The Nation Newspaper

Tag: alleged

  • PDP candidate’s alleged forgery case for March 1

    A magistrate court has adjourned till March 1, the alleged certificate forgery case against a People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chairmanship candidate, Busari Ayinde Kola, in the October 25, 2011 council election

    The matter, which came up for hearing last Friday, was adjourned following the absence of Magistrate F.O Aighokhaevbo, of the Igbosere Magistrate Court in Lagos.

    He was said to be on official assignment.

    Lead Counsel to the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Mr. David Adeyemi told reporters that he was ready for the trial before the adjournment.

    Busari was arraigned before the court on a four-count charge of forgery and two-count charge of perjury on December 14 last year.

  • CPC Caucus flays alleged romance of NEC member with Ondo LP

    The Southwest Caucus of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) has passed a “vote of no confidence” in the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Rotimi Fasakin.

    CPC state chairmen and other leaders from Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Oyo, Ekiti and Osun states, in a joint letter to the National Chairman, Prince Tony Momoh, accused Fasakin of undermining the merger plan of CPC with the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and others.

    Copies of the letter were made available to reporters in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

    The caucus said before last October’s governorship election in Ondo State, Fasakin agreed with the party’s position to collaborate with the ACN, but switched over to the Labour Party’s (LP’s) side after the election.

    The letter reads: “We are surprised that after endorsing CPC’s position two days before the election, Fasakin hurriedly went to the media to congratulate LP and Governor Olusegun Mimiko against the advice of our governorship candidate, Prince Soji Ehinlanwo.

    “Our party’s spokesman acted without recourse to Ondo State CPC and the entire Southwest Caucus. His action reflected a disdain for the views of our collaborative partner, ACN, that the election was marred by irregularities and is unacceptable. His action portrays the party in bad light as working against its partnership agreement with ACN.

    “It has come to the knowledge of the CPC leadership in the zone that some of our party men and ACN members believe the party’s National Publicity Secretary might have been compromised by LP.

    “We gave Fasakin the opportunity to defend himself, but he ignored it, an act we consider a display of arrogance and disrespect to the party’s structure and leadership.”

  • Kogi ACN decries alleged plan to divert women’s N230m to party members

    The Kogi State Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) yesterday decried alleged moves by the government to share the N230million meant for the women in the state to only card-carrying members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    In a statement in Abuja by its Chairman, Alhaji Haddy Ametuo, the party berated the government for saying the over N2billion for flood victims is “intact” while the victims were dying.

    The statement said: “Another issue begging for attention is the N230 million donated by Alhaji Aliko Dangote to be shared among 1,000 women per local government at N10,000 each.

    “The money is meant for Kogi women, irrespective of their political affiliation. But there is a clandestine move by the government to share this money among only PDP women.”

    The party said Dangote is a reputable businessman and philanthropist, who alleviates poverty in Nigeria.

    It added: “We shall continue to act as a watchdog for Kogi State people until things are done the right way and until justice, equity and fair play become the norm in governance.”

    ACN regretted that the last floods, which destroyed parts of the state, left scars on its victims.

    The party said the government has not shown it cares about the victims.

    It said: “The complaints, cries and groans of the flood victims in the relief camps reached a peak when they took to the streets last month to protest their neglect and abandonment.”

    ACN said the government feigned ignorance of the protest and kept silent over it since.

    “As the most credible opposition party in the state,” it said, “we owe Kogites the moral obligation to act as a check and balance on the government.”

    ACN added: “It would not be fair for us to continue to stand aside and look while fraud, corruption and inhuman treatment are meted out to people that deserve sympathy.

    “Over N2billion was donated to the victims by various groups and individuals, besides food and other materials.

    “Most of the workers of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and other relevant agencies have suddenly become rice and mattress sellers while the big ogas have suddenly developed ‘wings’ from this flood-induced windfall.

    “We went on air to complain about the inhuman act and the only explanation that came from the government, especially the Head of the Committee on the Flood and Deputy Governor Yomi Awoniyi, is that ‘the money is intact’.

    “The question now is: Is the money meant for a fixed deposit account or to alleviate the suffering of the unfortunate victims?

    “Is the money meant to bury the flood victims, when they die, or to help them recover and live?

    “If the answer to the above questions is no, then we demand the immediate release of the money to be used for its original purpose.”

  • Alleged N3.4b deal: Babalakin in fresh war with EFCC

    Alleged N3.4b deal: Babalakin in fresh war with EFCC

    The cold war between the embattled Chairman of Bi-Courtney, Dr. Olawale Babalakin and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has heightened, with the embattled businessman filing another ex-parte application at the Federal High Court in Lagos to restrain the Attorney-General of the Federation and EFCC from arresting and detaining him. Babalakin and four others have been sued over the N3.4billion allegedly laundered through Mauritius for ex-Governor James Ibori to buy a Challenger jet.

    The others are Alex Okoh, Stabilini Visioni Limited, Bi-Courtney Limited and Remix Nigeria Limited.

    They are also to face 27-count charge in the High Court of Lagos State, Ikeja Division bordering on siphoning $11.3million abroad for Ibori through Erin Aviation Account in Mauritius.

    But when the suspects were to be arraigned last week, Babalakin was said to be ill and on admission at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba.

    From the hospital bed, the businessman has returned to a Federal High Court also seeking an order to stop the police, State Security Service (SSS) and other security agents from arresting or detaining him.

    The respondents in the latest matter are the EFCC and the Attorney-General of the Federation.

    But Justice I.N. Buba refused to grant the ex-parte application.

    Justice Buba, in his December 18 ruling, said: “The court, having read the motion ex-parte and in view of Christmas vacation commencing next week, would not want to make an order ex-parte without hearing the respondents and also due to the urgent nature of this matter give this ruling.

    “It is hereby ordered as follows: That this suit is adjourned till December 21 for the hearing of the motion on notice.

    “That the five days within which to react by the respondents by the Fundamental Right Enforcement Procedure Rules is further abridged to December 21.

    “That the respondents shall be served with all processes filed unfailingly on December 18 to enable them react before December 21.”

    But Babalakin has asked the court to protect his fundamental human rights “pursuant to orders I, II, III, IV of the Fundamental Rights (enforcement procedure) Rules 2009.”

    He also asked the court to invoke articles 6 and 12 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Right (Ratification and Enforcement) Act No.2 of 1983 and sections 34, 35(1) and 41 of the 1999 Constitution.

    He is seeking an “order that the respondents and any other officers, agents or security agencies of the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, including without limitation the Nigeria Police or the SSS be restrained from harassing, arresting and/or detaining him in any manner howsoever further to Charge No. ID/239C/2012 filed at the Ikeja Division of the High Court of Lagos.

  • Falana: sack Wogu for alleged complicity in subsidy fraud

    Rights activist, Femi Falana (SAN), has asked President Goodluck Jonathan to sack the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Mr. Emeka Wogu, following his alleged involvement in an illegal payment of N2.7 billion to a company for fuel that was never supplied.

    Falana also faulted the appointment of Steve Oronsanye and Ben Otti, members of the Nuhu Ribadu-led Petroleum Revenue Special Task Force (PRSTF) into the Board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

    The activist-lawyer argued that the President, having earlier fired the Minister of Energy, Prof. Barth Nnaji, in a similar circumstance, would help the government’s integrity to also sack Wogu.

    Falana noted that it would be detrimental to the government’s reputation and President Jonathan’s earlier pledge to confront the rot in the oil sector should he retain Wogu both as a Minister and Head of the White Paper Committee on PRSTF.

    He argued that the call for Wogu’s sack was appropriate in view of the fact that despite the President’s pledge at the last media chat to tackle corruption in the oil sector, his aides have given the impression that the report by PRSTF would be ignored.

    The lawyer said the inclusion of Oronsanye and Otti on the NNPC Board negated the provision of sections 2 and 3 of the NNPC Act, which provide that the Board shall consist of the Petroleum Minister, who shall be the Chairman, the Managing Director of the NNPC, three persons appointed by the President and an alternate chairman.

    Falana threatened the Federal Government with a court action before the end of the year should the government decline to sack Oronsanye and Otti from the NNPC.

    He said: “In his recent media chat, President Jonathan reiterated the resolve of his administration to fight the rot in the petroleum industry.

    “In particular, he undertook to implement the reports of the various committees that probed the oil industry once the White Papers on them are issued by the Federal Government.

    “To assure the nation of the determination of the administration in prosecuting the war against corruption, more suspects have been charged to court in connection with the fuel subsidy scam.

    “However, the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Mr. Wogu, who is heading the White Paper Committee on the Nuhu Ribadu-led Petroleum Revenue Special Task Force, has been indicted in the illegal payment of N2.7 billion to a company for fuel that was never supplied.

    “As he cannot be a judge in his own case, Wogu should be removed from the White Paper Committee forthwith. More so that Reuben Abati, Doyin Okupe and the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources have given the impression that the report of the PRSTF would be swept under the carpet.

    “Since a minister was recently forced to resign from the Federal Government due to a “conflict of interest”, President Jonathan should not hesitate to remove Mr. Wogu from the cabinet.

    “It has also been confirmed that while the PRSTF was carrying out its assignment, Messrs Steve Oronsanye and Ben Otti were appointed into the Board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.

    “Although President Jonathan has denied the imputation that the appointment was designed to bribe and compromise Messrs Oronsanye and Otti, it is illegal, null and void as it violates sections 2 and 3 of the NNPC Act, which provide that the NNPC shall have six members and alternate Chairmen.

    “Specifically, the Board shall consist of the Petroleum Minister who shall be the Chairman, the Managing Director of the NNPC, three persons appointed by the President and an alternate chairman.

    “Instead of the seven members, the NNPC has nine members with the appointment of Messrs Oronsanye and Otti.

    “Since the NNPC Act has not been amended to validate the increase in the membership of the Board, Messrs Oronsanye and Otti should be removed.

    “In view of the serious implications of the illegal appointment on the activities of the NNPC and the national economy, the Federal Government should fire the duo as soon as possible.

    “However, if both are retained in the NNPC Board in contravention of the law, the Federal Government should be prepared to defend the illegal appointment at the Federal High Court not later than December 31.”

    The Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) rose from a consultative meeting in Enugu yesterday with a call on the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Emeka Wogu and Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godspower Orubebe, to resign.

    The call was contained in a statement issued after the meeting by the National Publicity Secretary, Osita Okechukwu.

    According to the statement made available to reporters, CNPP reviewed the state of the nation and came to the conclusion that corruption was taking a toll on the President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan administration, hence the public trust deficit.

    The umbrella body of registered political parties said if urgent steps were not taken to arrest the situation, the administration might end up being labelled as the most corrupt in the history of the country.

    CNPP stressed that the Jonathan government needs urgent cleansing “to erase this ugly label either by compelling the two ministers who have been publicly found to have abused their oath of office and code of conduct for public officers as enshrined in the 1999 constitution, to resign, or sack them if there is no honour left in them to resign.”

  • Two remanded in prison custody for alleged murder

    Two persons have been arraigned before a Lagos Magistrate’s Court in Yaba for allegedly killing an 18-year-old boy and packing his remains inside a ‘Ghana must go’ bag.

    They have been ordered to be remanded in prison custody pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).

    Obinna Ogbodo, 21, and Ibrahim Animashaun, 19, were alleged to have on August 4, at Aloko Compound, Orile-Iganmu, a Lagos suburb, conspired to kill Elijah Ejiajar.

    Prosecuting Assistant Superintendent of Police, (ASP) Felix Ifijen told the court that the defendants hit the deceased with a wooden stool at the back of his neck.

    He said Ogbodo owed Ejiajar N50, 000 adding that when the deceased came to demand for his money, the duo murdered him and tied him with a rope.

    Ifijen said they folded his remains inside a ‘Ghana must go’ bag and dumped the body inside a culvert.

    According to the prosecutor, Ejiajar’s decomposing body was discovered by other residents during environmental sanitation and the matter was reported to the police.

    He said the alleged offence contravened Sections 231 and 221 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos, 2011.

    Their pleas were not taken as the court lacked jurisdiction to try the matter.

    Magistrate O.S. Aka-Bashorun adjourned the case to December 3 for DPP’s advice.

  • APGA petitions CJN on Enugu CJ’s alleged interference

    The United States chapter of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA-USA) has petitioned the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Aloma Mukhtar, to prevail on the Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice Azubike Umezulike, to hands off the case between Ichie Jude Okoli and Sir Victor Umeh, the party’s National ChairmaThe petition was also sent to the American Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.

    It urged the authorities to examine the position of the CJ on the matter. The party alleged that Umezulike might have used autocratic judicial acts in handling the matter.

    In a 16-page document by Mr. Okwukwe Ibiam, the General Secretary of APGA-USA, the party called the attention of various authorities to the ex parte order and the interlocutory injunction by the CJ against APGA National Chairman.

    The party noted that the action of the Chief Judge would disrupt the activities of the party.

    “Chief Justice Innocent Azubike Umezulike refused to vacate the same interim order after its term lapsed on Tuesday, July 31. Justice Umezulike rather extended the same interim order on August 1, to September 16, when he said he would declare a ruling, after a hearing on an application from the National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Sir Victor Umeh, to vacate same order,” Ibiam said.

    The party noted that in his ruling on September 16, Justice Umezulike said his interim order would “endure”, because a “…reflection of these cases is of course demanded”.

    APGA-USA expressed worry that the Chief Justice, on September 24, extended the ex parte order initiated on June 25 and withheld judgment pending the review of an application before the Federal Court of Appeal, Nigeria.

    It added: “The judge, however, made a volte face and delivered judgment on October 8, in the same matter, without waiting for the ruling from the Federal High Court.”

    The party noted that the actions contravene Rule 2 (2), and Rule 2 A (6) of the Code of Conduct for Judicial officers in Nigeria on the issuance and use of interim injunction, ex parte.

    Rule 2 (2), states: “We, at the APGA, cannot but conclude that the use and grant of the ex parte motion and subsequently an interlocutory injunction was with bias”.

    APGA-USA said an extension of the same order could entail gradual denial of justice.

    It alleged that Justice Umezulike could have used the judicial process and legal procedures to slowly but surely choke the life out of the office of the party’s National Chairman.

    “We ask you to use your good offices to bring this matter to closure as the business of political activity is the daily business of the people and requires daily attention, which the APGA constitution requires our National Chairman to daily supervise,” it added.

     

     

  • Arisekola’s son arraigned for alleged N1.11b fuel subsidy fraud

    Abdulahi Alao, son of Ibadan businessman Alhaji Abdulazeez Arisekola-Alao , has been re-arraigned on a new charge of fuel subsidy fraud for N1,110,049,444.35

    He was arraigned for the third time before Justice Lateefa Okunnu of a Lagos High Court, Ikeja, with four others, including two oil companies.

    Alao was arraigned with three others before Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo on a nine-count charge for alleged subsidy fraud by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in July.

    He and his company, Axenergy Limited, were also arraigned before Justice Habeeb Abiru of a Lagos High Court, Ikeja on a seven-count charge for alleged subsidy fraud in the same month.

    The younger Alao was also arraigned on a six-count charge for alleged subsidy fraud with four others- Axenergy Limited, Opeyemi Ajuyah, his company, Majope Investment Limited and Olanrewaju Olalusi.

    Alao and Axenergy are the third and fourth defendfants in the new suit filed by the EFCC.

    The EFCCaccused them of conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretences contrary to Section 1(3) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences.

    They were also alleged to have forged a document titled, “Shore Tank Certificate” dated January 22, last year, purporting the document to have been issued by an officer of Q & Q Control Services Nigeria Limited.

    The commission said the offence contravened Section 467 of the Criminal Code Cap. C17, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2003.

    All the accused pleaded not guilty .

    Their counsels, Taiwo Taiwo, West Idahosa and D.A. Awosika, pleaded for bail on their behalf.

    Justice Lateefa Okunnu adjourned the matter till October 19

  • Alleged N1.051b subsidy scam: EFCC to arraign four more suspects today

    •Four suspects in trouble over N2.9m scam

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday said four more suspects will be arraigned today in Abuja for alleged N1.051billion fuel subsidy scam.

    AIhaji Saminu Rabiu, Jubril Rowaye and two companies, Alminnur Resources Limited and Brila Energy Limited – are to face trial.

    EFCC spokesman Wilson Uwujaren said the suspects allegedly collected the subsidy to purportedly import 10,000 metric tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

    The EFCC said the suspects would be arraigned before Justice Adebukola Banjoko of the FCT High Court on a 17-count charge bordering on conspiracy and fraudulently obtaining N1, 051, 030, 434, 63 from the Petroleum Support Fund as payment for the purported importation of 10,000 metric tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS.

    “Thirteen suspects were arraigned before Lagos courts on Friday, October 5, on similar charges. They are Aro Samuel Bamidele, Abiodun Kayode Bankole, Ifeanyi Anosike, Emeka Chukwu, Ngozi Ekeoma Alhaji Adamu Aliyu Maula, George Ogbonna and Emmanuel Morah. The five companies involved are A.S.B. Investment Company Limited, Anosyke Group of Companies Limited, Dell Energy Limited, Downstream Energy Sources Limited and Rocky Energy Limited,” he said.

    The EFCC has arraigned the duo of Uzoma Loius Jerry Okonkwo and Okonkwo Ugochukwu alongside their companies – Mayor Global Resources Investment Limited and Okonkwo Energy Solution Limited – before a Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos , on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy and obtaining money under false pretence.

    Louis Jerry Okonkwo, Ugockukwu, Mayor Global Resources Investment Limited and Okonkwo Energy Solutions Limited were said to have on September 8, 2009 in Lagos obtained from Dezern Nigeria Limited under the false pretence that the money was the cost of 33,000 litres of DPK, knowing this to be false.

    The offence is contrary to Section 516 of the Criminal Code Act Cap 77, Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1990 read in conjunction with section 8(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under section 1(3) of the same Act.”

    When the charges were read to them, they pleaded not guilty.

    EFCC counsel Anselem Ozioko prayed the court to remand the accused persons in prison custody, pending the hearing of the case.

    Defence counsel Frank Ndigwe, however informed the court that he had filed an application for bail for the accused persons and urged the court to consider the application.

    Justice Okechuku Okeke adjourned the matter till October 29 and November 1, 9, and 19. He ordered that the accused be remanded in prison custody.

     

  • Two in court for alleged kidnap

    Two men have been arraigned before a Yaba Magistrate’s Court over the alleged kidnap of a middle-age man, Maxwell Obiahuoko.

    Alani Saheed, 28, and Ozor Stephen, 50, were brought before Magistrate Patrick Adekomaya on a two-count charge of conspiracy and kidnapping under Sections 409 and 269 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos, 2011.

    Prosecuting Inspector Godwin Anyanwu told the court that the accused with others at large, on June 18, between 7pm and 9pm, at Ikate, Surulere, kidnapped Obiahuoko and took him to an unknown destination.

    He said they detained him Obiahuoko against his will and prevented him from reaching his family.

    Anyanwu told the court that the matter was reported by Obiahuoko’s wife, Franca, when she did not see her husband for days.

    Anyanwu said the woman alleged that Ozor was not happy her husband came to demand the N240, 000 given to him in 2007 to rent a house for her. She said when a peace meeting was called, Ozor threatened that he would teach her husband a lesson.

    He said the woman alleged that Ozor, who has been her husband’s friend for many years, refused to pay the N240, 000, but threatened to deal with Obiahuoko and a few weeks later, he (Obiahuoko) disappeared.

    Ozor, Mrs Obiahuoko claimed, did not remit the whole N240,000 to the landlord.

    Obiahuoko’s wife was said to be looking for accommodation when Ozor offered to sublet his apartment since he wanted to move into his own house.

    Saheed, who was said to be owing Obiahuoko N1million for equipment he bought, allegedly threatened the missing man after he attempted to collect the equipment from him.

    Obiahuoko was said to have been invited by Saheed to come and collect part of his money, when he disappeared.

    The accused pleaded not guilty and were granted N500, 000 bail, with two sureties in the like sum by Magistrate Patrick Adekomaya. The matter was adjourned till November 5.