Cloned Nigerian Anchor

Author: Vivian Michael

Naira Abuse: EFCC Files 3-Count Charge Against Cubana Chief Priest

Nigerian socialite, Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, has been charged to court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

The Imo State born celebrity barman will be arraigned before the Federal High Court in Lagos on a three-count charge for allegedly spraying and tampering with the Naira at a social event, contrary to the provisions of the Central Bank Act of 2007.

He is expected to take his plea before a trial judge tomorrow, Wednesday, April 17.

The allegations against him read: “That you, Okechukwu Pascal, on 13th Feb. 2024, at Eko Hotel, within the jurisdiction of the court, while dancing during a social event, tampered with funds in the denomination of N500 (Five Hundred Naira) issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying same for two hours, and you thereby committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007.”

“That you, Okechukwu Pascal sometime in 2020, in Lagos during a social event, tampered with funds in the denomination of N500 (Five Hundred Naira) issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying same for two hours, and you thereby committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007.”

“That you, Okechukwu Pascal sometime in January 2024, in Lagos during a social event, tampered with funds in the denomination of N500 (Five Hundred Naira) issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying same and you thereby committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007.”

Cubana Chief Priest’s trial is coming few days after the anti-graft agency also secured the conviction of a controversial cross dresser, Idris Okuneye, aka Bobrisky, who was sentenced to 6 months in prison without the option of fine, for mutilation and abuse of the Naira.

04/16/2024
Electricity Tarrif: Lawyer drags NERC, AEDC to court over implementing Band A to E classification …says action discriminatory

An Abuja based lawyer, Festus Sanmi Onifade, has asked the Federal High Court, Abuja, to restrain the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) from continuing with the implementation of multi-year tariff order 2024, which classified electricity consumers into Band A to E.

Recall that NERC announced a new electricity tariff increase for customers in the Band A category from N66/kWh to N225kWh, that is, those enjoying 20-hour daily electricity supply.

In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/492/2024, the lawyer stated he sued for himself and on behalf of other consumers.

In his affidavit in support of the originating summons dated April 16, 2024, Onifade contested the various power supply timelines set for residents in Nigeria.

He insisted that a 20-hour power supply to Band A residents alone amounts to preferential treatment and discrimination of other Nigerians.

He faulted the electricity price increment and downgrading, insisting that himself and other customers who are on B, C, D, and E are seeing their fundamental right to freedom from discrimination being breached by the development.
He stated,

“l am a legal practitioner practicing my trade in within the jurisdiction of the court and by virtue of my practice l am conversant with the 1999 Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electricity Act, 2023 and laws regulating the Review of Electricity supply in Nigeria and Consumer Rights in Nigeria.

“That in addition to the above, I am a loyal Customer and Consumer of the product and services of the 2nd Defendant in Abuja with meter No. 04177493725 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court.

“That on the 3rd April, 2024, the 1st Defendant introduced a policy of classification of the Claimant and other 2nd Defendant’s customers into band A, B, C,D, and E, and the said classification policy took immediate effect.

“That by virtue of this classification, the 1st Defendant classified the 2nd Defendant’s Customers Iiving in the high brown urban areas of Maitama, Asokoro, Aso villa to Band A to enjoy electricity supply for 20 hours and above.

“Similarly, by the same classification, the 1st Defendant classified the Claimant and other 2nd Defendant’s Customers living in less privileged areas to Band B, C D and E thereby consigning these categories of customers to a perpetual state of lower, limited electricity supply of 16 hours for customers on band B, 12 hours and above for Customers on Band C, 8 hours and above for Customers on band D and 6 hours and above for Customers on Band E respectively.

“That the policy of classification of the 1st and 2nd Defendants gives preferential treatment of electricity supply to Customers in band A over and above the Claimant and other customers in band B, C, D and E respectively.

“That the present policy and the introduction of new tariffs was done without knowledge of many of the distribution companies.”

The applicant’s lawyer, Moses Awuru Esq, told the court that unless it intervenes, the injury and breach occasioned by the policy of classification of electricity supply to AEDC’s customers will persist.
The Claimant thereby sought the following reliefs:

“A DECLARATION that the Policy of classification of the Claimant and other Consumers by the 1st Defendant into band A, B, C, D and E is a breach of the Claimant’s and other Consumers fundamental Right to freedom from discrimination as enshrined in the African and Human and People Right’s and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended) and therefore unconstitutional, unlawful, illegal, null and void.

” AN ORDER of this Honourable Court perpetually restraining the Defendants, their privies, agents and other person from giving effect and continuing with the implementation of Multi Year Tarriff Order 2024 and increase in the of prices of Electricity and downgrading of the Claimant and other Customers by classification into Bands A, B, C, D, E forthwith.

“AN ORDER of this Honourable Court mandating and compelling the Defendants to pay the Claimant jointly and severally the sum of N5,000,000.00 (five Milion Naira) only for breached of the Claimant’s fundamental right to freedom from discrimination by the Defendants.
“AN ORDER of this Honourable Court directing and mandating the Defendants jointly and or severally to pay the Claimant the sum of N1, 000,000.00 (One Million Naira) only as Cost of this suit.

Motion on notice
In his motion on notice, Ewuru sought an order of interlocutory injunction restraining NERC, AEDC and the Attorney-General of the Federation from continuing with the policy of classification of Nigerian customers to Band A, B, C, D and E by their location and increasing their tariffs pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

He also urged the court to restrain the defendants from taking any special step that may negatively affect the rights of the claimant pending the hearing and determination of the suit.
He stated that he has raised serious of law which needs to be determined urgently for the benefit of Nigerians.

No date has been fixed for hearing of the matter.

Meanwhile, NERC had revealed that the pp planned saving N1.5 trillion with the tariff adjustment while subsidizing Bands below the A classification.

The Commission had fined Abuja Disco N20 million for wrongfully billing Band B customers with Band A electricity tariff rate.

04/16/2024
Igbos in diaspora write Gov Uzodinma, to support Nnamdi Kanu’s release from detention

A group of Igbos in diaspora has formally written Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma pleading passionately for his intervention in the on-going struggle to get the detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu released from detention by the Federal Government.

The group solicited Uzodinma to be interested in the travails and trial of Kanu in treasonable felony by the federal government and join the bid for the way out of the logjam.

The group operating under the aegis of American Veterans of Igbo Descent (AVID) asked the governor to have a change of heart in the matters of Kanu and throw his support for his release for genuine peace to reign in the South East Region.

Their letter dated April 14, 2024, was signed by
Dr. Sylvester Onyia, AVID President and Dr. Godson Obiagwu as Secretary.

The group claimed that the incerceration of Kanu by government has done havocs than good for all the Igbo speaking States and reiterated the need for his release to enable business and commercial activities bounce back for the people in the region.

In the letter, the group criticized the lukewarm attitude of the governor to insecurity in the region, especially in Imo State, where they claimed that several lives have been lost without any concrete response from the state government.

The letter read in part, “A worrisome show of contempt for Igbos is covert conspiracies against the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) since his infamous extraordinary rendition from Kenya into Nigeria in the year 2021 and the persecution that ensued.

“It has become obvious that you do not want Mazi Nnamdi Kanu released from the unlawful incarceration the Federal Government of Nigeria subjected him to.

“While we are aware that several meritorious applications had before now been made to the trial Federal High Court Judge for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu on bail, we have come to the ugly realization that Your Excellency is behind the continual refusal of such bail applications.

“You are aware that in so far as Mazi Nnamdi Kanu remains unlawfully detained in the Nigeria security service’s facilities, there would be no peace in Igbo land and the spate of youth restiveness and violence would know no bounds.

“Nigerians know how the infamous attempt at Kanu’s life under Operation Python Dance
was planned and executed.

“While we regret the entirety of your acts and deeds against Igbo nation and your secret
vows to ensure that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu rots in detention, we honestly believe that you
can turn over a new leaf.

“We therefore request that Your Excellency returns the Igbo spirit of ONYE AGHANA
NWANNE YA and work toward peace in Igbo land.

“And howsoever Your Excellency does
it is not material to us provided there is a return to peace and tranquility.

“We are very optimistic that Your Excellency would have a change of heart and work
towards peace in Igbo land”, the letter said.

04/15/2024
Alleged terrorism, kidnapping: Judge threatens to strike out trial of Imo monarch killers …As AGF shuns court

Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja, Monday threatened to strike out terrorism charges brought against four defendants who allegedly kidnapped and killed the traditional ruler of Amanze-Obowo autonomous community in Imo state, Eze Basil Njoku.

The threat by Justice Nyako followed the absence of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) Lateef Fagbemi SAN in court to lead the prosecution of the defendants.

Although the four defendants were billed for arraignment by 9.am, the judge was forced to shift it till 12noon due to the non-appearance of the AGF or his representatives in court.

The four defendants are Jude Iheme and Chika Madukwe, Nwokorie Chidiebere Ejike and Victor Nwajuiba Obumneke.

The three counts earlier slammed against them have been increased to five in the amended charges.

By 12noon, when the arraignment was to hold, neither the AGF not his representative still appeared in court without any information or communication to the court.

The situation prompted the judge to invite lawyers to the defendants into her chambers where an adjournment of April 30th was fixed.

Although lead counsel to the defendants, Solomon Akume SAN had applied for dismissal of he terrorism charges against the defendants, Justice Nyako opted to give the the AGF another chance to lead a diligent prosecution

The judge however held that in the event of the AGF or his representatives not appearing in court on the adjourned date, the court may have no option than to strike out the charges against the defendants for want of diligent prosecution.

At the March 20 last adjourned date, the AGF represented by David Kaswe a lawyer from the Federal Ministry of Justice had taken over the prosecution of the defendants from the Inspector General of Police IGP who intially initated the trial of defendants

Kaswe had told the judge that the AGF invoked section 174 of the 1999 Constitution and section 105 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) to assume trial of the defendants

The AGF’s office at the last adjourned date told the court that the IGP had been directed to make the case file available to his office.

However at today’s proceedings, neither the AGF nor David Kwase and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Simon Lough who was prosecuting the trial for the Inspector General of Police was in court, despite been served with hearing notice.

Meanwhile Justice Nyako has ordered that fresh hearing notice for April 30th arraignment of the four defendants be served on the AGF.

Iheme, 52 years of Amagwu Amanze Obowo local government area of Imo and Madukwe, 42 years of Ndi-Uche Etiti Omuimo local government area also of Imo State, were said to have killed the traditional ruler on December 17, 2022..

The defendants were accused of killing the monarch while coming from the Federal Medical Center, Umuahia, after kidnapping and collecting a ransom of N4M cash from his family.

In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/575/2024, Iheme and Madukwe alongside others said to be at large were said to have conspired to commit felony to wit, acts of terrorism contrary to section 26 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022.

They were also said to have armed themselves with guns and offensive weapons, attacked, kidnapped and killed the monarch on December 17, 2022.

The IGP also accused them of failing to volunteer information at their disposal to security agencies which could have led to apprehension of other kidnappers contrary to section 16 of the same Terrorism Act.

Part of the charge read “That you Nwokorie Chidiebere Ejike, 45 years ago and Victor Nwajuiba Obumneke, 39 years all of Ehume in Obowo LGA of Imo State between June to August 2023 at Zone 9 Police Headquarters at Umuahia and Special Tactical Squad, Abuja during the police investigation of offence of kidnapping and terrorism of the Royal Eze, Basil Njoku conspired and brought false accusations with internt to cause Nwigwe Emeka Williams to be charged with kidnapping and terrorism of Eze Basil Njoku, you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 125 of the Criminal Code Act.

“That you Nwokorie Chidiebere Ejike, 45 years and Victor Nwajuiba Obumneke, 39 years all of Ehume in Obowo LGA of Imo State between June to August 2023 at Zone 9 Police Headquarters at Umuahia and Special Tactical Squad, Abuja with intent to mislead the police investigators in the case of kidnap and terrorism of Eze Basil Njoku, you gave false information to the investigators that a drunk man informed you that Nwigwe Emeka Williams is responsible for the kidnap and terrorism of Eze Basil Njoku Knowing or having reason to know that information you gave to police investigators is false and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 125 of the Criminal Code Act 2004.

“That you Nwokorie Chidiebere Ejike, 45 years ago and Victor Nwajuiba Obumneke, 39 years all of Ehume in Obowo LGA of Imo State between June to August 2023 at Zone 9 Police Headquarters at Umuahia and Special Tactical Squad, Abuja during the police investigation of offence of kidnapping and terrorism of the Royal Eze, Basil Njoku conspired and brought false accusations with internt to cause Nwigwe Emeka Williams to be charged with kidnapping and terrorism of Eze Basil Njoku, you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 125 of the Criminal Code Act.

04/15/2024
Alleged $4.5bn, N2.8bn fraud: Court grants Emefiele N50m bail

An Ikeja high court in Lagos State has granted bail to the embattled former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele, in the sum of N50 million.

Ruling on the bail application on Friday, the presiding judge, Rahmon Oshodi, admitted Emefiele on bail with two sureties in like sum.

The former CBN governor is facing a trial in Lagos on a 26-count charge bordering on abuse of office.

Recall that Justice Oshodi had ordered the remand of the former Central Bank Bank (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The judge gave the remand order over alleged abuse of office and $5.5 billion and N2.8 billion fraud.

The judge ordered that Emefiele’s co-defendant, Henry Isioma-Omoile, should be detained at Ikoyi Custodial Centre.

The defendants counsel, Mr A. Labi-Lawal, had in his two bail applications, urged the court to grant the defendants bail on self recognition and on liberal terms pending the determination on the case.

Labi-Lawal, in his 31 affidavits, said the first defendant (Emefiele) had complied with the bail application, which was given to him by Justice Muazu in his alleged fraud trial case going on in Abuja.

He said the charges were bailable offences and not a capital offence.

“Though the first defendant was granted administrative bail by the prosecuting authority. He is seeking bail based on self recognition and he is ready to attend the court.

“The court should also take into consideration the status of the first defendant as he was the former CBN governor of the country,” he said.

The defence counsel said his client had religiously presented himself before Justice Muazu in Abuja to answer the allegations before him.

According to him, the first defendant was not at flight risk, as he was the first person to arrive in court.

He also prayed the court to release Emefiele to lawyer, pending the determination of the bail.

Emefiele and his co-defendant pleaded not guilty to the 26-count charge bordering on abuse of office, accepting gratification, accepting gifts through agents, corruption, and fraudulent property receipt.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty, following their arraignment.

The EFCC counsel, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), did not oppose the bail application moved by the defence counsel.

Oyedepo, however, urged the court to exercise its discretion judiciously in granting bail to the defendants.

04/12/2024
Naira Abuse: Court jail Bobrisky six months with no fine option … “I am a man,” he admitted

Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court in Lagos has sentenced cross-dresser Idris Okuneye, A.K.A Bobrisky, to six months in jail with no option of fine.

Bobrisky, on arraignment, pleaded guilty to the charge of naira abuse.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Thursday, April 4, docked the controversial cross-dresser on a six-count of money laundering and abuse of naira.

However, the court dismissed the money laundering charges but convicted him for Naira Abuse after he confessed to the crime.

At the last sitting, the prosecution counsel, S.I. Sulaiman urged the court to allow the investigating officer, ASE I Bolaji Temitope Aje, to give a brief review of the facts against him.

Aje narrated to the court that the EFCC received intelligence on some individuals, who are in the habit of mutilating and spraying the Naira notes at social parties and event centres in Lagos.

According to him, “Based on intelligence, the EFCC set up the Special Operations Team to observe and monitor activities of individuals, who are involved in the habit of mutilating the Naira.

“The team visited many event centres and monitored social media pages, where the Naira was being abused. During the course of the monitoring, the team came across videos on social media, where the defendant was seen abusing the Naira. The team then proceeded to download these videos via our office laptop computers and also went further to copy these videos on compact disc.

“In the light of the foregoing, a letter of invitation was written and forwarded to the defendant.
“The defendant honoured the invitation. When he got to our office, he was voluntarily cautioned. Thereafter, he volunteered to write his statement.

“The defendant was shown a video, where he was spraying money on an artiste called Segun Johnson. The defendant confessed that he was the one in the video. He was also shown a video at IMAX Circle Mall, where he sprayed a total sum of N400,000 at a movie premiere. The defendant also admitted that he was the one in the video and that he carried out the abuse.

“The defendant was also shown two other videos of him spraying the Naira at Aja junction, Ikorodu, and White Stone Event Centre, Ikeja, Lagos.

“The defendant admitted to spraying money in these videos. He was, therefore, served with a bail condition.”

Consequently, Sulaiman then prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendant accordingly.

Justice Awogboro had, thereafter, ruled that “upon the admission of guilt by the defendant, testimony of PW1 and following the evidence tendered, the defendant is declared guilty as charged.”

In his plea for mercy, Bobrisky said: “I am a social media influencer, with five million followers; and in all honesty, I was not aware of the law. I wish I could be given a second chance to use my platform to educate my followers against the abuse of the Naira.”

Also, his lawyer had said: “He will lead the crusade against the abuse of Naira. He is also an employer of people ; and if he goes to jail, the people he employs will suffer. He has cooperated with the EFCC and has not wasted the time of the court. We urge the court to caution the defendant and allow him to go. He has given evidence that he will be useful to the country. We urge you to grant a non-custodial sentencing option of fine.”

After listening to both parties, the judge deferred judgment in the matter to Tuesday, April 9, 2024, and also ordered that he be remanded in the EFCC custody.

Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice Awogboro held that “The act of mutilating the Naira notes has become a menace, which has continued to damage the image of the country.

“Enough of people mutilating and tampering with our currencies. It has to stop. His will serve as a deterrent to others.”

The Judge, therefore, sentenced him to six months imprisonment, without an option of fine, from the date of his remand

04/12/2024
AGF, NBA, NJC set to tackle factors hindering the effectiveness of laws

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi has said that a new move to make Nigerians access justice and fair play unhindered is underway for the citizenry.

To make the new measure achievable, most of the laws, including electoral laws, are to be updated under a new justice sector reform.

At a media briefing in Abuja on Thursday, the AGF revealed that the Federal Ministry of Justice and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) are putting together a National Summit on Justice sector where all factors hindering the effectiveness of Nigerian laws would be tackled.

The President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, according to the AGF, would, on April 24, 2024, declare the Summit open to address critical challenges in the nation’s justice sector in Abuja.

According to Fagbemi, the anticipated National Summit on Justice holding from April 24 to 25, 2024 will be hosted by the
Federal Ministry of Justice, alongside the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the National Judicial Council (NJC).

The National Summit, with the theme, “Repositioning the Justice System: Constitutional, Statutory, and Operational Reforms for Access and Efficiency”, the Minister said, will hold at the Auditorium of National Judicial Institute (NJI) in Abuja.

The event, Fagbemi said, will address the significant challenges plaguing Nigeria’s justice sector and pave the way for much-needed reforms that will make justice more accessible to all Nigerians.

He said the Summit will bring together experts, legal professionals, and key stakeholders from across the country to engage in constructive discussions and develop practical solutions that prioritize the justice needs of the average Nigerian.

In his words, “The National Summit on Justice presents a unique opportunity to collectively tackle the pressing issues hindering the efficient, fair, and people-centered delivery of justice in our nation.

“The Joint Planning Committee established by the Federal Ministry of Justice and the NBA, headed by the Chairman of the NBA Judiciary Committee, Dr. Babatunde Ajibade, SAN has assembled a remarkable group of speakers and panelists to share their invaluable knowledge and expertise and proffer constructive solutions for making the justice system more efficient and accessible to all Nigerians”, the AGF and Minister of Justice stated.

He added that the summit will feature a keynote address by Dr. Willy Mutunga, EGH, a renowned legal scholar, jurist and former Chief Justice of Kenya, celebrated for his commitment to democratic principles and human rights, and for the transformative judicial reform that took place in Kenya under his watch.

One of the Summit’s goals, the Minister said, is to review, validate, and adopt the revised National Policy on Justice 2024 – 2028 to drive prison reforms, access to justice for the average Nigerian, as well as the review of electoral laws and procedures in handling election related cases, among several other reforms.

He said, “This comprehensive policy document outlines a broad framework and initiatives in 17 thematic areas aimed at reforming the justice sector to enhance its effectiveness and accessibility to all Nigerians, ensuring that justice is not just a privilege for the few, but a right for all.

“The policy aims to address various challenges within the legal framework, seeking to promote social cohesion, bolster economic development, and foster good governance.”

He added further that, the Summit will deliberate on draft legislations proposed to address specific identified challenges within the justice sector, relating to the judicial appointments process, administration, funding and budgeting for the judiciary, the elimination of delays and inefficiencies in justice delivery and to evolve ways to reduce the amount of time for adjudication of cases, eliminate some of the associated technicalities, and reduce the number of cases getting to the Supreme Court.

“In this regard, we intend to look at a situation where many cases will terminate at the court of appeal to reduce the burden on our noble justices of the Supreme Court.

“These proposed laws are expected to serve as a catalyst for collective action and provide a guiding framework for relevant governmental institutions at both the national and sub national levels to establish an effective, efficient, and people-centered justice system”.

The country , he said, cannot afford to remain complacent in the face of the obstacles impeding the efficient delivery of justice for all Nigerians, adding that, “the Summit will present an opportunity for us to unite our efforts, leverage our collective expertise, and chart a course toward a more just and equitable society”.

Fagbemi expressed the hope that , the National Summit on Justice will usher in a new era of positive change and progress in the country’s justice sector, ensure a fair, accessible, and efficient legal system that upholds the rule of law while safeguarding fundamental human rights.

04/11/2024
Court remands Emefiele in EFCC custody over $4.5bn, N2.8bn fraud

Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Monday, remanded the immediate-past Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Emefiele, who pleaded not guilty to a fresh 26-count charge bordering on abuse of office, is to remain in the custody of the anti-graft agency pending the determination of his bail application on Thursday.

Justice Oshodi made the decision after Emefiele and his co-defendant, Herry Omoile, pleaded not guilty to a fresh 26-count charge bordering on abuse of office brought against his by EFCC.

However, his co-defendant, Herry Omoike, was reminded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services.

The defence lawyer, Abdulakeem Ladi-Lawal, urged the court to admit his client to bail on self-recognition or on the most liberal terms.

The lawyer particularly urged the court to impose the same bail conditions earlier granted to the defendant by Justice Hamzat Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja and that he be released to his lawyers pending the perfection of the bail terms.

Reacting, counsel to the commission, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), did not oppose the bail application.

He, however, urged the judge to impose conditions that would compel the defendants to come to court for their trial.

04/08/2024
Alleged money laundering: Binance executive docked, remanded in Kuje prison

Binance Company and one of its executives, Tigran Gambaryan, was, on Monday, arraigned on five count charges bordering on Money Laundering by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).

On arraignment, Tigran Gambaryan pleaded not guilty of the alleged offences before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

Before the arraignment, Justice Emeka Nwite had in a brief ruling dismissed the objection by Gambaryan to taking plea on behalf of Binance on the ground that he was not its representative and had no written authority to do so.

The court held that Gambaryan had in an affidavit claimed to be representative of the company and transacted businesses on its behalf in Nigeria.

The anti-graft agency through its counsel, Ekele Iheanacho said the offences which were committed between January 2023 and December 2023 in Abuja were contrary to and punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Count one alleged that the defendants between January 2023 and January 2024 in Abuja carried out specialised business of other financial institutions without valid licences.

The offence is said to be contrary to Section 57(1) and (2) of the Banks and Other Financial, Institutions Act, 2020 and punishable under Section 57(5) of the same Act.

Although the foreign national pleaded to be remanded at the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, the plea was turned down by Justice Nwite.

The judge subsequently ordered that the defendant be taken to Kuje Prison on remand.

In the meantime, the matter has been adjourned until April 18 for hearing of the defendant’s application for bail and May 2 for trial of the charges.

04/08/2024
Emefiele arrives in Lagos court for arraignment over alleged fraud

The embattled former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, has arrived at the Ikeja State High Court in Lagos for his arraignment over alleged abuse of office and allocation of billions of dollars.

Emefiele, alongside his co-defendant, one Henry Isioma Omole, will be arraigned on fresh 26 counts before Justice Rahman Oshodi this morning.

In the charge marked ID/23787c/2024 and dated April 3, 2024, the EFCC alleged that Emefiele abused his office between 2022 and 2023 in Lagos.

The commission alleged that the former CBN governor “directed to be done in abuse of the authority of your office, as the Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, an arbitrary act, to wit: allocating foreign exchange in the aggregate sum of $2,136,391,737.33 without bids, which act is prejudicial to the rights of Nigerians.”

04/08/2024