state governments have continued to abuse their powers by retaining and using the funds meant for LGAs.

Going by this landmark judgement, the elections into the local governments will invariably become a subject of independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).


In most of the states of the federation , governors are running the local governments by caretakers or elections are Long overdue but we're not conducted .


These are the states running local governments with caretaker committees;


1. Rivers – Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara appointed caretaker committees for the 23 local government areas as he continues his battle with his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, for the control of the political structure in the oil-rich state.


2. Jigawa – On June 28, 2024, the government of Jigawa State dissolved the elected council chairmen of the 27 local governments. 


3. Anambra – On June 20, 2024, Governor Charles Soludo, through the House of Assembly, confirmed the appointment of transition committee chairmen and councillors for the 21 local government areas. 


4. Zamfara – In Zamfara, the last grassroots poll was held on April 27, 2019, and the State returned to appointees after the chairmen’s tenures expired. In May 2024, the Assembly approved a six-month extension for the caretaker committee.


5. In Benue, however, elections are scheduled to be held on July 6, 2024, for LG council chairmen.


6. Bauchi – Last year, Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, sworn in 20  appointed local government area caretaker committee chairmen with their deputies. 


7. Plateau – June 2023, Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau inaugurated the Interim Transition Committee chairpersons for its 17 local government areas at Government House Jos.


8. Abia – In December 2023, Abia Governor Alex Otti, inaugurated the 17 local government transition council chairpersons. 


9. Enugu – In March 2024, Enugu State Government ordered local government chairmen in the 17 councils to hand over administration to heads of personnel management after the expiration of their tenures. 


10. Katsina


11. Kano – In March 2024, Gov. Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State recommended names of Interim Management Committee members for Local Government Areas of the state to its House of Assembly for screening and confirmation.


12. Sokoto


13. Yobe – In April 2024, Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, approved the dissolution of all the 17 local government councils of the state, and also directed all local government chairmen to handover the affairs of their respective local governments to Directors of Personnel Management. 


14. Ondo – Ondo State Government also constituted Caretaker Committees for the 18 Local Councils and 33 Local Council Development Areas, (LCDA). 


15. Osun – In February 2024, Osun Assembly extended the tenure of office and re-appointed caretaker committees of 30 Local Government Areas and 39 others running Modakeke Area Office and Local Council Development Areas in the state.


The extension was subsequently secured for the caretaker chairmen, vice chairmen, scribes and their members’ fresh six months tenure, beginning in February and ending in August 2024.


16. Delta 


17. Akwa-Ibom – Governor Umo Eno last year through a letter with reference number GHU/AKS/S/104/VOL.1/607, addressed to the Speaker, Hon. Udeme Otong, informed the House of Assembly that there was no provision in the 2023 budget for the conduct of local government elections. 


He urged the Assembly to pass a resolution authorising him to set up interim administration at the 31 local government areas at the expiration of the tenure of the elected council officials. 


18. Cross River


19. In Imo State, the last council poll was conducted on August 25, 2018, which was the first in seven years.


20. In Kwara State, the last council election was in November 2017 with caretaker committees in charge since 2020.

 Supreme Court Orders FG To Pay Allocations Directly To LGAs

Bars Governors from sacking LG Chairs 

 



The Federal Supreme Court of Nigeria has granted a full financial autonomy to the local governments in the country.


In a suit between the federal government and state governments, the Supreme Court ruled that the federal government should pay monthly allocations directly to the local governments account. It also bars the State Government from arbitrary removal of the local governments' chairmen.

The Supreme Court has also barred governors from dissolving democratically elected officials for Local Governments.



The Court also orders the Federal Government to henceforth withhold allocations to Local Governments governed by unelected officials appointed by the Governor.

In a landmark judgement on Thursday, Court said not doing so, would amount to a breach of the 1999 Constitution.

Earlier, federal government was ordered by the Supreme Court to henceforth pay allocations directly to local government councils from the federation account.

The seven-member panel of justices held that state governments have continued to abuse their powers by retaining and using the funds meant for LGAs.

Going by this landmark judgement, the elections into the local governments will invariably become a subject of independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).


In most of the states of the federation , governors are running the local governments by caretakers or elections are Long overdue but we're not conducted .


These are the states running local governments with caretaker committees;


1. Rivers – Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara appointed caretaker committees for the 23 local government areas as he continues his battle with his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, for the control of the political structure in the oil-rich state.


2. Jigawa – On June 28, 2024, the government of Jigawa State dissolved the elected council chairmen of the 27 local governments. 


3. Anambra – On June 20, 2024, Governor Charles Soludo, through the House of Assembly, confirmed the appointment of transition committee chairmen and councillors for the 21 local government areas. 


4. Zamfara – In Zamfara, the last grassroots poll was held on April 27, 2019, and the State returned to appointees after the chairmen’s tenures expired. In May 2024, the Assembly approved a six-month extension for the caretaker committee.


5. In Benue, however, elections are scheduled to be held on July 6, 2024, for LG council chairmen.


6. Bauchi – Last year, Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, sworn in 20  appointed local government area caretaker committee chairmen with their deputies. 


7. Plateau – June 2023, Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau inaugurated the Interim Transition Committee chairpersons for its 17 local government areas at Government House Jos.


8. Abia – In December 2023, Abia Governor Alex Otti, inaugurated the 17 local government transition council chairpersons. 


9. Enugu – In March 2024, Enugu State Government ordered local government chairmen in the 17 councils to hand over administration to heads of personnel management after the expiration of their tenures. 


10. Katsina


11. Kano – In March 2024, Gov. Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State recommended names of Interim Management Committee members for Local Government Areas of the state to its House of Assembly for screening and confirmation.


12. Sokoto


13. Yobe – In April 2024, Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, approved the dissolution of all the 17 local government councils of the state, and also directed all local government chairmen to handover the affairs of their respective local governments to Directors of Personnel Management. 


14. Ondo – Ondo State Government also constituted Caretaker Committees for the 18 Local Councils and 33 Local Council Development Areas, (LCDA). 


15. Osun – In February 2024, Osun Assembly extended the tenure of office and re-appointed caretaker committees of 30 Local Government Areas and 39 others running Modakeke Area Office and Local Council Development Areas in the state.


The extension was subsequently secured for the caretaker chairmen, vice chairmen, scribes and their members’ fresh six months tenure, beginning in February and ending in August 2024.


16. Delta 


17. Akwa-Ibom – Governor Umo Eno last year through a letter with reference number GHU/AKS/S/104/VOL.1/607, addressed to the Speaker, Hon. Udeme Otong, informed the House of Assembly that there was no provision in the 2023 budget for the conduct of local government elections. 


He urged the Assembly to pass a resolution authorising him to set up interim administration at the 31 local government areas at the expiration of the tenure of the elected council officials. 


18. Cross River


19. In Imo State, the last council poll was conducted on August 25, 2018, which was the first in seven years.


20. In Kwara State, the last council election was in November 2017 with caretaker committees in charge since 2020.

Alleged N950m Fraud: Court Adjourns Trial of Two Suspected Forex Fraudsters Till Oct 28

Alleged N950m Fraud: Court Adjourns Trial of Two Suspected Forex Fraudsters Till Oct 28


Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on Monday, July 1, 2024, adjourned till October 28, 2024 further hearing in the trial of one Alhaji Usman Abubakar  and  Young Alhaji Foundation over an alleged N950m  forex fraud.


Abubakar, alongside Young Alhaji Foundation, is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a five-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and stealing to the tune of N950 million.


One of the counts reads: "Alhaji Usman Abubakar, Young Alhaji Foundation and Dr. Abu Omer Fawaz (at large), sometime in September 2022, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired amongst yourselves to obtain the sum of N950, 000,000 from Ano Farms Limited under the false pretence that you had the dollar equivalent of the said sum, which pretence you knew to be false."


Another count reads: "Alhaji Usman Abubakar and Young Alhaji Foundation, on the 20th of September 2022, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, attempted to dishonestly convert the sum of N180,000,000.00 (One Hundred and Eighty Million Naira), property of Ano Farms Limited to the use of Abdullahi Mohammed."


He pleaded "not guilty" to the charges when he was first arraigned on February 22, 2023.


Under cross-examination by counsel to the second  defendant, G. C. Ugwunweze at Monday proceedings, the first  prosecution witness, PW1, Niyi Oyewole, who is the nominal complainant and Managing Director of Ano Farms Limited,  again re-affirmed his testimony that Fawaz linked him up with the defendant and that he, thereafter, transferred the money to him.


He, however, stated that when the dollar equivalent was not forthcoming, Fawaz told him that Young Alhaji had been instructed to return the funds.


During the proceedings, Ugwunweze tendered some documents regarding a related case before the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ajah as well as a letter to the bank on payment instruction.


They were admitted as exhibits p4, p5 and p6, respectively.


Justice Dada adjourned the case till October 28 and 29, 2024 for continuation of trial.



Source: EFCC 


Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on Monday, July 1, 2024, adjourned till October 28, 2024 further hearing in the trial of one Alhaji Usman Abubakar  and  Young Alhaji Foundation over an alleged N950m  forex fraud.


Abubakar, alongside Young Alhaji Foundation, is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a five-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and stealing to the tune of N950 million.


One of the counts reads: "Alhaji Usman Abubakar, Young Alhaji Foundation and Dr. Abu Omer Fawaz (at large), sometime in September 2022, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired amongst yourselves to obtain the sum of N950, 000,000 from Ano Farms Limited under the false pretence that you had the dollar equivalent of the said sum, which pretence you knew to be false."


Another count reads: "Alhaji Usman Abubakar and Young Alhaji Foundation, on the 20th of September 2022, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, attempted to dishonestly convert the sum of N180,000,000.00 (One Hundred and Eighty Million Naira), property of Ano Farms Limited to the use of Abdullahi Mohammed."


He pleaded "not guilty" to the charges when he was first arraigned on February 22, 2023.


Under cross-examination by counsel to the second  defendant, G. C. Ugwunweze at Monday proceedings, the first  prosecution witness, PW1, Niyi Oyewole, who is the nominal complainant and Managing Director of Ano Farms Limited,  again re-affirmed his testimony that Fawaz linked him up with the defendant and that he, thereafter, transferred the money to him.


He, however, stated that when the dollar equivalent was not forthcoming, Fawaz told him that Young Alhaji had been instructed to return the funds.


During the proceedings, Ugwunweze tendered some documents regarding a related case before the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ajah as well as a letter to the bank on payment instruction.


They were admitted as exhibits p4, p5 and p6, respectively.


Justice Dada adjourned the case till October 28 and 29, 2024 for continuation of trial.



Source: EFCC 

How We Supplied Obiano Cash from State’s Security Votes- Witnesses

How We Supplied Obiano Cash from State’s Security Votes- Witnesses


The trial of Willie Obiano, former governor of Anambra State, continued on Wednesday, June 26, 2024 before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja with two prosecution witnesses disclosing how they supplied Obiano  cash in both naira and dollars through his proxies.

 

Ugochukwu Chinedu, Prosecution Witness, PW3, and a former banker  between November 2, 2008 to March 26, 2023, who was the account manager of the Anambra State Government accounts, including the state’s Security Vote account, told the court that he usually delivered raw cash in both Naira and US dollars to Obiano in line with the instructions given to him by Willie Nwokoye and Theophilus Meize, Obiano’s former principal secretary and accountant at the state Government’s  House, respectively, who were signatories to the Security Votes account.

 

"I usually processed transactions with the principal secretary, either daily or weekly, mostly using the instruments of cheques. I will go to his office on Fridays to balance the account. All the transactions I carried out were usually based on the instructions given to him by the account holders," he said.

 

Further in his testimony, the PW3 stated that “sometimes around July 2021, I was called by the compliance officer that they received an invitation from EFCC regarding an ongoing investigation into the administration of the Anambra State Government Security Votes'  account. In  the course of the investigation, I was asked to provide details into some other accounts that I managed which included Udo Ventures Limited, Moment of Peace Limited, Easy Diamond Integrated Links Limited,  C.I Patty Ventures Nigeria Limited, Xpressive Consult Nig. Limited, among others.”

 

Documents relating to those accounts were marked PW3 A1 to A215, tendered and admitted in evidence.

 

In the same vein, Hayatu Hassan, a businessman and Prosecution Witness 4, (PW4), who operates five Bureau de Change companies, namely: Seltris BDC Limited, Seltris Limited,  Commaught International Services Limited, Holdall Limited,  and Norricelea Limited disclosed that he made a total sum of N222,371,000 (Two Hundred and Twenty-two Million, Three Hundred and Seventy-one Thousand) available in dollar equivalent to the Government of Anambra State under Obiano.

 

"Sometimes last year,  I was invited by the EFCC Abuja Office and I was asked if I had any business with the Anambra State Government and I said No. Then,  the person interviewing me showed me that my company Commaught International Services Limited has done some transactions with the state government. He showed me some payments in seven transactions that were done in my Commaught account. Two different transactions were in February 2018, about N172, 371,000 (One Hundred and Seventy-two Million, Three Hundred and Seventy-one Naira)  and it was for $465,000 (Four Hundred and Sixty-five Thousand US Dollars).   The other one was in March 2018 for N50 million and it was for $135,000 (One Hundred and Thirty-five US Dollars), making a total of $600,000 (Six Hundred Thousand US Dollars) and naira equivalent of N222, 371,000.

 

 "I sold the dollars to Ayuba Tanko, another BDC operator. As soon as the transaction was done, I handed over the dollars to Ayuba Tanko. I didn’t know it was from the Anambra State Government," he said.

 

Justice Justice Ekwo adjourned the matter till October 7, 8, 9 and 10 for continuation of trial.

 

Obiano is facing prosecution by the EFCC on nine-count charges of embezzlement and money laundering to the tune of N4 billion. 


Source: EFCC 


The trial of Willie Obiano, former governor of Anambra State, continued on Wednesday, June 26, 2024 before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja with two prosecution witnesses disclosing how they supplied Obiano  cash in both naira and dollars through his proxies.

 

Ugochukwu Chinedu, Prosecution Witness, PW3, and a former banker  between November 2, 2008 to March 26, 2023, who was the account manager of the Anambra State Government accounts, including the state’s Security Vote account, told the court that he usually delivered raw cash in both Naira and US dollars to Obiano in line with the instructions given to him by Willie Nwokoye and Theophilus Meize, Obiano’s former principal secretary and accountant at the state Government’s  House, respectively, who were signatories to the Security Votes account.

 

"I usually processed transactions with the principal secretary, either daily or weekly, mostly using the instruments of cheques. I will go to his office on Fridays to balance the account. All the transactions I carried out were usually based on the instructions given to him by the account holders," he said.

 

Further in his testimony, the PW3 stated that “sometimes around July 2021, I was called by the compliance officer that they received an invitation from EFCC regarding an ongoing investigation into the administration of the Anambra State Government Security Votes'  account. In  the course of the investigation, I was asked to provide details into some other accounts that I managed which included Udo Ventures Limited, Moment of Peace Limited, Easy Diamond Integrated Links Limited,  C.I Patty Ventures Nigeria Limited, Xpressive Consult Nig. Limited, among others.”

 

Documents relating to those accounts were marked PW3 A1 to A215, tendered and admitted in evidence.

 

In the same vein, Hayatu Hassan, a businessman and Prosecution Witness 4, (PW4), who operates five Bureau de Change companies, namely: Seltris BDC Limited, Seltris Limited,  Commaught International Services Limited, Holdall Limited,  and Norricelea Limited disclosed that he made a total sum of N222,371,000 (Two Hundred and Twenty-two Million, Three Hundred and Seventy-one Thousand) available in dollar equivalent to the Government of Anambra State under Obiano.

 

"Sometimes last year,  I was invited by the EFCC Abuja Office and I was asked if I had any business with the Anambra State Government and I said No. Then,  the person interviewing me showed me that my company Commaught International Services Limited has done some transactions with the state government. He showed me some payments in seven transactions that were done in my Commaught account. Two different transactions were in February 2018, about N172, 371,000 (One Hundred and Seventy-two Million, Three Hundred and Seventy-one Naira)  and it was for $465,000 (Four Hundred and Sixty-five Thousand US Dollars).   The other one was in March 2018 for N50 million and it was for $135,000 (One Hundred and Thirty-five US Dollars), making a total of $600,000 (Six Hundred Thousand US Dollars) and naira equivalent of N222, 371,000.

 

 "I sold the dollars to Ayuba Tanko, another BDC operator. As soon as the transaction was done, I handed over the dollars to Ayuba Tanko. I didn’t know it was from the Anambra State Government," he said.

 

Justice Justice Ekwo adjourned the matter till October 7, 8, 9 and 10 for continuation of trial.

 

Obiano is facing prosecution by the EFCC on nine-count charges of embezzlement and money laundering to the tune of N4 billion. 


Source: EFCC 

Alleged N109bn Fraud: EFCC Didn’t Promise Former AGF Won’t be Prosecuted - Witness

Alleged N109bn Fraud: EFCC Didn’t Promise Former AGF Won’t be Prosecuted - Witness




The third Prosecution Witness, PW3, Abdulhamid Isa Muri, in the ongoing trial-within-trial of the former Accountant General of the Federation, AGF, Ahmed Idris, on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, told Justice Halilu Yusuf of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, Abuja that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, did not promise Idris that he was not going to face prosecution for his N109 billion alleged loot.


Muri is a staff of the EFCC whose duties involve intelligence gathering, conducting surveillance, partaking in undercover operations, interacting with informants and any other duty legally assigned by the Director of investigations or Zonal Director of Kano Command.


At the resumed proceedings on Tuesday, Muri while narrating how the defendant made his statement voluntarily,  pointed out that the Commission did not make such promises to the defendant.



According to the PW3, he met the first defendant through the former Kano Zonal Commander, Faruk Dogon Daji, who introduced him to the defendant and informed him that the defendant came to submit some documents linked to the investigation.


"On the 10th June, 2022, the first defendant went to our office and met the then zonal commander, Mr Faruk Dogon Daji, an Assistant Commander of EFCC, ACEI, in his office and based on this, the Zonal Commander sent for me and told me that the first defendant came to submit some documents that are linked to the investigation that was on-going concerning him and that I should take him to my office to write a about the documents",  he said.


According to him, “the first defendant in company of one Lawal Badamasi followed me to my office and the office is an open office where everybody can come in and go out and there in the office, there is one Mubarak, a staff of the Commission and Yusuf Baba Yusuf,” he said.


Continuing, PW3 said, “I administered a cautionary word, I told him his rights, I wrote out the cautionary word and he said he understood and thereafter he volunteered his statement mentioning the documents one after the other and signed the documents with the date of that day.”


When confronted by the prosecution counsel, A.O. Atolagbe, with the allegation of the EFCC promising the defendant that the Commission will not prosecute him,  Muri, said the Commission did not make such a promise to the defendant.


“The first defendant is alleging that this statement of June 10, 2022, is a product of promise, that he will not be prosecuted, what is your take,” Atolagbe asked.


“It is not true my Lord; I am not the investigation officer, I am just directed to take his statement,” he said.  According to Muri, the former AGF was not detained in the facility of the Kano Zonal Command of the Commission.


Justice Halilu Yusuf later discharged the witness after the cross-examination and adjourned the matter till October 29, 2024, for defence of trial-within-trial after the counsel to the first defendant cross-examined the PW3.


Idris  is being prosecuted by the EFCC on 14-count charges bordering on money laundering to the tune of N109, 485,572,691. The EFCC arraigned Idris before the Federal Capital Territory High Court on July 22, 2022.


He was arraigned alongside Godfrey Olusegun Akindele, Mohammed Kudu Usman, and Gezawa Commodity Market and Exchange Limited.



Source: EFCC




The third Prosecution Witness, PW3, Abdulhamid Isa Muri, in the ongoing trial-within-trial of the former Accountant General of the Federation, AGF, Ahmed Idris, on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, told Justice Halilu Yusuf of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, Abuja that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, did not promise Idris that he was not going to face prosecution for his N109 billion alleged loot.


Muri is a staff of the EFCC whose duties involve intelligence gathering, conducting surveillance, partaking in undercover operations, interacting with informants and any other duty legally assigned by the Director of investigations or Zonal Director of Kano Command.


At the resumed proceedings on Tuesday, Muri while narrating how the defendant made his statement voluntarily,  pointed out that the Commission did not make such promises to the defendant.



According to the PW3, he met the first defendant through the former Kano Zonal Commander, Faruk Dogon Daji, who introduced him to the defendant and informed him that the defendant came to submit some documents linked to the investigation.


"On the 10th June, 2022, the first defendant went to our office and met the then zonal commander, Mr Faruk Dogon Daji, an Assistant Commander of EFCC, ACEI, in his office and based on this, the Zonal Commander sent for me and told me that the first defendant came to submit some documents that are linked to the investigation that was on-going concerning him and that I should take him to my office to write a about the documents",  he said.


According to him, “the first defendant in company of one Lawal Badamasi followed me to my office and the office is an open office where everybody can come in and go out and there in the office, there is one Mubarak, a staff of the Commission and Yusuf Baba Yusuf,” he said.


Continuing, PW3 said, “I administered a cautionary word, I told him his rights, I wrote out the cautionary word and he said he understood and thereafter he volunteered his statement mentioning the documents one after the other and signed the documents with the date of that day.”


When confronted by the prosecution counsel, A.O. Atolagbe, with the allegation of the EFCC promising the defendant that the Commission will not prosecute him,  Muri, said the Commission did not make such a promise to the defendant.


“The first defendant is alleging that this statement of June 10, 2022, is a product of promise, that he will not be prosecuted, what is your take,” Atolagbe asked.


“It is not true my Lord; I am not the investigation officer, I am just directed to take his statement,” he said.  According to Muri, the former AGF was not detained in the facility of the Kano Zonal Command of the Commission.


Justice Halilu Yusuf later discharged the witness after the cross-examination and adjourned the matter till October 29, 2024, for defence of trial-within-trial after the counsel to the first defendant cross-examined the PW3.


Idris  is being prosecuted by the EFCC on 14-count charges bordering on money laundering to the tune of N109, 485,572,691. The EFCC arraigned Idris before the Federal Capital Territory High Court on July 22, 2022.


He was arraigned alongside Godfrey Olusegun Akindele, Mohammed Kudu Usman, and Gezawa Commodity Market and Exchange Limited.



Source: EFCC

Alleged procurement fraud: Court adjourns Emefiele’s trial until Oct. 22

Alleged procurement fraud: Court adjourns Emefiele’s trial until Oct. 22


A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja on Tuesday adjourned until Oct. 21 for the continuation of the trial of the suspended governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele over alleged procurement fraud.
Emefiele is charged with an alleged 20-count amended charge, preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja on Tuesday adjourned until Oct. 21 for the continuation of the trial of the suspended governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele over alleged procurement fraud.
Emefiele is charged with an alleged 20-count amended charge, preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

How Emefiele Approved Contracts, Payments for Wife, Brother-in-law - Witness

How Emefiele Approved Contracts, Payments for Wife, Brother-in-law - Witness


The Seventh Prosecution Witness, (PW7) in the trial of former governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele on Monday, June 24, 2024 told Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, Abuja, that Emefiele signed and approved contract awards and payments to April 1616 Investment Limited and Architekon Nigeria Limited. The companies are owned by Sa’adatu Ramalan Yero, a staff of the apex bank, his wife Margaret, and her brother, Jonathan Omoile respectively.


The witness, Agboro Michael, an investigator with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, is a member of  inter-agency investigation team that comprise the EFCC, ICPC, Code of Conduct Bureau, CCB, Department of State Services, DSS and the Nigeria Police Force. During his cross-examination by defence counsel, Mathew Burkaa, (SAN) said that Emefiele was the approving authority of the contracts awarded to both companies having endorsed all the contract award documents and given approval for payments to the companies.

 

Burkaa identified exhibits F24 to F44 which are letters from the CBN to April 1616 Investments Limited, for the award of contracts for the supply of cars to the apex bank as well as documents showing requests for payments from the company to the CBN for the delivery of the cars, all signed by Emefiele.

 

Similarly, the witness identified exhibits A1 to A8, as documents containing memos from CBN for the award of contracts to Architekon Nigeria Limited, belonging to Emefiele’s wife and her brother for the renovation of the CBN governor’s residence, provision of dedicated power lines and supply of furniture as well as requests of payments in respect of the contracts to the company, all approved by Emefiele.

 

Justice Muazu admitted the exhibits in evidence and adjourned the matter till Tuesday, June 25, 2024 for re-examination of the witness.

 

The former CBN governor is standing trial before Justice Muazu on amended 20 count-charges that border on conferment of corrupt advantages, conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, forgery and obtaining by false pretence.



Source: EFCC 


The Seventh Prosecution Witness, (PW7) in the trial of former governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele on Monday, June 24, 2024 told Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, Abuja, that Emefiele signed and approved contract awards and payments to April 1616 Investment Limited and Architekon Nigeria Limited. The companies are owned by Sa’adatu Ramalan Yero, a staff of the apex bank, his wife Margaret, and her brother, Jonathan Omoile respectively.


The witness, Agboro Michael, an investigator with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, is a member of  inter-agency investigation team that comprise the EFCC, ICPC, Code of Conduct Bureau, CCB, Department of State Services, DSS and the Nigeria Police Force. During his cross-examination by defence counsel, Mathew Burkaa, (SAN) said that Emefiele was the approving authority of the contracts awarded to both companies having endorsed all the contract award documents and given approval for payments to the companies.

 

Burkaa identified exhibits F24 to F44 which are letters from the CBN to April 1616 Investments Limited, for the award of contracts for the supply of cars to the apex bank as well as documents showing requests for payments from the company to the CBN for the delivery of the cars, all signed by Emefiele.

 

Similarly, the witness identified exhibits A1 to A8, as documents containing memos from CBN for the award of contracts to Architekon Nigeria Limited, belonging to Emefiele’s wife and her brother for the renovation of the CBN governor’s residence, provision of dedicated power lines and supply of furniture as well as requests of payments in respect of the contracts to the company, all approved by Emefiele.

 

Justice Muazu admitted the exhibits in evidence and adjourned the matter till Tuesday, June 25, 2024 for re-examination of the witness.

 

The former CBN governor is standing trial before Justice Muazu on amended 20 count-charges that border on conferment of corrupt advantages, conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, forgery and obtaining by false pretence.



Source: EFCC 

Binance Executive loses Fundamental Suit against EFCC

Binance Executive loses Fundamental Suit against EFCC


Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday, June 19, 2024 dismissed the fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by the Africa Regional Manager of Binance Holdings Limited, Nadeem Anjarwalla (at large), against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and the National Security Adviser.


Justice Ekwo, in a short ruling, dismissed the suit for lack of diligent prosecution.

At the last court’s session, March 28, 2024, Anjarwalla’s counsel, Tonye Krukrubo (SAN), had sought leave of the court to withdraw his appearance in the matter and the application was granted.


He said the matter was adjourned till Wednesday, June 19, 2024 for mention but no lawyer appeared for the applicant.


The Binance Executive and his colleague, Tigran Gambaryan, had filed separate human rights enforcement suits against the EFCC and NSA, seeking an order to release them from detention.


The two crypto-exchange executives, in the suits marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/355/24 and FHC/ABJ/CS/356/24, sued the ONSA and EFCC as first and second respondents.

Kukrubo, whose appearance on Wednesday was solely for Gambaryan, moved a motion seeking to amend his client-originating process, a request the EFCC lawyer, Olarewanju Adeola, opposed.

Justice Ekwo, however, granted Krukrubo’s request to amend his application.


He held that parties, by law, were entitled to amend their processes before judgment.

The court, however, fined Gambaryan the sum of N50, 000 to be paid to the EFCC for joining issues in the matter.


Justice Ekwo held that the fine must be paid before the next adjourned date of July 9.


Both Anjarwalla and Gambaryan, in their separate fundamental rights enforcement applications, sought a declaration that their detention and the seizure of their international travel passport contravened Section 35 (1) and (4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).


They claimed the act amounted to a violation of their fundamental rights to personal liberty as guaranteed by the constitution, among others.


Anjarwalla and Gambaryan are both United States citizens working for Binance, a crypto exchange platform.


The duo were arraigned on a 5-count charge bordering on alleged tax evasion, currency speculation and money laundering to the tune of $34,400,000 (Thirty-Four Million, Four Hundred Thousand United States Dollars).


When they were first arrested, they were kept in the custody of the NSA, however, Anjarwalla absconded from lawful custody on March 22, 2024, to Kenya.




Source: EFCC 


Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday, June 19, 2024 dismissed the fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by the Africa Regional Manager of Binance Holdings Limited, Nadeem Anjarwalla (at large), against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and the National Security Adviser.


Justice Ekwo, in a short ruling, dismissed the suit for lack of diligent prosecution.

At the last court’s session, March 28, 2024, Anjarwalla’s counsel, Tonye Krukrubo (SAN), had sought leave of the court to withdraw his appearance in the matter and the application was granted.


He said the matter was adjourned till Wednesday, June 19, 2024 for mention but no lawyer appeared for the applicant.


The Binance Executive and his colleague, Tigran Gambaryan, had filed separate human rights enforcement suits against the EFCC and NSA, seeking an order to release them from detention.


The two crypto-exchange executives, in the suits marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/355/24 and FHC/ABJ/CS/356/24, sued the ONSA and EFCC as first and second respondents.

Kukrubo, whose appearance on Wednesday was solely for Gambaryan, moved a motion seeking to amend his client-originating process, a request the EFCC lawyer, Olarewanju Adeola, opposed.

Justice Ekwo, however, granted Krukrubo’s request to amend his application.


He held that parties, by law, were entitled to amend their processes before judgment.

The court, however, fined Gambaryan the sum of N50, 000 to be paid to the EFCC for joining issues in the matter.


Justice Ekwo held that the fine must be paid before the next adjourned date of July 9.


Both Anjarwalla and Gambaryan, in their separate fundamental rights enforcement applications, sought a declaration that their detention and the seizure of their international travel passport contravened Section 35 (1) and (4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).


They claimed the act amounted to a violation of their fundamental rights to personal liberty as guaranteed by the constitution, among others.


Anjarwalla and Gambaryan are both United States citizens working for Binance, a crypto exchange platform.


The duo were arraigned on a 5-count charge bordering on alleged tax evasion, currency speculation and money laundering to the tune of $34,400,000 (Thirty-Four Million, Four Hundred Thousand United States Dollars).


When they were first arrested, they were kept in the custody of the NSA, however, Anjarwalla absconded from lawful custody on March 22, 2024, to Kenya.




Source: EFCC 

Alleged $5m Fraud: Court Dismisses Defendant’s Application Challenging Jurisdiction

Alleged $5m Fraud: Court Dismisses Defendant’s Application Challenging Jurisdiction




Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on Thursday, June 13, 2024, dismissed the application filed by Capt. Everest Nnaji , a second defendant in a $5m fraud trial, challenging the territorial jurisdiction of the court to hear the case filed against him and one Victor Uadiale.


The defendants are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on an amended five-count charge bordering on conspiracy and obtaining by false pretence to the tune of $5 million.


One of the counts reads: "That you, Victor  Uadiale (aka Victor Emeka/Amaka Emeka), Captain Everest Nnaji and Ismail Lawal (now at large), between 22nd April and 12th day of October 1998, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, obtained the aggregate sum of $1,292,000.00 (One Million, Two Hundred and Ninety-two Thousand United States Dollar) from  Tawfeeq A. Al-Omar, a Kuwaiti national, by falsely representing to him that the said sum represented payment for Urea Phosphate fertilizer, which you claimed was procured from National Fertilizer Company of Nigeria (NAFCON), Port Harcourt and Bonny Light crude oil, which pretext you knew to be false and committed an offence contrary to  Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, No. 13 of 1995 as amended by Act No. 62 of 1999."


They pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them when they were first arraigned on December 14, 2018, and maintained the same plea to the amended charges.


The victim, Tawfeeq A. Al-Omar, a Kuwaiti national, had testified as the first prosecution witness, narrating how he unwittingly fell into the trap of parting with his money.


The prosecution led by Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, had on September 28, 2022, closed its case after calling six witnesses and tendering several documentary evidence against them.


The defence, however, filed a no-case submission.


Justice Dada had, on March 23, 2023, dismissed the no-case submission filed by the defendants as lacking merit and also ordered them to open their defence.


Though the first defendant had begun his testimony denying the charges preferred against him, the application of the second defendant challenging jurisdiction remained pending.


The second defendant had argued that the charge was incompetent and urged the court to strike out his name from the charge sheet.


The prosecution, through its counsel, Bilikisu Buhari, however, prayed the court to order the second defendant to open his defence.


Delivering ruling on Thursday, Justice Dada held that the application was only intended to stall the trial and “it, therefore, fails and is hereby dismissed.”


The case was adjourned till Thursday, October 3, 2024 for continuation of trial.


Source: EFCC 




Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on Thursday, June 13, 2024, dismissed the application filed by Capt. Everest Nnaji , a second defendant in a $5m fraud trial, challenging the territorial jurisdiction of the court to hear the case filed against him and one Victor Uadiale.


The defendants are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on an amended five-count charge bordering on conspiracy and obtaining by false pretence to the tune of $5 million.


One of the counts reads: "That you, Victor  Uadiale (aka Victor Emeka/Amaka Emeka), Captain Everest Nnaji and Ismail Lawal (now at large), between 22nd April and 12th day of October 1998, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, obtained the aggregate sum of $1,292,000.00 (One Million, Two Hundred and Ninety-two Thousand United States Dollar) from  Tawfeeq A. Al-Omar, a Kuwaiti national, by falsely representing to him that the said sum represented payment for Urea Phosphate fertilizer, which you claimed was procured from National Fertilizer Company of Nigeria (NAFCON), Port Harcourt and Bonny Light crude oil, which pretext you knew to be false and committed an offence contrary to  Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, No. 13 of 1995 as amended by Act No. 62 of 1999."


They pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them when they were first arraigned on December 14, 2018, and maintained the same plea to the amended charges.


The victim, Tawfeeq A. Al-Omar, a Kuwaiti national, had testified as the first prosecution witness, narrating how he unwittingly fell into the trap of parting with his money.


The prosecution led by Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, had on September 28, 2022, closed its case after calling six witnesses and tendering several documentary evidence against them.


The defence, however, filed a no-case submission.


Justice Dada had, on March 23, 2023, dismissed the no-case submission filed by the defendants as lacking merit and also ordered them to open their defence.


Though the first defendant had begun his testimony denying the charges preferred against him, the application of the second defendant challenging jurisdiction remained pending.


The second defendant had argued that the charge was incompetent and urged the court to strike out his name from the charge sheet.


The prosecution, through its counsel, Bilikisu Buhari, however, prayed the court to order the second defendant to open his defence.


Delivering ruling on Thursday, Justice Dada held that the application was only intended to stall the trial and “it, therefore, fails and is hereby dismissed.”


The case was adjourned till Thursday, October 3, 2024 for continuation of trial.


Source: EFCC 

How Agunloye Received N5.2m in Alleged $6b Mambila Power Project Contract Fraud — Witness

How Agunloye Received N5.2m in Alleged $6b Mambila Power Project Contract Fraud — Witness


A prosecuting witness in the trial of former Minister of Power and Steel, Olu Agunloye on Monday, June 10, 2024 narrated before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital City,  FCT High Court, sitting in Apo, Abuja, how multiple transfers were made in favour of Agunloye by Jide Sotirin, a staff of Sunrise Power and Transmission Ltd.


Agunloye is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on seven-count charges  bordering on official corruption and fraudulent award of Mambila Power Project contract to the tune of $6billion (Six Billion US Dollars).


The witness, Adebayo Ilori, a compliance officer with Guaranty Trust Bank, GTB,  

while being led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Abba Mohammed, 

disclosed that “Sometimes  in October 2022, the bank received a letter from EFCC requesting for some information on the account opening package, statement of account and certificate of identification on two customers, Olu Agunloye and Jide Sotirin. Upon receiving the letter, Wale Agunbiade, head of the Unit went ahead to generate the statement of account from the computer system of the bank”.


“Upon receiving the account opening package and statement of account, we compared the information generated because the statement of account was generated from the bank’s application by imputing the customer’s details on the computer system and all the parameters requested, which was then printed out. Then the bank compared what was printed and what was on the system to ascertain the accuracy of documents. 


“The bank further prepared a covering letter and certificate of identification with the requested documents, which was signed by Wale Agunbiade, and then dispatched to the EFCC.”


When shown the acknowledgment copy of the said documents from the EFCC and GTB’s response by prosecution counsel, the witness confirmed that they were genuine, following which they were admitted by the court as exhibits.


Further in his testimony, the witness stated that Sotirin was the signatory to the account from which he transferred a total sum of N5, 221,000 (Five Million, Two Hundred and Twenty-one Thousand) to Agunloye, allegedly in relation to the Mambila 

Power Project contract award.


The witness established that Sotirin on August 10, 2019, transferred the sum of N3,600,000 from his account to Agunloye. On October 22, 2019, he transferred 

N500,000 to Agunloye and equally did so on November 13, 2019  to the tune of N1,121,000.


“On exhibit EFCC (1b), the name of the account holder is Agunloye Olu and it is a  naira account. On 10 August 2019, there was a transfer credit of N3,600,000 from Sotirin Jide Abiodun in favour of Agunloye Olu. Also on 22 October 2019, there was a credit transfer of N500,000 from Sotirin Jide Abiodun to Olu Agunloye and on 13 Nov 2019, there was a credit transfer of N1,121,000 from Jide Sotirin Abiodun to Agunloye Olu,” the witness stated. 


The matter was adjourned till June 11, 2024 for cross-examination. 



Source: EFCC 


A prosecuting witness in the trial of former Minister of Power and Steel, Olu Agunloye on Monday, June 10, 2024 narrated before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital City,  FCT High Court, sitting in Apo, Abuja, how multiple transfers were made in favour of Agunloye by Jide Sotirin, a staff of Sunrise Power and Transmission Ltd.


Agunloye is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on seven-count charges  bordering on official corruption and fraudulent award of Mambila Power Project contract to the tune of $6billion (Six Billion US Dollars).


The witness, Adebayo Ilori, a compliance officer with Guaranty Trust Bank, GTB,  

while being led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Abba Mohammed, 

disclosed that “Sometimes  in October 2022, the bank received a letter from EFCC requesting for some information on the account opening package, statement of account and certificate of identification on two customers, Olu Agunloye and Jide Sotirin. Upon receiving the letter, Wale Agunbiade, head of the Unit went ahead to generate the statement of account from the computer system of the bank”.


“Upon receiving the account opening package and statement of account, we compared the information generated because the statement of account was generated from the bank’s application by imputing the customer’s details on the computer system and all the parameters requested, which was then printed out. Then the bank compared what was printed and what was on the system to ascertain the accuracy of documents. 


“The bank further prepared a covering letter and certificate of identification with the requested documents, which was signed by Wale Agunbiade, and then dispatched to the EFCC.”


When shown the acknowledgment copy of the said documents from the EFCC and GTB’s response by prosecution counsel, the witness confirmed that they were genuine, following which they were admitted by the court as exhibits.


Further in his testimony, the witness stated that Sotirin was the signatory to the account from which he transferred a total sum of N5, 221,000 (Five Million, Two Hundred and Twenty-one Thousand) to Agunloye, allegedly in relation to the Mambila 

Power Project contract award.


The witness established that Sotirin on August 10, 2019, transferred the sum of N3,600,000 from his account to Agunloye. On October 22, 2019, he transferred 

N500,000 to Agunloye and equally did so on November 13, 2019  to the tune of N1,121,000.


“On exhibit EFCC (1b), the name of the account holder is Agunloye Olu and it is a  naira account. On 10 August 2019, there was a transfer credit of N3,600,000 from Sotirin Jide Abiodun in favour of Agunloye Olu. Also on 22 October 2019, there was a credit transfer of N500,000 from Sotirin Jide Abiodun to Olu Agunloye and on 13 Nov 2019, there was a credit transfer of N1,121,000 from Jide Sotirin Abiodun to Agunloye Olu,” the witness stated. 


The matter was adjourned till June 11, 2024 for cross-examination. 



Source: EFCC 

How EFCC Secures Final Forfeiture of N204.8m, 15 Properties for Fraud Victims

How EFCC Secures Final Forfeiture of N204.8m, 15 Properties for Fraud Victims


The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Monday June 10, 2024 secured the final forfeiture of  the sum of N204, 849, 859:00 (Two Hundred and Four Million, Eight Hundred and Forty-nine Thousand, Eight Hundred and Fifty-nine Naira), 15 properties and eight high-end vehicles before Justice Inyang.E. Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja for  fraud victims.

 

The properties, money and vehicles were recovered from Jedidiah Ibrahim Ezenwa, which he illegitimately acquired through his companies: Jedidiah Cement Industry Ltd., Omega Global Resources, Jedidiah Universal Transport Hephz Ltd, Afrinvest Asset Management Ltd, The Gurguru Company Ltd, Josien Holdings Ltd, Prince Hephzibah Ibrahim Ezenwa and Prime Ebulah Properties Ltd from his victims, Ibrahim Amusan, Afri Invest Ltd, Joisen Holdings Ltd and Jack Welch Petroleum Services Ltd.


The properties include: four bedroom ensuite apartment at Guzape, Asokoro New Extension, Abuja; five bedroom semi-detached duplex and one- room boys quarter in Chevy View Estate; Block LXX, Plot 19-20, Buckingham Court F, Sherifat Animashaun Street, Ajtran, Eti-osa Local Government Area,  LGA, Lagos; one unit of four- bedroom terrace duplex – Block B, House 3 at No. 15, Chief Bamidele Eletu Avenue, Osapa – Lekki, Lagos; three bedroom apartment on Plot 7, Block XXii, Oniru Chieftaincy Estate, Victoria Island, Lagos; and a five bedroom semi-detached duplex and one- room boys quarter on Block LXX, Plot 21-23, Buckingham Court B, Sherifat Animashaun Street, Chevy View Estate, Ajtran, Eti-Osa LGA, Lagos, State.

Others are: four bedroom terrace duplex, located on Plot No. 48 Block R, Federal Sites and Services Scheme, Federal Housing Estate (Malaysian Estate), Benin – Asaba Expressway Asaba, Oshimili South L.G.A, Delta State; four bedroom terrace duplex located on Plot No. 18A Block S, Core Area, Federal Sites and Services Scheme, Federal Housing Estate (Malaysian Estate), Benin – Asaba Expressway Asaba, Oshimili South L.G.A, Delta State, and Sub-plot No. TRCD29/Plot No. 4851 located on Citiscape Villa, Guzape District, Cadastral Zone A09, FCT.


The eight vehicles include: one white SLK 350 Mercedes Benz; one black Selverado 4x4 Hilux; one Hummer Jeep, H3 black; BMW X6 Wine Red SUV; one black CLS 63 Mercedes Benz; one cobalt ITZ Chevrolet saloon, a BMW Z40 IL black and white, and one Mercedes Benz G-Wagon SUV, Chassis No. WDCYC7AFZAX183776 (BLACK).


The final forfeiture of the properties were granted by the court through EFFC’s  counsel, Ibrahim Buba  who had earlier secured an interim order of forfeiture which was  followed up with a publication in national dailies for anyone to show cause why the properties and items should not be finally forfeited to the Federal Government.


With no objection coming from any quarters within the court-stipulated time frame, the Commission applied to the court for their final forfeiture to the victims

Jerry U. Musa, a defence counsel,  showed up for the defendants during the final forfeiture proceedings and objected to

 EFCC’s power to investigate the case, which he described as “a mere breach of contract.”


Justice Ekwo, who disagreed with the defence counsel held that “It is a contract scam and the EFCC had power to investigate and prosecute it by virtue of Section 6 of its Establishment Act.” The judge further held that the EFCC through its counsel Buba convinced the court that the money, properties and vehicles were proceeds of crime.  He thereafter ordered them to be finally forfeited to the victims through the Federal Government.


The journey to the final forfeiture began when the victims petitioned the Commission, alleging conspiracy, obtaining money under false pretence, fraudulent conversion of funds and money laundering against the defendants.


Investigations showed that the first defendant, Jedidiah Ibrahim Ezenwa had approached the petitioner, Ibrahim Amusan through Messrs Hamilton Resources International for purchase of United States Dollars, having claimed to be a dealer  in foreign currency. On the strength of his claim, the petitioners transferred a total sum of N1, 904, 090, 000. 00 (One Billion, Nine Hundred and Four Million, Ninety Thousand Naira) to the second defendant, Jedidiah Cement Industry Ltd in exchange for an equivalent amount in dollars.


Furthermore, Afri Invest Ltd, Hakan & Bath Ltd and Jack Welch Petroleum Services Ltd through the petitioner, later

 transferred the sum of N1, 274, 090, 000. 00 (One Billion, Two Hundred and Seventy-four Million, Ninety Thousand Naira) to the second defendant's Unity Bank account number  in exchange for United States Dollars.


However, instead of the first defendant and his companies providing the petitioners with the dollar equivalent of the funds as captured in the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the parties, he converted the funds to his personal use by acquiring properties and vehicles with the money.

 

Source: EFCC 


The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Monday June 10, 2024 secured the final forfeiture of  the sum of N204, 849, 859:00 (Two Hundred and Four Million, Eight Hundred and Forty-nine Thousand, Eight Hundred and Fifty-nine Naira), 15 properties and eight high-end vehicles before Justice Inyang.E. Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja for  fraud victims.

 

The properties, money and vehicles were recovered from Jedidiah Ibrahim Ezenwa, which he illegitimately acquired through his companies: Jedidiah Cement Industry Ltd., Omega Global Resources, Jedidiah Universal Transport Hephz Ltd, Afrinvest Asset Management Ltd, The Gurguru Company Ltd, Josien Holdings Ltd, Prince Hephzibah Ibrahim Ezenwa and Prime Ebulah Properties Ltd from his victims, Ibrahim Amusan, Afri Invest Ltd, Joisen Holdings Ltd and Jack Welch Petroleum Services Ltd.


The properties include: four bedroom ensuite apartment at Guzape, Asokoro New Extension, Abuja; five bedroom semi-detached duplex and one- room boys quarter in Chevy View Estate; Block LXX, Plot 19-20, Buckingham Court F, Sherifat Animashaun Street, Ajtran, Eti-osa Local Government Area,  LGA, Lagos; one unit of four- bedroom terrace duplex – Block B, House 3 at No. 15, Chief Bamidele Eletu Avenue, Osapa – Lekki, Lagos; three bedroom apartment on Plot 7, Block XXii, Oniru Chieftaincy Estate, Victoria Island, Lagos; and a five bedroom semi-detached duplex and one- room boys quarter on Block LXX, Plot 21-23, Buckingham Court B, Sherifat Animashaun Street, Chevy View Estate, Ajtran, Eti-Osa LGA, Lagos, State.

Others are: four bedroom terrace duplex, located on Plot No. 48 Block R, Federal Sites and Services Scheme, Federal Housing Estate (Malaysian Estate), Benin – Asaba Expressway Asaba, Oshimili South L.G.A, Delta State; four bedroom terrace duplex located on Plot No. 18A Block S, Core Area, Federal Sites and Services Scheme, Federal Housing Estate (Malaysian Estate), Benin – Asaba Expressway Asaba, Oshimili South L.G.A, Delta State, and Sub-plot No. TRCD29/Plot No. 4851 located on Citiscape Villa, Guzape District, Cadastral Zone A09, FCT.


The eight vehicles include: one white SLK 350 Mercedes Benz; one black Selverado 4x4 Hilux; one Hummer Jeep, H3 black; BMW X6 Wine Red SUV; one black CLS 63 Mercedes Benz; one cobalt ITZ Chevrolet saloon, a BMW Z40 IL black and white, and one Mercedes Benz G-Wagon SUV, Chassis No. WDCYC7AFZAX183776 (BLACK).


The final forfeiture of the properties were granted by the court through EFFC’s  counsel, Ibrahim Buba  who had earlier secured an interim order of forfeiture which was  followed up with a publication in national dailies for anyone to show cause why the properties and items should not be finally forfeited to the Federal Government.


With no objection coming from any quarters within the court-stipulated time frame, the Commission applied to the court for their final forfeiture to the victims

Jerry U. Musa, a defence counsel,  showed up for the defendants during the final forfeiture proceedings and objected to

 EFCC’s power to investigate the case, which he described as “a mere breach of contract.”


Justice Ekwo, who disagreed with the defence counsel held that “It is a contract scam and the EFCC had power to investigate and prosecute it by virtue of Section 6 of its Establishment Act.” The judge further held that the EFCC through its counsel Buba convinced the court that the money, properties and vehicles were proceeds of crime.  He thereafter ordered them to be finally forfeited to the victims through the Federal Government.


The journey to the final forfeiture began when the victims petitioned the Commission, alleging conspiracy, obtaining money under false pretence, fraudulent conversion of funds and money laundering against the defendants.


Investigations showed that the first defendant, Jedidiah Ibrahim Ezenwa had approached the petitioner, Ibrahim Amusan through Messrs Hamilton Resources International for purchase of United States Dollars, having claimed to be a dealer  in foreign currency. On the strength of his claim, the petitioners transferred a total sum of N1, 904, 090, 000. 00 (One Billion, Nine Hundred and Four Million, Ninety Thousand Naira) to the second defendant, Jedidiah Cement Industry Ltd in exchange for an equivalent amount in dollars.


Furthermore, Afri Invest Ltd, Hakan & Bath Ltd and Jack Welch Petroleum Services Ltd through the petitioner, later

 transferred the sum of N1, 274, 090, 000. 00 (One Billion, Two Hundred and Seventy-four Million, Ninety Thousand Naira) to the second defendant's Unity Bank account number  in exchange for United States Dollars.


However, instead of the first defendant and his companies providing the petitioners with the dollar equivalent of the funds as captured in the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the parties, he converted the funds to his personal use by acquiring properties and vehicles with the money.

 

Source: EFCC 

Oyo Courts Jail 36 Internet Fraudsters in Ibadan

Oyo Courts Jail 36 Internet Fraudsters in Ibadan


The Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has secured the conviction and sentence of thirty-six (36) internet fraudsters to various jail terms before Justices Uche Agomoh and E.U. Akpan of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, Oyo State;  Ladiran Akintola, K.B. Olawoyin, Bayo Taiwo and O.S. Adeyemi of the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan.
The convicts are Ayodele Victor Ayodeji, Adebayo Kazeem Akanbi, Ajayi Charles Temitayo, Rokeeb Olamide Taiwo, Olaleye Adedolapo Emmanuel, Emiade Azeez Ayotunde, Azeez Ademola, Afolabi Mayowa Akinbobola, Shittu Waheed Adeleke, Franklyn Ibeh Kelechi, Olanrewaju Olaitan Quadri, Olawale Elijah Seyi Awofolaju, Samuel Olayemi Ademeso, Akindele Timothy Olatunde, Sholeye Gideon Olamilekan, Waheed Olamide Ahmod, Lawal Paul Jelili, Asaju Muhammad Numan and Badejo Adefemi Emmanuel.

Others are: Gomina Dennis Ozaveshe, Adio Hassan Taiwo, Adio Kehinde Hozaine, Adewunmi Adeboye Gabriel, John Oluwatimilehin Moses, Odeniyi Faruk Idowu, Owodunni Monsuru Abiodun, Sanwiyu Niyi Owonifari, Adeyinka Adewale Olujobi, Ogunbiyi Segun Joseph, Ayomide Oniyitan Oluwatosin, Badmus Faruk Kayode, Jimoh Sylvester Enahoro, Azeta Sunday Osaremeh, Lukuman Olatemo, Emmanuel Ebgiri Ogah and Ayomide Ibrahim Ishola.

The charge against Ayomide Ibrahim Ishola reads: “That you, Ayomide Ibrahim Ishola on or about October, 2018, in Ibadan within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, falsely represented yourself as a female from the United States of America with the name Lawrence Janet to one Ralph Wells via your Google Chat account, which representation you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence of impersonation contrary to Section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 38, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.”

They were jailed after pleading guilty to one-count separate charges bordering on obtaining by false pretence, possession of fraudulent documents, impersonation and aiding in committing an offence upon arraignment by the Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC between April 24 and May 29, 2024.

All the defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges when they were read to them in court as prosecution counsel:  Oluwatoyin Owodunni, Modupe Akinkoye, Oyelakin Oyediran, Sanusi Galadanchi, Lanre Suleiman, Mabas Mabur, Shamsuddeen, Umar Abiso, Abiddeen Muhammad, Adamu Sahabi, Fatima Baba, David Olubode and Favour Adewunmi prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.

Consequently, Justice Agomoh convicted and sentenced Joseph, Oluwatosin and Kayode to one year imprisonment each without an option of fine, Enahoro to ten months imprisonment, while Osaremeh bagged six months imprisonment and Olatemo to four months imprisonment without an option of fine.

Also, Justice Akpan convicted and sentenced Owonifari to one and a half years imprisonment and Abiodun to one year imprisonment or a fine of N100, 000.00 (One Hundred Thousand Naira).

Furthermore, Justice Olawoyin convicted and sentenced Ishola to one and a half years imprisonment or a fine of N1, 500, 000.00 (One Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira) and Olujobi bagged six months imprisonment or a fine of N400, 000.00 (Four Hundred Thousand Naira).

Justice Adeyemi convicted and sentenced Hozaine, Gabriel, Idowu and Ogah to six months community service each without an option of fine, as Idowu forfeited a silver coloured Toyota Camry car with registration number: GBE – 334 – AE to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

More so, Justice Taiwo convicted and sentenced Ozaveshe to four months community service or a fine of N150, 000.00 (One hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) and Taiwo to five months community service or a fine of N150, 000.00 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira).

Justice Akintola convicted and sentenced Adedolapo Emmanuel, Ayotunde, Ademola, Kelechi, Quadri and Moses to one year imprisonment each or fines of N50, 000. 00 (Fifty Thousand Naira), N100, 000.00 (One Hundred Thousand Naira), N20, 000. 00 (Twenty Thousand Naira), N30, 000.00 (Thirty Thousand Naira), N150, 000.00 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) and N120, 000.00 (One Hundred and Twenty Thousand Naira) respectively.

Also, Justice Akintola convicted and sentenced Olamide Taiwo, Akinbobola and Adefemi Emmanuel to six months community service each or fines of N50, 000.00 (Fifty Thousand Naira), N150, 000.00 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) and N60, 000 .00 (Sixty Thousand Naira) respectively.

Furthermore, Justice Akintola convicted and sentenced Ayodeji, Akanbi and Adeleke to three months community service each or a fine of N20, 000.00 (Twenty Thousand Naira) each, while Temitayo, Awofolaju, and Jelili bagged three months community service each or a fine of N30, 000.00 (Thirty Thousand Naira) each.

Also, Olamilekan, Ahmod and Numan were convicted and sentenced to three months community service each or a fine of N25, 000.00 (Twenty-five Thousand Naira) each, while Ademeso also bagged three months community service or a fine of N50, 000.00 (Fifty Thousand Naira) and Olatunde to three months community service or a fine of N40, 000.00 (Forty Thousand Naira).

Ayotunde forfeited one black Lexus ES 350 car with registration number: GGE – 665 – GY, Quadri forfeited a brown ES 300 vehicle with registration number: MEK – 39 – LK while Moses forfeited a Toyota Camry car with registration number: BDG – 144 – GF.

Also, Adefemi Emmanuel forfeited one grey coloured Lexus RX 300 vehicle with registration number: LND – 940 – CD with Chassis number: JT6HF1042YO11941, Abiodun forfeited a brown Mercedes Benz with Chassis number: WDC0G4K9GF102450, while Ishola forfeited a grey colour Toyota Highlander with registration number: RSH – 857 – CV.
Furthermore, Enahoro forfeited an ash coloured  Toyota Camry with registration number: ABC – 658 – SE and Osaremeh forfeited one silver Honda Accord with registration number: KTU – 773 – DN among others to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
 
All the convicts bagged their imprisonment when they were arrested by operatives of the Commission for internet-related offences.  They were charged to court and convicted.
 









Source: EFCC 

The Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has secured the conviction and sentence of thirty-six (36) internet fraudsters to various jail terms before Justices Uche Agomoh and E.U. Akpan of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, Oyo State;  Ladiran Akintola, K.B. Olawoyin, Bayo Taiwo and O.S. Adeyemi of the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan.
The convicts are Ayodele Victor Ayodeji, Adebayo Kazeem Akanbi, Ajayi Charles Temitayo, Rokeeb Olamide Taiwo, Olaleye Adedolapo Emmanuel, Emiade Azeez Ayotunde, Azeez Ademola, Afolabi Mayowa Akinbobola, Shittu Waheed Adeleke, Franklyn Ibeh Kelechi, Olanrewaju Olaitan Quadri, Olawale Elijah Seyi Awofolaju, Samuel Olayemi Ademeso, Akindele Timothy Olatunde, Sholeye Gideon Olamilekan, Waheed Olamide Ahmod, Lawal Paul Jelili, Asaju Muhammad Numan and Badejo Adefemi Emmanuel.

Others are: Gomina Dennis Ozaveshe, Adio Hassan Taiwo, Adio Kehinde Hozaine, Adewunmi Adeboye Gabriel, John Oluwatimilehin Moses, Odeniyi Faruk Idowu, Owodunni Monsuru Abiodun, Sanwiyu Niyi Owonifari, Adeyinka Adewale Olujobi, Ogunbiyi Segun Joseph, Ayomide Oniyitan Oluwatosin, Badmus Faruk Kayode, Jimoh Sylvester Enahoro, Azeta Sunday Osaremeh, Lukuman Olatemo, Emmanuel Ebgiri Ogah and Ayomide Ibrahim Ishola.

The charge against Ayomide Ibrahim Ishola reads: “That you, Ayomide Ibrahim Ishola on or about October, 2018, in Ibadan within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, falsely represented yourself as a female from the United States of America with the name Lawrence Janet to one Ralph Wells via your Google Chat account, which representation you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence of impersonation contrary to Section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 38, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.”

They were jailed after pleading guilty to one-count separate charges bordering on obtaining by false pretence, possession of fraudulent documents, impersonation and aiding in committing an offence upon arraignment by the Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC between April 24 and May 29, 2024.

All the defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges when they were read to them in court as prosecution counsel:  Oluwatoyin Owodunni, Modupe Akinkoye, Oyelakin Oyediran, Sanusi Galadanchi, Lanre Suleiman, Mabas Mabur, Shamsuddeen, Umar Abiso, Abiddeen Muhammad, Adamu Sahabi, Fatima Baba, David Olubode and Favour Adewunmi prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.

Consequently, Justice Agomoh convicted and sentenced Joseph, Oluwatosin and Kayode to one year imprisonment each without an option of fine, Enahoro to ten months imprisonment, while Osaremeh bagged six months imprisonment and Olatemo to four months imprisonment without an option of fine.

Also, Justice Akpan convicted and sentenced Owonifari to one and a half years imprisonment and Abiodun to one year imprisonment or a fine of N100, 000.00 (One Hundred Thousand Naira).

Furthermore, Justice Olawoyin convicted and sentenced Ishola to one and a half years imprisonment or a fine of N1, 500, 000.00 (One Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira) and Olujobi bagged six months imprisonment or a fine of N400, 000.00 (Four Hundred Thousand Naira).

Justice Adeyemi convicted and sentenced Hozaine, Gabriel, Idowu and Ogah to six months community service each without an option of fine, as Idowu forfeited a silver coloured Toyota Camry car with registration number: GBE – 334 – AE to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

More so, Justice Taiwo convicted and sentenced Ozaveshe to four months community service or a fine of N150, 000.00 (One hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) and Taiwo to five months community service or a fine of N150, 000.00 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira).

Justice Akintola convicted and sentenced Adedolapo Emmanuel, Ayotunde, Ademola, Kelechi, Quadri and Moses to one year imprisonment each or fines of N50, 000. 00 (Fifty Thousand Naira), N100, 000.00 (One Hundred Thousand Naira), N20, 000. 00 (Twenty Thousand Naira), N30, 000.00 (Thirty Thousand Naira), N150, 000.00 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) and N120, 000.00 (One Hundred and Twenty Thousand Naira) respectively.

Also, Justice Akintola convicted and sentenced Olamide Taiwo, Akinbobola and Adefemi Emmanuel to six months community service each or fines of N50, 000.00 (Fifty Thousand Naira), N150, 000.00 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) and N60, 000 .00 (Sixty Thousand Naira) respectively.

Furthermore, Justice Akintola convicted and sentenced Ayodeji, Akanbi and Adeleke to three months community service each or a fine of N20, 000.00 (Twenty Thousand Naira) each, while Temitayo, Awofolaju, and Jelili bagged three months community service each or a fine of N30, 000.00 (Thirty Thousand Naira) each.

Also, Olamilekan, Ahmod and Numan were convicted and sentenced to three months community service each or a fine of N25, 000.00 (Twenty-five Thousand Naira) each, while Ademeso also bagged three months community service or a fine of N50, 000.00 (Fifty Thousand Naira) and Olatunde to three months community service or a fine of N40, 000.00 (Forty Thousand Naira).

Ayotunde forfeited one black Lexus ES 350 car with registration number: GGE – 665 – GY, Quadri forfeited a brown ES 300 vehicle with registration number: MEK – 39 – LK while Moses forfeited a Toyota Camry car with registration number: BDG – 144 – GF.

Also, Adefemi Emmanuel forfeited one grey coloured Lexus RX 300 vehicle with registration number: LND – 940 – CD with Chassis number: JT6HF1042YO11941, Abiodun forfeited a brown Mercedes Benz with Chassis number: WDC0G4K9GF102450, while Ishola forfeited a grey colour Toyota Highlander with registration number: RSH – 857 – CV.
Furthermore, Enahoro forfeited an ash coloured  Toyota Camry with registration number: ABC – 658 – SE and Osaremeh forfeited one silver Honda Accord with registration number: KTU – 773 – DN among others to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
 
All the convicts bagged their imprisonment when they were arrested by operatives of the Commission for internet-related offences.  They were charged to court and convicted.
 









Source: EFCC 

Court Jails Woman Six Months For Currency Racketeering In Lagos

Court Jails Woman Six Months For Currency Racketeering In Lagos


Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, convicted and sentenced one Adeyinka Bilikis  Gbadamosi  to six months imprisonment for currency racketeering.


Gbadamosi  was arraigned by the Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a one-count charge bordering on currency  Racketeering.


The count reads: “That you, Adeyinka Bilikis Gbadamosi, on the 27th of April, 2024 in  Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, engaged in hawking the total sum of N897,900 (Eight Hundred and Ninety Seven Thousand, Nine Hundred Naira) in N200 Naira note denomination, with serial numbers 688101 and N500 Naira note denomination, with serial numbers 315501 issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 21(4) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2007.”


She pleaded “guilty” to the charge when it was read to her


Following her guilty plea, prosecution counsel, C.C. Okezie called on Olagunju Abdul Malik, an operative of the EFCC, to  review the facts of the case .


Abdulmalik told the court that the defendant was arrested  on April 27, 2024 while hawking Naira notes at 10 Degree Event Centre, Billings Way, Ikeja, Lagos, following  credible intelligence received by the Commission.


According to him, the sum of N897,900 was recovered from her at the point of arrest.


"Upon her arrest by operatives, she was duly cautioned and she volunteered her statements.


“In her statement, she confessed she was into currency racketeering and hawking of Naira notes,” he said.


Okezie, thereafter, sought to tender, in evidence, the defendant’s extrajudicial statements and the money recovered from her.


Justice Aneke  admitted and marked them as exhibits and convicted the defendant.


Counsel to the convict A.A. Olawipo, prayed the court for a non-custodial sentence or option of fine .


Justice Aneke  sentenced the convict to six months imprisonment, with an option of fine of N50,000 (Fifty Thousand Naira) only.


The Judge also ordered that the N897,900 recovered from her be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

 


Source: EFCC 


Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, convicted and sentenced one Adeyinka Bilikis  Gbadamosi  to six months imprisonment for currency racketeering.


Gbadamosi  was arraigned by the Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a one-count charge bordering on currency  Racketeering.


The count reads: “That you, Adeyinka Bilikis Gbadamosi, on the 27th of April, 2024 in  Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, engaged in hawking the total sum of N897,900 (Eight Hundred and Ninety Seven Thousand, Nine Hundred Naira) in N200 Naira note denomination, with serial numbers 688101 and N500 Naira note denomination, with serial numbers 315501 issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 21(4) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2007.”


She pleaded “guilty” to the charge when it was read to her


Following her guilty plea, prosecution counsel, C.C. Okezie called on Olagunju Abdul Malik, an operative of the EFCC, to  review the facts of the case .


Abdulmalik told the court that the defendant was arrested  on April 27, 2024 while hawking Naira notes at 10 Degree Event Centre, Billings Way, Ikeja, Lagos, following  credible intelligence received by the Commission.


According to him, the sum of N897,900 was recovered from her at the point of arrest.


"Upon her arrest by operatives, she was duly cautioned and she volunteered her statements.


“In her statement, she confessed she was into currency racketeering and hawking of Naira notes,” he said.


Okezie, thereafter, sought to tender, in evidence, the defendant’s extrajudicial statements and the money recovered from her.


Justice Aneke  admitted and marked them as exhibits and convicted the defendant.


Counsel to the convict A.A. Olawipo, prayed the court for a non-custodial sentence or option of fine .


Justice Aneke  sentenced the convict to six months imprisonment, with an option of fine of N50,000 (Fifty Thousand Naira) only.


The Judge also ordered that the N897,900 recovered from her be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

 


Source: EFCC 

Sextortion: FBI’s Witness Revealed How Defendant Demanded $200 From Late Victim

Sextortion: FBI’s Witness Revealed How Defendant Demanded $200 From Late Victim


Ayotunde Solademi, a Foreign Service National Investigator with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI and second prosecution witness, PW2, in the ongoing trial of Muideen Olamilekan Teslim, on Monday, May 27, 2024, told Justice Dehinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, how the defendant threatened to release the unclad pictures of his late victim, if he did not pay him the sum of $200( Two Hundred Dollars only).


Teslim is standing trial on a six-count charge bordering on possession of child pornography and sextortion brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.


One of the counts reads: “That you, Muideen Teslim Olamilekan (a.k.a joyamanda), on or about the 18th of April, 2022 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, intentionally had in your possession child pornography of a minor in your account [email protected] and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 23(1)(e) of the of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015.”


He pleaded "not guilty" to the charges when they were read to him.


At the resumed sitting on Monday, Solademi, who was led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Bilkisu Buhari, told the court that the FBI and the EFCC, sometime in July 2023, conducted a joint operation code-named Operation Artemis, which focused on financial sextortion cases.


Solademi, in his testimony, said the Child Exploitation Operational Unit of the FBI, sometime in April 2023, was called to a case involving a 15-year-old American male, who was befriended by a supposedly 16-year-old female named Joy Amanda.


He added that “They were both chatting on a social media platform called Wink. The email address used by Joy Amanda on Wink is [email protected].


“When they both met on Wink, Joy Amanda sent some nude pictures to the victim and requested the victim to also send his nude pictures. The victim, believing that the pictures he received were from the person he was chatting with, then sent nude pictures of himself to Joy Amanda. After Joy Amanda received the pictures, he made a picture collage, sent back to the victim and threatened that he would share the picture with all the victim’s contacts if the victim doesn’t send $200.


“Joy Amanda told the victim to send the money through CashApp, PayPal or Apple Gift card and gave a username for these accounts. The user name was [email protected].”


In his further testimony, Solademi informed the court that while law enforcement officers were speaking to the victim in his house, a call came in through the victim’s phone, threatening the victim.


According to him, “the caller ID showed Joy Amanda. The person speaking on the other side had a male voice. He was threatening that if he didn’t send the money, the picture would be released to the contacts.


“Thirty minutes after law enforcement agents left the victim’s house, a call was pulled through to the law enforcement by the victim’s parent that the victim shot himself in the head because of the incessant threat he received from the so-called Joy Amanda and he died.”


Narrating the steps taken by the law enforcement officers during investigations, the PW2 further told the court that “Legal processes were served by the FBI to Wink, Google and WhatsApp. Wink provided the email associated with Joy Amanda as [email protected]. FBI then proceeded to serve legal processes on Google with the email address of Joy Amanda and the username that was provided for payment that is [email protected].


“The response from Gmail showed that the recovery email for Joy Amanda is a Glo phone number ending with 9664, while that of Muideen Teslim is an Airtel phone number ending with 5098.


“Google revealed that the IP address of Joy Amanda was coming from Nigeria. Likewise, WhatsApp responded that the phone number ended with 9664, a glo number.


“All the evidence and pictures were packaged into a petition and was submitted as one of the cases under Operation Artemis. “


Buhari, thereafter, asked the PW2 if he could identify the request from the office of the Legal Attache in the US consulate to prosecute under Nigerian Law written to the EFCC, as well as other evidence against the defendant.


The prosecution counsel applied to tender the same and they were admitted as exhibits.


When PW2 was asked to confirm certain details on the exhibits, he said,

“In Exhibit 7, the glo number attached to [email protected] is 08071489664, while the Airtel number attached to [email protected] is 08127015068.


“In Exhibit 6, the wallet number on the Opay account opening package of Muideen Teslim is 8071489664 and the BVN number is 22377813795


“In Exhibit 3, on the google account personal info, the email address is [email protected] and the phone number attached is 08071389664.”


He also confirmed the picture collage that Joy Amanda sent to the victim.


When asked during cross-examination by the defence counsel, A.J. Adejuwon, for the victim’s name, the witness said: “The name of the victim was withheld to protect the family's privacy. The victim stayed in Magnolia, U.S A., before his death.”


The witness also clarified that the explicit photos were not shared with the EFCC to prevent further distribution.


Upon discharge of PW2, Adejuwon applied before the court to file a no-case submission.


Justice Dipeolu adjourned the matter to July 4, 2024 for ruling on no-case submission.

 


Source: EFCC 


Ayotunde Solademi, a Foreign Service National Investigator with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI and second prosecution witness, PW2, in the ongoing trial of Muideen Olamilekan Teslim, on Monday, May 27, 2024, told Justice Dehinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, how the defendant threatened to release the unclad pictures of his late victim, if he did not pay him the sum of $200( Two Hundred Dollars only).


Teslim is standing trial on a six-count charge bordering on possession of child pornography and sextortion brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.


One of the counts reads: “That you, Muideen Teslim Olamilekan (a.k.a joyamanda), on or about the 18th of April, 2022 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, intentionally had in your possession child pornography of a minor in your account [email protected] and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 23(1)(e) of the of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015.”


He pleaded "not guilty" to the charges when they were read to him.


At the resumed sitting on Monday, Solademi, who was led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Bilkisu Buhari, told the court that the FBI and the EFCC, sometime in July 2023, conducted a joint operation code-named Operation Artemis, which focused on financial sextortion cases.


Solademi, in his testimony, said the Child Exploitation Operational Unit of the FBI, sometime in April 2023, was called to a case involving a 15-year-old American male, who was befriended by a supposedly 16-year-old female named Joy Amanda.


He added that “They were both chatting on a social media platform called Wink. The email address used by Joy Amanda on Wink is [email protected].


“When they both met on Wink, Joy Amanda sent some nude pictures to the victim and requested the victim to also send his nude pictures. The victim, believing that the pictures he received were from the person he was chatting with, then sent nude pictures of himself to Joy Amanda. After Joy Amanda received the pictures, he made a picture collage, sent back to the victim and threatened that he would share the picture with all the victim’s contacts if the victim doesn’t send $200.


“Joy Amanda told the victim to send the money through CashApp, PayPal or Apple Gift card and gave a username for these accounts. The user name was [email protected].”


In his further testimony, Solademi informed the court that while law enforcement officers were speaking to the victim in his house, a call came in through the victim’s phone, threatening the victim.


According to him, “the caller ID showed Joy Amanda. The person speaking on the other side had a male voice. He was threatening that if he didn’t send the money, the picture would be released to the contacts.


“Thirty minutes after law enforcement agents left the victim’s house, a call was pulled through to the law enforcement by the victim’s parent that the victim shot himself in the head because of the incessant threat he received from the so-called Joy Amanda and he died.”


Narrating the steps taken by the law enforcement officers during investigations, the PW2 further told the court that “Legal processes were served by the FBI to Wink, Google and WhatsApp. Wink provided the email associated with Joy Amanda as [email protected]. FBI then proceeded to serve legal processes on Google with the email address of Joy Amanda and the username that was provided for payment that is [email protected].


“The response from Gmail showed that the recovery email for Joy Amanda is a Glo phone number ending with 9664, while that of Muideen Teslim is an Airtel phone number ending with 5098.


“Google revealed that the IP address of Joy Amanda was coming from Nigeria. Likewise, WhatsApp responded that the phone number ended with 9664, a glo number.


“All the evidence and pictures were packaged into a petition and was submitted as one of the cases under Operation Artemis. “


Buhari, thereafter, asked the PW2 if he could identify the request from the office of the Legal Attache in the US consulate to prosecute under Nigerian Law written to the EFCC, as well as other evidence against the defendant.


The prosecution counsel applied to tender the same and they were admitted as exhibits.


When PW2 was asked to confirm certain details on the exhibits, he said,

“In Exhibit 7, the glo number attached to [email protected] is 08071489664, while the Airtel number attached to [email protected] is 08127015068.


“In Exhibit 6, the wallet number on the Opay account opening package of Muideen Teslim is 8071489664 and the BVN number is 22377813795


“In Exhibit 3, on the google account personal info, the email address is [email protected] and the phone number attached is 08071389664.”


He also confirmed the picture collage that Joy Amanda sent to the victim.


When asked during cross-examination by the defence counsel, A.J. Adejuwon, for the victim’s name, the witness said: “The name of the victim was withheld to protect the family's privacy. The victim stayed in Magnolia, U.S A., before his death.”


The witness also clarified that the explicit photos were not shared with the EFCC to prevent further distribution.


Upon discharge of PW2, Adejuwon applied before the court to file a no-case submission.


Justice Dipeolu adjourned the matter to July 4, 2024 for ruling on no-case submission.

 


Source: EFCC 

How Benin Court Sends Three Oil Thieves to Jail

How Benin Court Sends Three Oil Thieves to Jail


Justice I. M. Sani of the Federal High Court, Warri on Tuesday May 21, 2024 convicted and sentenced the trio of John Ofuafo Stanley, Ogba Joseph and Samson E. Ogbevire to various jail terms for illegally dealing in petroleum products.


They were jailed after pleading guilty to a two-count charge bordering on illegal dealing in petroleum products alongside a vessel, TUG MV STEPH-1 upon arraignment by the Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.


One of the charge reads: That You JOHN OFUAFO STANLEY, OGBA JOSEPH and SAMSON .E. OGBEVIRE on or about the 6th July, 2023 at KFT Yard Edjeba, along NPA express way, Warri South Local Government of Delta State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit: dealt in petroleum product to wit; unspecified quantity of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) which is not of a quality expected of the product and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 3(6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (Revised Edition), 2004 and punishable under section 1 (18)(a)(i) of the same Act.


The defendants pleaded guilty to the charges when they were read to them in court, prompting the prosecution counsel,  Francis Jirbo to pray the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.  However, counsel to the defendants pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy as they have become remorseful for their actions.


Justice Sani convicted and sentenced Stanley,  Joseph and Ogbevire to two years imprisonment for each of the two counts or an option of N300,000 on each of the counts.


 The judge also convicted the 4th defendant,  (TUG MV STEPH 1) to a fine of  N4,000, 0000 ( Four Million Naira million Naira only) in lieu of its final forfeiture to the Federal Government of Nigeria through the EFCC.


The convicts’road to prison began following their arrest by officers of the Nigeria Navy Ship Delta, NNS Delta for illegal dealing in Petroleum products.  They were handed over to the Commission on November 21  2023 for further investigation and possible prosecution. 



Source: EFCC


Justice I. M. Sani of the Federal High Court, Warri on Tuesday May 21, 2024 convicted and sentenced the trio of John Ofuafo Stanley, Ogba Joseph and Samson E. Ogbevire to various jail terms for illegally dealing in petroleum products.


They were jailed after pleading guilty to a two-count charge bordering on illegal dealing in petroleum products alongside a vessel, TUG MV STEPH-1 upon arraignment by the Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.


One of the charge reads: That You JOHN OFUAFO STANLEY, OGBA JOSEPH and SAMSON .E. OGBEVIRE on or about the 6th July, 2023 at KFT Yard Edjeba, along NPA express way, Warri South Local Government of Delta State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit: dealt in petroleum product to wit; unspecified quantity of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) which is not of a quality expected of the product and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 3(6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (Revised Edition), 2004 and punishable under section 1 (18)(a)(i) of the same Act.


The defendants pleaded guilty to the charges when they were read to them in court, prompting the prosecution counsel,  Francis Jirbo to pray the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.  However, counsel to the defendants pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy as they have become remorseful for their actions.


Justice Sani convicted and sentenced Stanley,  Joseph and Ogbevire to two years imprisonment for each of the two counts or an option of N300,000 on each of the counts.


 The judge also convicted the 4th defendant,  (TUG MV STEPH 1) to a fine of  N4,000, 0000 ( Four Million Naira million Naira only) in lieu of its final forfeiture to the Federal Government of Nigeria through the EFCC.


The convicts’road to prison began following their arrest by officers of the Nigeria Navy Ship Delta, NNS Delta for illegal dealing in Petroleum products.  They were handed over to the Commission on November 21  2023 for further investigation and possible prosecution. 



Source: EFCC

Alleged N1.2m US Visa Scam: American Businessman, Marco Ramirez Knows Fate Sept. 10

Alleged N1.2m US Visa Scam: American Businessman, Marco Ramirez Knows Fate Sept. 10


Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, adjourned till September 10, 2024 judgment in the alleged $1.2million US visa scam involving an American businessman, Marco Antonio Ramirez.


The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is prosecuting Ramirez alongside his companies, USA NOW LLC, Eagle Ford Instalodge Group LP and USA Now Energy Capital Group LP, for an alleged $1.2 million EB-5 visa scam.


The defendant allegedly obtained the money from his victims as processing fees for their investments in his company, USA Now Energy Capital Group LP, in the Employment-Based Fifth Preference (EB-5) United States of America Investor Programme, which would qualify them to be eligible for the issuance of USA Green Card.


The defendant, however, allegedly reneged on his promise.


He was initially arraigned on a 12-count charge, to which he pleaded "not guilty".


He was also re-arraigned by the EFCC on June 24, 2022 on an amended 16-count charge.


Count 13 of the amended charge reads: "Marco Antonio Ramirez, USA NOW LLC, Eagle Ford Instalodge Group LP, and USA Now Energy Capital Group LP, between 5th February 2013 and 18th April 2013 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, dishonourably converted to your personal use the aggregate sum of $545,000 property of Godson Onyemaechi Echegile."


Count 14 reads: "Marco Antonio Ramirez, USA NOW LLC, and USA Now Energy Capital Group LP, between 12th July 2012 and 7th November 2012 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court , dishonourably converted to your personal use the aggregate sum of $314,800 property of Abubakar Umar Sadiq."


Count 15 reads: "Marco Antonio Ramirez, USA NOW LLC, and USA Now Energy Capital Group LP, between 19th February 2013 and 18th April 2013 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, dishonourably converted to your personal use the aggregate sum of $230,000 property of Abubakar Umar Sadiq."


Also, at Monday’s sitting, the trial Judge adjourned till September 10, 2024 for judgment in separate amended nine-count charge bordering on an alleged $368,698.24 fraud brought against the defendant.


One of the counts reads: "Marco Antonio Ramirez, USA NOW LLC, and USA Now Energy Capital Group LP, on or about the 26th day of July, 2013 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of $250,000 from Gabriel Ogie Edeoghon under the false representation that the sum was his investment in your company: USA NOW Energy Capital Group LP in the Employment-Based Fifth Preference (EB-5) United States of America Investor Programme, which investment would qualify him to be eligible to a USA Green Card, and which representation you knew to be false."


Another count reads: "Marco Antonio Ramirez, on or about the 5th day of March, 2014 at Lagos, within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of $50,281.33 from Oludare Talabi, under the false representation that the said sum is to procure United States of America L1 VISA programme for him, which representation you knew to be false."


He also pleaded "not guilty" to the charges when they were read to him.


The proceedings had suffered several adjournments occasioned by the absence of the defence counsel, Lawal Pedro, SAN, and the inability of the defence to file its own final written addresses, even after the prosecution counsel, M.S. Owede and S.O. Daji, had filed theirs for the separate charges, respectively.


However, the adoption of the final written addresses eventually held on May 8, 2024.


Following the adoption, Justice Dada today adjourned till September 10, 2024 for judgment.

 


Source: EFCC




Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, adjourned till September 10, 2024 judgment in the alleged $1.2million US visa scam involving an American businessman, Marco Antonio Ramirez.


The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is prosecuting Ramirez alongside his companies, USA NOW LLC, Eagle Ford Instalodge Group LP and USA Now Energy Capital Group LP, for an alleged $1.2 million EB-5 visa scam.


The defendant allegedly obtained the money from his victims as processing fees for their investments in his company, USA Now Energy Capital Group LP, in the Employment-Based Fifth Preference (EB-5) United States of America Investor Programme, which would qualify them to be eligible for the issuance of USA Green Card.


The defendant, however, allegedly reneged on his promise.


He was initially arraigned on a 12-count charge, to which he pleaded "not guilty".


He was also re-arraigned by the EFCC on June 24, 2022 on an amended 16-count charge.


Count 13 of the amended charge reads: "Marco Antonio Ramirez, USA NOW LLC, Eagle Ford Instalodge Group LP, and USA Now Energy Capital Group LP, between 5th February 2013 and 18th April 2013 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, dishonourably converted to your personal use the aggregate sum of $545,000 property of Godson Onyemaechi Echegile."


Count 14 reads: "Marco Antonio Ramirez, USA NOW LLC, and USA Now Energy Capital Group LP, between 12th July 2012 and 7th November 2012 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court , dishonourably converted to your personal use the aggregate sum of $314,800 property of Abubakar Umar Sadiq."


Count 15 reads: "Marco Antonio Ramirez, USA NOW LLC, and USA Now Energy Capital Group LP, between 19th February 2013 and 18th April 2013 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, dishonourably converted to your personal use the aggregate sum of $230,000 property of Abubakar Umar Sadiq."


Also, at Monday’s sitting, the trial Judge adjourned till September 10, 2024 for judgment in separate amended nine-count charge bordering on an alleged $368,698.24 fraud brought against the defendant.


One of the counts reads: "Marco Antonio Ramirez, USA NOW LLC, and USA Now Energy Capital Group LP, on or about the 26th day of July, 2013 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of $250,000 from Gabriel Ogie Edeoghon under the false representation that the sum was his investment in your company: USA NOW Energy Capital Group LP in the Employment-Based Fifth Preference (EB-5) United States of America Investor Programme, which investment would qualify him to be eligible to a USA Green Card, and which representation you knew to be false."


Another count reads: "Marco Antonio Ramirez, on or about the 5th day of March, 2014 at Lagos, within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of $50,281.33 from Oludare Talabi, under the false representation that the said sum is to procure United States of America L1 VISA programme for him, which representation you knew to be false."


He also pleaded "not guilty" to the charges when they were read to him.


The proceedings had suffered several adjournments occasioned by the absence of the defence counsel, Lawal Pedro, SAN, and the inability of the defence to file its own final written addresses, even after the prosecution counsel, M.S. Owede and S.O. Daji, had filed theirs for the separate charges, respectively.


However, the adoption of the final written addresses eventually held on May 8, 2024.


Following the adoption, Justice Dada today adjourned till September 10, 2024 for judgment.

 


Source: EFCC



How EFCC Arraigns Forex Broker for Alleged N112m Fraud in Enugu

How EFCC Arraigns Forex Broker for Alleged N112m Fraud in Enugu


The Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has arraigned one Daniel Chukwuka Koussou, a forex broker before Justice C. O. Ajah of the State High Court sitting in Independence Layout, Enugu State.

 

He was arraigned  on a one-count charge bordering on criminal conversion and stealing to the tune of N112, 800, 800. 00 (One Hundred and Twelve Million, Eight Hundred Thousand, Eight Hundred Naira).

 

The lone count charge reads; “That you, Daniel Chuwuka Koussou sometime in July 2022, in Enugu, Enugu State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did commit a felony to wit: stealing by fraudulently converting to your own use the sum of N112, 800, 800. 00 (One Hundred and Twelve Million, Eight Hundred Thousand, Eight Hundred Naira), property of Chinedu Igbokwe and thereby committed an offence”.

 

The offence is contrary to Section 342 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap 30 of the Laws of Enugu State and punishable under Section 353 (1) of the same Law.

 

The defendant pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him.

 

In view of his plea, counsel to the EFCC, Ahmad Yusuf Abdullahi prayed the court for a trial date and for the defendant to be remanded at Enugu State Correctional facility.

 

However, the defence counsel, Ogechukwu Agbo informed the court about a motion on notice for bail for her client.  Abdullahi vehemently opposed the said application on the grounds that “the defendant might jump bail considering the weight of the allegation my lord”.

 

After listening to both sides, Justice Ajah granted bail to the defendant in the sum of N50, 000, 000. 00 (Fifty Million Naira) and two sureties in like sum. The sureties must be resident within jurisdiction. They must swear an affidavit of means, show evidence of tax payment for the past three years, deposit two full size photographs, be public servants of not less than Grade Level 16 and they must be verified in writing by the prosecution.

 

The defendant was thereafter remanded at the Enugu State Correctional facility pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions.

 

 Koussou was arrested following claims of a petitioner who alleged that he sent $276, 000 to the defendant, a supposed agent for Providus Bank, to convert into Naira and return same.

 

According to the petitioner, on July 6, 2022, Providus Bank paid Koussou the full money in Naira but the defendant sent part-payment of N21, 759, 771 to him (the petitioner) and diverted the rest for his personal use.  All efforts made to get him to pay up proved abortive.

 

Source: EFCC 


The Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has arraigned one Daniel Chukwuka Koussou, a forex broker before Justice C. O. Ajah of the State High Court sitting in Independence Layout, Enugu State.

 

He was arraigned  on a one-count charge bordering on criminal conversion and stealing to the tune of N112, 800, 800. 00 (One Hundred and Twelve Million, Eight Hundred Thousand, Eight Hundred Naira).

 

The lone count charge reads; “That you, Daniel Chuwuka Koussou sometime in July 2022, in Enugu, Enugu State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did commit a felony to wit: stealing by fraudulently converting to your own use the sum of N112, 800, 800. 00 (One Hundred and Twelve Million, Eight Hundred Thousand, Eight Hundred Naira), property of Chinedu Igbokwe and thereby committed an offence”.

 

The offence is contrary to Section 342 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap 30 of the Laws of Enugu State and punishable under Section 353 (1) of the same Law.

 

The defendant pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him.

 

In view of his plea, counsel to the EFCC, Ahmad Yusuf Abdullahi prayed the court for a trial date and for the defendant to be remanded at Enugu State Correctional facility.

 

However, the defence counsel, Ogechukwu Agbo informed the court about a motion on notice for bail for her client.  Abdullahi vehemently opposed the said application on the grounds that “the defendant might jump bail considering the weight of the allegation my lord”.

 

After listening to both sides, Justice Ajah granted bail to the defendant in the sum of N50, 000, 000. 00 (Fifty Million Naira) and two sureties in like sum. The sureties must be resident within jurisdiction. They must swear an affidavit of means, show evidence of tax payment for the past three years, deposit two full size photographs, be public servants of not less than Grade Level 16 and they must be verified in writing by the prosecution.

 

The defendant was thereafter remanded at the Enugu State Correctional facility pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions.

 

 Koussou was arrested following claims of a petitioner who alleged that he sent $276, 000 to the defendant, a supposed agent for Providus Bank, to convert into Naira and return same.

 

According to the petitioner, on July 6, 2022, Providus Bank paid Koussou the full money in Naira but the defendant sent part-payment of N21, 759, 771 to him (the petitioner) and diverted the rest for his personal use.  All efforts made to get him to pay up proved abortive.

 

Source: EFCC 

The implication of the Judgment: Famoodun lost in court — Osun Govt

The implication of the Judgment: Famoodun lost in court — Osun Govt


In the case of Prince Adegboyega Famoodun filed at the Federal High Court2, Osogbo, Osun State in Suit Number: FHC/OS/C5/61/2024 between Prince Adegboyega Famoodun and IGP & 10 Ors.


These are the prayers of Prince Famoodun before the Court: 


(a) A Declaration that the Applicant being a citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and an indigene of Igbajo, Osun State he cannot be banished, removed or expelled from Igbajo forcefully by any of the Respondents.

(b) A Declaration that the Applicant is at liberty to remain in Igbajo or any other part of Osun State he desires and his right to freedom of movement cannot be curtailed or limited by any of the Respondents.

(c) An Order of Injunction restraining the Respondents from banishing, removing, ejecting and/ or expelling the Applicant from Igbajo Town or any other place in Osun State.

(d) An Order of Injunction restraining the Respondents, especially the 1st-4th Respondents, whether by themselves, or through their officers, agents, servants, privies and otherwise from inviting, interrogating, questioning, arresting, detaining, intimidating, arraigning, and/or harassing the Applicant as a result of his presence in Igbajo Town or any part of Osun State, particularly at the instigation, direction or prosecution of the 5th to 11th Respondents and/or in connection with or in respect of any enforcement of the White Paper of the 5th to 11th Respondents gazetted on the 25th day of January, 2024, but released to the general public on the 5th February, 2024.

(e) An Order of Injunction restraining the 1st to 4th Respondents whether by themselves or by their officers, agents, servants, privies and otherwise from intimating the Applicant or threatening to unlawfully interrogate, question, arrest, detain, arraign or harm the Applicant’s life and properties or any other manner infringe on the Fundamental rights of the Applicant and/or in connection with or in respect of any enforcement of the White Paper of the 5th to 11th Respondents gazetted on the 25th day of January, 2024 but released to the general public on the 5th day of February, 2024.

(f) A Declaration that the 5th to 11th Respondents publication of the Osun State Government White Paper gazetted on the 25th day of January, 2024 but made available to the general public on the 5th day of February, 2024 was done in breach of the Applicant’s rights to fair hearing guaranteed under section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (CFRN) (as amended) and therefore unconstitutional void and of no effect.

(g) A Declaration that the Applicant is entitled to the protection of his Fundamental rights to personal liberty, dignity of human person, fair hearing, freedom of peaceful assembly and association as well as his right to freedom of movement, all guaranteed under the CFRN.

(h) A Declaration that the proceedings of the Osun Government’s Chietaincy Review Committee, the Report published by the said Committee and the 5th - 11th Respondents’ acceptance of the Report of the Committee as it relates to the Applicant is unconstitutional and a nullity for being in breach of the Applicant’s right to fair hearing, hence liable to be set aside and nullified.

(I) An Order of the Honorable Court nullifying and setting aside the White Paper of the 5th to 11th Respondents gazetted on the 25th day January, 2024 but made available to the general public on 5th day of February, 2024 for being in utter breach of the Applicant’s right to fair hearing.

(J) An Order of Injunction restraining the Respondents, particularly the 5th to 11 Respondents, their agents, agencies, employees, privies, assigns, persons acting on their behalf and/or instruction, from enforcing the White Paper gazetted on the January, 2024 but released to the general public on the 5th February, 2024 for breach of the Applicant’s right to fair hearing.

(k) Cost of this application.

(l) Such further Order or Orders the Honorable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances of this case.


The Legal Issues involved.


1. The trial Court granted prayer A to E for Prince Adegboyega Famoodun.

2. The trial Court dismissed prayer F to L of Prince Adegboyega Famoodun and ordered that if Prince Adegboyega Famoodun committed any criminal offense, he should be arrested.


The implication of the Judgment:

The implication of the Judgement is that Prince Adegboyega Famoodun has failed woefully in the case, the impression given to Prince Adegboyega Famoodun by his team of Lawyers is that the Federal High Court will nullify the White Paper and return him back to the stool of Owa of Igbajo when they know fully well that the Federal High Court does not have jurisdiction over Chieftaincy Matters and they based Prince Adegboyega Famoodun case on this legal falsehood which formed the bases of prayer F to J which was dismissed by the trial Court.


The general public should know that there was never a time the Osun State Government is planning of banishing Prince Famoodun from Igbajo or to arrest him. He just want use this case if he succeeds to be parading himself as Owa of Igbajo when we have already have existing Owa of Igbajo, HRM Oba (Dr.) Ademola Makinde duly recognized by constituted authority and if Prince Famoodun does that, is highly Criminal in nature. I want the general public to disregard the fake news being peddled around by Prince Adegboyega Famoodun and his APC supporters. My best regards.


In the case of Prince Adegboyega Famoodun filed at the Federal High Court2, Osogbo, Osun State in Suit Number: FHC/OS/C5/61/2024 between Prince Adegboyega Famoodun and IGP & 10 Ors.


These are the prayers of Prince Famoodun before the Court: 


(a) A Declaration that the Applicant being a citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and an indigene of Igbajo, Osun State he cannot be banished, removed or expelled from Igbajo forcefully by any of the Respondents.

(b) A Declaration that the Applicant is at liberty to remain in Igbajo or any other part of Osun State he desires and his right to freedom of movement cannot be curtailed or limited by any of the Respondents.

(c) An Order of Injunction restraining the Respondents from banishing, removing, ejecting and/ or expelling the Applicant from Igbajo Town or any other place in Osun State.

(d) An Order of Injunction restraining the Respondents, especially the 1st-4th Respondents, whether by themselves, or through their officers, agents, servants, privies and otherwise from inviting, interrogating, questioning, arresting, detaining, intimidating, arraigning, and/or harassing the Applicant as a result of his presence in Igbajo Town or any part of Osun State, particularly at the instigation, direction or prosecution of the 5th to 11th Respondents and/or in connection with or in respect of any enforcement of the White Paper of the 5th to 11th Respondents gazetted on the 25th day of January, 2024, but released to the general public on the 5th February, 2024.

(e) An Order of Injunction restraining the 1st to 4th Respondents whether by themselves or by their officers, agents, servants, privies and otherwise from intimating the Applicant or threatening to unlawfully interrogate, question, arrest, detain, arraign or harm the Applicant’s life and properties or any other manner infringe on the Fundamental rights of the Applicant and/or in connection with or in respect of any enforcement of the White Paper of the 5th to 11th Respondents gazetted on the 25th day of January, 2024 but released to the general public on the 5th day of February, 2024.

(f) A Declaration that the 5th to 11th Respondents publication of the Osun State Government White Paper gazetted on the 25th day of January, 2024 but made available to the general public on the 5th day of February, 2024 was done in breach of the Applicant’s rights to fair hearing guaranteed under section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (CFRN) (as amended) and therefore unconstitutional void and of no effect.

(g) A Declaration that the Applicant is entitled to the protection of his Fundamental rights to personal liberty, dignity of human person, fair hearing, freedom of peaceful assembly and association as well as his right to freedom of movement, all guaranteed under the CFRN.

(h) A Declaration that the proceedings of the Osun Government’s Chietaincy Review Committee, the Report published by the said Committee and the 5th - 11th Respondents’ acceptance of the Report of the Committee as it relates to the Applicant is unconstitutional and a nullity for being in breach of the Applicant’s right to fair hearing, hence liable to be set aside and nullified.

(I) An Order of the Honorable Court nullifying and setting aside the White Paper of the 5th to 11th Respondents gazetted on the 25th day January, 2024 but made available to the general public on 5th day of February, 2024 for being in utter breach of the Applicant’s right to fair hearing.

(J) An Order of Injunction restraining the Respondents, particularly the 5th to 11 Respondents, their agents, agencies, employees, privies, assigns, persons acting on their behalf and/or instruction, from enforcing the White Paper gazetted on the January, 2024 but released to the general public on the 5th February, 2024 for breach of the Applicant’s right to fair hearing.

(k) Cost of this application.

(l) Such further Order or Orders the Honorable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances of this case.


The Legal Issues involved.


1. The trial Court granted prayer A to E for Prince Adegboyega Famoodun.

2. The trial Court dismissed prayer F to L of Prince Adegboyega Famoodun and ordered that if Prince Adegboyega Famoodun committed any criminal offense, he should be arrested.


The implication of the Judgment:

The implication of the Judgement is that Prince Adegboyega Famoodun has failed woefully in the case, the impression given to Prince Adegboyega Famoodun by his team of Lawyers is that the Federal High Court will nullify the White Paper and return him back to the stool of Owa of Igbajo when they know fully well that the Federal High Court does not have jurisdiction over Chieftaincy Matters and they based Prince Adegboyega Famoodun case on this legal falsehood which formed the bases of prayer F to J which was dismissed by the trial Court.


The general public should know that there was never a time the Osun State Government is planning of banishing Prince Famoodun from Igbajo or to arrest him. He just want use this case if he succeeds to be parading himself as Owa of Igbajo when we have already have existing Owa of Igbajo, HRM Oba (Dr.) Ademola Makinde duly recognized by constituted authority and if Prince Famoodun does that, is highly Criminal in nature. I want the general public to disregard the fake news being peddled around by Prince Adegboyega Famoodun and his APC supporters. My best regards.

Two of a kind: BAT refused docking, Bello refuses to appear in Court

Two of a kind: BAT refused docking, Bello refuses to appear in Court


By Bolaji O. Akinyemi.



Leadership is often said to be by example, consequently, Leaders of tomorrow are mentees of Leaders on the stage of Today. In 2011, Yahaya Bello was just a 36 year old young politician watching the big political game from the side of the field. 4 years later, fortune smiled at Yahaya Adoza Bello, the cruelty of death's blow on Abubakar Audu gave room for the perversion of Party's constitution, country's constitution, the conscience of the judiciary and even common sense.


 Everything logical was traded to make APC new "sign-on" a first team shirt holder in the game of corruption. I have heard many commentators excusing the older politicians from the disgrace that Bello's saga constitutes to us as a nation, struggling to limit it to the immaturity of the youth for political leadership. 


Bello is not a conclusion that the Nigerian youths are "too young to run", but a proof of the fact that they might have been "too ruined" to reason correctly in leadership.



We are really not new to dramas relating to corruption, sometimes it is made to look like our politicians are in competition with Nollywood at entertaining the world.  Script written for our accused politicians and directed, maybe by their lawyers and their accomplices.


Deserving due diligence of thorough investigation is about 170 Governors, but just 58, made the "Looters list", which is  said to have emanated from EFCC according to an online platform; dockaysworld. Though EFCC has denied the information, unchecked propaganda may further ruin the chance of Olukoyede's EFCC if care is not taken. EFCC needs to take a stand against propaganda of this nature without denying the reality of our misadventures with looters whose total embezzlement  summed up for ₦2.187 trillion. This amount does not include properties seized worldwide or those currently being investigated, which may also amount to trillions.


With a trip across the South Eastern States, one is forced to ask if the region is part of Nigeria. But against the background of the total budget of the region for 2024 put at 2.29 trillion when compared with the looted 2.2 trillion for which EFCC is saddled to help us recover and the fact that T.A Orji and Sons; a company belonging to former Governor of Abia State top the EFCC list as the undisputed heavyweight looting champion of our common patrimony with just ₦551 bn, the next contender for the title is Yahaya Bello trailing far behind at a little over 80 billion. I am forced to conclude that MUCH MORE of the development of the region are in the pockets of their looters than with the Federal government's "marginalisation agenda" of  the region. 


Abia State ,from where Orji looted so much, is today lit up by a responsible government as the state with the best power supply in Nigeria. Our Governors and Local Government Chairmen should be held responsible for infrastructural development more than the Federal Government.


Back to the drama, unfortunately however are those who went out of line with their scripts but gave great interpretation of their role that earned them entertainers in their own rights. Let's begin with the former MD of NDDC, Daniel Pondie, who feigned fainting before the National Assembly, he is yet to be resuscitated to face the Committee and conclude his drama.


To Godswill Akpabio for whose sake the microphone was turned off during a Senate Session, he is back in the Senate and rewarded with a microphone. He gives the same at his discretion and determines who should speak and who should not. He is absolutely in control of the microphone switch, to turn it off and on. Nigerians were recently aggrieved by the issue of the  "padding" of 2024 budget.


 Unknown to many was the rumble in the Senate calling for the impeachment of the Senate President who was rumoured to have helped himself to a whopping 1.3 trillion under a sharing formula of the budget "pad" for which many Senators were angry. Would Akpabio change with an endorsement by the President for him to continue as the Senate President? Corruption, it appears doesn't mean what it means to Mr President, for which corrupt characters are having a free day in his Government, leaving EFCC as the most unfortunate agency of the Government from which too much is expected.


Few of our "looters-in- chief" convicted had their investigations initiated under the previous administration before APC, which includes; Tafa Balogun, the IGP who was nailed by Nuhu Ribadu,  an officer far junior to him but protected and supported by the then establishment to fight corruption. James Ibori, who like Yahaya Bello attempted to evade justice but met the long arm of the law in a far away country. He had served his term and is back in the country calling the shots politically in Delta State.


 The question is; can Yahaya run faster than Ibori? Even, our today's President was at a time out of line at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, docked at his first appearance in court but refused to enter the dock in the same court days later.


We need to determine what we want! Should prosecution be for those who are out of line with the law of the country and out of order with the constitution on how things should be done or do we leave the narrative for what it is in the perspective of the public and the international community?


Our courts have become amphitheaters of great comedy and our Judges jesters on the benches, seating in decisions of matters of life and death. Existential Issues are ruled for entertaining pieces of drama as our Lords temporal, so pleases!



For the failure of the judiciary and the increasing possibility of purchase of justice, our politicians have been emboldened to hide successfully behind a finger and misinform the public to curry their sentiments. Should I remind us of Fayose's orthopaedic collar worn upside down, to a neck, I can bet nothing happened to him!


Was the President out of line with the law of Nigeria and out of order on how things should be done while he served as the Governor of Lagos State? The answer should come from the CCB Tribunal.


At the CCB Tribunal sometimes in October 2011, as reported by

Sahara Reporters, former Governor of Lagos state and the then leader of Nigeria’s Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN),   Bola Ahmed Tinubu, mounted a "legal obstacle" against his trial before the Code of Conduct Tribunal [CCT] for allegedly operating 16 foreign bank accounts between 1999 and 2007 when he was Governor of Lagos State.


Former Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu who was docked on 21st September 2011 returned to Court a month later on October 2011 seemingly armed with a drama script as he mounted a" legal obstacle" against his trial before the Code of Conduct Tribunal [CCT] for allegedly operating 16 foreign bank accounts between 1999 and 2007 when he was Governor of Lagos State as he refused to enter the Dock.



At the dramatic hearing, not only did the former Governor vigorously refuse to take his place in the dock, he filed a preliminary objection challenging the competence of the charge and the jurisdiction of the Tribunal on the grounds that it lacks the territorial jurisdiction to venture into the charge.


His counsel, Wole Olanikpekun, urged the court to decline its jurisdiction to proceed with the matter and to quash all the three-count charges against Tinubu. 


When the matter was called, the former Governor, who had scores of supporters on hand, refused to step into the dock.  


The situation indicated a new strategy for Tinubu. When he was arraigned two months before, on September 21, 2011, he willingly entered the dock and stayed there for about three hours.  Pictures of the ACN chieftain looking forlorn in the dock thereafter made the rounds and stunned many observers, as it must have done Tinubu and his lawyers when they later saw them.   


His refusal to enter the dock, which is necessary before a plea can be entered, marked a clear departure from that experience. 


Citing legal authorities, Mr. Olanikpekun objected to the invitation of the tribunal’s chairman, Justice Umar Yakubu for Mr. Tinubu to step into the dock, arguing that until his client was arraigned before the court, he could not be put in the dock.


He told Justice Yakubu, “My lord, with due respect, I will be objecting to the request by the accused to enter the dock. Was it right for the court to command an accused person to go into the dock when he has not been arraigned? Besides, he is challenging the competence of the charge. The objection is on the legality or validity of the charge.”


Responding, the prosecutor, Alex Aigbe Izinyon SAN, submitted that the accused person should be deemed as being absent from court as his being in the courtroom did not translate into his presence in court unless he took his place in the dock and his plea taken.  But he conceded to Mr. Olanikpekun that the accused does not need to be in court before his application challenging the jurisdiction of the court could be argued.


Still, said Mr. Izinyon, “When he has not taken his plea, but is in court, he must be in the dock to show his presence in court.


Mr. Olanikpekun argued that the charges are nebulous and empty, and do not disclose any prima facie case against Mr. Tinubu.  He also argued that the Bureau breached the condition precedent principle when it refused to invite his client to its office to hear from him, as it had done with other former governors, before preferring charges against him.


“What the Bureau has done is like putting something on nothing. Neither the Bureau nor the Chairman has invited the accused person in relation to the three-count charge as stipulated in section 3 of the Code of Conduct Act,” he said, adding that what is good for the goose is good for the gander.”


Mr. Olanikpekun described the charges against Mr. Tinubu as “speculative” and amounted to hearsay under Sections 115, 116 and 117 of the Evidence Act in view of the fact that the prosecution did not disclose the name of the informant.


The defence counsel said the CCB Tribunal was an abuse of court process as a similar case with the same subject matter initiated against the accused person was still subsisting at the Court of Appeal, and dismissed the contention of the prosecution that the case has been withdrawn.  He said a withdrawal of the charges has to be by means of a formal pronouncement of the court and not a mere letter of withdrawal as the one paraded by the prosecution.


Finally, Mr. Olanipekun challenged the territorial competence of the court in Abuja as the appropriate venue is Lagos where the alleged offence was committed.


“In a criminal trial, the law is that the court must seat at the place where the alleged offence was committed,” he said. “There is no law that says the tribunal must seat in Abuja over the matter.”


Dr. Izinyon SAN urged the Tribunal to throw out the objections of the defence and proceed with the trial of the accused person, insisting that a prima facie case has been established against Mr. Tinubu and that the court is competent to hear it.

 

Drawing the attention of the court to Section 17 of the Code of Conduct Act, he stressed that a nominee, trustee or any agent of a public officer may be deemed to have committed an offence adding that at this stage, it is premature to say that the charges are defective.”


With reference to the defence’s argument concerning an abuse of court process, Mr. Izinyon said the earlier charges against Mr. Tinubu were withdrawn by the Attorney General of the Federation using his powers under Section 174 of the amended 1999 constitution, and urged the court to reject the argument.


On the issue of non-fulfillment of conditional precedence, Mr. Izinyon SAN said the Bureau had the discretion as to whether or not to invite people to make statements before it. 


Finally, on the subject of jurisdiction, Izinyon SAN argued that the Tribunal was clothed with federal jurisdiction and can therefore conduct its sittings in any part of the country.


The Tribunal reserved until November 30, 2011 its decision as to whether or not it has territorial jurisdiction to try Mr. Tinubu.  On that day, it would also announce its verdict on Tinubu’s application to quash the three-count charge preferred against him by the Federal Government.


Finally on November 30, 2011, the court ruled that the prosecution failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt, but before quashing the charges, the court dismissed the motion by the former governor's legal team challenging its jurisdiction to hear the case.


Many rulings in our courts leave the "unlearned" public with questions only learned friends and colleagues can answer. Can a court accused of lacking jurisdiction rule in its own case? Can it affirm and assert its authority and go ahead to dismiss the case against it to pave way to rule in favour of the client of the legal team that challenged its authority?


Mr Tinubu's camp, which has all along blamed his trial on political witch-hunting and challenged the jurisdiction of the court erupted in spontaneous celebration moment after the judgement was pronounced by the court lacking "jurisdiction".


Will Bello's refusal to appear in court like Tinubu's refusal to be docked finally end in celebration? Not the EFCC, no matter how hard the agency tries, the best they can achieve is to provide nails but hammer with which Bello can be nailed is still with our jaundiced judiciary. The fate of Bello therefore, only time will tell!


Ours is a very dramatic society! Leadership examples are there for young Yahaya Bello to follow and the precedences are overwhelming our justice system.


Except a sacrificial example is made to the end that no one is above the law to restore the dignity of the lady of the law, the symbol of justice; I don't see how we hope to fight the enemy of our nation identified by Prof Wole Soyinka as an hydra headed monster!


Our salvation seems to lie with the one who said; "for this purpose I was born, to be the President of Nigeria. Will he be like others before him who understood the purpose of their lives and gave themselves as sacrifice for it? If we agree that Tinubu was born for the salvation of Nigeria and liberation of Africa; could it be that the path that destiny had chosen for Mr President is that of becoming the sacrifice for our emancipation? Will Tinubu apply for the withdrawal of his immunity and become an example to all that no man should be above the law? This is the most noble path to end our judicial drama and bring lesser mortals past and present to accountability. A difficult path, but will the President choose it to save our nation from corruption?


­Dr. Bolaji O. Akinyemi is an Apostle and Nation Builder. He is The President, Voice of His Word Ministries and Convener Apostolic Round Table, BoT Chairman, Project Victory Call Initiative, AKA PVC Naija. He is a strategic Communicator and the C.E.O, Masterbuilder Communications.


Email:[email protected]

Facebook: Bolaji Akinyemi.

X: Bolaji O Akinyemi

Instagram: bolajioakinyemi

Phone: +2348033041236


By Bolaji O. Akinyemi.



Leadership is often said to be by example, consequently, Leaders of tomorrow are mentees of Leaders on the stage of Today. In 2011, Yahaya Bello was just a 36 year old young politician watching the big political game from the side of the field. 4 years later, fortune smiled at Yahaya Adoza Bello, the cruelty of death's blow on Abubakar Audu gave room for the perversion of Party's constitution, country's constitution, the conscience of the judiciary and even common sense.


 Everything logical was traded to make APC new "sign-on" a first team shirt holder in the game of corruption. I have heard many commentators excusing the older politicians from the disgrace that Bello's saga constitutes to us as a nation, struggling to limit it to the immaturity of the youth for political leadership. 


Bello is not a conclusion that the Nigerian youths are "too young to run", but a proof of the fact that they might have been "too ruined" to reason correctly in leadership.



We are really not new to dramas relating to corruption, sometimes it is made to look like our politicians are in competition with Nollywood at entertaining the world.  Script written for our accused politicians and directed, maybe by their lawyers and their accomplices.


Deserving due diligence of thorough investigation is about 170 Governors, but just 58, made the "Looters list", which is  said to have emanated from EFCC according to an online platform; dockaysworld. Though EFCC has denied the information, unchecked propaganda may further ruin the chance of Olukoyede's EFCC if care is not taken. EFCC needs to take a stand against propaganda of this nature without denying the reality of our misadventures with looters whose total embezzlement  summed up for ₦2.187 trillion. This amount does not include properties seized worldwide or those currently being investigated, which may also amount to trillions.


With a trip across the South Eastern States, one is forced to ask if the region is part of Nigeria. But against the background of the total budget of the region for 2024 put at 2.29 trillion when compared with the looted 2.2 trillion for which EFCC is saddled to help us recover and the fact that T.A Orji and Sons; a company belonging to former Governor of Abia State top the EFCC list as the undisputed heavyweight looting champion of our common patrimony with just ₦551 bn, the next contender for the title is Yahaya Bello trailing far behind at a little over 80 billion. I am forced to conclude that MUCH MORE of the development of the region are in the pockets of their looters than with the Federal government's "marginalisation agenda" of  the region. 


Abia State ,from where Orji looted so much, is today lit up by a responsible government as the state with the best power supply in Nigeria. Our Governors and Local Government Chairmen should be held responsible for infrastructural development more than the Federal Government.


Back to the drama, unfortunately however are those who went out of line with their scripts but gave great interpretation of their role that earned them entertainers in their own rights. Let's begin with the former MD of NDDC, Daniel Pondie, who feigned fainting before the National Assembly, he is yet to be resuscitated to face the Committee and conclude his drama.


To Godswill Akpabio for whose sake the microphone was turned off during a Senate Session, he is back in the Senate and rewarded with a microphone. He gives the same at his discretion and determines who should speak and who should not. He is absolutely in control of the microphone switch, to turn it off and on. Nigerians were recently aggrieved by the issue of the  "padding" of 2024 budget.


 Unknown to many was the rumble in the Senate calling for the impeachment of the Senate President who was rumoured to have helped himself to a whopping 1.3 trillion under a sharing formula of the budget "pad" for which many Senators were angry. Would Akpabio change with an endorsement by the President for him to continue as the Senate President? Corruption, it appears doesn't mean what it means to Mr President, for which corrupt characters are having a free day in his Government, leaving EFCC as the most unfortunate agency of the Government from which too much is expected.


Few of our "looters-in- chief" convicted had their investigations initiated under the previous administration before APC, which includes; Tafa Balogun, the IGP who was nailed by Nuhu Ribadu,  an officer far junior to him but protected and supported by the then establishment to fight corruption. James Ibori, who like Yahaya Bello attempted to evade justice but met the long arm of the law in a far away country. He had served his term and is back in the country calling the shots politically in Delta State.


 The question is; can Yahaya run faster than Ibori? Even, our today's President was at a time out of line at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, docked at his first appearance in court but refused to enter the dock in the same court days later.


We need to determine what we want! Should prosecution be for those who are out of line with the law of the country and out of order with the constitution on how things should be done or do we leave the narrative for what it is in the perspective of the public and the international community?


Our courts have become amphitheaters of great comedy and our Judges jesters on the benches, seating in decisions of matters of life and death. Existential Issues are ruled for entertaining pieces of drama as our Lords temporal, so pleases!



For the failure of the judiciary and the increasing possibility of purchase of justice, our politicians have been emboldened to hide successfully behind a finger and misinform the public to curry their sentiments. Should I remind us of Fayose's orthopaedic collar worn upside down, to a neck, I can bet nothing happened to him!


Was the President out of line with the law of Nigeria and out of order on how things should be done while he served as the Governor of Lagos State? The answer should come from the CCB Tribunal.


At the CCB Tribunal sometimes in October 2011, as reported by

Sahara Reporters, former Governor of Lagos state and the then leader of Nigeria’s Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN),   Bola Ahmed Tinubu, mounted a "legal obstacle" against his trial before the Code of Conduct Tribunal [CCT] for allegedly operating 16 foreign bank accounts between 1999 and 2007 when he was Governor of Lagos State.


Former Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu who was docked on 21st September 2011 returned to Court a month later on October 2011 seemingly armed with a drama script as he mounted a" legal obstacle" against his trial before the Code of Conduct Tribunal [CCT] for allegedly operating 16 foreign bank accounts between 1999 and 2007 when he was Governor of Lagos State as he refused to enter the Dock.



At the dramatic hearing, not only did the former Governor vigorously refuse to take his place in the dock, he filed a preliminary objection challenging the competence of the charge and the jurisdiction of the Tribunal on the grounds that it lacks the territorial jurisdiction to venture into the charge.


His counsel, Wole Olanikpekun, urged the court to decline its jurisdiction to proceed with the matter and to quash all the three-count charges against Tinubu. 


When the matter was called, the former Governor, who had scores of supporters on hand, refused to step into the dock.  


The situation indicated a new strategy for Tinubu. When he was arraigned two months before, on September 21, 2011, he willingly entered the dock and stayed there for about three hours.  Pictures of the ACN chieftain looking forlorn in the dock thereafter made the rounds and stunned many observers, as it must have done Tinubu and his lawyers when they later saw them.   


His refusal to enter the dock, which is necessary before a plea can be entered, marked a clear departure from that experience. 


Citing legal authorities, Mr. Olanikpekun objected to the invitation of the tribunal’s chairman, Justice Umar Yakubu for Mr. Tinubu to step into the dock, arguing that until his client was arraigned before the court, he could not be put in the dock.


He told Justice Yakubu, “My lord, with due respect, I will be objecting to the request by the accused to enter the dock. Was it right for the court to command an accused person to go into the dock when he has not been arraigned? Besides, he is challenging the competence of the charge. The objection is on the legality or validity of the charge.”


Responding, the prosecutor, Alex Aigbe Izinyon SAN, submitted that the accused person should be deemed as being absent from court as his being in the courtroom did not translate into his presence in court unless he took his place in the dock and his plea taken.  But he conceded to Mr. Olanikpekun that the accused does not need to be in court before his application challenging the jurisdiction of the court could be argued.


Still, said Mr. Izinyon, “When he has not taken his plea, but is in court, he must be in the dock to show his presence in court.


Mr. Olanikpekun argued that the charges are nebulous and empty, and do not disclose any prima facie case against Mr. Tinubu.  He also argued that the Bureau breached the condition precedent principle when it refused to invite his client to its office to hear from him, as it had done with other former governors, before preferring charges against him.


“What the Bureau has done is like putting something on nothing. Neither the Bureau nor the Chairman has invited the accused person in relation to the three-count charge as stipulated in section 3 of the Code of Conduct Act,” he said, adding that what is good for the goose is good for the gander.”


Mr. Olanikpekun described the charges against Mr. Tinubu as “speculative” and amounted to hearsay under Sections 115, 116 and 117 of the Evidence Act in view of the fact that the prosecution did not disclose the name of the informant.


The defence counsel said the CCB Tribunal was an abuse of court process as a similar case with the same subject matter initiated against the accused person was still subsisting at the Court of Appeal, and dismissed the contention of the prosecution that the case has been withdrawn.  He said a withdrawal of the charges has to be by means of a formal pronouncement of the court and not a mere letter of withdrawal as the one paraded by the prosecution.


Finally, Mr. Olanipekun challenged the territorial competence of the court in Abuja as the appropriate venue is Lagos where the alleged offence was committed.


“In a criminal trial, the law is that the court must seat at the place where the alleged offence was committed,” he said. “There is no law that says the tribunal must seat in Abuja over the matter.”


Dr. Izinyon SAN urged the Tribunal to throw out the objections of the defence and proceed with the trial of the accused person, insisting that a prima facie case has been established against Mr. Tinubu and that the court is competent to hear it.

 

Drawing the attention of the court to Section 17 of the Code of Conduct Act, he stressed that a nominee, trustee or any agent of a public officer may be deemed to have committed an offence adding that at this stage, it is premature to say that the charges are defective.”


With reference to the defence’s argument concerning an abuse of court process, Mr. Izinyon said the earlier charges against Mr. Tinubu were withdrawn by the Attorney General of the Federation using his powers under Section 174 of the amended 1999 constitution, and urged the court to reject the argument.


On the issue of non-fulfillment of conditional precedence, Mr. Izinyon SAN said the Bureau had the discretion as to whether or not to invite people to make statements before it. 


Finally, on the subject of jurisdiction, Izinyon SAN argued that the Tribunal was clothed with federal jurisdiction and can therefore conduct its sittings in any part of the country.


The Tribunal reserved until November 30, 2011 its decision as to whether or not it has territorial jurisdiction to try Mr. Tinubu.  On that day, it would also announce its verdict on Tinubu’s application to quash the three-count charge preferred against him by the Federal Government.


Finally on November 30, 2011, the court ruled that the prosecution failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt, but before quashing the charges, the court dismissed the motion by the former governor's legal team challenging its jurisdiction to hear the case.


Many rulings in our courts leave the "unlearned" public with questions only learned friends and colleagues can answer. Can a court accused of lacking jurisdiction rule in its own case? Can it affirm and assert its authority and go ahead to dismiss the case against it to pave way to rule in favour of the client of the legal team that challenged its authority?


Mr Tinubu's camp, which has all along blamed his trial on political witch-hunting and challenged the jurisdiction of the court erupted in spontaneous celebration moment after the judgement was pronounced by the court lacking "jurisdiction".


Will Bello's refusal to appear in court like Tinubu's refusal to be docked finally end in celebration? Not the EFCC, no matter how hard the agency tries, the best they can achieve is to provide nails but hammer with which Bello can be nailed is still with our jaundiced judiciary. The fate of Bello therefore, only time will tell!


Ours is a very dramatic society! Leadership examples are there for young Yahaya Bello to follow and the precedences are overwhelming our justice system.


Except a sacrificial example is made to the end that no one is above the law to restore the dignity of the lady of the law, the symbol of justice; I don't see how we hope to fight the enemy of our nation identified by Prof Wole Soyinka as an hydra headed monster!


Our salvation seems to lie with the one who said; "for this purpose I was born, to be the President of Nigeria. Will he be like others before him who understood the purpose of their lives and gave themselves as sacrifice for it? If we agree that Tinubu was born for the salvation of Nigeria and liberation of Africa; could it be that the path that destiny had chosen for Mr President is that of becoming the sacrifice for our emancipation? Will Tinubu apply for the withdrawal of his immunity and become an example to all that no man should be above the law? This is the most noble path to end our judicial drama and bring lesser mortals past and present to accountability. A difficult path, but will the President choose it to save our nation from corruption?


­Dr. Bolaji O. Akinyemi is an Apostle and Nation Builder. He is The President, Voice of His Word Ministries and Convener Apostolic Round Table, BoT Chairman, Project Victory Call Initiative, AKA PVC Naija. He is a strategic Communicator and the C.E.O, Masterbuilder Communications.


Email:[email protected]

Facebook: Bolaji Akinyemi.

X: Bolaji O Akinyemi

Instagram: bolajioakinyemi

Phone: +2348033041236

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