Tag: Court

A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)’s application to freeze 67 banks accounts domiciled in different banks over alleged N52.9 million fraud.

Justice Emeka Nwite granted the application after the EFCC’s lawyer, Martha Babatunde, moved an ex-parte motion to the effect.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the motion ex-parte, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1895/V/2024, was filed by Miracle Anameze.

The motion sought an order empowering the Executive Chairman of EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, or any other officer of the commission empowered by him to instruct the managing directors of the banks to stop all outward payment, operations, or transaction (including any bill of exchange) in respect of the bank accounts pending the conclusion of investigation.

When the matter was called, the anti-graft lawyer informed the court that the application was dated Dec.  16 and filed Dec. 17.

“Our motion prays for an order of this honourable court freezing the bank accounts as stated in the scheduled attached

“There are three grounds attached,” she said.

Babatunde urged the court to grant the application.

Justice Nwite then asked the lawyer for how long will the investigation take and she said 90 days.

The judge, who held that the application was meritorious, granted the prayer.

He adjourned the matter until March 24 for mention.

NAN reports that in the three grounds of argument, the lawyer said the court was empowered to grant reliefs sought.

She said the bank accounts in respect of which the order was sought contained proceeds of crime and there is need to prevent the dissipation of the funds.

She said the accounts in respect of which the reliefs were sought were subject matter of investigation by the EFCC.

In the affidavit deposed to by Ikenna Chukwueze, an investigator attached to the EFCC’s Procurement Fraud Section, the officer said he was part of the team assigned to investigate the matter.

He said the commission received a criminal petition on Oct. 17, 2023, accompanied with the statement of account of Advance Development Services Engineering Limited (ADSEL) and signed by one Barr. Nnamdi Micheal Ogobuchi on behalf of ADSEL and Mr Dollah Kingsley Nnamdi against Taiwo Abubakar Oluwajuwon and Heasy Enterprises.

He said the petition alleged the offence of internet related fraud, conspiracy and unauthorised withdrawal involving the sum of N52,99 1,000.00 (fifty two million, nine hundred and ninety-one thousand naira.”

Read Also: EFCC clampdown on largest cybercrimes centre resolve to tackle menace – NBM of Africa

Chukwueze said the team commenced a discreet and thorough investigation into the matter to ascertain the veracity or otherwise of the petition.

According to him, the preliminary investigation conducted revealed that the petitioner operates a corporate naira account no 10277491959 with VFD Microfinance Bank.

He said on Oct. 16, 2023, the petitioner’s corporate account was compromised wherein the sum of N50 million was withdrawn from the account in fast succession to an account domiciled with Moniepoint Microfinance Bank with account name, Heasy Enterprises; 8220378843 owned by Oluwajuwon.

“Flowing from the details of investigation above, the applicant (EFCC) quickly wrote letter of investigation activities to Moniepoint Microfinance Bank requesting for the statement of account of Heasy Enterprises with account no 8220378843 belonging to one Abubakar Taiwo Oluwajuwon.

“The statement of account of Heasy Enterprises confirming the receipt of the said sum of N50, 000,000 (fifty million naira) is hereby attached and marked as exhibit EFCC 2.

“Upon analysis of exhibit EFCC 2, it was discovered that the suspect Taiwo Abubakar, the account holder of exhibit EFCC 2, transferred part of the money fraudulently received to different individuals whose names and accounts appears in the schedule attached to the face of this application,” he said.

He said investigation into exhibit EFCC 2 further revealed that Oluwajuwon on receipt of the proceeds of his unlawful act, transferred the sum of N19,990,000 from his business name account (Heasy Enterprises) to one Litano Pro Limited Resources with acct no 6355725703.

“The account statement of one Litano Pro Limited Resources confirming the receipt of the sum is hereby attached and marked as exhibit EFCC 3.

“Further investigation and analysis of exhibit EFCC 2 revealed that the suspect one Abubakar Taiwo, on receipt of the proceeds of his unlawful act transferred the sum of N11,000.00 (eleven million naira) to one Nwezeocha E-N Enterprises with acct no 6342170336.

“The statement of account of Nwezeocha E-N Enterprises is hereby attached and marked as exhibit EFCC 4.

“Further investigation and analysis of exhibit EFCC 2 revealed that the suspect, one Abubakar Taiwo, on receipt of the proceeds of his unlawful act transferred the sum of N11,440,000.00 (eleven million, four hundred and forty thousand naira and N10,000.000 (ten million naira) to one Chigozle Okpala with acct no 6395639693.

“The account statement of Chigozie Okpala is hereby attached and marked as exhibit EFCC 50.

“Further investigation and analysis of exhibit EFCC 2 revealed that the suspect, one Abubakar Talwo transferred the sum of N10,000,000.00 (Ten million naira) to one Chukwudalu Jude Owulu,” he said.

The Investigator said based on the foregoing, a BVN search was conducted on them, which revealed the multiple accounts they maintained as seen in the schedule attached to the application, hence the need for the order to enable the commission conclude investigation.

The officer said the order was necessary to preserve the monies that had been paid into the accounts as contained In the schedule to the application pending the conclusion of investigation.

The 67 accounts are domiciled in Union Bank, Stanbic Bank, GTBank, Wema Bank, OPAY, Zenith Bank, KUDA, UBA, FCMB, Moniepoint, Keystone Bank, Access Bank, Providus Bank, Globus Bank, Polaris Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, TAJ Bank, First Bank, PALMPAY, VFD Microfinance Bank, etc.

(NAN)

…their conviction a historical blow to the illicit drug trade, says Marwa 

Four drug kingpins linked to the historic 2022 seizure of 2.1 tonnes of cocaine at a residential estate in Ikorodu, Lagos, have been convicted by a Federal High Court in Lagos. 

Justice Yellim Bogoro sentenced the culprits to a total of 28 years imprisonment with hard labour. 

The director of media and advocacy for the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday. 

The convicted individuals include Soji Jubril Oke, 71; Wasiu Akinade, 55; Emmanuel Arinze Chukwu, 67; and Kelvin Christopher Smith, 44, a Jamaican. They were charged with six counts, including conspiracy to form and operate a drug trafficking organisation (DTO), management and financing of a DTO, and the importation and possession of 2,139.55 kilograms of cocaine. 

Their trial was initiated in October and December 2022 under charge number FHC/L/607C/2022. 

Meanwhile, the trial of a fifth suspect, Oguntolure Sunday, who was arraigned alongside the convicted individuals, is still ongoing. 

Babafemi noted that the massive cocaine haul was the result of a well-coordinated, intelligence-led operation conducted on Sunday, 18 September 2022, by a special NDLEA unit. 

The raid targeted a property at 6 Olukuola Crescent, Solebo Estate, Ikorodu, and led to the largest singular cocaine seizure in Nigeria’s anti-narcotics history. 

The statement reads, “The drug kingpins were picked from hotels and their hideouts in different parts of Lagos between the night of Sunday 18th and Monday 19th September 2022. 

“After over two years of diligent prosecution, the trial judge handed the Jamaican, Kelvin Christopher Smith, four years imprisonment with hard labour; Emmanuel Arinze Chukwu received a total of 16 years; Soji Jubril Oke got five years with hard labour; and Wasiu Akinade three years with hard labour. The trial judge, however, gave the convicts varying options of fine, except one of them who will serve his full jail term without an option of fine. 

Read Also: INTERPOL declares 14 Nigerians wanted for ‘drug trafficking, robbery’

“They were also to forfeit a grey-colored Toyota Tacoma SUV marked AAA-734HT registered in the name of Emmanuel Chukwu; $50,000.00 USD (Fifty Thousand US Dollars) belonging to Chukwu; N55,099,509.50 (Fifty-Five Million, Ninety-Nine Thousand, Five Hundred and Nine Naira, Fifty Kobo only) also belonging to Chukwu; the sum of N9,003,168.06 (Nine Million Three Thousand, One Hundred and Sixty-Eight Naira Six Kobo only) belonging to Wasiu Akinade, and N3,052,295.20 (Three Million, Fifty-Two Thousand, Two Hundred and Ninety-Five Naira Twenty Kobo only), also belonging to Akinade.” 

Babafemi added that the Agency also, in another suit marked FHC/L/MISC/672/2024 and filed before Justice Bogoro on 9 December 2024 after an initial interim forfeiture order, secured the final forfeiture of two houses linked to members of the drug cartel. 

According to the statement, the trial court directed, “That an Order of final forfeiture and confiscation is granted in favour of the Federal Government of Nigeria, Landed Property/House Number 6 Olokunola Street, Sholebo Estate, Ikorodu Lagos, Lagos State, as contained in Exhibit NDLEA 2A, 2B, and 2C attached to this application used for the storage and concealment of 2,139.55kg (More Than Two Tons) Cocaine, an illicit substance similar to Heroin and LSD. 

“That an Order of final forfeiture and confiscation is granted in favour of the Federal Government of Nigeria, Landed Property/House Number J9, Road 3, Close 1, Victoria Garden City (VGC) Estate, Lagos, Lagos State, as contained in Exhibit NDLEA 3 attached to this application reasonably believed to have been bought with proceeds derived from trafficking in illicit drug substances (proceeds of crime) as in relief 1 of this Motion. 

“That an Order is granted directing the sale or disposal by any other means provided by law of the forfeited House/Landed Property by the Applicant and the payment of the proceeds therefrom to the Federal Government of Nigeria.” 

Babafemi said, while commending all the officers and men of the Agency involved in the extensive investigation and prosecution of members of the drug cartel, that the Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) stated that the case is a historical blow to the drug cartels and a strong warning that they’ll not only go to jail but will equally lose all their investments in illicit drug consignments, including all the properties and wealth acquired through the criminal trade.

There was a mild drama at a Federal High Court in Abuja as a suspect begged to retake his plea after pleading guilty to the two-count charge read to him.

The suspect, Adun Adewale, also known as “Coachbanter,” was arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite on alleged cybercrime offence against Inspector-General (I-G) of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the I-G had, in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/634/2024, sued Adewale as sole defendant.

In the charge filed on Dec. 17 by A.A. Egwu, the defendant was alleged to have, sometime in 2024, intentionally sent video recording by means of computer system and network through his Tiktok username: “@brodabanter_backup_page” and handle “CoachBanter.”

 Adewale was alleged to have said in the said video, “Police IG Egbetokun busted for colluding with notorious cartel moving cash from CBN (Central Bank of Nigeria) vault via Abuja, Lagos airport.”

The statement he knew to be false, “for the purpose of causing a breakdown of law and order.”

The offence is said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 24 (1) (b) of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.

In count two, he was also alleged to have sent a video through his Tiktok username accusing Egbetokun of victimising police officers to shield members of a cartel notorious for hauling suspicious new bank notes from the CBN.

The statement, which was said to be false, was contrary to and punishable under Section 24 (1) (b) of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.

Read Also: EFCC clampdown on largest cybercrimes centre resolve to tackle menace – NBM of Africa

Upon resumed hearing, the I-G’s counsel, Victor Okoye, told the court that the matter was slated for the arraignment of the defendant and that he was ready to proceed.

After count one was read to Adewale, he pleaded guilty.

When the registrar read count two, the defendant said: “I pleaded guilty with reason.”

“What is the reason?” Justice Nwite asked.

Adewale explained from the dock that he saw the post somewhere and he forwarded it to his page.

His lawyer, O.A Olaleye, therefore, prayed the court for a stand down in order to confer with his client.

Although Okoye opposed the application, the judge stood down the matter in the interest of justice.

After the court reconvened, Adewale’s lawyer told the court that he had discussion with his client and Adewale told him that he (defendant) did not understand the charge read to him.

Based on this premise, the lawyer prayed the court for the charge to be read again for his client to take his plea.

But Okoye vehemently opposed the application.

He argued that before Adewale took his plea, he was asked if he understood English Language and he responded in affirmative.

The prosecutor said besides, the defendant was represented by a lawyer.

He said the law is clear that when a defendant understands the charge read to him, it does not behove on the lawyer to persuade the defendant to change his plea.

Justice Nwite consequently adjourned the matter until Dec. 30 for the parties to address the court on the position of law in such instance.

(NAN)

An Ogun Special Anti-Cultism Court in Abeokuta yesterday sentenced a 36-year-old man, Oluwole Olushola, to seven years imprisonment for belonging to a secret cult.

Olushola of no fixed address was convicted on a two-count charge of membership of an unlawful society and possession of dangerous weapon.

The Magistrate, Mr O.L. Oke, said that the prosecution proved its case beyond every reasonable doubt.

He sentenced the convict to seven years on count one and five years imprisonment on count two.

Oke sentenced the convict without an option of fine, adding that the sentence should run concurrently.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Inspector Olaide Rawlings, told the court that the convict committed the offences on March 10 at Eloham Hostel, Harmony Estate at Camp Alabata area of Abeokuta.

Read Also: JUST IN: Appeal Court fines MTN N15million over unsolicited services

Rawlings said that the convict was arrested by officers on patrol after they received a distress call over a cult rival clash.

She said during the convict’s arrest he was found with a cutlass which he could not give a satisfactory account of.

“Upon his arrest, the convict made a confessional statement of belonging to a Black Axe secret cult group,” she said.

Rawlings, however, said the offences contravened Sections 34 and 80 of the Prohibition of Forcible Occupation of Landed Properties, Armed Robbery, Kidnapping, Cultism and other Anti-Violence and other Related Offences Laws, 2016.

A Delta State High Court sitting at Akwukwu-igbo yesterday sentenced one Obinna Eze to death by hanging for killing a six-month-old child.

Eze was charged with three counts of attempted murder, murder and causing grievous harm, preferred against him by the Delta State Government.

The state government had charged Eze for killing a six-month-old baby, one Chimaobi Igwe, and causing bodily harm to the child’s mother, Mrs Blessing Igwe.

He pleaded not guilty and trial went on.

However, yesterday, Justice Marcel Okoh found the defendant guilty of all the charge.

Delivering judgment, Justice Okoh held that the prosecution proved its case beyond every reasonable doubt.

Read Also : Court nullifies APC congresses in Rivers 

He said that evidence provided by the deceased child’s mother, the pathologist, and the confessional statement tendered by the police established the prosecution’s case.

The court, on the other hand, rejected the defendant’s denial in his testimony before the court, and the retraction of his confessional statement.

The court convicted and sentenced him to death by hanging for killing the six-month-old child.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the prosecution was led by the State Solicitor and Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Justice, Mr Omamuzo Erebe.

He said the convict committed the offences on Oct. 27, 2023, at Talita Street, at Okpanam Road Asaba.

Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has nullified the congresses of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

 The court set aside the Congress that produced  Chief Tony Okocha as the state Chairman of the party following a contempt proceeding instituted by the faction of the party led by Chief Emeka Beke.

 The court earlier issued an order stopping the conduct of the congresses but the APC went ahead to carry out the exercise.

Read Also: Uzodimma commends Okewulonu, Nnaji, Okere, Obi, others as they join APC

Members of the Beke-led faction, who got the enrolled order returned to court and filed a contempt proceeding against the party.

Justice Godswill Obomanu nullified the exercise after  listening to the presentations and submissions of the parties.

• Don’t blame me, House has powers to oversee my activities- Okpebholo 

Eighteen local government council chairmen and their deputies suspended by the Edo State government have been restored back to office.

A High Court in Benin, Edo State, ordered their restoration.

Justice Efe Ikponwonba yesterday granted the order against the Edo State Government, Edo State Governor, and four others who were listed as 1st-6th defendants, respectively, in the suit filed by 18 local government council and ALGON in Edo State.

The court directed the defendants not to give effect to the House of Assembly resolution of December16, 2024, purporting to suspend the Local Government chairmen and their deputies.

The Court granted an order of mandamus directing parties to maintain status quo ante belum as of December 12, 2024 when the matter was filed in court pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

The 18 local government chairmen of Edo, under the umbrella of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), hailed the Benin court’s ruling and Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF)/Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi’s position of declaring their suspension illegal, while calling for collaboration between the three tiers of government, for a better Nigeria.

ALGON’s Edo Vice Chairman, Tajudeen Alade, yesterday in Benin,  said the decision of the state’s court and declaration by the AGF (Fagbemi) would strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.

Alade said: “ALGON, Edo State chapter, is happy with the court order and declaration of the AGF, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN. The national body of ALGON has also issued a statement, but most importantly is the statement that emanated from the AGF, which goes to show that we are prepared for the journey ahead to rescue Nigeria from the doldrums.

“We are very much appreciative of the current development, as it will spur us, as local government chairmen in Edo State, to continue to hit the ground running, in order to deliver the required dividends of democracy to our people, irrespective of the economic crunch, which we know we will get out, if we work together.

“We are ready to work with Governor Monday Okpebholo for the betterment of Edo State. He remains our father and of course, we will continue to give him the due respect. The idea of misconduct or insubordination does not arise at all, because we are intelligent people and we understand that both the local governments and the state need to partner, to ensure that the state  moves forward.

Read Also: BUA chairman Rabiu endorses Tinubu’s economic reforms, urges patience

“By the special grace of God, we will continue to toe that part, to ensure that both the state and the local governments are not at loggerheads. I can assure you that despite this ugly development, we are still not at loggerheads. For members of Edo House of Assembly, I am sure that they will have a rethink, and the court has been doing the needful not to favour us, but to strengthen democracy. The fourth estate of the realm has also been doing a great job.”

Edo Chairman of PDP, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, heartily welcomed the ruling of the state’s high court, which granted the application to reinstate the chairmen and vice chairmen of the 18 local government areas, whom he said were illegally and unconstitutionally suspended by the Edo House of Assembly, at the behest of Okpebholo.

Aziegbemi said: “The landmark decision (of Edo High Court, Benin) is a victory for the Edo people, democracy and the rule of law. We heartily felicitate the local council executives and celebrate the judiciary for standing on the path of truth, upholding the rule of law, and safeguarding the nation’s democracy.

“We consider this ruling timely and particularly significant, as it will help restore hope in the people, that the judiciary still remains the last hope of the common man, especially as the tribunal proceedings on the 2024 governorship election continue, where the PDP is resolute on reclaiming the mandate overwhelmingly given to it by the people of Edo State.

“On the back of the position that the judiciary has clearly espoused, we urge all local government chairmen to return to their offices and continue their work of advancing grassroots development and the delivery of impactful governance, for the benefit of their communities.

“While we urge all stakeholders to respect this decision, in the interest of peace and in compliance with the rule of law, we also call on the police and all security agencies to come out in their full regiment to protect the local government councils and the chairmen, ensuring they can effectively carry out their constitutional duties and responsibilities.”

Meanwhile, the state governor, Monday Okpebholo, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, claimed that the council chiefs were suspended by Edo lawmakers.

Itua said: “The suspension of local government chairmen (and the 18 vice chairmen) in Edo State has sparked an intense debate. However, a closer examination of the Constitution and the Federal Attorney-General’s comments, reveal that the decisions by the  Edo State House of Assembly, vis-a-vis, the Governor of the State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, are entirely justified.

“From a legal perspective, the (Edo) governor’s request to the House of Assembly to suspend the chairmen was done within his constitutional powers. The (Edo) House of Assembly had the right to turn down the request, but opted to act on it. It is therefore unfair to blame the governor. If the governor had the powers to suspend the council chairmen unilaterally, he would not have resorted to drafting a letter to the House of Assembly.

“The concept of autonomy is often misunderstood, and in this case, it does not mean that the council chairmen cannot be oversighted. The House of Assembly has the powers to oversight the activities of the governor, and similarly, the governor has the right to exercise oversight over local government chairmen (and vice chairmen). The ongoing Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC’s) investigation of the 18 local government chairmen underscores the importance of accountability in governance.

“The issue is beyond the suspension of local government chairmen (and vice chairmen), but about the deeper issues of true federalism and the relationship between the state and local governments. The current constitutional construct recognises a two-tier federal design. It is clearly stipulated in the Constitution.

“There are local government laws of Edo State. By virtue of those laws, the Edo State House of Assembly is empowered to investigate local government councils. In carrying out its investigations, it suspended the chairmen. It is important to state clearly that a suspension is not a punishment. Members of the Edo State House of Assembly did not remove chairmen of the 18 local government councils from office. They were only suspended, to pave the way for a thorough investigation.

“It is essential to note that the apex court is both a court of law and a policy court, and while it has the power to make policy decisions, it cannot exercise this power, when the Constitution is clear on a matter. In this case, the Constitution is clear on who has the power to superintend over local government matters.

“While the opposition party (PDP) may be quick to pass a sweeping judgment, a more nuanced understanding of the issue will reveal that the actions by the Edo State  House of  Assembly and the Edo State Government are justifiable.”

Edo governor’s CPS also stated that for the records, the chairmen and vice chairmen were not removed from office, but suspended due to suspicious activities, and that Okpebholo had the right to exercise the power of oversight.

The  Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has nullified the congresses of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

The court set aside the congress that produced  Chief Tony Okocha as the state chairman of the party following a contempt proceeding instituted by the faction of the party led by Chief Emeka Beke.

Read Also: Christmas: First Lady calls for love, unity, environmental stewardship

The court earlier issued an order stopping the conduct of the congresses but the APC went ahead to carry out the exercise.

Members of the Bekee-led faction returned to court with the enrolled order and filed contempt proceedings against the party.

Justice Godswill Obomanu nullified the exercise after hearing the arguments and submissions from both sides.