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Friday, 16 June 2023 15:40

Former Lawmaker Jailed For Fraud

Former member of the House of Representatives from Jigawa State, Mansur Ali Mashi, was on Friday convicted of fraud following an eight count charge of conspiracy and obtaining by false pretense.

Mashi, who represented Mashi Dutsi federal constituency, was jailed alongside three bank officials: Abdulmumini Mustapha, Shehu Aliyu and Muazu Abdu in a trial that lasted 12 years.


The 2nd defendant, Abdulmumin Mustapha was the former branch manager of Sterling Bank, while the 3rd defendant was the former Head of Operation of the bank.

They were convicted by Justice Sale Musa Shuaibu of the Federal High Court, Kaduna.

Mashi was prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for using fictitious companies to fraudulently obtain a loan facility to the tune of N212,439,552.

According to EFCC, he obtained the loan from Sterling Bank, which he diverted to personal use.

When the defendants were first arraigned, they had pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them

However, the prosecution called six witnesses and tendered several exhibits to prove the case against the defendants.

The court pronounced him guilty on counts 1 to 8 and was convicted accordingly.

The 4th defendant was also absent but the court found him guilty on all counts and convicted in.

However the two defendants who were absent were not sentenced, the court reserved their sentence until they are arrested and brought before the court.


The 2nd defendant, Mustapha, was convicted on counts 1 to 15.

He was sentenced to five years imprisonment on each count without an option of fine.

The court further ordered the 2nd defendant to restitute Sterling Bank in the sum of N40,000,000.

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has empanelled seven committees to investigate petitions against Judicial officers.

 


In a statement on Friday, Soji Oye, NJC’s director of information, said the decision was reached during meetings held on Wednesday and Thursday.


More details to come…

 

Dr Ramon Adedoyin, the owner of Hilton Hotels in Ile-Ife, Osun State, along with two of his staff members who were convicted for the murder of ex-Masters student Timothy Adegoke from Obafemi Awolowo University, have lodged an appeal against the verdict in a higher court.

Previously, Osun State Chief Judge Adepele Ojo had presided over the case and sentenced Adedoyin and his two staff members, Adeniyi Aderogba and Oyetunde Kazeem, to death by hanging for their involvement in the evacuation of the deceased from the hotel.

Justice Ojo also ruled that the hotel where the incident occurred should be forfeited to the state government, and the education of Adegoke’s children should be funded until they complete tertiary education using the assets of the convicts.

Timothy Adegoke: Ibadan-based broadcaster decries ‘harassment, intimidation by Police’
Three other hotel staff members, namely Magdalene Chiefuna, Oluwole Lawrence, and Adebayo Kunle, were acquitted of the charges. The seventh defendant, Adesola Adedeji, who was the receptionist on duty when Adegoke arrived at the hotel, received a two-year prison sentence starting from the day of her arrest.

One of the lawyers representing Adedoyin in the case, Mr Muhydeen Adeoye, confirmed that the convicts have appealed the judgment of the Osun State High Court.

He stated in an interview with a correspondent, “We have filed an appeal against the judgment of Osun State High Court. The appeal was filed before the Court of Appeal in Akure.”

Former Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari, has alleged betrayal by some of his colleagues, days after losing the senate presidency to Senator Godswill Akpabio.

 

Akpabio, former Akwa-Ibom State Governor and lawmaker representing Akwa Ibom North-West was the anointed candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He emerged as President of the 10th Senate on Tuesday after polling a total of 63 votes. Yari, also of the ruling party got 46 votes.


Speaking during an interview on Thursday in Abuja, Channels reports that, Yari claimed his permutations as of 3am on Tuesday showed that he would get at least 61 out of the 109 votes available, which would have been enough to see him coast home to victory. Despite feeling betrayed by the turnout of events, the former Zamfara governor believed only God knew what transpired.


“Yes, I can say there was a betrayal. That’s the truth because as we are taking stock as of 3 am, Monday-Tuesday election, we took stock of over 76. But as usual, human beings, we thought we are going to get a pullout of about 15 which we will have a comfortable 61 to win the election,” he stated.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has assured Nigerians that the members of the National Assembly will work with President Bola Tinubu in meeting the expectations of the people.

The Senate President made the promise while speaking with state house correspondents shortly after his meeting with President Tinubu on Thursday.


Akpabio assured that the National Assembly members are ready to work with the executive arm to improve the lot of Nigerians, empower the people, improve the economy, and provide welfare and security just as the constitution mandates them.


“Nigerians expect robust legislative debates, they expect us to focus on Nigeria and they expect us to help Mr President to take decisions that will improve the lot of Nigerians, they expect us to take decisions that will ensure total empowerment.

“Above all, they want the improvement of the economy, they want to see palliatives, they want everything about the wellbeing of Nigeria to be taken seriously, just like it is in the Constitution that the primary purpose of government is about security and welfare of the people.

“Once we take care of those things, we would have met their expectations but I assure you that we are poised to do so,” Akpabio said.

He commended President Tinubu for the steps taken so far and assured that the lawmakers would provide necessary support and legislative backing for the government to take more actions in the interest of Nigerians.

“I think the President has already started, ours is to back him and to support his actions for the betterment of the country. So, for now, the parliament on resumption will also lend our voice to what we have seen so far.

“He has taken the right steps, the stock market is rising and a lot of people are excited with the steps he has taken so far, we are also happy. There is a renewed hope not just in terms of the economy, but in terms of stability of the country, it will affect all facets of life including security,” Akpabio added.

A former member of the House of Representatives, Gudaji Kazaure, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to investigate 12 persons in order to recover all of Nigeria’s stolen money.

The former lawmaker, who stated that the fuel subsidy payment was a fraud, said most of the money was diverted.


Speaking on the Brekete Family program on Thursday, Kazaure called on Tinubu to shut his eyes and deal with anyone found guilty.

He called on the president to investigate former Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami; NNPL GCEO Mele Kyari; former Humanitarian Minister Sadiya Umar Farouk, amongst others.

Kazaure said: “Instead of paying N7 trillion to subsidy which is fraud, even N1 trillion is not spent because they are going into a private account…pocket. Whoever said they are spending that money is lying.

“And that is why I’m calling the attention of Mr President as he showed that he is serious, there are people in his government and there are people that assisted him that are among this mess.

“So, he should close his eyes and deal with them. No matter who is close to him, no matter who is in the government, if he’s found in this issue, he should return the government’s money.

“There are twelve people the president should investigate. The first person, if we want to bring back the economy of this country, we have to arrest and investigate CBN governor who is now under investigation.

“Secondly, the EFCC chairman. And when we are investigating the EFCC chairman, we have to invite Magu, the former chairman, to bring some things that he left in the office, to explain.


“Thirdly, the GMD of the NNPC. Number four, the former minister of justice, Malami. Number five, Sabiu Tunde, who was the personal private secretary to former President Buhari.

“Number six, the chairman of FIRS. Then there is Jamoh, the NIMASA DG. Then there is Koko from the NPA, and Hadiza Bala, the former NPA chairman.

“All present CBN deputy governors that are working with Emefiele should come and open their eyes and mouths and tell what they know, if we are serious and want to restore the economy.

“Then number ten, we have to arrest and investigate Sadiya Umar Farouk, former minister of humanitarian affairs, because when you invite her, many of her colleagues will come into the investigation.

“Then the entire leaders of National Inter-bank Settlement System (NIBSS). The entire leaders and the ICT officers there are supposed to be investigated because they are the ones who will tell you where all the bank charges and the stamp duty went. Because it’s from there the money goes to CBN.”


Kazaure also said the way corruption is fought in the country has become known to individuals who embezzle money.

He said: “First of all, they are aware that if you take money in Nigeria, when they carry you to EFCC, from EFCC to court, you will hire lawyers who will get you bail and you will go and enter air conditioner and continue eating chicken.

“Your private jet is there, your dollars are there, everything is there, you are spending. With that we cannot fight corruption in this country.”

The Police Service Commission (PSC) on Friday approved the appointment of AIGs Frank Mba and Bala Ciroma as Deputy Inspectors General of Police.

Naija News reports that this was made known in a statement by PSC, Head, Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani.


DIG Ciroma will replace DIG Ali Janga who has retired from Service and had represented the North East geo-political zone in the Police Management team. DIG Ciroma, the most senior Officer from the zone will henceforth represent the zone.

DIG Mba will represent the South East zone and replace retired DIG John Amadi who before his retirement represented the zone.

The Commission also approved the promotion of 14 Commissioners of Police to the next rank of Assistant Inspectors General of Police and 22 Deputy Commissioners of Police to the substantive rank of Commissioners.

These decisions were highpoints of the 21st Plenary Meeting of the Commission presided over by its Chairman, Dr. Solomon Arase and attended by all the Members of the Commission including the Permanent Secretary/Secretary to the Commission, Ifeoma Adaora Anyanwutaku.

The new AIGs are CP Abubakar Lawal; CP Alhassan Aminu; CP Abdul Umar; CP Shettima Zannah; CP Ebong Eyibio Ebong; CP Adepoju Ayiinde Ilori and CP Okon Okon Effiong.

Others are; CP Echeng Eworo Echeng; CP Susan Ukpanukiema Horsfall; CP Bankole Lanre Sikiru; CP Oladimeji Yomi Olarewaju; CP Sani Gwarzo and CP Odama Paul Ojeka.


The 22 Deputy Commissioners of Police promoted to the rank of Commissioners are; DCP Abibo Deinma Reuben; DCP Thomas Abraham Nabhoni; DCP Wakil Abdul Salamai; DCP Enyinnaya Inonachi; DCP Ronke Nurat Okunade; DCP Adekunle Ismail Olusokan; DCP Hassan Abdu Yabnet; DCP Festus Chinedu Oko; DCP Aminu Baba Raji; DCP Omolara Ibidun Oluntola; DCP Akoh Benedict Gabriel; DCP Alamutu Abiodun Mustapha; DCP Bafda Magaji Jahun, DCP Ahmadu Tijani Abdullahi; and DCP Mohamned Mu’azu; Others are, DCP Bretet Emmanuel Simon; DCP Ihebom M Chukuma; DCP Shettima Mohamned Qurtu; DCP Olatokunbo Maxwell Olabisi; DCP Yusuf Mohammed Lawal; DCP Monica Leo and DCP Abaniwonda Surajudeen Olufemi.


The Commission also approved the promotion of twenty four Assistant Commissioners of Police to the next rank of Deputy Commissioners. They include, ACP Ezekiel Ibrahim, Project Monitoring Unit, Force Headquarters, Abuja; Mohammed Shamsudeen, Assistant Director, OPS, Kaduna (NCCSALW); ACP Khan Salihu Usman, Networking Admin ICT FHQ, Abuja; ACP Wan Mantu Chongs, Commander PMF 19 Portharcourt; Baba Lawan Audu, Area Commander, Exeter Akwa-Ibom State Command; Okon Etim Asuquo, Department of Operations, Benue State Command; Louis Chike Nwabuwa, Department of Operations, Plateau State Command; ACP Samuel Osman Onoja, Police College Oji River; ACP Sa’ad Yahaya and ACP Ibrahim Jibrin, Commanders 76 PMF, Nsukka and 56 PMF Ogoni amongst others.

The Commission also approved the promotion of 39 Chief Superintendents of Police to Assistant Commissioners of Police. They include, CSPs Joseph Udoh; Nze Helen Omeba; Uduaku Isaac Udom; Anthony Francis Etim; Benjamin Kelembus Bello; Abdullahi Idris Abubakar; Ogbonnaya Nwota and Daiyabu Mohammed Ahmed among others. It also approved the acting appointment of CSP Akande Bamidele to acting Assistant Commissioner of Police.

The two AIG’s, 14 CP’s and 22 Deputy Commissioners of Police appeared before the Commission in Plenary for an interactive session, a requirement for their new ranks.

The Plenary Meeting also approved a new Instrument of Delegation on delegated powers to the Inspector General of Police.


Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Solomon Arase congratulated the newly promoted Officers and charged them to reciprocate the Commission’s Good gesture by rededicating themselves to the service of their fatherland. He promised to ensure that Police Promotions will be regular so that Officers are not allowed to stagnate in any rank.

Dr. Arase commended other Members of the Commission for their dedication and sacrifice stressing that a new and brighter future “is here for the Nigeria Police Force”.

The ’38 herders’ killed in airstrikes in January in the Rukubi village in Doma Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, according to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), were terrorists and not civilians.

The NAF which had kept mum over the incident widely reported in the media about six months ago, said those killed were trying to wreak havoc, particularly the kidnapping of many school children at a secondary school in the location before they were eliminated.


Air Commodore Ayodele Famuyiwa, the spokesman of NAF, who spoke shortly after the bi-weekly press briefing at Defence headquarters, Abuja, said the air troops only eliminated the terrorists after thorough surveillance that took days.


In January reported how controversy trailed the killing of some herders in the Rukubi community while they were returning from Makurdi, the Benue State capital, where they went to retrieve over 1,000 cows seized by the Benue Livestock Guards.

The Human Rights Watch in a report recently released criticised the Nigerian military for failing to own up to the airstrikes.

The HRW described the military’s delay in accepting responsibility for the attack as unacceptable, demanding an urgent, independent, impartial, and transparent inquiry.

The organisation also called on the military to ensure financial compensation and livelihood assistance to the victims and their families.

But Famuyiwa, while answering a question from our correspondent at the briefing, challenged Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) and others who claimed some herders and cows were killed during the airstrike to come out and show the pictorial evidence of dead animals and the deceased persons to the world.

“On the 24th of January, even before then, there had been intel from several reliable sources of the activities of terrorists in that particular area. You are all aware of the nefarious activities of the criminal elements in that part of the country.

“You are also aware that there is an ongoing operation i.e. the Operation Whirl Stroke and the intel here from several sources and even to the commander of that operation, to the air component, that there was a plan by the terrorists within that area to carry out massive attacks.

“There was a secondary school in question that they also planned to kidnap students too. To that extent, the Air Force carried out surveillance. Remember there had been several intel that built up to that. But this particular intel, there was surveillance and the surveillance confirmed terrorists. I mean terrorists!

“And how did we know that they were terrorists? Because they have tactics they adopt, you see them coming on bikes in triples, converging at a location and after that, they disappear hiding under the forage. That surveillance continued almost throughout the day until later in the evening when a truck appeared in that scene.

“The truck was suspected to have brought logistics to them. And that was why the approval was given by the appropriate authority that, that truck should be checked out and in truth, it was taken out.”

“If you say people died, where is the truck? Where are the cattle? There was a truck. Where is the photograph of the dead bodies?

“The position with the Nigerian Air Force is that terrorists were struck that day and whether it is Miyetti Allah or whatever group that thinks there were innocent people, let them provide the evidence.

“If you think the military is going to give you the evidence of that operation for now, you won’t get it because there are some information that cannot be declassified now but let’s put the burden on the people. If they came there to collect their cow, where are the cows? Where is the picture of the truck that was struck? How did those people die?

“I think the press needs to do better than this. And if you look at it, after that particular incident, have you heard of any terrorist activity, or attack in that area? I think we need to do much better. No innocent person was killed.


“Let the people who said innocent people were killed provide the evidence and let the press do that analysis and let the truth come out.”

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Policy Advisory Council has recommended the declaration of a state of emergency on revenue generation in the country.

The council also proposed the merger of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Nigerian Customs Service, and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency into the Nigerian Revenue Service in order to enable an efficient collection of all direct and indirect taxes, as well as levies on behalf of the Federal Government.


According to submissions made by the National Economy Sub-Committee, the policy will be aided by the passage of an Emergency Economic Reform Bill which will grant the President special powers to drive the economic reform agenda and support the delivery of sustainable and inclusive economic growth.


The council further outlined the removal of fuel subsidy, sale or concession of select government assets, transition to a transparent and unified foreign exchange rate system, deepening tax collection and optimization of operating expenditure to reduce cost, as targets to be pursued by the President towards the achievement of some milestones within the first 100 days in office.

Members of the Policy Advisory Council are Senator Tokunbo Abiru (chair), Dr Yemi Cardoso, Sumaila Zubairu and Dr Doris Anite. A copy of the report submitted by the panel was obtained by our correspondent on Friday.

The council’s report, which focuses on fiscal and monetary policies, industry, trade and capital market reforms, emphasised that changes in the Central Bank of Nigeria and temporary increases in fiscal circuit breakers such as debt limits would help achieve N1trn Gross Domestic Product growth and over 50 million jobs for citizens in eight years.

The 90-page document further proposed that reforms in the CBN will help achieve about $50bn-$60bn in external reserves, with a monthly inflow of at least $6bn-$8bn from export earnings and other forms of capital inflow, to support the policy at an exchange rate of N500-N600/$.

On fiscal policies to be implemented, the council advised on the need to achieve a domestic refining capacity of two million barrels per day, while creating economic opportunity for the host communities.

They also proposed one-off Personal Income Tax reliefs for low-income earners for up to one year as non-cash palliatives to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal.

The advisory read, “Ramp up production capacity to four million barrels from offshore and onshore assets within four years and grow crude oil revenue and savings into ECA and NSIA.

“Formalise illegal refineries and encourage modular refineries to create economic opportunity for the host communities.

“Aggressively grow domestic refining capacity to 2 million barrels per day in the next 8 years, including modular refineries.

Other fiscal recommendations proposed include, “a policy directive that ensures proceeds from the sale of assets to settle existing FGN debt obligations.

“List shares of strategic and profitable NNPC subsidiaries. Privatise, concession or sell down FGN’s stake in corporate assets to partners and other investors (possibly with a buyback option) to generate liquidity in the short to medium terms (focus on sub-optimal assets e.g., NNPCL refineries).

“Leverage blockchain to create and provide access to a Government land registry and regionalise and concession the power transmission grid.”

Furthermore, the advisory council proposed the extension of old naira circulation till December 2024 in order to resolve the cash shortage situation, if required.

It also advised a five per cent monthly gradual removal of the old notes and replacement with new notes through the deposit money banks.

They said, “Extend the December 31st, 2023 deadline to December 31st, 2024 (if required), and bring in new notes through the deposit money banks by 5% monthly and take out the old notes through the deposit money banks by the same 5 per cent to solve cash shortage.”


The policy added, “ To transform Nigeria to become Africa’s most efficient trading nation, decongest the area up to 4km around the ports and designate them for cargo, roads and railway, enforce the Presidential directive on 48hr clearance of goods at seaports in line with Executive Order 001, redefine the performance measures of key agencies of government to emphasise trade facilitation and set up a whistle-blowing mechanism that enables and empowers transporters to report and escalate issues with the various authorities while transporting food and other critical items.”

One Balogun Olawale, a staff of Federal Medical Centre, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, Ogun State has been arrested by Operatives of the Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

He was arrested alongside forty-seven (47) others for their alleged involvement in internet fraud.

According to EFCC, the suspects were arrested on Wednesday, at Idi-Aba area of Abeokuta following intelligence on their alleged fraudulent activities.

Items recovered from the suspects include seven exotic vehicles, several mobile phones, laptops, hi and apple wrist watches, among others.

The suspects arrested alongside Olawale are, Sodiq Iremide, Abiona Solomon, Moshood Sakiru Olamide, Olalekan Sodiq Olawale, Adebayo Ifeoluwa Timilehin, Joshua Gilbert, Adeleke Oluwafemi, Lawal Yusuff Abiodun, Olaleye Adedolapo Emmanuel, Opaleye Olanrewaju, Kazeem Oladimeji, Akinlosotu Ayodeji Ayomiposi, Omowale Haruna, Akinsolotu Kolade Olayinka, Soremikun Ibrahim, Kolawole Boluwatife Daniel, Olufunkunmi Emmanuel, Olatunji Uthman Alabi, Afeez Jimoh Akorede, Lateef Abdulmujeeb Akanbi, Boladale Olajide James and Enitan Tolulope John.

The rest include Orunsolu Sodiq Babatunde, Lamidi Micheal Akolade, Lateef Rahamon Olamilekan, Idowu Micheal Oluwasegun, Peter Adio Olakunle, Ahmod Kazeem Olayemi, Okewole Daniel Olayiwola, Ogundeyin Faruq Olamilekan, Edunjobi Toheeb Ayobami, Simon Dare Tosin, Ahmod Mustapha Olawale, Oladende Mubarak Olansile, Olanrewaju Kabiru Olamilekan, Olowookere Abeeb Lolade, Dolaoso Uthman Olamilekan, Kodagbese Emmanuel Aduragbemi, Simon John Seyi, Idemudia Lucky, Ahmod Waheed Olamide, Olowookere Soburu Ademola, Agboola Oladimeji Taofeek, Awoniyi Segun Gbenga, Babatunde Mathew Ayodele, Alaye John Saheed and Odediran Oluwole Ayomide.

Similarly, two suspected ‘yahoo boys’–Adeniji Samson Adebayo and Ayoola Olawale Samson– were arrested same day at Idi-Igba area of Ibadan, Oyo State by operatives of the EFCC, Ibadan Command.

They were found in possession of two cars and other valuables.

Also, the Oyo State Command of the Nigerian Police arrested and handed over a cybercrime suspect, Andrew Olasunkanmi, to the EFCC.

Andrew was arrested at his house on suspicion of involvement in fraudulent activities. A Honda Civic car and mobile phones were recovered from him.

The suspects will be charged to court as soon as the investigations are concluded.