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
EdoDecides2024: Police nab ‘fake Journalist’, ‘oolitical thugs’
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Nigeria Police Force has said its operatives have apprehended a “fake journalist” who claims to be a staff member of one of the leading television stations in Nigeria during the governorship election in Edo State on Saturday.
According to the police, the operatives also arrested “two key suspects who are members of the PDP, Emotingham Godspower (25) and Farawei Isaac (27), both from Ufunama community, Ovia Southwest Local Government Area, Edo state in a comprehensive operation.”
The was disclose by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement made available to Channels Television.
“The suspects, connected to a larger network involving one “Atiku” and a kingpin known as “the boss”, were apprehended at a guest house in Ekpoma, where a substantial amount of cash and incriminating items were recovered,” the statement said.
The items recovered include a list of voters’ names with corresponding monetary values, a collection of pre-filled ballot papers, and a set of fake identification cards.
Adejobi further disclosed that another six suspects namely Suleiman Abdurahim, Fatima Yakubu, Yusuf Aminat 52 yrs, Salihu Lukman 54yrs, Safianu Saratu 32yrs were all arrested at Aibotse Secondary School, beside Meremu hotel, Auchi, for engaging in vote buying.
According to him, this group was found with a large sum of money, a cache of weapons and a detailed plan outlining strategies for voter intimidation.
“Our team’s meticulous planning and swift action have dealt a significant blow to those seeking to undermine and discredit the electoral process
“We remain vigilant and committed to ensuring a free, fair, and peaceful election. Investigations are ongoing, and updates will be provided as events unfold,” the statement added
News
Edo poll: INEC uploads 90.33% of results on IREV
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Independent National Electoral Commission has uploaded 90.33 percent of the results from the Edo governorship election to its Result Viewing Portal.
Results from 4,082 out of the 4,519 polling units where elections were held in the state have been successfully transmitted.
Earlier today, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Edo, Anugbum Onuoha, reassured the public during an interview on Arise Television that electronic transmission of results would proceed smoothly, barring any network disruptions.
“We have trained the operators for the BVAS. They are set. BVAS is to accredit the voters and to know the total number of voters that will vote at that level and that polling unit.
After that, the voters will start voting. At the end of the day, they will count the results, and it will be uploaded to our IReV,” he assured.
With more than 2.2 million permanent voter cards collected, candidates from various parties, including Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party, and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party, are competing for the governorship position.
The winner will succeed Governor Godwin Obaseki, who will leave Osadebe House on November 11 after completing two terms in office.
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.
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