fbpx
Connect with us

News

Breaking:Alleged N109bn Fraud, Court Revokes Ex-AGF Bail

Published

on

 

Justice Yusuf Halilu of an FCT, Maitama, Abuja, on Tuesday revoked the bail earlier granted a former Accountant-General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris and one of the defendants in the trial of over an alleged fraudulent diversion of public fund to the tune of N109.5 Billion

The defendant, Geoffrey Olusegun Akindele’s bail was revoked by the judge following his non-appearance in court for continuation of trial.

Mr Akindele, who is the second defendant in the case marked, CR/199/2022, and Idris are standing trial alongside Mohammed Kudu Usman and Gezawa Commodity Market and Exchange Limited.

The Economic and financial crimes commission, EFCC, dragged them to court on a 14-count charge bordering on stealing, fraudulent diversion of public fund to the tune of N109.5 billion.

Idris, among others, was alleged to have between February and December 2021, while being a public servant by virtue of his position as Accountant-General of the Federation accepted from Olusegun Akindele, the second defendant, a gratification of the aggregate sum of N15, 136, 221, 921.46, which was converted to dollars equivalent by Akindele.

The money, according to the prosecution, did not form part of Idris’s remuneration but a motive for accelerating the payment of 13% derivation to nine oil producing states in the federation through the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.

EFCC alleged they thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 155 of the Penal Code Act Cap 533 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990 and punishable under the same section.

Messrs Idris and Akindele, who was Technical Assistant to the Accountant-General of the Federation, were accused of committing criminal breach of trust while being entrusted with certain property, to wit N84,390,000,000 between Feb. and Nov. 2021 by dishonestly receiving the said amount from the Federal Government through Godfrey Olusegun Akindele, trading under the name and style of Olusegun Akindele & Co.

By this, according to EFCC, the first and second defendants were alleged to have committed an offence punishable under Section 315 of the Penal Code Act Cap 532 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them by the anti-corruption commission.

At the resumed hearing of the matter on Tuesday, Mr Akindele was absent in court as of the time the case was called, though Idris and Usman were in court.

Despite pleas by counsel for Mr Akindele, S.E. Adino that his client was on the way to court, submitting that he (Akindele) has always been in court to face trial, Justice Halilu insisted on revoking the second defendant’s bail.

The judge held that after listening to what Adino said, when a court grants a defendant bail, such person must reciprocate the gesture by attending court for trial.

He added that, Mr Akindele had clearly not shown good character and conduct by his refusal to attend court.

”The second defendant had abuse the terms of his bail.”

Mr Halilu subsequently revoked his bail and ordered the FCT Commissioner of Police and the EFCC to arrest Mr Akindele and produce him in court in the next adjourned date.

He then adjourned the case until February 1, 2024 for definite hearing.

Earlier, the prosecuting counsel, Oluwaleke Atolagbe, had informed the court that the prosecution received a letter from counsel for Idris and did not receive any from the counsel for Gezawa Commodity Market and Exchange Limited.

Mr Atolagbe said despite the fact that there were competent lawyers in the office of Idris’ lawyer, none of them announced appearance for the former Accountant-General of the Federation.

He added that he saw two lawyers from the office yesterday morning in court, saying that, “This is not fair on the prosecution. It is definitely a ploy to delay trial.”

NAN

News

Kano High Court Orders Eviction of 15th Emir Aminu Ado Bayero from Palace

Published

on

Justice Aisha Adamu Aliyu of a High Court in Kano State has ordered the Commissioner of Police in Kano to evict the 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero.

In court documents seen by Daily Trust, the judge granted an order “restraining the 1, 2, 3rd 4th & 5th Defendants either by themselves, servants, privies, and or any other persons or officers serving under them or acting in connection with any other person from parading themselves as Emirs of Kano, Bichi, Gaya, Rano and Karaye pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed by the Applicants.

That an order is hereby granted to the extent that the Commissioner of Police Kano State should immediately take over the palace of the Emir of Kano situate being and lying at State Road Kano and evict the 1 Defendant/Respondent from the said palace pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice dated 24th May, 2024.

That an order of this Hon. Court is hereby granted restraining the 1st, 2nd, 3rd 4th & 5th Defendants from parading themselves as Emirs of Kano, Bichi, Gaya, Rano and Karaye in the interest of peace in Kano pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

That an order is hereby made that 15th Defendants be served through the office of the Commissioner Police, Kano State who is to ensure immediate implementation of the order of the Hon. Court in the interest of justice.”

Respondents in the matter are the deposed Emir’s of Karaye, Gaya, Bichi, Rano, Kano, IGP, Director DSS, NSCDC and Army.

The applicants are the Attorney General of Kano State, Speaker House of Assembly and Kano State House of Assembly.

Report indicates that the Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Haruna Isah Dederi had told BBC that the state government received the earlier order granted by a Federal High Court stopping the reinstatement of the Emir after action had been completed on Monday.

Daily Trust

Continue Reading

News

Senator Kawu Sumaila Commends President Tinubu’s Decision on Local Government Autonomy

Published

on

Kawu Sumaila

Senator Sulaiman Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila, representing Kano South Senatorial District, has praised President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for his recent decision to grant autonomy to local governments. In a statement he signed, Senator Sumaila described the decision as timely, emphasizing the urgent need for policies that alleviate the suffering of the Nigerian masses.

According to Sumaila, President Tinubu’s commitment to local government autonomy aligns with the senators’ efforts to address the challenges faced by the grassroots. “I am happy that Mr. President has begun to follow our path to salvage our people by giving local governments the autonomy to operate as enshrined in the constitution. The decision to compel the 36 states of the federation to grant autonomy to local governments is a step in the right direction,” he said.

Sumaila highlighted the potential benefits of this autonomy, particularly for rural areas. “This will surely help in bringing development to our people, especially those at the grassroots in rural areas. It will equally boost the nation’s economy by increasing our Internally Generated Revenue through the agricultural value chain and other commercial activities that will emerge once local governments gain their autonomy,” he added.

However, Senator Sumaila also appealed to President Tinubu to address issues related to local government elections, which he identified as another significant challenge affecting grassroots progress under democratic governance. “I would be glad if President Tinubu will also address the challenges affecting the conduct of local government elections in the nation. The president should do something to stop politicians from manipulating the processes of local government elections for their personal interests,” he urged.

Sumaila criticized the current state of local government elections, highlighting the undue influence of state governors. “We are all aware of how local government elections are being conducted under the watch of state governors in this country. From the primaries to the main elections, the processes are always being manipulated by politicians for their personal interest against the interests of the majority. That should not be so under democracy, and I am appealing to Mr. President to urgently address this problem. I am sure this will complement the autonomy of the local government, thereby extending the dividends of democracy to the grassroots,” he asserted.

Senator Sumaila emphasized the collaborative efforts of the legislative and executive branches of government in supporting local government autonomy. “We, at the National Assembly, have raised the matter and supported the autonomy for local governments, and the executive has also agreed with us. It is now over to the judiciary to appropriately exercise its constitutional rights in deciding the case before it on local government autonomy,” he said.

Sumaila thanked Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Deputy Senate President Barau I. Jibrin for giving him the opportunity to present the matter before the Senate and expressed gratitude to his colleagues for their support. “I thank the Senate President, Mr. Godswill Akpabio, and Deputy Senate President, Barau I. Jibrin, for giving me the opportunity to table the matter before the Senate, and my colleagues for supporting me on this issue,” the statement concluded.

Continue Reading

News

Breaking:Gov. Yusuf Orders Arrest of Deposed Emir of Kano Aminu Ado Bayero

Published

on

 

The Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has ordered the immediate arrest of the former Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, for creating tension in the state.

The former Emir was smuggled into Kano city last night in an attempt to forcefully return to the palace two days after being deposed by the Governor.

In a statement issued by Mr. Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the spokesperson to the Governor, it was confirmed that the new Emir, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, arrived at the palace in the company of the Governor, the Deputy Governor, the Speaker of the State Assembly, and other top government functionaries at about 1:00 a.m. on Saturday, 25th May 2024.

As the Chief Security Officer of the state, His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has directed the Commissioner of Police to arrest the deposed Emir with immediate effect for disturbing public peace and attempting to destroy the relative peace the state enjoys.

Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa
**Director General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Kano**

Continue Reading

Trending