by Admin | May 18, 2017 | Blog
Follow @NigeriaPI Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode was on Monday re-arraigned before a Federal High Court in Lagos, over charges bordering on laundering N4.6 billion. Fani-Kayode was re-arraigned alongside former Minister of State for Finance, Sen. Nenadi Usman and Yusuf Danjuma, former National Chairman, Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON). Also charged is a company, Jointrust Dimentions Nigeria Ltd. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) re-arraigned the accused on 17-counts charge of money laundering. Their re-arraignment was sequel to the transfer of the case file to a new trial judge, Justice Mohammed Aikawa. The charge, which was previously before Justice Sure Hassan, was re-assigned to Justice Aikawa following an application by counsel to Fani-Kayode, Mr Norrisson Quakers. Quakers had urged Hassan to withdraw from the suit alleging that he (judge) would be biased as he previously worked for the EFCC. Meanwhile, before the re-arraignment of the accused, defence counsels, Mr Wale Balogun (SAN) and Mr Abiodun Owonikoko (SAN) had informed the court of their application seeking transfer of the case from Lagos division. The application was however, opposed by the prosecutor, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, who argued that the pleas of the accused ought to be taken first. The trial judge then ordered that the pleas of the accused be taken. The accused persons however, pleaded not guilty of the charges. Justice Aikawa then adjourned the case till June 7 and June 9 for trial and decision on the application to transfer the case. In the charge, the accused were alleged to have committed the offences between January and March 2015. In counts one to seven, they...
by Admin | May 18, 2017 | Blog
Follow @NigeriaPI A police sergeant attached to Ipakodo Police Division has been arrested after confessing to selling police arms and ammunition to suspected militants in Lagos. It was gathered that the suspect, identified as Sergeant Sunday Odu, attempted to shoot himself dead at the station, but was prevented by a team inspecting the armoury. A source told Punch that the sergeant had been detained and put in a cell at the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Yaba, where the case was being investigated. The source said that the incident happened on Thursday, saying Odu indicted another policeman, whom he claimed connived with him in selling the arms. “A police audit team, led by an assistant commissioner of police, went to the station on Thursday. It was a verification exercise to know the situation of arms and ammunition at the station. “They attempted to bribe the team, but they insisted on doing their job and going on with the inspection of the armoury. “During the audit, they discovered that they had sold many of the arms and ammunition. To be precise, about 162 arms had been sold. Immediately the situation was discovered, the armourer, a police sergeant, cocked his gun and wanted to kill himself. “But the team quickly seized the gun from him and handcuffed him. He has been taken to the SCIID. After much interrogation and beating, he confessed that he sold the arms and another policeman was involved,” said the source. Also, a source at the SCIID confirmed that the policeman was in custody, adding that the number of ammunition sold was large. He said, “I...
by Admin | May 18, 2017 | Blog
Follow @NigeriaPI A 24-year-old student, Chijioke Samson, who allegedly broke into a house and robbed a woman, Mrs Modupe Adebayo of her wedding ring and laptops at gunpoint with others still at large, was on Monday brought before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court. Samson, who resides in Ikotun, a Lagos suburb, is facing a three-count charge bordering on unlawful possession of firearms and stealing. Although the accused denied the charge, the prosecutor, Insp. Simeon Imhonwa told the court that the accused committed the offences with others still at large on April 3 at about 9.30 p.m. at No. 21, Ore-ofe St., off Governor’s Road, Ikotun. He said the accused broke into the complainant’s house and robbed her of her wedding ring, two laptops, a phone, all valued at N575, 000 and N108, 000 cash. “The accused was apprehended by the police in his escape bid while accomplices fled in an unmarked car.’’ According to Imhonwa, police recovered one locally-made gun with two live cartridges from the accused. The offences contravened Sections 295, 296 and 297 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (revised). The Chief Magistrate, Mrs B.O. Osunsanmi ordered that the accused be remanded in prison and directed that the case file should be sent to the State Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice. Osunsanmi adjourned the case until July 24 for mention. Source: P.M...
by Admin | May 18, 2017 | Blog
Follow @NigeriaPI They were abducted by unknown assailants while driving along the Lokoja-Abuja expressway. Dr. Niran Ikuomola, permanent secretary of the Ondo State Hospital Management Board, was kidnapped along with his driver on Sunday evening. They were abducted by unknown assailants while driving along the Lokoja-Abuja expressway. Our correspondent reported that the doctor and his driver were en route to the federal capital city for an official engagement. Roland Arohunmolase, the secretary of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), confirmed the abduction. He explained that the kidnappers used Dr. Ikuomola’s driver’s phone to contact another doctor in order to inform him of his kidnapping. “They used his driver’s phone to contact another doctor to inform us of the kidnap case. As I speak with you, we are making frantic efforts to ensure the safe release of the permanent secretary and we have reported the matter to the police commissioner. “It’s not clear but I heard them saying the family should pay the sum of N70 million before he would be released with his driver,” Mr. Arohunmolase said. He explained that the members of the NMA in Ondo State have been directed to pray for the safe release of the permanent secretary. Another source disclosed to our correspondent that the kidnappers have contacted Dr. Ikuomola’s family, but the family has been unable to contact the victim. “His telephone line has been switched off since yesterday and we cannot get access to him,” said the source. “Members of his family and friends have reported the case to the police for immediate investigation.” Our correspondent’s effort to contact the doctor’s wife proved abortive...
by Admin | May 11, 2017 | Blog
Follow @NigeriaPI A three-term member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Adams Jagaba, on Wednesday denied any connection with the alleged bribe which the then Chairman of the House’s Ad-hoc Committee on Fuel Subsidy, Mr. Farouk Lawan, was said to have received from billionaire businessman, Mr. Femi Otedola, in 2012. Jagaba denied, among others, claims, all of which were credited to Lawan, that a certain sum of $620,000 from the bribe allegedly received from Otedola was reported and handed over to him with a covering letter by the ex-chairman of the House’s ad-hoc committee on petroleum subsidy. The lawmaker representing Kachia/Kagarko Federal Constituency of Kaduna State in the House of Representatives also said Lawan never visited him (Jagaba) at about 3am on April 24, 2012 as claimed. The 57-year-old Jagaba, who was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1999 and subsequently in 2011 and in 2015, refuted the numerous claims credited to Lawan before Justice Angela Otakula of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Lugbe, Abuja, on Tuesday. Jagaban had appeared before the court as the fourth prosecution witness in Lawan’s ongoing trial. The Federal Government is prosecuting Lawan before the court on three counts of a corrupt collection of $500,000 out of the $3m bribe he allegedly requested from Otedola. Lawan was accused of accepting the bribe in exchange for the removal of Otedola’s company’s name, Zenon Petroleum and Gas Ltd, from the list of firms indicted by the House committee for allegedly abusing the fuel subsidy regime in...
by Admin | May 11, 2017 | Blog
Follow @NigeriaPI The Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos has refused to grant Mrs. Patience Jonathan’s plea to unfreeze her accounts holding $15.591 million. Justice Mohammed Idris had ordered parties to file pleas concerning ownership of the accounts. He, however, described the issues raised by the defendants as “baseless.” “The issues formulated by all the defendants are baseless. They go to no issue and will be ignored by the court,” the judge said. “I hold that this court lacks the competence to determine the issues raised by the defendants in their written addresses, having abandoned the specific issues formulated by the plaintiff in the originating summons. “It is unfortunate. I say this because the issues raised by the defendants appear on the face of it good and deserving to be considered on their merit. But I as I understand it to be the law, sentiment has no basis in the adjudicatory system,” the judge stated. Justice Idris said where processes are not properly prepared, any defect would render the proceeding fatal, as the court cannot “re-formulate” the issues for determination. The judge further held that there is still contention over the ownership of the accounts. “In respect of this issue, the contention appears divided, and there is clearly an air of friction in the proceedings,” the judge said. According to him, all the counter-affidavits filed by the defendants contained disputed facts that cannot be decided without oral evidence. “In the light of the above affidavit evidence, it cannot, in my view, be rightly contended that there are no disputed facts of substance as to the ownership of the said...
by Admin | May 3, 2017 | Blog
Follow @NigeriaPI The Borno State command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said on Wednesday that it has arrested a serving policeman and now known drug baron with 126 kilograms of Indian hemp also known as cannabis. The Commandant, Mr Ona Ogilegwu told newsmen in Maiduguri that the suspect was arrested at Njimtilo checkpoint at the outskirts of the State capital by NDLEA agents. He said the policeman was arrested in the process of transporting the illicit substance to Yobe State. “The suspect, a 26-year old who gave his name as Sale Ishaku is still a serving police man in the Yobe State Police Command,” he said. Upon interrogation Mr. Ishaku said that he was being paid N5 thousand for each bag of cannabis he ferried. He admitted he was trafficking the drugs on behalf of another person but has not disclosed his identity. Mr. Ogilegwu added that “We later discovered that he was the one trafficking in the illicit substance which he buys here and sells in Damaturu.” “He parked his car at the airport junction where his supplier brought the consignment in a tricycle and arranged it in the boot of his vehicle for him to ferry across.” he said. Mr. Ogilegwu said that the command was still investigating his other accomplices. “We are still going after his supplier’s in Maiduguri and Yobe States.” The NDLEA commander therefore warns drug barons to repent or face the full wrath of the...
by Admin | May 3, 2017 | Blog
Follow @NigeriaPI The Department of State Security Services (DSS) has revealed that it is probing a former Coordinator of Amnesty Programme for Niger Delta, Dr. Kingsley Kuku, over alleged link with attacks on oil pipelines. The DSS, in a confidential note by one of its top officials, which was made available to the media, alleged that Kuku, based intelligence report, was one of the sponsors of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA). “It is rather disturbing that Kingsley Kuku, a fugitive, who is believed to be funding some illegal raids like the one carried out on the residence of former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Chibudom Nwuche, is planning to assume the behind-the-scene leadership of the unified South-South arms struggle to gain relevance in the present government, aimed at avoiding possible searchlight on the atrocities committed during his tenure as Special Adviser for the Amnesty Programme,” it stated. “Kuku, who is currently on self-exile, is also one of the sponsors of the Niger Delta Avengers and the large scale sabotage against the oil pipelines across the Niger Delta (2015 – 2017). I’m certain this is an issue that will not be swept under the carpet.” Apart from the DSS, the former Special Adviser on Amnesty Programme is also being investigated over alleged mismanagement of N2,864,584,979 for the training of ex-militants; inclusion of many undeserving people on the beneficiary list of Amnesty Programme; circumstances surrounding how 2000 Amnesty Programme beneficiaries became stranded abroad. Others include over-bloated training contracts without adding value to the Amnesty Programme; Huge bills on all-expense international and local trips in private jets; and Operation...
by Admin | May 3, 2017 | Blog
Follow @NigeriaPI The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has announced that a pilot employed by a domestic airline tested positive for marijuana in a test randomly conducted for technical personnel in the country’s aviation industry. While the NCAA has declined to name the offending pilot, the agency disclosed that he has been suspended. NCAA publicity manager Sam Adurogboye said in a statement that 85 staff, including pilots, cabin crew, air and traffic controllers (ATCs), were randomly selected for drug screening in line with the regulatory agency’s policy on substance abuse. He explained that the crew member tested positive for a psychoactive substance, tetrahydrocannabinol (marijuana), and was immediately suspended by the authority from carrying out further flight operations. Mr. Adurogboye emphasized that further investigations were later carried out to ascertain the quantity of the substance in the urine sample of the crew member, stressing that the crew member clearly violated the provisions of Part 2.11.1.7. (a) and Part 8.5.1.5(a) (3) of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs 2015). The statement added, “The NCAA has therefore sanctioned the offending aircrew in accordance with the provisions of Part 2.11.1.8(f) (i) and Part 2.11.1.7(c) of Nig.CARs 2015. “The Medical Certificate and License of the aircrew has been suspended for 180 days from April 5, 2017. Accordingly, the respondent shall cease to exercise the privileges of the License for the period of his suspension. “In addition, the crew member would, within seven days of receipt of the Letter of Sanction, hand over the License to the Authority’s Director of Licensing (DOL).” The statement hinted that the aircrew would undergo a comprehensive treatment and rehabilitation...
by Admin | May 3, 2017 | Blog
Follow @NigeriaPI The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, May 2, 2017 arraigned the duo of Ajani Isaac Adedotun, (a.k.a. Clara Williams and Lara Williams) and Adesina Segun Adedeji before Justice A.D. Oladimeji of the Osun State High Court sitting in Ede, on a 50-count charge bordering on conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretence. The petitioner alleged that the victim, Michael Wassink, a Dutch citizen, was defrauded of over €88,000 in an Internet romance scam. The accused persons, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to them. In view of their pleas, the prosecuting counsel, Vera Agboje, asked the court for a trial date and prayed the court to remand the accused in prison custody. However, counsels to the accused persons, Sanyaolu S. Akinyele and T. S. Adegboyega, respectively prayed the court to grant their clients bail. Justice Oladimeji adjourned the case to May 16, 2017 for hearing of the bail application and ordered the accused to be remanded in Ilesa prison custody. Source: NTA...
by Admin | May 3, 2017 | Blog
Follow @NigeriaPI Following a plea bargain agreement, Justice Muhammed Idris of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, today convicted Yisa Olarenwaju Adedoyin, an official of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), for receiving bribe to compromise the 2015 general election. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had charged Mr. Adedoyin for receiving a cash payment of over N70m from Tijani Inda Bashir, a 3rd defendant in the matter. Mr. Bashir had received N234.88 million from the former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Deizani Allison-Madueke, for disbursement to his colleagues in the electoral commission. Under the terms of the agreement, Mr. Adedoyin forfeits to the Federal Government of Nigeria a parcel of land measuring 100ft by 100, in Buda-Osho Village, Ilorin-South Local Government Area of Kwara State, and pay a fine of N10m. Reading his judgment, the judge said he accepted the agreement and that the court would temper justice with mercy considering that the defendant is an elderly person and also a first offender. He also noted that the agreement is in consonance with Section 270 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Acts (ACJA). “N5 million has been recovered and surrendered,” Justice Idris said. “Assets attached in excess of N30 million has been recovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. It is not in contention that the 2nd defendant is a first-time offender, therefore the court will temper justice with mercy. It is in this light that I find the plea agreement entered into between the Federal government of Nigeria and the second defendant acceptable”. Meanwhile, Christain Nwosu, an administrative secretary with INEC and 1st defendant in...
by Admin | May 3, 2017 | Blog
Follow @NigeriaPI Men of Rapid Response Squad of the Lagos Command have arrested a man, Gregory Anyasodo for impersonating Nigerian Police and extorting innocent people in Oshodi area of Lagos. 47yrs old Anyasodo, from Owerri North, Imo State, was arrested after stealing N125,000 from one of his victims, a trader in Oshodi. The unsuspecting victim, Mrs. Emmanuella Joseph had on Thursday approach some RRS officials stationed in Oshodi to report Anyasodo’s threat to arrest her and the confiscation of her handbag containing N125,000. A search around the area led to the arrest of Anyasodo and the recovery of a radio that appeared a walkie-talkie and a Police Identity card, which portrayed him as an Inspector with the number 14873, attached to Lagos Taskforce and Special Anti-Robbery Squad. Confirming the crime, the suspect acknowledged seizing the trader’s bag but did not steal her money as alleged by the victim. “I have been in the trade since December 2016. I came to Lagos before Christmas in preparation for The Lord’s Chosen convention in Lagos, which was held in February 2017 at Ijesha. “My early coming for the program was for me to seize that opportunity to look for a job in Lagos. When I couldn’t get a job, I ventured into impersonating the police,” he explained. He stated further, “I have been arrested six times in Owerri for impersonation. I have impersonated WAEC and JAMB officials. I have been arrested thrice by Shell Camp police, Owerri for impersonation. I am a father of six. I left my wife with six children when I was coming to Lagos. I have been sleeping...
by Admin | Apr 28, 2017 | Blog
Follow @NigeriaPI Christian Nwosu, an officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), who confessed to the court that he received N30 million from former Minister of Petroleum, Diezani Alison-Madueke, to rig the 2015 general elections, has agreed to forfeit to the Federal Government the landed property he bought with the bribe. In a plea bargain agreement between Mr. Nwosu and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the INEC official, who was facing trial for his crime, agreed to relinquish to the Nigerian government a huge parcel of land measuring 100 feet by 80 feet. Details of the agreement indicated that the forfeited land is located at Okotomi Layout, Obodogwugwu Quarters, in Okpanam, Delta State. Mr. Nwosu had purchased the land with the money he received from Ms. Alison-Madueke for agreeing to manipulate the 2015 elections in favor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The defendant also agreed to forfeit to the Federal Government the sum of N5 million EFCC investigators had recovered from him during the anti-graft agency’s investigation. Under the plea agreement, Mr. Nwosu also undertook to pay a fine of N500,000. However, Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, raised the fine to N10 million, stating that the higher fine was in keeping with the stipulation of the act under which the INEC officer was charged. Said Justice Idris: “I have read carefully the plea bargain agreement and I have reviewed the content of same. By Section 270 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, a plea bargain agreement is allowed as in this case, wherein the first defendant has provided...
by Admin | Apr 28, 2017 | Blog
Follow @NigeriaPI The police have denied carting away the 2017 proposed appropriation bill during their raid on Senator Danjuma Goje’s residence in Maitama, Abuja last week. The Force stated that it recovered 38 files and six envelopes containing documents and write-ups on “how former Kano State governor, Ibrahim Shekarau plotted the assassination of Sheikh Jafaru.” The police in a statement on Thursday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Moshood, added that N18.056 million, $19,850 and SR9, 400 (Saudi Riyals), and a laptop were also recovered during the search. He stated that detectives also recovered files on funds spent on security administration and information gathering– a-g, 2009; file on release of funds for Special operations a- f, 2009; file on Gombe State government cash inflow 2005; file on Project 2007 – Executive Briefs on how to fight opposition in Gombe State – Strategies and Tactics. Other exhibits included envelopes containing permit in operating as an Oil Industry Service Company (special categories) 2011 and letters from Alhaji Mohammed Danjuma Goje (Sarkin Yakin Gombe) to the Managing Director, LUBELL Nigeria Ltd. of proposed residential Devt at Kashere Phase II dated January 16, 2007 and November 19, 2010. “The Nigeria Police Force wishes to state categorically that there was no single document relating to 2017 budget sighted or removed by the Police team that executed the search warrant. There is video recording of the execution of the search warrant,” the statement said. The Force disclosed that the search warrant from a court of competent jurisdiction was executed at the former Gombe governor’s residence following intelligence report that stolen funds and other incriminating...
by Admin | Apr 28, 2017 | Blog
Follow @NigeriaPI Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar says Nigeria is currently at a crossroads as poverty, unemployment, inflation, infant mortality and other social vices are on the increase. He, therefore, called on Nigerians to unite in the demand for true federalism. Atiku said this while delivering his speech at the formal public presentation of the Daily Stream newspaper in Abuja on Thursday. He said, “A huge pall of pessimism hangs over a section of the citizenry, and the ranks of those who harbour real doubt about the future of the country swell by the day. “The country is truly at a crossroads, and things are made worse by the cocktail of economic, social and political problems which we have had to contend with, and which add to the abysmally low estimation of our country even by its own citizens.” The former Vice-President recalled that life was better in the First Republic because each region was allowed to grow at its own pace while the Federal Government was weaker. Atiku, however, noted that following the creation of states, the Federal Government became very powerful while the federating units became poor, thereby, deepening poverty among the populace He added, “Our beloved country has been in the throes of severe and debilitating social and economic problems. Virtually all the development indices have not been favourable: massive and pervasive poverty, double-digit inflation, unemployment, dwindling foreign exchange receipts, poor GDP growth rates, high infant and maternal mortality, high levels of illiteracy, and millions of school-age children out of school.” Atiku said the many problems facing the nation were already threatening the unity and the existence...
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