News
Alleged N.8trn scam:Ex-Acting AGF begs for plea bargain
A Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned further proceedings in the trial of a former acting Accountant General of the Federation (AG-F), Chukwunyere Nnabuoku till March 13 to enable him make another attempt at plea bargain.
Nnabuoku is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on an amended monday laundering charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/240/2024, in which he is accused among others, of diverting about N868.4millon public funds.
The anti-graft agency alleged that Nnabuoku committed the said offence while serving as a Director of Finance and Account in the Federal Ministry of Defence.
Nnabuoku was earlier arraigned with Felix Nweke (who worked under him in the Federal Ministry of Defence.
On October 14, 2024 both defendants opted for a plea bargain agreement with the EFCC, which was eventually not carried through.
The prosecution subsequently amended the charge and listed Nnabuoku as the sole defendant, with Nkweke as one of its witnesses.
At the resumption of proceedings on Wednesday, Nnabuoku’s lawyer, Isidore Udenko said he was no longer the lead defence counsel, adding that Norrison Quakers (SAN) was now leading him.
Udenko told the court of his client’s intention to further take another shot at plea bargain.
He then prayed the court to grant an adjournment to enable the defendant explore the plea bargain option.
When asked by the trial judge, Justice James Omotosho if he was still part of the defendant’s legal team, Udenko said:
“I am part of the team my lord. But at this point, I am under superior authority. I wish my Lord can understand my helpless state.
“The SAN asked me to plead with the court to give him just one opportunity.
“Definitely in the next adjourned date, he will be here. We know that my lord has been diligent and we are determined to be diligent on our part,” Udenko said.
The prosecuting lawyer, Keele Iheanacho (SAN) expressed disappointment that he was made to bring his witnesses to court only for the defence to stall proceedings.
Iheanacho later agree to Udenko’s request, following which Justice Omotosho warned that he would not condone any further adjournment in the case.
The judge said he would take a decision if there is a repeat of the incident.
News
OERAF Executive Director Dr Akpodiete, Held Memorial lecture on Essence and benefits of health insurance+Photos
…Enrolled over 400 indigents into Delta state health insurance scheme
In a very unique and significant way of tackling health challenges in our society, the ever passionate and health insurance ambassador (HIA), Executive Director of Olotu & Ekuogbe Rowland Akpodiete Foundation (OERAF) Dr Otemu Olotu Akpodiete held memorial lecture on essence and benefits of health insurance in Nigeria in honour of his late grand father, Late Chief Ekuogbe Rowland Akpodiete Ph.D
Speaking during the event at both Okparabe and Otor-Udu respectively yesterday, he noted that health insurance is very important to every family in the society.
Akpodiete explained that, Sometimes there might be an emergency and if you don’t have health insurance, you will spent alot before you can be attended to by Medical organizations. But if there’s health insurance card with you it get easier.
“He further commended the Delta state government led by His Excellency, Rt Hon (Elder) Sheriff Oborevwori, for brining this good initiative and it’s very affordable, just with seven thousands naira, you get enrolled unlike the federal government that is almost forty thousand per person.” he added.
The Director General (DG) of the Delta State Contributory health commission, Olorogun Dr. Isaac Akpoveta ably represented by Mr. Emmanuel Akpofure, thanked the sponsor Dr Akpodiete for being the first person across Ughelli/Udu Federal Constituency to register indigents for the scheme. He called on other wealthy individuals to emulate this young man.
Dr Akpodiete also received commendation from several beneficiaries of the scheme, they said that to enrole over 400 persons in this program so far is not a joke, each person is seven thousand naira and Dr Olotu Akpodiete is not the most wealthiest before doing it. He is a man with so much passion for humanity and we prayed God to grant him his heart desires.” they concluded.
Other highlights of the event was presentation of health insurance ambassador (HIA) award to the sponsor.
Pascal Gabriel Dozie, founder of the defunct Diamond Bank Plc and a former chairman of MTN Nigeria, has died at 85 from an undisclosed ailment, a source close to the family revealed.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
On Monday The Naira depreciated to N1,629 per dollar in the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM). Data published by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, showed that the indicative exchange rate for the naira rose to N1,629 per dollar from N1,600 per dollar last week Friday, indicating N29 depreciation for the naira.
Likewise, the naira depreciated to N1, 570 per dollar in the parallel market from N1,565 per dollar last weekend. Consequently, the margin between the parallel market and NFEM rate widened to N59 per dollar from N35 per dollar last weekend.
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