The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ahmed Raji

  • Amnesty for looters legal, says SAN

    A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Ahmed Raji on Thursday said Atiku Abubakar’s promise to grant looters who return stolen funds amnesty has a basis in law.

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential candidate spoke during an interview session on a television programme: The Candidates.

    Some critics had faulted the suggestion, describing it as outrageous but Raji said amnesty to looters accords with the law on plea bargaining.

    He added plea bargaining was acceptable globally as it saves the state valuable resources and time that would have been wasted on prosecution.

    “I don’t think it’s a wrong idea. Even the new Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) promotes plea bargaining.

    “The world is moving towards non-custodial sentencing. If someone has atoned for his sins, why waste time? If they return the stolen funds in full, why not grant them amnesty?

    “Instead of taking them to the already overstretched prisons where the state will feed and house them, I don’t think the idea of amnesty or plea bargain is bad. This is without supporting the thieves,” Raji said.

    Read Also: Sanwo-Olu ‘gets new campaign strategy’

    But the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) said looters should be held to account.

    It believes that Atiku’s proposal would only encouraging more looting of the state treasury.

    SERAP tweeted: “Dear @Atiku, granting amnesty for corrupt persons will exacerbate impunity for corruption in Nigeria.

    “SERAPNigeria will challenge any such amnesty if it’s ever adopted as a policy should you be elected into the office.

    “The corrupt must be held to account and not escape justice.”

  • KWACCIMA boss pledges partnership with govt. over unemployment

    KWACCIMA boss pledges partnership with govt. over unemployment

    The President, Kwara State Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, ( KWACCIMA ), Alhaji Ahmed Raji, says it will partner with the state government to reduce unemployment among its youths through the various vocational skills acquisition.

    In an interview with correspondents in Ilorin, Raji said he was optimistic that the government could reduce rate of unemployment with its new vocational entrepreneurship centre.

    He expressed joy at the recent commissioning of the International Vocational and Technical Entrepreneurship Centre ( IVTEC ), Ajasse Ipo, by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo.

    Ahmed said that the centre, with the mission to provide technical and vocational skills, would improve the business environment in the state, which KWACCIMA could ultimately key into.

    “The chamber will join hands with the state government to ensure the success of the centre and to get it to an enviable height.

    “I, however, appeal to Kwara people, particularly the youth, to key into the project by becoming self reliant and self employed.’’

    Read Also: Kwara elongates retirement age of magistrates, counsel to 65 years

    The KWACCIMA boss commended the foresight of the state government for establishing the centre.

    He said that the centre, if well managed, would churn out standard professionals who would even be recognised globally.

    “So, I want to urge the government to continue to embark on people-oriented projects and to engage the youth productively,’’ Ahmed said.

    NAN

  • Counsel’s ill health stalls Fani-Kayode’s trial

    Counsel’s ill health stalls Fani-Kayode’s trial

    A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday adjourned the trial of former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode  till July 7, due to his counsel’s ill health.

    The court on April 25 adjourned the matter for cross examination after the testimony of the first prosecution witness, Mr. Victor Ehiabhi.

    At the resumed hearing, the defence counsel, Abubakar Yusuf, who stood in for Ahmed Raji (SAN), informed the court that the defence would not be able to cross examine the witness due to Raji’s absence.

    Yusuf said Raji was currently receiving treatment abroad and the prosecution had been informed of the development.

    The prosecuting counsel, Mr. Johnson Ojogbane, who did not oppose the application for an adjournment, urged the court to make sure the defence cross examined the witness on the next adjourned date.

    After listening to both counsel, Justice John Tsoho adjourned the matter till July 7 for cross examination of the first prosecution witness and continuation of trial.

     Fani-Kayode was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justice Tsoho, on a fresh five-count charge of money laundering.

    The ex- minister was accused of allegedly collecting N26 million from the Office of the former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd), and using same for media campaign.

    Fani-Kayode is also facing another 17-count charge of money laundering before the Lagos division of the court.

    NAN

  • Witness absence stalls Fani- Kayode’s trial

    Witness absence stalls Fani- Kayode’s trial

    The failure of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to produce its first witness on Tuesday stalled the trial of former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, before a Federal High Court, Abuja.

    Fani-Kayode is currently standing trial on a five-count charge of money laundering.

    He was accused of collecting N26 million from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and using same for media campaigns.

    At the last sitting on February 6, Fani-Kayode’s counsel, Mr. Ahmed Raji (SAN), sought for an adjournment to enable him go through the files as he was new in the case.

    He said: “My lord, I am just coming into the case, I will need time to go through the file, so I will like to crave the indulgence of the court to enable me familiarise myself with the case.’’

    However, at the resumed hearing on Tuesday, counsel to EFCC, Johnson Ojogbane, informed the court that the commission’s witness  was unavoidably absent.

    Ojogbane said: “I was informed that the witness was around, but I do not know why he was absent in court.

    “This is the first time we are asking for an adjournment, and I am pleading with the court to grant our request,’’ he said.

    The application for the adjournment was not opposed by the defence counsel.

    Justice John Tsoho adjourned the case till April 25 for commencement of trial.

    NAN