Congrats to him!.... He shared the pic on his Instagram account page and wrote "Thank you God for promoting me to the G-class".
Tuesday, 12 May 2015
Igbo group slams APC Vice Chairman for slapping Enugu guber
Barrister Okey Ezea
An Asaba-based socio-cultural group, Nsukka Platform, has condemned in strong terms, an alleged assault on the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Barrister Okey Ezea, by the National Vice Chairman (South-East) of the party, Chief Emma Enukwu.
The group in a statement made available to journalists in Asaba on Tuesday tasked the president-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari to uphold the principles of equity, justice and fairness in picking his ministerial nominee from Enugu state.
Chief Enukwu was reported to have slapped Ezea at a meeting of South-East chieftains of APC in Abuja where the governorship candidate was said to have made a case for Enugu North Senatorial district to produce the minister in the incoming administration.
The statement signed by Dr. Pius Ike and Dr. Leo Abonyi, chairman and secretary respectively of the group, specifically appealed to Buhari to pick his ministerial nominee from Enugu North senatorial district (Nsukka Cultural Zone), noting that, the zone has not produced a minister since the return of democracy in 1999.
The group hailed Buhari for insisting on appointing only loyal members of his party, APC with technical competence and integrity into his cabinet, explaining that the disposition has given Nigerians hope that he is poised to fulfill his promise to fight corruption.
“While we in Nsukka Platform Asaba salute him for this stance, we equally urge him to go further and ensure equity, justice and fair play in choosing the right people to occupy the ministerial seats,” it read.
The group posited that only two of the three senatorial districts (Enugu East and West) have been producing ministers since 1999, lamenting that Enugu North produced its last minister in 1979 during the Second Republic, in the person of Chief D.C. Ugwu who was Minister of Health.
“Since the country returned to civilian rule in 1999, the Nsukka people that constitute over 50 per cent of electorate of Enugu state, have not produced a single minister. All the ministers appointed from the state hail from Enugu East and Enugu West Senatorial Districts.
“These ministers include Chief Frank Nweke Jnr. and Prof. Bath Nnaji from Enugu East and Chief Dubem Onyia, Mrs Fidelia Njeze and Prof. Chinedu Nebo, the current Minister of Power from Enugu West.
“On this premise therefore, the Nsukka Platform Asaba calls on Gen. Buhari to appoint a technically competent and credible loyal member of the APC from Enugu north. By so doing, Buhari will have proven that his administration is totally against marginalization which has glaringly characterized the appointment of ministers from Enugu State by the past and present administrations in the country. Needless to say that tested and trusted professionals of impeccable character abound in Nsukka land,” the statement explained.
Senator Ita Giwa's daughter and husband expecting their first child
Two Nigerians sent to 12 years in prison in Vietnam for email fraud
The men along with a Vietnamese female accomplice, Le Thi Kim Quyen, 35, who was sentenced to 15 years in prison and another Nigerian, de facto husband of the Vietnamese lady, Mark Mamado Abdallah, 39, who is currently at large, ran a scamming syndicate in Vietnam.
At the court hearing which took play in April, the men and their accomplice were also found guilty of another fraud scheme in which they pretended to be a British friend of two Vietnamese women on Facebook and asked them to send money as shipping fees to receive gifts.
According to prosecutors, the group defrauded many unsuspecting victims of over VND3.3 billion (US$150,000) between April and August 2013. Most of this came from the email hacking scheme.
Prosecutors said over the four months, the vietnamese woman, Quyen and her Nigerian husband, Abdallah hacked into the emails of several Vietnamese companies doing business with foreign companies. They gave the information to Nnadikwe and then Deke, who would later transfer it to another Nigerian man living in Malaysia. The unknown man in Malaysia then used the compromised email accounts to contact the victims’ foreign partners, asking them to send payments to a bank account opened by Quyen and Abdallah.
Photos from new earthquake disaster in Nepal, 32 confirmed dead
32 persons have been confirmed dead and over 1000 injured in the 7.3 magnitude earthquake that hit Nepal's eastern region this morning. The quake, which comes two and a half weeks after the first one that killed over 8000 people, was so strong, it was felt in New Delhi, India. Vulnerable buildings from last disaster have now collapsed. The quake also triggered landslide. See some pics after the cut
Bayern, Barcelona Do-Or-Die Battle Tonight
There is no doubt that Bayern Munich need a performance of extraordinary measures if they are to overcome Barcelona in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final tonight.
Barcelona were 3-0 winners in the first leg last week, with a brace from Lionel Messi and late Neymar effort leaving the Spanish side as the strong favourites to make an eighth European Cup final.
Injuries have hit Bayern hard in the last couple of months and they will again be without a number of key players in Munich. David Alaba, Holger Badstuber, Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben are all still on the sidelines, but Robert Lewandowski is expected to play once again with a facial mask.
Mehdi Benatia, Xabi Alonso, Rafinha and Manuel Neuer all started the Augsburg match on the bench and should return, while Mario Gotze will be hoping for a spot in the XI.
•Bayern coach, Guardiola (left) and Barca Manager, Enrique go to war tonight in Munich
Notwithstanding this tough duel, David Olatokunbo Alaba is optimistic that the German champions can overturn a 3 – 0 first leg defeat.
The Austria international sat out the tie at the Camp Nou, and will miss tomorrow’s game at Allianz-Arena even though he has resumed light training with the Bavarians.
“In the second leg, we’ll win 4-0 and I hope I’m fit to play the final in Berlin,” said David Alaba.
Josep Guardiola, Bayern coach is very positive going into the match, he said: “We are happy we are in the semi-finals. We are 3-0 down and we are up against the best team of the last 15 years. We have to defend well first and foremost and then see how the game goes. You never know what might happen – for 77 minutes it was 0-0 in Barcelona.”
Thomas Muller believes Munich can make a statement to the footballing world by surmounting their three-goal deficit to beat Barcelona, saying “I wouldn’t say that we need a miracle. Since we left the Camp Nou we have wanted to make up for it.
“If we go through, it will be a statement which the football world didn’t expect. Whether or not that could be classed as a miracle is up to you, but in football, many things are possible.
“That’s why there’s still hope and we still believe in ourselves. We’re in a similar position to when we were sat here two weeks ago. We can’t expect things to go like they did against Porto, but that’s what we need.”
Wife of Pharmacist who allegedly committed suicide released from police custody
Busayo, the wife of the Lagos pharmacist, Paul Olafare, who was arrested and detained following the death of her husband who allegedly committed suicide on April 12th, has been released by the police after spending 28 days in detention in Panti. Busayo, who was arrested after a report was filed by her late husband's family, who suspected she had a hand in his death, was released on May 8th after the autopsy result carried out on her late husband was released. The police has however not made the result of the autopsy known.
Should the 200 girls pregnant for Boko Haram members get abortion?
Photos from the Council of State meeting today
MTN Foundation spends N11bn on CSR in 10 years
Wale Goodluck, Corporate Services Executive, MTN Nigeria
The Chairman of MTN Foundation (MTNF), Mr Hamzat Ahmadu, on Monday said that the foundation had spent over N11 billion on 341 project sites in 10 years.
This was contained in a statement in Lagos obtained by NAN, as the foundation marked a decade of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities.
The statement said that the successes that had been recorded in the last 10 years were based on the foundation’s ability to leverage on the power of local and international partners.
According to the statement, the partners are able to bring relevant knowledge and experience to the table, to create and execute sustainable projects across the country.
“With its pioneering status as the first foundation established by a Nigerian telecommunication company, MTN Foundation, the CSR vehicle of a leading ICT company, is celebrating a decade of touching lives.
“The foundation has been touching lives through its hugely impactful social investments in education, health, and economic empowerment.
“Founded on May 11, 2005, the foundation is funded by up to one per cent Profit-After-Tax from MTN Nigeria.
“It has become the leading driver of social investments through the expenditure of over N11 billion in 341 project sites across the six geopolitical zones of the country,” it said.
“The strides in the area of health, education and economic empowerment are eloquent testimonies of how well we have been able to demonstrate our commitment to enriching and adding value to lives.”
Mr Wale Goodluck, the Corporate Services Executive of MTN Nigeria, expressed delight at the giant strides made in the past decade.
Goodluck, who is also a Director of MTNF, said that corporate social responsibility was at the core of MTN’s organisational philosophy.
He said that the foundation would not relent in its efforts to continue to seek creative ways to support and add value to lives in many more communities.
“We are excited that our mission to improve the quality of life in communities all over the country have yielded great dividends.
“This is evidenced by the positive impact our initiatives have had in helping to reduce poverty, as well as foster sustainable development in Nigeria,” Goodluck said.
He said that through its educational initiatives, MTNF had provided digital libraries and ICT laboratories to universities and secondary schools, respectively, in the country.
According to him, the educational initiatives also empower others with scholarships in music and science and technology.
NAN reports that under its healthcare portfolio, MTNF has provided mammography and dialysis machines to public hospitals across the country.
It also engages in trailblazing eyesight restoration intervention, where a lot of persons have benefited from free cataract surgeries, eye glasses and drug packs.
Under its economic empowerment portfolio, MTNF has carried out and supported a wide range of activities designed to enable job provision, skills acquisition among other various stakeholder groups such as the disabled, widows and visually impaired students.
In recognition of its positive contributions, MTNF has received numerous awards, including the 3rd CSR Nigeria Industry Award; Innovative Partnership Award for Outstanding Work in Corporate Social Responsibility and Creating “Shared Value”.
It also received the Advertising Association of Nigeria (ADVAN) Awards’ Best Corporate Social Responsibility Company and Sickle Cell Foundation of Nigeria’s Special Appreciation Award in recognition of the work of MTNF.
Don Jazzy, Mavins set to join Glo in multi-million naira deal
Mavin Crew
In a move set to rock the corporate and entertainment world, Don Jazzy and the Mavins look set to ‘port’ from MTN to Nigerian-owned telecommunications giant, Globacom.
The audacious move comes just months before the contract of Nigeria’s foremost producer is due for renewal with MTN.
According to a source close to negotiations, news of Don Jazzy’s availability came up just as Globacom was preparing offers to add Mavin’s rising musicians Di’Ja, Reekado Banks and Korede Bello to their fold of brand ambassadors.
The source added that not only is Glo eager to sign the young ones all at once, they are determined to break the bank by also offering a record -breaking deal to the Mavin Records CEO.
Don Jazzy, who currently has just two months to run on his MTN deal, recently broke the internet with news of his signing with online retail giant, Konga.
He is considered an overlord of social media influencers and played an active role in creating awareness for the All Progressives Congress in the just concluded elections.
Although the other Mavin acts – Tiwa Savage, Dr. Sid, D’Prince – all have individual deals with MTN, any move to Glo by the head honcho would most likely result in a mass exodus which would hit the South African telco hard.
The trio of Di’Ja, Reekado Banks and Korede Bello were signed to Mavin Records a year ago and have already planted their feet firmly in the Nigerian music industry, with hit solos and collaborations.
Sierra-Leonean-Nigerian Hadiza Blell (Di’Ja) is the sonorous voice behind the love song, Awww. Her music career started off with relative acclaim in Canada before she moved back to Nigeria in what has turned out to be a most lucrative decision: joining Mavin Records.
Korede Bello, consistently sets the hearts of his female fans racing with songs like African Prince and Cold Outside. He also has an endorsement deal with Woodin under his belt.
Reekado Banks, hailed by many for not just his good voice but his street cred, is best known for his song, Chop Am. The graduate of the University of Lagos is a favourite amongst young Nigerians.
All efforts to get a statement from Mavin Records PR proved abortive as they declined to comment as at the time of publication.
Photo of Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II when he was a child
Italy better than Libya but Nigeria is worst – Nigerian mother
This photo provided by the Italian Navy’s Press Office Monday, May 4, 2015 shows a baby born on a navy vessel Sunday, May 3, 2015. The navy said a woman, in labor when rescued Sunday, gave birth to a girl aboard of its patrol ship ‘Bettica’. Mother and daughter are fine, and the patrol boat, carrying 654 migrants who were saved in four different rescue operations, headed to port. (Italian Navy via AP)
RAGUSA, Italy (Reuters) A Nigerian who gave birth on a warship after the Italian navy rescued her from a migrant boat has said that “Italy is better than Libya and Nigeria is the worst.”
She told Reuters on Monday her new daughter would have a better life in Europe, explaining why she risked the dangerous voyage.
Francesca Marina, named after St. Francis and the Italian navy, was 3.37 kilos (7 pounds, 7 ounces) when she was delivered aboard the Bettica naval vessel in the Mediterranean a week ago. Once ashore, she suffered from seizures and was put in intensive care.
A week on, both Stephanie Samuel, the 24-year-old Nigerian mother, and Francesca Marina have recovered. Doctors at the Sicilian hospital said they would probably be transferred to an immigration centre for families with small children in a few days time.
The story of the migrant baby born aboard a navy ship captured international media attention at the end of one of the busiest weekends for sea crossings from Libya to Europe this year, in which about 6,800 were rescued and dozens are said to have drowned.
Samuel worked for two years in Tripoli as a housemaid to save money to pay smugglers for the trip, but then the boat she set off in with about 90 others stalled after only three hours at sea.
By the time they were picked up by the Bettica off the Libyan coast seven hours later, she was unconscious after suffering epileptic seizures and had gone into labour.
“I didn’t expect the baby, you know, but she just like, she just came,” Samuel said. “I just wanted to leave Libya. Italy is better than Libya and Nigeria is the worst.”
About her daughter, she said: “God decides, not me … but I believe she will have a more good future in Europe.”
So far this year more than 30,000 people have reached Italy by sea from North Africa, mostly Libya. More than 170,000 came last year. The Interior Ministry has said 200,000 might make it to Italy’s shores in 2015.
While many are political refugees like Syrians, fleeing civil war, or Eritreans, escaping forced military conscription, others like Samuel are economic migrants in search of a better life.
She said her husband, who is still working in Libya, was ready to risk the sea crossing to be with his daughter and wife as soon as he could afford to pay smugglers who demand up to $1,500 for passage on an overcrowded, rickety boat.
Photo: EFCC Arraigns Five over N26million Internet Fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, May 11, 2015 arraigned Uchenna Nwako, Ejikeme Oluchukwu, Nnamani Ikechukwu, Ibeh kodili Martins and Nwako Victoria Ifeoma before Justice D.V Agishir of the Federal High Court, Enugu, on a 16-count charge bordering on intent to defraud and obtaining N26,338,000 by false pretence.The five accused persons were picked up by EFCC operatives on February 27, 2013 after intelligence reports indicated that they were involved in fraudulent activities bordering on cybercrime.
Part of the charge read: “That you Uchenna Nwako, Ejikme Oluchukwu, Nnamani Ikechukwu, Ibeh Kodili Martins and Nwako Victoria Ifeoma sometime in November 2012 in Enugu, Enugu State within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, conspired among yourselves to commit an unlawful act to wit: obtaining money by false pretense and thereby committed an offense contrary to Section 8(a) and punishable under section 1(3) of Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
“That you Nwako Victoria Ifeoma and Uchenna Nwako on or about October 18, 2012 in Enugu, Enugu State within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, concealed and disguised the origin of the sum of N8,940,000 which is proceed of an unlawful activity by causing the said money to be paid into the Zenith Bank account number 1013144345 of Ifechina Enterprises Limited, a private limited company jointly owned by both of you, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(2)(a) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the Money Laundering Act , 2011 (As Amended).”
They however, pleaded not guilty, when the charges were read to them. In view of their plea, the EFCC counsel, M. A. Ekwu, requested for a date to be fixed for trial of the accused persons to begin. Defence counsel, A. Oyenkwere, however requested bail for his clients, which was opposed by Ekwu. Ekwu argued that only Ikechukwu who had honoured the terms of the administrative bail deserved bail. Ikechukwu was thereafter granted bail in the sum of N1,000,000 with one surety who must be either a seasoned businessman that owns a landed property with a C of O, or a civil servant of Grade Level 15 or above.
The case was adjourned till May 13, 2015 for consideration of the bail application of the other accused persons, who were ordered to be remanded in EFCC custody.
Wilson Uwujaren
Head, Media & Publicity
12th May, 2015
Group To Buhari: Don’t Allow Use of EFCC for Persecution
A Civil Rights Group, Transparency Coalition of Nigeria (TCN) has called on the President-Elect, General Mohammed Buhari to insulate the EFCC from being manipulated by politicians to witch hunt perceived enemies when he assumes office.
In a statement issued by its Secretary General, Mr Peter Gimba in Abuja on Tuesday, the TCN said it was concerned about the use of the EFCC for political purposes by the executive arm in years past, an act it said had undermined the credibility of the anti-crime commission and attempts to enshrine transparency in all government business.
‘The reasons for the establishment of the EFCC remains genuine and the case for the commission remains strong. However, the perceived use of the EFCC by the executive to muzzle or intimidate its real or perceived opponents into submission is a worrisome development that has diminished public confidence in the EFCC and raised questions about the government’s commitment to due process, accountability and transparency.
TCN therefore calls on the President-elect, General Mohammadu Buhari to strengthen the EFCC and insulate it from political control, especially by those who seek to use the commission as a weapon of intimidation and blackmail targeted at political opponents”.
TCN claimed that the practice of using EFCC for political ends has led to a litany of unproven cases that some politicians are using to blackmail opponents who are victims of political persecution through the agency of the EFCC.
The group argued that the use of pending EFCC cases in hate campaigns against perceived political opponents further contributes to the erosion of public confidence in the commission apart from the injury inflicted on the reputation of the affected individuals.
Continuing, TCN stressed that just as any accused person is innocent until proven guilty by a court of law, EFCC cases should not be taken as prove of wrongdoing on the part of the accused.
On the leadership of the forthcoming national assembly, TCN canvassed the election of principal officers with a known commitment to rule of law, due process, and transparency so that the legislative and the executive arms can work in tandem to stamp out corruption and impunity while instilling transparency in the country.
Stressing that National Assembly, especially the Senate, has members-elect with good track records of probity and transparency in their previous positions, the group maintained that the Assembly needs a leadership that is commitment to transparency and a willingness to open the legislative arm to greater public scrutiny and participation, in order to enhance public confidence in the National Assembly.
In a statement issued by its Secretary General, Mr Peter Gimba in Abuja on Tuesday, the TCN said it was concerned about the use of the EFCC for political purposes by the executive arm in years past, an act it said had undermined the credibility of the anti-crime commission and attempts to enshrine transparency in all government business.
‘The reasons for the establishment of the EFCC remains genuine and the case for the commission remains strong. However, the perceived use of the EFCC by the executive to muzzle or intimidate its real or perceived opponents into submission is a worrisome development that has diminished public confidence in the EFCC and raised questions about the government’s commitment to due process, accountability and transparency.
TCN therefore calls on the President-elect, General Mohammadu Buhari to strengthen the EFCC and insulate it from political control, especially by those who seek to use the commission as a weapon of intimidation and blackmail targeted at political opponents”.
TCN claimed that the practice of using EFCC for political ends has led to a litany of unproven cases that some politicians are using to blackmail opponents who are victims of political persecution through the agency of the EFCC.
The group argued that the use of pending EFCC cases in hate campaigns against perceived political opponents further contributes to the erosion of public confidence in the commission apart from the injury inflicted on the reputation of the affected individuals.
Continuing, TCN stressed that just as any accused person is innocent until proven guilty by a court of law, EFCC cases should not be taken as prove of wrongdoing on the part of the accused.
On the leadership of the forthcoming national assembly, TCN canvassed the election of principal officers with a known commitment to rule of law, due process, and transparency so that the legislative and the executive arms can work in tandem to stamp out corruption and impunity while instilling transparency in the country.
Stressing that National Assembly, especially the Senate, has members-elect with good track records of probity and transparency in their previous positions, the group maintained that the Assembly needs a leadership that is commitment to transparency and a willingness to open the legislative arm to greater public scrutiny and participation, in order to enhance public confidence in the National Assembly.
Resumption Date for 2014/2015 Full-Time Students – Yabatech
Yaba College of Technology, YABATECH resumption date for full-time fresh and stale students for the 2014/2015 academic session has been announced.
This is to inform all the fresh(I.e. ND 1 and HND 1)and returning(I.e. ND 2 and HND 2) full-timestudents of the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) that the authorities of the institution have announced the date for the commencement of the 2014/2015 academic session.
YABTECH New Students for the Full time 2014/2015 Academic session are to resume on Monday, 11th May, 2015 while Returning students are to resume on the 27th July and 25th May, 2015 respectively.
Both Fresh and Returning Students are to start their registration immediately.
For further details, Students are advised to visit their respective departments.
This is to inform all the fresh(I.e. ND 1 and HND 1)and returning(I.e. ND 2 and HND 2) full-timestudents of the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) that the authorities of the institution have announced the date for the commencement of the 2014/2015 academic session.
YABTECH New Students for the Full time 2014/2015 Academic session are to resume on Monday, 11th May, 2015 while Returning students are to resume on the 27th July and 25th May, 2015 respectively.
Both Fresh and Returning Students are to start their registration immediately.
For further details, Students are advised to visit their respective departments.
EFCC to amend charges in Nnamani’s N5bn fraud case
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has pleaded for more time to amend its court papers in the trial of a former Governor of Enugu State, Chimaroke Nnamani.
Nnamani, his erstwhile aide, Sunday Anyaogu, and six companies have been standing trial since 2007. They are being tried by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for allegedly laundering a sum of N5bn, believed to be proceeds of unlawful conducts.
The trial judge, Justice Mohammed Yunusa, had on March 25, 2015, granted an application by the EFCC to separate the trial of the ex-governor from that of the six companies.
The accused companies are Rainbownet Nigeria Limited, Hillgate Nigeria Limited, Cosmo FM, Capital City Automobile Nigeria Limited, Renaissance University Teaching Hospital and Mea Mater Elizabeth High School.
The commission had opted to try them separately in order to prevent their assets from being eroded as the entire trial had dragged without much progress over the last seven years due to Nnamani’s ill health.
Nnamani, who contested the April 11, 2015 election but lost the bid to represent Enugu East Senatorial District, had on occasions taken court’s permission to travel abroad for medical treatment.
His lawyer, Mr. Rickey Tarfa (SAN), said his client was suffering from complications of a heart surgery which he had had to undergo.
At the resumed proceedings on Monday, the EFCC prosecutor, Mr. Kelvin Uzozie, sought for an adjournment to be able to amend the court papers in line with the move to commence separate trial.
As the request was not opposed by Tarfa, Yunusa consequently granted the prayer and adjourned till May 19, 2015, for continuation of trial.
Judges who have handled Nnamani’s trial since it began in 2007 include Justice Tijani Abubakar, who handed it over to Justice Charles Archibong.
Archibong presided over the trial until his retirement.
The ex-governor and his co-accused allegedly lodged the laundered N5bn in a secret account, with the aim of concealing its source.
The accused also allegedly failed to comply with the lawful inquiry by the EFCC.
The offences were said to contravene the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2004 and the EFCC Act, 20004.
Nnamani, his erstwhile aide, Sunday Anyaogu, and six companies have been standing trial since 2007. They are being tried by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for allegedly laundering a sum of N5bn, believed to be proceeds of unlawful conducts.
The trial judge, Justice Mohammed Yunusa, had on March 25, 2015, granted an application by the EFCC to separate the trial of the ex-governor from that of the six companies.
The accused companies are Rainbownet Nigeria Limited, Hillgate Nigeria Limited, Cosmo FM, Capital City Automobile Nigeria Limited, Renaissance University Teaching Hospital and Mea Mater Elizabeth High School.
The commission had opted to try them separately in order to prevent their assets from being eroded as the entire trial had dragged without much progress over the last seven years due to Nnamani’s ill health.
Nnamani, who contested the April 11, 2015 election but lost the bid to represent Enugu East Senatorial District, had on occasions taken court’s permission to travel abroad for medical treatment.
His lawyer, Mr. Rickey Tarfa (SAN), said his client was suffering from complications of a heart surgery which he had had to undergo.
At the resumed proceedings on Monday, the EFCC prosecutor, Mr. Kelvin Uzozie, sought for an adjournment to be able to amend the court papers in line with the move to commence separate trial.
As the request was not opposed by Tarfa, Yunusa consequently granted the prayer and adjourned till May 19, 2015, for continuation of trial.
Judges who have handled Nnamani’s trial since it began in 2007 include Justice Tijani Abubakar, who handed it over to Justice Charles Archibong.
Archibong presided over the trial until his retirement.
The ex-governor and his co-accused allegedly lodged the laundered N5bn in a secret account, with the aim of concealing its source.
The accused also allegedly failed to comply with the lawful inquiry by the EFCC.
The offences were said to contravene the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2004 and the EFCC Act, 20004.
Four bag 24 years imprisonment for stealing petrol
A Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday convicted and sentenced four men to a prison term of 24 years for stealing petroleum products belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.
The four convicts, who are to share the jail term equally, are Yama Abass, Adeleke Adetoro, Olaniyi Tope and Beliya Abegunde.
The men, who stole 33,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit valued at approximately N3.2m, had been arraigned before Justice Okon Abang last year August along with one Alabi Olayinka, an accountant in a petrol station in Lagos. But Abang, who convicted Abass, Adetoro, Tope and Abegunde on counts three and four of the charge, discharged and acquitted Olayinka.
The judge, who said the evidence before the court did not link Olayinka to the crime, said Olayinka would have a good case against the police if he sued for “unlawful arrest, detention and malicious prosecution.”
Pronouncing the sentence, Abang refused the plea by the defence counsel to temper justice with mercy, saying “nobody should commit an offence and expect the court to show mercy.”
“They have no sympathy for this country and the citizens. In spite of all the efforts made by the Federal Government to protect the petroleum pipelines and make petrol to get to everybody with ease, the convicts and their cohorts have made consistent efforts to sabotage and frustrate the effort of the Federal Government,” the judge said. Describing them as harbingers of evil, the judge said the convicts cannot not plant thorns and expect to harvest flowers, adding that it was shameful that in spite being blessed with petrol, Nigerian citizens were still suffering from scarcity on account of the activities of vandals.
According to the charge marked FHC/L/220c/2014, the four convicts with some suspects still at large conspired and damaged oil pipelines and stole 33,000 litres of PMS belonging to the NNPC on July 13 along Epe/Ikorodu road in Lagos.
They were said to have been apprehended while selling the stolen products to filling stations in the city. The offence, according to the prosecution contravened sections 390 and 516 of the Criminal Code, Cap C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and Section 7 (a) and (b) of the Miscellaneous Offence Act, Cap M 17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. Abang, in his judgment, ordered the petrol stations that bought the stolen products to make restitution in the sum of N3.2m to the Federal Government within seven days of the judgment.
The court also ordered the sale of the tanker used in conveying the stolen product by auction within 14 days of the judgment. The prosecution was ordered to pay the proceeds into the coffers of the Federal Government.
The men, who stole 33,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit valued at approximately N3.2m, had been arraigned before Justice Okon Abang last year August along with one Alabi Olayinka, an accountant in a petrol station in Lagos. But Abang, who convicted Abass, Adetoro, Tope and Abegunde on counts three and four of the charge, discharged and acquitted Olayinka.
The judge, who said the evidence before the court did not link Olayinka to the crime, said Olayinka would have a good case against the police if he sued for “unlawful arrest, detention and malicious prosecution.”
Pronouncing the sentence, Abang refused the plea by the defence counsel to temper justice with mercy, saying “nobody should commit an offence and expect the court to show mercy.”
“They have no sympathy for this country and the citizens. In spite of all the efforts made by the Federal Government to protect the petroleum pipelines and make petrol to get to everybody with ease, the convicts and their cohorts have made consistent efforts to sabotage and frustrate the effort of the Federal Government,” the judge said. Describing them as harbingers of evil, the judge said the convicts cannot not plant thorns and expect to harvest flowers, adding that it was shameful that in spite being blessed with petrol, Nigerian citizens were still suffering from scarcity on account of the activities of vandals.
According to the charge marked FHC/L/220c/2014, the four convicts with some suspects still at large conspired and damaged oil pipelines and stole 33,000 litres of PMS belonging to the NNPC on July 13 along Epe/Ikorodu road in Lagos.
They were said to have been apprehended while selling the stolen products to filling stations in the city. The offence, according to the prosecution contravened sections 390 and 516 of the Criminal Code, Cap C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and Section 7 (a) and (b) of the Miscellaneous Offence Act, Cap M 17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. Abang, in his judgment, ordered the petrol stations that bought the stolen products to make restitution in the sum of N3.2m to the Federal Government within seven days of the judgment.
The court also ordered the sale of the tanker used in conveying the stolen product by auction within 14 days of the judgment. The prosecution was ordered to pay the proceeds into the coffers of the Federal Government.
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