Cloned Nigerian Anchor

Author: Vivian Michael

  • Senate Approves 300% Salary Increase For Judicial Officers

    Senate Approves 300% Salary Increase For Judicial Officers

    The Senate has approved a bill seeking improved salaries, allowances, and fringe benefits for judicial officers at the federal and state levels.

    Towards this effect, a bill approving 300 per cent, pay raise for this category of judicial officers, scaled the third reading at the senate yesterday.

    The Senate approved a report presented by the Chairman of Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno (APC- Borno North), to the lawmakers.

    In the report, Senator Monguna said adequate remuneration will allow judicial officers to focus on their professional development without worrying about financial constraint.
    “Hence, it will improve their professionalism and decision-making skills, and fair compensation for judicial officers is crucial for maintaining public trust in judiciary’s impartiality and integrity.” he noted.
    The bill is expected to be assented to by President Bola Tinubu.

  • Alleged unresolved murder: IGP sued over failure to release report on Asabe

    Alleged unresolved murder: IGP sued over failure to release report on Asabe

    The Inspector General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun, has been dragged before a Federal High Court in Abuja, over failure to release the probe report of an “unresolved murder” case on one Asabe Waziri, a staff of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL.

    Fourteen years after police investigation on Mrs Waziri who was said to have intentionally hit a pregnant woman with her car, the prosecution agency is yet to release the report.

    According to a petition to the IGP, dated May 2, 2024, by a civil society organisation, Global Integrity Crusade Network(GICN) the police probed the incident but had failed since then to release its findings.

    In originating summons with suit number FHC/ABM/CS/742/2024, the, plaintiff prayed the court for an order of granting leaveto the applicant to apply for judicial review by way of Order of Mandamus compelling the Respondent to forthwith release to the Applicant based on the demand letter dated 2nd May, 2024 and attached hereto as EXHIBIT GICN 4 the FINAL INVESTIGATION REPORT of the case involving Asabe Waziri who intentionally hit a pregnant woman named Mrs. Shitua Aso, with her car in front of the FCT Police Command, Garki 2, Abuja, on or about 30th May, 2010.

    The suit dated May 29, 2024, sought a declaration that the failure, refusal and or neglect by the Respondent to release the information and documents requested for by the Applicant vide their letter to the Respondent dated 274 May, 2024amounts to a violation of Sections 4 and 5 of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011 and therefore unjustifiable, wrongful and illegal.

    The plaintiff also prayed the court to declare that that by a true interpretation of Section 1 of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011 the Applicant being a Public Official cum custodian of information at Nigeria Police Force which is a Public Institution within the meaning of Section 31 of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011 is obligated to furnish on request by the Applicant a comprehensive, just and fair information and documents as enumerated in their letter to the Respondent dated 2″¢May, 2024.

    In the suit, the plaintiff listed the following as facts in support of the grounds of the suit:

    That Section 4 of the Police Act, 2020gives the Nigeria Police Force power for the prevention and detection of crime, the apprehension of offenders, preservation of law and order, the protection of life and property and the due enforcement of all laws and regulations with which they are directly charged; amongst other duties within or outside Nigeria.

    “On 2nd May, 2024 the Applicant wrote a letter to the Respondent requesting for acomprehensive and detailed FINAL INVESTIGATION REPORTof the case involving Asabe Waziri who intentionally hit a pregnant woman named Mrs. Shitua Aso with her car in front of the FCT Police Command, Garki 2, Abuja on 30 May, 2010.

    “Till date, the Respondent has failed, refused and or neglected to avail the Applicant access to the information and documents requested vide their letter dated 2″4 May, 2024 which was received at the office of the Respondent on 3” May, 2024.

    “The 7 (Seven) days within which the Respondent is required by Section 4 (a) of the Freedom of Information Act. 2011 to furnish the Applicant with the information and documents sought began to run from 4th May, 2024 and elapsed on 10 May, 2024.

    “However, the Respondent did not comply with Section 4 (b) of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011 by giving notice to the Applicant that access to all or part of the information sought will not be granted, stating reasons for the denial and the Section of the Act under which the denial is made.

    “Unless and until the Respondent is compelled by an Order of this Honourable Court, he will continue to refuse the Applicant access to the information and documents sought by them from the Respondent.

    “The failure, refusal and or neglect by the Respondent to give the Applicant access to the information and documents sought is unjustifiable, wrongful and illegal.

    “The Applicant is aggrieved and hereby applies that this Honourable Court invokes the provisions of Freedom of Information Act, 2011 particularly Section 1 (3) thereof by issuing a Writ of Mandamus compelling the Respondent to allow the Applicant access to the information and documents sought in their letter dated 2 4May, 2024submitted to the Respondent in line with his duty under Section”.

    No date has been fixed for the hearing of the matter

  • Lawyer drags First Bank before CBN over alleged N550m fraud

    Lawyer drags First Bank before CBN over alleged N550m fraud

    A civil society organisation, Centre For Social and Economic Justice, has dragged First Bank of Nigeria before the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, over allegation of funds diversion to the tune of N550million.

    The centre called on the CBN to revoke the license of First Bank of Nigeria for unsafe practices, and adding customer’s funds are supposed to be safe with the bank.

    According to a letter dated May 29, 2024, the director of the centre, Barrister U. I. Mohammed said a customer of the Bank, Dr. Agbai Eke Agbai, who has been a dedicated and resourceful customer of the First Bank of Nigeria Ltd “First Bank” with Fixed Deposit Account numbers – 6924010002639 and 5021000788976 whose funds amount to the tune of ₦ 550,000,000.00 was illegally diverted, misappropriated and fraudulently taken by the bank.

    A copy of the letter received at the Security Services Department of the CBN, which was also sent to First Bank, said a staff of the bank, Mrs. Shamlar Abosi, who is supposed to be the account officer of Dr Agbai, illegally tampered with her client’s account.

    Parts of the petition titled, “PETITION AGAINST FIRST BANK OF NIGERIA FOR FRAUD, DIVERSION AND MISAPROPRIATION OF FUNDS BELONGING TO DR. AGBAI EKE AGBAI” read, “In 2014, Mrs. Shamlar Abosi, a staff of First Bank, approached DR. AGBAI EKE AGBAI to deposit funds in First Bank for a Return on Investment, DR. AGBAI EKE AGBAI after listening to the advice of Mrs. Shamlar Abosi accepted to deposit funds in the bank for an agreed interest rate.

    “Fixed Deposit Accounts were subsequently opened for DR. AGBAI EKE AGBAI with the above-mentioned account numbers. The sum of ₦ 300,000,000.00 (Three Hundred Million Naira) only was deposited in Account number-6924010002639 which took effect on the 21st day of February, 2018 with interest rate of 14.5% with 364 days tenor, and the sum of ₦250,000,000.00 (Two Hundred and Fifty Million Naira) only was deposited in Account Number -5021000788976 which took effect on the 19th day of October, 2018 with interest rate of 14.5% with 364days tenor.

    “After the maturity date of the investment, which is on the 20th of February, 2019, and 18th of October, 2019, respectively, in September 2023, DR. AGBAI EKE AGBAI informed First Bank of his intention not to renew the investment and requested his money to be transferred to his saving account domiciled with the bank with Account number-3079342444 immediately.

    “Unfortunately, the money requested by DR. AGBAI EKE AGBAI to be transferred to his savings account has not been credited till date after numerous efforts to remind the bank of its failure to carry out the request.

    “It is also noteworthy and remarkable that Mrs. Shamlar Abosi, who persuaded DR. AGBAI EKE AGBAI into investing in the Bank, who is also the account officer and business manager of the investment, has failed to provide an explanation regarding the money of DR. AGBAI EKE AGBAI.”

    Barrister Mohammed said it is without doubt that the funds deposited in the Fixed Deposit Account numbers – 6924010002639 and 5021000788976 by Dr Agbai Eke Agbai has been criminally and fraudulently diverted by First Bank without his consent or notice.

    He said after sending their agent and officer, Mrs. Shamlar Abosi persuaded him to invest in the bank, the Bank has failed to refund the money illegally taken from him despite the numerous pleas, warnings, and notices.

    “We urge the Central Bank of Nigeria to investigate the fraudulent activities enumerated above, refund the money stolen and illegal diverted by First Bank, and to invoke its powers bestowed on it under Section 12 of the Banks and other Financial Institutions Act, 2020 by revoking the license of First Bank of Nigeria for unsafe practices and other fraudulent dealings”, the centre said.

  • LG autonomy: S/Court gives Govs 7 days to respond Suit

    LG autonomy: S/Court gives Govs 7 days to respond Suit

    The Supreme Court, Thursday, gave the 36 State Governors seven days to file their defence in reponse to the Federal Government suit seeking autonomy for 774 local governments in the country.

    The Apex court also ordered the AGF to, upon receipt of the governors defence, file his reply within two days.

    The seven-man panel led by
    Justice Garba Lawal issued the order while ruling on an application for an abridgment of time argued by the Attorney General of Federation ( AGF) Lateef Fagebemi SAN.

    The apex court said that the decision of the court was predicated on the national urgency of the suit and the non objection from the attorneys general of the states of the federation.

    It insisted that filing of all processes and exchanging of same must be completed within the time.

    Justice Lawal ordered that the 8 states that were not in attendance at Thursdays proceedings must be served with fresh hearing notice.

    The 8 states are Borno, Kano, Kogi, Niger, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, and Sokoto, whose attorneys general were absent in court despite being served with hearing notice.

    In the meantime, the matter is adjourned to June 13 for hearing of the suit.

    The FG, through the AGF, Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN, dragged the 36 state governors to the supreme court over alleged misconduct in the local government administration.

    Specifically, the AGF is seeking full autonomy for LG as third tiers of government in the country.

    The Governors were sued through their respective State Attorneys General.

    In the suit marked SC/CV/343/2024, the AGF is praying the Apex Court for an order prohibiting State Governors from unilateral, arbitrary and unlawful dissolution of democratically elected local government leaders for local governments..

    In the originating summons, AGF is also praying the Apex Court for an order permitting the funds standing in the credits of local governments to be directly channelled to them from the Federation Account in line with the provisions of the Constitution as against the alleged unlawful joint accounts created by governors.

    The summon, personally signed by AGF, seeks an order of the Apex Court stopping governors from constituting Caretaker Committees to run the affairs of local governments as against the Constitutionally recognized and guaranteed democratically system.

    It also applied for an order of injunction restraining the governors, their agents and privies from receiving, spending or tampering with funds released from the Federation Account for the benefits of local governments when no democratically elected local government system is put in place in the states.

  • Conflicting orders: NBA seeks actions against judges, lawyers involved in Kano Emirate tussle

    Conflicting orders: NBA seeks actions against judges, lawyers involved in Kano Emirate tussle

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has called for punitive actions against lawyers and Judges involved in the conflicting orders in the Kano Emirate legal tussle.

    The NBA through it’s President, Yakubu Maikyau, SAN, maintained that actions of lawyers and judges have brought utter disgrace and shame to the profession and have exposed the entire legal profession in Nigeria to public ridicule and opprobrium.

    The association, had in a statement, Wednesday in Abuja, vowed to drag any lawyer found culpable in the matter before the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee LPDC for deserved appropriate sanctions.

    It therefore, called on the Chief Judges of the Federal High Court and his counterpart in the High Court of Kano State to identify the judicial officers involved and drag them before the National Judicial Council NJC for disciplinary action.

    The statement read in part “I have keenly followed the developments on the recent events concerning the stool of the Emir of Kano.

    “I must say, without any equivocation, that the conducts of counsel and the Courts in the handling of the proceedings which culminated in the orders issued by the Federal High Court, the Kano State High Court and again the Federal High Court, in circus, have brought utter disgrace and shame to the profession – have exposed the entire legal profession in Nigeria to public ridicule and opprobrium.

    “The damage is one that would take the legal profession a long time to recover from.
    It is unfortunate and was totally uncalled for.

    “For a country whose legal resources and expertise have for several decades been exported and positively impacted not only the African continent but the world at large, it is completely unacceptable that the processes of our courts would be deployed in the manner we have witnessed in the last couple of days, on a subject matter that is as clear as chieftaincy dispute.

    “This is a subject that has been sufficiently dealt with by legislations and case law, leaving no one confused about the jurisprudence on the subject – both procedural and substantive.

    “Without prejudice to the subsisting actions before both the Federal High Court and the Kano State High Court, it is my considered view that there is urgent need to scrutinize the professional conducts of both Counsel and the Judges involved in these matters.

    “This is to enable the relevant bodies or institutions determine their culpability or otherwise, from an ethical and professional standpoint.

    “I therefore call on the respective heads of the Courts of the Judges concerned, to take immediate steps to look into their conducts with the view to finding any possible abuse of their judicial offices and file a report with the National Judicial Council for necessary action.

    “The NBA on the other hand will investigate the conducts of the counsel involved in these cases and shall not hesitate to commence disciplinary action against them before the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary
    Committee, should there be any finding of alleged professional misconduct against them.

    “The Chairman of the NBA Ethics and Disciplinary Committee has accordingly been directed to invite these counsel for preliminary investigations.

    “While the NBA shall continue to stand for and protect the integrity, welfare, and independence of the Bar and the Judiciary, we shall not hesitate to call out any Judge or counsel, who engages in any professional misconduct.

    “We have consistently maintained that the institution of the Judiciary must be guarded jealously by all (both within and outside the legal profession) including the other arms of Government (Executive and Legislature), because the existence, peace, growth, development of any nation is intricately
    connected with the primary responsibility of the judiciary which is the dispensation of Justice.

    “Sheikh Othman DanFodiyo was reported to have said – “a people can exist without religion but they cannot exist without justice”.

    “Let us quit being religious as a people and begin to search for God and Justice for the people, in order to attain the peace we must all desire for the benefit of our nation.

    “The legal profession as a whole (Bench and Bar) must at all times, resist any attempt to
    compromise its independence, as when this is allowed, we will fail in our noble call and
    assignment of providing direction to the people and advancing the cause of our nation within the confines of the rule of law.

    “The respect in which the legal profession in any country is held, is the best indicator of the freedom enjoyed by that country. We must therefore bring erring members of the profession to book to regain the respect we must have to lead Nigeria to its pride of place in the comity of nations”, the statement said.

  • Kano emirate tussle: CJN summons FHC CJ, Kano CJ

    Kano emirate tussle: CJN summons FHC CJ, Kano CJ

    The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, has issued a summon to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, and the Chief Judge of Kano State High Court to appear before him over conflicting interim injunctions regarding the Kano Emirate tussle.

    The Federal High Court in Kano, presided over by Justice S. A. Amobeda, issued an order for the eviction of Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II from the Kofar Kudu Palace, reinforcing the authority of the 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero.

    Also, the Kano State High Court, presided over by Justice Amina Adamu Aliyu, issued an injunction to protect Muhammadu Sunusi and other key figures from potential harassment by state authorities.

    This order prevents any interference with the Emir’s autonomy and the seizure of key symbols of his authority, such as the twin spear, the Royal Hat of Dabo, and the Ostrich-feathered shoes.

    These conflicting orders have led to significant confusion regarding the rightful authority and protection of the emirs in Kano. The State High Court’s case is set for further hearing on June 13, while the Federal High Court has adjourned its case to June 4.

  • Kogi guber: Ododo wins at Tribunal

    Kogi guber: Ododo wins at Tribunal

    The Kogi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja, Monday, authenticated the election that declared Usman Ododo as the governor of Kogi State.

    In a unanimous judgment by a three-member panel of Justices of the Tribunal, it held that the petitioners failed to prove the allegations contained in their petition in accordance with the law.

    The Social Democratic Party(SPD) annd it’s candidate, Alhaji Muritala Ajaka was challenging Ododo’s election on the ground that it was conducted in gross violation of the electoral law of rigging and vote-buying.

    Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN); Alex Iziyon (SAN) and Emmanuel Ukala (SAN), who appeared for INEC, Ododo and APC respectively argued that the petitioners did not list the name of the witness in their proof of evidence and that the witness statement on oath was not front-loaded alongside the petition.

    They also contended that the petitioners served the reports of the witness’ analysis on them 20 minutes before the commencement of the proceedings.

    But Okutepa insisted that the forensic expert was listed on Page 56 of the petition as item 10, adding that his statement was also front-loaded.

  • FG drags 36 state Govs to S/Court, seeks autonomy for LGAs

    FG drags 36 state Govs to S/Court, seeks autonomy for LGAs

    The Federal Government, through the the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (AGF), Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN,has dragged the 36 state governors to the supreme court over alleged misconduct in the local government administration.

    Specifically, the AGF is seeking full autonomy for LG as third tiers of government in the country.

    The Governors were sued through their respective State Attorneys General.

    In the suit marked SC/CV/343/2024, the AGF is praying the Apex Court for an order prohibiting State Governors from unilateral, arbitrary and unlawful dissolution of democratically elected local government leaders for local governments..

    In the originating summons, AGF is also praying the Apex Court for an order permitting the funds standing in the credits of local governments to be directly channelled to them from the Federation Account in line with the provisions of the Constitution as against the alleged unlawful joint accounts created by governors.

    The summon personally signed by AGF, seeks an order of the Apex Court stopping governors from constituting Caretaker Committees to run the affairs of local governments as against the Constitutionally recognized and guaranteed democratically system.

    It also applied for an order of injunction restraining the governors, their agents and privies from receiving, spending or tampering with funds released from the Federation Account for the benefits of local governments when no democratically elected local government system is put in place in the states.

    The suit is predicted on 27 grounds among which are that the Nigeria Federation is a creation of the 1999 Constitution with President as Head of the Federal Executive arm of the Federation and has sworn to uphold and give effects to the provisions of the Constitution.

    *That the governors represent the component states of the Federation with Executive Governors who have also sworn to uphold the Constitution and to at all times,give effects to the Constitution and that the Constitution, being the supreme law, has binding force all over the Federation of Nigeria.

    * That the Constitution of Nigeria recognizes federal, states and local governments as three tiers of government and that the three recognized tiers of government draw funds for their operation and functioning from the Federation Account created by the Constitution.

    *That by the provisions of the Constitution, there must be a democratically elected local government system and that the Constitution has not made provisions for any other systems of governance at the local government level other than democratically elected local government system.

    *That in the face of the clear provisions of the Constitution, the governors have failed and refused to put in place a democratically elected local government system even where no state of emergency has been declared to warrant the suspension of democratic institutions in the state.

    *That the failure of the governors to put democratically elected local government system in place, is a deliberate subversion of the 1999 Constitution which they and the President have sworn to uphold.

    *That all efforts to make the governors comply with the dictates of the 1999 Constitution in terms of putting in place, a democratically elected local government system, has not yielded any result and that to continue to disburse funds from the Federation Account to governors for non existing democratically elected local government is to undermine the sanctity of the 1999 Constitution.

    *That in the face of the violations of the 1999 Constitution, the federal government is not obligated under section 162 of the Constitution to pay any State, funds standing to the credit of local governments where no democratically elected local government is in place.

    Fagbemi SAN therefore asked the Apex Court to invoke sections 1, 4, 5, 7 and 14 of the Constitution to declare that the State Governors and State Houses of Assembly are under obligation to ensure democratically system at the third tier of government in Nigeria and to also invoke the same sections to hold that the governors cannot lawfully dissolve democratically elected local government coincils.

    The AGF also prayed for invocation of sections 1, 4, 5, 7 and 14 of the Constitution to declare that dissolution of democratically elected local government Councils by the Governors or anyone using the State powers derivable from laws enacted by the State Houses of Assembly or any Executive Order is unlawful, unconstitutional, null and void.

    A 13-paragragh affidavit in support of the originating summons deposed to by one Kelechi Ohaeri from the Federal Ministry of Justice averred that the AGF took out the suit against the Governors under the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court on behalf of the Federal Government.

    The deponent asserted that local government system recognized by the Constitution is a democratically elected local government coincils and that the amount due to local government Councils from the Federation Account is to be paid to local government system recognized by the Constitution.

    The deponent sought to tender during hearing, Daily Post online publication of January 29, 2024 titled “LG Administration; 15 Govs under scrutiny over Constitutional breach”, Vanguard online special report of September 12, 2023, Guardian editorial of January 23, 2024, Premium Times online publication of December 1, 2023, Vanguard online publication of December 1, 2023 and Arise online news of December 2, 2023 to justify the national importance public interest on the issues of autonomy for local governments in Nigeria.

    Hearing on the suit is fixed for Thursday, May 30.

  • AGF Explains Why Nnamdi Kanu’s Case Still In Court – AGF …says FG convicted 250 terrorism, criminal cases

    AGF Explains Why Nnamdi Kanu’s Case Still In Court – AGF …says FG convicted 250 terrorism, criminal cases

    Attorney General of the Federation(AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN, Friday, maintained the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s case is very difficult, requested it is left to court.

    Also, the Federal Government, revealed that it prosecuted and convicted 250 terrorism and criminal offenses in various courts across the country.

    The AGF made this revelation, Friday, at the Sectoral Ministerial briefing to mark President Bola Tinubu’s one year in office.

    Fielding questions from the press, the minister explained that there is a remarkable difference between Kanu’s case and that of the convener of #RevolutionNow protest, Omoyele Sowore.

    He said, “Sowore and Kanu are not the same. When it comes to the first one, I didn’t have difficulty to say go, but I have difficulty with the second one.

    “The matter is still in court, let’s wait for the court”.

    Sowore was arrested in 2019 and prosecuted for allegedly calling for the forceful take over of the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

    However, the federal government through the office of the AGF in February this year filed a notice of discontinuation of the case.

    Breaking down the achievements of justice ministry in the year under review, Fagbemi said the FG has secured 160 convictions for criminal offences, 87 convictions for terrorism cases, 3 novel convictions in the last one year for extremist terrorism actors involved in the radicalization of children and violence against women.

    He hinted on enhanced interagency synergy for prosecution of Maritime Cases, Electricity offences, collaboration with public and private sector stakeholders on cybersecurity protection and cybercrime prosecution.

    Following the Ministry’s intervention for the upgrade of facilities designated for trial of terrorism cases, Fagbemi said the Ministry has resumed trials of terrorism cases in conjunction with the Legal Aid Council, National Human Rights Commission and other stakeholders.

    “The percentages of terrorism cases initiated and corruption cases concluded within the reporting period has been significant,” the Justice Minister said.

    Speaking on the development of the proceeds of Crime Recovery and Management Regulation, 2024, by the Ministry, the AGF said the objective of the regulation which is being developed with relevant agencies is to ensure transparency, accountability and standardization in the management of recovered assets, in line with global best practices.

    “This document is being finalized for validation, the AGF said.

    On terrorism financing and other transnational crimes, the AGF stated that the Tinubu administration has facilitated international cooperation and secured conviction of 13 terrorism financing cases, and have also concluded 150 mutual legal assistance requests and 12 extradition requests from law enforcement agencies and foreign countries.

    “The Ministry places priority on enhancing the prosecutorial and litigation capacity of its staff, to this end it organized capacity building programmes to improve knowledge on various aspects of the law including Darknet and Cryptocurrencies applied to terrorism financing, investigation and prosecution of financial and wildlife crimes in Nigeria.

    “The coordination of the effective implementation of the National Anti-Money Laundering/Combating Proliferation Financing (AML/CPF) Strategy 2023 – 2027 is also a top priority for the Ministry, the AGF said.

    On the fight against corruption, the Minister submitted that the present administration has achieved successes under its international asset recovery and management efforts.

    The asset sharing agreement between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Bailiwick of Jersey was signed in February 2024, for the return of £2,125,944 (Two Million, One Hundred and Twenty-Five Thousand, Nine Hundred and Forty-Four GBP) proceeds of corruption, the AGF revealed.

    “This has been approved by the President to be utilized, for continuation of works on the Abuja-Kano Road project” Fagbemi said.

    On the Glencore settlement, the Justice Minister said the Ministry on behalf of Nigeria on April 25, 2024, concluded negotiation of a settlement agreement with Glencore International A.G. wherein the firm is expected to pay the sum of $50 million USD as penalty and compensation for certain activities in Nigeria.

  • ₦19.4 Billion Fraud: Court Grants Sirika, Brother N200 Million Bail

    ₦19.4 Billion Fraud: Court Grants Sirika, Brother N200 Million Bail

    Justice Suleiman Belgore of the Federal Capital Territory High Court on Thursday granted bail to the former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, and his brother, Ahmad Abubakar Sirika.

    The bail was set at ₦100 million each, with stringent conditions attached, reflecting the seriousness of the charges against them.

    Both defendants are required to provide two sureties, one of whom must own a landed property within the Federal Capital Territory, valued at a similar sum.

    In addition to the financial conditions, the court has restricted their travel, stipulating that the Sirika brothers cannot leave Nigeria without prior permission from the court.

    This decision comes after careful consideration of the bail application, with Justice Belgore stating he found no reason to deviate from the bail conditions previously granted by Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the same court.

    Ruling on the motion on notice for the 1st defendant, Hadi Sirika, the court held that “The prosecution filed no counter affidavit. He is already on administrative bail, he met all the bail applications, he continues to abide by the bail conditions, he has never been convicted of any criminal offence in Nigeria, he is a recipient of National honours, he has an aged mother he is catering for an investigation in the case has been completed.

    “It is my resolution that this applicant deserves to be admitted to bail and I so do.”

    Concerning Sirika’s brother, ruling on the motion on notice, brought pursuant to Sections 158, 156 and 135 of ACJA, where he requested a sole relief (bail).

    The trial judge granted him bail in the same terms and conditions as the 1st defendant (Sirika).

    The Sirika brothers, and the company, Enginos Nigeria Limited, are facing a ten-count amended charge bordering on contract fraud to the tune of ₦19.4 billion.