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AGAIN, COURT JAILS MAMA BOKO HARAM, TWO OTHERS FOR N120M FRAUD

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For the third time in as many months, Aisha Alkali Wakil has been convicted for fraud as Justice Aisha Kumaliya of the Borno State High Court, sitting in Maiduguri, on Wednesday, December 21, 2022, convicted and sentenced her alongside Tahiru Saidu Daura, and Prince Lawal, to 10 years imprisonment for conspiracy, cheating and obtaining N 120,500,000.00 by false pretence.

The defendants were arraigned by the Maiduguri Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, December 8, 2021, on five count amended charges.

Count two of the charge reads ”That you, Aisha Alkali Wakil, Tahiru Alhaji Saidu Daura, Prince Lawal Shoyade whilst being Chief Executive Officer, Programme Manager and Country Director respectively of Complete Care and Aid Foundation (Non – Government Organization) and Saidu Mukhtar (now at large) sometime in June, 2018 at Maiduguri, Borno State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud obtained the sum of N45,000,000.00 (Forty Five Million Naira) from one Mohammed Umar Mohammed of Nyeuro International Limited under the false pretence of executing a purported contract of supply, installation and servicing of 10 pieces of Chison 600A, 2009 version deluxe ultrasound system, which you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1) (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and Punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act”.

Count four of the charge reads: ”That you Aisha Alkali Wakil, Tahiru Alhaji Saidu Daura, Prince Lawal Shoyade whilst being Chief Executive Officer, Programme Manager and Country Director respectively of Complete Care and Aid Foundation (Non – Governmental Organization) and Saidu Mukhtar (at large) sometime between June and August 2018 at Maiduguri, Borno State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire to do illegal act to wit; cheating by obtaining 3000 (Three Thousand) bags of 50kg white beans worth N65,000,000.00 (Sixty Five Million Naira) from one Mohammed Umar Mohammed of Nyeuro International Limited under the pretence of executing a purported contract of supply of the said beans which you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 96 (a) and Punishable under Section 97 of the Borno State Penal Code Laws Cap 102.”

The defendants had pleaded “not guilty” to the charges.

In the course of the trial, the prosecuting counsel, Mukhtar Ali Ahmed, called seven witnesses, including, Shehu Usman, an investigator with the EFCC, who testified that “Complete and Aid Care Foundation (Non – Governmental Organization) was ran as a Ponzi scheme, by robbing Peter to Pay Paul.”

After the prosecution closed its case on March 16, 2020, the defendants choose to file a no-case submission, which was dismissed by the court on September 27, 2021, and the defendants were ordered to open their case.

Delivering judgment today, Justice Kumaliya held that the prosecution proved its case against the defendants beyond reasonable doubt.

“The Court hereby finds you Aisha Alkali Wakil, Tahiru Alhaji Saidu Daura, Prince Lawal Shoyade guilty and convicted you as charged” the Judge ruled.

Justice Kumaliya sentenced them on the first count to seven years imprisonment and ten years on the second count. On the third count, the Judge sentenced the defendants to 5 years imprisonment. The sentences are to run concurrently.

The Judge ordered the convicts to jointly restitute the sum of N66m to the nominal complainant or serve an additional seven years jail term each.

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Former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Spends Second Night In EFCC’s Cell Over N1.3 Trillion Alleged Fraud

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Immediate past governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, who was arrested and detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has spent second night in the custody of the anti-graft commission.

 

Okowa is currently being investigated and detained over the alleged diversion of N1.3 trillion.

 

The N1.3 trillion reportedly represents the 13% derivation fund from the federation account between 2015 and 2023.

 

According to sources within the commission, Okowa was invited to the EFCC office in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he’s subsequently detained by officials.

 

One of the sources stated, “Okowa was at our Port Harcourt office following an invitation from investigators probing the allegations against him. He was then arrested. The commission is investigating him regarding the N1.3 trillion 13% derivation fund from the federation account between 2015 and 2023.

 

“He is also accused of failing to account for the funds, as well as another N40 billion he allegedly claimed was used to acquire shares in UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas. He reportedly bought shares worth N40 billion in one of the country’s major banks, representing an 8% equity stake, to support the offshore LNG project. The funds are alleged to have been misappropriated for other purposes.

Investigators are also examining the alleged diversion of funds by the former governor to acquire estates in Abuja and Asaba, Delta State. He is currently being held at the EFCC facility in Port Harcourt.

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Lagos Government Shuts Down Redeemed Church, Celestial Church, Clubs, Event Centres Over Noise Pollution

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The Lagos State government has shut down a branch of Pastor E. A. Adeboye’s Redeemed Christian Church of God, a Celestial church, nightclubs and event centres over noise pollution.

The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, who made this known on Wednesday, said the churches, clubs and event centres were sealed on Tuesday by the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) in the Ogudu, Gbagada, Iyana Ejigbo, Isolo, Ajao Estate, Oshodi, Ilasamaja, and Okota areas of the state.

The sealed establishments include: Redeemed Christian Church of God, Celestial Church of God, OMA Nightclub and Lounge, Lounge & Lodging, Bridge Spot Bar, Okiki Event Center and Hall, Emota Paradise Hotel (Phase 2), CF Hotel & Suites, House 27 Hotel & Suites, Echo Spring Hotel, and Smile T Continental Hotel.

The commissioner in a post on X said, “In a bid to address noise pollution and other environmental violations, the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) took action yesterday, closing down several establishments across different parts of the state.

“This enforcement drive, focusing on areas like Ogudu, Gbagada, Iyana Ejigbo, Isolo, Ajao Estate, Oshodi, Ilasamaja, and Okota, is part of LASEPA’s continuous efforts to uphold environmental standards and safeguard public health.

“The affected establishments include Honourable Lounge & Lodging, Redeemed Christian Church of God, Celestial Church of God, OMA Nightclub and Lounge, Bridge Spot Bar, Okiki Event Center and Hall, Emota Paradise Hotel (Phase 2), CF Hotel & Suites, House 27 Hotel & Suites, Echo Spring Hotel, and Smile T Continental Hotel.”

 

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Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja: Tinubu directs flags be flown at half-mast

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President Bola Tinubu has directed that Nigeria’s national flags be flown at half mast for seven days across the country to mourn the passing of the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja.

The late Army chief, who was appointed by Tinubu on 19 June 2023, was said to have passed away on Tuesday night after a prolonged illness.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, in a statement on Wednesday by his office Director of Information & Public Relations, Segun Imohiosen, said the president expressed regret over Lagbaja’s death.

Akume said, “President Bola Tinubu has expressed regret following the death of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, after a brief illness at the age of 56.

“The President has directed that national flags be flown at half mast throughout the country for seven days in honour of the departed Army chief.

“He profoundly appreciates the services of the departed to the nation and wishes the family the fortitude to bear the great loss.”

Meanwhile, the Ministers of Defence, Mohammed Badaru and Bello Matawalle, have commiserated with the president, the military, and Lagbaja’s family over his death.

In a statement by the Ministry’s spokesperson, Henshaw Ogubike, the ministers described Lagbaja’s death as a great loss to his family, the Army, and the nation at large.

“The passing on to eternal glory shocked us at the Ministry of Defence, as our working relationship with him was commendable; he exhibited the spirit of camaraderie and cooperation with us in the discharge of our mandate.

“The late Chief of Army Staff contributed significantly to internal security operations across Nigeria and also exhibited a high level of professionalism.

“He will be greatly missed by the family, the military, and the nation, as he served the nation with commitment and dedication,” the statement added.

 

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