[dropcap]N[/dropcap]o fewer than two people died in a bloody clash between suspected political hoodlums at an All Progressives’ Congress (APC) campaign rally in Igboora area of Oyo State.
The incident occurred immediately after the rally held at the old motor park in Igboora on Saturday evening. The campaign train, led by Gov. Abiola Ajimobi, had commenced with a road show from Lanlate through Igboora, Idere, Ayete, Tapa and Igangan before the ralies at Igboora, Eruwa and Omi-Adio.
It was a peaceful rally which saw the governor and the party’s governorship candidate, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, acknowledging cheers from supporters who had thronged the streets to show solidarity for the party.
Trouble, however, started immediately after the rally in Igboora as suspected political hoodlums engaged in a bloody clash which left one dead.
NAN reports that another innocent resident, identified to be a younger brother to an APC leader in the community, was hit by a stray bullet and eventually gave up the ghost.
Eyewitnesses told NAN that some suspected hoodlums had accosted the APC governorship candidate to demand for money but were blocked by another group of hoodlums.
This, witnesses said, resulted in heated arguments which later led to the free for all. The incident had since resulted in counter allegations and reactions from political parties and residents.
While the APC accused opposition parties of being behind the mayhem, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) asked APC to look inwards for the perpetrators.
“Guns were freely displayed by thugs alleged to have been arranged and sponsored by the PDP and some other parties to carry out the dastardly act.
“The mayhem eventually cost two lives. One of which is a younger brother to the leader of our party, Alhaji Olayide Abas. We hereby charge security agencies to investigate and unravel the killers of the deceased.
“It is important to note that the PDP has continually incited the people to cause trouble, having realised that the game is over. The PDP is among the parties that masterminded the mayhem,” APC Communication team said in a statement.
Some opposition party members, who spoke to NAN, described the incident as very pathetic, saying the APC should investigate themselves on the mayhem.
They said that several other opposition parties in the state had visited the community to campaign without violence or bloodshed.
Also, some residents of the community frowned at the sorrowful incident, describing it as a return of thuggery and brigandage to the state.
They told NAN that the people of the community were not desperate people and have always lived peacefully with each other, irrespective of political affiliations.
Spokesman for Oyo State Police Command, SP Adekunle Ajisebutu, did not respond to calls and text messages at the time of filing this report.
Pandemonium as two were killed, several injured at APC campaign rally in Oyo
“We Are Safe” – Osinbajo
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he vice president of the federal republic of Nigeria, Prof Yemi Osinbajo has reacted following the near death experience at Kabba, Kogi State when a chopper which he was a passenger clash landed in the afternoon of February 2, 2019.
Shortly following the crash, the Vice President responded through his official twitter handle, he stated.
“We are safe and sound! Thank you to everyone who has expressed concern and thank you to the crew who managed the situation well. We believe that God will continue to keep us and Nigeria safe even as we go higher. We continue #NextLevelEngagements in Kabba, Kogi State.
We are committed to integrity in service- Mr Bayoko
Delta State Head of Service
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Delta State Head of Service, Mr Bayoko Reginald,mni has reiterated his administration’s commitment towards bringing sanity to the state’s civil service. Mr Bayoko stated this when members of Grassroots Newspaper Publishers Network paid him a courtesy visit on Thursday, January 31, 2019. The delegates were welcomed and received by the Head of Service and his management team.Maduike Ifeoma, Publisher of Guide Express Newspaper presented a speech which focused on the tremendous achievements of the head of service since he assumed office.In his reaction, the chief helmsman at Delta Civil Service and the number one civil servant in the state, stated that the era of ghost workers has passed as the introduction of Hakerbella system has helped to chekmate ghost workers in the service and to also actualize the SMART mantra of the government. Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, understands the role of the civil service as an instrument for putting into effect the socio-economic programmes of the government as well as the machinery through which his government can effectively implement his SMART Agenda and so his unflinching support towards our success always.
On behalf of my Management Team, I really appreciate this visit and when someone acknowledges you, you are encouraged challed to do more.The kind of Civil Servants we have in Delta State are those who can stand the test of time; who are confident enough to defend themselves anywhere whether nationally or internationally.The kind of staff we have in Delta State are those who can not only adapt in any working environment but also perform exceptionally well taking our benchmark from countries like Ameica and UK because we have built a diverse leadership corps with varied skills to meet evolving challenges.
I must commend the efforts of my management team and the entire civil servants in Delta State for their immeasurable assistance towards our success and progress so far recorded because we can go nowhere if their supports are not with us.We have greatly improved in areas like recruitment and appointment process, capacity-building, performance management, promotion, including on conduct, integrity and discipline.
I dedicate all achievements to my staff and most especially to the Delta State Governor, His Excellency, Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, for providing the enabling platform for us to achieve much within these periods of my administration; “I am eternally grateful to the governor for the encouragement and confidence reposed on me.”
This visit today has become a challenge to work harder and I promise you that we will not go below this standard instead we shall do everything possible to make sure that the Gov. Okowa’s SMART mantra is actualized.
I’ll grant amnesty to looters – Atiku
[dropcap]P[/dropcap]eoples Democratic Party, PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar and his running mate, Mr. Peter Obi Wednesday frontally fought off allegations of corruption bringing to light the candidate’s personal role in the establishment of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Atiku and Obi taking their slot in the live television session series, Meet the candidates, hosted by ace broadcaster, Kadera Ahmed in a robust exchange gave further insights into their programmes for the country giving lucid examples from their personal experiences in government and private life. The session which was severally spiced with hot exchange between the moderator and the two candidates saw Atiku and Obi repeatedly enunciating how they would make Nigeria work again.The moderator, Ahmed who came in feisty challenged Atiku on his perception on corruption asking him whether his setting up of a company while still in service was not an act of corruption. Atiku strongly rebuffed the claim saying that it was an investment that was akin to share purchase flowing from the Indgenisation Decree promulgated by the Olusegun Obasanjo administration. Ahmed also challenged Obi saying that he invested Anambra State government money in a brewery he had interest in. To the contrary, Obi said that he invited the foreign investors into the country and was offered 15% equity but rejected it but the investment is now worth $100 million. Giving his role in spearheading the fight against corruption, he said: “I in particular brought the concept of the EFCC from Brazil. I borrowed them N300 million from the privatization proceeds which they repaid when the budget appropriation was made.” While noting that he was willing to consider amnesty for looters, he said that President Obasanjo set up a panel with him as chairman with the Attorney General of the Federation and the National Security Adviser as members which was able to recover $4 billion. Ms Ahmed who challenged Atiku on the United States report which she said named his wife asked him to speak on it. Atiku replied that there was nothing to it as his wife was neither indicted or charged on the issue saying that if there was anything against her that she would have been charged. “My wife was not indicted, was not charged, so I have no view about it. The company was fined for a number of offences committed, not necessarily for anything to do with my wife. My wife is an American citizen so there is no way that she would not have been charged.” Asked if his wife has been travelling to America since then, Atiku responded to the positive saying “Yes, she has been traveling repeatedly then.” When she allowed questions, a member of the audience quoted Dr. Obasanjo’s past description of Atiku as unfit for public office and asked Atiku what he would do if someone with such a referral came to him whether he would employ the person. Replying, Atiku said: “If the man has changed his mind and said that I recommend him as the best, then I have nothing to say.” As Ms Ahmed pressed him to elaborate, Atiku said he was about the most investigated person during the Obasanjo administration and that nothing criminal was found against him. On his desire for the presidency, he said: “In the last four years we have witnessed the performance of the present administration and I believe that Nigerians should compare with the record of the previous PDP administration.
Does Buhari Have Powers To Remove Onnoghen? Yes? No?
Suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN)
[dropcap]P[/dropcap]resident Muhammadu Buhari has suspended Walter Onnoghen as Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN). Onnoghen is standing trial for fraudulent declaration of assets. Buhari based his decision on an order by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) issued on Wednesday, directing the suspension of the CJN.
A statement by the President on Friday evening noted that Onnoghen’s suspension is “pending final determination of the case against him at the Code of Conduct Tribunal”.
Buhari has also sworn in Ibrahim Tanko Mohammed as the acting CJN. The question on everyone’s lips at the moment is whether the President has the capacity to direct the suspension of Onnoghen. Does he or does he not?
NO
Section 292 of the Nigerian Constitution reads as follows:
(1) A judicial officer shall not be removed from his office or appointment before his age of retirement except in the following circumstances –
(a) in the case of –
(i) Chief Justice of Nigeria, President of the Court of Appeal, Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Chief Judge of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Grand Kadi of the Sharia Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and President, Customary Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, by the President acting on an address supported by two-thirds majority of the Senate.
(ii) Chief Judge of a State, Grand Kadi of a Sharia Court of Appeal or President of a Customary Court of Appeal of a State, by the Governor acting on an address supported by two-thirds majority of the House of Assembly of the State, Praying that he be so removed for his inability to discharge the functions of his office or appointment (whether arising from infirmity of mind or of body) or for misconduct or contravention of the Code of Conduct;
(b) in any case, other than those to which paragraph (a) of this subsection applies, by the President or, as the case may be, the Governor acting on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council that the judicial officer be so removed for his inability to discharge the functions of his office or appointment (whether arising from infirmity of mind or of body) or for misconduct or
contravention of the Code of Conduct.
(2) Any person who has held office as a judicial officer shall not on ceasing to be a judicial officer for any reason whatsoever thereafter appear or act as a legal practitioner before any court of law or tribunal in Nigeria.
The forgoing proves that the President lacks the powers to ‘remove’ Onnoghen, but this is only true to the extent that ‘removal’ includes both temporary, like a suspension, and permanent removal from office.
YES
There could also be an argument that the President hasn’t ‘removed’ Onnoghen but has only suspended him, meaning Onnoghen’s return to the office, should he be cleared of fraudulent asset declaration charges, is also possible. In the event that ‘suspension’ does not constitute ‘removal’, then the President would be seen as not having violated the law.
THE FINAL ANSWER
Only the lawyers, really, can tell us clear-cut. Let the debate begin!
Nigeria Customs Lagos Airport Command breaks record, generates N2.9bn in 10 days
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Nigeria Customs Service, Murtala Mohammed International Airpot Command has recorded yet another landmark achievement in the first 10 days of the year 2019.
In a statement by the Customs Area Controller, Dr. Mrs Shoboiki Jayne, it said the command has generated an unprecedented revenue collection of N2,911,374,14.
“In 2018, the MMAC generated over N50bn. This figure surpassed that of the 2017 with N2,57,144,789.50,” she stated.
The controller also recounted the successes that were recorded in the anti-smuggling activities, stating that the command intercepted and detained smuggled military materials that were imported into the country.
She said, “This year, the command has intercepted and detained two packages of military camouflage uniform imported without end-user certificates. Also, 51 cartons of drones were intercepted and detained without end-user certificates.”
She attributed these achievements to the doggedness and gallantry of the officers and men of the command while reaffirming her stand in fighting smuggling to a standstill through deployment of alot of strategies to meet up with the dynamics of smuggling antics that are adopted by the economic saboteurs on daily basis either through approved or illegal routes. She also stated that the command will always work relentlessly to ensure that all revenue leakages are blocked while assuring the command’s readiness to explore all avenues in order to ensure that the new target for the year is not only met but surpassed.
She acknowledged the ethical and administrative support from the Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd) and his Management team which hhs helped them achieve this feat.
The Global Alliance organises conference on trade facilitation in Lagos
— Comptroller Dr. (Mrs) Jayne Shoboiki urges Customs Brokers to be compliant as customs would not compromise if anyone is caught defrauding the system
[dropcap]G[/dropcap]lobal Alliance for Trade Facilitation has called for implementation of trade reforms to enhance international trade. A conference organized by the organisation recently in Radisson Blu Hotel, Ozumba Mbadiwe Road, Victoria Island, Lagos brought together stakeholders and MDA’s involved in cargo clearance in the ports and border stations, to brainstorm on the challenges hindering the actualization of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) in Nigeria.
The Global Alliance for the Trade facilitation is a public – private partnership (PPP) dedicated to the international Trade facilitation, jointly led by the International Chambers of commerce, the World Economic Forum (WEF), Center for international private Enterprise, cooperating with G12 – The German implementing partner.
Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation believes that international Trade should be simpler, faster and more cost-effective, thereby creating new business opportunities, enabling greater economic and social developments and, reducing poverty.
Global Alliance for trade Facilitation is redefining the way trade facilitation reforms are implemented by working with governments and business vertically and horizontally. Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) is a binding multilateral trade agreement between members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Countries that signed up committing to tackling the barriers to trade, posed by burdensome border requirements, which makes it harder for businesses of all sizes to trade internationally, but hurt small and medium-sized enterprise the most.
The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI), represented by the Director of Trade – Alhaji Abubakar said that a lot of work has been done in the implementation of the TFA in Nigeria, despite the awesome challenges of infrastructure and capacity building.
A committee (National Trade Facilitation Committee – NTFC) charged with the sensitization of the public and implementation of the various articles has about twenty-three members spread across all sectors. The committee is still working with various government Agencies to firm up collaboration in the implementation of especially Article 7 of the TFA.
CAC, MMIAirport Command, Comptroller Dr. (Mrs) Jayne Shoboiki poses with Rtd Comptroller Tajudeen Olanrewaju
A presentation by the National President of the National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS) – Dr. Ken Ukaoha, Esq set the tone for discussions in the day’s business.
His presentation, as expected, touched on several aspects, especially the legal auditing of National laws which are adversely affecting the understanding and cooperation, required of stakeholders – like the trading publics.
Lots of questions and issues were thrown up for further discussion, as blames for non-reformation of especially the border posts, were heaped on the Government. The harmonization of documentations on the movement of cargoes/along West African coast/corridor, makes trading hectic, despite losses of investments.
Other stakeholders present were the LCCI – represented by the President, FIRS represented by Mrs Amah, NDLEA, Nigeria shippers’ council was represented by Alhaji M.D. Abubakar and Mrs Adaora Nwonu.
Another major stakeholder – Nigeria Customs services was represented by a high powered delegation led by Acting DCG – Umar Sanusi (of the HRD-Abuja) with Comptroller Dr. Mrs. Jane Shoboiki, CAC, Muritala Mohammed International Airport command and D/C Bello from the Customs headquarters in Abuja.
Acting DCG Sanusi was down to earth in his presentation, as he alluded to the fact that the peculiarity of the Nigerian Trading/business environment which has defied several of the articles and categories of the TFA, has made it impossible for the implementation of the TFA in Nigeria.
However, in the circumstance he said, Nigeria Customs Service has continuously strived to reform the mentality of officers and men in skills required to sustain and improve their services on the job.
Ag. DCG Umar Sanusi, who has always referred to Customs Brokers as their “friendly enemies”, urged them to also build their capacity in order to complement their efforts at reforming the customs cargo clearance processes.
He informed that the Nigeria Customs Service Comptroller General – Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd) has directed that before October 2019, all Customs officers must be trained in skills required to function effectively at their duty post, otherwise, they may be shown the way out of the service.
The DCG in charge of Human Resource Department stated that it is unfortunate that out of the numerous security and Government agencies operating in the ports system, it is only Nigeria Customs that has been singled out for condemnation. He said that efforts are afoot to ensure that several innovative reforms are underway to remove the tag off Nigeria Customs.
Compt.Dr (Mrs) Jane Shoboiki, Area Controller,Muritala Mohammed International Airport customs command who is a leader that matches words with actions; a no nonsense woman who is one of the few officers that have served round trip the most successful commands in Nigeria enumerated the documentations and processes expected to be concluded before the arrival of cargoes but, according to her, Customs brokers delay in processing documents until arrival of cargo and they then mount unnecessary pressure on officers. She warned that with the recent circular which seeks to harmonize all entities on the Bill of lading, invoices, and the PAAR, a lot of the discrepancies in cargo clearance would have been removed. She also urged Customs Brokers to be compliant, as officers may decline request bordering on infringement on compliance to extant trade rules.
Some of the participants during the conference
The Global Alliance for trade facilitation has engaged several Governments around the world in reforming their trade processes like Vietnam, Ghana, Colombia, Kenya, Morocco, Sri-Lanka, etc. In Nigeria, GATF requested participants to come up with solutions to the identified challenges in the cargo clearance processes, in order to facilitate trade across international borders. With that, GATF hopes to package a proposal to the Government, urging implementation, as a signatory to the WTO-TFA.
However, most participants observed that the issue has been variously discussed in the past, without any political will to implement the decisions/proposals put forward, and doing so now, despite the infrastructural deficit in the country, is like motion without movement.
Breaking : Security agencies traced millions of dollars to CJN – Buhari
Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN)
[dropcap]P[/dropcap]resident Muhammadu Buhari says his decision to suspend the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, followed an order of the Code of Conduct, saying millions of dollars has been traced to his personal accounts. The president stated this when he swore in Justice Ibrahim Tanko as acting CJN at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Friday.
According to the president, Onnoghen will remain suspended, pending final determination of the cases against him at the Code of Conduct Tribunal and several other fora relating to his alleged breach of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers.
He said: “Although the allegations in the petition are grievous enough in themselves, the security agencies have since then traced other suspicious transactions running into millions of dollars to the CJN’s personal accounts, all undeclared or improperly declared as required by law.
“Perhaps more worrisome is the Chief Justice of Nigeria’s own written admission to the charges that he indeed failed to follow the spirit and letter of the law in declaring his assets, citing ’’mistake’’ and ’’forgetfulness’’ which are totally unknown to our laws as defences in the circumstances of his case.’’
According to him, the nation has been gripped by the tragic realities of no less a personality than the CJN himself becoming the accused person in a corruption trial since details of the petition against him by a Civil Society Organization first became public about a fortnight ago.
“One expected that with his moral authority so wounded, by these serious charges of corruption, more so by his own written admission, Mr. Justice Walter Onnoghen would have acted swiftly to spare our Judicial Arm further disrepute by removing himself from superintending over it while his trial lasted.
“Unfortunately, he has not done so. Instead, the nation has been treated to the sordid spectacle of a judicial game of wits in which the Chief Justice of Nigeria and his legal team have made nonsense of the efforts of the Code of Conduct Tribunal to hear the allegation on merit and conclude the trial as quickly as possible considering the nature of the times in which we live.
“Whether deliberately or inadvertently, we have all seen the full weight of the Chief Justice of Nigeria descend on the tender head of one of the organs of justice under his control. There is simply no way the officers of that court, from the Chairman to the bailiffs, can pretend to be unaffected by the influence of the leader of the Judiciary,’’ he added.
The president further observed that since the commencement of his (Onnoghen) trial, the nation had witnessed “various courts granting orders and counter-orders in favour of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, all of them characterised by an unholy alacrity between the time of filing, hearing and delivery of judgment in same.
“The real effect has been a stalling of the trial of Justice Onnoghen, helped along by lawyers who insist that these orders, whether right or wrong are technically valid, and must be obeyed till an appellate Court says otherwise. No doubt, that it is the proper interpretation, but is it the right disposition for our nation?
“Nigeria is a constitutional democracy and no one must be, or be seen to be, above the law. Unfortunately, the drama around the trial of the Chief Justice of Nigeria has challenged that pillar of justice in the perception of the ordinary man on the street.
“For it is certain that no ordinary Nigerian can get the swift and special treatment Justice Onnoghen has enjoyed from his subordinates and privies in our Judicature.’’
But, President Buhari stated that, in the midst of all these distracting events, the essential question of whether the accused CJN actually has a case to answer has been lost in the squabble over the form and nature of his trial, saying “this should not be so’’.
He added: “If Justice cannot be done and clearly seen to be done, society itself is at risk of the most unimaginable chaos. As a Government, we cannot stand by wailing and wringing our hands helplessly but give our full backing and support to those brave elements within the Judiciary who act forthrightly, irrespective of who is involved.’’
He said the fight against corruption was one of the tripod of policies promised to Nigerians by his administration, adding that “it is an existential Policy which must be given adequate attention and commitment by all the three arms of government’’.
He noted that the efforts of the executive arm would amount to nothing without the cooperation of the legislature and especially the judiciary.
“It is no secret that this government is dissatisfied with the alarming rate in which the Supreme Court of Nigeria under the oversight of Justice Walter Onnoghen has serially set free, persons accused of the most dire acts of corruption, often on mere technicalities, and after quite a number of them have been convicted by the trial and appellate courts.
“Since there is nothing the Executive Arm can do after the apex court of the land has spoken on any matter, several of these individuals walk free among us today, enjoying what are clearly the proceeds of the corruption which for so long has defeated the efforts of this nation to develop and prosper.
“It is against this background that I have received the Order of the Code of Conduct Tribunal directing me to suspend the Chief Justice pending final determination of the cases against him.
“It also explains why I am not only complying immediately, but with some degree of relief for the battered sensibilities of ordinary Nigerians whose patience must have become severely over-taxed by these anomalies.
“In line with this administration’s avowed respect for the Rule of Law, I have wholeheartedly obeyed the Order of the Code of Conduct Tribunal dated 23rd January 2019.
“Accordingly, I hereby suspend the Honourable Mr. Justice Walter Nkanu Samuel Onnoghen, GCON as the Chief Justice of Nigeria pending final determination of the case against him at the Code of Conduct Tribunal,’’ he said.
The president said he swore in Justice Ibrahim Mohammed as acting Chief Justice of Nigeria in further compliance with the same Order of the Code of Conduct Tribunal.
According to him, Mohammed is the next most Senior Justice in the Supreme Court.
Diezani cash: Ex-INEC officials convicted
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]WO former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) employees Christian Nwosu and Tijani Bashir have been convicted by a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos.
Nwosu, who was an INEC Administrative Secretary in Kwara State and Bashir, an official of the commission, were charged with N264.8 million gratification and money laundering. They were found guilty of the charges filed against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The former INEC officials were arraigned by the anti-graft agency for accepting bribe from former Petroleum Resources Minister Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke.
EFCC said the former minister received gratification from oil marketers such as Auctus Integrated Services Ltd, Northern Belt Oil, Gas Ltd and Midwestern Oil and Gas Ltd and Leno Adesanya.The money was part of slush funds distributed with a view to influencing the 2015 general elections, which former President Goodluck Jonathan lost.
According to the EFCC, the defendants conspired to directly take possession of N264,880,000, which they reasonably ought to have known forms part of an unlawful act – gratification.The convicts were charged with another INEC official Yisa Adedoyin, who pleaded guilty to the offence and was convicted following a plea bargain.
Nwosu, who had initially pleaded guilty to receiving N30 million bribe from Mrs. Alison-Madueke to rig the 2015 general election results at his arraignment on April 5, 2017, changed his plea to not guilty when he was re-arraigned.
EFCC said the convicts made cash payment of N70, 050,000 to Adedoyin, which exceeds the amount authorised by law without going through a financial institution.
Bashir was accused of indirectly taking possession of and retaining N164,880,000, which he reasonably ought to have known forms part of gratification, and concealing N30million, being part of the proceeds of an unlawful act: “criminal misappropriation”. The alleged offences were committed on March 27 and April 7, 2015 and violated provisions of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act.
In his verdict, Justice Mohammed Idris held that the prosecution proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.The Judge said: “I find that the prosecution has proved this case beyond reasonable doubt in a manner required by law.
“I, therefore, find the first and second defendants guilty as charged.”
He, however, could not pass a sentence on the defendants due to Nwosu’s absence.The convict’s lawyer, Obinna Okeke, said Nwosu, based in the Southeast, embarked on a journey to Lagos on Wednesday morning on learning that judgment would be delivered yesterday.
The lawyer told the court that his client arrived in Lagos late Wednesday.He said: “I got a call that he collapsed at the park. He’s on admission in a hospital in Ajangbadi.“The doctor had to start administering injections on him. His blood pressure was 200/100. He has been very hypertensive and has not been sleeping.”
Besides, Okeke said there was a pending appeal on a constitutional issue which the defendants filed at the Court of Appeal.”We’re urging your Lordship to grant an adjournment to enable the Court of Appeal dispose of this constitutional issue, by which time the first defendant would have recovered,” he pleaded.But, prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, urged the court to disregard the hospital report which he described as “worthless” and contradictory.
He said the doctor’s report stated that Nwosu was “conscious and alert”.
Refusing the prayer for adjournment, Justice Idris held: “The first defendant is absent without any valid reason in my respectful view.” On the pending appeal, Justice Idris held that the issue of law raised and any appeal from the judgment would both be determined by the Court of Appeal.
He added that he was bound by the Constitution to deliver the judgment within 90 days.
In his verdict, Justice Idris held that the defendants went to a Fidelity Bank Plc branch to “conduct an unusual transaction” that was outside the scope of their functions.
Contrary to Nwosu’s claim that the money was for logistics purposes, Justice Idris held that the convict had no account in Fidelity Bank where he went to receive the money, nor did he receive any instructions to disburse the cash.The judge said the fact that he collected huge sums of cash without going through a financial institution meant that an offence was committed.
Justice Idris noted that the defendants did not tender any instructions with respect to the transaction, adding the prosecution witnesses’ evidence was not contradicted.
He said: “The money did not come from any political party. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) did not issue any cheque in the name of the defendants to legitimise the transaction, neither did INEC.
“The defendants admitted that they did not receive cheques from anyone, including the PDP or INEC before going to Fidelity Bank. Why did they have to collect such huge amount of money in cash? INEC is not a customer of Fidelity Bank.
Read also: Lagos residents in street protest over Apapa gridlock
“There was no instruction directing the bank to disburse the said N264, 880,000 to the intending beneficiaries. The defendants admitted receiving the money.
“The evidence on record shows that this money did not come from any political party or any other known legitimate source other than the source revealed by the prosecution.
“The defendants were not customers of Fidelity Bank and were clearly not issued any financial instruments to carry out the transactions.
“I agree with the prosecution that the manner in which the transaction leading to this charge was consummated shows clearly that the defendants and Fidelity Bank, acting on behalf of Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, agreed to carry out unlawful act.
“The defendants though may not know reasonably ought to have known in view of the circumstances that the funds were proceeds of unlawful activity.”
After finding the defendants guilty, Justice Idris adjourned until 12 noon today for sentencing.
Monaco sack Thierry Henry over poor performance
[dropcap]M[/dropcap]onaco have sacked manager Thierry Henry after 20 games in charge. The Ligue 1 strugglers announced on Thursday he had been suspended, but BBC Sport understands that is merely procedural and that the France World Cup winner has already left the club.
Predecessor Leonardo Jardim is expected to replace Henry, just over three months after being fired himself. The 2017 French champions are in the relegation zone after only five wins under Henry in all competitions.
Franck Passi, appointed as Henry’s assistant on 20 December, will take training on Friday, the club said. Passi has previously had spells as caretaker manager of Marseille and Lille.
Henry – who was hired in October – had apologised for using foul language to insult Strasbourg defender Kenny Lala during his side’s 5-1 defeat on Saturday. Arsenal’s all-time leading scorer is in his first managerial role, having previously been Belgium assistant boss.
He had been on the shortlist for the Aston Villa manager’s job in October before taking the job at the club where he started his playing career.
