Connect with us

Metro

Again Court Freezes Assets Linked To Omokore

Published

on

Omokore

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has restored the orders the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) obtained to freeze the accounts and interim forfeiture of assets belonging to Jide Omokore, an ally of former Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke.

The accounts, which contain various sums, are domiciled in a popular bank, while the property are said to be located within and outside the country.

In a judgment, a three-man panel of the Appeal Court, led by Justice Moore Adumein, set aside the September 10, 2020 decision by Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court in Abuja, vacating the freezing and interim forfeiture orders obtained on May 3, 2016 by the EFCC.

The anti-graft agency had obtained the orders before the commencement of Omokore’s and others’ prosecution before a Federal High Court in Abuja on alleged $1.6 billion money laundering charge.

Those being tried with Omokore are: Victor Briggs, former Managing Director of the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC); Abiye Membere, ex-Group Executive Director of Exploration and Production at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC); Atlantic Energy Brass Development Limited and Atlantic Energy Drilling Concepts Limited.

While their trial had not been concluded, Omokore and his firm – Energy Property Development Limited – went before Justice Mohammed with a fundamental rights enforcement suit, claiming their accounts in the bank and other assets were unlawfully seized by the EFCC.

In his judgment on September 10, 2020, Justice Mohammed agreed with the lawyer to Omokore and his firm, Ojukwu Chikaosolu, that the property and funds were wrongly confiscated.

He ordered their release, a decision the EFCC appealed.

Justice Peter Ige, in the lead judgment of the Appeal Court, upheld the argument by EFCC’s lawyer, Oluwaleke Atolagbe, that Justice Mohammed ought to have declined jurisdiction over Omokore’s and his firm’s fundamental rights enforcement suit.

He held that the suit was wrongly constituted, thereby denying the trial court the jurisdiction to entertain it.

The judge said Omokore and Energy Property could not lawfully file a joint suit to enforce their fundamental rights under Section 46(3) of the Constitution.

Justice Ige held that each of them ought to have filed separate suits to challenge the alleged violation of their rights.

In determining the case on the merit, the Appeal Court found that from the evidence presented before the lower court, the EFCC acted lawfully in freezing the accounts and seizing the assets involved.

It set aside the orders by Justice Mohammed, struck out the suit by Omokore and his firm, and restored the freezing and interim forfeiture orders made on May 3, 2016 by Justice Binta Nyako (also of the Federal High Court in Abuja).

In a separate decision, the Court of Appeal in Abuja granted a request by the EFCC for permission to appeal a ruling delivered by Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja in the trial of former Head of Service of the Federation (HOSF), Stephen Oronsaye, and others on fraud-related charges.

Those being tried with Oronsaye are: Osarenkhoe Afe, Frederick Hamilton Global Services Limited, Cluster Logistics Limited, Kangolo Dynamic Cleaning Limited and Drew Investment & Construction Company Limited.

The EFCC had attempted, in the course of the trial, to tender two confessional statements by Afe, but Justice Ekwo, in a ruling on October 6, 2020, upheld the objection raised by the defence and rejected the documents on the grounds that the statements were made in the absence of Afe’s lawyer.

In a ruling on December 21, 2020, Justice Ekwo declined the prosecution’s request for leave to appeal the October 6, 2020 ruling.

The judge held that such an interlocutory appeal could be combined with any other appeal to be filed at the conclusion of trial.

The EFCC subsequently went before the Appeal Court with an application for leave to appeal the lower court’s October 6, 2020 ruling.

A three-man panel of the Appeal Court, also led by Justice Adumein, granted EFCC’s request for leave.

In the lead judgment, Justice Ige said: “I am satisfied that the appellant has made out a prima facie case for the grant of the application for leave.

“There is no impediment showing why the application should not be granted by this court in favour of the applicant. The applicant has fulfilled all that the legal principles prescribe for the exercise of discretion in her favour.

“It is hereby ordered as prayed by the applicant in terms of the motion on notice dated and filed on January 5, 2021, brought by the applicant.

“Order is hereby made granting leave to the applicant to appeal to the Court of Appeal against the ruling of the Federal High Court, Abuja, Coram: I. E. Ekwo, J., delivered on October 6, 2020, …on questions other than those of law alone.”

Both decisions of the Appeal Court, sighted in Abuja, were delivered during virtual court sessions conducted on May 11 and June 10 this year while members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) were on strike.

Source: The Nation

Send Us A Press Statement Advertise With Us Contact Us

 And For More Nigerian News Visit GWG.NG

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Comments

Education

‘Only God knows The Joy In Our hearts’ – Parents Of Released Kuriga Children Speak After Reuniting With Their Kids

Published

on

Parents joyfully celebrate reunion with their released Kuriga Children

The freed school children of LEA Primary School and Government Secondary School Kuriga in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State have reunited with their parents three days after their release from captivity.

GWG.ng reports that the children were handed over to their parents by the Secretary to the Kaduna State Government, Professor Abdulkadir Meyere, on behalf of Governor Uba Sani.

Recall that they were kidnapped from their school by bandits on March 7th, and were rescued in Zamfara State by the military and local authorities two weeks after their abduction.

Presenting the children to their families, the Kaduna State SSG told them that their rescue was made possible through the tireless efforts of the Kaduna State Government and the Federal Government.

“I remember vividly when this tragedy occurred, His Excellency the Governor went to Kuriga to assess the situation, sympathize with you, and inform you of the efforts he had made as the Governor of Kaduna State.

“He even declared that these children are his children and worked tirelessly with the Federal Government and security agencies for their safe rescue. By God’s mercy, today the Governor has fulfilled his promise, and the children have been rescued. The Governor ought to be here, but due to his work schedule, he could not make it,” Meyere told the families of the schoolchildren.

The parents of the rescued students were excited and relieved to reunite with their wads after more than two weeks of sleepless nights and anxiety.

They commended the efforts of the Kaduna State Government and the intervention of security agencies in release of their children.

The district head of Kuriga community, Lawal Abdullahi, prayed for the community never to experience such incident again.

“We, the people of Kuriga, did not realize how cherished we were until I met the Governor and the Secretary to the State Government. We pray to the Lord to bless these individuals. Not only in Kuriga but throughout Kaduna State, we hope that an incident of kidnapping students will not repeat itself”.

One of the parents of the abducted children, Idris Abdullahi, thanked Governor Uba Sani for fulfilling his promise to rescue the children when he visited Kuriga community after the kidnapping incident.

“Only God knows the joy in our hearts. We express our gratitude to Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala for bestowing this mercy upon us. We have nothing to offer the Executive Governor except prayers and hope.

“We ask God to grant the Governor and his administration strength to enable him to complete his tenure successfully and to elevate him to the next position”

Send Us A Press Statement Advertise With Us Contact Us

 And For More Nigerian News Visit GWG.NG

Continue Reading

Metro

CNN, Amnesty Put Focus On Erisco Vs Chioma Saga

Published

on

Chioma attracts international support against Erisco

Chioma Okoli, who has been embattled by the CEO of Erisco foods, Chief Eric Umeofia, after she made a negative review about his product in September, 2023, has reportedly been attracting support from the international community.

Founder of Erisco, Chief Eric Umeofia is demanding N5 billion over Chioma’s review which he claimed had cost his company severe financial loss. In the alternative, he wants her to spend a long time in jail as retribution for the comment she made against his product. The police have vowed to prosecute Chioma for cybercrime, while Umeofia is separately pressing a N5 billion in damages.

Chioma’s initial comment on Facebook read: “I went to buy tin tomatoes yesterday that I will use to make stew. I didn’t see Gino and Sonia. So, I decided to buy this one. When I opened it, I decided to taste it. Omo! Sugar was just too much. Ha, biko, let me know if you have used this tin tomato before because this is an Ike gwuru situation.”

Her post, accompanied by a photo of an opened can of Nagiko Tomato Mix, sparked varied reactions from commenters, one of whom replied: “Stop spoiling my brother’s product. If (you) don’t like it, use another one than bring it to social media or call the customer service.”

Her response to the reaction was what put her in trouble. She said: “Help me advise your brother to stop ki***ing people with his product, yesterday was my first time of using and it’s pure sugar.”

On Wednesday, The Cable News Network (CNN) beamed its light on Chioma’s case saying: 

“A Nigerian woman who wrote an online review of a can of tomato puree is facing imprisonment after its manufacturer accused her of making a “malicious allegation” that damaged its business.

“Chioma Okoli, a 39-year-old entrepreneur from Lagos, is being prosecuted and sued in civil court for allegedly breaching the country’s cybercrime laws, in a case that has gripped the West African nation and sparked protests by locals who believe she is being persecuted for exercising her right to free speech.”

Nigerian legal and public affairs analyst Kelechukwu Uzoka told CNN that there are limits to the freedom of speech defense.

“No law guarantees absolute freedom,” he said. “While we have our freedom of expression, there are limitations. You can’t defame or malign someone.”

However, he added that “cybercrime is difficult to prove in court. You have to prove actual harm when the post was made. Erisco must prove that the Facebook post (by Okoli) affected its business as at the point it was made.” He noted that in Okoli’s post, she used a word with three asterisks, which could be open to interpretation.

“Harassment and intimidation of Chioma Okoli must end now,” Amnesty International Nigeria said earlier this month, as Nigerians began crowdfunding online to support her legal fees.

Okoli’s case has sparked protests at Erisco’s Lagos facility as many on social media called for a boycott of its products. The company’s founder, Eric Umeofia, refused to budge, however, saying in a recent documentary on Arise Television channel that he won’t drop the lawsuit against Okoli and that he would “rather die than allow someone to tarnish my image I worked 40 years to grow.”

See below some coments from Users on Reddit, a social media platform and online community where users can engage in discussions, share content:

reddorickt said,

“You can also report the obvious fake reviews. A 5- star rating from 5 days ago “This is the best product there is in Nigeria. Kudos to the brains behind this product”

1. The best product in Nigeria is sugary tomato sauce?

2. Specifically compliments the executive team, the people who are launching this lawsuit.

3. “The brains behind…” is similar language to comments from the company itself, acting like there is some profound proprietary new tomato sauce technology they have.

Another one a couple down “Wow! Never knew h clean and efficient Erisco Foods Limited was untiı. visited to buy their products. Their group CEO is an.”

Pierre Dessertenne said, “Literally the worst tomato purée I think they use painted tennis balls instead of tomatoes.”

Said Issak said, “disgusting not good. dont buy, and im not talking about their tomato puree.”

Aleksandr Sofias said, “tried it and hated it, worst food ever.”

YoussoufAMA Official said, “Worst tomato paste in Nigeria don’t buy. And the CEO is a bully.”

Read also

Kitty Cat said, “Pathetic what you’re doing to an innocent person.”

Send Us A Press Statement Advertise With Us Contact Us

 And For More Nigerian News Visit GWG.NG

Continue Reading

Metro

27-year-old Man Arraigned For Allegedly Raping A 20- year-old Woman

Published

on

By

A 27-year-old man, Olaoluwa Fakayode on Thursday  appeared in an Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court for allegedly raping a 20-year-old Woman  (name withheld).

Fakayode, whose residential address was not provided, is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy to commit felony to wit rape and rape.

https://gwg.ng/2024/03/28/why-google-blocked-5-5bn-adverts/

The State Counsel, Ms Abimbola Abolade, thereafter applied for a trial date and for the prosecution to assemble her witnesses.

Abolade told the court that the defendant with his fleeing accomplice, allegedly committed the offences on April 23, 2020, at about 3.00 a.m. on  Cappa in Oshodi, Lagos.

She alleged that the defendant unlawfully had sexual intercourse with the survivor without her consent.

https://gwg.ng/2024/03/28/see-the-pastor-that-charges-n1-7m-to-teach-people-how-to-perform-miracles/

Abolade told the court that the alleged offences contravened Sections 260(1) and 411 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

She pleaded with the court to allow her time to assemble her witnesses and requested for a trial date.

The counsel  urged the court to remand the defendant in a correctional centre until the adjourned date.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

https://gwg.ng/2024/03/28/what-i-experienced-in-detention-firstnews-editor-narrates/

Justice Abiola Soladoye, agreed to the prosecution’s request and remanded the defendant in a custodial centre pending the hearing of his bail application.

The Judge adjourned the case until June 10, for commencement of trial.

Send Us A Press Statement Advertise With Us Contact


 And For More Nigerian News Visit GWG.NG

Continue Reading

Metro

20-year-old Labourer Bags 6 Months Imprisonment For Stealing Cell Phones

Published

on

By

A Lugbe Grade 1 Area Court, Abuja, has sentenced a 20-year-old site labourer, Shamsudeen Salisu, to six months imprisonment for stealing cell phones.

Salisu, of no fixed address, had pleaded guilty to a two-count charge of theft and escape from lawful custody.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the convict also begged the court for leniency.

https://gwg.ng/2024/03/28/six-prominent-lawmakers-resigns-from-labour-party/

The Judge, Mr Aliyu Kagarko, however, gave  the convict an option of N20,000 fine and warned him to be a good citizen and of good behaviour, and desist from committing crime after serving his jail term.

He said that the punishment would have been stiffer if the convict had not saved the court the rigours of protracted prosecution.

Earlier, the Prosecutor, Mr Anayo Nnamani told the court that the complainant, Lawrence David, of Masaka, Nassarawa State, reported the matter at Asokoro police station on March 21.

Nnamani said that on March 20, the convict went to NAF Valley’ Estate, Asokoro, Abuja, where the complainant was working at a  construction site and dishonestly and smartly made away with his Techno Pomo3 phone, valued at N32,000.

https://gwg.ng/2024/03/28/what-i-experienced-in-detention-firstnews-editor-narrates/

He told the court that the convict stole the complainant’s cell phones along with his Access Bank ATM card which he kept at the back of the phone’s pouch.

He said that the convict dishonestly used the complainant’s sim card to purchase airtime worth N55,700 and sold the phone for N2,000.

Nnamani told the court that the convict snicked out of the police custody and escaped through the fence but was chased and re-arrested.

The prosecutor said that during police investigation, the convict made a confessional statement while the cell phones were recovered  but that he could not give a satisfactory account of the N55,700 airtime

He  said that the offences contravened Sections 287 and 173 of the Penal Code.

Send Us A Press Statement Advertise With Us Contact


 And For More Nigerian News Visit GWG.NG

Continue Reading

Metro

Man Jailed 6 Months For Stealing Car Battery

Published

on

By

A Dei-dei Grade I Area Court, Abuja, on Thursday sentenced Abdulazeez Ibrahim to six months in prison for stealing a car battery.

The defendant, who was convicted and sentenced after pleading guilty to the said offence, begged the court for leniency.

https://gwg.ng/2024/03/28/what-i-experienced-in-detention-firstnews-editor-narrates/

The Judge, Saminu Suleiman gave Ibrahim an option to pay a fine of N10, 000 and to pay N60, 000 compensation to the complainant, Abiola Adekunle.

Suleiman however warned him to desist from committing crimes and be of good behaviour.

Earlier, the prosecuting counsel, Babajide Olanipekun told the court that Ibrahim forcefully opened the complainant’s car and removed the car battery on March 12.

https://gwg.ng/2024/03/28/six-prominent-lawmakers-resigns-from-labour-party/

Olanipekun said Ibrahim converted the battery to his personal use, adding that the offence contravened the provisions of Section 288 of the Penal Code.

https://gwg.ng/2024/03/28/lis-of-countries-with-the-lowest-salary-incomes/

Section 288 states that whoever commits theft in or from a building, tent or vessel, used as a human dwelling or for the custody of property, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven or with fine or with both.

Send Us A Press Statement Advertise With Us Contact


 And For More Nigerian News Visit GWG.NG

Continue Reading

Metro

What I Experienced In Detention – FirstNews Editor Narrates

Published

on

By

The Editor of FirstNews Online Newspaper, Segun Olatunji, has narrated his ordeal in the detention of the Nigerian military.

Recall gunmen suspected to be military officers had invaded Olatunji’s residence at Iyana Odo, Abule Egba area of Lagos state, on March 15, and took him away.

Since his abduction, there has been a strong outcry from family members, including the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), and the Nigerian National Committee of the International Press Institute (IPI Nigeria) calling on President Bola Tinubu to order his immediate release.

https://gwg.ng/2024/03/28/six-prominent-lawmakers-resigns-from-labour-party/

However, on Thursday morning, the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) was said to have released Olatunji after spending two weeks in its custody.

Speaking at a press conference shortly after his release, Olatunji said while in detention, he was interrogated about certain stories that FirstNews had carried.

He added that he was questioned about his stories regarding the Chief of Defence Intelligence and the Chief of Staff to the President.

Olatunji asserted that those behind his detention are part of the government, who are not happy with what FirstNews is doing, and are they bent on punishing him.

https://gwg.ng/2024/03/28/lis-of-countries-with-the-lowest-salary-incomes/

The press briefing was organised by the leaderships of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the International Press Institute (IPI).

He said: “At first, they put me in a cell. There I was left with leg and hand cuffs. And at a point, one of the officers came and tightened the right leg and the right hand and I was there growing in pain. And they didn’t loosen it until about two or three days later. And at that time, the whole part of my body was getting node. In fact, up till now, I can still feel the pains.

“While in detention, they were asking me questions about certain stories that FirstNews had carried. They first told me that I was one of those abusing the chief of defence intelligence. They didn’t say much about that.

“Then they also asked a story we carried about the Chief of Staff to the president, and that was a major thing. That’s why I told some people earlier that those behind my arrest are people behind the corridors of power, who are not happy with what FirstNews is doing, and are they bent on taking their own pound of flesh.”


 And For More Nigerian News Visit GWG.NG

Continue Reading

Metro

BREAKING: Binance Executives Drag NSA, EFCC To Court

Published

on

By

Detained Binance executive, Tigran Gambaryan, has initiated a legal action against the National Security Adviser, NSA, Nuhu Ribadu, and the Economic Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Gambaryan sued Ribadu and EFCC over alleged violation of his fundamental rights.

https://gwg.ng/2024/03/28/former-us-vice-presidential-nominee-joe-lieberman-is-dead/

In the originating motion dated and filed March 18 by his lawyer, Olujoke Aliyu, from Aluko and Oyebode Law Firm, the Binance executive sought five reliefs before Justice Inyang Ekwo

Also, Nadeem Anjarwalla, the Binance’s Africa regional manager who escaped from lawful custody March 22, filed a separate right enforcement suit before Justice Ekwo.

https://gwg.ng/2024/03/28/breaking-eniola-ajao-strips-bobrisky-of-best-dressed-female-award-names-two-females-as-winners/

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Gambaryan and Anjarwalla, in the suits marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/356/24 and FHC/ABJ/CS/355/24, had sued the Office of NSA (ONSA) and EFCC as 1st and 2nd respondents.

Send Us A Press Statement Advertise With Us Contact


 And For More Nigerian News Visit GWG.NG

Continue Reading

Metro

Knocks As Air Peace CEO Says Those Earning N200K Monthly In Nigeria Are Better Than Those Earning £2000 In UK  (video)

Published

on

Onyema on salary earning between Nigeria and Uk

Allen Onyema, the CEO of Air Peace, has come under fire after he said that those earning two hundred thousand Naira monthly in Nigeria are better off than those earning two thousand pounds in the United Kingdom (UK). 

He said this while appearing as a guest on TVC. Speaking on the economic crisis and strength of the Naira, Onyema said he agrees that the bulk of the issue is “artificial”. 

“Go to London, if you earn two thousand pounds a month in London, you’re a pauper. What two thousand pounds can afford you is like two hundred thousand Naira.” 

“The person earning two hundred thousand Naira in Nigeria is better,” Onyema said.

He added that with earnings of 200,000, a Nigerian can afford a maid, a driver and other domestic staff. 

Onyema further affirmed that he believes completely that the Naira has more value than is being projected when compared to other foreign currencies. 

The Airpeace Boss appealed to Nigerians to stop demonetising the country.

Watch video below 👇

See reactions from netizens on Instagram:

amaka_paloma countered, “Atleast we have 24 hrs electricity, free health care, good roads, good security, peace of mind, content- ment, comfort, average and happy life etc. In naija just pray Nigeria doesn’t happen to u. 

“Sometimes people who go abroad go cos of their children’s future and their peace of mind. My 2000 pounds monthly, can never be com- pared to una 200k naira. We are happy and content with the 2k pound, as long as we are comfortable and have all the basic amenities we need. Omo, abeg u no fit ever compare heaven and hèll.”

Read also

emmy_oeo posited, “With all due respect sir you are so wrong.”

dalascouture clapped, “Old man come here cos u need better knock… atleast 2k pounds can still conveniently buy a flight ticket from Nigeria to d Uk but can dat so called 200k even buy a business class to Abuja.. unna don dey meant ajeh.”

xin_nightwolf asked, “Why won’t you say that.. it’s funny how the elite class.. the rich ones are the ones who’s gonna tell us how 200k will get you a maid and a driver? Bro you can’t even eat and transport yourself to work for a month!”

marcus_984 reacted, “When your local flight ticket fit collect the whole 200k once at a go.”

Send Us A Press Statement Advertise With Us Contact Us

 And For More Nigerian News Visit GWG.NG

Continue Reading

Metro

Man Throws Wife Out Of His House For Refusing To Drop Case Against His Brother Who Raped Their 8-year-old Daughter

Published

on

8-year-old defilement by woman's brother-in-law

A woman has been thrown out of her matrimonial home for refusing to drop the defilement case against her husband’s brother who raped her 8-year-old daughter.

This was disclosed in a post by a Kenyan activist, Njeri Wa Migwi, via her official X handle on Wednesday. 

Migwi said the father of the victim is also in support of dropping the case against his brother, preferring to resolve the matter at home. 

Her tweet read, “This lady has been thrown out of her marital home for continuing with a defilement case of her 8-year-old child after pressure to drop the case since it’s her brother in law. They want the case to be resolved at home not to bring shame. The way rapists get to have community support.

Read also

“She is in our office because she’s been told not to go back unless she drops the case. No one cares about the harm the little one is going through. Today was the mention of the case and the family raised bail for the perpetrator.”

See her picture post below 👇


Send Us A Press Statement Advertise With Us Contact Us

 And For More Nigerian News Visit GWG.NG

Continue Reading

Trending