News
Court orders final forfeiture of N12.18bn Emefiele Abuja properties
Court orders final forfeiture of N12.18bn Emefiele Abuja properties
The Federal High Court in Lagos has permanently forfeited to the Federal Government properties valued at N11,140,000,000.00 (billion) and N1.04 billion linked to the embattled former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele.
Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke made the order of final forfeiture after hearing a motion filed and argued by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), through its counsel Chineye Okezie.
The judge on June 5, 2024 upheld the anti-graft agency’s motion filed by its counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), for an interim forfeiture of the property.
Oyedepo had informed the court that Emefiele was suspected to have bought the choice properties by proxy, with the proceeds of fraud.
The EFCC named two current and one former CBN personnel as Emefiele’s accomplices in the alleged fraud.
The trio, according to the affidavit filed in support of the application, are Obayemi Oluwaseun Teben and Akomolafe Adebayo working with Olubunmi Makinde a former CBN staff and others.
The properties are mostly located in highbrow parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
Justice Aneke ordered the EFCC to publish the order in a national newspaper for any interested party to show cause why the final order of forfeiture should not be made.
The judge adjourned for hearing of the motion for final forfeiture.
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Upon resumption on Friday, June 21, no party appeared in court to contest the judge’s interim order and Okezie moved her motion for permanent forfeiture.
Justice Aneke, after reading a 41-paragraph affidavit deposed to by an EFCC Investigating Officer, Michael John Idoko, the 19 exhibits attached, a Written Address signed by Okezie, and after hearing Okezie’s motion, granted the application.
The properties were listed by the EFCC in two schedules, A and B.
The judge said: “Having carefully considered the application and submission of counsel, it is hereby ordered as follows: – that a final forfeiture order of this honourable court is hereby made forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria, properties contained in Schedule A herein which were traced and reasonably suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities.”
They Include shops and apartments at Cadastral Zone Maitama and Wuse.
For Schedule B, Justice Aneke added: “That a final forfeiture order of this Honourable Court is hereby made forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria, properties contained in Schedule B herein which properties were traced to have been acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities.”
The properties include lands and apartments which were paid for on behalf of Oluwaseun at a total value of N1.04billion.
According to the affidavit, Obayemi Oluwaseun Teben and Akomolafe Adebayo working with Olubunmi Makinde “used their positions and Influence as CBN staff to secure retail and Special allocation of Foreign Exchange to different companies in exchange for kickbacks.
“That Olubunmi Makinde is the link between Obayemi Oluwaseun Teben and Akomolafe Adebayo and the various companies applying for the purchase of foreign exchange.
“That Obayemi Oluwaseun Teben
and Akomolafe Adebayo as staffs of the Central Bank of Nigeria has access to the bidding processes and bidding Data of companies who has applied for the approval of form Ms to the CBN through their various commercial banks.”
Court orders final forfeiture of N12.18bn Emefiele Abuja properties
News
Executive Order: NAFDAC praises Tinubu for advancing drug and health security
Executive Order: NAFDAC praises Tinubu for advancing drug and health security
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for signing an executive order to strengthen drug and health security in Nigeria.
In a statement on Saturday, NAFDAC Director-General Prof. Moji Adeyeye highlighted that the executive order is designed to transform Nigeria’s health sector. The order focuses on increasing local production of healthcare products, reducing healthcare equipment and consumables costs, and promoting local investments.
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Prof. Adeyeye emphasized that this move paves the way for a sustainable and high-quality healthcare system for all Nigerians. She noted that the executive order demonstrates the administration’s dedication to transforming the health sector and aligns with the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII) and the Presidential Initiative on Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC), which was approved in October 2023.
Prof. Adeyeye also mentioned that NAFDAC has been implementing measures to enhance the local manufacturing of drugs and other health commodities over the past six years. She stated that the Tinubu administration has created an environment where local manufacturers can excel and compete effectively.
Executive Order: NAFDAC praises Tinubu for advancing drug and health security
News
Food Security: Saudi Arabia plans farm equipment manufacturing plants in Nigeria
Food Security: Saudi Arabia plans farm equipment manufacturing plants in Nigeria
Senator Abubakar Kyari, the Minister of Agriculture, announced that Saudi Arabia has shown interest in establishing manufacturing plants in Nigeria for farming equipment.
Kyari disclosed this in a statement on his Twitter account on Saturday following a meeting with stakeholders from the Middle Eastern state. He highlighted that the objective is to enhance Nigeria’s agricultural sector through mechanization by locating these plants within the country.
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Additionally, Kyari mentioned that Saudi Arabia has committed to purchasing 200,000 metric tons of red meat annually from Nigeria and one million tons of soya. He emphasized that this initiative will bolster the agricultural sector and the nation’s production capacity.
News
Release Nnamdi Kanu now, Peter Obi urges FG
Release Nnamdi Kanu now, Peter Obi urges FG
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the last general election, Peter Obi, has called on the Federal government to release Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Speaking to journalists at his residence in Onitsha, Anambra State, Obi described Nigeria as being on the brink of failure and emphasized the importance of upholding the rule of law. He called on the Federal government to release Nnamdi Kanu promptly, citing court rulings that granted him bail.
“My take on Nnamdi Kanu is that I don’t see any reason for his continued detention, especially as the courts have granted him bail. The government must obey the court. The rule of law is an intricate asset that we must cherish and live with. I use this same opportunity to plead with the federal government to ensure that all those who are in similar conditions are released and discussed. We are in a democracy, and we should not be doing things that are arbitrary and not within the law.
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I want to use this opportunity to say that all those who are being held because of one protest or the other should be released. Whether it is freedom fighters, End Sars protesters, or even because of freedom of speech, be it journalists, let them all be released immediately.
We are a democratic country, and people have rights under the constitution to express themselves freely. They also have the right to peaceful protest, and we must listen to them. We must listen to those who say they are not happy, that is why it is a democracy. We should stop acting dictatorial and behave as if this is not a democratic country.” he said
Release Nnamdi Kanu now, Peter Obi urges FG
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