Hon Rimamnde Shawulu Kwewum, a veteran journalist, very vibrant lawmaker in both the 8th and 9th Assembly of the HoR left no one in doubt after dissecting how corruption has roped in the good, the bad and ugly Nigerians.

Using the recent case of  a retired police officer and his wife as a point of analysis, Rima as he is fondly called by close associates opened a can of worms.

Going down memory lane using the US and other countries where corruption played very destructive roles in their political developments.

Brief intro:
A former Nigerian Policeman was denied Asylum in Canada because of the corruption associated with the Police.

Its becoming clear to all that Nigeria’s corruption isn’t just a local problem; it’s a global challenge for Nigerians; those striving for better lives,  face endless hurdles such as visa denials, job rejections, racial profiling, comparatively harsh bank scrutiny of  transactions, and lost business opportunities.

Meanwhile, honest Nigerians struggle to prove they are different from the corrupt system they left behind. In this episode of The Other Side, we expose how corruption back home is shaping the world’s perception of Nigerians—and the price we all pay.

WATCH:

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has taken Jude Okoye, the elder brother and former manager of the defunct music duo P-Square, to court over alleged money laundering involving ₦1.38 billion, $1 million, and £34,537.59.

Jude Okoye, along with his company Northside Music Ltd, was arraigned before Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday, facing a seven-count charge related to financial crimes.

One of the charges states: “That you, Jude Okoye Chigozie and Northside Music Ltd, sometime in 2022 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did directly acquire a landed property known as No 5, Tony Eromosele Street, Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos worth ₦850,000,000.00 (Eight hundred and fifty million naira) only, which money you knew or reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful acts, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 18 (2)(d) and punishable under Section 18 (3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”

Another charge alleges that Jude Okoye and his company used a Bureau de Change operator to convert $1,019,762.87 (One million nineteen thousand, seven hundred and sixty-two dollars, eighty-seven cents) domiciled in Access Bank Plc into naira and remitted the funds into various accounts with the intent to conceal the source of the money, in violation of the Money Laundering Act.

Jude Okoye pleaded “not guilty” to the charges.

Following his plea, EFCC counsel Larry Peters Aso applied for a trial date and requested that the defendant be remanded in a correctional facility pending trial.

However, defence counsel Inibehe Effiong informed the court of a pending bail application and urged the court to keep Okoye in EFCC custody until the application is heard.

The prosecution opposed the request, citing congestion in EFCC facilities and urging the court to remand him to a correctional centre instead.

Justice Owoeye subsequently adjourned the case to February 28 for a bail hearing and fixed April 14 for trial commencement.

The judge also ordered that Jude Okoye be remanded at the Ikoyi correctional facility pending the determination of his bail application.

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Prince Funso Ayeni, an Ikole born philanthropist and politician has donated the sum of N1,000,000 for the support of one Esther Fisayo Aluko Medical needs.

Fisayo Aluko, an Indigene of Ikole LGA part of Ekiti State is currently in need of fund running to millions of Naira to carry out a kidney transplant.

Prince Funso Ayeni made his support known via a Whatsapp platform created for the Indigenes of the LG.

“Good afternoon great citizens,
I am Prince Funso Ayeni (PhD)
I am deeply touched by the condition of Esther Fisayo Aluko, a young lady from Ikole Ekiti, battling kidney issue.

On behalf of myself, my family, and the entire Funso Ayeni Foundation (FAF), I have donated ₦1,000,000 (one million naira) towards her medical treatment ( receipt attached).

“I also appeal to our brothers and sisters from Ikole Local Government, both in and out of government, to rally their contacts and resources to support this urgent cause.

“Together, we can give Esther a chance to live a healthy life again.