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Tag: Babs Kuewumi

  • Alleged N3.5b fraud: Saraki’s aides get new trial date

    The trial of Senate President Bukola Saraki’s Deputy Chief of Staff Gbenga Makanjuola and two others was stalled at the Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday due to the judge’s transfer.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned them before Justice Babs Kuewumi on 11-count charge of money laundering.

    They were accused of conspiring to disguise the unlawful origin of N3.5billion paid into the account of Melrose General Services Limited.

    The company was also arraigned, along with its operations manager Obiora Amobi and a cashier in the Senate President’s Office Kolawole Shittu.

    Trial as billed to resume on Thursday before Justice Babs Kuewumi, but the judge said he had been transferred to Sokoto.

    He urged parties to take agree on when to appear before a new judge who will take over from him.

    “I have been transferred to Sokoto and I would not like to start what I can’t conclude. We have to adjourn the matter,” Justice Kuewumi said.

    The prosecution and the defence team agreed to return on March 13 for commencement of trial.

    EFCC, which arraigned the defendants last October 7, said Melrose General Services and Robert Mbonu, said to be at large, between December 14, 2016 and last January “took control” of the money transferred from the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) account to Melrose’s Access Bank account numbered 0005892453.

    The commission said they reasonably ought to have known that the money represented proceeds of their unlawful and fraudulent activity.

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    The alleged offence contravenes Section 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 15 (3).

    In count 5 of the charge, Makanjuola was accused of making a cash payment of N50million to Mbonu on December 20, 2016 without going through a financial institution.

    The alleged offence is punishable under Section 1 (a) of the Money Laundering Act and punishable under Section 16 (2) (b).

    They pleaded not guilty.

    EFCC accused the defendants of allegedly converting N3.5billion of N19billion London-Paris Club refund to states.

    EFCC claimed that Melrose General Services, whose alter ego is Mbonu, was never engaged by the NGF for any consultancy services in relation to the Paris and London Club loan refund.

    The commission claimed that the company allegedly recopied and misinterpreted work done by another consortium to the NGF for payment.

    EFCC said Melrose was paid N3.5billion by the NGF on December 14, 2016, and that it moved out about N2.2billion of the N3.5billion, the balance of which the commission had prayed the court to order its forfeiture.

     

     

  • EFCC arraigns Saraki’s aide, others for alleged N3.5b fraud

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday arraigned Senate President Bukola Saraki’s Deputy Chief of Staff Gbenga Makanjuola at the Federal High Court in Lagos for alleged N3.5billion fraud.
    He and three others were arraigned before Justice Babs Kuewumi on 11-counts of money laundering.
    They were accused of conspiring to disguise the unlawful origin of N3.5billion paid into the account of Melrose General Services Limited.
    The company was also arraigned.
    EFCC said Melrose General Services and Robert Mbonu, said to be at large, between December 14, 2016 and last January “took control” of the money transferred from the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) account to Melrose’s Access Bank account numbered 0005892453.
    The commission said they reasonably ought to have known that the money represented proceeds of their unlawful and fraudulent activity.

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    The alleged offence contravenes Section 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 15 (3).
    Melrose was accused of involvement in the alleged N19billion Paris Club scam.
    EFCC is accusing the defendants of allegedly converting N3.5billion of N19billion London-Paris Club refund to states.
    The company had denied involvement in any fraud, saying it was legitimately engaged by the NGF to render services leading to a refund of foreign loan over-deductions made by the states.
    EFCC had claimed in a previous forfeiture proceedings that Melrose General Services, whose alter ego is Robert Mbonu, was never engaged by the NGF for any consultancy services in relation to the Paris and London Club loan refund.
    The commission claimed that the company allegedly recopied and misinterpreted work done by another consortium to the NGF for payment.
    EFCC said Melrose was paid N3.5billion by the NGF on December 14, 2016, and that it moved out about N2.2billion of the N3.5billion, the balance of which the commission had prayed the court to order its forfeiture.
    In count 5 of the charge, Makanjuola was accused of making a cash payment of N50million to Mbonu on December 20, 2016 without going through a financial institution.
    The alleged offence is punishable under Section 1 (a) of the Money Laundering Act and punishable under Section 16 (2) (b).
    EFCC’s lawyer Ekene Iheanacho prayed that the defendants be remanded in prison; he sought for a trial date.
    Makanjuola’s lawyer Paul Erokoro (SAN) said his client had a pending bail application.
    Moving it, he said Makanjuola was a former House of Representatives member and was prepared to face his trial.
    “My client is a full-time staff at the Senate and is not a flight risk. He was a member of the House of Representatives.
    “I urge the court to grant him bail to prepare for his trial,” the SAN said.
    But, Iheanacho urged the court to dismiss the bail applications, arguing that the defendants would run away if granted bail.
    “One of the defendants has absconded. The chances that the other defendants will abscond are now higher with their arraignment.
    “We urge the court to refuse their bail requests,” he said.
    Justice Kuewumi adjourned until October 9 for ruling on the bail applications.
  • Patience Jonathan’s $15.5m: Lawyers disagree over representation

    Patience Jonathan’s $15.5m: Lawyers disagree over representation

    There was a mild drama at the Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday as two lawyers engaged in an argument over who to represent four firms that pleaded guilty to laundering $15.5million allegedly belonging to Patience Jonathan.

    The companies through their representatives pleaded guilty last September 15 and were convicted for laundering the money when they were arraigned in a criminal charge before Justice Babs Kuewumi.

    They admitted laundering the money allegedly belonging to wife of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Dame Patience.

    But the law firm of Mike Ozekhome Chambers filed an application on May 8 on the companies’ behalf seeking to set aside the guilty plea.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ) has filed a counter affidavit opposing the application.

    The former first lady is also praying the court to unfreeze the accounts in a separate suit.

    The companies are: Pluto Property and Investment Company Ltd (represented by Friday Davis), Seagate Property Development and Investment Company Ltd (represented by Agbor Baro), Trans Ocean Property and Investment Company Ltd (represented by Dioghowori Frederick) and Avalon Global Property Development Ltd (represented by Taiwo Ebenezer).

    EFCC arraigned them with a former Special Adviser on Domestic Affairs to President Jonathan, Waripamo Dudafa, a lawyer, Amajuoyi Briggs and a banker, Adedamola Bolodeoku.

    Dudafa, Briggs and Bolodeoku pleaded not guilty to the 17-count charge.

    Beside the application filed by Ozekhome Chambers, another motion to set aside the guilty plea was filed by Briggs, who was the companies’ secretary, through his lawyer Ige Asemudara.

    Yesterday, Chima Onuigbo, who stood in for Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), said he was served with the prosecution’s counter affidavit on Tuesday.

    He sought an adjournment to enable the companies respond.

    Another lawyer, Luke Aghanenu, also appeared  for the companies.

    He claimed he was engaged by the companies’ representatives as their authentic counsel.

    According to him, he is the one who ought to speak on the companies’ behalf, not Onuigbo.

    But, Onuigbo said Mike Ozekhome Chambers was engaged by Briggs to represent the companies.

    He said Ozekhome had been appearing for the companies, saying he was surprised by the new counsel’s appearance.

    He described Aghanenu as an “interloper”, saying he should have filed a proper application.

    Resolving the issue after a long argument, Justice Kuewumi asked Aghanenu to file a formal notice of appearance as the companies’ representatives.

    Asemudara said he was also served with EFCC’s counter affidavit on Tuesday.

    Dudafa’s lawyer Gbenga Oyewole (SAN) said he was not served.

    “As long as we’re involved in this proceedings we are entitled to be served,” he said.

    EFCC’s lawyer Rotimi Oyedepo said since the application was challenging the validity of companies’ plea, it could be heard and judgment delivered at the end of the trial.

    This, he said, would be in line with Section 396 (2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of 2015.

    “I apply that the trial should continue,” he said.

    But, Asemudara said his client was challenging the guilty plea and not the charge, so it should be taken first and ruling delivered before further proceedings.

    He said Oyedepo’s submission was misconceived, adding the case of the second defendant was “intricately connected” with the fourth to seventh defendants’ (the companies).

    He accused the prosecution of delaying the case, saying previous adjournments were at its instance.

    Urging the court to hear the application and deliver judgment, he added: “We don’t want our client to fear they were not given fair hearing.”

    Ruling, Justice Babs Kuewumi held that the application would be heard and determined before the prosecution witness continues with his evidence.

    “Section 396 (2) which says the delivery of the ruling shall be considered at the point of judgment does not apply to this type of application,” he said.

    The judge noted that EFCC’s late filing of its counter-affidavit necessitated the adjournment.

    Justice Kuewumi adjourned until December 12 for hearing of pending applications.

  • Unemployed man bags two years jail term for drug trafficking

    Unemployed man bags two years jail term for drug trafficking

    A Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday sentenced a 28-year-old unemployed man, Aminu Ali, to two years imprisonment for drug trafficking.

    The convict was charged by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on a count charge of dealing in restricted narcotics.

    Ali pleaded guilty to the charge.

    Before his sentence, he begged the court to tamper justice with mercy and give him another chance to turn over a new leaf.

    Ali promised that he would be a better person in life, if given the opportunity.

    Following his plea, the prosecutor, Mr Jeremiah Aernan, had reviewed the facts of the case before the court.

    Aernan tendered a written statement of the convict, a bulk of exhibit, a request for scientific aid form, a drug analysis form and remnants of the restricted substance.

    The court admitted them as exhibits.

    Delivering judgment, Justice Babs Kuewumi, found the accused guilty as charged and accordingly convicted him.

    Kuewumi said that the convict’s sentence would run from the date of his arrest.

    The prosecutor had told the court that the convict committed the offence on May 12.

    Aernan said that the convict was arrested at Alade area of Allen, Ikeja, in Lagos.

    He said that about 350g of Cannabis Sativa, known as hemp, was recovered from the convict, and was arrested and subsequently charged.

    The prosecutor said that the offence contravened Sections 11 (c) of the NDLEA Act, Cap N30, Laws of the Federation, 2004.

  • Drug trafficker jailed three years in Lagos

    Drug trafficker jailed three years in Lagos

    A 24-year-old man, Abiodun Ayinla, who peddled 650 grammes of Cannabis Sativa (hemp), is to spend the next three years behind bars, a Federal High Court ruled in Lagos on Tuesday.

    Ayinla was arraigned on a charge of drug trafficking by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). He had pleaded guilty to the charge.

    Delivering his judgement, Justice Babs Kuewumi said the court had found the accused guilty as charged.

    He, accordingly, sentenced him to a three-year jail term beginning from the date of his arrest.

    The prosecutor, Mr. Jeremiah Aernan, had told the court that the accused unlawfully trafficked 650 grammes of Cannabis Sativa (hemp) on May 5 at a dumpsite beside Atunrase Estate in Gbagada Lagos.

    Ayinla was immediately arrested and detained, he said.

    In proving that the accused was guilty of the offence, Aernan tendered a written statement by the accused, a request for scientific aid form and a drug analysis form.

    Aernan also tendered the remnants of the narcotics before the court as evidence and were admitted by the court and marked as exhibits.

    The offence of drug trafficking contravenes the provisions of Section 11 (c) of the NDLEA Act, Laws of the Federation, 2004.

  • $15.5m fraud: Absence of EFCC’s prosecutor stalls Dudafa’s trial

    $15.5m fraud: Absence of EFCC’s prosecutor stalls Dudafa’s trial

    The absence of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) prosecutor on Wednesday in Lagos stalled the ongoing trial of Waripamo-Owei Dudafa, a former Senior Special Adviser on Domestic Affairs to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.

    Dudafa is standing trial at a Federal High Court, Lagos, over alleged concealment of 15.5 million dollars (about N4.8 billion) which the former Nigeria’s First Lady, Mrs Patience Jonathan, has laid claim to.

    He was charged alongside two others, a lawyer, Amajuoyi Briggs, a senior staff of Skye Bank , Adedamola Bolodeoku, and four companies.

    The four companies are Pluto Property Development Company Ltd, Seagate Property Development Company Ltd, Transocean Property Development Company Ltd, and Avalon Property Development Company Ltd.

    At the resumed hearing of the case on Wednesday, the court informed the defendants that the EFCC prosecutor, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, had written a letter seeking for an adjournment.

    The letter stated that the prosecutor was on a national assignment outside the court’s jurisdiction.

    Responding to the EFCC’s letter, Dudafa’s counsel, Mr Gboyega Oyewole, said it was an “unfortunate situation” for the defendants.

    He said if the defendants had acted that way, EFCC would have accused both the court and the defence of delaying the proceedings.

    “Rotimi Oyedepo is not the only lawyer in EFCC, the commission has the largest lawyers’ chamber in Nigeria. It is an unfortunate situation, and I urge the court not to grant the application.”

    Also, counsel to the second defendant, Mr Ige Asemudara, said he was surprised that the prosecutor would not be in court because of a “national assignment” which was not well explained.

    He, therefore, urged the court not to grant the application.

    Counsel to the third defendant and the four companies, Mr Joseph Okobieme and Mr Jeff Kadri agreed with the submissions of the first and second defendants.

    The lawyers urged the court not to grant the adjournment, but to dismiss the charge against the defendants.

    In his ruling, Justice Babs Kuewumi, said the court would adjourn the case in the interest of justice.

    He fixed Sept 13 for continuation of trial.