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Tag: Alleged corruption

  • Ekiti Assembly suspends local govt chairmen, councillors for alleged corruption

    The Ekiti State House of Assembly has slammed an indefinite suspension on the 16 local government chairmen and 177 councillors for alleged financial misappropriation.

    This resolution was reached yesterday at the Assembly’s plenary, where it also ordered the Auditor General of the local government to begin forensic audit of all accounts of the local government areas.

    Addressing reporters in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, on the resolution of the Assembly, the Chairman of House Committee on Information and Leader of Government Business, Gboyega Aribisogan, said the action was in consonance with Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution and Section 82 of the Assembly’s Standing Order.

    Aribisogan said the reports submitted by the Public Accounts Committee, which is statutorily saddled with probing the finances of the local governments, in line with Section 82 of the 1999 Constitution, alleged misappropriation, diversion and contract inflation.

    The lawmaker said the Assembly could not overlook such infractions.

    He said: “We worked on the documents and we realised that the council bosses went on their way to use direct labour for projects that go beyond their approval limits, making them conduit pipes to siphon the third tier of government.

    “The ineptitude, corruption, misappropriation, diversion and outright looting discovered in the reports saddened us that the third tier of government was badly managed by these local government elected officials. They showed that they were there to promote their interests and not that of the people.

    “Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution stipulates that the House of Assembly shall make laws for the good governance and operations of the councils, including agencies not contained on the Exclusive List.

    “We hereby resolve that the chairmen of the 16 local government areas, their appointed officials and all councillors be placed on an indefinite suspension to pave way for a forensic audit of the accounts, for their continued stay in office will obstruct the course of investigation.

    “The suspended officials should hand over government properties in their possession to the Directors of Administration.

    “We also resolved that appropriate sanctions will be meted out to erring elected or appointed and career officers that are found culpable in the misapplication, misappropriation and diversion of public funds.”

    He added: “We saw cases of over-invoicing and contract inflation and there were evidence of how contracts were awarded to families and their cronies.

    “We are not going to spare anyone, including the career officers. Whoever is culpable will be sanctioned. But they have the liberty to go to court to challenge our action.”

    Aribisogan dispelled the rumour that the local government officials offered the Assembly N8 million bribe to stave off suspension.

    The committee chairman said only members of the committee carried out the oversight function.

    “On the issue of whether they were coerced or pressured or persuaded to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) does not concern the Assembly. What we are after is ensuring that government money is preserved and spent appropriately,” he said.

     

     

  • New prosecutor stalls Justice Yinusa’s trial for alleged corruption

    New prosecutor stalls Justice Yinusa’s trial for alleged corruption

    The planned trial of a Federal High Court judge, Justice Mohammed Nasir Yinusa, before a Special Offences Court, Ikeja was yesterday stalled owing to change of counsel by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Justice Yinusa is standing trial alongside Esther Agbor, a staff of Rickey Tarfa chambers, who was accused of paying the sum of N1.5 million into his UBA account before Justice Sherifat Solebo.

    Yinusa was also accused of receiving financial benefit from a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Joseph Nwobike, to give favourable decisions on some cases before him.

    During yesterday’s proceedings, Yinusa’s counsel, Chief Robert Clarke challenged the new counsel for EFCC, Wahab Shittu, on the application for change of counsel, describing it as “invalid”.

    He said the counsel’s application does not have the stamp and seal of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

    But Shittu told the court that they had paid for the stamp and seal at the NBA before even filing the application.

    “My Lord, the applicant should not be made to pay for the tardiness of the NBA. The Access Bank slip for which the payment was made was attached to the application,” Shittu said.

    Justice Solebo, in a short ruling, upheld the arguments of the prosecution, before adjourning the matter till March 9 to hear pending applications bordering on jurisdiction.

    In the first count, Justice Yinusa is charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice by engaging in constant private and confidential telephone communications with Tarfa, SAN during a period he presided over two of the senior advocate’s suits.

    In the second count, Justice Yinusa is charged with corruption for allegedly receiving N1.5 million paid to him by his co-defendant, Esther Agbor in order to give decisions in favour of the Chambers of the Law Firm of Rickey Tarfa.

    The EFCC also alleged that Justice Yinusa received N750,000 from Mr. Nwobike.

    Esther Agbo is charged with offering gratification of NI.5 million to Justice Yinusa to induce him to give decisions in favour of the law chambers.

    Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

  • Alleged corruption: NJC directs Justices Ademola, Okoro, others to resume duties June 7

    Alleged corruption: NJC directs Justices Ademola, Okoro, others to resume duties June 7

    •Two placed on watch list
    •Senior lawyers hail their recall
    •Sagay: They can still be charged

    The storm seems to be over for five of the judges who were suspended last year on the strength of their being investigated for corruption by the Department of State Services (DSS).

    The National Judicial Council (NJC) lifted the suspension yesterday and asked them to resume work on Wednesday, June 7.

    Expected back at their desks on that day are: Justices John Okoro (Supreme Court), Adeniyi Ademola, Hydiazira A. Nganjiwa, Justice Musa H. Kurya ( all of the Federal High Court) and Agbadu James Fishim of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria.

    Senior lawyers yesterday hailed the recall of the judges.

    However, the NJC issued a warning to Justice M. N. Esowe of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Justice Adolphus Enebeli of the High Court of Justice, Rivers State, and Justice Bassey Etuk of the Akwa-Ibom State High Court in respect of allegations brought against them.

    Two of the three judges have been placed on a watch list by the council.

    The NJC at its 82nd meeting held last Wednesday and Thursday reviewed the case of eight judicial officers who were directed to recuse themselves from duties on the request of the Attorney-General of the Federation pending the outcome of investigations against them.

    The NJC Director of Information, Soji Oye, giving an insight into the decision of the NJC said: “After deliberation, council (NJC) noted that out of the judicial officers directed to recuse themselves from performing their official duties, only three have been charged to court.

    “They are:- Justice N. S. Ngwuta, CFR, of the Supreme Court of Nigeria; Justice A. F. A. Ademola of the Federal High Court; and Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia of the Federal High Court.

    “The trial of Justice A. F. A. Ademola has been concluded and he has been discharged and acquitted of the charges filed against him.

    “In view of the foregoing, Council decided that the various heads of court should direct the following judicial officers to resume their judicial duties with effect from Wednesday 7th June, 2017, as there are already backlog of cases in their various court for the past eight months.

    “They are Justice John Inyang Okoro of the Supreme Court; Justice Uwani Abba Aji of the Court of Appeal; Justice Hydiazira A. Nganjiwa of the Federal High Court; Justice A. F. A. Ademola of the Federal High Court who has been discharged and acquitted; Justice Musa H. Kurya of the Federal High Court; and Justice Agbadu James Fishim of National Industrial Court of Nigeria.

    “Council also at the meeting, decided to warn Justice M. N. Esowe of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Justice Adolphus Enebeli of the High Court of Justice, Rivers State and Justice Bassey Frank Etuk of the Akwa-Ibom State High Court for different offences and place two of them on the “watch list” of the council.

    “Council’s decision to give Justice Esowe a serious warning and put her on its “Watch List” for one year, was sequel to a petition written against her by Mr. Jimmy Dirisu Aliu, alleging injustice for failing to deliver ruling in Suit No. NICN/ABJ/394/2013, until Eight (8) months after the final address of counsel on Notice of Preliminary objection to his Suit.

    Council also decided to give Justice Adolphus Enebeli serious warning and place him on its “watch-list” for three years following its ‘findings’ that Justice Enebeli violated the Code of Conduct for judicial officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by granting ex-parte order in Suit No. PHC/983/2016, preventing the swearing-in of Victoria Wodo Nyeche as a member of the Rivers State House of Assembly, when the claim in the Suit did not border on qualification or pre-election matter.

    “The Judge was said to have granted the ex-parte order on 19th April, 2016, three days to the swearing-in ceremony and adjourned the case to 21st April, 2016 when the ceremony had been concluded.

    “ Justice Bassey Frank Etuk was warned following a petition written against him by Oro Youth Movement for failure to deliver judgment in Suit No. HOR/FHC/97/2014, a Fundamental Human Right case, after hearing it to conclusion and adjourned same for judgment to the 8th June, 2015.

    “The Judge then proceeded on national assignment as an election petition tribunal member and did not deliver the judgment even after his return in November, 2015, when he transferred the case file to the Chief Judge for it to start de-novo.

    The suit was filed by two officers of the movement to prevent the police from arresting them after they were reported for embezzling the sum of N20, 000.000.00 (Twenty Million Naira) from the account of the movement.

    “The decision of the council is with immediate effect.

    “Council also considered and dismissed petitions written against twelve other Judicial Officers.

    “Council dismissed the petitions because three (3) of the Petitioners withdrew their petitions against Justice T. U. Uzokwe, Chief Judge, Abia State, Justice Okoroafor of the Abia State High Court and Justice Judge Okeke of the FCT High Court of Justice.

    “One petition written against H. A. Nganjiwa of the Federal High Court was also dismissed for subjudice.

    “Other petitions written against Justices Adamu Abdu-Kafarati and O. E. Abang, both of the Federal High Court, Justices Mobolaji Ojo, and E. O. Osinuga, both of the Ogun State High Court, Justice B. A. Oke-Lawal of Lagos State High Court, Justice A. A. Aderemi of Oyo State, Ntong F. Ntong of Akwa-Ibom State High Court and the second petition written against Justice Bassey Frank Etuk of Akwa-Ibom State High Court of Justice were found unmeritorious.”

    The NJC meeting was presided over by its Chairman and Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen.

     

  • EFCC arraigns judge, SAN for alleged corruption, forgery

    EFCC arraigns judge, SAN for alleged corruption, forgery

    SOME OF THE CHARGES

    •Obla offered Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia N5million
    •Unlawfully enriching herself as a public officer
    •Received $793,800 in several transactions from various sources between 2012 and 2015 ‘so as to have a significant increase in your assets that you cannot reasonably explain the increase in relation to your lawful income’
    •Forged a deed of assignment of County City Bricks Development Company Limited and Nigel & Colive Limited dated July 5, 2010
    •Giving false information to the EFCC

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday arraigned a judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia and a senior lawyer, Chief Godwin Obla (SAN) for alleged bribery and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.
    The judge and the senior lawyer were arraigned on a 30-count charge before Justice Hakeem Oshodi of a Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja.
    The charges were read to them after Justice Oshodi ordered them to move from the court gallery into the dock.
    “Unfortunately, you have to be in the dock,” Justice Oshodi told them.
    The defendants were asked by the court’s registrar if they understood English language, to which they answered in the affirmative.
    Thereafter, each of the 30-count charge was read.
    The EFCC, alleged that Obla, while appearing in a suit before Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia, offered a gratification of N5million to the judge to allegedly induce her to refrain from acting in the exercise of her official duties as a public officer.
    Obla, the EFCC claimed, paid the money from the account of his company, Obla & Company Limited, with United Bank for Africa, to Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia through the bank account of Nigel & Colive Ltd in Diamond Bank Plc.
    The EFCC claimed that the judge and the lawyer acted contrary to sections 64 (1) and 97 (1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, No. 11, 2011.
    They both pleaded not guilty to the offence.
    Obla was dressed in a blue suit, a white shirt and a blue tie to match. His co-defendant, Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia was in a black suit and a skirt.
    Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia, who had 24 out of the 30 counts preferred against her, was accused of unlawfully enriching herself as a public officer, contrary to the provision of Section 82(a) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State No. 11, 2011.
    The judge was alleged to have received $793,800 in several transactions from various sources between 2012 and 2015 “so as to have a significant increase in your assets that you cannot reasonably explain the increase in relation to your lawful income”.
    According to the EFCC, Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia, by her actions, violated Section 82(a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, No. 11, 2011.
    The judge was alleged to have forged a deed of assignment of County City Bricks Development Company Limited and Nigel & Colive Limited dated July 5, 2010, which the EFCC claimed was purportedly prepared and signed by Charles Musa & Co.
    The offence is said to be contrary to Section 467 of the Criminal Code Cap C17, Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2003.
    In count 30, the EFCC accused Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia of giving false information to one of its operatives, Lawal Abdullahi, on October 19, 2016 by allegedly claiming on the telephone to be on admission at Gold Cross Hospital, Bourdillon Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, while she was not there.
    The offence is said to be contrary to Section 39(2)(a) of the EFCC (Establishment) Act, 2004.
    Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia pleaded not guilty to the charges.
    EFCC prosecutor Rotimi Oyedepo prayed the court for a trial date and for an order remanding the defendants in prison custody pending their trial.
    But Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia’s counsel, Mr. Wale Akoni (SAN), and Mr. Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN), for Obla, said while they had no objection to the prayer for a trial date, they were opposed to the application to remand their clients in prisons.
    Both of them told the court that they had filed bail applications for their clients.
    Akoni urged Justice Oshodi to grant Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia bail on self-recognition as a judge of the Federal High Court or to grant her bail on liberal terms, with a condition that the EFCC should not be the one to verify the bail conditions.
    Adedipe also prayed Justice Oshodi to grant Obla bail on liberal terms, assuring that he would make himself available for trial.
    “When he was allowed to travel to the U.S., he did so and returned and submitted his passport to the EFCC.
    “He is one of them in EFCC. He prosecutes cases for them. Rather than pay him, they dragged him to court. He is a respected member of the Bar, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria,” Adedipe said.
    Oyedepo opposed their requests and urged Justice Oshodi not to grant the defendants bail but to order an accelerated hearing of the case.
    Oyedepo said if released on bail, Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia would interfere with investigation and the prosecution witnesses.
    He recalled that it was on that basis that the EFCC revoked the administrative bail earlier granted the judge.
    After standing down the case for about two hours, Justice Oshodi, in a ruling, admitted both defendants to bail on self-recognition.
    He ordered them to deposit N20m each and their passport to the chief registrar of the court pending conclusion of their trial.
    Justice Oshodi warned that the bail would be revoked if the defendants failed to meet the conditions within seven days.
    The trial began immediately thereafter, with the EFCC calling its first witness, Mr. Adedamola Oshodi, a Diamond Bank Plc official.
    The case was, however, adjourned till January 9, next year for continuation of trial, following the submission of the defence counsel who said they were not prepared for the trial.

  • Alleged corruption:  Two more judges report to EFCC

    Alleged corruption:  Two more judges report to EFCC

    TWO more judges yesterday reported to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for interrogation on alleged corrupt practices on the bench.

    They are Justice Agbadu James Fishim and Justice Uwani Abba Aji of the Federal High Court.

    But the anti-graft agency last night said another Federal High Court judge, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, was yet to honour its invitation.

    With the latest development, the number of judges quizzed by the EFCC has risen to five out of the eight judges on its radar.

    A source said: “Another set of two Federal High Court judges, Justice Agbadu James Fishim and Justice Uwani Abba Aji, responded to the invitation by the EFCC as they presented themselves before operatives at the Lagos zonal office, Awolowo Road, Ikoyi.

    “Three other judges – Justices Mohammed Nasir Yunusa, Hyeladzira Ajiya Nganjiwa and Musa Haruna Kurya – had earlier reported to the commission on Monday  and yesterday. Some of the judges, who were accompanied by their lawyers, have so far been cooperating with our operatives…

    “Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, one of the invited judges, who was expected to show up at the commission yesterday, is yet to honour the invitation.”

    The source added: “If any judge refuses to honour our summons, the EFCC will have no choice than to employ legal process to make him or her respect the law of the land.

    “We have accorded all the judges who came to the EFCC a lot of respect in line with international best practices.”

    Two of the five judges were alleged to have received over N2.75 million bribe from two senior lawyers – Rickey Tarfa (SAN) and Joseph Nwobike (SAN).

    The EFCC, on March 9, arraigned Tarfa and Nwobike before the Lagos High Court on allegations of bribery and offering gratification to a public official.

  • Alleged corruption: Judge confronts Dasuki in court

    Alleged corruption: Judge confronts Dasuki in court

    Did you send any money to me; to any member of my family or through any counsel? – Judge

    No, my Lord, except if the DSS agents, who are reporting the allegation did – Defendant

    One of the judges arrested last week by the Department of State Services (DSS), Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal Hiigh Court, Abuja withdrew yesterday from the trial of former National Security Adviser (NSA) Sambo Dasuki.

    Dasuki was arraigned before the court on September 1, 2015, accused of unlawful possession of firearms and money laundering.

    After some delay caused mainly by the defence, the trial opened on May 18, with the prosecution calling its first witness, Samuel Ogbu, a senior DSS operative.

    Ogbu told the court how the investigating team he worked with interviewed Dasuki and obtained statement from him in the comfort of his home on July 17, 2015. He gave details of how the team searched the ex-NSA’s private home in Asokoro, Abuja, recovered five Tavor rifles, one Lugar rifle, one micro Uzi rifle, various categories of ammunition and cash in both local and foreign currencies.

    The trial was later stalled when the prosecution applied to have its other witnesses shielded from public glare to protect them from possible harm, an application the defence rejected, following which Justice Ademola scheduled ruling on the application for October 18.

    Parties had expected the judge to deliver the ruling when proceedings opened yesterday, only for Justice Ademola to announce his withdrawal from the case, citing his trouble in the handa of men of the DSS.

    Before withdrawing from the case, Justice Ademola said: “I’m sure the prosecution and defence counsel are conversant with what is going on in the last seven days in this country. One of the allegations being made against me by the Department of State Security is that I received certain sums of unspecified money from the defendant.

    “Of course, I have responded to that allegation of receiving an unspecified sums of money from the defendant. But, it will be wise for him to answer some questions.” Justice Ademola engaged Dasuki in a conversation:

    Judge: “Do you know me at all or have come in contact with me?”

    Defendant: “I don’t know you, my Lord.”

    Judge: “Did you, at any time, give me money in respect of the ongoing trial?”

    Defendant: “No, my Lord. I didn’t give you any money.”

    Judge: “Did you send any money to me; to any member of my family or through any counsel?”

    Defendant: “No, my Lord, except if the DSS agents, who are reporting the allegation did.”

    Judge: “I am happy that you have answered these questions. In the interest of fair hearing, I am minded to return the case file to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court for further action.”

    Lead prosecution lawyer Oladipo Okpeseyi (SAN) said: “We are guided by your Lordship’s decision, even though we had come for a ruling and continuation of trial.”

    Adedayo Adedeji, who led Dasuki’s legal team, said he was aware of the recent arrest of some judges, including Justice Ademola. He praised the judge for withdrawing from the case.

    After listening to the lawyers, Justice Ademola said: “This court is minded to transfer this case to the Chief Judge. The defendant has vehemently denied in open court today the allegation made by the DSS.

    “Therefore, this case file has been returned to the CJ in line with the principle of fair hearing.  This criminal matter has been adjourned to another date as may be fixed by the new judge,” the judge said.

     

  • ARREST OF JUSTICES: Minister behind my travail -Justice Ademola

    •AGF: No vengeance, allow the law to take its course

    One of the Federal High Court judges under probe by the Department of State Security Services (DSS), Justice Adeniyi Ademola has accused Attorney-General of the Federation/ Justice Minister Abubakar Malami (SAN) of being behind his travails.

    Ademola, who narrated how 45 DSS operatives invaded his residence penultimate  Friday and ‘abducted’ him, claimed he once ordered the detention of Malami for alleged professional misconduct. He branded his arrest by the DSS as a ‘vendetta and revenge’ by Malami.

    He further alleged that he was forced at gunpoint to sign the inventory of items DSS claimed to have  recovered from his residence.

    Ademola, who opened up in a report to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, said 45 DSS operatives invaded his home at midnight on October 7, to conduct a search. He said he was picked up by the DSS without any warrant of arrest.

    But the AGF last night said he will “not join issues with Justice Ademola in order not to jeopardize ongoing investigation.”

    “The judge should allow the law to take its course instead of clinging to the last straw to defend the allegations against him,” he said through a spokesman.

    Justice Ademola in an October 11, 2016 letter to the CJN expressed regrets that he was ‘abducted’ on October 7 by DSS operatives.

    His words:  “On the 07/10/2016, I was in my house at No. 30 Ogbemudia Crescent, Apo Legislative Quarters, Abuja. On or about 12:00am (midnight) of the said Friday, I was awakened by loud sound of banging, breaking and hitting on my front door.

    “This gave me a lot of fear as I thought whoever was banging and hitting at my door were armed robbers or thieves especially because this was at an ungodly hour of the night.

    “Therefore I remained in my room upstairs and carefully listened to all the noise that came from downstairs. At this point, these persons had already started breaking into my house through the front door.

    “After some minutes, I heard the door fall to the ground and about 15 minutes also, some persons began to hit my living room door. This movement continued for about at least an hour, then I heard footsteps on my staircase and these unknown persons finally reached my bedroom door.

    “They asked me to open the door and I responded, asking them ‘who are you?’ They answered, we are officers of the Department of State Security Services (DSS) and we are here with a Search Warrant to search your house. I told them to allow me to call my counsel. At this point, they had already begun kicking at my door and after about three kicks, I got up and opened my bedroom door and let them in.

    “To my surprise, I saw about 45 masked officers of the DSS all heavily armed pointing their guns at me.

    “They flashed a document purported to be a search warrant and ordered me to sign on a document claiming that they had already conducted a search downstairs. They also added that I was totally under their control today as I have always made order against them (the DSS).

    “I complied and upon getting downstairs, I noticed that they had already scattered everything in the room on that floor. In the middle of the search, my counsel came and they continued with the search.

    “After the search they informed me that before they got to my bedroom, they found some money in my guest rooms downstairs. I moved back to my living room space, while they were searching, where I sat down waiting for them to finish.

    “When they finished, they came back to me with their guns still pointing at me, instructed me to take them back to my bedroom.

    “Upon arrival in the said room, they began their search again thoroughly in and out of my personal belongings i.e, bags, boxes and collected personal family documents and draft judgements.

    “All this activity lasted for about six hours and when they finally finished with their guns still pointed at me, they handed a document to me purported to be an inventory of the items found upon their search and threatened me to sign it as being true.

    “They threatened me if I did not sign it, they would not leave me alone and whatever they did to me at that point would be recorded that I will not be alive to tell the story of what transpired between me and them that night.

    “For fear and interest of my life, and unknown persons with mask on their faces, I collected the written items and signed the document.

    “I was whisked away at about 6 am to the office of the DSS ‘without any warrant of arrest or reason for my arrest.”

    He said he was informed 24 hours later that he was arrested based on “a petition by Hon. Jenkins Davies dated 4th of April, 2016 to the  National Judicial Council; granting bail to Col. Sambo Dasuki; and  unconstitutional release of Nnamdi Kanu.

    “After stating the grounds for the invasion as stated above they requested for explanation of the money found in my apartment, as well as two licensed firearms also found in my apartment….but they were unable to tell me the exact amount recovered.”

    On Malami, he said: “What is more intriguing in this whole episode, is that I see it as a vendetta/revenge from the Hon. Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN) whilst I was in Kano between 2004 and 2008. As a Federal High Court Judge, he was involved in a professional misconduct necessitating his arrest and detention by my order. However, with the intervention of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Kano branch, the allegation of misconduct was later withdrawn by me.

    “Consequently, the National Judicial Council ( NJC) referred Abubakar Malami (SAN) to the NBA Disciplinary Committee for disciplinary action. It was as a result of this he was denied the rank of SAN by the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee for a period of four years until when he produced a fake letter of apology, purportedly addressed to me.

    “It was then he was conferred with the rank. Since the above incident, Abubakar Malami (SAN) has threatened to revenge, and swore to do anything to bring me down.”

    The Federal High Court Judge appealed to the CJN to grant him leave to enable him pursue justice over alleged  infringement of his fundamental human right by the DSS.

    “My Lord, with this infringement of my fundamental right, I seek for the leave to commence an action against the Department of Security Service to enforce my right that was breached.”

    Ademola attached photocopies of the orders he gave against the DSS in respect of Dasuki’s case and the damage allegedly done to his property by the security officers.

    Reacting to the allegations, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Salihu Isah, the AGF said: “The Minister of Justice will not join issues with Justice Ademola in order not to jeopardize ongoing investigation.

    “The judge should allow the law to take its course instead of clinging to the last straw to defend the allegations against him.  At the end of the day, justice shall prevail. He should let the ongoing process take its full judicial course.

    “Having sworn to an oath to do good to all, the AGF has no cause to embark on vengeance or intimidation of any judge or any Nigerian.”

     

  • Five ex-permanent secretaries to face trial for alleged corruption

    Five ex-permanent secretaries to face trial for alleged corruption

    Barely 24 hours after they were retired, five of the affected 17 federal permanent secretaries may face trial for alleged corruption.

    One of those slated for trial has been interrogated by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission(ICPC).

    Another, who is rated as brilliant, allegedly indulged in using public funds for exotic vehicles,  foreign trips and outrageous hotel bills.

    It was also learnt that two of those involved were  linked to alleged bribery scandals.

    The retired Perm Secs include Aliyu  Ismaila; Godknows Igali; Alhaji Baba Farouk; Abdulkadir Musa; Linus Awute; Fatima Bamidele; Obinna John Chukwu; Ezekiel Oyemomi; Anasthesia Nwaobia; Tunji Olaopa; George A. Ossi ; Mike John Nwabiala; Mohammed Bashar and Abdullahi Yola.

    The fate of four others was unknown yesterday as they were either not given retirement letters or put on the list of those deployed.

    The floating permanent secretaries are: Odusote Ibukun; Henry Akpan, Nkechi Ejele and Dr. James Obiagwu.

    According to investigation, the Presidency was disturbed by security reports that many permanent secretaries embezzled public funds with impunity and were living above their means.

    The intelligence survey also revealed massive acquisition of property by permanent secretaries and top directors in the civil service.

    It was gathered that the security reports were confirmed by the disclosures in some books by Governor Nasir El-Rufai and a former Permanent Secretary, Dr. Goke Adegoroye.

    Some of the allegations being probed include acquisition of choice properties; $4.5b tax holidays;   N1.9billion Ebola Fund(including N900million for isolation tents); $2billion arms deal; N29billion fictitious contracts; N275.5million budget for 2015 poll monitoring; the mismanagement of subsidy funds; questionable waivers and N2.4 billion fertiliser scam.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “About five of the retired permanent secretaries might face trial based on discreet investigation by some security agencies on how they mismanaged their ministries.

    “Some of these permanent secretaries appeared before one or two anti-graft agencies for questioning. They are already aware of their pending trial.

    “Some of these senior civil servants have been pleading for soft landing but the government may not listen to them.”

    Asked to be specific on those affected, the source added: “The anti-graft agencies will soon take charge.”

    A former Permanent Secretary in the FCT, Adegoroye said compared to the success recorded in public service reform between 2004 and 2007, “there is now [in 2014] more rot to be cleared within the civil service system” .

    El-Rufai said: “This notion of let’s protect our own, no matter how bad they are, is the problem of the public service, where the federal service is now, is more troubling, because only those that are in finance, supply, and so on get to be permanent secretaries these days. The proportion of those in the lines where there is money that become Permanent Secretaries is a major indictment on the federal public service.”

    On the fate of the floating perm secs, a source said: “I think there was a little error in the compilation of the list of those retired. While the Presidency put the figure at 17, a statement by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation said it was 16.

    “When the list of deployment was released, these permanent secretaries were neither among those retired nor assigned.

    “The Head of Service is making necessary clarifications from the Presidency.”

  • Fed Govt probes Gambian Chief Justice for alleged corruption

    Fed Govt probes Gambian Chief Justice for alleged corruption

    The Federal Government is currently investigating Nigerian Acting Chief Justice of The Gambia, Justice Joseph Wowor over his role in an alleged bribery scandal.

    Foreign Affairs Minister Olugbenga Ashiru spoke yesterday in an interactive session with reporters at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secretariat, Abuja.

    Justice Wowor was allegedly video-taped while negotiating for bribe from a party to litigation in his country of assignment, The Gambia.

    Ashiru said the aim of government’s investigation was to establish the veracity of the allegation against Wowor

    The minister said the Nigerian Government would ensure that the interests of Nigerians living abroad are protected, adding however that any of them found wanting would be held accountable.

    He said: “We believe in the rule of law and we believe in due process. That is what we even do in Nigeria here in terms of our judiciary where our Chief Justice is working round the clock to sanitise the system.

    “The case in The Gambia is being looked into and if there is any case of highhandedness or whatever, the Nigerian Government will look into it and take necessary steps to ensure that the interest of Nigeria is protected.

    “I want to make it clear that we are all living witnesses to the fact that where any government in Africa unduly takes action against Nigerian, the Nigerian Government will act appropriately. We have various ways to do that. We have done it in the past and we will continue to do that.

    “One of our own principles is that we will stand up for and defend Nigerians anywhere in the world, especially where it is a case of victimisation or injustice. But when a Nigerian willfully plans to commit crime, then he is on his own because as a government, we don’t support criminality, indiscipline or anybody going to break the laws of any country”.

     

  • Alleged corruption: Court dismisses Ogbulafor’s no case submission

    Alleged corruption: Court dismisses Ogbulafor’s no case submission

    An Abuja High Court on Tuesday dismissed the `no case submission’ filed by the former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Vincent Ogbulafor, for alleged corruption charges.

    The Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) filed a 17-count charge against Ogbulafor, Emeka Ebilah and Jude Nwokoro.

    The anti-graft body alleged that they awarded fictitious contracts amounting to N107 million contrary Section 19 of the ICPC Act 2000.

    Ogbulafor, in his no case submission argued that the prosecution evidence were not sufficient to warrant the trial.

    However, Justice Ishaq Bello, in his ruling held that the prosecution established a prima facie case against the accused to warrant the trial.

    Bello said: “it is my considered view that on the totality of the evidence, the prosecution established a prima facie case to warrant the accused open his defence.

    “The no case submission fail and is accordingly dismissed,’’ the judge said.

    Bello ordered the accused persons to bring all their witnesses on the next adjourned date.

    He also threatened to revoke the bail of the second accused person, Ebilah, who was not in court during the ruling.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the judge adjourned the case to April 15, for Ogbulafor to open his defence.