News
Court To Hear Pending Motions Charge Against Rural Electrification MD, Others
A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday, fixed Oct. 4 for hearing pending motions filed by parties in criminal charges against Mr Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Rural Electrification Agency (REA), and others.
Justice James Omotosho fixed the date to enable parties exchange their processes and argue their case on all the pending applications in the next adjourned date.
Donnington Nigeria Ltd., on Federal Government’s behalf, had filed four separate charges bordering on breach of Money Laundering Act before the judge.
While Donnington Nigeria Ltd is the complainant, Velocity Logistics & Marine Limited and Ahmad are 1st and 2nd defendants in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/175/2023.
The complainant alleged that Ahmad aided Velocity Logistics, a designated non-financial institution, between Jan. 2014 and Jan. 2018 in failing to report in writing to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) any lodgement or outflow transaction from the company’s Zenith Bank account number: 016639377 of the sums above N5 million.
This, it said, as required under Section 10(1)b of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 (as amended) and thereby committed an offence under Section 18(a) of the said Act and punishable under Section 16 (2)(b) of the same Act.
The complainant, while prosecuting the matter, also filed three different charges against three other companies and their directors.
In charge number: FHC/ABJ/CR/183/2023, the complainant preferred 20 counts against Winslow Logistics Ltd and Mr Alkali Habib, a director and shareholder.
In charge number: FHC/ABJ/CR/176/2023, Sahams Crystal Investment Ltd and Abdulmumini Haruna are being sued on 14 counts also bordering on money laundering infractions.
The prosecution also filed 10-count charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/183/2023 against Equip Logistics Services Limited and Edwin Iyk Anyadigibe, its director and a shareholder, for failure to comply with the requirements of submitting to the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, a declaration of the activities of the company contrary to the money laundering act, among others.
Court To Hear Pending Motions Charge Against Rural Electrification MD, Others
When the matter involving Velocity Logistics and Ahmad was called, the prosecution counsel, Reuben Atabo, SAN, informed the court that the case was scheduled for arraignment and hearing of preliminary objection.
Atabo, who observed that the defendant was not in court, told the court that the defendant lawyer served them with their notice of preliminary objection on Friday and that they had to work all through weekend to ensure their response was ready.
The senior lawyer said their response, which was yet to be in the court record, would be filed today.
Justice Omotosho held that even if the defendant was in court, the motion challenging the jurisidtcion of the court had to be determined.
Lawyer to the defendants, Abdul Mohammed, SAN, called the court’s attention to media report of the last adjourned date.
Justice Omotosho, who advised lawyers in the matter to be careful of what they relate to public, adjourned the matter until Oct. 4 for hearing of pending applications, including other three sister cases.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after the sitting on the alleged use of media against the defendants, Atabo, who represented the prosecution, said the public had the right to know what transpired in court.
“It is the constitutional rights of the public for them to be aware of what transpired. Court is not a cult where what transpired should be restricted to the courtroom alone.
“But whatever transpired must be properly published to the public. Once that is done, no right of anybody would have been violated. It is part of fair hearing,” he said.
Also speaking on why the defendants were not in court, Victor Opara, SAN, who appeared for Equip Logistics Services Limited and Edwin Iyk Anyadigibe, said every defendant would certainly face his trial any day.
Says Nigeria A Wounded, Bleeding Nation In Need of Healing
Says God Weeping For Nigeria Because Of Corruption, Banditry, Terrorism, Bloodshed
The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja Diocese, Most Rev Ignatius Kaigama, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to deal decisively with insecurity in Nigeria, which, he said, has developed branches and spreading like a monster across the country.
Describing Nigeria as “a wounded and bleeding nation in need of healing”, he said all security operatives must restrategize in their approach to end the widespread insecurity in the country, while resources allocated to fight crimes in the country must be used honestly and transparently.
Kaigama stated these in an interview with journalists on the sidelines of a Chrism Mass held Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Pro-Cathedral in Abuja.
“The Chrism Mass gathers us priests as one presbyterate, one family of faith, around the Bishop, to bless the oils of the sick, the catechumens, and sacred Chrism, and for each priest to renew his priestly commitment as “alter Christus” – another Christ”, the cleric explained.
Kaigama said, “When the Catholic Bishop went to see him (President Bola Tinubu). We had to appeal to the President that they must rise to the occasion, and things are well.
“There was a time when it was only Boko Haram; another time it was militant herdsmen. Now, insecurity has diversified. Criminality has developed branches. It is a monster, spreading in all directions. There is a need for restrategizing. Whatsoever the security agencies are doing has worked to an extent, but there is no solution yet.
“There should be an inter-agency corporation. There should be no competition. All the security forces should go all out for criminals. These people are not ghosts.
“I am hoping that a new step will be taken. We insist that good work must be done. The resources voted for security must be used honestly and transparently.”
Earlier while delivering his message, Kaigama said not only are priests in need of healing, but the citizens and Nigeria need it too.
He said, “Our nation needs healing from the festering wounds inflicted by politics, and harsh economic realities that do not only result in crimes and violence but subsequently, to unsound minds of our dear young people. We continue to witness criminality that robs people of their lives which should be sacred.
“The brutal killings in Ondo, Uromi, Bokkos, and Borno; the several killings in Southern Kaduna including the cruel murder of a priest of Kafanchan diocese; the killings of some 16 soldiers recently, and many untold killings show a wounded and bleeding nation in need of healing.
“One can only imagine how many families are left devastated, traumatized, and broken severely. By now, one would think that with the combination of modern technology and non-kinetic methods, criminality would have been greatly reduced in Nigeria. The recurring violence in different parts of the nation is a sign of a nation in need of healing. How criminals known as “unknown gunmen,” kidnappers, terrorists, militant herdsmen, etc., are nearly never always apprehended and decisively dealt with is puzzling.
“They appear, kill, burn houses, and farms, injure people, and disappear, and only later to stage a comeback inflicting more damage than previously, costing innumerable loss of human lives. It appears that we have yet to get the right technology to hunt these criminals down, or is it the absence of goodwill or political will?
“We are not only spiritually sick but also economically, politically, and socially. We need individual and collective healing. Luke 19:41 tells us that as Jesus nears the city of Jerusalem, He pauses and weeps. His tears are not for Himself, but for Jerusalem, for those who will reject Him, for the destruction that will come upon them because they did not recognize the time of God’s visitation.
“What makes God weep for Nigeria? Corruption, banditry, terrorism, bloodshed, etc. Despite the strong presence and the external practice of Christianity and Islam, many, reject the truth of God’s word and choose to conceal it and not bear witness to it; we put people who speak the truth down; we refuse to be instruments of God’s love and mercy to others; we choose to live in sin rather than God’s grace and mercy. We place others on the cross by our hatred and rejection of them.”
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
Prominent leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) under the Umbrella of the Southern Kaduna United Visionary Leaders have reiterated their unwavering commitment to the party, dismissing concerns over the growing presence of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the region.
The leaders made the declaration at an APC stakeholders’ meeting held in Chori, Jaba Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Addressing attendees, the host and Political Adviser to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Godfrey Ali Gaiya, praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani for promoting inclusive governance. He assured that the group would continue to rally behind the administration to strengthen APC’s political foothold in Southern Kaduna.
“Our goal is to make the APC not just popular but deeply rooted in Southern Kaduna through increased membership, quality representation, and strategic political appointments,” Gaiya said. He also called for unity and peaceful coexistence, noting that development thrives only in a stable and united environment.
In his address, Mr. Ado Dogo Audu, Chairman of the group and Counsellor on Political Affairs to the Governor, played down the perceived threat posed by the SDP in Zone 3 of Kaduna State. He said recent defections to the APC are a testament to the party’s people-centric policies at both state and national levels.
“APC’s inclusive structure continues to draw support from across the region,” Audu stated.
Echoing similar sentiments, Dr. Abdulmalik Durungwa emphasized the importance of deepening grassroots engagement, calling on members to make the party more visible and impactful at the community level.
Meanwhile, the National Secretary of the Renewed Hope Consolidation Mandate, Professor Dogara Matoh, urged party members to remain united and avoid divisive politics rooted in religion, ethnicity, or regionalism, especially as the 2027 elections draw nearer.
Highlighting the role of grassroots politicians, Mr. Rijo Shekari described local appointees—councilors and local government chairmen—as critical links between government and the people.
He urged them to constantly engage their constituents on government policies and developmental initiatives.
Engineer Joseph Chiroma advised party faithful to stay aligned with the party’s internal structures to avert internal conflicts. He also commended Elder Anthony Hassan for laying the groundwork for the establishment of the Federal University of Applied Sciences in Kachia, calling it a landmark achievement for the grassroots.
The meeting concluded with a renewed call for unity and proactive political mobilization as the APC intensifies efforts to consolidate its presence across Southern Kaduna.
The story with the caption, 25 Persons Killed, Scores Injured As Armed Herdsmen Attack Enugu Village is not only built on devious masturbatory hallucination, but completely false.
Agreed that lately marauding herdsmen have been running amok across the Country, invading towns and villages, and leaving a trail of sorrow, tears and blood in their path. However, there was no such invaders attack on the agrarian communities of Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area in Enugu State that left 25 persons dead.
This independent rebuttal of the falsehood targeted at diminishing the halcyon strides of Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah and the Enugu State Government in the area of Security is long overdue. We MUST not suffer ‘alarmists and fifth Columnists’ gladly. We have therefore chosen to debunk the devious falsehood of tale-mongers and bearers of false report and fake news.
Twice the false tale of marauding Herdsmen sacking communities in Enugu State have been bandied by those who are desperate to undermine the success of Enugu State in protecting lives and property. Not having any scores against the Enugu State Government in areas of Infrastructural Development, Education, Healthcare, Agriculture, and regarding facts about the profound strides of the Enugu State Government, naysayers have resorted to the Politricks Of Insecurity. They have chosen to hype isolated incidents and falsely alarm lovers of the State, Ndi’Enugu and Nigerians.
We, the Concerned Professionals For Good Governance (A Good Leadership Advocacy Group) upon seeing the news that has since gone viral regarding 25 Persons allegedly mowed down by Herdsmen in Enugu State proceeded to verify the news. We reached out to local Vigilantes, to Security Agencies as well as Agents of Government at the State and the Local Government level, sadly we found out that it was untrue. And we decided to query the possible reasons cum intention of the bearers of the false report and the fake news.
Enugu State has a premium time Digitalised Security Control Centre. Enugu State collaborates seamlessly with the Police, the Army and other Para-Military Agencies charged with the protection of lives and property. Enugu State is doing profoundly well in almost all the sectors of leadership, and Enugu State has become the go-to location for Corporate, Public Sector and Private Sector retreats and Conventions as well as Governmental events. It has become the shinning example in good governance. But Enugu State has also clearly become the envy of other States, such that Politicians seeking to diminish the laudable feats of Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah and His Team have resorted to the Politricks of fear-mongering and insecurity, but we shall not fold our hands and allow falsehood to stick.
Enugu State is arguably the safest State in the entire South, thanks to the commitment of the Enugu State to the protection of lives and property. This Truism have been attested to by Nigerians of different tendencies including friends and even members of Parties in the opposition in Enugu State. The commitment of the ebullient Governor of Enugu State to security is Olympic and indisputable, and not only is the State Government supportive of Security outfits with funding, the State has in place a Public and a Private Sector fueled fund to support Security Agencies in the furtherance of the Security of the State.
We can say without equivocation that Enugu State is safe and is deservedly emerging a preferred destination for investments, business, tourism, and living. It is proudly emerging a conferencing capital, ready and able to host tier one events such as the forthcoming NBA conference and Nigerian Guild of Editors Conference, among others. Ndi’Enugu are hospitable and willing to play host to legitimate institutions, as the State government in partnership with all available Security Agencies work seamlessly to guarantee peace and security in Enugu State.
We urge and encourage the media to always verify and validate information particularly issues bothering on Security before publication. That way, fake news on matters of Security will be shibboleth. And that way the Politricks Of Insecurity would cease to oil the frontiers of devious politics.
Enugu State is safe and will remain so, as the government is unalterably committed to the protection of lives and property.
Okechukwu Nwafor
Concerned Professionals For Good Governance. (A Good Leadership Advocacy Group).