Flowerbud News

Month: April 2024

  • Court Grants EFCC Order to Freeze 1146 Suspicious Accounts linked to FX manipulation

    Court Grants EFCC Order to Freeze 1146 Suspicious Accounts linked to FX manipulation

     

    By Danladi Ahmed

    Abuja (Flowerbudnews): Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court Abuja has granted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, an interim order to freeze One Thousand, One Hundred and Forty Six(1,146) bank accounts belonging to individuals and companies being investigated for alleged offences bordering on unauthorized dealing in forex exchange, money laundering and terrorism financing.

    The judge ordered that the accounts be frozen “pending conclusion of investigation, ” a statement by Dele Oyewale, Head, Media & Publicity,EFCC disclosed.

    While ruling on a motion moved by the EFCC counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, the judge stated “that an order of this honorable court is hereby made freezing the bank accounts stated in the schedule below which accounts are owned by various individuals who are currently being investigated in a case involving the offences of unauthorized dealing in foreign exchange, money laundering and terrorism financing to the extent that the investigation will be for a period of 90 (ninety) days.”

    The judge added “that preliminary investigation conducted thus far reveals that the bank accounts are linked to persons who take advantage of the virtual cryptocurrency exchange platforms to illegally manipulate the value of naira and laundering proceeds of unlawful activities.”

    The judge further stated that there was need to preserve the funds in the identified bank accounts pending conclusion of investigation and possible prosecution.

    Justice Nwite adjourned the matter to July 23, 2024, for mention.
    Companies affected by the freezing order range from entities involved in  agri-businesses, logistics and haulage, microfinance banks, engineering,  among others. (Flowerbudnews)

  • Tribunal stops MultiChoice from increasing DStv, Gotv subscription rates

    Tribunal stops MultiChoice from increasing DStv, Gotv subscription rates

     

    Flowerbudnews

    A Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCPT) sitting in Abuja, on Monday, restrained Multi-Choice Nigeria Limited from increasing its tariffs and cost of products and services scheduled to begin on May 1.

    The three-member tribunal, presided over by Saratu Shafii, gave the interim order following an ex-parte motion moved by Ejiro Awaritoma, counsel for the applicant, Festus Onifade.

    The tribunal, in a ruling, restrained Multi-Choice from going ahead with impending price increase schedule to take effect from May 1, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed before it.

    “The 1st defendant is hereby restrained from taking any step(s) that may negatively affect the rights of the claimant and other consumers in respect of the suit pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice,” Shafii declared.

    She, therefore, directed all parties in the suit to appear before tribunal on Ma 7 at 10am for the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Onifade, in the suit marked: CCPT/OP/2/2024, had dragged Multi-Choice Nigeria Ltd and Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) before the tribunal.

    In the suit filed on April 29, Onifade, also a legal practitioner, sought two orders.

    These include, “an order of interim injunction of this honourable tribunal restraining the 1st defendant whether by themselves, her privies, assigns by whatsoever name called from going ahead with impending price increase schedule to take effect from 1st May, 2024, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

    “An order restraining the 1st defendant from taking any step(s) that may negatively affect the rights of the claimant and other consumers in respect of the suit pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.”

    Other members of the tribunal include Thomas Okosun and Dr. Umar Duhu.

    NAN reports that the company had, on April 1, 2022, hike the prices of all its packages.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

  • Alleged copyright infringement: Non appearance of MTN MD, 2 others stalls arraignment

    Alleged copyright infringement: Non appearance of MTN MD, 2 others stalls arraignment

     

     

    Flowerbudnews

    The arraignment of the MTN Nigeria Communications Ltd; its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO), Karl Toriola; over alleged copyright infringement, was, on Monday stalled in a Federal High Court, Abuja.

    The others are MTN Senior Executive Officer, Nkeakam Abhulimen, Fun Mobile Ltd, a telecommunications service provider; and Yahaya Maibe, its CEO.

    The matter, which was fixed for the suspects to take their plea could not go on shortly after the case was called due to the absence of Toriola and Abhulimen in court.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) equally observed that Toriola and Abhulimen were not represented in court by counsel.

    However, while MTN Nigeria Communications Ltd was represented by Obafemi Ajaba, Fun Mobile and Maibe were represented by Abdullateef Afolabi.

    Abdul Kohol, a lawyer and former acting Director-General of NCC, together with Zino Ugboma, said they were in court to watch brief for the nominal complainant, Maleke Moye, who was also in court.

    NAN reports that the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) had, in a charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/111/2024, sued MTN Nigeria Communications Ltd, Toriola, Abhulimen, Fun Mobile Ltd and Maibe as 1st to 5th defendants respectively.

    In the three count-count charge dated March 19 and filed March 20 by Emeka Ogbonna on NCC’s behalf, the prosecution alleged that the defendants, between 2010 and 2017, “offered for sale, sold and traded for business, infringed musical works of Maleke Moye, an artiste, without his consent and authorisation.”

    The commission alleged that the defendants used Maleke’s musical works and sound recordings with subsisting copyright, known as “caller ring back tunes” without the authorisation of the artiste.

    The musical works and sound recordings of the musician allegedly infringed upon include “911, Minimini-Wana Wana, Stop Racism, Ewole, 911 instrumental, Radio, Low Waist, and No Bother.”

    The defendants were also alleged to have illegally distributed the musical works to their subscribers, without authorisation, thereby infringing on the rights of the artiste.

    In the third count, the defendants were alleged of having in their possession, the musical works and sound recordings of the artiste, other than for their personal or domestic use.

    The copyright commission said the alleged offence is punishable under Section 20 (2) (a) (b) and (c) of the Copyright Act, Cap. C28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

    When the matter was called on Monday, Toriola and Abhulimen were neither in court nor represented by a lawyer.

    Ogbonna, who appeared for the prosecution, told the court that the matter was supposed to be for the arraignment of the defendants.

    The lawyer, who informed the court that the commission had investigated them, said most of them were already on administrative bail.

    He said though the expectation was that all of them would be in court today, Ogbonna however sought an adjournment to enable them do the needful

    “If they don’t come willingly, we know what to do to bring them before the court,” he said.

    Ajaba, who appeared for the 1st defendant (MTN), however, told the court that only the company was served the court documents as far as they knew.

    The lawyer said that they had filed a motion on notice on April 26, challenging the jurisdiction of the court to proceed on the matter as presently constituted.

    Ajaba said the firm sought an order striking out the charge for beng incurably defective and incapable of activating the jurisdiction of the court.

    Giving two grounds, he said the 1st defendant was not a juristic person, and therefore robbed the court the requisite jurisdiction to entertain any proceeding with respect to the applicant.

    Besides, the lawyer argued that the signature on the charge herein being the originating process in the criminal action cannot be traced or ascribed to any legal practitioner authorised to practice law in Nigeria contrary to the clear statement of the law as enunciated by the Supreme Court.

    But Justice Ekwo rhetorically asked Ajaba if he had studied the provision of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) in respect of raising objection.

    The judge, who said that the prosecution had already applied for a date for plea, adjourned the matter until May 14 for arraignment.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

  • Tukur Mamu: Court warns FG against lack of diligent prosecution

    Tukur Mamu: Court warns FG against lack of diligent prosecution

     

    Flowerbudnews

    A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday, warned the Federal Government (FG) against lack of diligent prosecution in the charge filed against former terrorist negotiator, Tukur Mamu.

    Justice Inyang Ekwo gave the warning following the disappearance of the FG’s lawyer, David Kaswe, in court prior to the resumed hearing in the case.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mamu was arraigned, on March 21, 2023, on 10 counts of terrorism financing, among others, but pleaded not guilty to the counts.

    Justice Ekwo, on April 27, 2023, declined to admit him to bail on the grounds of ill-health, after the Department of State Service (DSS) opposed the bail application.

    However, the judge, on Dec. 19, 2023, granted Mamu’s plea to have access to his own personal physician due to his alleged deteriorating health condition.

    Justice Ekwo, in the ruling, ordered that Mamu’s medical doctor should be allowed to treat him subject to the supervision of the DSS’ team of physicians.

    When the case was called on Monday, Kaswe, who entered his name on the cause list for the prosecution, was not in court.

    Mamu’s counsel, Abdul Mohammed, SAN, urged the court to stand down the matter to await Kaswe’s return.

    When the case was called again after the judge had delivered a judgment, the prosecution lawyer was still not in court

    Mohammed then said he would have applied that the charge be struck out because Mamu, since arraignment, had not been admitted to bail and that the court directed accelerated trial of the case.

    The senior lawyer added that despite being in court this morning, Kaswe was not in court even at 10am.

    The lawyer then notified the court of their motion on notice which he said the prosecution had responded to.

    Justice Ekwo granted his prayer to move the application.

    Mohammed said the motion, dated and filed Feb. 23, sought an order transferring Mamu to Kuje Correction Centre for proper medical attention.

    He said the motion had a 24-paragraph affidavit and Exhibits A to G.

    He said the court, recognising the fact that the defendant must be alive to face trial, ordered that he should be granted access to medical officers of his.

    Mohammed alleged that the order had not been complied with.

    “This application is brought so that we will take the defendant to the prisons because they always obey court order there, so that if we go there, he will have access to his medical officer.

    “It is completely within the discretion of the court and we do not want to bring application for contempt as that will take time.

    “Therefore, we want the court to vary the order and the defendant will stay in the Kuja Correctional Facility. That is what we are asking for,” he said.

    The judge, who deemed the counter affidavit of the prosecution filed on Feb. 27 as being adopted in compliance with the rules of the court, said he was aware that the prosecution was informed of the hearing date by the court registrar.

    Besides, he said he was also aware that Kaswe, who was to appear for the prosecution, was in court in the morning.

    Justice Ekwo, however, expressed surprised over “the miraculous disappearance” of the Federal Government’s lawyer in court.

    “I am also aware that the prosecution was in court this morning, but as to the miracle of disappearance of the prosecution as at the time this matter comes up for hearing is beyond my understanding,” he said.

    According to him, the prosecution understand that this is a court that stands on the side of justice and if you bring a person to stand trial, you should be bold enough to face the person during trial.

    “This antic of the prosecution is only being tolerated in today’s proceeding.

    “If the prosecution demonstrates that they are not ready to prosecute this matter either diligently or expeditiously, the court will make the right decision at that point,” the judge warned.

    Justice Ekwo, subsequently, adjourned the matter until May 20 for ruling on Mamu’s application to be transferred to Kuje Correctional Centre.

    NAN reports that Mamu, who is standing trial over his alleged relationship with terrorists that were involved in the March 28, 2022 attack on an Abuja-Kaduna-bound train, was arrested on Sept. 6, 2022, by Interpol in Cairo, Egypt, on behalf of the Nigerian government.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

  • X-RAYING CHINA’S PEACE EFFORTS IN GAZA CONFLICT

    X-RAYING CHINA’S PEACE EFFORTS IN GAZA CONFLICT

     

    By Lawal Sale

    Flowerbudnews:  In the 2nd session of the 14th National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China, Foreign Minister Wang Yi articulated China’s position in achieving lasting peace in the on-going Palestinian/Israeli conflict in Gaza

    Wang, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC), noted that the war has caused more than 100,000 civilian casualties, while countless bodies obviously remained buried under the rubble.

    It is important to note that China, in its efforts at finding lasting solutions to the conflict, has repeatedly appealed to the international community to act swiftly to trigger immediate ceasefire and ensure the provision of humanitarian assistance to the embattled residents of Gaza.

    Wang Yi, in a recent interview with Aljazeera TV network, said that some of the measures, which China proposed, included the attainment of immediate ceasefire via the concerted efforts of all parties, just as the United Nations Security Council, not long ago adopted its first resolution demanding a ceasefire since the onset of the conflict.

    WangYi emphasized that the resolution was legally binding and should be enforced effectively to actualize an unconditional ceasefire right away.

    Recall that China, right from the beginning of the war, has been in the forefront of the campaign for immediate cessation of hostilities, release of hostages, while making repeated demands for the enforcement of UN Security Council Resolution 2712 and 2720.

    Besides, China welcomed and encouraged the spirited efforts of Egypt, Qatar and others to broker peace and mediate in the raging conflict.

    As an integral part of solutions to the conflict, China called for the provision of unimpeded humanitarian assistance to Gaza at all times, while describing the proposed policy as a compelling and pressing moral obligation.

    Beyond that, the Asian country firmly opposed the forced transfer of Palestinian civilians in Gaza Strip and the collective punishment of the people of Gaza.

    Wang Yi stressed that China would continue to work with the international community in efforts toward the enforcement of the UN Security Council resolution on the ceasefire, civilian protection and sustainable delivery of humanitarian supplies to the people of Gaza.

    In its peacemaking efforts, China — a permanent member of the UN Security Council — has been consistent in warning against the apparent spillover of the conflict in the Middle East region, so as to forestall the situation from spinning out of control.

    Wang Yi asserted that the escalation of the Iran-Israel crisis was the latest spillover of the Gaza conflict, adding that China had earlier called on all parties in the conflict to stay calm and refrain from actions that could aggravate the crisis and further escalate the conflict.

    The Chinese foreign minister noted that another aspect of China’s concern in the Palestinian/Israeli conflict was the historical injustice perpetrated against the Palestinian people, saying that this must be promptly addressed, in order to tackle root causes of the conflict.

    It is paramount to note that the Gaza catastrophe once again reflects the perpetual denial of the legitimate national rights of the Palestinian people, which was the root cause of the decades-old Palestinian question.

    To break the vicious cycle of the Palestinian/Israeli conflict, experts in Middle East affairs underscore the need to eliminate the breeding of hate and extremism in the region, while promoting strategies that would engender lasting peace and give justice to the Palestinians in a pragmatic way.

    The experts emphasize that the enforcement the two-state policy in the area, which would guarantee the evolution of a truly independent Palestinian state, would definitely bring about a political settlement of Palestinian/Israeli conflict.

    China has pledged to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with Middle East countries and the whole international community to firmly support the just cause of the Palestinian people in restoring their legitimate national rights.

    The Asian country has also voiced support for internal reconciliation among different factions of Palestinian groups via dialogue, while supporting efforts to secure Palestine’s full membership of the United Nations (UN) at an early date.

    China has particularly expressed support for the establishment of the independent State of Palestine, with “the Palestinians governing Palestine.”

    Wang Yi succinctly articulated China’s position on the Palestinian/Israeli conflict and its resolution.

    He said: “We call for a more broad-based, more authoritative and more effective international peace conference to set a timetable and a roadmap for the two-state solution.”

    The conference is “to promote comprehensive, just and lasting settlement of the Palestinian question, and to ultimately realize peaceful coexistence between Israel and Palestine as well as harmony between the Arab and Jewish peoples,” he added.

    China’s President Xi Jinping attends a summit at the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing on May 15, 2017.
    Chinese President Xi Jinping urged world leaders to reject protectionism on May 15 at a summit positioning Beijing as a champion of globalisation, as some countries raised concerns over his trade ambitions. / AFP PHOTO / POOL / THOMAS PETER (Photo credit should read THOMAS PETER/AFP/Getty Images)

    Sale is an Abuja-based Global Affairs Analyst
    (lawalsale@mail.ru)

  • X-raying China’s Peace Efforts in Gaza Conflict

    X-raying China’s Peace Efforts in Gaza Conflict

    By Lawal Sale

    In the 2nd session of the 14th National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China, Foreign Minister Wang Yi articulated China’s position in achieving lasting peace in the on-going Palestinian/Israeli conflict in Gaza

    Wang, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC), noted that the war has caused more than 100,000 civilian casualties, while countless bodies obviously remained buried under the rubble.

    It is important to note that China, in its efforts at finding lasting solutions to the conflict, has repeatedly appealed to the international community to act swiftly to trigger immediate ceasefire and ensure the provision of humanitarian assistance to the embattled residents of Gaza.

    Wang Yi, in a recent interview with Aljazeera TV network, said that some of the measures, which China proposed, included the attainment of immediate ceasefire via the concerted efforts of all parties, just as the United Nations Security Council, not long ago adopted its first resolution demanding a ceasefire since the onset of the conflict.

    WangYi emphasized that the resolution was legally binding and should be enforced effectively to actualize an unconditional ceasefire right away.

    Recall that China, right from the beginning of the war, has been in the forefront of the campaign for immediate cessation of hostilities, release of hostages, while making repeated demands for the enforcement of UN Security Council Resolution 2712 and 2720.

    Besides, China welcomed and encouraged the spirited efforts of Egypt, Qatar and others to broker peace and mediate in the raging conflict.

    As an integral part of solutions to the conflict, China called for the provision of unimpeded humanitarian assistance to Gaza at all times, while describing the proposed policy as a compelling and pressing moral obligation.

    Beyond that, the Asian country firmly opposed the forced transfer of Palestinian civilians in Gaza Strip and the collective punishment of the people of Gaza.

    Wang Yi stressed that China would continue to work with the international community in efforts toward the enforcement of the UN Security Council resolution on the ceasefire, civilian protection and sustainable delivery of humanitarian supplies to the people of Gaza.

    In its peacemaking efforts, China — a permanent member of the UN Security Council — has been consistent in warning against the apparent spillover of the conflict in the Middle East region, so as to forestall the situation from spinning out of control.

    Wang Yi asserted that the escalation of the Iran-Israel crisis was the latest spillover of the Gaza conflict, adding that China had earlier called on all parties in the conflict to stay calm and refrain from actions that could aggravate the crisis and further escalate the conflict.

    The Chinese foreign minister noted that another aspect of China’s concern in the Palestinian/Israeli conflict was the historical injustice perpetrated against the Palestinian people, saying that this must be promptly addressed, in order to tackle root causes of the conflict.

    It is paramount to note that the Gaza catastrophe once again reflects the perpetual denial of the legitimate national rights of the Palestinian people, which was the root cause of the decades-old Palestinian question.

    To break the vicious cycle of the Palestinian/Israeli conflict, experts in Middle East affairs underscore the need to eliminate the breeding of hate and extremism in the region, while promoting strategies that would engender lasting peace and give justice to the Palestinians in a pragmatic way.

    The experts emphasize that the enforcement the two-state policy in the area, which would guarantee the evolution of a truly independent Palestinian state, would definitely bring about a political settlement of Palestinian/Israeli conflict.

    China has pledged to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with Middle East countries and the whole international community to firmly support the just cause of the Palestinian people in restoring their legitimate national rights.

    The Asian country has also voiced support for internal reconciliation among different factions of Palestinian groups via dialogue, while supporting efforts to secure Palestine’s full membership of the United Nations (UN) at an early date.

    China has particularly expressed support for the establishment of the independent State of Palestine, with “the Palestinians governing Palestine.”

    Wang Yi succinctly articulated China’s position on the Palestinian/Israeli conflict and its resolution.

    He said: “We call for a more broad-based, more authoritative and more effective international peace conference to set a timetable and a roadmap for the two-state solution.”

    The conference is “to promote comprehensive, just and lasting settlement of the Palestinian question, and to ultimately realize peaceful coexistence between Israel and Palestine as well as harmony between the Arab and Jewish peoples,” he added.

    Sale is an Abuja-based Global Affairs Analyst
    (lawalsale@mail.ru)

  • TOGO’S 2024 PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS: MATTERS ARISING

    TOGO’S 2024 PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS: MATTERS ARISING

     

    By Paul Ejime

    The international community, particularly ECOWAS and the African Union have been passive or at best non-committal towards events leading up to Togo’s 29 April 2024 Parliamentary and Regional elections, which were overshadowed by controversial constitutional and electoral reforms, with potentially far-reaching consequences.Parliamentary elections are crucial to Togo’s governance system, and more so with the constitutional changes recently pushed through by President Faure Gnassingbé’s government.

    An estimated 4.2 million Togolese voters were expected to vote on Monday to elect a 113-seat Parliament, up from 91, and 179 regional councillors from more than 2,348 candidates, including 593 women.

    It is the country’s first regional election with balloting in more than 14,200 polling stations nationwide.The government declared Monday a public holiday and the country’s borders were closed for the elections.Members of Parliament are elected by closed-list proportional representation from multi-member constituencies ranging in size from two to ten seats with the seats allocated using the highest average method.

    Togo’s political life has been dominated for more than five decades by the ruling Union for the Republic (UNIR), led by President Faure Gnassingbé, who has been in power since the death of his father Gnassingbé Eyadéma in 2005.

    After Togo’s independence from France in 1960, the late Eyadéma, who had served in the French army, was involved in two military coups, first in 1963 and then, in1967, when he seized power until his death.

    After seizing power as interim president in 2005, the young Eyadéma was elected to the presidency later the same year and then re-elected in 2010 and 2015.

    However, the heavily criticized electoral processes and what analysts call “dynastic democracy” are characterized by repression of the opposition and unilateral modifications of the constitution.

    The 2018 parliamentary elections were boycotted by the C14 Alliance, the main opposition group of fourteen parties, over allegations of irregularities in the electoral process and Faure’s refusal to abandon his constitutional review project.

    Having failed to reset the presidential term to allow him to remain in power beyond the third term, which ended in 2020, the campaigns for the 2018 parliamentary elections were marked by repression against demonstrators, resulting in several deaths and the government’s blanket ban on all marches or public gatherings in mid-December.

    In the absence of any real opposition, the UNIR retained its absolute majority in Parliament, winning 59 of the 91 seats and with a sharp increase in the number of independent deputies to 18, while the Union of Forces for Change (UFC) and four other groups shared the remaining seats.Even so, the UNIR still failed to get the four-fifths majority of seats required for a constitutional amendment.

    However, in 2019, the government still managed to amend the constitution almost unanimously, which could allow Faure to remain in office until 2030. He was re-elected in the first round of the 2020 presidential election with more than 70% of the vote, a result contested by the opposition which accused the government of electoral fraud. The 2024 Parliamentary elections were to be held on 13 April 2024, but on March 25, the parliament approved the constitutional reforms changing the country’s system of government from a presidential to a parliamentary model and the method of voting for the president from direct to indirect. Under the new system, executive powers are vested in the Prime Minister/President of the Council of Ministers, voted by fellow parliamentarians. The President of the Republic will be more a less a ceremonial position.As a result of heightened political tension and outcry against the reforms, President Faure paused the process and ordered an indefinite postponement of the elections.On 19 April, the Parliament eventually approved the reforms by 87 votes and the government then rescheduled the national elections to 29 April.Some opposition parties and civil society groups described the postponement as a ploy by the regime to “endorse its constitutional coup,” but the protests they called for from 11 to 13 April, were suppressed since protests are banned in the country.On 23 April, the request by the Catholic Church to deploy observers to the elections was also rejected by the Electoral Commission, which questioned the group’s source of funds.Foreign journalists are barred from covering the elections, but ECOWAS, the regional economic bloc, the African Union, and the International Organization of La Francophonie have deployed observation missions at the request of Togolese authorities.ECOWAS’ 40-member Observation Mission is led by Gambia’s former Vice President Mrs Fatoumata Jallow-Tambajang. This is even though the pre-election constitutional and electoral reforms are in clear violation of the ECOWAS 2001 Supplementary Protocol relating to the Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management, Resolution, Peacekeeping, and Security, otherwise known as the Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.Article 2(1), SECTION II of the Protocol states that “No substantial modification shall be made to the electoral laws in the last six (6) months before elections (in member States), except with the consent of a majority of political actors.”To further complicate matters, ECOWAS had issued two different press statements before deploying its recent fact-finding mission of 15-20 April to Togo. The first press release said the mission was “exploratory,” and would consult with stakeholders against the background of recent political developments, while the second statement said it was solely a “pre-election observation mission.”By contradicting itself instead of asserting a principled stance on Togo, especially after the successful Presidential election in Senegal, analysts are of the view that ECOWAS has missed a golden opportunity to burnish its dented image and reputation in the wake of four of its member States – Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, and Niger – under military dictatorships.Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have served notice of their intention to quit ECOWAS altogether, citing the organization’s inconsistency or double standards, in dealing with “constitutional, political or electoral coups,” as against “military coups,” as one of the reasons.While military takeover of governments cannot be justified, the same 2001 ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol, has provisions on Zero-Tolerance for unconstitutional change of government, which application should not be limited to military putsches alone.Ardent followers of Togo’s chequered political history know that the latest controversial constitutional reforms are part of a grand ploy for tenure elongation by Faure similar to former Senegalese President Macky Sall’s failed political manoeuvrers.Faure has been propped by Togo’s ethnically divided military, notorious for repression and their strong backing for his father, who transmuted from a soldier to a politician during his 38-year iron-fist rule.The lack of visionary and dynamic leadership in ECOWAS allowed Faure to break ranks and bypass regional sanctions to cozy up with the military juntas in the region without any consequences.The outcome of Monday’s elections might pan out in Faure’s favour, but how long Togo’s generally docile population will tolerate the Eyadema dynasty in power remains to be seen!With its lack of cohesion, alienation of the estimated 400 million Community citizens, and attendant reputational damage, ECOWAS risks avoidable dismemberment, if urgent steps are not taken to quickly seal its gaping fault lines and disunity.The regional integration vision of the founding fathers of the organization, which will be 50 next year is in serious peril.*Ejime is an Author, Global Affairs Analyst, and Consultant on Peace & Security and Governance Commu

  • Fx crisis: Court permits EFCC to freeze 1, 146 individuals, companies’ accounts

    Fx crisis: Court permits EFCC to freeze 1, 146 individuals, companies’ accounts

     

     

    Flowerbudnews

    A Federal High Court, Abuja has granted an interim order sought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to freeze at least 1, 146 bank accounts belonging to individuals and companies over allegations bordering on unauthorised dealing in foreign exchange, among others.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that other offences being investigated by the EFCC bordered on money laundering and terrorism financing.

    Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling on the ex-parte motion moved by counsel for the anti-graft agency, Ekele Iheanacho, also granted the commission’s application to conclude the investigation within 90 days.

    Justice Nwite said: “It is hereby ordered as follows:

    “That the applicant’s application is hereby granted as prayed.

    “That an order of this honourable court is hereby made freezing the bank accounts stated in the schedule below which accounts are owned by various individuals who are currently being investigated in a case involving the offences of unauthorised dealing in foreign exchange, money laundering and terrorism financing to the extant that the investigation will be for a period of 90 (Ninety) days.”

    NAN reports that though the ruling was delivered on April 24, its certified true copy was sighted on Monday.

    The EFCC, in the motion ex-parte marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/543/2024 dated and filed April 24 by Iheanacho, was heard by the judge same day in the interest of national interest.

    The motion was brought pursuant to Section 44(2) and (K) of the 1999 Constitution; Section 34 of the EFCC Establishment Act 2004; Section 7(8) of the Money Laundering Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022 and under the inherent juruduxtion of the court.

    The agency had sought the order freezing the bank accounts stated in the schedule attached to the motion pending the conclusion of the investigation.

    Giving three grounds upon which the reliefs were sought, it said: “The bank accounts in respect of which the reliefs are sought are subject matters of investigation by the EFCC in relation to money laundering and terrorism financing.

    “That preliminary investigation conducted thus far reveals that the bank accounts are linked to persons who take advantage of the virtual crypto currency exchange platforms to illegal manipulate the value of Naira and laundering proceeds of unlawful activities.

    “That there is need to preserve the funds in the identified bank accounts pending the conclusion of investigation and possible prosecution.”

    Justice Nwite consequently adjourned the matter until July 23 for mention.

    Some of the account names mentioned in the attached schedule are Akitoye Adeyemi Ayomide with GTBank account number; 0165110025; Clyp Trading Ltd, Titan Trust Bank account number: 0000331101; Clyp Consulting Ltd, Providous account number: 9401374554; and Toyetech Platforms Ltd, Titan Trust Bank account number: 0000134962.

    They also include Winx International Platforms Ltd, Titan Trust Bank account number: 0000135055; Shutterscore Trading Platforms Ltd, Access Bank account number: 1532363954; Tradecillion Trading Ltd, Stanbic IBTC account number: 0045672922; and Nsofor Donald Nmamdi, GTBank account number: 0449088666

    They equally include Kora Payments Network Ltd-Operations, UBA account number: 1022242089; Renderstack Technologies Ltd, Zenith Bank account number: 1210355120; Korex Payments Ltd, Globus account number: 5000007837; and Awe Microfinance Bank Ltd, Providous account number: 5400760781; and Victor Samuel Asuquo, Opay Digital Services Ltd account number: 9020132068.

    Others are Akingbade Sabit Juwon, ECONANK account number: 3442053006; Nsofor Donald Nmamdi, Union Bank account number: 0140460572; Asuquo Victor Samuel, First Bank account number: 3153199542; Oty Ugochukwu Stanley, FCMB account number: 4039304011; Oty & Sons Global Concepts, Fidelity Bank account number: 6060410145; and Pelumi Ayandoye, Wema Bank account number: 0234852277; and David George Ajala, Fidelity Bank account number: 5090680780, among others.

    NAN had, on March 18, reported that Justice Nwite equally ordered Binance Holdings Limited to provide EFCC with the comprehensive data or information of all persons from Nigeria trading on its platform.

    The judge granted the interim order on Feb. 29 to enable the anti-graft agency unravel the alleged money laundering and terrorism financing on Binance, a crypto currency exchange platform.

    The commission had told the judge that its investigation team uncovered users who had been using the platform for price discovery, confirmation and market manipulation which had caused tremendous distortions in the market, resulting in the Naira losing its values against other currencies.

    It said that from the information afforded to the team by Binance showed that the total trading volume from Nigeria in 2023 alone stood at $21.6 billion.

    NAN reports that while EFCC is currently prosecuting Binance and two of its executives on alleged money laundering charge, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) is prosecuting the company on alleged tax evasion offences.(NAN)(www.nannewd.ng)

  • Breaking: Missing UNIABJ Female Student Found Dead 

    Breaking: Missing UNIABJ Female Student Found Dead 

     

    By Zainab Musa (The Author)

    Abuja (Flowerbudnews) The missing 400 Level student of the University of Abuja, Murjanatu Zubairu has been found dead.

    A public notice by the Nigerian Universities Education Students Association (NUESA) obtained by Flowerbudnews, said that Murjanatu was involved in a ghastly accident along River Park Lugbe.

    Joshua Watra, NUESA President who signed the notice expressed the association’s appreciation to all persons who showed concern when late Murjanatu was declared missing. (Flowerbudnews)