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Court sends oil magnate to prison for diverting $26m refinery fund

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A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has remanded the Founder and Chairman of Platform Capital Investment Partners Limited, Akindele Akintoye, in Kuje Correctional Centre.

Justice Emeka Nwite gave the order shortly after Akintoye was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on allegations bordering on the diversion of $26,060,406 meant to build a refinery in Brass, Bayelsa State, on Tuesday, December 24, 2024.

Justice Nwite, who adjourned the matter until December 31, directed Akintoye to remain in the correctional centre pending the hearing and determination of his bail application.

The EFCC had sued Akintoye, Platform Capital Investment Partners Limited, and Duport Midstream Company Limited, where he is also the Managing Director and CEO, as first to third defendants, respectively.

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The anti-graft agency, in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/641/V/2024 dated and filed on December 19 by its lawyer, Ekele Iheanacho (SAN), preferred four counts against the trio.

Akintoye and Platform Capital Investment Partners Limited were alleged to have, between December 2020 and February 2021, indirectly retained $16 million.

The amount, the EFCC said, was part of the funds dishonestly converted from the money paid by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) Capacity Development Intervention Company Limited to Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited as investment.

The said sum of $16,006, 000 is alleged to constitute proceed of unlawful activity.

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The offence, EFCC said, is contrary to Section 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 (as amended) by (Act No. 1 of 20!2) and punishable under Section [5(3) of the same Act.

In count two, Akintoye and Platform Capital were alleged to have between December 2020 and January 2021 indirectly used the aggregate sum of $9,048,725 being part of the funds dishonestly converted from the money paid by the NCDMB Capacity Development Intervention Company Limited to Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited as investment.

The said sum of $9,048,725 was said to constitute proceeds of unlawful activity and the offence was contrary to Section 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 (as amended) by (Act No. 1 of 2012) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.

In count three, Akintoye and Duport Midstream Company Limited were alleged to have, sometime in March 2021, retained the sum of $785,681 being part of the funds dishonestly converted from the money paid by the NCDMB Capacity Development Intervention Company Limited to Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited as investment.

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The sum was said to constitute the proceed of unlawful activity.

The offence, the EFCC said, is contrary to Section 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 (as amended) by (Act No. 1 of 2012) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.

The EFCC, in count four, accused Akintoye and Duport Midstream of allegedly retaining the sum of $220,000 being part of the funds dishonestly converted from the money paid by the NCDMB Capacity Development Intervention Company Limited to Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited as investment.

The money was said to be proceed of unlawful activity and the offence is contrary to Section 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 (as amended) by (Act No. 1 of 2012) and | punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.

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After the charge was read to Akintoye, he and on behalf of the companies, pleaded not guilty to all the counts.

The EFCC’s counsel, Iheanacho, prayed the court for a trial date and urged the court to remand Akintoye in a correctional centre after the non-guilty plea by the defendants.

The defence lawyer, Emmanuel Esedo, told the court that a bail application on Akintoye’s behalf had been filed.

The lawyer, who said the application was filed on December 23, sought the leave of the court to move the motion.

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Iheanacho, however, opposed the submission.

After a lengthy argument by the prosecution and the defence lawyers, Justice Nwite agreed with Iheanacho’s submission.

The judge subsequently adjourned the matter until December 31 for the hearing of the bail application.

He ordered Akintoye to be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing and determination of the application.

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Terrorists reportedly bomb Nigerian army base

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Suspected Boko Haram terrorists have reportedly bombed a Nigerian military base in Wajiroko, located in the Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State.

The attack occurred on Christmas Eve December 24 2024, when multiple armed drones, carrying locally fabricated grenades, targeted the Forward Operating Base.

The strike injured no fewer than six soldiers, who were quickly given first aid at the scene and are awaiting further medical treatment.

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The assault began with gunfire from the terrorists, who launched a brief attack that was repelled by the soldiers.

However, shortly afterward, drones carrying explosives struck the base again.

According to military sources, up to four different armed drones were observed during the attack.

A report also revealed that a military gun truck was damaged during the strike.

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Boko Haram has been a persistent threat in Northeastern Nigeria for nearly two decades, causing loss of life and displacing millions.

The Nigerian military has repeatedly claimed success in combating the insurgents, though the group remains a formidable force, continuing to carry out attacks across the region.

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Christmas disaster: Plane crash claims dozens

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Dozens have died after a passenger plane crashed on Christmas Day.

The scene of the crash in Kazakhstan. Emergency Situations of Kazakhstan/Anadolu via Getty
According to the BBC, the Azerbaijan Airlines flight had been travelling from the Azerbaijani capital Baku to Grozny in Russia when it caught fire as it made an emergency landing near Aktau in Kazakhstan.

The outlet, citing local officials, reported that dozens of people had been killed in the crash.

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Per CNN, at least 28 people survived the crash, including two children. Authorities also told the outlet that the survivors had been taken to hospital.

The Associated Press reported that Kazakhstan’s Emergency Ministry confirmed in a Telegram statement that 67 people, including five crew, were on board the plane.

PEOPLE has contacted Kazakhstan’s Emergency Ministry, Azerbaijan Airlines and The Ministry of Digital Development and Transportation of the Republic of Azerbaijan for comment.

In an initial statement shared on X (formerly known as Twitter) and translated to English, the airline wrote, “According to preliminary information, the passengers included 37 Azerbaijani citizens, 16 Russian citizens, 6 Kazakh citizens, and 3 Kyrgyz citizens.”

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“There were 67 people on board, including 62 passengers and 5 crew members. There were no children among the passengers, and information about the injured will be provided shortly,” they added.

“According to the information, there are survivors who are receiving initial medical assistance. Contacts are being established with the Kazakh authorities, and the necessary operational support is being provided by Kazakhstan’s emergency rescue agencies at the scene.

According to CNN and Reuters, a video showed the aircraft circling before hitting the ground and bursting into flames. Passengers covered in blood were also seen coming out of the wreckage shortly after.

In a statement obtained by PEOPLE, a spokesperson for the plane’s manufacturer Embraer said, “We are saddened to learn of the incident today near Aktau, Kazakhstan. Further updates will be provided as soon as more information is confirmed and Embraer is authorized to release. We stand ready to assist all relevant authorities. Our concerns and sympathy go to the families, friends, colleagues and loved ones affected by the accident.”

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Reps Congratulates Nigerians At Christmas, Advocate Unity, Love, Peace

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By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has congratulated Nigerians for celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ and the timeless message of hope, peace, and love associated with the season.

in a statement by the House Spokesperson, Rep. Akin Rotimi, he said “Christmas serves as a reminder of values that bind us together as a nation: compassion, generosity, and forgiveness. These virtues, as demonstrated by Jesus Christ, are crucial not only for spiritual growth but also for promoting harmony and progress in our diverse society”.

Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, PhD, GCON, congratulated Christians on this special occasion, urging Nigerians to embrace unity, love, and peace, transcending religious and ethnic boundaries. He described the birth of Jesus Christ as a symbol of renewal and fulfillment, calling for a collective effort towards a national rebirth, especially in these challenging times. He encouraged prayers for a better Nigeria and support for the country’s leaders at all levels.

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Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, emphasized the essence of Christmas as a time to reflect on the values of love, forgiveness, and selflessness embodied by Jesus Christ. He urged Nigerians to extend kindness and compassion to one another, particularly to those in need.

The 10th House of Representatives reaffirmed its commitment to the welfare of all Nigerians and prayed that the joy of Christmas would strengthen bonds of unity and love across the nation.

Wishing all Nigerians a Merry Christmas and a season filled with hope and happiness.

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