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  • Oborevwori plans ‘world class’ stadium in Warri

    Oborevwori plans ‘world class’ stadium in Warri

    Delta State Governor, Rt Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, Friday, said his administration is planning to revamp the Warri Township Stadium into a world class sports facility.

     

    Speaking when he received members of the National Assembly from the state, led by Hon. Nicholas Mutu, on a victory and solidarity visit at Government House, Asaba, Governor Oborevwori said the designs for the new stadium was currently ongoing and would be one of the best in the country when completed.

     

    While thanking the Federal lawmakers for the solidarity visit, the Governor pointed out that his administration had recorded appreciable progress in the past eight months, assuring that more developments await Deltans with the court cases now put to rest.

    Governor Oborevwori said: “I am very happy receiving you today as you have come to congratulate us not just me for all the victories, most especially the Supreme Court victory, having survived 38 cases.

     

    “To God alone be all the glory. This has soften my heart more to continue to serve God. Deltans displayed the organic love they have for me when we got the Supreme Court victory. There was no local government were people did not celebrate the victory.

     

    “You people have come together as one and not as a party. We must be one because that is the only way we can advance Delta State

     

    In the past eight months we have initiated some projects and we have also consolidated on the old ones we inherited despite the difficulty in funding projects at this time.

     

    “We have brought in the best construction company to Delta State, Julius Berger because we want nothing but the best for Deltans.

     

    We awarded them a contract of N78 billion, they have mobilised to site and already working and we are also maintaining some access roads within Warri and environs to reduce traffic during the construction work.

     

    “The road from Sapele through Adagbrasa is completed and awaiting inauguration. We are also working on the road from Okan junction to Agbarho to link the East-West Road so that when you are coming from Benin and you are going to Ughelli or Port-Harcourt, you don’t have to get to the Effurun roundabout to reduce the traffic in that area.

     

    “I am very sure because I know the capacity of Julius Berger, so I am convinced that they will deliver the projects within 27 months. We have fully mobilised them with 25 percent of the contract sum and they are already working.

     

    “We are also working on revamping the Warri stadium. They are already working on the designs and once the designs are ready we will come up with a very standard stadium that will be one of the best in this country when completed.

     

    “I want to continue to count on your support because we must be united, that is the only way that will bring peace and more unity for us in Delta State.

     

    “When there is peace, there will be more developments. So we need more peace and unity and we will continue to work together whether in the National Assembly or here in the State House of Assembly.

     

    “We will continue to collaborate to ensure we give our people the best as we have promised. But in all, we give God thanks for these achievements and for these victories.”

     

    Earlier, Hon. Victor Nwokolo who spoke on behalf of the delegation said they were at Government House to congratulate the Governor on his victory at the Supreme Court.

     

    According to him, “we have come here to identify with you as your representatives in the National Assembly to thank God for what He has done for us here in Delta.

     

    “We are here to rejoice with you on your victory and to thank God for what he has done for us because a lot of stories were involved. But thank God because only God can give power and what God has done, no man can change.

     

    “When God gives you truly no man can upturn it. Like the Bible said, many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord delivered them all.

     

    “It is on record that nobody has ever gone through what you went through but we are most grateful that at all times the finger of God was very visible.

     

    “On that note we are here to rejoice and identify with you, to tell you that we are praying with you and we will keep praying for the peace of Delta State.

     

    “All of us here are fully happy with your victory and we identify very strongly with the decision of God through the Supreme Court of Nigeria.”

     

    Members of the delegation included; Hon. Julius Pondi, (Burutu Federal Constituency); Hon. Thomas Ereyitomi, (Warri Federal Constituency); Hon. Ejiroghene Francis Waive, (Ughelli/Udu Federal Constituency); Hon. Ben Etanebene, (Okpe/Sapele/Uvwie Federal Constituency); Hon. Ngozi Okolie, (Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency) and Hon. Nnamdi Ezechi, (Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency).

    .

     

  • Court Jails Fake US Soldier for $5,000 Fraud in Port Harcourt

    Court Jails Fake US Soldier for $5,000 Fraud in Port Harcourt

     

     

     

    By Biola Lawal

    Port Harcourt ( Flowerbudnews): The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has secured the conviction and imprisonment of a fake United States soldier,   Chukwuema Samuel Andrew.

    He was arraigned on two-count charges bordering on advance fee fraud contrary to Section 1(1) (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act, a statement by EFCC Spokesman, Dele Oyewale stated.

    Count one of the charges reads: “That you, Chukwuema Samuel Andrew (a.k.a Mary Parlier) sometime in April, 2021 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State within the jurisdiction of this honourable court with intent to defraud, did obtain the sum of $5,300 (Five Thousand Three Hundred Dollars) under the pretext of being Mary Parlier, a female soldier serving in Yemen as a computer operator, a pretext which to your knowledge was false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1) (a) of the Advance Fee and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.”

     

    He pleaded guilty when the charges were read to him, prompting prosecution counsel, B. O. Agala to pray the court to convict and sentence him accordingly, while defence counsel P. U. Ogbuehi prayed the judge to temper justice with mercy stating that his client was a first -time offender with no previous criminal records.

     

    Justice Ajoku convicted and  sentenced Andrew to  30 months imprisonment.  Besides his prison term, he forfeited his Redmi mobile phone and iPhone 12 Pro to the Federal government and deposed to an affidavit of good behaviour before the court.

    The convict’s journey to the Correctional Centre began when he was nabbed by EFCC operatives for internet fraud sometime in June, 2023, at Golf Estate, Port Harcourt in an operation code named “Eagle Sweep.” His profiling revealed that he became involved in different shades of cybercrime including dating and romance scam in 2021.

    The $5,300 proceeds of crime he earned was sent to him as itunes cards, steam cards and Bitcoins through his vendor who converted them to naira values via his Access Bank and United Bank for  Africa accounts.

    In another development,   EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede has stated that, individuals who obstruct the Commission or its authorized officers in the exercise of their duties run afoul of Section 38(a)(b) of the Commission’s Establishment Act. The same, he said, also applies to those who fail to comply with lawful enquiries or demands made by authorized officers of the Commission.

    He  disclosed this during a lecture organized by officers of Advanced and Intelligence Intermediate Course of the Nigerian Navy on the “History, Roles and Organization of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC” at the Navy Intelligence School Ubima, Rivers State.

    The EFCC Chairman, who was represented at the event by Chief Superintendent of EFCC, CSE Itoro Levi Azuogu, Head CTGI 2, Port Harcourt Zonal Command, stated that the Commission had the constitutional power to seek and receive information from any person, authority or entity without inhibitions in the cause of its investigations. He, therefore, enjoined individuals and entities to be forthcoming with information required of them by the Commission as refusal to do so constitutes a criminal offence.

    To further educate the public on the responsibilities of the Commission, Olukoyede listed the scope of EFCC’s mandate to include the combatting of “non-violent criminal and illicit activities, committed with the objective of earning illegitimate wealth, either by individuals or a group, organized in any manner that violates existing legislation governing the economic activities of the government, which includes any form of fraud,  money laundering, embezzlement, bribery, looting, all forms of malpractices, smuggling, bunkering, tax evasion, illegal oil bunkering, currency counterfeiting, intellectual property theft amongst others.”

     

    The Deputy Commandant, Navy Intelligence School, G.O. Babtunde, in his closing remarks, thanked CSE Azuogu for the insightful lecture. (Flowerbudnews):

     

     

  • Police deploy massive resources, restrict movement in Enugu for Re-run Election

    Police deploy massive resources, restrict movement in Enugu for Re-run Election

     

    By Flowerbudnews
    The Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mr Kanayo Uzuegbu, has ordered massive deployment of police operatives and other resources to ensure hitch-free re-run elections in the slated areas in the state.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled
    a re-run elections in Igbo-Eze North/Udenu Federal Constituency and Enugu South Urban State Constituency for Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024.

     

    The commissioner said in a statement on Friday issued on his behalf by the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, in Enugu.

     

    Ndukwe said that the commissioner had ordered the restriction of non-essential and unauthorized human and vehicular movements in Igbo-Eze North and Udenu Local Government Areas from 12a.m. to 6p.m. of the election day.

     

    “The commissioner, in compliance with the directives of the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun, has restated the ban and restriction of all security aides to VIPs and escorts from accompanying their principals and politicians to polling booths and collation centers during the election.

     

    “This is in addition to barring state-established and owned security outfits and organizations, like the Neighborhood Watch Group and the Forest Guards, other quasi-security units, and privately owned guard and security outfits from participating in the elections’ security management.

     

    “Consequently, the commissioner has reaffirmed the preparedness of the police and other security agencies in the state to ensure maximum security and safety before, during, and beyond the period of the elections.

     

    “He, therefore, urges the electorate in the areas to massively go out and exercise their franchise without fear of intimidation or molestation,” he said.

     

    The police spokesman said that the commissioner had cautioned political parties, their candidates, and their supporters against conducting themselves in ways capable of contravening provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 (as amended) and breaching public peace during the elections.

     

    He said that the state police boss also warned that anyone found wanting would be made to face the full wrath of the law.

     

    “The citizenry, particularly electorate and residents in the areas of the re-run elections have been enjoined to be law-abiding, vigilant, and promptly report acts of crime and observed electoral offenses to the nearest police station or call 08032003702, 08086671202, 0809880172, or 08075390883.” (Flowerbudnews)

  • EFCC Arraigns Lawyer over Alleged N91m Land Fraud in Enugu

    EFCC Arraigns Lawyer over Alleged N91m Land Fraud in Enugu

     

     

    By Biola Lawal

    Enugu ( Flowerbudnews): The  Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has  arraigned one Barrister Mike Ikegbunam on a seven-count charge of money laundering and obtaining by false pretence to the tune of N91,000,000.00 (Ninety-One Million Naira).

    He was arraigned before Justice Mohammed Garba Umar of the Federal High Court sitting in Independence Layout, Enugu State a statement by Dele Oyewale, Head, Media and Publicity disclosed.

    One of the counts reads: “That you, Mike Ikegbunam on 16th August, 2022 in Umuagu Ozu Village, Anambra State within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria with intent to defraud, induced the Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions of Nigeria to deliver to you, the sum of N25,000,000.00 (Twenty-Five Million naira) under the pretence that you are capable of acquiring some portions of land for their members at Umuagu Ndiukwuanu Town in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State which pretence you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (1) (a) of Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act”.

    He pleaded “not guilty” when the charges were read to him.”

     

    In view of his plea, Counsel to the EFCC,  Nuradeen Shehu Ingawa prayed the court for a trial date and for the defendant to be remanded at the Correctional Centre. The defence counsel, A. G. Anyigo prayed the court to admit his client to bail adding that “the defendant is a very responsible personality in the society”.

    Responding, Ingawa vehemently opposed the bail application based on the gravity of the offence and urged the court to dismiss the bail application.

    In his ruling, Justice Umar granted the defendant bail on self recognizance being a legal practitioner on the following conditions;

    That the defendant must deposit his Call to Bar Certificate with the court and make available one surety, who must be his cousin.

    The defendant was remanded at the EFCC custody pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions.

    The judge  adjourned the matter to March 21, 2024 for trial.

     

    Ikegbunam was arrested on July 12, 2023 owing to the claims of the Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions (SSAUTHRIAI), Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching  Hospital Nnewi Branch, alleging that its members paid N91million to him for the purchase of 130( One Hundred and Thirty plots of land at Umuagu, Ozu Ndiukwuanu Town, in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

    Investigations showed that the defendant, who has refunded N10,000,000.00 (Ten Million Naira) to the Association, used N16,500,000 (Sixteen Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira), suspected to be part of the money to acquire three plots of land for himself at Dubai Estate, Phase 2 in Awka, Anambra State.  (Flowerbudnews)

  • FROM A WHOPPING SUM OF N7.05 BILLION TO N2.3 BILLION HOW GLOBACOM RESISTED MTN CORPORATE BULLYING

    FROM A WHOPPING SUM OF N7.05 BILLION TO N2.3 BILLION HOW GLOBACOM RESISTED MTN CORPORATE BULLYING

    According to impeccable industry sources, MTN had tried to intimidate and blackmail GLOBACOM on its soil but the telecoms company stood its ground by challenging MTN to prove whatever case it had instead of engaging in cheap blackmail. It turned out to be a fight worth fighting. From experience, GLOBACOM was used to being harassed by those who failed to realise that its promoters built its business conglomerates in an organic fashion and never through the surreptitious processes. MTN had slammed a whopping sum of over N7.05 billion on GLOBABOM, covering interconnect charges of N1.6 billion (which was already paid before the controversial publication), VAT of N1.7 billion allegedly paid on behalf of GLOBACOM and a compounded interest of N3.6 billion, which GLOBACOM considered preposterous since it is the absolute prerogative of companies to pay its interests and never through proxies. Thus it was bizarre that MTN paid VAT on its behalf when it was already a fact that GLOBACOM met all its obligations to FIRS. To establish that GLOBACOM was not short of funds but only fighting for its fundamental rights and integrity in the industry, the company posted a payment guarantee of N3,489,961,881.48 and also issued seven bank cheques each of N500m making a total of N3.5b. but MTN later opted for the bank guarantee. GLOBACOM then requested the commencement of a reconciliation exercise. The earlier threat to disconnect GLO was obviously in bad faith and poor taste since it had even paid the N1.6 billion before the publication and was only seeking transparency in the MTN claims. After the parties sat down for due diligence with the Regulators at NCC offices in Lagos, it was established that contrary to the MTN insistence on claiming the earlier published sums, the interest element of the interconnect debt due from GLOBACOM to MTN stands at N2,368,290,400.81.

     

    Because of this painstaking reconciliation, MTN can now go ahead to call up the First Bank payment guarantee dated 17th January 2024. This shall represent the full and final payment.

     

    GLOBACOM insists that MTN should never have been pampered to the extent that it wields the power of life and death over homegrown competitors. According to checks on MTN operations elsewhere, this is the same modus operandi that led to several major telecom companies collapsing and fleeing from Ghana.

  • Rivers: Edison Ehie’s plea to stop criminal charge against him, others Struck out

    Rivers: Edison Ehie’s plea to stop criminal charge against him, others Struck out

     

    Flowerbudnews

    The application filed by Edison Ehie, the Chief of Staff (CoS) to Gov. Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers, seeking an order to strike out the charge against him and others for want of jurisdiction has been struck out.

    The plea was truck out by Justice Bolaji Olajuwon of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday. Justice Olajuwon held that Ehie, having not been joined as a defendant in the charge lacked the legal right to make such plea.

    Justice Olajuwon also struck out the CoS’ prayer for an order striking out his name anywhere it might appear in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/25/2024.

    The judge agreed with the police lawyer, Simon Lough, SAN, that having not been joined as a defendant in the charge, Ehie’s application cannot be heard.

    Ehie, who was recently appointed as CoS after he resigned as member and factional speaker of the assembly, was alleged to be among the suspects charged by the I-G for committing the offence.

    Five suspected arsonists of the Rivers House of Assembly were, on Jan. 25, arraigned before Justice Olajuwon on seven-count charge bordering on alleged terrorism, among others.

    Ehie, whose name was mentioned, was alleged to be at large with other suspects.

    The five defendants arraigned are Chime Eguma Ezebalike, Prince Lukman Oladele, Kenneth Goodluck Kpasa, Osiga Donald and Ochueja Thankgod.

    They, however, pleaded not guilty to the seven-count charge and were ordered to remain in Kuje Correctional Centre until today when their respective bail applications would be determined by the judge.

    Upon resumed hearing today, Ehie’s lawyer, Oluwole Aladedoye, SAN, informed the court that he had filed an application dated and filed on Jan. 29, seeking for two orders.

    He said the parties had been served accordingly.

    Aladedoye said the application was brought pursuant to Sections 6 and 36 of 1999 Constitution.

    He argued that it was incorrect that Ehie, whose name featured in the counts preferred by the Inspector-General (I-G) of Police had no right to make this application.

    “It would have been different if the name is not there at all,” he added.

    The senior lawyer equally argued that in their affidavit it was clearly stated that at no times was his client ever invited by the police.

    He urged the court to grant their prayers.

    But police counsel, Lough, disagreed with him.

    Lough said though he was served with Ehie’s application, the motion was not ripe for hearing.

    According to him, the application is incompetent in view of Section 396(2) of Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.

    He said since Ehie was challenging the jurisdiction of the court, the provision of the law says until an applicant is joined and takes his plea before he can have the right to file such motion.

    “His (Ehie’s) name is not in the charge and has not applied to be joined. So his application is incompetent,” he said, praying the court to strike it out.

    Justice Olajuwon, who agreed with Lough, asked: “Who is this person? The person is not a party in this charge and the order challenging the jurudiction of the court is refused.”

    The judge said Ehie’s name was only mentioned as a person who is at large, which was just a statement.

    She held that the CoS was yet to be joined as a defendant in the charge.

    The judge said that if Ehie was not at large, he should make himself available to the police.

    “If that person is not at large, let him make himself available to the police,” she said.

    Olajuwon subsequently struck out Ehie’s prayer seeking to strike out his name anywhere it was mentioned in the charge
    Meanwhile, the judge had stood down the matter to rule on the bail applications of the five defendants. Flowerbudnews

  • Obstruct Ambulance, Bag up to 5Yrs Jail Term- Malaysian Example

    Obstruct Ambulance, Bag up to 5Yrs Jail Term- Malaysian Example

    Culled from NewsNav

    There is no doubt that many Nigerians may not know that to obstruct ambulance on a road could be tantamount to dangerous or reckless driving.

    Below is an experience from Malaysia!

    Recently, (in Malaysia), there have been several regrettable cases of drivers in our country not giving way to ambulances transporting emergency patients on the road.

    On 6 January, the Sri Aman District Police released a statement regarding a Perodua Kembara not giving way to an ambulance in Sri Aman, Sarawak, while on 16 January, St John Muar Ambulance shared how one of their ambulances being blocked by a pickup truck and the passengers laughing at them after finally giving way on Pedas Linggi highway.

    The most recent case involves a Toyota Camry on the MRR2 highway in Kuala Lumpur. According to NST, the driver can be seen driving recklessly and blocking the ambulance. NST in an update then reported that the driver has since been identified as a 41-year-old female who is suffering from psychiatric issues and was taken to Kuala Lumpur Hospital for treatment and to obtain a medical report.

    This latest incident has got to be the most intriguing out of the 3, given that the driver was confirmed to be suffering from a psychiatric issue that may have impacted the way she drove on the road. So, what charges does she face with this added context in mind? Furthermore, what relevant laws apply to any drivers blocking or refusing to give way to ambulances on the road?

     

    Well, join us as we delve into the relevant laws and regulations on the matter below.
    Section 42 of the Road Transport Act 1987
    The most relevant law in all 3 cases has got to be Section 42 of the Road Transport Act 1987 for reckless and dangerous driving. The provision is as below:

    According to Section 42 of the Act, an individual is considered to have committed an offence of reckless and dangerous driving if they drive a motor vehicle on a road recklessly or at a speed or in a manner which having regard to all the circumstances (including the nature, condition and size of the road and the amount of traffic which is or might be expected to be on the road) is dangerous to the public.

    Based on the videos of all 3 aforementioned cases, the drivers can be deemed to have committed reckless and dangerous driving because they not only didn’t give way to ambulances but also actively blocked them from overtaking them. As such can be argued to be reckless driving as what Section 42(1) prescribes.

    Should an offender be convicted under this provision, they face up to 5 years of imprisonment and a fine between RM5,000 to RM15,000. Moreover, if the offence is the second or subsequent conviction, the punishment is increased to up to 10 years in jail and a fine between RM10,000 to RM20,000.

    Image source: WORLD OF BUZZ

    In addition, Section 4 states that those convicted be disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for 5 years from the date of conviction and if they’re a holder of a probationary driving licence, the licence would be revoked.

    Furthermore, should it be a second or subsequent conviction, the disqualification would be for a period of 10 years from the date of conviction.

    Section 46 of the Road Transport Act 1987
    As for the 41-year-old driver who blocked the ambulance on the MRR2 highway, given that she was confirmed to suffer from psychiatric issues, she may also be charged under Section 46 of the Road Transport Act 1987 for driving when suffering from disease or disability. The provision is as below:

    As you can see from the above, this may only become relevant should she be aware of her disease or disability and that they could cause her driving to be a source of danger to the public when driving her Toyota Camry on that day.

    Accordingly, if she were to be charged and convicted under Section 46, she may face up to RM1,000 fine or up to 3 months in jail or both.
    Moving forward, it would be interesting to see the development of this case as we can’t really comment further until the police have finished their investigations. After the investigation papers are completed, the Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) as the principal prosecuting authority of the case will determine the most relevant charges based on the evidence provided.

    Sections 279, 283 and 341 of the Penal Code
    Beyond the Road Transport Act 1987, there are also provisions under the Penal Code that are relevant to cases of reckless driving and blocking ambulances on the road. One of these is Section 279 of the Penal Code which prescribes the offence of rash driving on a public way below:

    Under this provision, an individual is considered to have committed rash driving or riding on a public way should they drive a vehicle in a manner so rash or negligent as to endanger human life or likely to cause injury to any person.

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    Should an offender be convicted under this provision, they may face up to 6 months in jail or up to RM2,000 fine or both.

    Besides that, another potentially relevant provision is Section 283 of the Penal Code above which deals with danger or obstruction in a public way or navigation.
    Under this provision, anyone found to have performed an act which causes danger, obstruction or injury to any person in any public way can be punished with a fine of up to RM400 if convicted.
    Besides that, another provision that may become relevant in these sort of situations is Section 339 of the Penal Code which deals with wrongful restraint below:

    Screenshot provided by ADIL Legal

    Punishment for offenders convicted under Section 341 is up to 1 month imprisonment, a fine of up to RM1,000 or both.

    With all of the above in mind, let’s make a lesson out of these cases and remember that it’s important for all of us to not follow these regrettable actions while on the road. Hence, please always give way to ambulances, police or the Fire and Rescue Department vehicles as doing so might just help save a life.
    For more insights into the Malaysian legal system such as this, do make sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram or visit our official website. You can also read our articles on the popular Malaysian news aggregator app Newswav here.

     

  • Court Jails Actress Six Months for Spraying, Stepping on New Naira Notes

    Court Jails Actress Six Months for Spraying, Stepping on New Naira Notes

     

     

    By Biola Lawal
    Lagos (Flowerbudnews): An actress, Oluwadarasimi Omoseyin, has been convicted and  sentenced to six months imprisonment for  spraying and stepping on the new Naira notes at a social event in Lagos,

    She was sentenced by Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Thursday, February 1, 2024, a statement by Dele Oyewale Head,  Media & Publicity, EFCC disclosed.

    She was first arraigned on February 13, 2023 by the Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on two-count charges, to which she pleaded “not guilty.

    She was subsequently granted bail on February 15, 2023, the statement said.

    One of the count reads: “That you, Oluwadarasimi Omoseyin, on the 28th day of January, 2023, at Monarch Event Centre, Lekki, Lagos , within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, whilst dancing during a social occasion tampered with the sum of N100, 000.00 (One Hundred Thousand Naira) issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying same in the said occasion and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act, 2007.”

    At the resumed hearing on Thursday, Omoseyin, however, changed her “not guilty” plea to “guilty”, in view of the overwhelming evidence against her.

    Following her “guilty plea”,  the  prosecution counsel, Z.B. Atiku called Abubakar Mohammed Marafa, an operative of the EFCC, to review the facts of the matter.

    Marafa recalled that, “the defendant was arrested by officers of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, on February  1, 2023, and was handed over to the Commission on February 2, 2023 for further investigation. “
    According to him, the defendant’s statement was taken under caution, where she stated that  she attended a friend’s wedding on January 28, 2023, and that she sprayed N200 and N100 Naira notes on the occasion.

    “ The defendant was processed and the videos of where she sprayed the money was found on her phone. Also, further investigations were carried out and the management of the event centre was invited. They also brought in the video footage of the said event.”

    The prosecution counsel, thereafter, further applied to tender, in evidence, the letter from the ICPC and other accompanying documents , including the extra-judicial statement of the defendant, forensic report of her phone, a CD of videos showing her spraying the naira note, a  flash drive from the event centre together with the statement of the representative of the centre.

    Justice Aneke admitted them as exhibits and convicted the defendant, as charged.  The defence counsel, Afuye Adegbola pleaded for leniency, saying, “ she’s a first-time offender; she is a mother of one; she is remorseful and pleads for mercy.”

    He further pleaded for a non-custodial sentence on behalf of the convict.

    Delivering judgment, Justice Aneke  sentenced the defendant to six months imprisonment, effective from Thursday, with an option of N300,000 ( Three Hundred Thousand Naira only) fine to be paid into the consolidated revenue account of the federation.

    Omoseyin bagged her imprisonment when she was arrested by operatives of the ICPC along Awolowo Road , Ikoyi, Lagos,  after the video of her spraying and stepping on the newly redesigned Naira notes at a party surfaced online.  In the viral video, she was also seen flaunting wads of the new Naira notes.  In her statement to the Commission, she claimed that she received the new Naira notes from her fans at the party and that she did not know the persons who gave her the money.

    Items recovered from her at the point of arrest include a Range Rover. (Flowerbudnews)

  • Re-run election: INEC takes delivery of sensitive materials from CBN in Enugu

    Re-run election: INEC takes delivery of sensitive materials from CBN in Enugu

     

    By Flowerbudnews

    The Independent National Electoral Commission in Enugu, on Thursday, took delivery of sensitive materials from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for Saturday’s re-run elections in the state.

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Dr Chukwuemeka Chukwu, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in his office.

    Chukwu said that the commission was fully prepared for a hitch-free exercise.

    He said that INEC had taken possession and secured the delivery of the sensitive materials for upward movement to the three respective local government areas involved in the re-run elections.

    He said that the commission was in the last phase of the process of the re-run, with the ballot papers and results sheet in its safe custody.

     

    The REC also said that the commission had invited representatives of political parties and security agencies to witness the exercise for openness as well as assure all the stakeholders that the sensitive materials are intact.

     

    He said that non-sensitive materials had already been moved to the council areas, adding that training, logistics, security and other arrangements had been concluded for the exercise.

     

    It would be recalled that 173 polling units in 25 Registration Areas, also called political wards, would be open for Igbo-Eze North/Udenu Federal Constituency and Enugu South (Urban) State Constituency re-run elections.

    For Igbo-Eze North/Udenu Federal Constituency, there would be 62,697 voters within 24 Registration Areas as well as 165 polling units.

    Also, for Enugu South (Urban) State Constituency, there would be 4,618 eligible voters in one Registration Area as well as eight polling units. (Flowerbudnews)