Cloned Nigerian Anchor

Author: Vivian Michael

  • Naira Abuse: Bobrisky appeals against sentence

    Naira Abuse: Bobrisky appeals against sentence

    Controversial cross-dresser Idris Okuneye, A.K.A Bobrisky has approached the Appeal Court, challenging the six months sentence given to him by a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos.

    He pleaded guilty before Justice A.O. Awogboro of the court on a four counts charge bordering on naira abuse proffered on him by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    However, the court on April 12 sentenced Okuneye to six months imprisonment without an option of fine to serve as a deterrent to others fond of abusing and mutilating the naira.

    Not satisfied with the verdict handed to him, Okuneye, through his counsel, Mr Bimbo Kusanu, has approached Court of Appeal, praying it to set aside the sentence.

    Specifically, Bobrisky is asking the court to replace the sentence with an option of N50,000 fine on each of the counts.

    In the notice of appeal, he submitted that the trial court imposed the maximum sentence on the appellant, who had no previous criminal record of conviction.

    He stated that there were options to impose a lesser sentence by the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).

    He averred that the sentence imposed by the trial court against the appellant was punitive and contrary to the mandatory provisions of the ACJA.

    The appellant stated that the trial court did not consider the positive antecedent of the appellant, who did not waste the time of the court by pleading guilty to the charge.

    He stated that the appellant honoured the invitation of the respondent on the first invitation.

    He said that the trial court failed to exercise its discretion judiciously and judicially in sentencing the appellant, explaining that such an act had occasioned a miscarriage of justice against his client.

  • Alleged N89.2b money laundering: Court to rule on service of charge on Yahaya Bello through lawyer

    Alleged N89.2b money laundering: Court to rule on service of charge on Yahaya Bello through lawyer

    Justice Emeka Nwite will Tuesday, rule on the application whether the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) can serve court processes on former governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Bello, through his counsel.

    At the last adjourned date, EFCC’s counsel, Kemi Piniero SAN, urged the court to compel the ex-governor’s lawyer to accept service of the processes, explaining that it has been impossible to serve the charge sheet on him personally.

    Counsel to Yahaya, Abdul Wahab Mohammed, said he doesn’t have the authority of the defendant to accept service of the charges and proof of evidence.

    He insisted that the Abuja division of the court or the EFCC cannot arraign his client adding that his preliminary objection application has to be taken first, but the EFCC came behind him through a motion-exparte to obtain a warrant of arrest.

    Therefore, the court adjourned to reconvene Tuesday for ruling.

    The EFCC , Thursday, informed Justice Emeka Nwite about its intension to invite the Nigerian Army to effect the arrest of former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Adoza Bello for arraignment before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

    The anti-graft agency, through its legal team, issued the threat before the court after explaining how a person of immunity protected Bello from arrest following the court’s bench warrant.

    The court had fixed today(Thursday) for arraignment of Bello alongside the ex-governor’s nephew, Ali Bello, Dauda Suleiman and Abdulsalam Hudu on 19- count charges bordering on money laundering to the tune of N80, 246, 470, 088.88.

    When it was called up, Thursday, EFCC’s counsel, Kemi Piniero SAN, said in open court that the Commission was aware that Bello has been harboured in the home of a person that has immunity.

    He submitted that immunity is only attached to a person, not his house or car, adding that the law allows Nigerian security agencies to break into a house to arrest a defendant.
    He said,

    Some of the counts read:

    “That you, Yahaya Adoza Bello, Ali Bello, Dauda Suliman, and Abdulsalam Hudu( Still at large), sometime, in February, 2016, in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired amongst yourselves to convert the total sum of N80, 246,470, 088.88 (Eighty Billion, Two Hundred and Forty Six Million, Four Hundred and Seventy Thousand and Eight Nine Naira, Eighty Eight Kobo), which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of your unlawful activity to wit, criminal breach of trust and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended”.

    “That you Yahaya Bello between 26th July 2021 to 6th April 2022 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court aided E-Traders International Limited to conceal the aggregate sum of N3, 081, 804,654.00 (Three Billion, Eighty One Million Eight Hundred and Four Thousand Six Hundred and Fifty Four Naira) in account number 1451458080 domiciled in Access BankPlc, which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful activity to wit, criminal breach of trust and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a), 15(2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act.

    “That you Yahaya Adoza Bello sometime in November 2021 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court indirectly procured E-Traders international Limited to transfer the aggregate sum of $570,330.00 (Five Hundred and Seventy Thousand, Three Hundred and Thirty Dollars) to account number 4266644272 domiciled in TD Bank, United States of America which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful activity to wit, criminal breach of trust and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under Section 15( 3) of the same Act”.

    Bello’s arraignment followed a warrant of arrest and enrolment order granted the EFCC by Justice Emeka Nwite, Wednesday, in the motion ex-parte marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/98/2024 and filed by the EFCC lead counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo.

    The EFCC counsel argued that the ex-governor needs to be apprehended by security agencies so as to fast track his arraignment in court and immediate trial.
    The anti-graft agency maintained that the judge should either order Bello’s arrest or issue a public summons commanding the defendant to appear before the court.

  • Bayelsa Guber: Tribunal reserves judgment in petition against Diri

    Bayelsa Guber: Tribunal reserves judgment in petition against Diri

    The Bayelsa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has reserved judgment in a petition filed by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timipre Sylvia against the declaration of Douye Diri as the governor of the state in the November 2023 election.

    Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Adekunle Adeleye, on Monday in Abuja, announced that the judgment would be delivered within the 180 days statutorily allowed by law.

    The chairman said that all the parties in the petition would be communicated as soon as the judgment delivery date is fixed.

    At Monday’s proceedings, the petitioners, Sylvia and APC, adopted their final written address, praying the tribunal to annul the declaration of Diri as the winner of the election.

    Their lead counsel, Dr Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, told the tribunal that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, embarked on wrongful exclusion of results before arriving at the declaration of Diri as winner.

    The petitioners’ lawyer stated that the electoral body did not debunk the allegation of wrongful exclusion of results by not calling the state election result collation officer to testify.

    He therefore urged the tribunal to objectively decide the petition on the strength of the evidence adduced by the petitioners, especially because INEC did not call a single witness to challenge all the allegations.

    However, Diri’s counsel, Chris Uche, SAN, informed the tribunal that the petition by Sylvia died on arrival because it is grossly deficient in quantity and quality of evidence.

    He said that the petition was baseless, frivolous and vexatious, and grossly lacking in merit because the two petitioners did not discharge the burden placed on them by law

    Among others, Uche said that Sylva predicated his petition on alleged refusal of INEC to collate results in three local governments areas- Southern Ijaw, Nembe and Ogbia but failed to call a single collation officer to back up its claim

    Besides, Uche said that Sylvia did not tender voter register, BVAS machines, and form EC8A used for the purported election in the three local governments to establish his allegations.

    The senior lawyer also said that the petitioner himself, despite having a witness statement on oath, refused to give evidence before the tribunal to substantiate his allegations.

    The senior lawyer also said that the petitioner himself, despite having a witness statement on oath, refused to give evidence before the tribunal to substantiate his allegations.

    Uche pleaded with the tribunal to discountenance the evidence of a former Police Commissioner in the state on the ground that the police officer admitted before the tribunal that he had issues with Diri when the Prado Jeep earlier given to him was withdrawn.

    Uche also urged the tribunal not to invoke the spirit of the judgment that brought Imo State governor, Hope Uzodinma, into office, adding that INEC has established beyond doubt that election did not hold in the three local governments due to resistance by some hoodlums to the use of BVAS machines.

    Similarly, INEC, represented by Charles Edosomwan, SAN, and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, represented by Tayo Oyetibo, SAN, canvassed for dismissal of the petition on the ground that the two petitioners failed and neglected to discharge the burden of establishing their allegations against the election beyond reasonable doubt as required by law.

    They asserted that they did not call witnesses because the witnesses of petitioners killed and buried the petition while being cross examined during the proceedings.

    It will be recalled that INEC had declared Diri winner of the gubernatorial election on the ground that he scored the majority of lawful votes cast in the poll.

  • Uzor Kalu’s Case Exposes Serious Deficiencies In Criminal Justice System

    Uzor Kalu’s Case Exposes Serious Deficiencies In Criminal Justice System

    Global Centre for Conscious Living Against Corruption has expressed dissatisfaction over recent developments surrounding the N6.7 billion fraud case involving former Abia State governor, Orji Uzor Kalu, and Jones Udeogu.

    The right group held that the situation has exposed serious deficiencies in the criminal justice system of the nation.

    The Director General of the group, Dr. Gabriel Nwambu, on a press statement released on April 19, informed that the utilization of technicalities and procedural loopholes to evade justice in the matter is deeply troubling and undermines the principles of accountability and fairness.

    The convener recall that the Supreme Court, had on the 8th of May, 2020, nullified the conviction by Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos State, holding that the Constitution does not permit a judge elevated to a higher court to return to a lower court to conclude a part-heard case.

    Justice Ejembi Eko, who delivered the lead judgment of the panel led by Justice Olabode Rhodes-Vivour (retd.), also declared as unconstitutional the provision of Section 396(7) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, which the then President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa (retd), relied on to authorized Justice Idris to return from the Court of Appeal to the High Court to conclude the trial.

    The decision by the Court of Appeal to dismiss the EFCC’s appeal based on insufficient records highlights how technicalities are being exploited to thwart the judicial process.

    Instead of addressing the substantive issues of fraud and corruption, the focus has shifted to procedural irregularities, allowing the accused to evade accountability and delay justice for the people of Abia State.

    The group insisted that Sen. Orji Uzor has been tried, found guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction, and convicted accordingly, consistent with the extant laws as provided by the Constitution of Nigeria.

    According to Nwambu, the interpretation of legal provisions, such as the constitutional limitations on judges returning to a lower court to conclude a part-heard case, has been used to create confusion and delay in the adjudication of this case.

    He said that the insistence on strict compliance with procedural requirements, to the detriment of addressing the actual allegations of financial misconduct and massive fraud, is a disservice to the rule of law and the pursuit of justice.

    “It is unacceptable that technicalities are being prioritized over the merits of the matter, especially in a case as serious as an alleged N7.6 billion fraud. The manipulation of legal loopholes to avoid facing the substantive allegations undermines the integrity of our criminal justice system and erodes public confidence in the ability of our institutions to hold the powerful accountable.”

    Consequently, our coalition here by call on all stakeholders in the legal system to prioritize the fair and expeditious adjudication of cases involving financial crimes and corruption. The focus should be on addressing the substantive issues at hand and ensuring that justice is served without being derailed by technicalities and procedural obstacles.

    The coalition thanks President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his willingness and determination to combat the hydra- headed monster of corruption, which has held the Nigerian nation on her knees for several decades.

    The group informed that the pronouncement of the Attorney General of the Federation and Honourable Minister of Justice on the current case of the former Governor of Kogi State has shown Mr president’s determination to ensure that every alleged corrupt Nigerian citizen irrespective of creed, religion or office held is made to face the law is a clear testament to this fact

    The group therefore informed that it is time to reaffirm our commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that those accused of financial misconduct are held accountable, regardless of the legal maneuvers they may employ to evade justice.

  • N40bn fraud: Obiano loses bid to stop trial

    N40bn fraud: Obiano loses bid to stop trial

    The Federal High Court, Abuja, has refused to quash the N40Billion money laundering charges brought against the former governor of Anambra State, Willie Maduabuchi Obiano by the federal government.

    The trial Judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a ruling Thursday, faulted and rejected all grounds upon which the application was predicted by Obiano.

    The court held that all the reliefs sought by Obiano are not grantable because they are premature and lacking in merit.

    Meanwhile, Justice Ekwo permitted the ex-governor 60 days to travel abroad for medical treatment.

    He ordered that Obiano be made to sign an undertaking to return to the country after the treatment and to deposit his travelling passport within three days of his return to Nigeria.

    The former governor had, amongst others, prayed the judge to dismiss the 9-count charges instituted against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC on behalf of the federal government.

    He claimed that there was no connection between the proof of evidence supplied to court by EFCC and the accusations against him.

    He averred that there was no testimony from any witness indicating that he issued directives for the disbursement of security votes and other funds belonging to the Anambra State government.

    Obiano also claimed that he can not be held accountable for any alleged unlawful actions by officials of the Anambra State government as there is no concept of vicarious liability in the criminal justice system.

    His motion on notice was brought pursuant to section 6 (6) (a) and (b) and section 36(6) (6) b of the 1999 constitution as amended and section 1(1) & (2), 266, 271(b), 383(4) &492 (3) of the Administration of the Criminal Justice Act 2015.

    Among others, Obiano sought “An order of the court quashing the instant charge for it amounts to flagrant abuse of judicial process and a mockery of the criminal Justice

    “An order quashing the charge for non-disclosure of a prime facie case being vague and devoid of precision in respect of all the 9 count charges.

    “No prima facie case has been disclosed against the defendant in this charge. There is no link between the proof of evidence and the purported allegation made against the defendant in the charge

    “No evidence exists from any witness showing that the defendant passed down a directive for the disbursement of security votes and other funds belonging to the Anambra State government.

    “The defendant can not be made answerable for any purported unlawful actions of officials of Anambra State government as there is no vicarious liability in our criminal jurisprudence.

    “The thinking and conclusion of the prosecution on the counts arose from speculation and suspicions

    “The subject matter of the charge borders on accountability for security vote funds.
    The honourable court lacks the requisite jurisdiction to entertain issues on accountability for security vote funds

    “There is an appeal filed by the Anambra state government challenging the powers of EFCC to investigate the security vote of the Anambra state government.

    “The preferment of the entire charge is in bad faith. This honourable court has inherent judicial power to grant all the reliefs sought above.

    However, the judge said that there is no way the court would know whether the former governor is linked with the alleged offences or not unless the trial is conducted in line with the provisions of the law.

    The former governor is being prosecuted by EFCC on 9-count charges bordering on money laundering to the tune of N40 billion.

    The matter is adjourned to June 24, 25, 26, and 27 for commencement of trial.

  • Alleged N89.2b money laundering: EFCC threatens inviting army to arrest Yahaya Bello

    Alleged N89.2b money laundering: EFCC threatens inviting army to arrest Yahaya Bello

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) Thursday, informed Justice Emeka Nwite its intension to invite the Nigerian Army to effect the arrest of former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Adoza Bello for arraignment before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

    The anti-graft agency, through its legal team issued the threat before the court after explaining how a person of immunity protected Bello from arrest following the court’s bench warrant.

    The court had fixed today(Thursday) for arraignment of Bello alongside the ex-governor’s nephew, Ali Bello, Dauda Suleiman and Abdulsalam Hudu on 19- count charges bordering on money laundering to the tune of N80, 246, 470, 088.88.

    When the called up, Thursday, EFCC’s counsel, Kemi Piniero SAN said in open court that the Commission was aware that Bello is been harboured in the home of a person that has immunity.

    He submitted that immunity is only attached to a person, not his house or car, adding that the law allows Nigerian security agencies to break into a house to arrest a defendant.
    He said,

    “If he is unwilling to produce his client in court, we will invite other security agencies including the Nigerian army to produce him.

    “We can come next week. We will produce him,” Piniero assured.

    Piniero also urged the court to compel the ex-governor’s lawyer to accept service of the processes, explaining that it has been impossible to serve the charge sheet on him personally.

    Counsel to Yahaya, Abdul Wahab Mohammed, said that the Abuja division of the court or the EFCC cannot arraign his client.

    He contended that his preliminary objection application has to be taken first, but the EFCC came behind him through a motion-exparte to obtain a warrant of arrest.

    He said,
    “The governor has a lawyer in court and if there is a justifiable issue for him to come to court, he would.

    “Our contention is that the defendant on record is not a fugitive. We are talking of rule of law, not rule of force.

    “We are contending that the warrant of arrest was given outside jurisdiction because there is a judgement.

    “I don’t have the authority of the defendant to accept service of the charges and proof of evidence.”
    What the judge said

    The judge said he was yet to read the Kogi state high court judgement of yesterday.

    But the judge held all parties including the ex-governor has to be formally before the court and the EFCC, without a warrant of arrest, can arrest a suspect or defendant.

    He adjourned to April 23 for ruling and arraignment.

    In the charge sheet, the anti-graft agency claims the defendants diverted public funds.

    Some of the counts reads:

    “That you, Yahaya Adoza Bello, Ali Bello, Dauda Suliman, and Abdulsalam Hudu( Still at large), sometime, in February, 2016, in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired amongst yourselves to convert the total sum of N80, 246,470, 088.88 (Eighty Billion, Two Hundred and Forty Six Million, Four Hundred and Seventy Thousand and Eight Nine Naira, Eighty Eight Kobo), which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of your unlawful activity to wit, criminal breach of trust and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended”.

    “That you Yahaya Bello between 26th July 2021 to 6th April 2022 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court aided E-Traders International Limited to conceal the aggregate sum of N3, 081, 804,654.00 (Three Billion, Eighty One Million Eight Hundred and Four Thousand Six Hundred and Fifty Four Naira) in account number 1451458080 domiciled in Access BankPlc, which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful activity to wit, criminal breach of trust and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a), 15(2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act.

    “That you Yahaya Adoza Bello sometime in November 2021 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court indirectly procured E-Traders international Limited to transfer the aggregate sum of $570,330.00 (Five Hundred and Seventy Thousand, Three Hundred and Thirty Dollars) to account number 4266644272 domiciled in TD Bank, United States of America which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful activity to wit, criminal breach of trust and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under Section 15( 3) of the same Act”.

    Bello’s arraignment followed an warrant of arrest and enrolment order granted the EFCC by Justice Emeka Nwite, Wednesday, in the motion ex-parte marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/98/2024 and filed by the EFCC lead counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo.

    The EFCC counsel argued that the ex-governor needs to be apprehended by security agencies so as to fast track his arraignment in court and immediate trial.
    The anti-graft agency maintained that the judge should either order Bello’s arrest or issue a public summons commanding the defendant to appear before the court.

  • AGF faults Gov Ododo, asks Yahaya Bello to submit self for probe

    AGF faults Gov Ododo, asks Yahaya Bello to submit self for probe

    The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has called on the immediate-past governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, to follow the path of decency and submit himself for probe.

    Bello is being wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged corrupt practices while in office as governor of Kogi State.

    In the last 24 hours, there have been dramas and hide and seek game between both parties over the move to arrest the former governor for arraignment this Thursday.

    Reacting to the development, the AGF, in a statement he personally signed on Thursday, said EFCC is empowered by law to invite any Nigerian for interrogation.

    He also described the action of the incumbent governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Ododo, who used his immunity to prevent Bello’s arrest on Wednesday as ‘disquieting’,.

    According to the Minister, embarking on a temporising self-help and escapism that can only put Nigeria in bad light before the rest of the world is not the way to go.

    He reiterated his stands for the rule of law and will ensure no right of any Nigerian is trampled upon.

    The AGF said in the terse statement: “The bizarre drama confronting the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the course of its efforts to perform its statutory duty has come to my notice (Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice) as a matter of very grave concern.

    “It is now beyond doubt that the EFCC is given power by the law to invite any person of interest to interact with them in the course of their investigation into any matter regardless of status. Therefore, the least that we can all do when invited, is not to put any obstruction in the way of EFCC but to honourably answer their invitation.

    “A situation where public officials who are themselves subject of protection by law enforcement agents will set up a stratagem of obstruction to the civil and commendable efforts of the EFCC to perform its duty is to say the least, insufferably disquieting. A flight from the law does not resolve issues at stake but only exacerbates it.

    “I state unequivocally that I stand for the rule of law and will promptly call EFCC and indeed any other agency to order when there is indication of any transgression of the fundamental rights of any Nigerian by any of the agencies but I also tenaciously hold the view that institutions of State should be allowed to function effectively and efficiently. Nigeria has a vibrant judicial system that is capable of protecting everyone who follows the rule of law in seeking protection.

    “I therefore encourage anyone who has been invited by the EFCC or any other agency to immediately toe the path of decency and civility by honouring such invitation instead of embarking on a temporising self-help and escapism that can only put our country in bad light before the rest of the world.”

  • IPOB: Kanu to know fate on fresh bail, house arrest requests, May 20

    IPOB: Kanu to know fate on fresh bail, house arrest requests, May 20

    The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu will on May 20, knows his fate in his request for restoration of his revoked bail and the removal from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) to house arrest.

    Kanu, who has been in detention since 2021 in a motion argued by Ejimakor requested the court to restore the bail granted him in 2017 by the same Judge.

    The embattled Kanu, had though his Counsel, Alloy Ejimakor, told the court that contrary to the claim of the Federal Government, he did not jump bail or breach any of the conditions of the bail but had to escape out of the country when the military allegedly invaded his house.

    He insisted that he would have been killed if he had not escaped the way he did and accused the FG of misleading the court to get the bail revoked in his absence.

    He also asked the court to set aside the arrest warrant issued against him by the court while he was out of the country.

    In a separate motion, also argued by his legal team, Kanu demanded his removal from the custody of the DSS to a house arrest or in the alternative, to remand him in prison.

    Besides, he asked that his lawyers must be allowed unhindered access to him to enable him prepare for his defense in the terrorism charges against him, adding that, untill those conditions are met by the Federal Government in line with Section 36 of the 1999 constitution, he would not submit himself for trial.

    However, counsel to the FG led by Chief Adegboyega Awomolo SAN, vehemently opposed granting of all the requests made by Kanu.

    He submitted that, in a criminal matter, no defendant has right to dictate to court how his prosecution would be conducted.

    Awomolo told the court that Kanu was once admitted to bail but breeched the bail by escaping out of the country under false claims.

    He argued that the fresh request for bail by Kanu is a gross abuse of court process, having been rejected earlier by the same court, adding that the only option available to the defendant is to go to the court of Appeal to challenge the rejection since the High Court cannot over rule itself.

    On the request for removal from DSS custody, Awomolo said that, the only safe and secured environment for Kanu remains the DSS custody in the interest of safety of his life.

    He urged the court to dismiss the allegation of hindered access to lawyers by Kanu, adding that, in his application and the supporting affidavit, he, Kanu failed to name any DSS operative hindering lawyers from accessing him or eavesdropping during conversation with lawyers.

    Speaking with journalists after the proceedings, a House of Representatives members, Hon Ikenga Ugochinyere praised the legal team of Kanu for standing to get fair trial for their client adding that, under the present circumstances, there would be no opportunity for Kanu to get better deal when his hands and legs are tied in the custody of the DSS.

    He appealed to President Bola Tinubu to end the trial logjam by ensuring out of court settlement for general peace to reign in the country.

    After taking arguments from both parties, Justice Binta Nyako fixed May 20 for ruling .

  • FG rejects Nnamdi Kanu’s conditions for resumption of trial

    FG rejects Nnamdi Kanu’s conditions for resumption of trial

    The Federal Government has kicked against conditions submitted by detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, for the resumption of his trial.

    During the hearing on Wednesday at the Federal High Court Abuja, Kanu agreed to acceleration of prosecution of the charges against him on the ground that his conditions are met.

    The IPOB leader, through his lawyer Aloy Ejimakor, listed three conditions that must be met before the trial could resume.

    Among others, he demanded that the bail granted him earlier be restored to enable him prepare for his defense.

    He claimed that the bail was erroneously revoked based on a false and fraudulent claim of the Federal Government.

    Kanu also requested that the setting aside of the arrest warrant issued against him based on allegations by government that he had jumped bail and escaped out of the country.

    He also demanded that his lawyer must be permitted to have unhindered access to him as required by law.

    He insisted that he would be willing to face accelerated trial once the conditions are met.

    Responding, counsel to the FG, Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, asked the court to reject the conditions on the ground that they are frivolous, vexatious, irritating and baseless.

    He maintained that the court had earlier rejected the bail application and as such the court cannot over rule itself.

    Awomolo argued that the only option open to Kanu is to go to the Court of Appeal to challenge the rejected bail request.

    Reacting, Justice Nyako has given Kanu two options to choose either the court adjourned the matter sine dine(indefinitely) or allow the federal government call its witness.

    As at the time of filling this report, the court is on stand down to enable Kanu make a choice.

  • Naira Abuse Charge: Cubana Chief Priest pleads not guilty ….granted 10m bail

    Naira Abuse Charge: Cubana Chief Priest pleads not guilty ….granted 10m bail

    A businessman and socialite, Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, on Wednesday, pleaded not guilty to tampering and abusing the naira.

    Cubana Chief Priest was arraigned before Justice Kehinde Ogundare of the Federal High Court in Lagos on three counts bordering on abuse of naira by allegedly spraying and tampering with the nation’s currency at a social event, contrary to the provisions of the Central Bank Act of 2007.

    He was alleged to have sprayed the naira on February 13, 2024, at Eko Hotel.

    Cubana Chief Priest was said to have also committed the offences while dancing during a social event.
    He was said to have tampered with funds in the denomination of N500 notes issued by the CBN by spraying the same for two hours.