Connect with us
The Abuja Federal High Court has dismissed an application by the State Security Services (SSS) to order the arrest of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin's Emefiele. The secret police had filed an ex parte request for an arrest warrant for the CBN governor for alleged “terrorist financing acts, fraudulent activities, and economic crimes with a national security dimension”. The SSS filed the application marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2255/2022 in court on December 7, suing Mr. Emefiele as the sole defendant in the ex parte application. But the judge, John Tsoho, who is the chief judge of the Federal High Court, in a ruling on December 9, rejected the request on the grounds that the secret police did not provide sufficient evidence to justify issuing an arrest warrant against Mr. Emefiele. The judge said that the statements contained in the affidavit filed by the SSS in support of its request "purport that the preliminary investigation has revealed various acts of terrorist financing, fraudulent activities perpetrated by the defendant and his participation in economic crimes of a magnitude of National security". But in rejecting the application, the judge said: "These are certainly serious allegations, but ones that the applicant has not presented any concrete evidence to support." He also said that the SSS did not clearly identify the person against whom the arrest warrant was sought. He said it remained speculation whether the person was the same Godwin Emefiele who was serving as CBN governor. If the target person was the current CBN governor, the judge said it was necessary to get the approval of his boss, presumably meaning President Muhammadu Buhari, for his arrest given the crucial role he plays in boosting the economy. He said there was no evidence in the SSS application that such approval was obtained. “The defendant in this application names himself as 'Godwin Emefiele' without disclosing his status or position anywhere; not even in the affidavit. “It is left to speculation whether 'Godwin Emefiele' is the same person as the current Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria. If he is, then he is unquestionably a high-ranking civil servant in Nigeria and indeed occupies a delicate position as one of the key drivers of the nation's economy. "Therefore, such a request must have evidence of the approval of the respondent's boss, who authorizes the adoption of such measures." With or without a warrant, the judge said the SSS had the power to arrest Emefiele based on reasonable suspicion, but that the agency's lack of concrete evidence must have led it to seek the court's warrant for his arrest. serve as a cover for an irregular proceeding. . “Therefore, it appears that the applicant intends to use the court as a cover for an irregular proceeding, which is unacceptable. “In light of the above reasons, I refuse to grant this ex parte request,” Mr. Tsoho said. But giving the secret service another option to proceed with its case, the judge added: "However, if the applicant still wishes to proceed with this application, then he must notify the respondent considering the sensitive public position he holds." 'Emefiele in the crosshairs for his economic policies' The ruling was made public after a protest by a civic coalition, comprising the Arewa Youth Consultative Movement and public interest lawyers, in Abuja on Monday, against what they called an SSS plot to arrest Emefiele for allegedly financing terrorism. Speaking at a press conference, Tochukwu Ohazuruike, the convener of the group known as the Coalition of Advocates of National Interests, said the move against the CBN governor was a plot by politicians uncomfortable with the bank's economic reform policy, especially reform. naira designation. The coalition accused the spy agency of failing to inform Chairman Buhari of its findings against the CBN governor. Questioning the veracity of the secret service's claims, the group said that if the SSS really had concrete problems, it would not have allowed Emefiele to travel with Buhari to the United States. PREMIUM TIMES reported that Mr. Buhari traveled to Washington on Sunday, December 11, to join other African leaders at the US-Africa Leaders Summit. The president had Mr. Emefiele in his entourage to Washington. The group called on Mr. Buhari and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) to suspend, arrest, investigate and prosecute SSS Director General Yusuf Bichi. He accused Bichi of being used by politicians to thwart CBN's new cashless policy. critics Emefiele has faced criticism over recent CBN policies of redrawing the country's highest currencies and limiting cash withdrawals to N20,000 per day and N100,000 per week. Though it has yet to be independently confirmed by PREMIUM TIMES, many have said the SSS decision to arrest Emefiele is a plot engineered by politicians uncomfortable with CBN's new policies in the run-up to the election. generals of 2023. The cash withdrawal limits and currency redesignation will reduce the amount of cash politicians can hoard for illicit activities such as voter solicitation and bribery of security personnel and other relevant officials during elections to be held in about two months. READ ALSO: PDP and APC disagree over Emefiele's resignation request Emefiele, since 2014 when he took office, has also faced severe criticism over controversial policies and his handling of the economy. On his watch, the naira has suffered an unprecedented decline with the currency now trading at more than N740 to the dollar on the parallel market. Earlier this year, Emefiele covertly, but intensely, pursued a presidential ambition as CBN's acting governor. The CBN governor's unprecedented move to engage in partisan politics sparked public outrage and was widely condemned by several thought leaders, including a Editorial PREMIUM TIMES. It was also criticized after CBN obtained a court order to freeze the bank accounts of some #EndSARS protesters in 2020. The bank only backtracked by withdrawing its judicial request that led to the lifting of the freezing order in bank accounts after much criticism from the public. SSS reacts In reaction to the pro-Mr. Emefiele which criticized the SSS decision to arrest the CBN governor on Monday, the agency warned Nigerians against being used to "undermine" their investigations. SSS spokesman Peter Afunanya said in a statement Monday that the agency would not be distracted by "propaganda" aimed at undermining its legal investigations. Afunanya said that SSS had a duty to investigate "matters of a national security dimension" and "always discharged this responsibility in the general interest of Nigerian citizens." It urged Nigerians to "avoid being used to thwart or undermine the Service and its legal investigations, as those who wish to act in breach will be dealt with in accordance with the law." His statement further said: "As such, the Service will continue to disseminate actionable intelligence to the relevant authorities without any sentiment," the statement read. “While professionally fulfilling its mandate, DSS is committed to remaining focused and impartial. It will by no means succumb to the propaganda, intimidation and mercenaries' desperation to undermine it. “Nor will it allow for the use of falsehood and deception to mislead public understanding and perceptions of issues of national importance. “Since they do not join the trouble, the Service warns those in a futile chase to be aware of their actions. Similarly, he urges members of the public to ignore invectives and tirades from the wrong elements and not allow them to be used as instruments of destabilization. “In particular, these items should be reminiscent of the famous axiom that 'you'll only fool some people, some of the time, but not all of the people, all of the time.' "In short, the Service will not be distracted by individuals and/or groups from fulfilling their duties to the Nation, the citizens and the President and Commander in Chief." Credit: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/571378-court-rejects-sss-request-for-arrest-warrant-against-cbn-governor-emefiele.html
Mr. Okolieaboh Sylva, Acting Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), has urged accounting professionals to be custodians of the public trust in carrying out their duties in their respective organizations.
He gave the advice when members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) Abuja and the District Society visited the Nations Treasury House in Abuja to mark this year's International Accounting Day.
He said that it was important for them to ensure probity, accountability and transparency in the use of public resources.
According to him, accountants must be people who can be trusted and must exhibit all forms of integrity in their actions.
“If we are to play our part, we must be able to do so in a way that is transparent and that the public can see and ask questions.
“That's our role here and that's what we're doing, whether it's IPPIS, TSA and all the reforms we're doing here are aimed at improving transparency and accountability.
"That's the reason for accountability so people can ask questions and we give them the information they need because it's a two-way thing," he said.
Mr. Oduwa Izekor, District Chairman, ICAN Abuja and District Society, said the day is to raise awareness of the role of accounting professionals in fighting corruption in the country.
“Because of the nature of the work you do, there's a lot of trust in your work, which means there needs to be a lot of trust in you and there needs to be a lot of integrity on your part.
“All accountants around the world need to do their jobs with a lot of integrity because there is a lot of trust in the decisions and the work that they do.
"If integrity is missing, the decision would be misplaced and the consequences would be very disastrous," he said.
Ms. Mbang Esu, President of the Abuja Chapter of the Society of Women Accountants of Nigeria (SWAN), also called on the accountants to be the treasurers and ensure that they keep records for effective resource management.
“The purpose of this celebration is to remind us that as accountants we have a duty of care to execute our duties with all accuracy and integrity.
"So I call on all professional accountants to execute whatever they do with integrity, as our nation will be better off and the world will benefit from it as well," he added.
The Nigerian News Agency reports that the day began with a health walk from ICAN House through Berger Junction and ended at the AGF office.
===========Edited
Source Credit: NAN
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has appealed to the members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to remain calm in view of their latest outcry over the reported half-salary payment by the Federal Government. The Speaker in a statement he personally signed on Monday noted that efforts to find a lasting solution to the concerns frequently raised by ASUU were on. He, however, assured that President Muhammadu Buhari has indicated interest to wade into the latest concerns raised by the union. “When the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) called off their industrial action three weeks ago, it meant that academic activities could resume in our nation’s public universities, and students could return to their academic pursuits after the prolonged interruption. This decision was rightly heralded nationwide as the correct decision. “Since then, the Executive and the House of Representatives have worked to address the issues that led to the strike. We are currently working on the 2023 Appropriations Bill, which includes N170 billion to provide a level of increment in the welfare package of university lecturers. The Bill also includes additional N300 billion revitalization funds to improve the infrastructure and operations of federal universities. “Furthermore, the House of Representatives has convened the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other stakeholders to facilitate the adoption of elements of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) into the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS). This effort is being supervised by the Chairman of the House Committee on Tertiary Education, Rep. Aminu Suleiman.” Gbajabiamila noted that the position taken by the Federal Government that it was not obligated to pay salaries to lecturers for the time spent on strike, was premised on the law and the government’s legitimate interest in preventing moral hazard and discouraging disruptive industrial actions. “Nonetheless, interventions have been made to explore the possibility of partial payments to the lecturers. We look forward to a favourable consideration by His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR who has manifested his desire to what is prudent and necessary to resolve all outstanding issues. “Implementing meaningful change takes time, especially when appropriations and modifications to systems such as IPPIS are required. Therefore, I urge all parties to be patient and grant each other the presumption of goodwill to the extent necessary to achieve our shared objectives. This is not a time for political brinkmanship. “There is no more pressing objective than to preclude the possibility of further disruptions to the academic calendar of the universities. We must prevent this possibility by all means, as these disruptions risk the promise and potential of our nation’s youth,” he said. Speaker Gbajabiamila also restated his commitment to provide sustainable reforms to the Nigerian tertiary education system. He noted that the challenges facing Nigerian tertiary education were multifaceted, hence the need for all stakeholders to come together and proffer solutions. To this end, the Speaker advocated a national tertiary education summit during which stakeholders would come up with ways to make things better in the sector. Gbajabiamila said three weeks ago, he called for a national conversation on the substantive reforms required to address the underlying issues bedevilling public tertiary education in Nigeria. “To that end, the House of Representatives is convening a National Summit on Tertiary Education Reform. We have called for papers and memoranda from members of the public. The submissions we receive and expert presentations at the Summit will inform our policy recommendations and actions. “I urge all citizens and stakeholders to participate in this crucial effort to reinvent our public tertiary institutions into respected citadels of learning,” he added.
The president of the House of Representatives, representative Femi Gbajabiamila, has urged members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to remain calm in the face of his demand for payment of half of the government's salary.
In a statement he personally signed in Abuja on Monday, the Spokesman noted that efforts are continuing to find lasting solutions to frequently raised concerns.
He said that President Muhammadu Buhari had shown an interest in addressing the latest concerns raised.
"When ASUU canceled its industrial action three weeks ago, it meant academic activities could resume at our nation's public universities," he said.
He said the executive and the House of Representatives had worked to address the issues that led to the strike, adding that the House is currently working on the 2023 Appropriations Bill.
This, according to him, includes N170 billion to provide a level increase in the welfare package of university professors.
He said the bill included an additional N300 billion revitalization fund to improve the infrastructure and operations of federal universities.
“In addition, the House of Representatives has convened the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), ASUU and other interested parties to facilitate the adoption of elements of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) in the Integrated Personnel Information System and Payroll (IPPIS). )," he said.
He said the effort was being overseen by the House Higher Education Committee, Rep. Aminu Suleiman.
Gbajabiamila, however, pointed out that the position taken that he is not obliged to pay teachers salaries for the time they spend on strike is based on the law.
He said the decision was also based on the government's legitimate interest in preventing moral hazard and discouraging disruptive industrial actions.
The exhibitor said that intervention had been made to explore the possibility of partial payments to speakers, adding that he hoped for favorable consideration.
He said that Buhari had expressed his desire to do what was prudent and necessary to resolve all outstanding issues.
Gbajabiamila said the chamber is convening a national summit on tertiary education reform, adding that he had requested documents and memos from members of the public.
He said the submissions received, as well as expert presentations at the summit, would inform policy recommendations and actions.
Edited Oropo/Julius Toba-Jegede
Source Credit: NAN
A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Friday, ordered the Minister of Interior, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, and Haliru Nababa, Controller General, Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), to file their defence in Abdulrasheed Maina’s suit.
Justice Inyang Ekwo gave the order after counsel for the minister and C-G, Abdulmumin Muhammad, said that though he had been served with Maina’s motions, he was yet to file any process.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Maina, the former Chairman, defunct Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT), had, on Oct. 17, filed a motion ex-parte marked: 17292022.
Maina (the applicant) listed the minister and the C-G of NCoS as 1st and 2nd respondents respectively, in a motion dated and filed on Sept. 27.
Maina, who is currently serving an eight-year jail term at Kuje Prison for pension fraud to the tune of N2 billion, had told the court that he is suffering from a life-threatening disease in the prison and he needs urgent medical attention.
The ex-pension reformed boss prayed court for an interim order directing the minister and the C-G, via their staff or agents, to immediately take him to a reputable and recognised hospital for treatment of his life-threatening diseases pending the hearing and determination of his originating motion.
He also prayed for an order granting him leave to effect the service of the order, the originating motion and other subsequent processes on the respondents by substituted means.
Giving 10 grounds why the motion should be granted, Maina said the failure to treat the he is suffering had led to his incapacitation and deterioration of his health.
According to him, there is already a likelihood of contravention or infringement of the applicant’s rights to life, dignity of human person and freedom from cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, among others.
He said it was in the interest of justice to grant his application.
Justice Ekwo had granted leave for Maina to effect service of the order and other processes on the defendants through any member of their staff in the Abuja offices after Mr Ibrahim Idris, SAN, who appeared for Maina, took the motion.
The judge consequently ordered the applicant to put the respondents on notice within three days of the order and adjourned the matter until Oct. 24 for motion.
But on the next adjourned date, while Maina was represented in court, no lawyer appeared for either the minister or the NCoS CG despite Idris’ proof of service of the processes on the defendants
The judge, therefore fixed today (Oct. 28) for hearing of the substantive matter and ordered the deputy chief registrar to notify the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, of the pendency of Maina’s suit in the court.
He also directed that hearing notices be issued on the minister and the C-G.
.
Upon resumed hearing on the matter on Friday, Muhammad, who appeared for the defendants, acknowledged receipt of Maina’s processes.
The lawyer, however, said that they were yest to file their applications on behalf of the 1st and 2nd defendants due to some administrative processes.
“We were served on Oct. 19 but due to the administrative processes, I was only given these processes two days back,” he said.
But Idris disagreed with Muhammad, arguing that the matter was fixed for hearing today by the court.
The judge advised that it would be in the interest of justice to allow the defence filed their processes.
Muhammad then sought an adjournment to enable him filed the applications.
He said he would need about 21 days to do the needful in accordance with the rules of the court.
Reacting, the judge said: “don’t remind me of your sins.
Have you read the applicant’s processes?
Do you know the application is a fundamental right enforcement suit?
“Today is Friday, and I am giving you Wednesday next week to file your processes.
”
Justice Ekwo, who adjourned the case until Nov. 2 for hearing, ordered the defendants to file and serve their processes before the next adjourned date.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The trial of a clergyman, Moses Ayantoye, charged with fraud and impersonation, was on Wednesday stalled in a Oyo State High in Ibadan due to ill health of his counsel, Mr A.
R. Daramola.
Ayantoye was arraigned on Feb. 8 on a 23-count charge bordering on forgery, impersonation, defamation and fraud.
At the Wednesday’s proceedings, the Prosecution Counsel, Mr Michael Lana informed the court that he received a letter from the defendant’s counsel seeking an adjournment on grounds of ill- health.
Lana told the court that the case was slated for reading of the amended charge against the defendant and beginning of trial.
He said the matter could not proceed in view of the letter written by the counsel to the defendant and urged the court to adjourn the matter to Jan.12,2023 for trial.
Justice R.
Akintola adjourned the matter until Jan.12, for their plea to be taken on the amended charges and trial.
Lana said that the defendant gave false information in a judicial proceeding, with charge number: 92011 between Federal Republic of Nigeria and Pastor Gideon Okegwemeh and others while giving evidence as his status.
The prosecutor said that the defendant also gave false information to the Attorney-General of the Federation against Oyo State Director of Public Prosecution, officers of the church and officers of Corporate Affairs Commission in a letter dated Nov. 7, 2000.
He said that the defendant, on Sept. 22, 2005, gave false information to the AGF against Mrs P.
I. Ajoku, with the intention of removing her as the prosecutor of a case she was handling before the Federal High Court, Ibadan.
The false information, Lana said, was also meant to ensure that the defendants, who were pastors of the church and the Corporate Affairs Commission officer, were prosecuted over the allegations made by him.
According to him, the offence contravenes the provisions of sections 373, 375 and 465 of the Criminal Code, Cap 38, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
The defendant had pleaded not guilty to the charge, while his Counsel, Daramola, had also applied for his bail which was granted by the court.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
NAN) The Legal Aid Council of Nigeria (LACON), has said it provided legal representation for the 101 detainees that were released from the Kirikiri medium and maximum correctional facilities in, Lagos on Oct.7.
The director, LACON FCT office, Mr Abdulfattai Bakre made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria , on Friday in Abuja.
”The detainees were not swapped with the 23 remaining Abuja-Kaduna train passengers released on Oct.5
” These two incidence are mere coincidences.
The process that led to the release of these detainees started in February before the train passengers were kidnapped.
“The council received a certified document from Bauchi relating to some of the inmates on April 14 and fundamental human rights enforcement application on behalf of the inmates was filed on May 18.
“Nigerians should disregard the newspaper publication by an Non-Government Organisation ( NGO)
” The NGO filed an enforcement application for the detainees, praying for their release after years of incarceration without prosecution.
” The court however struck out the suit on technical grounds and held that the suit ought to have been filed separately and not together as done by the counsel.
” The council therefore as part of its mandate to provide legal representation for indigent Nigerians decided to take up the case on pro bono,” Bakre said.
In response to how the detainees ended in the correctional facilities to their release, the director in his response said that it all started in 2009.
”The detainees were arrested in June, July and Aug. 2009 in Bauchi, Kano and Maiduguri and arraigned on various charges bordering on possession of fire arms, belonging to unlawful society and arson.
” In Bauchi 169 were arraigned before a Federal High Court and Magistrates’ Court, granted bail and 17 of them could not meet their bail conditions.
” In similar vein, the ones from Kano and Maiduguri too were arraigned, granted bail however, some remained in custody as they could not meet the bail conditions as ordered by the courts.
“Then on March 13, 2011, the military went into the correctional facilities in the three states and were transferred to the Kirikiri correctional centres and they were there without any further prosecution” he added.
Bakre in addition said that meanwhile the Federal High Court, Bauchi where the 17 inmates were arraigned on Nov.30, 2010 struck out the matter for lack of diligent prosecution.
He said that same process happened in 2011 in the Federal High Court, Kano.
He equally averred that the court in Maiduguri struck out the case against the detainees for same reason on July 30,2013.
Furthermore, he said as at the time of their incarceration after 2013, there was no charge against them before any court in Nigeria.
He said even if there were to serve the sentence for the offences they were charged for, many of them will have finished serving their sentence long ago.
He said that all the necessary documents relating to the arrest, arraignment, striking out of the suits were gotten from the courts by the council’s officers in the three states.
” Before we took up their matter, we got approval of the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, to be granted access to the detainees.
” We interviewed them one on one and took down their statements and some of them said they were arrested on their farms, while in transit and on the streets with their friends.
” Out of the 101 inmates released, less than 10 of them agreed to have been Boko Haram members as majority denied ever belonging to the group.
” It was after this that the council wrote to the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Minister of Justice and filed the applications on behalf of the detainees as applicants and the Nigeria Police Force ( NPF) and AGF as respondents respectively.
The applications were filed before the Federal High Court, Lagos in three different courts.
He said the council felt that since it was at the order of the court the applicants were in custody, their release needed to be before a court too.
Bakre said that the matters came up before Justices T.
G Rigim, A.
O Awogboro and I.
N Iweibo, within the jurisdiction of the facilities where the applicants were held.
Bakre said that 40 of the detainees suits were filed separately and the remaining 61 filed as a single suit.
He said that after filing the fundamental human rights enforcement application parties agreed to an amicable settlement of the dispute and resolved that Terms of settlement be adopted in court and entered as Consent judgment by the courts.
He said thereafter the court issued a warrant of release for all the 101 detainees.
“The applicants sought to have an amicable settlement of the dispute between them and the respondents.
“Part of terms of settlement is that the respondents will not object to the release of the applicants from custody.
“That it will best serve the interest of justice and all parties to release the applicants from further incarceration.
” That the applicants in consideration of their release from continued detention unconditionally forego any form of prayers for compensation.
“They shall not either through Legal Aid Council of Nigeria or any Private Legal practitioner or other body or any other person whatsoever designated to institute proceedings for compensations with regards to these applications or institute any other action in whatsoever form against the respondents, its agents, or privies or any other agency of Federal Government
“In relation to the facts and claims in this matter or in relation to their incarceration at the Maximum and Medium correctional center Kirikiri, Lagos State .
” That the parties have also agreed that this agreement or any part thereof shall not be varied or modified by any of the parties except with the consent of both parties and such consent is not to be unreasonably withheld.
“That in the event of a default by any of the parties, the aggrieved part shall be at liberty to commence enforcement proceedings in court against the defaulting party with respect to the term of this settlement”, he submitted
According to Bakre, after the processes were adopted and the judges signed the consent judgment, the inmates were released to the military authority on Oct. 8 for debriefing and deradicalisation.
He said that similar cases had been by undertaken the council over the years as it is currently handling several cases across various correctional facilities on behalf of inmates detained without prosecution.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The Attorney-General of the Federation(AGF), Abubakar Malami, has given the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) approval to prosecute former Aviation Minister, Sen. Stella Oduah, and others on alleged N5 billion fraud. Prosecuting counsel, Hassan Liman, SAN, on Wednesday, informed Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Federal High Court, Abuja at the resumed hearing on the matter. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Justice Ekwo had, on May 10, fixed today for arraignment of the defendants following a letter from the office of the AGF in response to a petition written by counsel to the 8th defendant in the suit, Ogbu James, SAN. NAN reports that Onoja had, on Nov. 22, 2021, raised objection to the defendants taking their plea, informing that a petition had already been written to the AGF, complaining that the defendants were just been persecuted as against prosecution. The development prompted the court to adjourn to await a response from the AGF. When the matter was called for the defendants to take their plea, counsel to the EFCC, Mr Liman, informed that the AGF had finally responded to the petition and given a nod in a letter for the matter to proceed. The senior lawyer said he no fewer than 32 witnesses lined up to testify in the suit. Lawyers to all the defendants, including Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, who appeared for the senator, acknowledged receipt of the letter from the AGF. The judge, who ordered an accelerated hearing in the trial, directed all parties to put their house in order. Ekwo said the trial would be on a day-to-day basis and adjourned until Feb. 13, Feb. 14, Feb. 15, Feb. 16 and Feb. 17, 2023 for hearing. Oduah, who currently represents Anambra North Senatorial District at the National Assembly, was expected to be arraigned by the EFCC on alleged N5 billion fraud and financial misappropriation. Other defendants in the charge, marked: 3162020, are Gloria Odita, Nwosu Emmanuel Nnamdi and Chukwuma Irene Chinyere. They also include Global Offshore and Marine Ltd, Tip Top Global Resources Ltd, Crystal Television Ltd, Sobora International Ltd and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) Nigeria Ltd. They are being charged with conspiracy, money laundering and maintaining anonymous bank accounts with a commercial bank. They will be arraigned on a 25-count charge. NewsSourceCredit: NAN
A Federal High Court (FHC), Abuja, on Friday, struck out a suit filed by leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, against the Chief Judge, Justice John Tsoho.
Justice Inyang Ekwo struck out the suit following an oral application made by Kanu’s counsel, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, to withdraw the suit.
When the matter was mentioned, Ejiofor, who held the brief of Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, indicated his interest to withdraw the case, following which the judge struck out the matter.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Kanu, through his lawyer had filed the suit marked: 55022 against the chief judge and chief registrar of FHC.
In the originating summons dated and filed on April 25, Kanu sought an order declaring the Federal High Court Practice Directions on Trial of Terrorism Cases, 2022 unconstitutional, ultra vires, invalid, null and void.
He had also prayed for an order of perpetual injunction, restraining the court or its agents from applying and enforcing the provisions of the practice directions, among other reliefs.
Ejiofor, while speaking with newsmen shortly after the court sitting, said they initially believed that the 2022 Practice Directions on Terrorism Matters were principally put in place to undermine Kanu’s case.
“But on a wider consultation, and when we also discovered that those provisions may not apply to our case, we decided to withdraw it,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has urged Justice Ekwo to dismiss a sister suit marked: 46222 dated April 6 but filed April 7 by Kanu’s lawyer, Chief Ozekhome, for being incompetent.
NAN reports that while Kanu is the applicant in the fresh suit, the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, are 1st and 2nd defendants respectively.
In a counter affidavit filed on May 31 and deposed to by Thomas Etah, a litigation officer in the office of the AGF, Abubakar Malami,SAN, said neither the Federal Government nor the Minister invited any security agency to invade Kanu’s residence, “destroy it or even kill any creatures therein on or about Sept. 10 to Sept. 14, 2017, or at any particular dates thereafter on account of the facts giving rise to the plaintiff’s complaints in the paragraphs 7, 8, 9 and 10 of his supporting affidavit.
”
He said rather, the security agents have been vigilant and are always ready to stand to protect the sovereignty, in dissolution and internal security of the country at any point of time.
He further said that having been granted bail by the court in the criminal case he is standing trial for, Kanu jumped the bail and illegally sneaked into Kenya in his attempt to escape from Justice.
According to Malami, the plaintiff (Kanu) was not legally admitted into Kenya as he has no any legal travelling documents for entry into Kenya.
He said that the security agents did not violently accosted and brutally abducted Kanu in Kenya, nor handcuffed, blindfolded and bundled him into any vehicle and sped away as alleged.
“Upon his interception, the security agents of the defendants took the plaintiff to their security facility where he was informed of the need for him to be taken back to Nigeria to go and continue facing his criminal trial,” he said.
He said Kanu was not entitled to be shown any warrant of arrest or warrant of extradition on the ground that his entry into Kenya was not lawful but an attempt to escape or hide from Justice over a criminal trial which he has already been facing here in Nigeria prior to his attempted escape from justice.
Malami said that after his interception, Kanu was neither beaten nor tortured by the security agents.
He said Kanu’s interception and return to Nigeria did not amount to extraordinary rendition as claimed.
NAN reports that Kanu, is praying the court for a declaration that pursuant to Article 12(4) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Right (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, CAP A9 LFN 2004, his forcible abduction, expulsion or extraordinary rendition from Kenya to Nigeria by the defendants without a decision taken in accordance with the laws of Kenya is illegal, unlawful, wrongful, unconstitutional and amounts to a gross violation of the international Humanitarian Rights of the Plaintiff.
When the matter was mentioned, Ejiofor, who appeared for Kanu, informed that a motion seeking for an extension of time was filed on Oct. 4.
And after it was not opposed to by Simon Enoch, counsel for the Federal Government, the judge granted it as prayed.
Consequently, Ekwo adjourned the matter until Dec. 14 for hearing.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, has said that about 10 witnesses would testify in a suit filed against Prof. Obiajulu Obikeze and four others over allegations bordering on forgery of chieftaincy documents.
Counsel for the AGF, Ewere Aliemeke, made this known on Friday before Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Federal High Court, Abuja.
Upon resumed hearing, Aliemeke, who held the brief of Joe Agi, SAN, informed that the matter was scheduled for report.
“We are pleased to inform the court that we have been able to retrieve the file of the case from the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation,” he said.
“How many witnesses are you calling?
” the judge asked.
“We are going to call about 10 witnesses,” he responded.
But Chief Okey Obike, who appeared for the defendants, said an application seeking an order dismissing the charge had been filed.
“It was filed on the 19th day of April, 2022. We are saying that this charge is a complete abuse of court processes,” he said.
Aliemeke, who acknowledged the receipt of the application, said the prosecution had responded to the process.
“But we intend to add one or more things to the process filed by the previous counsel,” he said.
Justice Ekwo adjourned the matter until Dec. 14 to hear the preliminary objection of the defence.
The News Agency of Nigeria , on June 10, reported that the AGF took over the case from the Nigerian police, the former prosecution.
Prof. Obikeze, Dr Raymond Ofor, Chief Israel Ezue, Sir Amobi Nwafor and Okafor Bethram IK, who are 1st to 5th defendants respectively, are being prosecuted over allegations bordering on forgery of chieftaincy documents.
Obikeze, who works with the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, formerly known as Anambra State University Igbariam in Anambra, was arraigned on Feb. 22 alongside others on 11 counts.
Offor is current President-General of Awa Community in Orumba North LGA and a retired director with Anambra Ministry of Education; Chief Ezue, a tyre merchant in the northern states of the country; Sir Nwafor, an architect by training and Bethram was a retired headmaster at a primary school in Agulu in Aniocha LGA of the state.
NAN reports that in the charge marked: 1842021 dated and filed on July 6, 2021, the defendants were alleged to have committed the offence around Jan.15, 2019, at Awa, Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra.
In count one, the five defendants, and others now at large, were alleged to have conspired to commit forgery offence contrary to Section 3(6) and punishable under Section 1(2) (c) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17 Laws of Nigeria, 2010.
While count two accused them of uttering forged documents, count three accused them of making “a forged letter to the Special Adviser to the Governor of Anambra on Chieftaincy and Towns Union Matters.
The document is titled, “Submission of Awa Chieftaincy Constitution,” knowing it to be false, with intent that it may be acted upon as genuine at the Government House, Awka, Anambra State.
”
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
