Court grants ex-minister, Agunloye, N50m bail – Newstrends
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Court grants ex-minister, Agunloye, N50m bail

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Court grants ex-minister, Agunloye, N50m bail

 

An Abuja High Court on Thursday granted bail to a former Minister of Power and Steel, Mr Olu Agunloye, who was remanded in prison custody over his alleged complicity in a $6 billion contract fraud.

Trial Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie granted the bail to Agunloye to the tune of N50 million with two sureties in the same sum.

The former minister is facing a seven-count charge instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

The court held that the sureties must own landed properties worth N300 million, adding that the Certificate of Occupancy of the said properties must be verifiable.

The trial judge ordered that the sureties must submit copies of their identity cards as well as photocopies of their international passports to the court registry.

The defendant was further ordered to submit his international passport to the court and ensure his availability at all times for his trial.

The defendant had, through his counsel, Mr Adeola Adedipe, SAN, urged the court to either grant him bail on self-recognisance or on very liberal terms.

Agunloye however said the charge the anti-graft agency preferred against him contained a bailable offence.

He told the court that he would not pose any flight risk, saying he would be available for his trial.

Justice Onwuegbuzie fixed February 12 for the commencement of hearing of the case. Agunloye served as a minister between 1999 and 2003, under the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

He was accused of illegally awarding a contract for the construction of a 3,960MW Mambilla hydroelectric power station on a build, operate, and transfer basis.

The agency told the court that the contract, which was awarded to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited, was done without any budgetary provision, approval, or cash backing.

Agunloye was also alleged to have corruptly received kickback to the tune of N3.6 million from the company he awarded the contract to.

However, the defendant, who had also served as a Minister of State for Defence, pleaded not guilty to the charge when he was docked on Wednesday, even as the court remanded him in Kuje prison pending the decision on his bail application.

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BREAKING: ASUU threatens fresh nationwide strike over federal varsities’ condition 

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May 14, 2024

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BREAKING: ASUU threatens fresh nationwide strike over federal varsities’ condition

University students may be forced to return home any time soon as their lecturers are threatening another round of strike.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) says its members will embark on a nationwide strike over management, administrative and other issues affecting the universities.

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President of ASUU, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, spoke on the vexed issues on Tuesday at a press conference in Abuja.

He lamented the absence of governing councils in all federal universities across the country among other issues the government is yet to address.

He recalled that the Federal Government dissolved governing councils of the universities in May last year.

Osodeke therefore asked Nigerians to hold the government responsible for any decision it might take to protest the action of government.

BREAKING: ASUU threatens fresh nationwide strike over federal varsities’ conditions

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London-based Nigerian boxer dies during his first professional fight

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May 14, 2024

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London-based boxer Sherif Lawal

London-based Nigerian boxer dies during his first professional fight

A London-based boxer Sherif Lawal has died after he collapsed in the ring during his professional debut on Sunday.

According to report, Lawal was knocked down by Portuguese opponent Malam Varela in the fourth round of a middleweight bout at Harrow Leisure Centre.

The 29-year-old received treatment from paramedics at the scene and was taken to the hospital but later pronounced dead.

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The British Boxing Board of Control said in a statement: “Condolences to the family of Sherif Lawal following his tragic passing.

“The thoughts of all those involved in boxing in Great Britain are with them at this difficult time.”

Meanwhile, Warren Boxing Management, who represented Lawal, also sent their condolences.

In his words, “We would like to send our condolences to all of Sherif’s family, friends, coaches and all those close to him at this tragic time.”

London-based Nigerian boxer dies during his first professional fight

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Women Affairs Minister drags Niger Speaker to court over plans to marry off 100 girls

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7 hours ago

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May 14, 2024

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Minister for Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye

Women Affairs Minister drags Niger Speaker to court over plans to marry off 100 girls

Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, has sued Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Abdulmalik Sarkin-Daji, over child marriage.

The minister asked the court to stop Sarkin-Daji from marrying off 100 girls.

The minister, speaking to journalists in Abuja on Monday, said the plan of Sarkin-Daji to marry off the girls was appalling.

Kennedy-Ohanenye disclosed that she had also petitioned the Inspector-General of Police over Sarkin-Daji’s plan.

The Niger lawmaker disclosed last week that he would sponsor the wedding of 100 girls, some of whom were orphaned by insurgency, as part of his Maringa constituency project.

He said he had acquired materials for the event scheduled for May 24, and promised to pay dowries for the bridegrooms.

Sarkin-Daji announcement was greeted by widespread criticism, the speaker clarified that he was only funding the wedding — not forcing the girls into marriage.

However, Kennedy-Ohanenye said the plan is unacceptable, and that the future of the girls should be a priority, adding that the speaker should have empowered the children.

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She said the ministry will take responsibility for the girls’ education and vocational training.

“I want to let the honorable Speaker of the House in Niger state know that this is totally unacceptable by the Federal Minister of Women Affairs and by the government,” Kennedy-Ohanenye said.

“Because there is something called the Child’s Right Act and I said it from the onset, that is no more business as usual.

“These children must be considered, their future must be considered, the future of the children to come out of their marriage must be considered.

“So I have gone to court. I have written him a letter and written a petition to the IG of police.

“And I have filed for injunction to stop him from whatever he is planning to do on the 24th, until a thorough investigation is carried out on those girls, find out whether they gave their consent, their ages, find out the people marrying them.

“As the speaker did not think about empowering these women or sending them to school or giving them some kind of training support financially. The Women Affairs have decided to take it up and we are going to educate the children.

“Those that do not want to go to school, we will train them in a skill, empower them with sustainable empowerment machines to enable that child build his or her life and make up her mind who and when to get married.

“If for any reason the speaker tries to do contrary to what I have just mentioned, there will be a serious legal battle between him and the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs.”

Women Affairs Minister drags Niger Speaker to court over plans to marry off 100 girls

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