Connect with us

JUDICIARY

Alleged N6.9bn Fraud: Court Adjourns Fayose’s Trial Until Jan. 31

Published

on

Share

The Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday adjourned the alleged money laundering trial of former Governor of Ekiti state, Ayodele Fayose, until Jan. 31 and Feb. 1.

The case was earlier scheduled for continuation of trial on Oct.

26, but  could not proceed due to a mix up in the date, while a new trial date was to be agreed on by parties and fixed by the court.

Fayose is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over N6.

9billion fraud and money laundering charges.

He was first arraigned on Oct. 22. 2018, before Justice Mojisola Olatotegun, alongside his company, Spotless Investment Ltd, on 11 counts bordering on fraud and money laundering offences.

He had pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted bail on Oct. 24, 2018, in the sum of N50 million with sureties in like sum.

The defendant was subsequently, re-arraigned before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, on July 2, 2019, after the case was withdrawn from Justice Olatoregun, following EFCC’s petition.

He had also pleaded not guilty to the charges and was allowed to continue on the earlier bail granted, while the case was adjourned for trial.

The commission has since opened its case before Justice Aneke, and is still leading witnesses in evidence.

In December 2021, EFCC had called its 11th witness, one Mrs Joanne Tolulope, who had narrated how Abiodun Agbele, an associate of Fayose, bought properties worth several millions.

Trial will now continue on Jan. 31, 2023.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that during trial before Justice Olatoregun the prosecution had called witnesses, from several commercial banks, as well as a former Minister of State for Defence, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro.

The EFCC alleged that on June 17, 2014, Fayose and one Abiodun Agbele were said to have taken possession of the sum of N1.2 billion.

The money was said to be for the purposes of funding his gubernatorial election campaign in Ekiti, a sum they reasonably ought to have known formed part of crime proceeds.

Fayose was alleged to have received a cash payment of five million dollars, (about N1.8 billion) from the then Minister of State for Defence, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro, without going through any financial institution.

He was also alleged to have retained N300 million in his account and took control of the aggregate sums of about N622 million which sum he reasonably ought to have known formed part of crime proceeds.

Fayose was alleged to have procured De Privateer Ltd and Still Earth Ltd, to retain the aggregate sum of N851 million which they reasonably ought to have known formed part of crime proceeds.

Besides, the defendant was alleged to have used the aggregate sum of about N1.6 billion to acquire properties in Lagos and Abuja, which he reasonably ought to have known formed part of crime proceeds.

He was also alleged to have used N200 million, to acquire a property in Abuja, in the name of his older sister Moji Oladeji.

The offence, the anti-graft agency said, contravened the provisions of sections 15(1), 15 (2), 15 (3), 16(2)(b), 16 (d), and 18 (c) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011. (NAN)

JUDICIARY

Pastor Arraigned over Alleged Rape of Married Woman in Edo

Published

on

Share

From Joseph Ebi Kanjo, Benin

A 38-year-old pastor, Simeon Okehielem of the Synagogue Prayers Ministry has been arraigned before an Edo State High Court for allegedly raping a married woman, Isoken Vivian Aigbedo.

The pastor, who was accused of engaging in sexual relationships with married women within his congregation, was docked before the court in Benin City, on Thursday last week.

The charges against Pastor Okehielem followed a year 2022 incident in Uholor Community of Benin City where the cleric allegedly drugged and raped the woman leading to the birth of a child.

Recent DNA results reportedly confirmed the pastor as the biological father of the child, which prompted the Nigerian Police to re-arrest and formally arraign him.

The presiding judge, Justice Erhabor, granted an ex-parte order to remand the suspect at the Benin Correctional Custodial Centre for 14 days, pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Ministry of Justice, Edo State.

The State Prosecutor, P.O. Odion told the court that the alleged offence occurred in February 2022.

Okehielem was slammed with two-count charge on alleged rape and administering a stupefying substance with the intent to commit a felony.

The charge sheet, marked Suit No: BLOD/2323M/2025, reads: “That you, Okehielem Simeon ‘m’, in or about the month of February 2022, in Benin City within the Benin Criminal Division, did rape one Mrs Isoken Vivian Aigbedo and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 4, punishable under Section 5(1) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, 2021.

“That you, Okehielem Simeon ‘m’, in or about the month of February 2022, in Benin City within the Benin Criminal Division, with intent to commit a felony, administered a substance to stupefy one Mrs Isoken Vivian Aigbedo, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 256 of the Criminal Law of Edo State, 2022.”

Speaking to journalists after the court session, the victim’s legal counsel, Clinton Ogbebor, applauded the Police for its diligence.

“We are in court today over the alleged rape of my client, Mrs Isoken Aigbedo, by one Pastor Simeon Okehielem,” he said.

Ogbebor confirmed that the case file would now be forwarded to the office of the DPP for legal advice, after which the trial will proceed accordingly.

The development has stirred debates across Benin City, with residents and religious leaders expressing shock and calling for justice.

The case has been adjourned pending further legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution.

Continue Reading

JUDICIARY

Court Bars Bello from Acting as Nasarawa APC Chairman

Published

on

Share

A Senior District Court 3, Lafia, Nasarawa State, on Thursday restrained Mr Aliyu Bello, the embattled Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, from presenting himself as Chairman or a member of the party.This followed a motion filed by Suleiman Turaki, Counsel to Ibrahim Iliyasu, the Chairman of APC in Gayam Electoral Ward of Lafia Local Government Area of the state.

Report says that on July 1, Iliyasu, alongside 13 other officials of the party in the ward, suspended Bello from the party over alleged anti-party activities.
The order signed by Abdullahi Lanze, Senior District Judge of the court, stated that the prayer was granted after hearing the application presented by the applicant’s counsel.
The order specifically restrained Bello, his agents, privies, supporters or any person acting on his behalf, authority, or direction, from presenting himself as a member or Chairman of the party.The court also barred Bello from issuing statements, carrying out functions, or acting in any manner whatsoever, through the media or otherwise, as a member or Chairman of APC.This would be pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice. (NAN).

Continue Reading

JUDICIARY

Unemployed Man Arraigned for Allegedly Impersonating Military Officer

Published

on

Share

 A 30-year-old unemployed man, Sadiq Usman, on Thursday appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly parading himself as a military officer.

Usman is facing a two-count charge of impersonation.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecutor, Supol Josephine Ikhayere, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on May 24 at about 3.

30 p.
m. at Alaba Rago Market area of Ojo, Lagos State.

Ikhayere said that the defendant, who was unemployed, unlawfully had in his possession a Nigerian military camouflage uniform, cap, belt, and boots.

“He paraded himself as a member of the Nigerian Army and had in his possession two Nigerian Navy identity cards,” she said.

According to her, the defendant was arrested when he failed to give a satisfactory account of the items.

The prosecutor said that the offences contravened sections 77(a)(b) and 79(a)(b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Section 77 stipulates a three-year jail term for anyone found guilty of impersonating a member of the armed forces or the police.

Section 79 stipulates two years imprisonment for unlawfully wearing the uniform of the armed forces.

The Magistrate, Mr Lateef Owolabi, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N150,000 with two reliable sureties in like sum.

He ordered that the sureties must show evidence of tax payments to the Lagos State Government.

Owolabi adjourned the case until July 1 for mention. (NAN)

Continue Reading

Read Our ePaper

Top Stories

NEWS2 hours ago

Ewhrudjakpo Commends CCN’s Intervention Programmes, Pledges Support

ShareFrom Mike Tayese, Yenagoa Bayelsa State government has commended the Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) for propagating the teachings of...

NEWS2 hours ago

Blue Economy: Bayelsa Woos Investors in Sector’s Huge Potential

ShareFrom Mike Tayese, Yenagoa Bayelsa State Government has again indicated its determination for effective collaboration with reputable individuals and firms...

NEWS2 hours ago

Delta Warns Contractors over Substandard Projects, Vows Sanctions for Negligence

ShareFrom Francis Sadhere, Delta The Delta State Government has issued a stern warning to contractors handling state-funded projects, emphasizing that...

NEWS2 hours ago

APC Remains a Party Govern by Constitution, Rules, Says Idahosa

ShareFrom Joseph Ebi Kanjo, Benin The Edo State deputy governor, Hon. Dennis Idahosa said the All Progressives Congress (APC) is...

NEWS3 hours ago

Edo CP Establishes Tactical Division to Curb Kidnapping

ShareFrom Joseph Ebi Kanjo, Benin Edo State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika has announced the establishment of a new Tactical...

NEWS3 hours ago

Why Peter Obi Must Get Security Clearance Before Coming to Edo

Share From Joseph Ebi Kanjo, Benin The chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Jarrett Tenebe, has backed the state...

NEWS3 hours ago

Farooq Kperogi Apologizes to Aisha Buhari over False Divorce Story

ShareBy Mike Odiakose, Abuja America-based university lecturer and newspaper columnist, Prof Farooq Kperogi has apologized to former First Lady, Aisha...

NEWS3 hours ago

No Court Order Mandates Natasha’s Immediate Recall, Senate Insists

ShareBy Eze Okechukwu, Abuja The Senate has reaffirmed that there was no subsisting court order mandating her to recall Senator...

NEWS3 hours ago

2027: Constituents Endorse Moro for Continuity

ShareFrom Attah Ede, Makurdi The People’s Democratic Party(PDP) in Ado local government area of Benue State, in a unanimous decision...

NEWS3 hours ago

Kogi, VCDP Distribute Inputs to 330 Farmers to Boost Productivity

ShareFrom Joseph Amedu, Lokoja The Kogi Government, in collaboration with the Federal Government/International Fund for Agricultural Development (FGN/IFAD) Assisted Value...

Copyright © 2021 Daily Asset Limited | Powered by ObajeSoft Inc