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Tag: Shema

  • Oyetola inaugurates Shema, ten others into board of Nigerian Shippers’ Council 

    Oyetola inaugurates Shema, ten others into board of Nigerian Shippers’ Council 

    The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, on Monday inaugurated the governing board of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC).

    The Chairman of the board is the former Katsina State Governor, Ibrahim Shema.

    Other members of the Board include: Dr. Pius Akutah, Chief Emi Membere-Otaji, Chief John Aluya, Rt. Hon. Chiji Collins, Hon. Funmilayo Olasehinde, Engr. (Dr) Funmilola Rashidat Adeoti, Mele Kolo Giadem, Mrs Hafsatu Mohammed, Hon. Maharazu Adamu Dayi, and Mrs Uzoamaka Okereke.

    The Minister said the inauguration of the board represents the activation of institutional governance, the entrenchment of accountability, and the commencement of a renewed phase of purposeful oversight within our marine and blue economy sector.

    Oyetola said, “This decisive action underscores the administration’s commitment to good governance, institutional effectiveness, and the strategic repositioning of the Marine and Blue Economy as a driver of national transformation.”

    Oyetola disclosed that the Ministry is undertaking comprehensive reforms to reposition the sector as a vital pillar of economic growth and national development, with a focus on improving port efficiency and competitiveness, strengthening trade facilitation, and enhancing marine transportation.

    He said, “The Board of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council is expected to align fully with these priorities and provide the strategic oversight required to translate policy into measurable outcomes.

    “The Nigerian Shippers’ Council occupies a critical position as the designated Port Economic Regulator, entrusted with promoting efficiency, fairness, and transparency in port pricing, charges, and service delivery. The effective discharge of this mandate is essential to reducing the cost of doing business at our ports, facilitating trade, protecting the interests of shippers, and strengthening Nigeria’s competitiveness in regional and global commerce.

    “As members of this Board, you bear a solemn public trust. You are charged with providing policy guidance, strategic direction, and vigilant oversight in accordance with the law. Let me emphasise that while Management is responsible for day-to-day operations, the Board’s duty is to ensure that the Council remains faithful to its mandate, complies with government policies, and consistently delivers value to Nigerian shippers and to the national economy.” 

    He also charged members of the board to ensure that their meetings are purposeful.

    “Every meeting must be purposeful, every deliberation must lead to clear and actionable decisions, and every decision must advance efficiency, fairness, and competitiveness in the maritime sector. 

    “Your effectiveness will be measured not by the frequency of meetings held, but by the tangible impact of your decisions on trade facilitation, cost reduction, and national competitiveness.

    “As we inaugurate this Board today, we do so with confidence in your collective experience, professionalism, and dedication to national service. I urge you to justify the trust reposed in you by Mr. President and the Nigerian people through integrity, discipline, and demonstrable results.”

    The Minister while urging members of thr board to work in close harmony with the Management of the Council, stated, “You must be guided by professionalism, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to excellence in service delivery. There must be no distractions or conflicts that could hinder institutional performance. All deliberations, decisions, and actions of the Board must strictly conform with extant laws, government policies, rules, guidelines, and circulars.”

    Speaking on behalf of the members, Shema pledged that the board would discharge its responsibilities with diligence and integrity.

    He said the board would focus on strengthening regulatory oversight, embracing best practices, enhancing the use of technology, and supporting reforms aimed at improving trade facilitation and revenue generation in the maritime sector.

    “We assure you that this board will remain faithful to the mandate of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council and work to enhance efficiency, fairness and competitiveness in the sector, in line with existing laws and government policies.”

  • Dasuki, Diezani, Shema, Fayose houses top list of seized assets

    Owners of the  mansions seized by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have been unveiled. They are former governors, ex-ministers, top military officers and businessmen.

    Leading the pack is a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, who has forfeited some prized assets. Lost to the Federal Government by the ex-Minister are a multi-storey building in Banana Island Foreshore Estate in Ikoyi, Lagos; a real estate comprising six flats in Ikoyi and an estate of 21 mixed housing in Yaba, Lagos.

    Many properties allegedly linked with Diezani have also been placed under interim forfeiture by the anti-graft commission. Also, the EFCC has secured the final seizure of Flat 7B at Osborne Towers in Ikoyi, Lagos where $43.45 million cash was recovered. The embattled former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki, has two properties in Kaduna and Abuja temporarily forfeited to the government.

    Also, a former Managing Director of PPMC, Haruna Momoh, who is overseas, loses two mansions in posh Maitama District to temporary forfeiture order.

    Some ex-governors  and former ministers whose assets have been placed under interim forfeiture are Ibrahim Shema(20); Ayodele Fayose (three); Babangida Aliyu (two); Bello Mohammed (ex-PDP National chairman) – one;  Iyorchia Ayu (one); Isa Yuguda(one) and Abba Moro(one).

    Others are ex-Managing Director of Platinum Multi-purpose Cooperative Society Limited Mr. Michael Osasogie Obasuyi, who bought 134 buses, 20 houses with N11.4billion slush cash.

    The highlights of the forfeited assets were contained in a document, which The Nation stumbled on.

    According to the Acting Chairman of EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, about 407 mansions were seized by the agency from 2015 to 2018.

    He said: “Hundreds of properties such as filling stations, petroleum products, land, jewellery, automobiles, real estate, vessels, hospitals, company shares and heavy machinery and broadcast equipment, have been seized from corrupt elements between 2015 and 2018.

    “From 2015 to 2018, 407 mansions were seized, 126 have been forfeited finally and 281 are under interim forfeiture.

    “Nine filling stations were seized and placed under interim forfeiture. Lands seized sums up to 98, of which 56 are under interim forfeiture while 42 have been forfeited finally to the Federal Government.”

    The document indicated that the EFCC is empowered by the law to place all suspicious assets under Interim Assets Forfeiture – in line with Sections 28 and 34 of the EFCC (Establishment Act) 2004 and Section 13(1) of the Federal High Court Act, 2004.

    Section 28 of the EFCC Act reads: “Where a person is arrested for an offence under this Act, the Commission shall immediately trace and attach all the assets and properties of the person acquired as a result of such economic or financial crime and shall thereafter cause to be obtained an interim attachment order from the Court.”

    Section 13 of the Federal High Court Act reads in part: “The Court may grant an injunction or appoint a receiver by an interlocutory order in all cases in which it appears to the Court to be just or convenient so to do.

    “Any such order may be made either unconditionally or on such terms and conditions as the Court thinks just.”

    On the forfeited assets, Magu said they had been handed over to the Federal Government for use by Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

    He said: “The ones (the assets) that have been forfeited finally to the Federal Government were those allocated to federal agencies to save cost because these government agencies spend a lot of money to rent properties.

    “We tried as much as possible to avoid recourse to the auctioning of these assets.  If you auction, you sell at peanuts. And the EFCC tried to distant itself from the auctioning of the forfeited properties. We have left the initiative of what to do with recovered assets to the Federal Government.

    “As a matter of fact, I am not interested in any property. To me, to get the work done is the most important.”

  • Alleged N5.7b fraud: I’m ready for trial, says Shema

    FORMER Katsina State Governor Ibrahim Shema has said he is ready for trial.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is set to arraign him today before the high court.

    Shema is accused of diverting about N5.7 billion meant for the Subsidy Re-Investment and Empowerment Programme (SURE -P) initiated by former President Goodluck Jonathan’s government.

    A statement by Shema’s media team reiterated his innocence, and hoped that the trial will afford the former governor the opportunity to prove his innocence.

    The statement, signed by Oluwabusola Olawale, accused Governor Aminu Masari of being behind Shema’s travails.

    Olawale said Shema’s position remains the same since the government started its “persecution, intimidation and harassment” by setting up over 30 committees to probe Shema’s administration, and granted over 200 interviews to call him a thief.

    The statement reads: “The incumbent governor also set up Commission of Inquiry, sponsor petitions to the EFCC and Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), using Katsina State Attorney-General fiat to take Shema before Justice Maikaita Bako of the state High Court.

    “It also obtained a fiat from the Attorney-General of the Federation, curiously to take over corruption cases from the ICPC before the same Justice Bako to satisfy the interest of Governor Masari and his co-travellers.”

    Olawale alleged that the government would pressurise the EFCC to take Shema before Justice Gabriel Kolawole, of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on issues being tried before another court.

    He noted that Shema was also being taken before Justice Babagana Ahmed, of the Federal High Court, Katsina, on the same issues and allegations.

    Olawale added: “Former Governor Shema stands by his position that he is ready to defend himself in a fair and just trial. He, therefore, urges Nigerians and the international community to read between the lines in understanding the motive of those behind this desperation.

    “And with the fresh suit before Justice Babagana Ahmed of the Federal High Court, Katsina, we urge Nigerians and International Communities to monitor closely the planned arraignment of Shema on the slated date to understand the motive and agenda of the fresh suit.

    “We insist that Shema is innocent and demands for transparent, fair and just trial based on the rule of law, with the absolute belief that the God we worship is a just God who abhors injustice.”

  • Alleged N5.7b fraud: I’m ready to prove my innocence, says Shema

    •Ex-Katsina Governor tells EFCC he is ready for trial

    FORMER Katsina State Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema has said he was ready for trial as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is set to arraign him today before the state’s High Court.

    The EFCC is scheduled to arraigned Shema on corruption related charge in which he was accused of diverting about N5.7 billion meant for the  Subsidy Re-Investment and Empowerment Programme (SURE – P) initiated by the President Goodluck Jonathan administration.

    Shema’s media team issued a statement in Abuja yesterday, insisting that he was innocent and expressed optimism that the trial would afford the ex-governor the opportunity to prove his innocence.

    The statement, signed by the media team’s head, Oluwabusola Olawale, accused the state’s incumbent administration of being behind Shema’s travails.

    Olawale said his principal’s position remains the same since the state’s present administration started its alleged “persecution, intimidation and harassment of former Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema, by setting up over 30 different committees to probe Shema’s administration and granted over 200 media interviews to call him a thief and continue to sponsors media trial against him”.

    Olawale added: “Former Governor Shema stands by his position that he is ready to defend himself in fair and just trial and, therefore, urged Nigerians and the international community to read between the lines in understanding the motive of those behind this desperation.

    “And with the fresh suit before Justice Babagana Ahmed of Federal High Court, Katsina, we urge Nigerians and international community to monitor closely the planned arraignment of Shema on the slated date to understand the motive and agenda of the fresh suit.”

     

  • I’m ready for EFCC’s fresh suit, says Shema

    Former Governor of Katsina State, Dr. Ibrahim Shema, has said that he is prepared to defend himself in the planned fresh charges of money laundering, stressing that he expects the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to be transparent, fair and to base its trial on the rule of law.

    The former governor reiterated his commitment to face trial while responding to a publication attributed to the Kano Zonal Office of the anti-graft agency, which was signed by its spokesperson, Idris Nadabo, purporting that the commission was about to institute another suit against him.

    The Kano zonal office of EFCC had in the statement said that the commission plans to drag Shema before Justice Babagana Ahmed of the Katsina branch of the Federal High Court for allegedly laundering the sum of N5.7b meant for the Subsidy Re-Investment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P).

    But, in a statement, the Head, Media Team of former Governor Shehu Shema, Oluwabusola Olawale, said the former governor stands by his position that he “is ready to defend himself in a fair and just trial and therefore urges the international community to read between the lines to decipher the motive of Governor Aminu Bello Masari for his desperation to orchestrate multiple trials.”

    The statement said Nigerians and the international community should take notice of the suit coming up before Justice Ahmed to monitor it closely and understand the driving force and agenda of the planned fresh arraignment.

    Alleging a calculated attempt to distract Shema, especially after the recent rally in Katsina by Northwest zone of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the statement said: “We remain unshaken since Governor Aminu Bello Masari started his persecution, intimidation and harassment of former Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema, by setting up over 30 different committees to probe the Shema administration.”

     

     

     

     

     

  • Court to hear suit against Shema, others on April 10

    Court to hear suit against Shema, others on April 10

    A Katsina State High Court has fixed April 10, 11 and 12 to hear the suit against former Katsina State Governor Ibrahim Shema, and three others, for alleged financial impropriety.

    Other defendants in the case are former Commissioner for Local Government Affairs Sani Makana; former Permanent Secretary Lawal Rufai and a former ALGON Chairman Lawal Dankaba.

    The suit, instituted by the Katsina State government and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), accused Shema and the others of misappropriating N11 billion state funds.

    Shema, however, approached the Supreme Court to challenge the High Court’s jurisdiction to try him. But the apex court directed that he should return to the court and answer charges against him.

    The prosecution counsel, Sam Ologunorisa (SAN), told the court it fixed today (yesterday) for the parties to report back on the judgment of the Supreme Court.

    Ologunorisa drew the attention of the court to the March 24, 2017 motion, seeking certain reliefs from the High Court. He prayed the court to grant the reliefs, explaining that all parties have been served with the motion.

    The defence counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), however, drew the court’s attention to what he referred to as “fundamental errors” in the said motion.

    According to him, the seal on the motion does not belong to the person who signed it, saying it is improper for the motion to be served in that manner.

    Although Ologunorisa insisted that the Supreme Court had once settled the issue of seal and signature on a motion, Daudu argued that the apex court’s decision was on “where there is no seal at all on a motion”.

    He equally drew the attention of the court to the Supreme Court directive that document pertaining the hearing of the case be made available to the defendants.

    Justice Ibrahim Maikaita Bako stood down the court for 10 minutes to allow proper correction to be effected on the said motion before adjourning the case till April 10, 11 and 12, for hearing.

  • Alleged N11b fraud: I’m ready for trial, says Shema

    Alleged N11b fraud: I’m ready for trial, says Shema

    Former Katsina State Governor Ibrahim Shema has said he is ready to face trial for the corruption charges brought against him, and three others, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Shema, while reacting to the Supreme Court’s January 26 judgment, prayed for an open and fair trial.

    The court held that the 22-count charge, and documents filed with it as evidence, were dully filed and competent within the requirement under Section 36(6) (a) and (b) of the Constitution.

    It also said the EFCC was empowered under the law to prosecute Shema and others at the state High Court, and under the state’s law, as long as it relates to economic and financial crimes.

    Other defendants are Sani Hamisu Makana (Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affiars); Lawal Ahmad Safana (Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs I; and Ibrahim Lawal Dankaba (Chairman, Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON).

    Shema, in a statement yesterday by his media aide, Olawale Oluwabusola, said since the apex court agreed that the prosecution must provide him with all necessary materials for his defence, he was sure he would be exonerated.

    The statement reads: “Former Katsina State Governor Ibrahim Shema received the Supreme Court’s judgment as a welcome development, with the decision of the court affirming his right to be provided with the statement of claims, bank statements, documents and list of witnesses relevant to the charges against him.

    “Shema has never been opposed to fair trial; his grouse has been against what was playing out in the allegations and trial by ambush. Now that the highest court has spoken, he expects the EFCC and the Katsina State government to comply with, and provide necessary documents to prepare his defence, as provided by the Constitution.

    “The former governor is ready to defend himself, and prove his innocence, on universal principles of rule of law and fair hearing against the politically-motivated smear campaign of calumny orchestrated by the Katsina State government.”

    The EFCC, upon a petition from the Katsina State government, investigated allegations of diversion of N11 billion against Shema and three others.

    The commission filed a 22-count charge against them before the state High Court last year.

    They were charged, among others, with conspiracy, money laundering, corruption criminal breach of trust, aiding and abetting. They were accused of diverting Local Governments’ funds.

     

  • Shema, three others granted N4b bail

    Shema, three others granted N4b bail

    The Katsina State High Court 3, presided over by Justice Maikaita Bako, yesterday granted bail to former Katsina State Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema, and three others, who are being tried on a 22-count charge of financial misappropriation of N11 billion, while in office.
    They are being tried for alleged diversion of public fund and forgery of government documents with intention of stealing public fund.
    Shema, former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Sani Hamisu Makama, former Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Lawal Rufa’I Safana and former Chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), who allegedly embezzled over N11 billion while in office, were granted bail of N1 billion each and one surety each, totaling N4 billion.
    When the charges were read to the accused, they pleaded not guilty.
    But counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Samuel Jubril Okutepa (SAN), argued against the oral bail application by counsel to the accused, Joseph Dauda (SAN).
    Okutepa said the bail application should be formal and attached with an affidavit. He, therefore, submitted that the accused be remanded in prison.
    According to him, counts one to eight carry a punishment of seven years imprisonment, just as counts nine to 22 carry a punishment of 14 years imprisonment.
    Okutepa further cited Section 341 (2) of CPC, Laws of Katsina State, saying the offences “are not ordinarily bailable. They can only be considered upon formal application, not by oral application”.
    He also argued against Dauda’s submission that Shema be granted bail based on self-recognition. Shema was one-time Attorney General and two-time governor. But Okutepa maintained there is no sentiment in law.
    “The status quo has changed; they are now accused persons and the law is not a respecter of persons. If the court grants them bail, the proposition will be a dangerous precedent because any rich man ,who commits a crime, will walk freely while the poor will continue to languish in prison.
    “Sentiment should not be allowed in the court; what should be considered is verifiable materials in affidavit evidence. This is a competent charge by a competent court and the charges are with consequences because the amount involved is very huge.
    “The criminal justice system should not be starved. The accused persons should tell us they will not run away if granted bail; and they should do that through an affidavit,” Okutepa said.
    Justice Bako granted the accused persons bail on stringent condition of N4 billion, with four sureties. He adjourned the case till March 28.
    The accused, within one hour, met the bail conditions and walked out of the court premises free.
    Shema described the judgment the will of God, saying, “I thank God for the judgment.”

  • Alleged N1b fraud: Leave me out of your travails, Masari tells Shema

    Alleged N1b fraud: Leave me out of your travails, Masari tells Shema

    Katsina State Governor Aminu Bello Masari said yesterday he had nothing to do with the ongoing trial of his predecessor, ex-Governor Ibrahim Shema, over alleged N1billion fraud.

    The governor asked Shema to be bold enough to face his trial instead of dragging him into it.

    The governor, who made the clarifications in a statement through his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Abdu Labaran Malumfashi, said neither the judiciary nor security agencies takes directives from him.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, neither the judiciary nor the security agencies takes orders from Governor Aminu Bello Masari, and on his part, the Katsina State Governor does not interfere in the work of other arms or agencies of government either at state or federal level.

    “In fact Governor Masari has no need to interfere with the judiciary since he has set up a Judicial Commission of Enquiry under the chairmanship of a Federal High Court judge, Justice Mohammed Suraj, with an unfettered mandate to interrogate the inexplicable disappearance of tens of billions of Naira from the state’s treasury during the administration of Ibrahim Shehu Shema.

    “What is more, the former governor, more than most people, knows very well that Governor Masari is not vindictive.

    Let us make it clear that no amount of attempts at blackmail, subtle or obvious, will deter or distract Governor Masari from making good the mandate given to him voluntarily by the people of Katsina State in the most freely and fairly election ever conducted in the state, nay the country.

    “Our advice to the former Katsina State governor is that he should be man enough to bear his cross without trying to drag Governor Masari into the cesspit of the judicial travails he willfully got himself entangled.

    “If the former governor is seriously desirous of locating the source of his adversities, all he needs to do is to look at the mirror and he will have his answer standing before him.”

    The governor faulted attempt by Shema’s media aide to link him with the alleged botched move to abduct the ex-governor on the premises of the Federal High Court in Katsina on Tuesday.

    The statement said: “The attention of Katsina State Government has been drawn to a press statement titled, ATTEMPT TO ABDUCT EX-GOVERNOR SHEMA: HIS LIFE IS UNDER THREAT, which was signed by Oluwabusola Olawale, the Head of the Media Team of former Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema.

    “But for the compelling need to put the records straight by way of educating the uninformed, Katsina State government would not have bothered to respond to what is clearly a tissue of lies, made so obvious by the many contradictions contained in the statement.”

  • Tight security as former Katsina governor, Shema appears in court

    Tight security as former Katsina governor, Shema appears in court

    There was tight security in Katsina town yesterday following the arraignment of ex-Governor Ibrahim Shema in a High Court for alleged financial misappropriation during his tenure.
    Shema was the Katsina State Governor from May 2007 to May 2015.
    Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ushered Shema to the court.
    Shema was arraigned before Justice Ibrahim Bako by the Katsina state government and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday.
    He, however, did not take plea.
    EFCC counsel Jibrin Samuel (SAN) urged the court to remand Shema in prison so that they could have access to him at will.
    Samuel asked that the administrative bail earlier given to Shema be revoked, saying he had shown some signs of not reporting to the commission.
    The defence counsel, Joseph Daudu, however, objected to the prayer of the EFFC counsel to have his client remanded in prison custody.
    Daudu argued that the state High Court had no jurisdiction to try his client, adding that Shema should be allowed to go home until the case had been appropriately filed.
    The trial judge, Bako, ruled that it was premature for the EFCC counsel to pray for the detention of the ex-governor in prison.
    He advised both sides to take the case slowly in order to have a decent trial, and adjourned the case till Feb. 7 for mention.
    Security agents from different security organisations were positioned in strategic locations, particularly those leading to the state High Court, to forestall any unforeseen break down of law and order.
    In a related development, the Police Command in Katsina has banned rallies or gatherings by any group of people in the state.
    The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Salisu Agaisa, warned that anybody caught violating the order would be made to face the law.
    He urged parents and guardians not to allow their children and wards to be used by some people to achieve their selfish agenda.