Breaking: Ex-Anambra Gov Obiano arraigned on nine courts, pleads not guilty  – Newstrends
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Breaking: Ex-Anambra Gov Obiano arraigned on nine courts, pleads not guilty 

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Breaking: Ex-Anambra Gov Obiano arraigned on nine courts, pleads not guilty 

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Wednesday arraigned an ex-Governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, on nine counts of money laundering.

He was arraigned before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja. He pleaded not guilty after the charge was read to him.

He was subsequently allowed to go home based on the terms of an administrative bail the anti-graft agency earlier granted to him.

Terms of the conditions included the seizure of his international passport, even as he was warned not to travel outside the country without the permission of the court.

Besides, the court directed the EFCC to forward to it details of those that stood as his surety.

The case was adjourned till March 4 for the commencement of his trial.

The former governor was first arrested at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport, Lagos, on March 17, 2022 as he was preparing to board a flight to Houston, the United States of America.

The arrest took place a few hours after he left office as governor.

Some of the charges against him, read: “That you, Chief Willie Maduabuchi Obiano, whilst being the executive governor of Anambra State of Nigeria between March 2014 – March 2022, sometime between 7th February, 2018 and 18th February, 2019 in Abuja …within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, indirectly transferred through Mr Willie Nwokoye, your then principal private secretary, the sum of N156,800.00 only from the Anambra State Government Security Vote Account No: 5030050875 domiciled in Fidelity Bank Pic into the Fidelity Bank Ple Account No: 6060018819 belonging to C.I. Patty Ventures Nigeria Limited (an entity that had no business relationship with the Anambra State Government);

“…which funds were dissipated for purposes unrelated/unconnected with the security affairs of Anambra State, which you reasonably ought to have known that such funds formed part of the proceeds of your unlawful act, to wit: (Stealing and Corruption) and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (2) (b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) in 2012 and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act.

“That you, Chief Willie Maduabuchi Obiano, whilst being the executive governor of Anambra State of Nigeria between March 2014 — March 2022, sometime between 9th August, 2017 to 4th March, 2020 in Abuja;

“…within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, indirectly transferred through Mr Willie Nwokoye, your then principal private secretary, the sum of N261,268,585.00 only from the Anambra State Government Security Vote Account No: 5030050875 domiciled in Fidelity Bank Plc into the Fidelity Bank Plc Account No: 5600062873 belonging to Easy Diamond Integrated Link (an entity that had no business relationship with the Anambra State Government);

“…which funds were dissipated for purposes unrelated/unconnected with the security affairs of Anambra State, which you reasonably ought to have known that such funds formed part of the proceeds of your unlawful act, to wit: (Stealing and Corruption) and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (2) (b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) in 2012 and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act.”

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Catholic bishops caution on use of Artificial Intelligence

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4 hours ago

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May 10, 2024

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Catholic Bishops

Catholic bishops caution on use of Artificial Intelligence

The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has raised concerns over the misuse of Artificial Intelligence (AI), particularly by youths in Nigeria and beyond.

Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, Archbishop of Owerri and President of CBCN, expressed this during the CBCN maiden edition of the Communications Week (ComWEEK) Public Lecture in Abuja on Wednesday.

The event, themed ‘Artificial Intelligence: Challenges and Opportunities for Evangelisation and Social Development,’ was part of the activities marking the 2024 ComWEEK of the CBCN, the 58th edition since the Pope established World Communication Day (WCD) in 1967.

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Ugorji emphasized, “Despite the enormous benefits, the development and deployment of AI digital technology must be approached with ethical rigour. We must strive for a balance that prioritizes human welfare alongside technological progress, mindful of the ethical and moral dilemmas, as well as risks such as job displacement, threat to peace in the world, spread of falsehood through propaganda, manipulation of the human person, and privacy concerns through advanced hacking and deepfakes.”

Speaking on the theme, Prof. Anthony Akinwale, Deputy Vice Chancellor of Augustine University, Ilara-Epe, Lagos State, highlighted that despite the fears associated with AI and other technologies, religion cannot ignore the accomplishments of science and technology.

Additionally, Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, noted that Pope Francis’ position aligns with the consistent magisterium of the Church, emphasizing that all scientific progress is a gift of God to humanity, to be used for human well-being and the glory of God.

Catholic bishops caution on use of Artificial Intelligence

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Killing, looting in Okuama after troops pull-out

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5 hours ago

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May 10, 2024

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Killing, looting in Okuama after troops pull-out

Suspected peasants have killed an invader and macheted three others, who allegedly encroached on the Okuama-Ewu Community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, to loot zinc, iron, rods and related scraps, barely 24 hours after the Nigerian Army pulled out of the embattled community.

Soldiers started withdrawing from the community, on Monday, and finally pulled out, on Wednesday, following negotiations between Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and the Army authorities.

Vanguard learned that soon after, some youths from neighbouring villages, observing that soldiers had withdrawn from Okuama-Ewu, went to the community to scavenge for things to sell.

Meanwhile, the people of Akugbene community in Bomadi Local Government Area of the state, have raised the alarm that one of the six persons attacked and macheted, by returnees of the embattled Okuama Community in Ughelli South was still missing.

They ambushed, macheted our people—Akugbene resident

A source from the neighbouring Akugbene Community in Bomadi Local Government Area of the state told Vanguard that they noticed soldiers leaving the Okuama-Ewu Community, on Tuesday. It explained that Okuama returnees ambushed and attacked four Akugbene indigenes with machetes.

His words: “As I talk to you, there is a problem: the Okuama returnees ambushed and butchered four indigenes of our community with machetes.

“They (Akugbene indigenes) were on their way to the Ezebiri Community along the footpath linking various communities on hearing that the road was free when the Okuama returnees ambushed them.

“One of them, who escaped to our community with machete cuts, narrated that the Okuama returnees pointed guns at them and attacked them, while on their way to Ezebiri.

“They attacked them with machetes, but he managed to escape while others were led towards the jetty in the community waterfront.

“The victim is in a critical condition with us here at the primary healthcare centre,” he added.

On how Okuama-Ewu people, who fled the community on March 14, could have laid ambush for the Akugbene villagers, he said: “We believe some soldiers of Urhobo decent at Okuama must have passed prior information of their planned pull-out to them.

“We have some respite now, as we were practically caged, not moving out to neighbouring communities in the Okuama direction, where we buy most of our foodstuff and household materials, particularly at the Okuagbe market, so, our people went to buy foodstuff when they attacked them.”

One of our brothers still missing —Akugbene chair

Meanwhile, a former community chairman, who spoke to our reporter, disclosed that one of the two persons declared missing during the attack, returned to the community late last night and that one of the remaining victims was nowhere to be found.

He said: “It was two persons that were missing yesterday but one has already returned to the community late yesterday. But, up until this moment, the remaining person, whose name is Egberike Masah, is nowhere to be found. One of our brothers is still missing and the community is doing its best to know his whereabouts.”

Another source from a neighbouring community, who narrated fishermen’s account of the incident at Okuama, said: “Fishermen told us from the river that indigenes of Okuama on canoes came out of the creek leading to Ewu and crossed to the community on that day. They later crossed over with their canoes through the creek”.

The victims went to loot —Villagers

However, a villager from another community said: “On the Akugbene and Okuama returnee news, those youths went to Okuama to loot upon hearing that soldiers have left the community. The youths of Okuama accosted and macheted them.

“Two of those Akugbene youths escaped to our community unhurt and we have already sent them back to their community.

“I noticed the soldiers pulling out from Okuama around 5p.m., to 6p.m. A soldier said they received signal from above to leave the community.”

We will maintain peace—Koki, Okoloba chair

The chair of the Okoloba community, Mr. Clement Koki, said that his community would continue to maintain peace and pray to God for protection.

He said: “Soldiers have indeed left Okuama, as a community, we will continue to maintain the peace and pray to God Almighty for His protection and support.”

No Okuama-Ewu indigene has returned, says community leader

One leader of the community, who confirmed the withdrawal of soldiers from Okuama-Ewu, said: “No indigene has gone back there. We heard that the army has left Okuama-Ewu, but none of our people can go there now until the government gives a clear announcement.

“So, no one will go there because the soldiers could be patrolling around and can swoop on anyone who goes there.”

A villager, who expressed disappointment at the action of the scavengers, said: “As soldiers withdrew, boys from a nearby community invaded the place to remove irons, rods, and all that. Some indigenes of Okuama who sneaked there when they heard the army had vacated saw them removing zinc and rods as if what the community went through was not enough. Well, they chose to be calm.”

Community members reported that troops have vacated —Ejedegba, Okuama solicitor

Counsel to the community, Mr. Innocent Ejedegba, said some of the community folks called to inform him of the development.

Killing, looting in Okuama after troops pull-out

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Reps want cybersecurity levy suspended, Senate backs CBN policy

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5 hours ago

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May 10, 2024

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CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso

Reps want cybersecurity levy suspended, Senate backs CBN policy

The Senate and House of Representatives have sharply disagreed on the controversial 0.5 per cent cybersecurity levy introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

While the Senate said there was nothing wrong with the levy since the national assembly passed it into law, the House of Representatives asked the CBN to suspend its implementation based following public outcry that had trailed it.

The Senate contended that the cybersecurity levy came into being through a collaborative effort that involved the National Assembly’s ICT and Cyber Security Committee and a transparent public hearing process, with contributions from various stakeholders.

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According to the Senate, both arms of the National Assembly unanimously passed it before President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed it into law.

It also argued that the levy was not punitive, but aimed at protecting national security and the economy.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, Senator Shehu Umar Buba, APC Bauchi South, who addressed the controversy surrounding the proposed implementation of the cybersecurity levy by the CBN yesterday , said that the levy was provided for in the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) (Amendment) Act, 2024.

Senator Buba noted that the provisions of the cybersecurity levy had been in place since 2015 but were delayed due to unclear interpretations and applications.

He, however, clarified that the levy was not punitive as it had numerous exemptions to protect and relieve ordinary citizens, particularly the poor.

According to him, the exemptions include salary payments, intra-account transfers, loan disbursements and repayments, and other financial transactions.

But the House of Representatives directed the CBN to suspend implementation of the proposed levy.

It also mandated its Committees on Banking Regulations, and Banking and other ancillary institutions to guide the CBN properly.

This followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by the House Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, PDP Rivers, and 359 others

Reps want cybersecurity levy suspended, Senate backs CBN policy

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