An attempt by an Ilorin-based businessman, Chukudubem Ezenwa, and one Adeleke Damilola, to frustrate a $10,000 alleged fraud trial has suffered a setback at a Federal High Court in Ilorin.

Justice Evelyn Anyadike of the Federal High Court in Ilorin on Wednesday struck out the objection challenging the admissibility of the extra-judicial statements tendered by the Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in the $10,000 fraud trial involving the two suspects.

Chukwudubem and Adeleke were re-arraigned on a five-count charge bordering on cybercrime, retention of proceeds of crime and fraud to the tune of USD 10,000.

The two defendants were first arraigned on September 23, 2021, before Justice Muhammed Sani of the same court. However the trial could not be concluded before the redeployment of the former trial judge to another division, hence, the case was reassigned to another judge and had to start de novo.

Upon their arraignment on Monday, the two defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against them by the anti-graft agency, thereby setting the stage for a full trial.

But, Chukwudubem and Adeleke’s Counsels, Osinachi Odom and Tochi Ekwedike, at the point of tendering the extra-judicial statements of their clients objected to its admissibility claiming that they were coerced and made to write the statements under duress, intimidation and harassment.

Although Counsel to the EFCC, Innocent Mbachie urged the court to discountenance the objection on the grounds that it was an attempt to frustrate and delay trial, the court ordered a trial-within-trial to determine the voluntariness or otherwise the statements of the defendants. Consequently, the case was adjourned till Tuesday, May 7, 2024.

At the resumed hearing of the trial-within-trial on Tuesday, the EFCC presented a video recording showing the first defendant volunteering his statement in the presence of his lawyer without intimidation or harassment. Thereafter, it sought to tender the video recording and the statements of the defendants, which carried the signature of their lawyers in evidence, which the court obliged.

In their arguments, the defence claimed that the video recording was doctored, as it did not capture the entire statement taken.

The judge, after listening to arguments and counterarguments from both sides, adjourned till Wednesday for ruling on the admissibility of the documents.

Justice Anyadike, in her ruling, said: “I note that the video recording was played in the open court, I observed that counsel to the first defendant was present, and he also counter-signed the statement. This Honourable Court did not see anything to suggest that the said statements were dictated to the first defendant to write.”

On the claim that the second witness in the trial-within-trial (TW2), Olamide Sadiq, sneaked into the cell at midnight to beat the first defendant, the court said: “The defence counsel had every opportunity to confront the said witness when he was in the witness box, but decided to be quiet about the allegations, thereby made the submission immaterial and mere imagination.”

The judge further said, “the insinuation and imagination of the defence counsel who did not enter the witness box of this court to give evidence in this case can not form the opinion of the court.”

”The court believed that the statements of the first and second defendants were obtained in line with Section 28 of the Evidence Act, 2011.

She noted that the evidence of the prosecution witnesses that the defendants made the statements at the EFCC’s general office, which was in a good atmosphere with a full air-conditioner, was not challenged nor contradicted by the defence.

The court, in the final analysis, dismissed the claims by the defence and admitted the documents as exhibits.

Thereafter, the case was adjourned till July 15, 2024, for continuation of trial.

A socio-cultural group of the Igala nation and interest worldwide, the Ane Igala Restoration (AIR), has dragged the Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, to an Abuja High court over what it termed using the Atta of Igala for unhealthy political activities capable of fueling misunderstanding and also bringing his highly revered stool into disrepute.

In a writ of summons filed before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting at Bwari, the suit with the number W/1896/24 has the Attorney General of the Federation, Kogi State Attorney General, the Hon Minister of Steel Development, Kogi State Traditional Council and the Chairman Igala Area Traditional Council as Defendants respectively.

The Claimants in the said suit issued to newsmen in Jos the Plateau State capital yesterday are seeking an Order of the Court restraining the Defendants from manipulating the Atta Igala, prodding him on and causing him to embark on such actions that are meant to further the political or non-cultural interest of the Defendants.

This also includes an order restraining the Defendants from dragging the Atta Igala into all such non-cultural and traditional functions that are capable of bringing the revered stool of the Atta Igala into disrepute and collision with the Igala Nation and people across several states of the Nation whom the Atta Igala reigns over as their Supreme spiritual leader amidst other reliefs.

The Claimants filed two applications, both exparte and Motion on Notice for interim and interlocutory injunctions against the Defendants from causing the Attah Igala and other traditional rulers within his Council to embark on the visitation of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with the purpose of making a political case in favour of the 3rd Defendant, that is the Executive Governor of Kogi State.

The matter which came up for hearing on Thursday had Salifu Oguche Usman Esq. held the brief of Chief Festus Ogwuche for the Claimants, while the Defendants were absent in court.

The plaintiffs seek the following claims against the defendants,

“A declaration that the revered stool of the Attah Igala and other kingship and Chieftaincy stools in the Igala Kingdom, being the traditional kingship offices embodying the spiritual, cultural, historical and traditional essence of the Igala people, imbued with the parent status and royalty of the race, must be preserved in their dignity and integrity at all times,

“A declaration that the Defendants, their servants, agents, and privies cannot drag the stool of the Attah Igala into the turf, murky waters and controversy of politics or be and as a pawn on the chessboard of power mongers, political elites or people in positions of authority for attaining cheap and parochial political ends, or for any reason and under any circumstance whatsoever by any executive occupant of political office except for matters relating with and pertaining to Igala culture and tradition, of which he is paramount king and chief custodian

“A perpetual injunction restraining the defendants, their agents, servants and privies from interfering with the culture and traditional essence of Igala land and its people by their various attempts to subsume and regulate these features as part of the political administration of Kogi State without a distinction as to their manifestations, significance and attribution resulting to undue manipulations and negatives influence of the sacrosanct traditional institutions and stools.

“An order compelling the defendants, their agents, servants and privies to recognize, the sacredness and spiritual essence of the Attah Igala’s traditional office and stool, as representing the foremost social cultural deity and traditional authority of the people of the Igala nation, and must be accorded the due known prestige, dignity and respect at all times.

“An order compelling the defendant, their agents, servants and privies from tampering with or doing anything and/or seeking to do anything with the occupant of the stool of the Attah Igala in any manner whatsoever and for whatsoever purpose excepting on matters and issues relating to and pertaining with the traditional instruments of his office and his position as the paramount king and traditional ruler of Igala land in his capacity as the custodian of the history, culture and tradition of the Igala people.”

The Claimants informed the court that though the processes have been served on the Defendants, hearing notice for the day’s proceedings weren’t served on the basis that there are some house cleaning applications to be made before bringing the Defendants properly before the court.

The Claimants therefore applied to withdraw motion No. 1324 and 1325 respectively, the same having been overtaken by events. Upon the application, the two motions were accordingly withdrawn and therefore struck out.

The Claimants further applied to have the names of some of the Claimants on record struck off the writ, and the court however directed that the said application should be made formally.

The matter was therefore adjourned to 11th July 2024 for hearing, and the hearing was ordered to be served on all parties.

The Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service, KADIRS, on Thursday sealed two hotels, an event centre and other business premises within the Kaduna metropolis over unpaid taxes totalling about N422.6 million.

It was reported that the sealed business premises were Seals Admiralty Naval Suites owned by Navy Travels and Tours, Abuja, and Deluxe Suites located at Ali Akilu Road, Kaduna.

Others are Big City Event Centre, Bijo Surgical & Scientific Limited, Zedvance Finance Limited, TXTLight Power Solution, Lek Dental & Maxillofacial Hospital, Azaka, and Enyo filling station, among others.

KADIRS Board Secretary and Legal Advisor, Aysha Ahmad, said that the exercise was aimed at enforcing compliance by the businesses that failed to carry out their civic responsibility of tax payment.

She said “As usual, we are left with no option than the powers vested on us by the law to enforce compliance. This is why we are restraining on the premises.”

Ahmad stressed that KADIRS derived no joy in sealing properties of tax defaulters.

She said that the agency encourages voluntary compliance, which is why all possible means are exhausted before enforcement.

She called on the people of the state to ensure voluntary tax compliance, describing it as a civic responsibility.

The chairman of Bali Local Government Council of Taraba State, Dauda Aboki, has finally broken his silence over allegations making the rounds on workers monthly remuneration.

Speaking with journalists on Thursday in Jalingo, the state capital, the chairman dismissed allegations that some staff have not received their salaries for over four months.

Some of the council workers had earlier complained about delayed payments, pointing fingers at the chairman.

Reacting to the allegations, Aboki, who described the claims as unfounded, clarified that most of the disgruntled workers are not officially recorded on the council’s payroll.

The employees, according to him, were initially intended to replace their retired or deceased parents, but their documentation has not been completed, leading to delays in salary processing.

Laying the blame on the leadership of the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, in the council, he urged them to ensure that the workers in question are properly documented.

Aboki also emphasized that his administration has no negative intentions toward the affected workers or NULGE but insisted on following due process to maintain accountability.

While explaining that the number of employees in question does not exceed 37, he vowed that once the proper documentation is completed, the workers will be included in the payroll and paid accordingly.

Abdulmumuni Isa, the NULGE chairman, had earlier confirmed that the workers have not been paid since January 2024.

The NULGE boss also warned that the unresolved salary delays could severely impact the council’s operations if not urgently addressed.

Some of the disgruntled workers who spoke with DAILY POST, shared their frustration, stating that they had been employed in various departments within the council and had received their monthly pay slips and promotions.

They also noted that the chairman’s refusal to pay their salaries for four months has led to hunger, starvation, and general hardship among them and their families.

The House of Representatives has called on Vice President Kashim Shettima to summon an emergency meeting for the urgent resuscitation of the Gbarain Power Plant in Bayelsa State to enhance the efficiency of the national grid.

Shettima doubles as the Chairman of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) Board.

The resolution of the House followed the adoption of a motion moved at plenary on Thursday by Hon. Oboku Oforji.

The House also summoned the Managing Director of NDPHC, Mr Joseph Ugbo, to appear before its Committee on Power to explain the state of the Gbarain Power Plant.

Moving the motion, he said the Gbarain Power Plant is an open cycle gas turbine power plant built to accommodate future conversion to combined cycle gas turbine configuration.

Oforji explained that the plant is also an operating power station of at least 252 megawatts located in Koroama, Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.

He recalled that the NDPHC lost the Power Control Module of the Gbarain Power Plant to a fire incident.

The lawmaker added that the Bayelsa State Government offered to take up some responsibilities of the NDPHC, since it was the most affected, particularly as the state-owned Niger Delta University derives its electricity supply from the station.

He noted that the State Government also undertook the rehabilitation and restoration of power supply through the 60MVA,132/33KV power transformer which is currently supplying the Gbarain Power Station auxiliaries and the host communities through the 2×15 MVA33/11KV injection substation, which was not functioning before the intervention.

Oforji added: “Saddened that rather than resuscitate the power plant which was built with $400m and valued as of today at over $800m, the management of the NDPHC is proposing to designate the 252MW Open Cycle Power station as a construction site, thereby abandoning its primary responsibility of running it to the benefit of the state, the Niger Delta and the nation at large.

“One is prompted to doubt the competence of NDPHC to manage this power plant which has the potential to be the largest power station in the nation because of its comparative advantage over other power plants in its proximity to gas,” Oforji said, adding that “Reaching its potentials, Gbarain Power Station can conveniently power the whole Niger Delta region and beyond.”

He further added that the Shell Petroleum Development Company has over 60MMsc of gas allocated to the plant which is not utilised due to the inability of the company to operate.

Twenty-six Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP, scholarship students have bagged first class in Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State.

A statement released by Igoniko Oduma, the Special Assistant on Media to the Administrator of the PAP, Chief Dennis Otuaro, said the Vice Chancellor of Igbinedion University, Prof Lawrence Ezemonye, disclosed this when the PAP administrator visited the institution on Wednesday.

According to the statement, Otuaro visited Igbinedion University and Benson Idahosa University, Benin, both in Edo State, to interact with the universities’ managements and students on the scholarship of the PAP in the two institutions.

Otuaro expressed his commitment to sustaining the peace, security and development in the Niger Delta through the Presidential Amnesty Programme in line with President Bola Tinubu’s vision.

Otuaro equally assured that he would implement the Amnesty Programme effectively to build confidence in the Niger Delta region and garner support for the Federal Government.

He said, “The Presidential Amnesty Programme is crucial for fostering enduring peace in the Niger Delta. By implementing it efficiently and effectively, we can garner greater support for the Federal Government’s efforts to promote security and development in the Niger Delta.

“That is the vision of President Bola Tinubu which I seek to execute. He believes in sustaining the peace of the Niger Delta. With the president’s belief in the Presidential Amnesty Programme, we need to work harder to ensure that the confidence reposed in us is strengthened.”

Otuaro acknowledged that the Igbinedion University was the first tertiary educational institution to accept PAP scholarship students, saying that their graduates were part of the success story of the Amnesty Programme.

The PAP boss said the Amnesty Programme office would deepen collaboration with its partners with a view to expanding the scope of operations.

He applauded the Founder of Igbinedion University, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, and the university’s management on their 25th anniversary celebration this year.

Interacting with the PAP scholarship students of both universities, who highlighted some of the challenges they were facing, Otuaro assured them that the Amnesty Programme office would address the problems accordingly.

He urged them to shun social vices and take their studies seriously in order for them to be declared worthy in character and learning at their graduation.

The VC of Igbinedion University, Ezemoye, in his remarks, said that apart from the 26 first class graduates, many other PAP scholarship students also got distinctions in professional courses like medicine, nursing and medical laboratory, among others.

Noting that the programme was impacting greatly on the students, the VC commended the PAP for meeting the obligations of the students under scholarship to put them in the vantage position to excel.

Ezemoye promised a strengthened collaborative relation with the PAP in the area of offering opportunities to students in competitive courses like medicine and surgery, nursing, pharmacy, Law and others, especially with the recent increase in its quota of admission.

The Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP, was established by the Federal Government as a vehicle to transform ex-agitators in the Niger Delta into entrepreneurs and/or employable citizens who will become net contributors to the economy of the region and the country through effective collaboration with relevant public and private institutions and state governments.

The mission of the PAP include restoring the mandate of the Amnesty Programme to its original intent and take service to the Niger Delta where the ex-agitators are domiciled.

The PAP was also mandated to train the ex-agitators to become entrepreneurs who will act as agents of change to reverse the narrative of a people dependent on stipends, turning them into self-actualised employers of labour and net contributors to the economic prosperity of the Niger Delta.

The Programme was also tasked with coordinating and cooperating with relevant agencies set up by the Federal Government to ensure the development and security of the Niger Delta in line with the broader Amnesty Package.

The Bauchi State House of Assembly has revealed it will pass a bill to develop a framework of action to reduce the number of out-of-school children in the state.

Chairman House Committee on Education, Dr Nasiru Ahmed Ala, disclosed this at a two-day Regional Stakeholders Engagement Meeting on the Out-of-School Children and the Retention, Transition and Completion Models in Bauchi, Gombe and Adamawa states held at Emerald Hotel Hall, Gombe, Gombe Staten on Thursday.

Ala, representing the Madara/Chinede constituency in the State Assembly, expressed deep concern over the significant number of out-of-school children in Bauchi, estimated at 1.2 million.

He emphasised the urgency of addressing the issue and highlighted the collaborative efforts of lawmakers from Adamawa and Gombe States to adopt the National Framework of Action in their respective states.

In his remark at the workshop, the Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, Dr Tushar Rane, reiterated the U.N agency‘s commitment to addressing the high rate of out-of-school children and low learning achievements, particularly in the north-east and north-west regions of Nigeria.

He also emphasised the importance of the workshop in providing models to guide states in tackling the out-of-school children phenomenon, enhancing community accountability and mobilization, utilizing innovations and technologies to improve access to quality education, and financing efforts to reduce out-of-school children in the state.

The Murtala Muhammed International Airport Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, in Ikeja, Lagos, on Thursday, handed over fake $1.2 million notes and five cryptocurrency machines to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

The Command also handed over 148 pieces of Unmanned Area Vehicles also known as drones, 112 military hardwares and accessories, two bullet proof helmets and two Army vests to the 81 Division of the Nigerian Army in Lagos.

It was reported that the counterfeited foreign currencies were handed over to the EFCC’s Assistant Commander, Oguzi Moses, while the UAVs and other military hardwares were handed over to the General Officer Commanding, GOC, 81 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Muhammad Usman.

The Command’s Customs Area Controller, Compt. Charles Orbih, said the handing over of the seized items was in line with the directive of the Comptroller General of NCS, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.

According to him, the importers of the UAVs could not provide End-User Certificate from the Office of the National Security Adviser.

Speaking after receiving the UAVs and other military hardwares, the GOC, 81 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Muhammed Usman, said the gesture has further strengthened inter-agency collaboration between Customs and the Nigerian Army.

“I thank compt. Orbih for his excellent effort and on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, who sent me here to receive these items, I thank the Customs CG.

“By the time we hand over the drones to experts in the Army, we will know more of what damage it can do if they were in the wrong hands.

“If it can be equipped with ammunition and can be in the air for three days, then it was brought in for a mischievous purpose.

“However, this will foster relationship between the two organisations and we are happy these equipment are in the hand of the authorities, not criminals,” he said.

The Kwara State Commissioner for Solid Minerals Development, Dr Afeez Abolore Alabi, has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and the Department of State Services, DSS, to effectively collaborate on ways to curb the menace of illegal mining activities in the state.

The commissioner made the call on Wednesday when he paid courtesy visits to the headquarters of the two security agencies in Ilorin, the state capital.

Abolore explained that the visits became necessary in view of the activities of illegal miners in the state.

The commissioner expressed concern over the negative impact of illegal mining on the revenues of the state.

Responding, the state Zonal Director, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Harry Erin appreciated the commissioner for the visit with a promise to synergize with the ministry to rid the state of illegal miners.

He called for stakeholders’ participation and support in order to reduce the loss of revenue due to the government.

Similarly, the State Director, DSS, on his part, said Kwara was blessed with varieties of quality mineral resources, with great revenue potentials to the state government.

He therefore urged the state government to evolve strategies and put up programmes that would empower the youths, adding, “The more we get them involved in productive activities, the better for our society.”

Anambra State chapter of Nigerian Red Cross Society said it has commenced sensitization of indigenes of the state residing in riverine areas in a bid to forestall flood disasters.

The state chairman of the society, Professor Charity Ifeyinwa Emelie stated this during a press conference to mark this year’s World Red Cross Day.

Emelie while addressing journalists said: “We have commenced sensitization of people living in riverine areas on impending flood this year.

“We sent our officials to riverine places, and you know that our people don’t like living their homes, but we have been persuading them to move to upland places to avoid any disaster during this year’s flood.

“Our people in those areas are predominantly farmers and it is difficult to convince them to leave. We have however been sensitizing them, we also tell them that they can consider travelling to be with relatives when the flood set in.”

Emelie added that the organisation has achieved a lot in flood prone areas like Ogbaru, Anambra East, Anambra West, Ayamelum, Awka North and other parts of the state.

“We usually assess the situations, danger and level of vulnerability within the flood prone communities.

“Apart from sharing food items, Red Cross also distributed non food items like hygiene kits, farmer’s kits, and shelter kits to thousands of affected people the areas mentioned.

“Distribution of raw cash was also involved in an instance when Red Cross distributed N61,000.00 to 1,500 Households affected by flood.

“Apart from these, such communities benefitted from free first aide training, first aid kits to schools, stakeholders and partners as well as non consumable clinical materials to 11 selected health centres.”