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AGF Fagbemi Orders Femi Falana to Prosecute Zinox Group Chair Leonard Ekeh Over N162m Fraud
The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, has authorized senior lawyer Femi Falana to prosecute Leonard Stanley Ekeh, the chairman of Zinox Group, and his wife, Chioma, over allegations of fraudulently hijacking a government contract and embezzling over N162 million.
The case, which had been stalled for years, has been revived with this new directive, marking a significant development in a long-running legal battle. The fraud allegations involve the theft of a contract awarded to Citadel Oracle Concept Limited in 2012 to supply computers to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) headquarters.
Ekeh, according to the charges, allegedly opened a bank account in the name of Citadel Oracle and forged the signature of Citadel’s CEO, Benjamin Joseph, to illegally claim the contract’s funds. The crime was reported to the police under the then Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, but investigations were reportedly slow and ineffective. Joseph accused the police of colluding with Ekeh, given his influential status, to prevent any meaningful progress in the case.
In a controversial twist, the police charged Joseph with filing a false petition against the IGP, a charge that emerged just days before Arase’s retirement. This move effectively turned Joseph from the whistleblower into the accused, while Ekeh and other suspects were listed as prosecution witnesses in the case.
The case remained stalled for several years until former AGF Abubakar Malami issued a directive for prosecution. However, Malami later withdrew the directive under a nolle prosequi, halting any further action. Now, with the fresh authorization from the current AGF, Fagbemi, Falana has been instructed to proceed with the prosecution of Ekeh, his wife Chioma, and several others implicated in the fraud.
The co-accused include Chris Eze Ozims, Folashade Oyebode, Princess Kama, Chief Onny Igbokwe, Charles Adigwe, and Osilo Oruoha.
In a statement issued in 2022, Leonard Ekeh denied the fraud allegations, claiming that investigations conducted by the police and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had exonerated him and his company from any wrongdoing.
Credit: [Peoples Gazette]
News
Jubilation as Senator Manu links Gunduma to national grid, commissions, power project (Photos/Video)
…provides another transformer for Emir’s Palace and environs
Finally, after 15years of blackout, Senator Manu Haruna of Taraba Central Senatorial District has officially commissioned the Gunduma Ward Electricity Power Project.
Senator Manu during the electioneering period had promised to link Gunduma to the national grid.
It’s indeed a promise well fulfilled as his constituents Jubilate.
This marks a historic moment for the community, which has been without electricity for the past 15 years. This transformative initiative underscores Senator Manu’s commitment to addressing critical infrastructure challenges and improving the lives of his constituents.
During the commissioning ceremony, former Federal Lawmaker of Taraba Central, Senator Dahiru Bako, commended Senator Manu for his dedication and vision in delivering this essential project.
Hon. Musa Chul Member House of Assembly Gassol II,Constituency TRHA described the achievement as a monumental milestone, emphasizing its potential to significantly enhance economic activities and improve the standard of living for the residents of Gunduma Ward.
The Gunduma Ward Electricity Power Project represents a significant step towards infrastructural development in Taraba Central and reflects Senator Manu’s proactive approach to governance and service delivery.
Manu also presented a new Transformer with specifications of 300KVA Valtage CL: 35KV and standard TS:EN60076-1 to the His Royal Highness Alhaji Justice Sani Sulaiman Duna the Emir of Mutum-Biyu for the Mutum-Biyu Environs.
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Allegations by Niger Republic attempt to incite northerners against Tinubu – Presidency
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, says claims by the military leader of Niger Republic, Abdourahamane Tchiani that Nigeria is colluding with France to destabilise his county are despicable propaganda.
He declared that the claims were aimed at inciting Northern Nigeria against President Bola Tinubu.
Bwala said the military leader deliberately chose a local language in the North.
The media recalls that Abdourahamane Tchiani, military leader of Niger Republic, made the claims in an interview on Wednesday.
Tchiani, who spoke in Hausa, alleged that France is negotiating with terrorists in Nigeria to destabilise his country.
According to him, France made a substantial payment to President Bola Tinubu to establish a military base in Nigeria.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, shortly afterwards, dismissed the allegations and described them as baseless.
Reacting to the allegations in a video posted on his X page on Friday, Bwala said the claims are baseless propaganda, designed to create chaos and incite bad blood in northern Nigeria against Tinubu.
“Yesterday I came across a video, a despicable propaganda piece by the military head of state of the Niger Republic against the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and this is what you often see with military interregnum,” he said.
“The honeymoon is over; he has not been able to address economic situations in his country; everything is turning against him, and in the desperate gasp for breath, he decided to resort to cheap false lies and propaganda against Nigeria.
“The choice of words used by the military leader is quite insultive for what his intentions are; probably in cohoot with politicians in Nigerians; you never know.
“But the whole idea is to create chaos and bad blood in Northern Nigeria against the President,” he added.
Bwala explained Nigeria’s longstanding leadership role in West Africa and its commitment to fostering bilateral relations with neighbouring countries.
News
Police deny investigating VeryDarkMan’s missing N180m NGO funds
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) police command has said it is not investigating the claim by online personality, Vincent Martins Otse aka VeryDarkMan’s that N180 million meant for his non-governmental organisation, NGO, has gone missing.
Vanguard reported, Friday, that VDM had alleged that over N180 million was stolen from his NGO’s account after it was hacked.
In October, Otse launched the Martins Vincent Osei Initiative, raising over N35 million in donations within hours. Shortly after, he announced receiving a N100 million contribution from music producer Michael Collins Ajereh, popularly known as Don Jazzy.
Otse further explained that he had to shut down the NGO’s app for maintenance to prevent further breaches and promised to provide updates on the situation.
VDM has in the video claimed that he had reported the matter to the police and he was also travelling to Jos because one of the hackers had been found.
According to reports, the FCT Police Command spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, clarified that the command was not involved in the matter.
She said, “The FCT Police Command has no information regarding any missing funds involving VDM, nor is there any ongoing investigation into the matter. The individual concerned should be contacted directly for details on where the case was reported, as we have no record of such a case with our command.”
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