The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Court acquits Jonathan’s ex-aide over N1.6b fraud

    The Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday discharged and acquitted former President Goodluck Jonathan’s aide on Domestic Affairs, Dr Waripamo Owei-Dudafa, of alleged N1.6 billion money laundering charge.

    In a 190-page judgment, Justice Mohammed Idris held that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) failed to prove any of the 22 counts against Owei-Dudafa and a Heritage Bank worker, Joseph Iwejuo, beyond reasonable doubt.

    The judge berated the commission for failing to properly investigate the matter before rushing to court in 2017, when the defendants were arraigned.

    Justice Idris held that the EFCC failed to call vital witnesses, including Jonathan, Somprei Omeibi, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor and ex-National Security Adviser (NSA) Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.).

    The judge said Omeibi, who could have linked the defendants to the offences, was not summoned to testify.

    “Why did the prosecution fail to call this Somprei Omeibi? There is no evidence before this court to show that Somprei Omeibi is dead or not within the right frame of mind to testify; neither is there any proof before this court to prove that it would be practically impossible to secure the attendance of Somprei Omeibi to court to testify and probably admit or deny the defence put forward by the defendant.

    “It is strongly my view that Somprei Omeibi is a very vital witness and he is the only link connecting the first and second defendants. To my mind, he is a very vital witness, who the prosecution should have called to prove its case.”

    Read Also: BREAKING: Jonathan’s ex-aide knows fate today over alleged N1.6bn fraud

    The defendants had asserted that the N1.6 billion was proceeds of a March 6, 2013 launching conducted by the Anglican Church of Otuoke Community in Bayelsa State for the building of a youth development centre.

    The ex-President kept the money in trust for the church, they said.

    The prosecution, the judge noted, made “no attempt to rebut this assertion”.

    During the trial, the prosecution alleged that Owei-Dudafa received several “heavy bags” containing millions of dollars on behalf of Dr Jonathan from the CBN.

    But the judge wondered how the EFCC knew that the bags contained money.

    Justice Idris said: “Did the prosecution call any official of the Central Bank of Nigeria to show that the money was removed from their office? Also, I do not see any evidence that the same funds were released by the CBN. To my mind, the prosecution did not sufficiently link …to the supposed heavy bags carried by the first defendant.”

    The judge held that the anti-graft agency’s case was “built on suspicions”.

    He added: “The prosecution did not in my view prove ‘unlawful activity’. The case of the prosecution was built on suspicions, and suspicions, in my view, no matter how strong, cannot sustain any criminal charge.”

    The failure to call vital witnesses, he noted, was fatal to the EFCC’s case.

    Justice Idris said: “I also say suspicious because the presence of Somprei Omeibi, M. S. Dasuki, the then National Security Adviser; S. A. Salisu, the then Director of Finance and Administration in the Office of the NSA and the CBN governor or his representative would have cleared a lot of issues… The court cannot act on suspicion.”

    According to him, the EFCC’s evidence was inadequate.

    Justice Idris added: “I am of the view that the failure of the prosecution to call the witnesses amounted to the prosecution withholding evidence…

    “In totality, I cannot find my way clearly in finding these defendants guilty of the alleged offences… Reasonable doubt exists in the prosecution’s case and I do resolve this doubt in favour of the defendants. In other words, the prosecution has failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt the ingredients of the offences for which the first and second defendants were charged.

    “Let me state for the avoidance of doubt that the Judiciary is fully committed to the fight against corruption, but the Judiciary can only perform its role in this fight in accordance with laid-down rules and regulations.

    “In this case, the investigation was clearly inconclusive. A lot of gaps were left unfilled. This is unacceptable… I find the defendant not guilty.”

  • Jobberman clocks 10 years

    Nigeria’s foremost job site Jobberman has announced activities to mark its 10 years anniversary of combating the plague of unemployment.

    To commemorate the milestone, the management has offered discount on all its products and services including five days of free CV reviews. The firm has also partnered the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund in a programme, tagged “Shop For Free” where people can shop official clot17hing for free.

    The charity event will hold on September 6 at Jobberman headquarters in Lagos.

    CEO of Jobberman Nigeria, Hilda Kabushenga Kragha, said she looks forward to many more anniversary celebrations in the future.

    “We want the experience from the average employer on Jobberman to be as painless as possible and on the Jobseeker side, of course, we’re also investing more and more into the kind of things that will make jobseeker the best prepared in the market,” Kragha said.

  • Govt declares zero tolerance for street trading

    Lagos State Government on Thursday declared zero tolerance for street trading and parking of vehicles on the walkways and highways.

    It also launched a waste compactor and a towing truck.

    The declaration was made when officials of the Central Business District (CBD), Governor’s Office, led by the Special Assistant, Prince Olanrewaju Elegushi, took to the streets on Lagos Island to sensitise and create awareness for traders and drivers on the axis.

    Moving from the CBD office at Leventis, through Leventis bus stop, Marina, Tinubu Square, Broad Street, Nnamdi Azikiwe Street and Idumota, among others, the officials gave warnings including: “Remove your goods from the walkways”, “Walkways are not for trading of goods”, “No parking on the highways”, “All shanties erected on walkways should be removed immediately”, “Government no longer allows trading on walkways”.

    Others are:  “Today is Thursday, you are expected to clean your environment”, Do not drop your refuse on the highways or in drainages”, “Street trading will not be tolerated”, “Walkways are not parking lots”, “Any goods or vehicles found on the walkway or highway will be impounded and you will not get it again, it has become government property”, “This is your last warning”, “Take your goods into the shops”, “Tricycles, motorcycles, BRT, private cars, commercial buses, taxi drivers, cars for sale, stop parking on the roadside”, “Those of you who trade on the highway you are warned”, “We are concerned about the state moving forward and it is our joint responsibility because this axis should be a freeway”.

    Read Also: Lagos impounds motorcycles plying roads illegally

    Elegushi said the move was to sensitise the people and sanitise the area, to ensure a conducive business environment.

    “If the environment is not conducive in terms of sanitation and traffic, we will not achieve a better business atmosphere,” he added,

    Elegushi said the waste compactor and towing truck were launched to support the sanitation exercise.

    “What we have done today is not a one off thing. It will be a continuous exercise and we will ensure the tempo is maintained. We are not relenting on our efforts, we will continue the process.”

    He said there is punishment for violators, adding that the law will take its course.

    “To ensure there is compliance with what we have done today, we have commanders and officers on ground, who are to ensure the exercise is maintained. Anyone that fails to sustain and maintain what has been done today will be sanctioned. It is an ongoing process, we have been sensitising people on this and we will continue with the enlightenment.”

    Elegushi urged the traders to remove their goods and drivers their vehicles from the roadside.

    “If they put their goods on the walkways, then pedestrians will be forced to walk on the highways, and they may be hit by vehicles. All we are doing is to ensure safety for all. I urge people to abide by the law guiding them. If they can follow the rules, there will be no issue between them and the government. We are supposed to be working together,” he said.

  • African Games: Female wrestlers deliver 5 gold, one silver

    Team Nigeria female wrestlers on Thursday lived up to their promise by winning five gold and one silver in the Women’s Wrestling event held at the Indoor Sports Center of the Mohammed V Sports Complex in El Jadida, Morocco.

    Nine-time Africa champion, Blessing Oborududu (68kg), World wrestling silver medalist, Odunayo Adekuoroye (57kg); two-time Commonwealth champion, Aminat Adeniyi (62kg), African champions Mercy Genesis (50kg) and Blessing Onyebuchi (76kg) delivered the gold for the country while Bose Samuel (53kg) won the silver medal of the day.

    Oborududu, who is also a Commonwealth champion,  overpowered Anta Sambou of Senegal 6-0 via pitfall in the final to retain her African Games title.

    World No 4, Odunayo Adekuoroye successfully won her second consecutive Africa Games gold medal by defeating  Emmam Ibrahim of Egypt 10-0 in the final of the 57kg class.

    Read Also: 12th African Games: Omotayo conquers Africa in Morocco

    Adeniyi also retained her African Games title by defeating Ngolle Berthe of Cameroon  in the 62kg class.

    Mercy Genesis defeated Tunisia’s Sara Hamdi 10-0 via technical superiority to land gold in the 50kg class.

    She had earlier defeated Caroline Yapi of Cote d’ Ivoire 5-0 in the semifinal.

    African champion Blessing Onyebuchi overcame Ivorian Amy YOUIN 10-0 to land the top prize in the 76kg class.

    Bose Samuel had to settle for the  only silver of the day after losing 4-2 in the final to Tiako Joseph of Cameroon.

    Earlier on Wednesday, Team Nigeria’s Tochukwu Okeke (87kg) claimed bronze in the Greco Roman event.

    Action will be wrapped up in wrestling on Friday in the men’s Freestyle events with the likes of Amas Daniel (65kg), Emmanuel Ogbonna (74kg), Soso Tamarau, Sinivie Boltic, Ebikewenimo Welson (57kg) and Melvin Bibo expected to rack in more medals.

  • Eze Brume wins Long Jump, Onyekwere bags gold in Discuss

    Team Nigeria’s long jumper, Ese Brume finally cemented her position as the queen of Long Jump in Africa by winning gold in at the 12th edition of the African Games in Morocco.

    The three-time African senior champion in the long Jump narrowly missed out Janice Josephs’  African Games Record of 6.70m as she leaped a distance of 6.69m to claim the events gold medal.

    Chioma Onyekwere also won gold in the women’s Discus, throwing a distance of 59.91m on her 5th attempt to secure the victory.

    The reigning African Champion has won two continental titles for Nigeria within the space of 12 months.

    Read Also: 12th African Games: Omotayo conquers Africa in Morocco

    She secured her position as the best Discus thrower in the continent ahead of Yolandi Stander of South Africa, who threw 57.75 to win silver and Senekal Ischke of South Africa on 53.95.

    The women’s category will have just Rosemary Chukwuma in the 200m final after clocking 23.67s to place 4th & qualify as one of the fastest losers.

    Nigeria will be having two representatives Divine Oduduru and Ogho Egwero in the men’s 200m finals billed for Friday.

    Oduduru gave a glimpse on what to expect in the final by running the fastest time of 20.45s in the semifinal.

    Egwero also won his semis in a time of 20.76s, while Emmanuel Arowolo clocked 21.01s to finish 4th and missed out on the final.

  • ‘Data adoption will liberalise energy’s potential’

    Managing Director of Neconde Energy Limited Frank Edozie has called for the adoption of big data, artificial intelligence and mobile technology to create an alternative reality that will guarantee the future of the energy industry.

    Edozie, who spoke at the 2019 Conference and Exhibition of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), said energy operators have failed to leverage the potential of data to reinforce the perception that Nigeria is a gas province with huge profitable opportunities for growth.

    According to him, Neconde has surmounted its challenges by adopting innovative business approaches, which has positioned the firm to deliver quality services.

    The managing director said utilising big available data would change the country’s energy landscape as it would make players in the sector realise the need to liberalise the price of gas, create more value chain opportunities and make fuel subsidy unnecessary.

    Group Managing Director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Mele Kyari reinforced Edozie’s position, saying technology plays an important role in driving the sector globally. Kyari promised to address the myriad challenges facing Nigeria’s oil and gas industry to achieve all the aspirations of the government and players.

    Neconde is an independent oil and gas company serving as a special purpose vehicle for the acquisition and development of petroleum assets. In January 2011, the company participated and emerged successful in the bid for the acquisition of 45 per cent stake in OML 42 previously held by Shell Petroleum Development Company Limited.

  • Akpabio disowns bribe allegation

    The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has debunked allegations that he bribed the chairman and members of the election petition tribunal in Akwa Ibom State.

    Akpabio was responding to reports that he bribed the chairman and members to influence the tribunal to reclaim his mandate from Senator Chris Ekpenyong of Akwa Ibom Northwest.

    A statement by his media aide, Anietie Ekong, said he could not have been privy to the allegations because as a senior member of the bar and a party in the matter, he understood the need to allow the judges decide the cases.

    The statement reads: “Moreover, Senator Akpabio cannot be said to be desperate to win a Senate seat; he is only contesting the outcome of the INEC manipulated results to ensure justice and sustenance of democratic practice in Nigeria.

    Read Also: Election Petition Tribunal changes sitting date

    “Senator Akpabio is shocked by the spurious allegation made by the Attorney General of Akwa Ibom State, Uwemedimo Nwoko, in a rejoinder to the said article, alleging that he “succumbed to blackmail and handsomely paid Leo Ekpenyong to recapitulate.

    “The fact is that Ekpenyong withdrew the petitions against Senator Akpabio voluntarily, when his clients made a volte face and could not substantiate their claims as contained in Ekpenyong’s affidavit. Moreover, Ekpenyong’s client as mentioned in the stated affidavit is linked to the current government of Akwa Ibom State and its officials.

    “As an elder statesman, a serving minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, a former governor of Akwa Ibom State, a former Minority leader of the Senate and a former boss to Nwoko, decorum demands that he accords Senator Akpabio some respect. The attorney general should substantiate his wild allegations or offer an unreserved apology to Senator Akpabio.”

  • Lawyer, two others arraigned for allegedly defrauding woman

    The police on Thursday arraigned a 40-year-old lawyer, Emmanuel Adebayo, at an Ogudu Magistrates’ Court, Lagos for allegedly defrauding a woman of N500,000.

    Adebayo is charged alongside Emmanuel Okah, 39 and Bode Olaogun, 29, with four counts of charge of conspiracy, obtaining by false pretences, stealing and forgery.

    Prosecuting Inspector Donjour Perezi said the defendants committed the offence on May 13 at Alapere, Lagos.

    Perezi alleged that Adebayo collected N500, 000 from the complainant, Mrs. Christy Effiong, to procure a survey plan for her,  a representation he knew was false.

    He alleged that Adebayo gave Olaogun N120, 000 to prepare a fake plan.

    The prosecutor also alleged that Adebayo gave N200, 000 to Okah to prepare a 2017 Red Copy of the Survey Plan.

    Read Also: Banker accused of stealing customers’ N11m

    Perezi alleged that Adebayo gave the complainant a forged approved survey plan after seeking his services from the Surveyor General’s Office.

    “The complainant took the survey plan to the Surveyor General’s Office only to discover that it was fake,” the prosecutor said.

    Magistrate Bukola Mogaji admitted the defendants to N100,000 bail each with two sureties each in the like sum.

    She said Adebayo must submit his Call to the Bar certificate to the registrar.

    The case continues on September 25.

  • How to curb rising crimes, by don

    The Muslim Community of Lagos State (MCLS) has lamented the rising spate of crimes.

    MCLS President Prof Tajudeen Gbadamosi, who spoke on Thursday at a state of the nation briefing at the Lagos Central Mosque, Idumota, decried the growing spate of crimes and immorality, saying it is a matter of concern to everybody.

    He said: “Many of the major roads have become a haven for kidnappers and have been deserted by law-abiding citizens.

    “Everyday there is a new story of crime. In a recent case, some security and law enforcement officers were accused of aiding criminals. We are aware of the efforts made by the government to tackle this social malady. Indeed, we commend such efforts, be they at the level of the state, zone or nation. However, it is obvious that we cannot continue like this. No meaningful progress takes place in the midst of a rising wave of immorality and social decadence.”

    Read Also: Fed Govt seeks NURTW’s support to fight insecurity

    Gbadamosi urged the government to address insecurity.

    “We believe our intelligence units should be equipped to nip crimes in the bud. Our law enforcement agencies should be equipped to respond to crimes swiftly and our courts should be courageous to dispense justice quickly,” he said.

    The don urged the newly sworn-in political appointees at the state and federal levels to hit the ground running.

    “They need not be told that much is expected from them. They should always remember that their appointment is a divine call to service. Therefore, they should discharge their duties with justice and fear of God. There is much work to be done in every sphere of our national life,” he said.

  • Imota rice mill ready in seven months, says commissioner

    Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture Prince Gbolahan Lawal has said the government-owned Integrated Rice Mill at Imota, a Lagos suburb, will be completed in seven months.

    Lawal, who spoke yesterday during a facility tour of the mill in order to assess the progress of work being done, expressed satisfaction about the progress of work so far.

    He said the mill, upon completion, will not only ensure that people eat nutritious rice, but will also create jobs and wealth for the people, as well as enhance the supply value chain.

    The commissioner, accompanied by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Agriculture Dr. Olayiwole Onasanya and top officials of the ministry, noted that the 32 metric tons capacity mill is the biggest in Nigeria and indeed West Africa.

    Read Also: Imota Rice Mill starts production 2019

    He recalled that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu during the campaign promised to continue with any project left by his predecessor, saying the governor’s visit to the mill as soon as he assumed office was a demonstration and commitment of the government to the completion of the project.

    Lawal said although the 32 metric tons mill should cater for the rice needs of a substantial percentage of Lagosians, it is a far cry from the rice needs of the people, “especially since the rice consumption rate of an average person in this part of the world hovers between 32 and 40 kilogrammes, which explains why the government is collaborating with the Southwest and northern states as well as the Rice Farmers Association (REFAN) for the supply of rice paddy.

    The Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, had stressed the need for the state to follow the examples of countries like China, Thailand and Vietnam in generating a lot of revenue from rice production, in addition to ensuring food security for the state in particular and Nigeria in general.

    The rice mill at Imota is a 22-hectare facility, with the mill taking about 8.5 hectares and consisting of a complete set of new mills, two warehouses, 16 silos with a storage capacity of 40 metric tons each, water treatment plant, effluent processing plant, staff quarters, administrative block, car park and firefighting facility, among others.