News
Court orders permanent forfeiture of $835,081.46 linked to SDQ
The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the permanent forfeiture of $835,081.46 traced to the dollar wallet of SDQ Facilitators Limited in Leatherback, also known as Rexel Nigeria Limited.
SDQ is one of the users on the platform of Leatherback – a cross-border payment startup.
Justice Deinde Dipeolu granted the order following an ex parte application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The commission’s application by its counsel, Saadatu Yabo, was brought under Section 44 (2) (b) of the 1999 Constitution and Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud Act 2006.
EFCC’s investigating officer Abubakar Magaji said the sum was reasonably suspected to be the proceeds of an unlawful activity.
On December 10, 2024, the court granted an interim forfeiture order of the money and directed the EFCC to publish it so that any interested person would show cause within 14 days why the final forfeiture order of the money should not be made in favour of the Federal Government.
No one came forward, paving the way for the court to order the final forfeiture of the funds.
In a supporting affidavit, Magaji said he was one of the officers assigned to investigate the petitions against Mr. Adegboyega Agbede, SDQ Facilitators Limited and Rexel Nigeria Limited (Leatherback).
He said: “It was alleged in the petitions that the suspects obtained from the petitioners the cumulative sum of N136,951,378,633 under the false representation that they have $224,601,850.15 USD to sell to the petitioners.
“That upon the receipt of the petitioners’ N136, 951,378.633, the suspects refused to remit the dollar equivalent or refund the naira but instead diverted the funds to their personal use.
“That the petitions against the suspects – Mr. Adegboyega Agbede, LawalMuh’d Kazeem of SDQ Facilitators Limited and Rexel Nigeria Limited – bordered on fraudulent diversion and obtaining the total sum of $8,113,366 USD under false pretence from the petitioners.”
News
Reps Demand Action on N3.2bn Infraction Allegations in Labour Ministry
By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has called for an inquiry into financial Expressing concerns over the disregard for parliamentary oversight, amounting to N3.2 billion under the leadership of former Permanent Secretaries in the Federal Ministry of Labour, Williams Alo and Yerima Tafa.
The legislative body has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission (IPCC) to take appropriate steps regarding the matter.
The Chairman House Committee on Public Accounts, Rep. Bamidele Salam,con Monday, who expressed concerns over the disregard for parliamentary oversight, crcriticised persistent failure of ministries and government agencies to respond to audit queries.
According to Rep. Salam, despite repeated invitations, the Ministry of Labour has neither provided the necessary documents nor defended itself against 32 audit queries from the 2020 audit report.
He noted that while the Auditor General’s report contained specific recommendations, the committee extended multiple opportunities for the ministry to respond—efforts that were ignored. He further lamented the broader trend of government bodies failing to honor parliamentary summons, undermining the National Assembly’s constitutional role in ensuring accountability.
The committee has also directed the current Permanent Secretary, Saliu Usman, to appear within 72 hours to address the outstanding audit queries for the 2021 financial year. Failure to comply may lead to the adoption of the Auditor General’s recommendations. Similarly, the Permanent Secretaries of the Ministries of Transportation, Women Affairs, and Humanitarian Services have been given the same timeframe to respond to related matters.
Committee members emphasised the urgency of resolving these audit queries before the next report is presented in April. Some lawmakers also raised concerns that the Minister of State for Labour, being a former legislator, should understand the importance of engaging with the National Assembly on financial oversight issues.
News
Appeal Court Returns APC LG Chairmen Fired By Adeleke
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa pm
The Court of Appeals sitting in Akure has reinstated the elected Local Government officials who were previously fired by Governors Ademola Adeleke, and has ordered their immediate resumption of office.
Recall that on assumption of office in November 2022, Governor Adeleke sacked the local government officials after a High Court decision had earlier upturned their election.
The High Court sacked the council officials after their election which was organised by OSSIEC.
The Osun State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and other political parties had approached the High Court to challenge the council elections.
They prayed the court to declare the election as a nullity because it was only the APC candidates who contested vacant positions and the ‘options given to them was either a YES or NO’.
Daily Post
News
Detained popular TikToker, Seaking regains freedom after Adeboye’s request
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
TikToker Olumide Ogunsanwo, also known as Seaking has been released after spending some time in police detention.
Human rights activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) Omoyele Sowore announced the news on Instagram, expressing gratitude to everyone involved in securing his freedom
He wrote: “We are pleased to confirm that Olumide Ogunsanwo @seaking303 has been released from @PoliceNG custody after our prompt rejection of the initial bail condition requiring a Level 12 or 10 civil servant, resulting in a swift agreement and release on administrative bail, signed by me.”
Recall, on Feburary 6, Seaking was rearrested in Lagos over his defamatory comments against the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye and flown to Abuja.
Reacting, Pastor Adeboye during a monthly Holy Ghost Service called for the release of the TikToker stating that he was not involved in his arrest.
The clergyman noted that those who moved for the arrest of the Tiktoker didn’t carry him along when they took action over alleged derogatory remarks against him by the social media user.
The popular cleric has, however, directed the release of the Tiktoker, saying he is only fulfilling prophecy.
“I heard that there was someone who lambasted me thoroughly; What’s my offense? because I asked my people to fast for 100 days, I didn’t ask him o. I didn’t ask anybody who is not a member of the Redeemed Christian Church of God to fast. Only my children. But God said that it will happen.
“I was told that some people got so angry and they went and arrested the fellow. Ha, release him, he is fulfilling prophecy
-
Foreign22 hours ago
Again, Saudi Arabia Imposes visa restriction on Nigeria
-
Metro22 hours ago
Rivers community boils over alleged shooting of youth to death by police officer
-
News15 hours ago
SARS: We’ve no plans to return disbanded unit-Police
-
Sports22 hours ago
Just in: Aston Villa send Tottenham packing out of FA Cup
-
Foreign22 hours ago
Saudi Arabia kicks against displacement of Palestinians, says they’re not immigrants
-
News15 hours ago
Naira In Trouble: Black Market Dollar Rates Hit New Levels – February 10, 2025
-
News14 hours ago
Just in: Supreme Court quashes Fubara’s appeal contesting Amaewhule led state Assembly
-
News17 hours ago
OrderPaper Unveils New Brand Identity for Stronger Parliamentary Oversight