A Federal High Court, Lagos, has fixed February 27, for the arraignment of one of Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, Gbolahan and four others over alleged conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence and N1, 356, 057, 330. 43 billion fraud.

Obanikoro will be arraigned alongside Adejare Adegbenro, 51; Balmoral International Limited;

M. O. B. Integrated Limited and DDSS International Company Limited before Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa.

The Judge fixed the date on Friday, sequel to the defendants’ failure to be in court on Friday for their arraignment.

The Inspector General of Police through the office of the police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU) Ikoyi, Lagos, alleged that all the defendants have between May and September 2013 in Lagos, with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of N1, 356, 057, 330. 43 billion from Access Bank Plc formerly Diamond Bank, by falsely presenting through its staff and officers of the bank that they were into the business of cars importation from Dubai for sale in Nigeria and that the money was the cost of financing the importation of a set of brand new cars from Dubai to restock their business and for sale to your various customers.

They were also alleged to have directly or indirectly converts, transfers, retains, takes possession or control of N1, 356, 057, 330.43 billion, belonging to now Access Bank Plc, formerly Diamond Bank, knowingly or reasonably ought to have known that such funds is, or forms part of the proceeds.

All the defendants were also alleged to have unlawfully converted the sum of N1 billion belonging to Access Bank formerly Diamond Bank Plc, to the personal use.

At the resumed hearing of the matter on Friday, the prosecutor, M. Y. Bello, informed the court that the matter was slated for the arraignment of all the defendants.

He however asked the court for another date, to enable all the defendants to be in court to take their plea on the charges against them.

Counsel to the defendants, Joshua A., told the court that his clients are not in the country. Adding that only the companies named in the charge were served with the charge sheet. He however assured the court that all the defendants will be in court at the next adjourned date, to take their plea on the charges .

Fraud and other fraud related offences Act No. 14 of 2006 and Punishable Under Section 1(3) of the saine Act

“That you Adejare Adegbenro ‘m’, Gbolahan Obanikoro ‘m’, Balmoral International Limited, M.O.B Integrated Limited, DDSS international Company Ltd and other Directors of the Companies (now at large) between May and September 2013, in Lagos State, in the aforementioned Judicial Division of Federal High Court, Lagos, did directly or indirectly converts, transfers, retains, takes possession or control of N1, 356, 057, 330.43 (One Billion, Three and Fifty Six Million, Fifty Seven Thousand, Three Hundred Thirty Naira, Forty Three Kobo) belonging to Diamond Bank now Access Bank Plc, which you intentionally, knowingly or reasonably ought to have known that such funds is, or forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful Act and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(2)(b) & (d) and punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

“That you Adejare Adegbenro ‘m’, Gbolahan Obanikoro ‘m’, Balmoral International Limited, M.0.B Integrated Limited, DDSS International Company Ltd and other Directors of the Companies (now at large) sometime in May 2019 in Lagos within the aforementioned judicial Division of the Federal High Court, with intent to defraud, did obtain the sum of N1, 000,000.00 (One Billion Naira) from Diamond Bank now Access Bank Pic by falsely presenting through its staff and officers of the bank that you and your company, DDSS International Company were into the business of cars importation from Dubai for sale in Nigeria and that the money was for the cost of financing the importation of a set of brand new cars from Dubai to restock your business and for sale to your various customers and based on this representation, the Bank released the said money to you through the account of your company known as DDSS International Company as a loan facility which you subsequently diverted from the said account of DOSS International Company to account of another of your company now as Balmoral international Limited for the purpose of disguising the true origin or source of the money and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1) (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other fraud related offences Act No. 14 of 2006 and Punishable Under Section 1(3) of the same Act.

That you Adejare Adegbenro ‘m’, Gbolahan Obanikoro ‘m’, Balmoral international Limited, M.O.B Integrated Limited, DOSS International Company Ltd and other Directors of the Companies (now at large) sometime in May 2019, in Lagos State, in the aforementioned Judicial Division of Federal High Court, Lagos, did directly or indirectly converts, transfers, takes possession or control of N1,000,000.00 (One Billion Naira) belonging to Diamond Bank now Access Bank Plc, which you intentionally, knowingly or reasonably ought to have known that such funds is, or forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful Act and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(2)(b) & (d) and punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”

The Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, has been announced as the recipient of the prestigious Minister of the Year Award by the Board of Editors of the New Telegraph Newspaper. The award letter was formally presented to the Minister today at his office in Abuja by the management team of the newspaper, led by its Managing Director, Mr. Ayo Aminu, and Editor-In-Chief, Juliet Bumah.

During the presentation, Mr. Ayo Aminu lauded the Minister’s exceptional achievements and transformative impact on Nigeria’s aviation sector. “We have watched with keen interest the impressive track records of the Honourable Minister. He won this nomination convincingly, leaving the Board of Editors with no choice but to unanimously select him for this award. The formal ceremony is scheduled to hold on February 21, 2025, in Lagos,” Aminu said.

In his acceptance speech, Festus Keyamo SAN expressed gratitude to the New Telegraph Newspaper for the recognition and commended the publication’s integrity. “The New Telegraph has withstood the test of time, operating without any form of story retraction, which is commendable,” the Minister said.

Reflecting on the significance of the award, the Minister noted, “You’re not alone in this recognition; other reputable newspapers have also nominated us for similar award. This alignment of thought across the media landscape shows that we are doing something right. This award is not just for me—it is a collective effort of my CEOs, Special Advisers, and my entire team. It will only motivate us to achieve more milestones in the aviation sector.”

The Honourable Minister also confirmed his commitment to attending the award ceremony in Lagos, saying, “I will be there in person to receive this honour.”

The New Telegraph Minister of the Year Award is a testament to Keyamo’s exemplary leadership, policy reforms, and unwavering commitment to advancing Nigeria’s aviation sector since assuming office in August 2023.

Engineer Sunday Makinde, the eldest brother of Oyo Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde is dead.

He died on Friday, January 24, 2025 at 65.

A brother of the deceased, who is also the Bada Olubadan of Ibadanland and Head of Aigbofa Family of Oja’ba, Ibadan, Chief Olumuyiwa Makinde, wrote: “With a heavy heart, I announce the passage of my older brother, Engr Sunday Makinde, to eternal glory today, Friday 24th of January 2025.

“His sudden death occurred in his Ibadan residence at 3.20am today, Friday 24th January 2025

“He is survived by siblings, among whom is the Executive Governor of Oyo state, His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde, children and grand children.”