JUDICIARY
EFCC Re-arraigns Adoke Over $1.2bn Malabu Oil Deal
Mohammed Adoke, former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, was, on Monday, re-arraigned by the economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) in the Federal High Court, Abuja, on fresh charges bordering on money laundering to the tune of N900 million.
The EFCC is prosecuting Adoke and one Aliyu Abubakar on seven counts bordering on money laundering before Justice Binta Nyako.
The former AGF and Abubakar were, however, granted bail by the judge after taking arguments from counsel to the parties.
While Adoke is the 1st defendant and he is being charged on a six-count charge, Abubakar is the 2nd defendant and he is being charge on one-count charge in the suit number: FHC/ABJ/CR//89//17.
The duo however pleaded not guilty to the seven counts read against them.
Following their not guilty plea to the charges, counsel for the EFCC, Bala Sanga, urged the court to remand the defendants in the commission’s custody pending the hearing of the matter.
However a team of counsel to the defendants drew the court’s attention to the bail application filed by the defendants.
Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, who argued the bail application of Adoke, prayed the court to grant Adoke bail in self recognizance being a former AGF, pending the hearing of the charges.
He said in the alternative, Adoke should be granted bail on favourable and liberal terms, or better still to allow Adoke enjoy bail terms as already granted him by an FCT High Court presided over by Justice Abubakar Idris Kutigi, where Adoke is facing a 42-count charge.
He said Adoke has never been convicted of any crime and that the charges before the court are bailable offences.
While submitting that bail is constitutional, the senior lawyer said a defendant should not be denied his right of freedom of free movement until when he is convicted.
Similarly, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, counsel to the second defendant, aligned with the submissions of Ozekhome to urge the court grant the second defendant bail.
He argued that a suspect is presumed innocent until proven contrary by the court of law.
In his response, prosecution counsel, Sanga, urged the court to use its discretionary power to grant the defendants bail.
Delivering ruling on the bail applications, Justice Nyako however, admitted the defendants to bail in the same terms granted them earlier by Justice Kutigi.
Recall that Justice Kutigi had, on January 30, admitted both Adoke and Abubakar to bail in the sum of N50m each.
The court, in addition, ordered them to provide a surety each in like sum to their bail.
The sureties who must be responsible citizens of Nigeria, must reside within the jurisdiction of the court.
They must be owners of verifiable property in the FCT and also show evidence of tax payment in the last three years.
In addition, the sureties are to sign an undertaking that the defendants would always be in court at every proceedings of the trial, while the defendants on their part are to undertake that they would not jump bail nor interfere with the trial.
The defendants were also ordered to submit their international passport to the court and would not travel without the court’s permission.
Justice Kutigi also ordered that the defendants be kept in custody of the EFCC pending the perfection of their bail.
However, Ozekhome told Justice Nyako that despite meeting the bail conditions by the sister court, the defendants were yet to be released by the EFCC.
He expressed fear that the anti-graft agency might rearrest the defendants after the proceeding.
On his part, the EFCC lawyer argued that the defendants were unable to meet all the bail terms since their international passports were still in the custody of the commission.
Counsel to 2nd defendant, Olanipekun, told the court that the anti-graft agency had failed to release them, even when the court made the order, “on the grounds that they were to be arraigned on a separate charge.”
The judge, who cautioned the EFCC against flouting court order, directed that the travel passports of the defendants be deposited at the FCT High Court in compliance with the bail terms.
“Tell your principals to try and obey court order,” she said.
Justice Nyako, then, adjourned until April 1 and April 2 for commencement of trial. (NAN)
A Federal High Court in Lagos State, on Thursday, convicted and sentenced nine Chinese nationals to one year imprisonment each, for economic sabotage and financial terrorism.
The defendants, including two females, were also given a fine of one million naira each, by the court.
The defendants are: Xiang Hui, Hai Rong, Liu Gang, JI Geng, Li Dong, Huang Bo, Xhiong Zhen, Lai Feng and Deng Qiang
Recall that the Economic and Financial Crimes commission (EFCC), on Dec.
10, 2024, invaded a building at Oyin Jolayemi area of Lagos, where over 700 people were arrested over cyber terrorism and economic sabotage.On Thursday, EFCC counsel, Mr Nnemeka Omenwa, informed the court that the nine Chinese nationals had opted for plea bargain.
Defence counsel, Mr Folarin Damela, also confirmed the position, and urged the court to accept the plea bargain agreement.
Consequently, the charge was read to the defendants, and they all pleaded guilty.
The defendants also admitted that they freely consented and signed the plea bargain agreement.
Following their guilty pleas, EFCC counsel urged the court to convict and sentence them in accordance with the plea bargain agreement.
Defence did not object to submission.
Justice Daniel Osiagor consequenly convicted and sentenced the defendants in line with the plea bargain agreement.
The court held that the prison term would take effect from the Dec. 10, 2024.
The court also ordered that the Nigeria Immigration Service should repatriate the convicts to their country of origin upon completion of the prison term.
Osiagor also ordered that all items found on the convicts, including furnitures and laptops, should be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
According to EFCC, the convicts committed the offences on Dec. 10, 2024 within the court’s jurisidiction.
EFCC said that the convicts wilfully caused to be accessed, computer systems organised to destabilise and destroy the fundamental economic and social structure of Nigeria.
The commission added that the convicts employed Nigerian youths for identity theft and to hold themselves out as persons of foreign nationality, with the intent to gain financial advantages for themselves.
The offences contravene Sections 18 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention) Act of 2015 ass amended in 2024, and Section 2(3) (d) of the Terrorism (Prevention, Prohibition) Act, 2022. (NAN)
The Federal High Court (FHC) on Thursday, extends condolences to the family, friends, and associates of its former Chief Judge, Justice Daniel Abutu.
The Chief Registrar of FHC, Sulaiman Hassan, in a statement in Abuja, said the court announced “with deep sorrow, the passing of” Abutu.
“According to family sources, he died on Tuesday after a brief illness.
“He hails from Kogi and was born on March 15, 1946.
“The Late Chief Judge served the court and the nation with distinction.
“He was known for his unwavering commitment to justice and administrative excellence.
“His leadership and contributions have left indelible marks on the judiciary and the legal community at large.
“The Federal High Court extends her heartfelt condolences to his family, colleagues, friends and all who were touched by his exemplary life and service.
“May his soul rest in perfect peace. Amen.
In honour of his exemplary service and enduring legacy, all divisions of the federal high court are hereby directed to display a portrait of the late chief judge in a dignified and visible area within the respective court premises.”
Hassan said the court has ordered the immediate opening of condolence registers at all its divisions to allow judges, staff, members of the bar, and the general public to pay their tributes and express sympathies to the late Abutu.
He added that further details regarding funeral arrangements would be communicated in due course.
NAN reports that Justice Abutu in one of his landmark judgments on Jan. 21, 2010, directed the Federal Executive Council to produce evidence that then President Umaru Yar’adua can continue to discharge his functions as president in the next 14 days or risk a definitive order of the court ordering the swearing-in of the vice.
Justice Abutu gave the ruling in the lawsuit filed by a member of the opposition, Farouk Aliyu asking to declare the sickly ‘president’ incapacitated and therefore swear in his deputy, Goodluck Jonathan.
The suit was filed by civil rights attorney, Bamidele Aturu.(NAN)
An Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court, Ibadan, on Thursday, ordered the remand of 10 persons in a correctional facility over alleged armed robbery and murder.
The defendants include Sheriff Lawal, 27, Lawal Bashit, 23, Oyewale Sodiq, 30, Akeem Ogunyemi, 41, and Kazeem Afolayan, 40.
Others are Akeem Raji, 37, Olabode Hammed, 25, Yusuf Lekan, 26, Ayomide John, 23 and Samuel Okezie, 32.
They are facing a six-count charge bordering on conspiracy, armed robbery and murder.
The Magistrate, Mrs Gladys Oladele, did not take the plea of the defendants for want of jurisdiction.
She directed the police to return the case file to the Director of Public Prosecution for legal advice.
She adjourned the case until July 21 for mention.
The Prosecutor, Sgt. Samuel Owolabi, told the court that the defendants committed the offences on May 15, at about 9.30 p.m, at Oak Hotel, around Moniya, Ibadan.
Owolabi said the defendants robbed one Shuaibu Adam of the sum of N100, 000, while armed with sticks and cutlasses.
He said the defendants also unlawfully caused the death of one Abdul Isah, 23, by beating him with sticks and inflicted injury all over Adam’s body.
He said the offences contravened Sections 516 and 319 of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State, 2000. (NAN)
Wike Seeks Support for Tinubu-led FG
ShareThe Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has called on Nigerians to support President Bola Tinubu-led...
Court Convicts 9 Chinese Nationals for Cybercrime in Lagos
Share A Federal High Court in Lagos State, on Thursday, convicted and sentenced nine Chinese nationals to one year imprisonment each,...
Shettima Mourns Jubril Aminu
ShareVice-President Kashim Shettima, on Thursday, led mourners at the funeral prayers for the late elder statesman, former Minister of Education...
Federal High Court Mourns ex-Chief Judge
ShareThe Federal High Court (FHC) on Thursday, extends condolences to the family, friends, and associates of its former Chief Judge,...
Man Jailed 9 years for Sexually Assaulting 13-year-old neighbor’s son
ShareAn Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court on Thursday sentenced a man, Francis Onwuzulike, to nine years six months...
Only Tinubu Can Lead Us to Nigeria of Our Dreams – Wike
Share The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, says the country needs leaders like President Bola Tinubu...
Fire Service Retrieve Corpse of Man Inside Well in Kano
Share Men of the Kano State Fire Service have retrieve the remains of a 33-year-old man, Muhammed Sagir, from inside a...
Kwara Govt. Urges residents to Prioritize Oral Hygiene
ShareThe Kwara State Government has urged residents to prioritize oral hygiene by maintaining the health of the teeth, gums, and...
NDA Announces Screening Test of Shortlisted Applicants for June 14
ShareThe Nigerian Defence Academy(NDA), on Thursday fixed the screening test of shortlisted applicants for June 14. The Academy Spokesman, Maj....
NYSC Extends Service of 2 Katsina Corps Members
ShareThe National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) says it has extended the service of two corps members in the 2024 Batch...
Arabic
Chinese (Simplified)
Dutch
English
French
German
Italian
Portuguese
Russian
Spanish