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Shameful Act: EFCC arraigns Mobitel boss, Johnson Salako, two others for ‘N1.4b fraud’

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8 years ago

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Chief Executive Officer of Mobitel, Mr. Johnson Salako, and two others, before a Lagos High Court for allegedly defrauding Bank of Industry (BOI) of Nl.4 billion.

The other defendants, Enoche Ugbabe and Enebeli Theophilus, have however challenged the charge on grounds that it was filed inappropriately. They prayed the court to strike out the charges.

The defendants, according to EFCC’s prosecutor, Mr. A. Kayode, allegedly stole N1, 424, 774, 000, from the BOI by falsely representing to the bank that the facility was meant to finance a project.

The prosecution further alleged that the defendants, contrary to Section 467 of the Criminal code Law of Lagos State, also “forged a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) of Lands Registry of Lagos State, which they pledged as security to obtain the facility.

The defendants also forged two title deeds and presented same to the BOI to obtain the facility.

Salako, said to be the principal actor in the alleged crime, was not in court on Friday. He has since been declared wanted by the EFCC.

Counsel to the defendants, Prof. Taiwo Oshipitan (SAN), who applied that the charges be quashed, said the proof of evidence before the court does not disclose commission of any offence by his clients.

Prof Oshipitan argued that the allegations of stealing, conspiracy and forgery against his clients were frivolous as they never participated in obtaining the N1.4 billion loan from BOI and are not privy to how it was expended.

He said that the loan was paid into Mobitel’s account, even as he contended that his clients were not part of the company’s administration or the usage of the money.

Prof Oshipitan also urged the court to strike out the charges against his clients on the ground that the EFCC does not have power to prosecute an offence committed against the Federal Government before a state High Court.

Kayode, however, prayed the court to discountenance Oshipitan’s argument and insisted that the commission has disclosed sufficient link between the defendants and the crime allegedly committed, as required by the law.

Justice Ipaye adjourned the matter till February 10, 2017, for ruling.

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Society

DSS Arrests, Detains Lagos House of Assembly Members Over Obasa’s Removal As Speaker

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6 days ago

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January 30, 2025

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The last may not have been heard over the crisis rocking the Lagos State House of Assembly as two members of the House, Hon. Lanre Afinni and Hon. Sylvester Ogunkelu are currently being detained at the DSS office in the State.

 

According to an impeccable source from the House, the two are facing interrogation in connection with the removal of Hon Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker.

 

 

Obasa was removed as Speaker by the majority of the members on January 13 and replaced with the former Deputy Speaker, Mojisola Lasbat Meranda.

 

 

In solidarity with their colleagues, the Deputy Speaker, Hon Mojeed Fatai with some other members of the House stormed the DSS office to secure their release.

 

 

Details later…

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Society

EFCC Arrests Ex-NHIS Boss Usman Yusuf

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6 days ago

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January 30, 2025

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Professor Usman Yusuf, the former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), has been apprehended by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

 

Society Reporters reports that The EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, confirmed the arrest to Channels Television during a phone interview on Wednesday.

 

 

Professor Yusuf was taken into custody following a raid on his residence by EFCC operatives.

 

 

The Commission has announced that he is scheduled to be arraigned today January 30, 2025.

 

 

This arrest follows a petition submitted to the previous administration under former President Muhammadu Buhari and the Federal Ministry of Health, citing allegations of misconduct and fraudulent activities.

 

 

Professor Yusuf was dismissed from his position in 2019, a decision made seven months after a fact-finding panel from the Federal Ministry of Health recommended his removal due to alleged mismanagement of 919 million Naira.

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Society

Just In: APC expels Rauf Aregbesola

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7 days ago

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January 29, 2025

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The All Progressives Congress, APC, has expelled Rauf Aregbesola, a former Minister of Interior and ex-Osun State Governor, over alleged anti-party activities.

 

Aregbesola, who was a two-term governor of Osun State had been having a running battle with the Osun chapter of the APC in recent times.

 

The disagreement with the APC led him into forming a factional group within the party, known as The Osun Progressive (TOP) which later mutated into the Omoluabi Caucus.

 

 

 

A letter from the APC leadership seen by newsmen on Wednesday officially confirmed Aregbesola’s expulsion.

 

The letter, titled “Allegations of Anti-Party Activities – Conveyance of State Exco Decision to You,” accused him of breaching Article 21 of the party’s constitution, which outlines disciplinary measures for members.

 

The letter read in part, “At the end of the investigation, the State Executive Committee (SEC) considered the report of the Disciplinary Committee. Having carefully reviewed the findings and recommendations, the SEC resolved to approve your immediate expulsion from the APC.

 

 

The decision was predicated on clear evidence of your actions, which undermined the unity and integrity of the party. As a result, you are no longer a member of the APC and must refrain from holding yourself out as one or acting on behalf of the party in any capacity.”

 

More details to come…..

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