News
More troubles for Emefiele as Ccourt seizes N830m, multibillion naira assets linked to him
By Francesca Hangeior
Justice Yellim Bogoro of the Federal High Court, Lagos has ordered an interim forfeiture of the sums of $4,719,054, N830, 875,611, and several properties linked to the embattled former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele.
He made the order following an ex-parte application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) counsel, Bilkisu Buhari and C.C Chineye.
Justice Bogoro, after taking the lawyers’ submission, held: “I have listened to the submission of the applicant’s counsel and also perused the motion just moved, together with the affidavit in support.
“I find merit in the application and same is hereby granted as prayed.
“The applicant should publish this order in any daily newspaper circulating all over the federation for anybody interested to show cause why the final order of forfeiture should not be made.
“Case adjourned to July 2, for motion for final forfeiture.”
The monies forfeited to the Federal Government in the interim were said to be warehoused in First Bank; Titan Bank and Zenith Bank, being operated by Omoile Anita Joy; Deep Blue Energy Service Limited; Exactquote Bureau De Change Ltd; Lipam Investment Services Limited; Tatler Services Limited; Rosajul Global Resources Ltd and TIL Communication Nigeria Ltd.
His properties being forfeited include 94 Units of 11-floor building under Construction at 2, Otunba Elegushi 2nd Avenue (Formerly Club) Road, IKoyi, Lagos; AM Plaza, 11-floor office space, situated at 1E, Otunba Adedoyin Crescent, Lekki Peninsula Scheme 1, Lagos; Imore Industrial Park 1, Esa Street, Imoore Land purchased with (Deep Bive Industrial Town, Oriade LCDA, Amuwo Odofin LGA, Lagos; Mitrewood and Tatler Warehouse (Furniture Plant at Bogije) near Elemoro Lagos, Owolomi Village, Ibeju-Lekki LGA, Lagos and two properties purchased from Chevron Nigeria, Closed PFA Fund, Block B Lot and twin completed property in Lakes Estate Lekki, Lagos.
Others include One plot measuring 1,038.069 sqm, at Lekki Foreshore Estate Scheme, Block A, Plot 4, Foreshore Estate, Eti-Osa, LGA; Estate located at 100, Cottonwood Coppel Texas Drive, Coppel, Texas, Owned by Lipam investment Services; a Land at 1, Bunmi Owulude Street, (Maruwa), Lekki Phase 1, Lagos and a Property Situated at 8, Bayo Kuku Road, lkoyi Lagos.
The EFCC had approached the court for an interim forfeiture of the monies and properties, under Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offence Act. 14 2006, Section 44(2)(b) of the Constitution and under the inherent jurisdiction of the court.
The anti-graft agency had asked the court for the following: “An interim order forfeiting to the Federal Government the funds warehoused in the accounts particularised in Schedule ‘A’ which funds are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
“An interim order forfeiting to the Federal Government properties provided in 2nd Schedule ‘B’ which are proceeds of unlawful activities.
“An order directing the publication In any National Newspaper, the interim order under reliefs 1-2 above, for anyone interested in the properties and funds sought to be forfeited to appear before this court to show cause within 14 days why the final order of forfeiture of the said properties and funds should not be made in favour of the Federal Government.”
Emefiele is having running legal battles in Abuja and Lagos over alleged fraud, among other charges.
The Federal High Court in Lagos, Friday, April 12, 2024, heard that Emefiele allegedly received millions of dollars in cash, in undocumented circumstances, through a proxy, Mr. Monday Osazuwa.
Emefiele and his co-defendant, Henry Isioma-Omoile were arraigned by the Lagos Zonal Command of the EFCC on Monday, April 8, 2024, on an amended 26-count charge bordering on alleged $4.5billion and N2.8billion fraud.
He is also being tried by the EFCC at the Special Offences Court in Ikeja over alleged abuse of office and accepting gratification to the tune of $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion.
News
Edo REC Promises Real-Time Electronic Result Transmission
By Gloria Ikibah
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of Edo State, Anugbum Onuoha has said that the ongoing governorship election in Edo State will feature electronic result transmission, pending network reliability.
Onuoha made this statement during an interview with ARISE Television on Saturday.
Onuoha emphasized that poor network connectivity is the only factor that could disrupt the electronic transmission of results.
“We have a total of 4,519 polling units across the 18 Local Government Areas and have deployed 4,622 BVAS units, with an additional 660 as backup,” he explained.
He also noted that operators for the BVAS have been adequately trained.
“The BVAS will be used to accredit voters and determine the total number of voters at each polling unit. After voting, results will be counted and uploaded to our IReV system.
“We are committed to conducting an election we can be proud of”, he stated.
When asked if all results would be transmitted electronically, he affirmed, “Yes, unless there’s no network. Otherwise, we will transmit them”, Onuoha reassured.
News
INEC Extends Voting Time in Parts of Edo Due to Rainfall and Logistics Challenges
By Gloria Ikibah
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended voting hours in some parts of Edo State following delays caused by rainfall and logistical issues.
ANational Commissioner with INEC, Mohammed Haruna, announced the decision in a statement on Saturday.
“We are closely monitoring the Edo State governorship election from our situation room at the National Headquarters in Abuja.
“While voting started early in many polling units, there are reports of late commencement in certain areas”, Haruna said.
To prevent voter disenfranchisement, Haruna emphasized that voting would continue in affected areas beyond the official closing time.
“As per our regulations, voting will be extended in locations where it started late, and will continue until the last person in line by 2:30 p.m. has cast their vote”, he added.
INEC also assured that backup power generators would be deployed to polling units or collation centers facing power issues.
News
Just in: Akpata beaten in his polling unit
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Olumide Akpata, Labour Party (LP) candidate in the ongoing Edo State Governorship Election has been beaten in his polling unit (P Akpata voted at Ward 6, PU 11 in Oredo local government area of the State.
Akpata’s polling unit was won by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) with 41 votes. The Labour Party candidate polled 32 votes while the All Progressives Congress (APC) polled 19 votes at the PU.
Akpata after casting his vote had adjudged the process at the polling unit as credible. Speaking with journalists after voting at about 10:30 am, Olumide said “I voted according to the voting process and everything went well.
“I want to hope that this is the experience of every Edo voter. I cannot make assumptions standing here. I am going to wait for feedback from around the different units and 192 wards in the state. We are hopeful that this will be the experience of every Edo voter
“I am calling on INEC that the playing field should remain level. Nobody should be given any undue advantage. All party agents should be allowed into the collation centres, so that we can all witness the process.
“Edo election is an off cycle election so INEC should have the luxury of deploying it’s resources to show the world that they can do it well. The playing field should be totally levelled to allow the best man or women to win.
“I am hearing some concerning feedback from around the state but I cannot make any statement until I verify the source of my information. We have crossed one hurdle, I have voted and my supporters should be allowed to vote, he said”.
He added that the deployment of tight security personnel was good, but he however expressed concerns if the security were for the voters or certain individuals.
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